Garfield Elementary School

Garfield is a school that has gone through a major overhaul in all aspects since its reinstatement into the Redwood City School District in 2010. Very skilled leadership and teachers were brought in to address the necessities of the school. Teachers work tirelessly to make sure that students are safe and learning at high levels in Language Arts, Math, Science, and social emotional well being. Additionally, teachers and staff have gone through training to address the emotional needs of students so that students are able to navigate and cope with their own emotions. Moreover, the family resources are above and beyond what is offered at other schools with a highly trained mental health team and additional community partners that offer food and produce, family counseling, and parent trainings to help improve the overall family dynamic outside of the classroom. Garfield has had a difficult history and reputation to overcome but it has made leaps and bounds with the leadership and teachers that are in place right now!

As with all online platforms/ reviews, this one seems to attract only very negative ones. I wish this had more of a dialogue. Sidenote on equity (not equality): Many of our parents who love what is happening at this school are most comfortable with expressing themselves in Spanish and may not have immediate access to the Web. It's not accident that our school sits in city-planning boundaries outside of the Menlo Park school district despite the fact that we exist within its parameters. 40+ years of relegating students of color into one school outside of the "safe" suburbs is a city planning policy proven to exist through multiple studies (comparable to gerrymandering in politics). Last sidenote: Couple of the angry comments seem to be from subs that were struggling to speak with respect towards our students. Our students are keenly skilled at detecting derision.

The school is not organized as my son's favorite school. My son hates your school!

I have seen in our school that there have been problems, but im sure our new principal will change our problems. We the students feel very proud and with the staff, we are a family i dont know if thats going to change this 2010 2011 year. on the other hand i hope it wont, we grew up with these theachers for eight years there like family. Now the school is averge lets make it a exellent. Together we can make it the best school in the U.S.. Parents have to step up but lets not over due it, it can be weird. It is tought with the econemy but we can make alot easier. I dont know how but were smart your smart together we'll figur something out. Including the state, it will be hard but we will make it with blood sweet and tears. Garfield will make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!