Dakota Valley Elementary School

I do not agree with punishment as a motivator for children, adults, or even animals. The following 7 examples contradict Dakota Valley's (Stephen Covey's) 7 Habits: 1) First communication regarding tardiness to school (due to dental/orthodontic appointments) included threat of legal action. Did not ask why tardiness of a few minutes first - only sent threatening template letter. **Contradicts: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood**2) Teacher expects 6 year-old's to be responsible to consistently complete all class work by themselves or get negative feedback and punishment. **Contradicts: Synergize**3) Punishment includes having children sit by watching other six year-old's having fun while they are kept on the sidelines publicly punished for non-performance **Contradicts: Put First Things First**4) Six year-old's are expected to choose correctly to wear coats outside or suffer being cold and not allowed to go back inside to retrieve their coat. If being punished, children sit on concrete outside in cloudy 60 degree breezy weather. **Contradicts: Begin with the end in mind**5) Office staff are not friendly. **Contradicts: Think Win-Win**6) Teachers blame children for poor choices. Adults take no responsibility; have no empathy; and play to class favoritism. **Contradicts: Be Proactive**7) It took multiple reminders to get the next level class work - otherwise too easy, not being challenged, and bored with class. **Contradicts: Sharpen the Saw**

My daughter loves attending Dakota Valley! They challenge their students and give them tons of opportunities to volunteer and make a difference in their community and school. Every day my daughter comes home and impresses me with how quickly she is learning at this school. I've never experienced anything that people in the negative reviews are writing about, nor have any other Dakota Valley parents I've spoken with.

My daughter was new to the school last year and I must tell you... It's a WONDERFUL school! Everyone is polite, helpful, and the overall atmosphere of the school is wonderful. Not sure why the reviews are so poor, but I will say .. This is a great school!

The Principal and anyone else who made the decision to fire the Cafeteria Manager for feeding hungry kids needs to be fired and have their teaching credentials revoked. This person should never be allowed to work in schools again in any capacity. Clearly he/she lacks any empathy or reason when it comes to dealing with children. Both of my parents were teachers (my father for 33 years) and it is an absolute disgrace to all teachers and our children what school administrators and politicians have done to our education system.