Richard F Bernotas Middle School

My experience with this school has been horrible. From the moment that you walk through the doors to the moment that you exit, there is a very clear sense that you are not welcome. No teachers or staff members look you in the eyes, no one is friendly or welcoming, teachers and staff always make you feel like you are in their way and wasting their precious time instead of offering help and guidance. The behavior of the staff members in this school is ridiculous and completely unacceptable. They are rude and racial insensitive. I had hoped that in 2020, my black children could attend school free of discrimination and hate but this school has proved that D47 in Crystal Lake still has many leaps and bounds to hurdle before my children can attend the public school in their community without prejudice. To be clear, I have been a resident of this school district since I was a child myself. The racism that my children are experiencing is the same, if not worse, than the racial inequality that I faced as one of the 1st black students of this school district. D47 has shown no growth or racial acceptance in the last 25 years and it is a complete shame to witness. Shame on you Bernotas Middle School. Do better. Be better.

The teachers here care about our children.

Bullying is everywhere and there's a lot of mean teachers I can only find 5 teachers and I'm in there classes Now for no reason I can't sit by my friends at lunch

The new theme they are trying to incorporate is not affective (the six pillars character) and seems pointless. It has not changed any way we feel towards our peers and ourselves. The school has a pretty fair environment, except for the few teachers who are not as much of a pleasure to be around. The food they serve at school has slowly gotten worse. There is a sandwich line with processed cheese and meat, and the choices in the regular line include pizza, cheeseburgers, dry packaged salads, hot dogs, tacos, wraps which are just the salad wrapped up in a tortilla, and then the daily choice which normally is either chicken nuggets or chicken sandwiches. Now I would like to speak of the more positive things in the school. The support the principals give us are exceptional on a personal level. Also, most teachers give you the freedom to listen to music in class. I also enjoy the tv show in the morning that informs us about the activities and sports going on. There are many other things I would like to say about this school, but obviously there are not enough characters given. Overall, Bernotas has a pretty well formed staff, but not as good intentions for the students.