Rio Elementary School

We love Rio Elementary School. It's a small school and while there are some disadvantages to that I feel the advantages outweigh them. I feel like it's a secure learning environment. The small classes mean the teachers can spend time with every kid. We have a new principal this year so I can't speak to his abilities yet but so far so good. My kids are doing well but I feel that if they needed help there are support staff to offer it. Parents and the community are very active in the school. When I attend class activities like parties or even just to volunteer I see kids and staff who really seem to care about each other.

I'm very concerned about the overall low morale amongst Rio School staff. I've talked with several teachers that are afraid of the dishonesty and sneakiness of the District Administrator. The School Board lets him get away with anything and everything! He's the worst school administrator I've ever been around, but the board does nothing about it! My son recently graduated from Rio and has also told me about the "bullying" problem there. I think the Rio school environment must be improved to insure every student receives a sound education. The first move is to get a new school board and administrator!

I, too, am a parent of children at Rio Elementary. I feel very informed as a parent and am extremely happy with the success of my children as a result of their caring teachers and support staff. The overall building is in desperate need of updating but considering the fact that our school district is entirely debt free, (yes, I said DEBT FREE) I project these maintenance obstacles to be addressed sooner than later. As far as the community and school relationship, I can't say enough about it! It takes ACTIVE parents to be involved in their school and community and if you don't put forth effort into a relationship~you don't get much out of a relationship. I am a happy "transplant" to this wonderful community and from the Madison school district myself, I am quite certain this was the best decision my husband I have ever made. Melisa Arndt

Rio elementary school needs improvement. There are very limited after school activities and involvement. The community is detached from the school which is a great concern. My daughter has been struggling in school and each year it seems she gets further behind. I do not feel that some teachers are qualified for the position, even though they may have the required education requirments. A qualifying position for a teacher means educated and enthusiastic with children! Some of the teachers are not very enthusiastic with the kids and are more "cranky". I feel that if you are not excited and happy about teaching, then the job is not right for you. For instance, my daughters kindergarden teacher put unhappy faces on homework that she did not to good on and another teacher separated her from the class because "she was a distraction to the other classmates". This has made her very upset by which she no longer wanted to attend school. I feel that teachers think only about the job(earning money) aspect of their position and not the impact that they have on children for there future. I wish that someone would step up to the plate to improve this school. But, there are some great teachers.