Joseph E Ferderbar Elementary School

I went to school here in the 90's, in second, third, and fourth grade. It was torture, especially third grade. I was EXTREMELY bullied, and instead of addressing the issue, I was removed from my class several times a week to learn how to handle being bullied with other bullied kids. The kids doing the bullying were not reprimanded in any way. I had teachers scream at me (and I do mean SCREAM), I had a teacher shove a chair at me in third grade, my Mother was told that I was being bullied because she didn't dress me well enough (I wore clothes from Sears, and it shouldn't have mattered regardless, especially not for a teacher to make a statement like that). I was actively discouraged by teaching staff there, especially the teacher I had for third grade (Mrs. Ciocian). I was reading on a 5th grade reading level in second grade, but still had to pick books from the lower reading level to read. My experience at Ferderbar was absolutely deplorable. I don't know how much it has changed over the years, but my years there were the worst experience of my life. I do not reccomend anyone sending their children there under any circumstances whatsoever.

We have only been with this school for a few months and I am frustrated. My child comes home from school with a ton of flyers asking us to buy, buy, buy....it never ends. What's worse is the teacher is pressuring kids into buying things. They tell kids to come to school with money because "everybody" will be buying books at the book sale. When my child showed up with no money they "put a book aside" for her and told her to bring the money the next day and than the day after that. We have an extensive home library, we do not need to be pressured into getting more. They constantly use kids to manipulate their parents into buying things. The child whose parent(s) buy the most gets a small cheap toy as a prize. He/she also gets called in front of the class for the rest of the children to be jealous.
What's also not cool is the school's stuff asking parents to sell things for them - when did we get a second nonpaying job as sales people? It's ridiculous.
Another thing that doesn't sit well with me is that they make kids sit on the floor of the cafeteria, while they are waiting for their busses. The school has a huge conference room/hall with a lot of chairs - why can't they use that? We tried addressing it - it led nowhere.
The curriculum is good. The teacher is encouraging. Homework assignments look appropriate and I am satisfied with the amount of information kids receive during their school day.
P.S. Be aware if your child is starting Kindergarten - this school has a half day kindergarten - which in reality is more like 2 hours. If that is a problem for you and you want a full day kindergarten I would recommend searching for another school district. I believe other schools in the district are also offering a half day kindergarten. You would be wise to double check.