Question 25:
Do you have any general comments or suggestions about how the school can improve student learning focused on high achievement of all students?
The following comments were made:
Don’t have enough words how saint Theresa is amazing School for us. Our daughter is so blessed and lucky to join Saint Theresa Catholic School! We thank you!
Take care of the staff & the kids will excel. I do feel a bit less homework will allow the kids to find a better balance. Teach balance now & look at these kids in a decade. Happy & on a good path
no
we need to keep our school safe and our faculty happy. we are a family committed to stcs and are willing to help any way possible.
We have been very happy. I love the inclusion and hope that older grades can be as inclusive as the younger grades have been. I know that has been a concern. I’d like to see more project based learning in all areas
"Please maintain small class size, it was one of the major reasons we chose this school.
Please maintain our academic performance and prioritize the needs of our teachers; we love them and their commitment to our children."
I do not. This is a wonderful school and community. In the short time Dr D has brought consistency and accountability to the school. He is getting things done which is great.
NA
Generally speaking we are very pleased and love our community and all the teachers
Focusing on kids development and not only on money related actions
The teachers have been the key to this school for years and years. Do everything we can to keep them happy with their jobs so we don’t lose any.
As a continuation of earlier commentary, encouraging more small group learning would be very beneficial for all students. Also, while there are some teachers that are quite adept at shifting to the needs of their students and the varying needs of cohorts from year to year, other teachers seem to not have the flexibility to adapt quickly. This could be, in part, to the amount of demand that is placed on teachers to do things other than teach. While the role of an educator, especially at a small Catholic school, includes many different roles and responsibilities, the primary role should be delivering educational content to students - which does take time outside the "normal" school schedule. To the extent possible, educators should be able to focus on education, and that doesn't seem to be something that teachers are able to devote time to - excluding evenings and weekends at home.
Awesome place!
I believe that the school's current policies and procedures are very effective. Adding the resource teacher especially has improved that.
I would like to see our faith formation revised for first reconciliation and first communion.
We are enjoying our experience during school and all of the extra curricular activities (and the parties!). Great people to be part of
Our children are receiving an excellent academic and spiritual education provided by the teachers, there could be improvement with forming a "well rounded" child and growing them emotionally and socially by bringing in additional programs that address current topics facing our society- drug/alcohol awareness, using social media, how to build and maintain friendships, etc
More advanced computer programming and a selection of multiple foreign languages to choose from.
STEM program
"Stop Principal turnover.
Transparency
Traditions"
"In general, I want to state the following concerns:
-Security measures as previously listed and more specifically we need to have closed school masses. In the news everyday we hear horror stories of gun violence. It is completely irresponsible that we allow open access to our school masses and put our children at risk.
- I’m concerned that parents are being asked to meet regarding teacher retention due the low teacher morale; however, it’s because of the current administration that they are so unhappy and parents can not affect change in that arena.
-Preschool ratios are inconsistent with advertised ratios on website causing A LOT of really unhappy preschool families. It’s the young families that build our school and that can’t be ignored. We specifically did not come to STCS because of that issue and waited until Kindergarten. Every other preschool option in this area has two teachers in every classroom regardless of class size.
- Dr. Dertinger is not effectively communicating/responding/informing parents about many of these concerns."
new principal
Stronger focus on study skills/ time management and organization for students in the older grades in preparation for high school.
I am sure that most teachers follow this, but research has shown that multiple opportunities of unstructured play/ PE during the day increase learning potential.
I believe I stated all the ways I believe the school can improve in previous questions.
NO the learning is not the problem!
"1) improved campus security
2) consistent student mass security
3) more genuine effort for teacher retention
4) more genuine effort to increase poor teacher morale (our teachers are the best thing our school has going for it)
5) quit talking about projects, lets do them"
Purposefully and substantially support the teachers so they can sustain their hard work in the classroom.
Keep teachers happy and appreciate them!
Improve teacher morale so that they feel inspired and energized to inspire our kids. Fix the security issues NOW - not a month from now, not a year from now. Stop waiting and analyzing and start producing meaningful results when it comes to our kid's safety!
To assure that all students are learning at their potential or not falling behind their peers, small pull out groups allow those that need additional assistance a smaller platform for the teacher to really focus in on their needs. Likewise for those students that are really excelling, it allows the teacher to push them to their full potential to avoid them from becoming bored because the content is not challenging enough.
Teacher morale seems low; I am concerned about losing high quality teachers due to inability to get approval for classroom items, and other administrative issues. I have concerns about retention due to the bait-and-switch of promising low student-to-teacher ratios in the ECC (per the handbook available to new families), which were not followed this year. The Pre-K teachers and parents have expressed the need for additional in-classroom assistance, but have received no help.
"Focus on big picture for behaviors and ensure expectations are age appropriate. Stop micromanaging.
Clear academic and RE cirriculum expectations should be communicated and monitored regularly to students and families. No clue how my children are doing and the report cards are worthless."
I think that our faculty is outstanding and does a wonderful job of teaching our children and preparing them for the next level.
Focus on disciplinary issues quickly before they effect the students. Screen students coming into our school. Create an environment that the kids feel safe, thrive and respect each other.
No
Greater passion for learning, encouraging curiousity and thinking creatively.
I would like to see even more of an emphasis on leadership and public speaking. Possibly bringing in outside faculty to teach children how to be better leaders and speakers.
would love more physical activity and science activity options for the children in after care, as well as exposure to Spanish
Overall, the school does a very good job. Great teachers and families. With very limited exceptions, we have been very happy with St Theresa for over 20 years.
Continued embracing of technological advances to assist with learning.
I think reading and writing are opportunities for the lower grades. I like it when teachers update grades in RenWeb frequently so parents can help follow up before kids get too far behinds. Teachers are tremendous especially in 6-8.
I'd like to see an after school activity that teaches the kids how to study for tests.
Refocus your lens on issues that are most important based on your staff's input. Find out what we can all do to work together to make St Theresa a better school.
"I am very worried about our teacher retention and morale. We have wonderful teachers that have kept many families at STCS during massive administrative turnover. If they leave we will have nothing.
Security is terrible. The fact that we open school mass to any transient or child predator off the street is beyond crazy, and what a risk the school is taking. There are over 10 registered child predators within a 5 mile radius of our campus, and obviously many people on deuga wandering the streets around campus. This is is just a danger I don’t understand.
I have a preschool aged child that I do not have enrolled at STCS due to ratios that are inconsistent with advertised ratios. This is a nonstarter. 1- the current ratios are much too high. 2- you cannot misrepresent the truth. This is beyond embarrassing.
Organization and misscommunication with administration is a large problem.
I believe with the location and the teacher base at STCS we have to opportunity to be the #1 sought after Catholic school in the valley, sadly due to administrative turn over and parish politics we cannot ever truly become the shcool we are so close to achieving. Many families in the area drive 30+ minutes to attend different catholic schools in the valley. What a sad thing. I hope we can achieve what we all believe is possible. It starts with ensuring our teachers are respected and well taken care of.
Improve website.
Offering after school activities, outside of sports, that would engage kid’s creative interests would be great.
Provide them with a safe place to learn on the form of private school masses. Give their teachers a great work environment so they stay and provide stability to our students. Inspire and support teachers, don’t lock them into a cage where they can’t work in a way that inspires our kids. DONT IGNORE THE PARENTS!! These are OUR children that we entrust to STCS to learn. There are too many choices of schools in Phoenix to ignore the families paying for their children’s education.
Refer back to other comments about teaching methods in Finland and Holland without all the homework.
Focus on students, hiring great teachers and the community. Stop being obsessed with items that do not benefit students, teachers or are community.
I feel like there could be some improvements on learning experiences religious and educational, that could be improved to make them more fun and enjoyable by the students so that they would like to be more involved and excited about activities. For example Stations is the Cross could have more student involvement in a more, not so boring way, where they would be excited to be invoked and pay attention more. Field day could be improved to make more fun, etc.
