John Barry Elementary School

To be honest, I’m pretty frustrated with the situation at Barry. My biggest issue is the attendance and the general vibe around health. With chronic absenteeism hitting over 30% here, it feels like there is always something going around and no real plan to keep kids in the classroom or healthy. The student-to-teacher ratio is also tight, so I don't feel like the staff has the time to really notice if a kid is struggling or coming down with something until it's too late. While they did get a small 'Big Green' grant for a garden, the actual day-to-day cleanliness of the building feels overlooked. It's hard to feel good about the 'wellness culture' when the basic attendance numbers are this low; it just feels like the school is struggling to keep its head above water.

Honestly, John Barry has been pretty solid since my youngest started there. The building is older, but it always smells like they’ve actually been cleaning, which is a relief during cold and flu season. The nurse is a total sweetheart and actually calls you personally if something happens on the playground, not just an automated robocall. I feel like their sick policy is fair—they definitely favor keeping kids home if they're symptomatic, but they aren't breathe-down-your-neck about it. Plus, I like that they still prioritize recess time even when it's chilly; getting that fresh air helps keep the germs down in the classrooms.