Have you had a great experience with your son or daughter in his or her school?  You are not alone. We get lots of unsolicited calls and e-mails from parents just like you who are happy with their school or the education their schools have given their successful college students and adult children. Do you have a story to tell? Send us an email at cayers@palmbeach.k12.fl.us. Please let us know if we can use your first name, last name, full name, initials.

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Responses:

Last school year we lost my husband in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. The staff at Grassy Waters Elementary School was so very helpful. The extra attention and genuine concern for my children is evident in their adjustment. The school was a great resource for us as well as the best support ever. This school year my children were able to attend a support group for grief at school. Mrs. Trier the guidance counselor referred my children to the Hospices of Palm Beach and they were able to attend the Good Grief Camp for free. My children are continuing to cope well to our lost and I know it’s due to the support from their school. Mr. Preddy (after care) made sure my children participated in activities during the summer camps so they weren’t moping around. My son was having a difficult time concentrating and was falling behind in his studies. Mrs. Burton (James–Burton) took it upon herself to tutor him after school twice a week. I know these wonderful people will say it’s their job but I believe they have gone beyond what their job requires and it has really made a difference in the lives of my children. I am so thankful.

--Kai Jones

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My story is nothing out of the ordinary but still I wanted to mention U.B.Kinsey Elementary S.O.A.  I have nothing but wonderful things to share about their musical and art department. My daughter is in the fourth grade and my son is in first. I have seen my daughter learn to love the violin as the years have gone by and I have seen my son excel in all his academics with self motivation, which is something that students struggle with throughout their school years. I feel that the school has provided him with good incentives to get him started.  All of the teachers that I have been in contact with have treated my children with respect and allowing them to "believe" and feel special as if they were the only children in class. This year we had a new principal by the name of Mrs. Howard, she received us with open arms and never shut the door when we needed to speak to her. 

One of the wonderful experiences that has left an impression with my husband and I was during Spring time and my daughter’s orchestra had a festival to attend in Orlando.  The trip was an all day affair and our daughter had never been allowed to go away without us especially to theme parks.  As you can imagine we struggled with this decision. After various phone calls and emails from Mrs. Rodberg, her orchestra/strings teacher, she was able to set our minds at ease about the trip and the chaperones.  Upon my daughter's return she could not stop talking about how wonderful it was to compete with other schools, especially high school students. Coming home with the honor of “Gold” was a lasting impression for her, as it was for us. Thanks to the caring, understanding and trust that we have with the school, its faculty and staff our family will never forget that wonderful experience.

--Eleana Valencia-Knight

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