East Strousberg (York, East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg: houses, school district, college)

[pmichaelmd]

One other quick question for delray patty...what do you think of the elementary school system in the Poconos? I looked at some of the grade cards at greatschools and they seemed pretty mediocre. Any good elementary schools there for my little munchkin(s)?

Thanks!

PMMD

[Delray Patty]

Hi, well my youngest was the only one to go to a "grammar school" We moved
into Pa. when he was in the 5th grade..He went to Middle Smithfield Elementary. It's right on Route 209 near St. John's Church. He finished the
fifth grade there and they were building a brand new middle school J.T.
Lambert on Route 209 going toward East Stroudsburg..He was the first 6th
grade class in the school...I volunteered there...nice school, nice teachers
and it wasn't overcrowded then...but that was some years ago...Both my
sons graduated from East Strousburg High School....I didn't have any problems except with one "stupid" teacher who made a very nasty remark to
my older son..He taught an elective senior year class in psychology and when
he found out my son came from Jersey City, N.J. he eluded to the fact that
he was probably doing drugs, did them at one point and also drank...I was
furious at this remark and we had a conference on this and got it straightened
out..He did apologize...other than that they liked it..both my sons had come
from private parochial schools in J.C. I understand the middle school is quite
crowded now as is the High School although while we were living there they
did build a brand new high school up in Bushkill. I heard there are plans to
build or add on to the south East Stroudsburg HIgh School...Wish I could
help you more but my youngest graduated in l999 so it's been a while. I
would call the school and see if you can visit during session....that's what I
did..

[Delray Patty]

PMichaelMD
Here's another tip go on to the Pocono Record (the local newspaper) website
www.poconorecord.com. they give you the latest news on the Poconos.
You can learn a lot about the place by the newspaper...I still say give it a
shot..but by all means "scout" out the area some day..try to go up during the
week when the traffic isn't as bad and drive around...

[Saturn]

Just wondering if you have heard of any religious new movements or cult like groups in this area?

[Summering]

Originally Posted by pmichaelmd

Can you tell me exactly what you don't like about E. Stroudsburg? I'm considering a move there to work at Poconos Medical Center and would probably be living in Middle Smithfield (Great Bear, CCoP, or Reserve @ Pond Creek). Any particular gripes about those areas or the area surrounding the hospital? Is it still "safe" for children as I'd be raising my family there?

Thanks!

PMMD

I agree with Delray Patty.Also, as we have mentioned on here...CCOP has had issues with land. Who owns it. The people thought they did, and they don't even own their footprint on some, I don't think all.
They were fooled as they saw stakes in the properties...........
People who did landscaping are very mad, plus they paid taxes on their (?) lots. I would suggest one of the nice area, that a lot of lawyers live in is in Cherry Valley. It is out of town, yet easy enought to get to the hospital.
A well respected area. You then wouldn't have to climb any mountains to work. Blue Mt. has a nice development. 209 is one traffic jam after another.
Crime also is out that way entering communities.
Go South of Stroudsburg, or to Cherry Valley for homes.

[Summering]

Originally Posted by Saturn

Just wondering if you have heard of any religious new movements or cult like groups in this area?

Absolutely none........Wonder why you are asking?

[Summering]

[quote=pmichaelmd;73655]One other quick question for delray patty...what do you think of the elementary school system in the Poconos? I looked at some of the grade cards at greatschools and they seemed pretty mediocre. Any good elementary schools there for my little munchkin(s)?
Ok to add a few things for you........I'm not Delray Patty though.

Now that I have read the postings from start to finish.........I am inclined to direct you to two areas.
The one you like, Great Bear, would probably be with people like you ,who do not tend to leave their children home, while they travel far to work.....( one parent home anyway) Of the few doctors I know working out of PMC, none lived in a development. One used the private school in town also for his children.
I do know that a few lawyers live in the Cherry Valley area. There are well kept homes there on big acreage. Not a development, but an area.........
I don't know of any one in your field who lives in Blue Mt Estates....( but, I am not an expert on where people live)
You might want to go on 209 S and have lunch or dinner at the Stone Bar Inn ( a wonderful, greatly raved about small dining spot) where lawyers, and doctors do mingle.
Ask a few important questions to other friendly guests there.
I'm not sure that the traffic wouldn't be an issue to you on your travels back and forth to PMC. from Great Bear.
My daughter worked for years for a few of the doctors too........
Personally, I'd ask informtion on Cherry Valley, and I'd have a nice dinner at the Stone Bar Inn.

[karen_s]

What medical specialty, may I ask? I hope PMC has improved over the years, because my dealings (both personal and EMS) with their ER have been absolutely awful.

You can always go the private school route, that's what I do. My children attend Faith Christian School, a nondenominational school in Roseto, and it is tops. They even have busing from the 'burgs, Pleasant Valley, and a parent-run bus from Pocono Mountain.

[Summering]

But they have expanded ER and added a Trauma Center now and a
Heart Center also. Things are looking up for PMC.

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by Summering

But they have expanded ER and added a Trauma Center now and a
Heart Center also. Things are looking up for PMC.

Unfortunately, some of what I have seen over the past many years of contact with PMC has been awful. I hope they continue to upgrade and I wish them much success. However, the fact remains that they are the 'only game in town' in the immediate area hospital wise unless you want to go to NJ, the Lehigh Valley, Carbon County, Wayne County, or the Scranton outlying area. That lack of 'competition' so to speak does not raise the bar enough IMO. Of course they wanted a trauma center and heart center - they were having so many MedEvac and PennSTAR flights for those particular patients it was getting ridiculous how many patients needed to be shipped out, plus Pocono weather necessitated many serious patients being transferred by ground ambulance.

They are still plagued with bad publicity from the alleged retaliatory firing of the infectious disease physician who honestly reported nosocomial infection rates as well as the overtime wage lawsuit which was settled a few months back.