New Beauvoir Parent Here - looking for advice, tips, etc

[Anonymous]

Hi,
We're a new Beauvoir family - would love some info from current families - I know some of these questions are probably jumping the gun, but thought I'd check!

What's the picnic for newly admitted families like? Is it fun or a madhouse? Important to go to?

When does our buddy family usually contact us?

When does the class list arrive?

What are some fun volunteer choices for new families? book sale? auction? what have current parents enjoyed working on? does the school send a volunteer form out over the summer?

Any other advice for incoming families?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you already know a bit about Beauvoir-speak, referring to the picnic, buddy system, auction, etc. I think you've already done quite a bit of homework, which bodes very well for you, your DC, and your family. Though you missed the biggest event, and one unique to B, "Flower Mart." Basically a spring fair. School is out and nearly the entire student body of B, and a fair amount of NCS/STA kids, makes their way to Flower Mart at one point or another. The Cathedral Close is stunningly beautiful that time of year, enhancing an already postcard perfect setting of beaming students and families working their way through the rides, and food and craft stalls. I'm not sure if it's Rockwellian or something from Central Casting, but it is divine. If you were not in love with the place beforehand, you will be after Flower Mart.

As for your other questions:

1) Family picnic - don't know - it has almost always cancelled because of rain.

2) Buddy family contact - it depends on your Buddy Family. One other thread seemed to suggest those notices have already gone out. If true, it's probably not a great sign as you haven't yet heard from them.

3) Class list - late August - legend has it so that upset parents (usually because of teacher assignments) don't have time to harrass the administration into making changes.

4) Volunteer opportunities are everwhere. Check out the handbook or website for starters. I've found those tied to the DC's child to be the most fulfilling.

One other piece of advice - don't hesitate to read all of the Beauvoir postings on this forum. There are times that I feel like criticizing Beauvoir or its families by others has become a sport or pastime of sorts. I sometimes hesitate to open a Beauvoir related thread, fearing the worst. I often feel like I'm about to explode when I read some of those comments that are truly off base. But there are others, probably more than I would care to admit, where the criticism is valid. Maybe we (whether the parents or the school) can learn from these criticisms and endeavor to change. Even if that's just being naive, it is always helpful to know what's out here.

Cheers.

[Anonymous]

The family picnic is great fun - when it happens. Lots of food, fun, and games to be had by all. There are also usually a lot of faculty and administration wandering around with whom you can get a chance to speak informally.

My personal bias is that volunteer opportunities in the science and art rooms are a lot of fun, and helping to arrange holiday parties can be a blast too.

To PP, I know what you mean - and agree. I was sad to see the the recent post on the "Beauvoir" thread where one posted noted the raw, naked aggression of a group of Beauvoir boys.

[Anonymous]

thanks so much for your replies. i have been starting to get nervous reading all of these negative beauvoir posts - esp the recent posts about the soccer team - we have a very sweet non-competitive boy who i can't imagine will ever be one of those hard core athletic types, so i'm hoping we didn't make a bad choice! when we toured we thought it seemed like such a happy place....

[Anonymous]

The Flower Mart starts on May 2 so it not too late to go.

[Anonymous]

I think I can understand both sides of the fence here. I am the mother of a waitlisted pre-k girl - was anyone actually rejected from the school? We worked our bottoms off trying to get our daughter acepted into the school. It was our first choice, our absolute favorite and we truly think it is an amazing school. With that said - I can't help but get pangs of jealousy when I read posts like this from accepted parents looking to connect with others, talking about all the new-parent activities, conversations about how excited you are...etc. I am not proud of myself by any means for feeling this way, but I can't help thinking "why your child and not mine?" This, coupled with that fact that we get completely blown off by admissions when we contact Beauvoir to check on the waitlist makes these threads even more difficult to read. So, speaking from the other side of the fence, I no longer want to read the Beauvoir threads either.

I'm sure you will be very happy there and I do wish your families the best of luck.

[Anonymous]

I am the OP - to the prior poster, I am so sorry if my post was upsetting - I totally understand that it must be difficult to read about people excited about Beauvoir (I can tell you I have 2 very good friends who have wonderful children who were waitlisted - for K - and I so wish that the darn waitlist would MOVE - I truly think this admission stuff is SO random) - to be honest, it has been difficult to read all of the negative things about Beauvoir & I posted hoping to hear something positive....I guess the grass is always greener...
I'm sure it will work out for your child one way or the other - either getting in to Beauvoir off the wait list or in K - or happily attending another school & looking back so glad that it worked out the way it did...

[Anonymous]

I am a new Beauvoir parent whose DC will be in Kindergarten. OP your post above was very thoughtful. I am hopeful that the school will be filled with parents as kind as you Good Luck to the family that was waitlisted; I hope everything works out for your DC. If not this year for Pre-K; I would strongly suggest you reapply for K. (I know of a family that was waitlisted for Pre-K applied this year for K and was admitted.

Best

[Anonymous]

Dearest 16:12:

I think Beauvoir needs more parents like you -- so candid and open in your feelings. Please do reapply next year.

As for the admissions staff "blowing you off," I can only say that I think they have one of the hardest jobs in Washington, DC. Imagine having to attempt to distinguish between so many lovely and talented children, and then having to field a barrage of calls, often from the not so lovely waitlisted or rejected parents. If it's any consolation, I know everyone on the admissions staff well, in a variety of contexts, and they are truly wonderful people just trying to navigate through some shark infested waters.

I hope to see you at Beauvoir one day.

Beauvoir Parent

[Anonymous]

16:12 here. Thank you for your kind messages. We do plan to re-apply to K next year for our daughter.

Again, I wish you the best of luck and from first-hand experience of touring the school extensively, am sure you will be thrilled with your child's entry year education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:". . . the biggest event, and one unique to B, "Flower Mart." Basically a spring fair. School is out and nearly the entire student body of B, and a fair amount of NCS/STA kids, makes their way to Flower Mart at one point or another. The Cathedral Close is stunningly beautiful that time of year, enhancing an already postcard perfect setting of beaming students and families working their way through the rides, and food and craft stalls. I'm not sure if it's Rockwellian or something from Central Casting, but it is divine. If you were not in love with the place beforehand, you will be after Flower Mart."

Flower Mart is "unique to Beauvoir"?!

So revealing of a typical Beauvoir parent's world view -- self-centered and assuming everything revolves around them, was created for them, and belongs to them.

Flower Mart is a National Cathedral event. It is not sponsored by Beauvoir or any of the Cathedral schools. The entire public is invited. The entire public attends. And rumor has it that even students of such less august institutions as WES, NPS, etc. walk freely through that splendid Cathedral Close to enjoy those to die for lobster rolls.

[Anonymous]

What the heck? $12 for a lobster roll this year! (I guess they justified it with the extra cookie!) Oh well. It wasn't even Maine lobster... odd tasking lobster.

But, yeah, Flower Mart is definitely not unique to Beauvoir! I even saw some, *gasp*, Potomac students there and one family from Arlington County schools! My lord, they crossed the river.

By the way, on advice for new Beauvoir parents: Don't tick off Paula Carreiro. She's mean and merciless when she's mad, and her face gets really red.

[Anonymous]

So revealing of a typical Beauvoir parent's world view -- self-centered and assuming everything revolves around them, was created for them, and belongs to them.

This response is a bit ridiculous. The school does help run Flower Mart. Beauvoir parents staff the ticket booths and the children's rides and games are organized by Beauvoir parent volunteers as well. There are many Beauvoir kids there becuase their school is closed on Friday to allow for the closure of its driveway. The poster did not state that the event was exclusive to the Beauvoir community. But, that it is a "unique" event that the school helps the All Hallow's Guild put on each year.

[Anonymous]

It's unique to Beauvoir because the kids at Beauvoir get one less day of school as a result of it!! Personally, I would have preferred an extra day of instruction instead of spending alot of money on lobster rolls, rides, toys, etc.

[Anonymous]

You know, to be wholly accurate the school doesn't really help put on the event. A lot of Beauvoir parents (and NCS and STA ones) volunteer at the event, but Beauvoir School itself does not help with the event. Sometimes you might see a Beauvoir teacher or two among the parent volunteers, but they're not there as Beauvoir employees.