Sidwell LS Principal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 8:46 again. He's plenty pleasant at school events. I watch him being very friendly with many other people, and now that I've gone out of my way to engage him, he's getting friendly with me. Many of the people he's friendly with, including me, are not high-profile people or big donors. The common link seems to be that he's friendly with people he knows, but not particularly engaging with those he doesn't. If you want him to be friendly, then you should start talking to him rather than waiting for him to come to you.

Also, as someone noted, the kids really like him. If given the choice, I'd rather have someone who's friendlier with the kids than the parents, than the opposite.

1. If I'm shelling out $30K a year, why on earth do I have to be friendly and initiate the conversation? Who does this guy think he is?

2. For my money, it's not too much to ask for an administrator who is friendly with BOTH kids and parents? Why is it an either/or proposition?


Considering they had a child molester teaching kids, I would think he would go out of his way to reach out to all parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 8:46 again. He's plenty pleasant at school events. I watch him being very friendly with many other people, and now that I've gone out of my way to engage him, he's getting friendly with me. Many of the people he's friendly with, including me, are not high-profile people or big donors. The common link seems to be that he's friendly with people he knows, but not particularly engaging with those he doesn't. If you want him to be friendly, then you should start talking to him rather than waiting for him to come to you.

Also, as someone noted, the kids really like him. If given the choice, I'd rather have someone who's friendlier with the kids than the parents, than the opposite.

1. If I'm shelling out $30K a year, why on earth do I have to be friendly and initiate the conversation? Who does this guy think he is?

2. For my money, it's not too much to ask for an administrator who is friendly with BOTH kids and parents? Why is it an either/or proposition?


Considering they had a child molester teaching kids, I would think he would go out of his way to reach out to all parents.

TROLL ALERT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering they had a child molester teaching kids, I would think he would go out of his way to reach out to all parents.

TROLL ALERT!
ITA. I'm done with this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Considering they had a child molester teaching kids, I would think he would go out of his way to reach out to all parents.

TROLL ALERT!

ITA. I'm done with this thread.

Me 2

[Anonymous]

The trolls have left.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Actually we have observed the principal being super friendly with parents irrespective of race or status (in our observation).

Our issue is more that it all seems very idiosyncratic. Can't a principal be expected to be somewhat more uniform in his behavior towards all parents. And we aren't asking to be charmed or sucked up to. It is disappointing that he has not managed to say a simple "hello". Indeed given where things are, even a quiet smile of welcome or recognition would do.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that whenever something is brought up that the Sidwell community doesn't want to address, the primary response is, "TROLL!"?

Is attacking the poster really a mature response?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is it that whenever something is brought up that the Sidwell community doesn't want to address, the primary response is, "TROLL!"?

Is attacking the poster really a mature response?

Perhaps you missed the gratuitous "child molester" line in there. Or maybe you're the one who added it? It seems to me the Sidwell community gave several thoughtful responses to OP's question, and then checked out when the thread threatened to veer into yet another chain of attacks on the school. If what you want is to bash the school, then have at it. Just don't expect Sidwell parents to help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually we have observed the principal being super friendly with parents irrespective of race or status (in our observation).

Our issue is more that it all seems very idiosyncratic. Can't a principal be expected to be somewhat more uniform in his behavior towards all parents. And we aren't asking to be charmed or sucked up to. It is disappointing that he has not managed to say a simple "hello". Indeed given where things are, even a quiet smile of welcome or recognition would do.

I think the issue is that the head of the lower school has been there for 30+ years. He has put together a successful team of teachers and administrators (yes, the school is not for everybody, but for those who matriculate, it seems to generally be a good fit). In that time, it sounds like he has been around the block a few times in terms of parents sucking up to him, parents being demanding of him, parents berating him etc. I cannot speak to why he is social with some and not others, but I would guess that part of it is a shield, and part of it is simply a matter of 'he has a lot of things to do and is probably focused on those tasks instead of being social with parents'.

I am not saying that what you ask is too much or out of the norm, but if you look at it through a few different lenses, it might yield some insight?

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks PPs. If this all has mostly to do with the Principal - his experiences, vintage etc - and less to do with us -- I suppose it leaves us with less to worry about! Good and thanks to you all again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why is it that whenever something is brought up that the Sidwell community doesn't want to address, the primary response is, "TROLL!"?

Is attacking the poster really a mature response?
Perhaps you missed the gratuitous "child molester" line in there. Or maybe you're the one who added it? It seems to me the Sidwell community gave several thoughtful responses to OP's question, and then checked out when the thread threatened to veer into yet another chain of attacks on the school. If what you want is to bash the school, then have at it. Just don't expect Sidwell parents to help you. [/quote


Whenever intellectual cowards are faced with debate they cry TROLL. You've asked a perceptive question however the few folk who dominate these boards have group think and can't deal with differing opinions or approaches. It's much easier to scream TROLL in unison. It's widespread on these boards ... and it's the same individuals.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that whenever something is brought up that the Sidwell community doesn't want to address, the primary response is, "TROLL!"?

Is attacking the poster really a mature response?

No, it's not but this is the typical defense from empty barrels.

[Anonymous]

I don't like the guy, but the idea that because you are paying $30k somehow obligates him to bow down to parents is silly. He's there to run the school, not to schmooze with parents who seem desperate for attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this that guy who has been there forever? The one about whom rumors of racist and sexist interactions swirl? (Several people I know have reported some really unsettling conversations with him). I'm surprised he's still there.

Rumors you invented today!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS has been attending Sidwell LS for about a year and half now.

The Principal seems a bit of an oddball. Seems very selective in who's presence he acknowledges and who he ignores. DH and I have been routinely ignored by him on multiple occasions, even when it is only two or three people standing around. At the same time, he seems extraordinarily friendly with some other parents. We thought it was something we did until we realized (observed) that he is strangely selective in this manner and appears to ignore many others as well. It is surprising to us that the Principal of one of the top schools in the city could be lacking in social graces to this extent. It just seems unprofessional. Anyone with knowledge about any of this care to comment?

The Lower School Head is there to administer the school, supervise and hire the teachers , stick to the budget and hone the mission/direction of the school. He's an educator and it is your DS who goes to the school, not you. Stop looking for validation through your child. You have to pay a lot more than $30 k a year for that; usually that costs about $200/hr in therapy.