Social climate at Georgetown Day School

[Anonymous]

The first name thing is going to appeal to some parents and turn off other, thats just the way it is. For me, its a turn off even understanding the history behind it. But I can understand how others might feel differently.

[Anonymous]

It's a turnoff for me too, even though in other respects I like progressive education. I was raised in the Quaker tradition, where titles like Mr. and Mrs. are traditionally not used. Children typically addressed adults by first name, though in the Quaker schools I've visited the use of titles seems common. I understand the rationales for avoiding them but for me it, and some of the other informalities of GDS, came off as entitled or over-privileged rather than informal, if you know what I mean.

[Anonymous]

The social climate will indeed change w/ each class, as is true of all schools. What strikes me about GDS is the sense that tolerance is paid more than lip-service. Not all kids are friends with all kids, but there is much less bullying - the environment is not conducive to it.

I would say that, compared w/ suburban private schools, there are many fewer "rich" parents. But lots of professional families w/ 2 working parents. Not as many SAHMs, it seems to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry to see that people that reply to these posts know nothing about what they are talking about. After attending ONE open house I can answer the first name question. It has nothing to do with a lack of respect or trying to insinuate that all adults are equal. When GDS was founded, as the first intergrated school in DC, all black americans had to address whites as Mr. and Mrs. - regardless of roles. This school decided that everyone would call each other by thier first names to avoid the racist conotations of salutations. Please do your research people before you anser these questions. Just saying mr or mrs does not in anyway teach respect - its a facade. respect is taught in many ways. My children call some of my friends by thier first names, and other people they don't know by mr and mrs. Do you really think this means they don't respect my friends? I am sorry that you are so close minded. And those kids don't drink coffee in middle school. If you are trying to diss GDS, your going to have to try harder than that.

Titles are used to convey respect. So because whites were disrespectful to black Americans, we should throw out titles altogether to show black Americans we have now learned to be respectful. I'm just having a hard time buying this logic. It seems to me that if you want to show respect to black Americans, you should use a proper title. I don't care for my children's friends calling me by my first name but I don't make a thing of it b/c so many other parents seem to love it. But it gives me the creeps a little to have young kids who hardly know me call me by my first name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown Day is superb academically, the classroom atmosphere impressed me as dynamic and vibrant, and I have heard that they do a good job of accommodating children's individual interests and abilities, but we did not choose GDS for DC in 7th grade. Mostly GDS was just too liberal for us.

First, the practice of children's addressing adults by first names did not suit us.

Second, we were told at an upper-school presentation (which GDS encourages you to attend if you are applying to middle school), that ANY club that a student proposes is permitted. Really? Any? That is just too permissive and undicriminating in our view.

Third, my DC was turned off during his visit by the students' eating popcorn and drinking cocoa during class. He thought that was strange. He also did not like the idea of teachers' wearing pajamas to school on pajama days. So the school was not a good fit for him, clearly.

And, finally, I got an interesting glimpse of the permissive culture when I was waiting in the lobby to pick up DC after his visit. A bunch of middle schoolers sat in the chairs next to me and put their feet up on the coffee table in front of me. A teacher walked by and admonished, "Feet off the table, please. We have a visitor!" Really? Sounded as if feet on the table are okay when visitors aren't around.

Recently, another prospective parent told me the same story of feet on the coffee table, and I was astonished.

OMG. Are you serious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown Day is superb academically, the classroom atmosphere impressed me as dynamic and vibrant, and I have heard that they do a good job of accommodating children's individual interests and abilities, but we did not choose GDS for DC in 7th grade. Mostly GDS was just too liberal for us.

First, the practice of children's addressing adults by first names did not suit us.

Second, we were told at an upper-school presentation (which GDS encourages you to attend if you are applying to middle school), that ANY club that a student proposes is permitted. Really? Any? That is just too permissive and undicriminating in our view.

Third, my DC was turned off during his visit by the students' eating popcorn and drinking cocoa during class. He thought that was strange. He also did not like the idea of teachers' wearing pajamas to school on pajama days. So the school was not a good fit for him, clearly.

And, finally, I got an interesting glimpse of the permissive culture when I was waiting in the lobby to pick up DC after his visit. A bunch of middle schoolers sat in the chairs next to me and put their feet up on the coffee table in front of me. A teacher walked by and admonished, "Feet off the table, please. We have a visitor!" Really? Sounded as if feet on the table are okay when visitors aren't around.

Recently, another prospective parent told me the same story of feet on the coffee table, and I was astonished.

OMG. Are you serious?

Yes, I am serious. Why is it so hard to believe? Every child is different, and perhaps your child would enjoy eating and drinking in class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown Day is superb academically, the classroom atmosphere impressed me as dynamic and vibrant, and I have heard that they do a good job of accommodating children's individual interests and abilities, but we did not choose GDS for DC in 7th grade. Mostly GDS was just too liberal for us.

First, the practice of children's addressing adults by first names did not suit us.

Second, we were told at an upper-school presentation (which GDS encourages you to attend if you are applying to middle school), that ANY club that a student proposes is permitted. Really? Any? That is just too permissive and undicriminating in our view.

Third, my DC was turned off during his visit by the students' eating popcorn and drinking cocoa during class. He thought that was strange. He also did not like the idea of teachers' wearing pajamas to school on pajama days. So the school was not a good fit for him, clearly.

And, finally, I got an interesting glimpse of the permissive culture when I was waiting in the lobby to pick up DC after his visit. A bunch of middle schoolers sat in the chairs next to me and put their feet up on the coffee table in front of me. A teacher walked by and admonished, "Feet off the table, please. We have a visitor!" Really? Sounded as if feet on the table are okay when visitors aren't around.

Recently, another prospective parent told me the same story of feet on the coffee table, and I was astonished.

OMG. Are you serious?

Yes, I am serious. Why is it so hard to believe? Every child is different, and perhaps your child would enjoy eating and drinking in class?

The point is that there is an informality at GDS that may not suit all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown Day is superb academically, the classroom atmosphere impressed me as dynamic and vibrant, and I have heard that they do a good job of accommodating children's individual interests and abilities, but we did not choose GDS for DC in 7th grade. Mostly GDS was just too liberal for us.

First, the practice of children's addressing adults by first names did not suit us.

Second, we were told at an upper-school presentation (which GDS encourages you to attend if you are applying to middle school), that ANY club that a student proposes is permitted. Really? Any? That is just too permissive and undicriminating in our view.

Third, my DC was turned off during his visit by the students' eating popcorn and drinking cocoa during class. He thought that was strange. He also did not like the idea of teachers' wearing pajamas to school on pajama days. So the school was not a good fit for him, clearly.

And, finally, I got an interesting glimpse of the permissive culture when I was waiting in the lobby to pick up DC after his visit. A bunch of middle schoolers sat in the chairs next to me and put their feet up on the coffee table in front of me. A teacher walked by and admonished, "Feet off the table, please. We have a visitor!" Really? Sounded as if feet on the table are okay when visitors aren't around.

Recently, another prospective parent told me the same story of feet on the coffee table, and I was astonished.

OMG. Are you serious?

Yes, I am serious. Why is it so hard to believe? Every child is different, and perhaps your child would enjoy eating and drinking in class?

Actually, my child would prefer an IPOD and smoke during class. Is that OK too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown Day is superb academically, the classroom atmosphere impressed me as dynamic and vibrant, and I have heard that they do a good job of accommodating children's individual interests and abilities, but we did not choose GDS for DC in 7th grade. Mostly GDS was just too liberal for us.

First, the practice of children's addressing adults by first names did not suit us.

Second, we were told at an upper-school presentation (which GDS encourages you to attend if you are applying to middle school), that ANY club that a student proposes is permitted. Really? Any? That is just too permissive and undicriminating in our view.

Third, my DC was turned off during his visit by the students' eating popcorn and drinking cocoa during class. He thought that was strange. He also did not like the idea of teachers' wearing pajamas to school on pajama days. So the school was not a good fit for him, clearly.

And, finally, I got an interesting glimpse of the permissive culture when I was waiting in the lobby to pick up DC after his visit. A bunch of middle schoolers sat in the chairs next to me and put their feet up on the coffee table in front of me. A teacher walked by and admonished, "Feet off the table, please. We have a visitor!" Really? Sounded as if feet on the table are okay when visitors aren't around.

Recently, another prospective parent told me the same story of feet on the coffee table, and I was astonished.

OMG. Are you serious?

Yes, I am serious. Why is it so hard to believe? Every child is different, and perhaps your child would enjoy eating and drinking in class?

Actually, my child would prefer an IPOD and smoke during class. Is that OK too?

Probably.

[Anonymous]

Think I'll stick with public school after all...

[Anonymous]

There's no cafeteria. Snack takes place in classrooms and extra time is budgeted for it. Same is true of lunch. Sometimes kids (and teachers) continue (or begin) class-related discussions during snack or lunch.

I haven't seen the MS teachers in PJs. But LS teachers are on the same campus in some participate in PJ day. Some Art/Music/Gym/Drama teachers teach both LS/MS kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: But it gives me the creeps a little to have young kids who hardly know me call me by my first name.

I teach at another school in which the children call teachers by their first names. I thought it would bother me, and was surprised to find it does not.
It does bother me when I take older relatives someplace (pharmacy, insurance company, etc.) and young adults, who have never met them, or been introduced, immediately address these elders by their first name. There is condescension in the tone, and comes across as highly disrespectful.

In the end, I think tone and behavior matter more than titles. I am not opposed to the titles, and do not disagree with those who prefer to use them. In the world beyond school, I do not have my child assume it is OK to address all adults by first name. If children are taught other limits and boundaries WRT respecting people, I think the first name use will not ruin a child.

When considering schools for your children, your feeling about what is acceptable and what is not, has to be factored or you will not be happy with the educational experience your child is having. There are parents at my school who still use a title -often with a first name: Miss Cindy- when they mention teachers to their child. In a funny way, that bothers me more in that it rings of racism and a serving class. That is not their intent. Choose a school that seems like the right place for your child. Reinforce what you value, and ultimately, that is what your child will carry with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Think I'll stick with public school after all...

You probably should look carefully before you leap. At my kids' public elementary school, the teachers wore pajamas and slippers on PJ day. They also dressed in costume on Halloween.

[Anonymous]

Children are able to decipher at a very young age when it is OK to use a first name, and when an adult prefers to be called something else. DS calls many of my adult friends by their first names, but this is how we are in my informal circle of friends with children. However, DS knows to call his music teacher, "Miss ....," because that is how she prefers to be called. DS is 3.

[Anonymous]

I grew up saying "Yes, Sir" and "No, Ma'am" to my parents, not to mention any and all other adults. While I have not required this of my children, they know not to call an adult by their first name unless the adult in question has specifically requested it. This is just erring on the safe side of politeness, IMO. You can bet I never even considered GDS for my kids, even though I support many aspects of progressive education. To each his own!