Sidwell, GDS, Maret: Keep schools open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the couple of SFS parents who keep dragging the school in these public forums: this practice is really tiresome. It’s a phenomenal and caring community that’s trying to do the best for all on balance — I’d suggest being grateful, enjoying it, trying to do the right thing, remembering our values and thinking of others before you speak/act. To me, a magical Charlie Brown-esque thing happened cca 2020 — the perennially aggrieved posts started sounding a whole lot like wah-wah-wah-wah

+1. Thank you. Realize, please aggrieved parents, that you are speaking only for yourselves and your specific child. The vast majority of us are pleased with the way Sidwell has and is handling every aspect of this, including exams, testing, and community communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the couple of SFS parents who keep dragging the school in these public forums: this practice is really tiresome. It’s a phenomenal and caring community that’s trying to do the best for all on balance — I’d suggest being grateful, enjoying it, trying to do the right thing, remembering our values and thinking of others before you speak/act. To me, a magical Charlie Brown-esque thing happened cca 2020 — the perennially aggrieved posts started sounding a whole lot like wah-wah-wah-wah

+1. Thank you. Realize, please aggrieved parents, that you are speaking only for yourselves and your specific child. The vast majority of us are pleased with the way Sidwell has and is handling every aspect of this, including exams, testing, and community communication.

They are doing a great job honestly. They have a plan. Its a sensible plan. The plan’s been well communicated. And they have made changes as needed as the situation has changed. What else could you ask for? I’m really impressed, particularly as I compare with the mess that is MCPS right now.

[Anonymous]

+1 from another SFS parent.

The plan has been consistent and well communicated throughout.

In hindsight, I wish that had had more in-person in the fall of 2020, but we didn't know that what we know now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 from another SFS parent.

The plan has been consistent and well communicated throughout.

In hindsight, I wish that had had more in-person in the fall of 2020, but we didn't know that what we know now.

I agree the plans have been good overall. However, because the decision-making criteria are not communicated up front, individual decisions can seem arbitrary. In December, the school unexpectedly went remote for two days because of a 2.2% positivity rate. Today the positivity rate is 5% and they're going back on Wednesday. But no justification for that difference was provided other than "the MAT decided", and looking on the web site, I can't find any info on what level they deem acceptable. (If you find it let me know.) So, while I'm not unhappy overall, more transparency would be welcome.

[Anonymous]

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

It is not clear why this level of positivity is acceptable now when 2% was the threshold less than a month ago. The MAT might have its reasons but the communication has been poor in this case (and I emphasize that otherwise the school has handled the last year extremely well). With this level of transmission in the area there is a real risk of not having a hospital bed available for those few staff, parents or teachers who will need it (and yes there are plenty of vaccinated people who do get sick enough to require hospitalization)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the couple of SFS parents who keep dragging the school in these public forums: this practice is really tiresome. It’s a phenomenal and caring community that’s trying to do the best for all on balance — I’d suggest being grateful, enjoying it, trying to do the right thing, remembering our values and thinking of others before you speak/act. To me, a magical Charlie Brown-esque thing happened cca 2020 — the perennially aggrieved posts started sounding a whole lot like wah-wah-wah-wah

You don’t want people disagreeing with you? Why are you on this board then? SFS has serious serious issues but I guess its lucky to have parents who still drink the koolaid

[Anonymous]

How my any vaccinated people require hospitalization?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How my any vaccinated people require hospitalization?

I think this is the key. Even if the positivity rate is high (5%) if the general health impact is low, there is no reason to be closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not clear why this level of positivity is acceptable now when 2% was the threshold less than a month ago. The MAT might have its reasons but the communication has been poor in this case (and I emphasize that otherwise the school has handled the last year extremely well). With this level of transmission in the area there is a real risk of not having a hospital bed available for those few staff, parents or teachers who will need it (and yes there are plenty of vaccinated people who do get sick enough to require hospitalization)

If I recall correctly they said in December they were going virtual for two days to lessen risk to people’s holiday plans. Based on student information the outbreak in December was essentially confined to the girls varsity basketball team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the couple of SFS parents who keep dragging the school in these public forums: this practice is really tiresome. It’s a phenomenal and caring community that’s trying to do the best for all on balance — I’d suggest being grateful, enjoying it, trying to do the right thing, remembering our values and thinking of others before you speak/act. To me, a magical Charlie Brown-esque thing happened cca 2020 — the perennially aggrieved posts started sounding a whole lot like wah-wah-wah-wah

Have not commented in this discussion before. Sidwell did a terrible job with the pandemic during the 20-21 school year, in every way imaginable. Their decisions were poor, and their communications were even worse.

They are doing a better job this year, most likely because the Board finally put pressure on Bryan to prioritize kids being physically in school, as he now references in pretty much every pandemic related message. Lack of transparency is still an issue, as pp noted. But this idea that parents shouldn't speak up or complain is complete BS. It's not all sunshine and roses there, and the sentiment expressed by pp is absurd. An attitude of "being grateful, enjoying it etc" regardless of the nonsense that the school serves up is precisely the type of attitude that allows their administrative mediocrity (and that's being charitable) to persist.

[Anonymous]

I'm not part of Sidwell but another private in the area, which is also being criticized. All schools are...I get we're all exhausted, our empathy is empty handed and there is frustration and uncertainty.
However, we are ALL trying to do our best.
Please reconsider when you post something nasty or unkind. We are in this together, the DMV area. Breathe and carry on mates.

p.s. If you can watch season 1 of Ted Lasso (Netflix), change of attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How my any vaccinated people require hospitalization?

I think this is the key. Even if the positivity rate is high (5%) if the general health impact is low, there is no reason to be closed.

I hear hospitals in DC are filling up with Covid patients. I know non-ssr tail surgeries have been cancellled this week. Doctors saying the next two weeks might be much worse.

[Anonymous]

Non-essential surgeries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not part of Sidwell but another private in the area, which is also being criticized. All schools are...I get we're all exhausted, our empathy is empty handed and there is frustration and uncertainty.
However, we are ALL trying to do our best.
Please reconsider when you post something nasty or unkind. We are in this together, the DMV area. Breathe and carry on mates.

p.s. If you can watch season 1 of Ted Lasso (Netflix), change of attitude.

This is a good point.