Beauvoir - what do you like? What don't you like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't apply to Beauvoir and our children don't attend Sheridan. I cited it as an example because a smug poster said it had mediocre academics. I'm sure Sheridan parents can amplify.

Frankly, I am taken aback by the mean spiritedness.

Really? Yours was one of the more mean-spirited posts I've seen recently on this board. Only someone who is bitter and insecure needs to respond in that way. If you are taken aback by it, it suggests either disingenuousness or a real lack of social awareness.

We are a Beauvoir family and are very happy with our choice. To get back to the original topic, OP, it's a great school. We love the community. We love the sense of caring that the faculty and staff communicate to the children. We love the emphasis on values, social skills, and what it means to be part of a community. We love the enrichments offered after school. We love that the teachers just go the extra mile. We love that our children get upset when they have to miss school. We love that they see school as a fun place to be. We love that they love learning. We love Mrs. Vorenberg. We love the thoughtfulness that goes into the classroom. We love the exceptional teachers. Welcome to Beauvoir!

Thanks! Looking forward to being a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad to hear that several conservative families are beginning to express that they feel uncomfortable. When they try to express this, they are viewed as intolerant. If they want true diversity, all families need to feel welcome - including conservative and republican families.

I think to a large extent, this depends on the conservative family. Some Beauvoir families are uncomfortable with the racism and xenophobia expressed by Trump and Cruz. If you are a Trump or Crus supporter, you are likely to feel uncomfortable expressing that support at Beauvoir, which has a diverse student population that includes immigrants and minorities.

Please give us a specific example-- just one-- of the "racism and xenophobia" expressed by trump and/or Cruz. An exact quote

You make joke, right? Ha. Ha.

Actually, no. I'm still waiting!

Did you miss when he referred to Mexicans as lazy or what he has said about women? Let's not even talk about how he speaks of "the" Blacks. And then there is that stupid slogan "Make America great again." You know when only the White man was deserving of a place at the table and certainly only a White man entitled to sit at the head of the table.

Of course this is not a specific quote.. this is just your spin on what you've heard -- I know, your husband's brother's sister-in-law's friend's agrees that Trump is racist, therefore, you know that it's true.

Of course anything to justify you supporting a racist, sexist candidate. Must be the comfort of your being White in America and not having to face the foolishness of his rhetoric. But carry on. The good thing about Trump is America can no longer deny the racist sexist homophobic underbelly that is well and alive. And THANK GOD the majority at Beauvoir has minimal tolerance for those who are foolish enough to say out loud they support him. THANK GOD! And to be clear I have no issue with conservatives or Republicans, just fools who try to justify supporting Trump!

I think you are missing the point. It is not for you or anyone else to judge the politics of other parents and it sounds like you are only open minded to views that you agree with. Politics has never been discussed at Beauvoir and should stay that way. We never knew the political affiliation of other parents and it did not matter. Politics and beliefs should not be brought into the school. Furthermore, bringing social issues into the classroom is not what we signed up for years ago. Other schools offer that and we chose Beauvoir over them. We believe families that have careers in social justice should keep their careers outside of school and let the kids focus on being kids, learning to be good people and good classmates, and learn!

It is a fraught campaign year, and parents will discuss their values with children. Because of the positions Drumpf has taken, it's difficult not to judge those who support him, since they are endorsing those positions.

I am an immigrant and minority who is a partner in an interracial marriage, with mixed raced children. I do not need to have a career in social justice to be concerned that my child understand why a politician is expressing racist, xenophobic, and homophobic sentiments.

For us, being good people and good classmates means respect for people of different backgrounds and beliefs, including Muslims. We are Episcopalian, and in case it has somehow escaped you, Beauvoir is also affiliated with the Episcopal Church, which believes that all people are beloved of God, ordains LGBT ministers, and blessed gay unions with liturgies. If you are uncomfortable with the beliefs and values of the Episcopal Church, and think they should not be brought into the school, then perhaps you should leave Beauvoir.

As a democrat not voting for Trump, I will say that Beauvoir is not affiliated with one political party and you have no authority to decide what party or candidate parents may support. As long as they are not expressing it at school, it is their business and if they have Trump bumper stickers so be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad to hear that several conservative families are beginning to express that they feel uncomfortable. When they try to express this, they are viewed as intolerant. If they want true diversity, all families need to feel welcome - including conservative and republican families.

I think to a large extent, this depends on the conservative family. Some Beauvoir families are uncomfortable with the racism and xenophobia expressed by Trump and Cruz. If you are a Trump or Crus supporter, you are likely to feel uncomfortable expressing that support at Beauvoir, which has a diverse student population that includes immigrants and minorities.

Please give us a specific example-- just one-- of the "racism and xenophobia" expressed by trump and/or Cruz. An exact quote

You make joke, right? Ha. Ha.

Actually, no. I'm still waiting!

Did you miss when he referred to Mexicans as lazy or what he has said about women? Let's not even talk about how he speaks of "the" Blacks. And then there is that stupid slogan "Make America great again." You know when only the White man was deserving of a place at the table and certainly only a White man entitled to sit at the head of the table.

Of course this is not a specific quote.. this is just your spin on what you've heard -- I know, your husband's brother's sister-in-law's friend's agrees that Trump is racist, therefore, you know that it's true.

Of course anything to justify you supporting a racist, sexist candidate. Must be the comfort of your being White in America and not having to face the foolishness of his rhetoric. But carry on. The good thing about Trump is America can no longer deny the racist sexist homophobic underbelly that is well and alive. And THANK GOD the majority at Beauvoir has minimal tolerance for those who are foolish enough to say out loud they support him. THANK GOD! And to be clear I have no issue with conservatives or Republicans, just fools who try to justify supporting Trump!

I think you are missing the point. It is not for you or anyone else to judge the politics of other parents and it sounds like you are only open minded to views that you agree with. Politics has never been discussed at Beauvoir and should stay that way. We never knew the political affiliation of other parents and it did not matter. Politics and beliefs should not be brought into the school. Furthermore, bringing social issues into the classroom is not what we signed up for years ago. Other schools offer that and we chose Beauvoir over them. We believe families that have careers in social justice should keep their careers outside of school and let the kids focus on being kids, learning to be good people and good classmates, and learn!

It is a fraught campaign year, and parents will discuss their values with children. Because of the positions Drumpf has taken, it's difficult not to judge those who support him, since they are endorsing those positions.

I am an immigrant and minority who is a partner in an interracial marriage, with mixed raced children. I do not need to have a career in social justice to be concerned that my child understand why a politician is expressing racist, xenophobic, and homophobic sentiments.

For us, being good people and good classmates means respect for people of different backgrounds and beliefs, including Muslims. We are Episcopalian, and in case it has somehow escaped you, Beauvoir is also affiliated with the Episcopal Church, which believes that all people are beloved of God, ordains LGBT ministers, and blessed gay unions with liturgies. If you are uncomfortable with the beliefs and values of the Episcopal Church, and think they should not be brought into the school, then perhaps you should leave Beauvoir.

As a democrat not voting for Trump, I will say that Beauvoir is not affiliated with one political party and you have no authority to decide what party or candidate parents may support. As long as they are not expressing it at school, it is their business and if they have Trump bumper stickers so be it.

That's a rather obvious statement. No one is saying that one person at Beauvoir has the right to "decide what party or candidate parents may support." However, it is true that the racist, xenophobic, and sexist values Drumpf espouses are contrary to those espoused by the Episcopalian Church, so it should not come as a surprise that many (dare I say most?) people at Beauvoir will negatively judge those who support Drumpf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad to hear that several conservative families are beginning to express that they feel uncomfortable. When they try to express this, they are viewed as intolerant. If they want true diversity, all families need to feel welcome - including conservative and republican families.

I think to a large extent, this depends on the conservative family. Some Beauvoir families are uncomfortable with the racism and xenophobia expressed by Trump and Cruz. If you are a Trump or Crus supporter, you are likely to feel uncomfortable expressing that support at Beauvoir, which has a diverse student population that includes immigrants and minorities.

Please give us a specific example-- just one-- of the "racism and xenophobia" expressed by trump and/or Cruz. An exact quote

You make joke, right? Ha. Ha.

Actually, no. I'm still waiting!

Did you miss when he referred to Mexicans as lazy or what he has said about women? Let's not even talk about how he speaks of "the" Blacks. And then there is that stupid slogan "Make America great again." You know when only the White man was deserving of a place at the table and certainly only a White man entitled to sit at the head of the table.

Of course this is not a specific quote.. this is just your spin on what you've heard -- I know, your husband's brother's sister-in-law's friend's agrees that Trump is racist, therefore, you know that it's true.

Of course anything to justify you supporting a racist, sexist candidate. Must be the comfort of your being White in America and not having to face the foolishness of his rhetoric. But carry on. The good thing about Trump is America can no longer deny the racist sexist homophobic underbelly that is well and alive. And THANK GOD the majority at Beauvoir has minimal tolerance for those who are foolish enough to say out loud they support him. THANK GOD! And to be clear I have no issue with conservatives or Republicans, just fools who try to justify supporting Trump!

I think you are missing the point. It is not for you or anyone else to judge the politics of other parents and it sounds like you are only open minded to views that you agree with. Politics has never been discussed at Beauvoir and should stay that way. We never knew the political affiliation of other parents and it did not matter. Politics and beliefs should not be brought into the school. Furthermore, bringing social issues into the classroom is not what we signed up for years ago. Other schools offer that and we chose Beauvoir over them. We believe families that have careers in social justice should keep their careers outside of school and let the kids focus on being kids, learning to be good people and good classmates, and learn!

It is a fraught campaign year, and parents will discuss their values with children. Because of the positions Drumpf has taken, it's difficult not to judge those who support him, since they are endorsing those positions.

I am an immigrant and minority who is a partner in an interracial marriage, with mixed raced children. I do not need to have a career in social justice to be concerned that my child understand why a politician is expressing racist, xenophobic, and homophobic sentiments.

For us, being good people and good classmates means respect for people of different backgrounds and beliefs, including Muslims. We are Episcopalian, and in case it has somehow escaped you, Beauvoir is also affiliated with the Episcopal Church, which believes that all people are beloved of God, ordains LGBT ministers, and blessed gay unions with liturgies. If you are uncomfortable with the beliefs and values of the Episcopal Church, and think they should not be brought into the school, then perhaps you should leave Beauvoir.

As a democrat not voting for Trump, I will say that Beauvoir is not affiliated with one political party and you have no authority to decide what party or candidate parents may support. As long as they are not expressing it at school, it is their business and if they have Trump bumper stickers so be it.

That's a rather obvious statement. No one is saying that one person at Beauvoir has the right to "decide what party or candidate parents may support." However, it is true that the racist, xenophobic, and sexist values Drumpf espouses are contrary to those espoused by the Episcopalian Church, so it should not come as a surprise that many (dare I say most?) people at Beauvoir will negatively judge those who support Drumpf.

That's fine to have their opinions as long as they don't find their way into the school. Beauvoir is not an openly politically charged school. I hope it stays that way as do many others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP thanks! I've visited the school numerous times and we have applied. We can't find anything wrong with the school and we keep wondering if we are missing something. At the other schools we have visited, we like many things but can usually identify at least one con. With Beauvoir it may be as you suggest, that it ends at 3.

If we get accepted and attend I'm not sure we would be one of the families looking ahead to NCS. I've heard that if you aren't that could cause some tension. Have you experienced any of that or witnessed that?

So the whole child molester on FBI most wanted isn't a negative?

Look, the ladies upthread have been very clear that Beauvoir is not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP thanks! I've visited the school numerous times and we have applied. We can't find anything wrong with the school and we keep wondering if we are missing something. At the other schools we have visited, we like many things but can usually identify at least one con. With Beauvoir it may be as you suggest, that it ends at 3.

If we get accepted and attend I'm not sure we would be one of the families looking ahead to NCS. I've heard that if you aren't that could cause some tension. Have you experienced any of that or witnessed that?

The bolded has not been true for about 10-15 years, PP.

On my tour, I was impressed with the Science room and the art room and the Library, not to mention the vast space of the play ground and the wooded trails. I also noticed a lot of diversity in the classrooms and remember thinking that compared to my suburban school girl upbringing, it looked like a little U.N. in terms of every ethnic group.

If it helps, here are some things I couldn't have known about Beauvoir, but that I came to appreciate only as a parent:

1) I am not a religious person and I wasn't sure how I felt about my child being in a school where he went to chapel.

what I found: Episcopalian homilies can be pretty down to earth and , in some cases take a pretty courageous social position and were truly welcoming of everyone. On top of it, many of my fellow parents were not from a Chrisitian back ground. They might be muslim, hindu or jewish. What everyone seemed to have in common was education, professional careers, wide travel, interests and of course, we all had kids. And when tough things happened in the community, we were kind of glad we had that forum of a community service even if we were not religious.

2) I thought the school looked warm and seemed the educators had a good handle on how to provide a nurturing classroom.

what I found: my child LOVED that school, was truly happy to go to school every day and actually told a co-worker once ( when he came ot work with me because he had pink eye and had to stay home for one full day that , no, he didn't " feel luck to have gotten out of school, I like going to my school"

3) I didn't worry if the other parents would be snobby as the rumors say because I really did not care . After all, it was my child going there, not me.

I found: genuinely nice people , the vast majority and, refreshingly for a NW DC private, not everyone HAD to be a member of the liberal gliteratti and there were many friendships with people of differing political views and world views . What we had in common was strong enough : being a parent.

Beauvoir is a very , very nice school.

If your kid has pink eye, please don't bring them to the office either. Signed, potential co-worker that also doesn't want pink-eye.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I forgot one thing: its probably the only school in DC where lunch is FREE.

In fact, my child is still " on the close" and I have not had to pack a lunch or pay for a lunch in almost a decade !

That is HUGE if you are a working Mom.

Oh, you're paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you know that this school costs $34,0000 a year?! I am absolutely floored. $34 thousand dollars a year. For pre-k. What am I missing?!

Some years it is worth it if you have a great teacher and great class dynamic. Other years not so much. It's a lot to pay for a mediocre year and a lot to pay when concerns are not addressed or solved.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Well that's a rather generic statement that says much about nothing. What made it mediocre? Was it recent? What concerns did you have that were not addressed or solved?