SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSFS needs to find it's way back to Quaker principles. If we stay true to those principles there's no need to create extra paid positions for DEI or the OIEJB.

SSFS needs to stop trying to be something other than what it was meant to be. Capitalize on quakerism, the caring faculty, and the outdoor campus space that invites outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Get back to letting students lives speak.

I don’t have a problem at all with a dei professional presence appropriate for the size of the school (and provided it’s not staffed to the detriment of other also important departments) but this post is the kind of thing that would get a kid in a world of trouble if they said it at school, and I do have a problem with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! No bullying in MS? You are so wrong. I’m glad your child didn’t experience that but mine did. MS admin did nothing for MONTHS. My son had a horrible experience and we repeatedly reached out to admin, the counselor, advisor and nothing. Run people, run!

We had the same experience in US. Notified the admin who said they couldnt tell us what they were able to do. Nothing changed so we assume they were not "able" to do anything. We had to withdraw.

The reason they cannot tell you what they are going to do is because it would violate the other child’s privacy. Just like you would want your child’s privacy protected. It doesn’t mean they didn’t do anything. I was in the same boat and it was hard to hear they couldn’t tell me what they were doing, but I do understand the reason why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should probably fold the chronically troubled lower school and focus on becoming a stronger 6-12 while beefing up the international boarding.

The LS is not chronically troubled. There has been turnover in division heads under RG, yes. And that is because LS was not listened to or given the budget and resources they needed. They did the best they could with what they had and those teachers worked their butts off. A new HOS who values LS is needed. Spend some time in LS and you will see the dedication and passion for teaching. I’m so grateful my children went thru LS.

Allllll of this.

The teachers in the LS are incredible, and have been doing amazing things under terrible circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! No bullying in MS? You are so wrong. I’m glad your child didn’t experience that but mine did. MS admin did nothing for MONTHS. My son had a horrible experience and we repeatedly reached out to admin, the counselor, advisor and nothing. Run people, run!

We had the same experience in US. Notified the admin who said they couldnt tell us what they were able to do. Nothing changed so we assume they were not "able" to do anything. We had to withdraw.

The reason they cannot tell you what they are going to do is because it would violate the other child’s privacy. Just like you would want your child’s privacy protected. It doesn’t mean they didn’t do anything. I was in the same boat and it was hard to hear they couldn’t tell me what they were doing, but I do understand the reason why.

We assumed they didn’t do anything because nothing changed. We understand about privacy. But if the problems are still occurring (and that’s knowable cause I can see that easily) then it’s clear they didn’t do anything. That part is easy to determine and has nothing to do with privacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! No bullying in MS? You are so wrong. I’m glad your child didn’t experience that but mine did. MS admin did nothing for MONTHS. My son had a horrible experience and we repeatedly reached out to admin, the counselor, advisor and nothing. Run people, run!

We had the same experience in US. Notified the admin who said they couldnt tell us what they were able to do. Nothing changed so we assume they were not "able" to do anything. We had to withdraw.

The reason they cannot tell you what they are going to do is because it would violate the other child’s privacy. Just like you would want your child’s privacy protected. It doesn’t mean they didn’t do anything. I was in the same boat and it was hard to hear they couldn’t tell me what they were doing, but I do understand the reason why.

We assumed they didn’t do anything because nothing changed. We understand about privacy. But if the problems are still occurring (and that’s knowable cause I can see that easily) then it’s clear they didn’t do anything. That part is easy to determine and has nothing to do with privacy.

HOS often limited what could be done.

[Anonymous]

I think RG left because he realized this year was going to require more work than he was willing to do to fix the problems that he either directly created or were caused by his neglect. He left before things got worse so he could salvage his reputation.

Both his tenure and departure are infuriating. However, we are staying and absolutely looking forward to the upcoming school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think RG left because he realized this year was going to require more work than he was willing to do to fix the problems that he either directly created or were caused by his neglect. He left before things got worse so he could salvage his reputation.

Both his tenure and departure are infuriating. However, we are staying and absolutely looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Agree. So strange (and sort of gaslighty) to get an email claiming he realized he wanted to leave after a bit of summer relaxation. I don't expect him or the board to dish but must we all participate in the charade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think RG left because he realized this year was going to require more work than he was willing to do to fix the problems that he either directly created or were caused by his neglect. He left before things got worse so he could salvage his reputation.

Both his tenure and departure are infuriating. However, we are staying and absolutely looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Agree. So strange (and sort of gaslighty) to get an email claiming he realized he wanted to leave after a bit of summer relaxation. I don't expect him or the board to dish but must we all participate in the charade?

has he ever written an email that wasn’t a masterclass in gaslighting?

[Anonymous]

This seems like the classic HOS exit scenario - the BOT gave him his 1-year notice by informing him that they were not renewing his contact (which runs July 1 to June 30) He didn’t want to stay where he was not wanted or had decided on his own that he didn’t want to be HoS and gave his 1-year notice. Apparently, they decided to make the departure immediate.However the decision was reached, glad both parties are moving on. Healthier for one and all.

[Anonymous]

As a new family, I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything since. I hope to get more information and questions answered before the family events in two weeks.

[Anonymous]

Gut wrenching experience for the parents that watched the lower school concert at the end of the school year. We watched the remaining lower school faculty sing “my wish” to the MORE numerous departing staff… the children crying on stage reaching for the teachers that wouldn’t be back… heart breaking… would have never signed up if I had met Rodney prior to enrollment… luckily we saw the writing on the wall and didn’t re-enroll in the spring…. If they hire and advertise rehiring the old teachers, we would be interested in coming back. I hope the school figures out how to get back to its Quaker roots… Everyone that we spoke to and thought highly of SSFS was enrolled was under Tom’s purview… hopefully Tom is brought out of retirement to support a rescue mission…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gut wrenching experience for the parents that watched the lower school concert at the end of the school year. We watched the remaining lower school faculty sing “my wish” to the MORE numerous departing staff… the children crying on stage reaching for the teachers that wouldn’t be back… heart breaking… would have never signed up if I had met Rodney prior to enrollment… luckily we saw the writing on the wall and didn’t re-enroll in the spring…. If they hire and advertise rehiring the old teachers, we would be interested in coming back. I hope the school figures out how to get back to its Quaker roots… Everyone that we spoke to and thought highly of SSFS was enrolled was under Tom’s purview… hopefully Tom is brought out of retirement to support a rescue mission…

Unfortunately because so many LS families left, they don’t need as many teachers this year. Those teachers who left no longer have a job to come back to. If the LS had a higher enrollment perhaps those teachers could come back. It was a snowball effect sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gut wrenching experience for the parents that watched the lower school concert at the end of the school year. We watched the remaining lower school faculty sing “my wish” to the MORE numerous departing staff… the children crying on stage reaching for the teachers that wouldn’t be back… heart breaking… would have never signed up if I had met Rodney prior to enrollment… luckily we saw the writing on the wall and didn’t re-enroll in the spring…. If they hire and advertise rehiring the old teachers, we would be interested in coming back. I hope the school figures out how to get back to its Quaker roots… Everyone that we spoke to and thought highly of SSFS was enrolled was under Tom’s purview… hopefully Tom is brought out of retirement to support a rescue mission…

Unfortunately because so many LS families left, they don’t need as many teachers this year. Those teachers who left no longer have a job to come back to. If the LS had a higher enrollment perhaps those teachers could come back. It was a snowball effect sadly.

How many students left in LS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think RG left because he realized this year was going to require more work than he was willing to do to fix the problems that he either directly created or were caused by his neglect. He left before things got worse so he could salvage his reputation.

Both his tenure and departure are infuriating. However, we are staying and absolutely looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Agree. So strange (and sort of gaslighty) to get an email claiming he realized he wanted to leave after a bit of summer relaxation. I don't expect him or the board to dish but must we all participate in the charade?

Can someone post what he wrote?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think RG left because he realized this year was going to require more work than he was willing to do to fix the problems that he either directly created or were caused by his neglect. He left before things got worse so he could salvage his reputation.

Both his tenure and departure are infuriating. However, we are staying and absolutely looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Agree. So strange (and sort of gaslighty) to get an email claiming he realized he wanted to leave after a bit of summer relaxation. I don't expect him or the board to dish but must we all participate in the charade?

Can someone post what he wrote?

Dear Friends -

I hope that this letter finds you well. Summer offers us a time to slow down a bit, to reflect and recharge as we plan for the school year ahead. Having had some time to do that myself, I announce that after a period of deep discernment, I am resigning from my role as Head of School at Sandy Spring Friends School.

———that’s the first part. Then it goes on talking about all the great stuff he did. Ends with

Beyonce speaks my mind when she said, “I was here. I lived. I loved. I was here.” Being here with you is something I will always hold dear. I leave parts of myself here, including the Dr. Rodney Glasgow Endowed Fund for Equity, Justice, and Belonging, established this Spring on my 45th birthday including gifts from my friends and family, dedicated to directly supporting students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and initiatives that foster a sense of belonging for these students at SSFS. The kid in me who benefited so much from independent schools, and the adult in me who gained so much from SSFS, is happy to pay it forward. I am thankful for the Friends here at SSFS, and I remain a friend of the school, always.