Holton Arms v Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

Shocking that they cut back on anything related to DEI as Holton is so woke now. I believe that is what a PP was talking about when she said Board was concerned because losing tons of girls to SR. This goes to show you can’t make everyone happy but I will say, no one left HA for SR a few years back and no one would choose SR over HA - they were two completely different applicant pools. Now it happens all the time. SR significantly cheaper but still.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Anyone able to share the CL resignation email?

Is he already gone? Or did he just give notice?

He is staying through the academic year. I think the issue is that he is universally beloved by the girls. And a LOT of staff have left. It’s just a shame. Having said that, agree, the school is amazing and my DD doesn’t feel a difference. Life goes on…

He was involved with the bogus lifeguard training class at Kenwood, right? Any chance he was asked to leave?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/07/17/red-cross-certification-revoked/

If I were a crisis comms firm, this is exactly what I would do. Look for a way to deflect blame from the HOS and smear departing administrators. Nevermind the fact that he’s currently looking for a new job and was beloved at the school, a place he called home for nearly 30 years. This is such a shameful tactic. Seriously, shame on you.

He is beloved. Anyone who knows independent schools knows it’s a bad look to lose 3 top administrators in less than 12 months. It would demonstrate a shocking level of incompetence to arrange this intentionally. Even unintentionally, it’s rather breathtaking.

I’m reminded of the quote from Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” - "To lose one [division director], may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose [three] looks like carelessness". Or perhaps, if not carelessness, malice?

At the end of the day, these are jobs. The college my son goes to got a new president and then over the next year several top administrators left because you know what -- they are like us -- they want to move up or do something else, or yes, maybe they don't like their new boss. Shocking, I know, when we think these school administrators work for us. It's a job to them like anyone else and sometimes we leave. Get over it.

The amount of complaining about private schools on this thread is tiresome. If you don't like what they teach, or the food, or the fact that walls weren't painted, or that they ask for donations (which every private school does from parents), or whatever, then you know what -- leave. You have that choice.

This is a complete misrepresentation of this conversation. I don't actually see anyone complaining about either school. What are you even referring to?

[Anonymous]

I'm kinda of curious why Penny Evins thought it was remotely appropriate or acceptable to allow Micheal Thompson to present at the school given his history of misconduct that resulted in his psychologist license being suspended. He doesn't even have a current license to practice psychology in Massachusetts according to the mass.gov website but he's still doing it anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm kinda of curious why Penny Evins thought it was remotely appropriate or acceptable to allow Micheal Thompson to present at the school given his history of misconduct that resulted in his psychologist license being suspended. He doesn't even have a current license to practice psychology in Massachusetts according to the mass.gov website but he's still doing it anyway.

Is there an article/link for this? Couldn't find anything on a simple search

[Anonymous]

Go to https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/ . Then search psychologist and search his name. The person with the suspended license has the same middle initial and lives in the same town as him.

[Anonymous]

I would still stay at Holton even if all said is true. Girls and parents are over pretty nice.

Stoneridge on the other hand is having some real issues with the parent community in the highschool.

[Anonymous]

There's no doubt that Holton is a great school. However, I'm concerned that the board is just letting the HOS drive away talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SR dad here. SR girls are by and large lovely individuals. There are certainly a cadre of "popular" girls who, like everywhere, are pretty and dress well. That doesn't make them mean. There are also nerds, lesbians, D&D players, hockey players, religious girls, irreligious girls, swimmers, and academic stars. There are certainly rich country club girls--there are everywhere. So what? And yes, it's a Catholic School. But no, they don't indoctrinate... or at least they're not effective at it. I think it's a morally grounded, academically oriented school with above average athletics. The girls coming out of there are generally grounded, driven, social action oriented, and nice.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no doubt that Holton is a great school. However, I'm concerned that the board is just letting the HOS drive away talent.

They are.

[Anonymous]

With the expansion of 100+ students, will classrooms get bigger? We now have some 18 student classes in some upper school subjects.