St Albans for black students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You two seem to be more interested in debating your own views.

The OP’s question was about how welcoming is the school for young black teens. I suspect what the OP wanted was to hear specifically what Saint Albans does to support their development as people and their potential as academic minds ( same thing all mothers have foremost in their minds )

And perhaps mothers of black children want to test the waters to see if their child will really be welcome, valued and essentially thrive there as a result

So OP,if it helps, here is something to read that speaks to what Saint Albans stands for and what they are doing to advance what they stand for:
https://www.stalbansschool.org/news-detail?pk=1349365&fromId=213574

Yes, they have affinity clubs. But more than that they have high expectations for everyone, the boys have to work their asses off in school and on the athletic field of play. There is no escape from that and there is no denying the respect and regard for each other that is forged through that across the board

In my opinion, that kind of bond is more substantial in engendering a sense of commonality and respect that a club that meets once a week.

However, the school has affinity groups too. It’s just that they don’t lay the hard work at the foot of such a group, check the box and walk off like many schools in this town

It sounds like they have thoughtful reasons for what they have set in place. I am sure they are open to reflection and revisions like every school, but the reasoning and intention you describe sound solid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You two seem to be more interested in debating your own views.

The OP’s question was about how welcoming is the school for young black teens. I suspect what the OP wanted was to hear specifically what Saint Albans does to support their development as people and their potential as academic minds ( same thing all mothers have foremost in their minds )

And perhaps mothers of black children want to test the waters to see if their child will really be welcome, valued and essentially thrive there as a result

So OP,if it helps, here is something to read that speaks to what Saint Albans stands for and what they are doing to advance what they stand for:
https://www.stalbansschool.org/news-detail?pk=1349365&fromId=213574

Yes, they have affinity clubs. But more than that they have high expectations for everyone, the boys have to work their asses off in school and on the athletic field of play. There is no escape from that and there is no denying the respect and regard for each other that is forged through that across the board

In my opinion, that kind of bond is more substantial in engendering a sense of commonality and respect that a club that meets once a week.

However, the school has affinity groups too. It’s just that they don’t lay the hard work at the foot of such a group, check the box and walk off like many schools in this town

I think a statement issued by the school about what they stand for can be very different from the reality experienced by Black students. It sounds like the new headmaster has a solid plan in place but it is really too soon to tell if that will change the actual behavior of students. My experience on the close did not reflect the bolded statement and I maintain that St Albans is a difficult place to fit in for anyone who is "different" i.e. not rich/white/straight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You two seem to be more interested in debating your own views.

The OP’s question was about how welcoming is the school for young black teens. I suspect what the OP wanted was to hear specifically what Saint Albans does to support their development as people and their potential as academic minds ( same thing all mothers have foremost in their minds )

And perhaps mothers of black children want to test the waters to see if their child will really be welcome, valued and essentially thrive there as a result

So OP,if it helps, here is something to read that speaks to what Saint Albans stands for and what they are doing to advance what they stand for:
https://www.stalbansschool.org/news-detail?pk=1349365&fromId=213574

Yes, they have affinity clubs. But more than that they have high expectations for everyone, the boys have to work their asses off in school and on the athletic field of play. There is no escape from that and there is no denying the respect and regard for each other that is forged through that across the board

In my opinion, that kind of bond is more substantial in engendering a sense of commonality and respect that a club that meets once a week.

However, the school has affinity groups too. It’s just that they don’t lay the hard work at the foot of such a group, check the box and walk off like many schools in this town

I think a statement issued by the school about what they stand for can be very different from the reality experienced by Black students. It sounds like the new headmaster has a solid plan in place but it is really too soon to tell if that will change the actual behavior of students. My experience on the close did not reflect the bolded statement and I maintain that St Albans is a difficult place to fit in for anyone who is "different" i.e. not rich/white/straight.

Fitting in is a theme of high school period. While as a society we should always do better (especially thinking of identifying and supporting bullied children who indicate violent thoughts) some of this is adolescence. I can't think of a teen book that isn't about fitting in or marching to your own beat, in some way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You two seem to be more interested in debating your own views.

The OP’s question was about how welcoming is the school for young black teens. I suspect what the OP wanted was to hear specifically what Saint Albans does to support their development as people and their potential as academic minds ( same thing all mothers have foremost in their minds )

And perhaps mothers of black children want to test the waters to see if their child will really be welcome, valued and essentially thrive there as a result

So OP,if it helps, here is something to read that speaks to what Saint Albans stands for and what they are doing to advance what they stand for:
https://www.stalbansschool.org/news-detail?pk=1349365&fromId=213574

Yes, they have affinity clubs. But more than that they have high expectations for everyone, the boys have to work their asses off in school and on the athletic field of play. There is no escape from that and there is no denying the respect and regard for each other that is forged through that across the board

In my opinion, that kind of bond is more substantial in engendering a sense of commonality and respect that a club that meets once a week.

However, the school has affinity groups too. It’s just that they don’t lay the hard work at the foot of such a group, check the box and walk off like many schools in this town

Great that STA has presented a plan to its community. Interesting that it was not laid out until the end of June 2020 (after the social crisis in our country post George Floyd's death and over two months into this thread on DCUM which began May 1st). Hope they are able to follow through on all they promise, but also find it disheartening that it took this long. 2020 seems a little behind the times to finally be getting around to making these changes. The letter states they plan to "draft new policy" for "the student handbook that specifically addresses racial hate speech and misconduct". This is just being done now? The letter also makes several references to improving efforts to retain students of color after they are accepted and not merely thinking of them as a "numerical abstraction" seems really sad to me. How is this the recent ideology of a school like STA in the year 2020? We accept a diverse group of students to keep our stats looking good, but we haven't done much to hold onto those students and they have not been "an enduring and meaningful part of St. Albans". Really? And to improve that we plan to hire more black male teachers who can serve as mentors and improve their "tacit curriculum" to be more inclusive. This all seems like stuff that should have been rolled out 10 -20 years ago. Glad they're finally waking up, but shocking it has taken this long. Very disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You two seem to be more interested in debating your own views.

The OP’s question was about how welcoming is the school for young black teens. I suspect what the OP wanted was to hear specifically what Saint Albans does to support their development as people and their potential as academic minds ( same thing all mothers have foremost in their minds )

And perhaps mothers of black children want to test the waters to see if their child will really be welcome, valued and essentially thrive there as a result

So OP,if it helps, here is something to read that speaks to what Saint Albans stands for and what they are doing to advance what they stand for:
https://www.stalbansschool.org/news-detail?pk=1349365&fromId=213574

Yes, they have affinity clubs. But more than that they have high expectations for everyone, the boys have to work their asses off in school and on the athletic field of play. There is no escape from that and there is no denying the respect and regard for each other that is forged through that across the board

In my opinion, that kind of bond is more substantial in engendering a sense of commonality and respect that a club that meets once a week.

However, the school has affinity groups too. It’s just that they don’t lay the hard work at the foot of such a group, check the box and walk off like many schools in this town

Great that STA has presented a plan to its community. Interesting that it was not laid out until the end of June 2020 (after the social crisis in our country post George Floyd's death and over two months into this thread on DCUM which began May 1st). Hope they are able to follow through on all they promise, but also find it disheartening that it took this long. 2020 seems a little behind the times to finally be getting around to making these changes. The letter states they plan to "draft new policy" for "the student handbook that specifically addresses racial hate speech and misconduct". This is just being done now? The letter also makes several references to improving efforts to retain students of color after they are accepted and not merely thinking of them as a "numerical abstraction" seems really sad to me. How is this the recent ideology of a school like STA in the year 2020? We accept a diverse group of students to keep our stats looking good, but we haven't done much to hold onto those students and they have not been "an enduring and meaningful part of St. Albans". Really? And to improve that we plan to hire more black male teachers who can serve as mentors and improve their "tacit curriculum" to be more inclusive. This all seems like stuff that should have been rolled out 10 -20 years ago. Glad they're finally waking up, but shocking it has taken this long. Very disappointing.

What's with the too little too late? Progress is a marathon, not a race.

[Anonymous]

NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

What are they planning for admissions? Fewer legacies? More truly low-SES admits?

I agree rich/white/straight/typical is the model of a St. Albans boy. It is a difficult place to be different. I don’t see that changing in any significant way any time soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So? It's their school. They can have whomever they want on the governing board.

[Anonymous]

STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STA sure has kept the black students and Alumni quiet. They haven’t posted a word on Instagram.

Just as STA has a button to delete threads and posts they don’t like in DCUM, they have similar privileges at all the major social media platforms. You should ask your private school why they don’t have the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So you crossed checked the list with the membership of a club and know the politics of each board member. You've got some spreadsheet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So you crossed checked the list with the membership of a club and know the politics of each board member. You've got some spreadsheet!

Different poster. Their support was very public. I am surprised as well. Kavanaugh just voted against DACA, against LGBTQ rights in the workplace, and against women’s reproductive rights all in one week. Not the views I though STA was trying to associate with right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So you crossed checked the list with the membership of a club and know the politics of each board member. You've got some spreadsheet!

Different poster. Their support was very public. I am surprised as well. Kavanaugh just voted against DACA, against LGBTQ rights in the workplace, and against women’s reproductive rights all in one week. Not the views I though STA was trying to associate with right now.

That is diversity too. I know no one in DC wants to acknowledge it, but diversity of political opinion is a kind of diversity. Conservative are FAR outnumbered in this area and should probably be courted by admissions to bring diversity to any school. Isn't diversity supposed to be amazing for expanding kids' educational experience? - not a K fan or country club member, but super tired of people wanting schools to police people's private lives. Ew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So you crossed checked the list with the membership of a club and know the politics of each board member. You've got some spreadsheet!

Different poster. Their support was very public. I am surprised as well. Kavanaugh just voted against DACA, against LGBTQ rights in the workplace, and against women’s reproductive rights all in one week. Not the views I though STA was trying to associate with right now.

That is diversity too. I know no one in DC wants to acknowledge it, but diversity of political opinion is a kind of diversity. Conservative are FAR outnumbered in this area and should probably be courted by admissions to bring diversity to any school. Isn't diversity supposed to be amazing for expanding kids' educational experience? - not a K fan or country club member, but super tired of people wanting schools to police people's private lives. Ew.

DP. You don’t know what you are talking about. Conservatives are not outnumbered at STA. In fact they have become the majority in recent years. Puzzling in a city that votes 90% democratic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Just when I had hope for STA I see the governing board is still the same old same old - Chevy Members or conservative or both with the exception of a few. Sigh.

So you crossed checked the list with the membership of a club and know the politics of each board member. You've got some spreadsheet!

Different poster. Their support was very public. I am surprised as well. Kavanaugh just voted against DACA, against LGBTQ rights in the workplace, and against women’s reproductive rights all in one week. Not the views I though STA was trying to associate with right now.

That is diversity too. I know no one in DC wants to acknowledge it, but diversity of political opinion is a kind of diversity. Conservative are FAR outnumbered in this area and should probably be courted by admissions to bring diversity to any school. Isn't diversity supposed to be amazing for expanding kids' educational experience? - not a K fan or country club member, but super tired of people wanting schools to police people's private lives. Ew.

DP. You don’t know what you are talking about. Conservatives are not outnumbered at STA. In fact they have become the majority in recent years. Puzzling in a city that votes 90% democratic.

The city is liberal than it was a few years ago and is becoming more conservative by the day.