Sidwell prom

[Anonymous]

Sidwell parent here, totally fine with the Prom being at gym. My DC is too. Given COVID, they feel lucky to even have the event.

I understand that other kids may be more disappointed and have grand expectations. This is age appropriate.

But to the other parents who are complaining here...not age appropriate at all! Isn't this the time for you to be the parent and talk this through with them? Acknowledge that life has disappointments (and many these days) but also think about what is important in life, and what isn't? These kids have so many things via school (as have others in DMV privates) that others kids have not had over the past two years. Be thankful kids (and parents). Read the room parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Sidwell does not disclose it’s finances so how would you have any idea how much debt the school has?

They have also quietly completed fundraising for over half of the cost of the new US renovations.

I severely doubt that the proposed change has anything to do with finances but just about student safety.

You are not paying attention if you don’t know about the debt. They have talked about it, including in their communications justifying taking the PPP funds. When the board sent their email they said that the debt was larger than the endowment (!!!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn’t Sidwell kids last year go ahead and create their own fancy anti-prom at a hotel as a quiet protest against the school putting prom on campus? Same thing will probably happen this year.

Gag. Spoiled much? (signed Sidwell US parent)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Sidwell does not disclose it’s finances so how would you have any idea how much debt the school has?

They have also quietly completed fundraising for over half of the cost of the new US renovations.

I severely doubt that the proposed change has anything to do with finances but just about student safety.

You are not paying attention if you don’t know about the debt. They have talked about it, including in their communications justifying taking the PPP funds. When the board sent their email they said that the debt was larger than the endowment (!!!)

The debt is basically 100% related to the unnecessary purchase of the office building next to the post office that is unused. That was a massive own goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

The debt is because 1) the local ANC forced them to build a two story garage 2) they bought the washington home 3) they bought the fannie mae building next door to their campus. All were prudent moves. Once they are able to sell the lower schools, the finances will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grow up, OP.

+1, and let me elaborate. What is the difference between having the prom on campus or off? I honestly do not know. It has been a long time since my own prom, but the quality of my own experience depended on social factors (date, friends) and not the venue. I have no tie to Sidwell and don't know the reason for the change - is it covid, costs, safety, somebody thinks the venue would be more fun, a political agenda, what? I am curious to know the reason, but it would not change my impression that it sounds like a first world problem for bunch of rich kids to have their big gala in one space instead of another. And at least this class is having a prom, the past year or two did not have one at all. For an adult to be really upset over the issue does sound a bit immature, so I tend to agree with the PP's suggestion that the OP grow up.

The only person who has a problem with it is the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Sidwell does not disclose it’s finances so how would you have any idea how much debt the school has?

They have also quietly completed fundraising for over half of the cost of the new US renovations.

I severely doubt that the proposed change has anything to do with finances but just about student safety.

You are not paying attention if you don’t know about the debt. They have talked about it, including in their communications justifying taking the PPP funds. When the board sent their email they said that the debt was larger than the endowment (!!!)

The debt is basically 100% related to the unnecessary purchase of the office building next to the post office that is unused. That was a massive own goal.

Uh, that building is leased out and is not a drain. Please stop spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

My kid is a senior. They couldn't care less where the prom is. Just happy it is even happening at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Sidwell does not disclose it’s finances so how would you have any idea how much debt the school has?

They have also quietly completed fundraising for over half of the cost of the new US renovations.

I severely doubt that the proposed change has anything to do with finances but just about student safety.

You are not paying attention if you don’t know about the debt. They have talked about it, including in their communications justifying taking the PPP funds. When the board sent their email they said that the debt was larger than the endowment (!!!)

The debt is basically 100% related to the unnecessary purchase of the office building next to the post office that is unused. That was a massive own goal.

Uh, that building is leased out and is not a drain. Please stop spreading misinformation.

+1. This is long term debt that goes back to before any of the recent building purchases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

The debt is because 1) the local ANC forced them to build a two story garage 2) they bought the washington home 3) they bought the fannie mae building next door to their campus. All were prudent moves. Once they are able to sell the lower schools, the finances will be fine.

From the school: “Most of the debt was secured at competitive rates and used to finance campus renovations projects (i.e., middle school, athletic center, meeting room, parking garage, turf field) beginning in 2005.”

Any possible sale of the Bethesda campus is still a very long way off, they will have been paying interest for 20-25 years by then. You are also making a lot of assumptions about who might be able to and interested in buying that campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a senior. They couldn't care less where the prom is. Just happy it is even happening at all.

My senior said the same thing. I think it’s just the same disgruntled parents complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a senior. They couldn't care less where the prom is. Just happy it is even happening at all.

My senior said the same thing. I think it’s just the same disgruntled parents complaining.

So did my senior. They have no concept of what a prom is - thanks Covid - let alone one at the Four Seasons.

And there is no reason to think the prom at the campus will not be nice. The save the date invitation was very pretty, so that's a good start! They also mentioned a seated dinner, dancing and an after party. I'm sure some talented parents will get involved and will make the gym look great.

Personally, I think this is (parental) college application stress projecting onto the prom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

The debt is because 1) the local ANC forced them to build a two story garage 2) they bought the washington home 3) they bought the fannie mae building next door to their campus. All were prudent moves. Once they are able to sell the lower schools, the finances will be fine.

They need to buy out the post office so they can go somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Lol! My high school prom was definitely in our school gym. I guess it’s nice to see people fighting about something other than masks for a change!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell parent here, totally fine with the Prom being at gym. My DC is too. Given COVID, they feel lucky to even have the event.

I understand that other kids may be more disappointed and have grand expectations. This is age appropriate.

But to the other parents who are complaining here...not age appropriate at all! Isn't this the time for you to be the parent and talk this through with them? Acknowledge that life has disappointments (and many these days) but also think about what is important in life, and what isn't? These kids have so many things via school (as have others in DMV privates) that others kids have not had over the past two years. Be thankful kids (and parents). Read the room parents.

I like you!!!