GDS high school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

Try mentioning any of this directly to anyone in the administration or board. Go ahead. Let's see how that goes for you. I've tried. No one responds in a timely way unless you take it to 100. Regular requests to chat are pushed downward to the advisors and grade deans who have no power.

Posting here seems to me to reflect a bubbling over of frustrations of some parents (and kids) being heard by the admin while they watch the admin cater exclusively to a small agenda and subset of the students

Read the posts here - there are a number on this 20 page thread that give specifics about bad policies and bad administrators. Yes overall, the teaching and prep for college and life is quite strong, but the school seems to not want to hear anything but nice nice validating talk from parents

GDS is not a culture that allows people to speak up in small and large ways. (same goes for opposing political views amongst the kids despite oped after oped by students in school paper begging for more openness to diversity of thought)

My example: on a recent 9th/10th CCO zoom, a parent dared to ask about GDS' poorly timed, poorly executed AP testing policy in the last 5 min and the CCO went off on how the CCO knows better. So no, they want zero IRL feedback. And no one wants to be that complain-y parent IRL bc you know that the same CCO is checking one of 5 boxes on the common app counselor recc as to whether your kid is amazing, excellent, very good, or ok.

I have mentioned many things to the Administration and to the Board. My experience is that they listen. The point is that we are a diverse community and what is red for you, might look green to me.

The sense of entitlement is incredible. Trashing an individual in a public forum does not serve any cause.

20 opinions, of whom? We do not know if these opinions are from fellow parents, kids, a competing school or an angry ex-boyfriend.

Yeah, I think you can come up with a better strategy… or maybe not, maybe I am asking too much…

This is probably someone from the GDS admin. Trying to shut down the thread. Typical behavior on their part as they cannot tolerate any dissent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My GDS grad is a junior in college now. I don't think they could've been any more prepared for college - both academically and socially, and their GDS friends will be their friends for life. Don't know what more you can ask for from a high school experience.

This is good to hear. And kudos to your kid. But kids at many schools experience this. My nephew who graduated from Whitman and is now a college junior at a top 15 felt very well prepared and made some wonderful high school friends. So what exactly is special about GDS? Why are we paying 50k+ just to get DEI shoved down our throats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

High school principals are basically public figures. It is the nature of the job. Feel free to avoid the thread if it offends you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Since when was GDS a “DEI-focused” school? You have no idea what you are talking about.

I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years and this is entirely new the last 3 years. We all know why and those are not just GDS specific reasons

I also have no idea what you are saying about someone who is being singled out on this thread? Who? The HS principal? The HOS? Yes they are all part of the issue. The top sets the tone.

Would you rather we talk about the carpool line monitors?

The point of the thread is for parents to discuss their views of where the HS admin has gone off the rails. How else should this be addressed? Without mentioning the HS principal or HOS?

I see no inappropriate personal attacks here. I just read every page of this thread. Can you point one out?

Or perhaps you are so indoctrinated by GDS nice nice talk that any direct conversations threaten your sense of “safety”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Since when was GDS a “DEI-focused” school? You have no idea what you are talking about.

I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years and this is entirely new the last 3 years. We all know why and those are not just GDS specific reasons

I also have no idea what you are saying about someone who is being singled out on this thread? Who? The HS principal? The HOS? Yes they are all part of the issue. The top sets the tone.

Would you rather we talk about the carpool line monitors?

The point of the thread is for parents to discuss their views of where the HS admin has gone off the rails. How else should this be addressed? Without mentioning the HS principal or HOS?

I see no inappropriate personal attacks here. I just read every page of this thread. Can you point one out?

Or perhaps you are so indoctrinated by GDS nice nice talk that any direct conversations threaten your sense of “safety”.

:) I find it amusing that despite spending 15 years at the school, you are not even familiarized yet with the GDS mission statement.

Are you really a GDS parent? If so, you are a very un-informed member of our community (unfortunately). 15 years and still no clue! I am amazed!

“The vital work and service provided by our office is supported by a mission rooted deeply in our founders vision, which in 1945, named diversity as a core value of the School.”

https://www.gds.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Since when was GDS a “DEI-focused” school? You have no idea what you are talking about.

I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years and this is entirely new the last 3 years. We all know why and those are not just GDS specific reasons

I also have no idea what you are saying about someone who is being singled out on this thread? Who? The HS principal? The HOS? Yes they are all part of the issue. The top sets the tone.

Would you rather we talk about the carpool line monitors?

The point of the thread is for parents to discuss their views of where the HS admin has gone off the rails. How else should this be addressed? Without mentioning the HS principal or HOS?

I see no inappropriate personal attacks here. I just read every page of this thread. Can you point one out?

Or perhaps you are so indoctrinated by GDS nice nice talk that any direct conversations threaten your sense of “safety”.

:) I find it amusing that despite spending 15 years at the school, you are not even familiarized yet with the GDS mission statement.

Are you really a GDS parent? If so, you are a very un-informed member of our community (unfortunately). 15 years and still no clue! I am amazed!

“The vital work and service provided by our office is supported by a mission rooted deeply in our founders vision, which in 1945, named diversity as a core value of the School.”

https://www.gds.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

Oh darling. A number of us are excited to embrace diversity as an important value of the school. The relatively new DEI initiative ain't it and never will be. Your argument is weak and your language is childish. I wish parents and students could all vote on whether our tuition dollars should be allocated to DEI staffing and initiatives. If we could, I promise you that it would be gone tomorrow. Read the pages of this lengthy thread. You might learn something about how others think and feel. If you're interested, that is (which I doubt).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration in general is the weak spot of GDS. With the lower school principal turnover and the high school principal's lack of experience it has been frustrating.

GDS' strengths are definitely the teachers but most programs run by the administration, especially in the high school, are lacking (DEI, college counseling, disciplinary). As a parent of a high school student many of the programs are great in theory but we find them lacking with very little accountability or transparency.

We have had several interactions and meetings with the HS principal and found her inexperienced and lacking empathy or interest.

Similar here. Our interactions with HS principal have been the same. The people who report to her in administration - curriculum people, display people and CCO - seem entirely not empowered to make decisions and openly defer to her while grin f’ing the parent.

And yet she’s hard to reach and generally has been slow to respond on the few occasions we’ve escalated something unless we’ve basically gone 911 on our email over a serious school f-up. There was a really bad one a few years ago. And then I’ve had an immediate response from her.

Have heard from my kid that many faculty members despise her and speak openly about how bad a leader and decision maker she is. Maybe this is normal. Maybe not. I hear a lot of it though.

On the disciplinary committee front, have heard from other parents that every decision made - even for minor *entirely* non DEI infractions - are dominated with a DEI restorative justice lens as how the kid needs to make amends. It’s very much on brand for the former head of DEI at dalton. One can google how that went at Dalton…

This too shall pass - but probably not in time for our kid’s tenure at the school. Like many 2020 and 2021 decisions, boards are seeing the reality of bad hires slowly. GDS’ board will be late to seeing this but will eventually. Pretty much can count on this.

OMG, stop your whining and move your whiny kids to a school with less focus on DEI. The Heights, for example, could be a good option if you have a boy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Since when was GDS a “DEI-focused” school? You have no idea what you are talking about.

I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years and this is entirely new the last 3 years. We all know why and those are not just GDS specific reasons

I also have no idea what you are saying about someone who is being singled out on this thread? Who? The HS principal? The HOS? Yes they are all part of the issue. The top sets the tone.

Would you rather we talk about the carpool line monitors?

The point of the thread is for parents to discuss their views of where the HS admin has gone off the rails. How else should this be addressed? Without mentioning the HS principal or HOS?

I see no inappropriate personal attacks here. I just read every page of this thread. Can you point one out?

Or perhaps you are so indoctrinated by GDS nice nice talk that any direct conversations threaten your sense of “safety”.

:) I find it amusing that despite spending 15 years at the school, you are not even familiarized yet with the GDS mission statement.

Are you really a GDS parent? If so, you are a very un-informed member of our community (unfortunately). 15 years and still no clue! I am amazed!

“The vital work and service provided by our office is supported by a mission rooted deeply in our founders vision, which in 1945, named diversity as a core value of the School.”

https://www.gds.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

I’m very much a GDS parent. I sent my multiple kids here for this mission. For embracing all types of diversity. Not just the narrow type you are espousing. Diversity isn’t just the type you want it to be. It’s intellectual diversity and economic diversity too. Not just the 2021–2024 DEI diversity your career is wrapped up in.

And here’s the thing. My sentiment is the vast vast majority of the feeling amongst parents and amongst your very own teachers.

Maybe if you came out of your office once in a while, stopped worshipping Kendi and his ilk, and listened to parents, teachers and kids, you would know what’s going on with morale. It’s bad.

You over did it.

We all see you and know who is on here posting on this thread today.

It’s one of 4 people in the HS admin and we get it. You are justifying your very existence and any break in that narrative armor stings to your core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

Try mentioning any of this directly to anyone in the administration or board. Go ahead. Let's see how that goes for you. I've tried. No one responds in a timely way unless you take it to 100. Regular requests to chat are pushed downward to the advisors and grade deans who have no power.

Posting here seems to me to reflect a bubbling over of frustrations of some parents (and kids) being heard by the admin while they watch the admin cater exclusively to a small agenda and subset of the students

Read the posts here - there are a number on this 20 page thread that give specifics about bad policies and bad administrators. Yes overall, the teaching and prep for college and life is quite strong, but the school seems to not want to hear anything but nice nice validating talk from parents

GDS is not a culture that allows people to speak up in small and large ways. (same goes for opposing political views amongst the kids despite oped after oped by students in school paper begging for more openness to diversity of thought)

My example: on a recent 9th/10th CCO zoom, a parent dared to ask about GDS' poorly timed, poorly executed AP testing policy in the last 5 min and the CCO went off on how the CCO knows better. So no, they want zero IRL feedback. And no one wants to be that complain-y parent IRL bc you know that the same CCO is checking one of 5 boxes on the common app counselor recc as to whether your kid is amazing, excellent, very good, or ok.

I was on that Zoom and this 100% did not happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration in general is the weak spot of GDS. With the lower school principal turnover and the high school principal's lack of experience it has been frustrating.

GDS' strengths are definitely the teachers but most programs run by the administration, especially in the high school, are lacking (DEI, college counseling, disciplinary). As a parent of a high school student many of the programs are great in theory but we find them lacking with very little accountability or transparency.

We have had several interactions and meetings with the HS principal and found her inexperienced and lacking empathy or interest.

Similar here. Our interactions with HS principal have been the same. The people who report to her in administration - curriculum people, display people and CCO - seem entirely not empowered to make decisions and openly defer to her while grin f’ing the parent.

And yet she’s hard to reach and generally has been slow to respond on the few occasions we’ve escalated something unless we’ve basically gone 911 on our email over a serious school f-up. There was a really bad one a few years ago. And then I’ve had an immediate response from her.

Have heard from my kid that many faculty members despise her and speak openly about how bad a leader and decision maker she is. Maybe this is normal. Maybe not. I hear a lot of it though.

On the disciplinary committee front, have heard from other parents that every decision made - even for minor *entirely* non DEI infractions - are dominated with a DEI restorative justice lens as how the kid needs to make amends. It’s very much on brand for the former head of DEI at dalton. One can google how that went at Dalton…

This too shall pass - but probably not in time for our kid’s tenure at the school. Like many 2020 and 2021 decisions, boards are seeing the reality of bad hires slowly. GDS’ board will be late to seeing this but will eventually. Pretty much can count on this.

OMG, stop your whining and move your whiny kids to a school with less focus on DEI. The Heights, for example, could be a good option if you have a boy.

There we have it. No room at GDS for anyone who does not pray to your DEI god. ad hominem attack is of course where the weak minded fragile go when they have no counter argument.

Try talking to each of the longest tenured HS faculty. The beloved ones. The ones that shape the fiber of the HS academic experience. They are all feeling the same. I have heard it from each of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration in general is the weak spot of GDS. With the lower school principal turnover and the high school principal's lack of experience it has been frustrating.

GDS' strengths are definitely the teachers but most programs run by the administration, especially in the high school, are lacking (DEI, college counseling, disciplinary). As a parent of a high school student many of the programs are great in theory but we find them lacking with very little accountability or transparency.

We have had several interactions and meetings with the HS principal and found her inexperienced and lacking empathy or interest.

Similar here. Our interactions with HS principal have been the same. The people who report to her in administration - curriculum people, display people and CCO - seem entirely not empowered to make decisions and openly defer to her while grin f’ing the parent.

And yet she’s hard to reach and generally has been slow to respond on the few occasions we’ve escalated something unless we’ve basically gone 911 on our email over a serious school f-up. There was a really bad one a few years ago. And then I’ve had an immediate response from her.

Have heard from my kid that many faculty members despise her and speak openly about how bad a leader and decision maker she is. Maybe this is normal. Maybe not. I hear a lot of it though.

On the disciplinary committee front, have heard from other parents that every decision made - even for minor *entirely* non DEI infractions - are dominated with a DEI restorative justice lens as how the kid needs to make amends. It’s very much on brand for the former head of DEI at dalton. One can google how that went at Dalton…

This too shall pass - but probably not in time for our kid’s tenure at the school. Like many 2020 and 2021 decisions, boards are seeing the reality of bad hires slowly. GDS’ board will be late to seeing this but will eventually. Pretty much can count on this.

OMG, stop your whining and move your whiny kids to a school with less focus on DEI. The Heights, for example, could be a good option if you have a boy.

There we have it. No room at GDS for anyone who does not pray to your DEI god. ad hominem attack is of course where the weak minded fragile go when they have no counter argument.

Try talking to each of the longest tenured HS faculty. The beloved ones. The ones that shape the fiber of the HS academic experience. They are all feeling the same. I have heard it from each of them.

No, I am not a GDS parent. Didn’t even consider the school for my DCs because it doesn’t align with our beliefs and values. My point is, why pick a school that’s focused on DEI if it annoys you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Since when was GDS a “DEI-focused” school? You have no idea what you are talking about.

I’ve been a parent for nearly 15 years and this is entirely new the last 3 years. We all know why and those are not just GDS specific reasons

I also have no idea what you are saying about someone who is being singled out on this thread? Who? The HS principal? The HOS? Yes they are all part of the issue. The top sets the tone.

Would you rather we talk about the carpool line monitors?

The point of the thread is for parents to discuss their views of where the HS admin has gone off the rails. How else should this be addressed? Without mentioning the HS principal or HOS?

I see no inappropriate personal attacks here. I just read every page of this thread. Can you point one out?

Or perhaps you are so indoctrinated by GDS nice nice talk that any direct conversations threaten your sense of “safety”.

:) I find it amusing that despite spending 15 years at the school, you are not even familiarized yet with the GDS mission statement.

Are you really a GDS parent? If so, you are a very un-informed member of our community (unfortunately). 15 years and still no clue! I am amazed!

“The vital work and service provided by our office is supported by a mission rooted deeply in our founders vision, which in 1945, named diversity as a core value of the School.”

https://www.gds.org/about/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

I’m very much a GDS parent. I sent my multiple kids here for this mission. For embracing all types of diversity. Not just the narrow type you are espousing. Diversity isn’t just the type you want it to be. It’s intellectual diversity and economic diversity too. Not just the 2021–2024 DEI diversity your career is wrapped up in.

And here’s the thing. My sentiment is the vast vast majority of the feeling amongst parents and amongst your very own teachers.

Maybe if you came out of your office once in a while, stopped worshipping Kendi and his ilk, and listened to parents, teachers and kids, you would know what’s going on with morale. It’s bad.

You over did it.

We all see you and know who is on here posting on this thread today.

It’s one of 4 people in the HS admin and we get it. You are justifying your very existence and any break in that narrative armor stings to your core.

DP.

Economic diversity? Intellectual diversity? You are speaking of Georgetown Day School, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The administration in general is the weak spot of GDS. With the lower school principal turnover and the high school principal's lack of experience it has been frustrating.

GDS' strengths are definitely the teachers but most programs run by the administration, especially in the high school, are lacking (DEI, college counseling, disciplinary). As a parent of a high school student many of the programs are great in theory but we find them lacking with very little accountability or transparency.

We have had several interactions and meetings with the HS principal and found her inexperienced and lacking empathy or interest.

Similar here. Our interactions with HS principal have been the same. The people who report to her in administration - curriculum people, display people and CCO - seem entirely not empowered to make decisions and openly defer to her while grin f’ing the parent.

And yet she’s hard to reach and generally has been slow to respond on the few occasions we’ve escalated something unless we’ve basically gone 911 on our email over a serious school f-up. There was a really bad one a few years ago. And then I’ve had an immediate response from her.

Have heard from my kid that many faculty members despise her and speak openly about how bad a leader and decision maker she is. Maybe this is normal. Maybe not. I hear a lot of it though.

On the disciplinary committee front, have heard from other parents that every decision made - even for minor *entirely* non DEI infractions - are dominated with a DEI restorative justice lens as how the kid needs to make amends. It’s very much on brand for the former head of DEI at dalton. One can google how that went at Dalton…

This too shall pass - but probably not in time for our kid’s tenure at the school. Like many 2020 and 2021 decisions, boards are seeing the reality of bad hires slowly. GDS’ board will be late to seeing this but will eventually. Pretty much can count on this.

OMG, stop your whining and move your whiny kids to a school with less focus on DEI. The Heights, for example, could be a good option if you have a boy.

There we have it. No room at GDS for anyone who does not pray to your DEI god. ad hominem attack is of course where the weak minded fragile go when they have no counter argument.

Try talking to each of the longest tenured HS faculty. The beloved ones. The ones that shape the fiber of the HS academic experience. They are all feeling the same. I have heard it from each of them.

There is no way multiple teachers would talk so openly with parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post reeks of racist gaslighting.

Try harder. I despite lazy accusations of racism.
Do you believe that the principal is immune from criticism because she's Black?
The fact of the matter is that the principal had ZERO principal experience before she held this position. How does a school of GDS' stature put in place a HS principal with no principal experience whatsoever? She is hardly visible around school. I have yet to see her at a regular sporting event. The students don't find her engaging. When I've seen her, she's not been enthusiastic, warm, or friendly. A HS principal has to be able to connect to students, and she does not.
A lot of people at GDS, including parents like myself who shell out $50K per year for the GDS experience, sincerely believe in the goals of DEI. But many of us are increasingly critical at the lack of effectiveness of DEI as it has played out in schools and colleges across this country. DEI programming is not working. Staffing schools with DEI people who seem to replicate what a good teacher already does seems wasteful. (That money would be better spent to pay teachers better and to fund scholarships, IMHO.) Students are afraid to have real conversations about diversity because the DEI administrators shame people into conformity and silence, and that's what they are modeling for the children as the appropriate response to different points of view. GDS has strayed away from its freewheeling intellectual roots, and it's a damn shame.

And this is the way of changing things? Public shaming the individual on “DC Urban Mom”? You try harder!

And of course, all that brave public shaming and criticism are done anonymously…

Yep, it seems like very reasonable behaviors.🙄

You would rather us (and there appear to be a lot!) just drink the DEI kool-aid and be quiet, huh? This is a forum where parents can find solace, knowing that we're not alone in our frustration and desire for change. GDS and other schools with heavy DEI thought police systems haven't set up a structure where students or parents feel comfortable critiquing or raising their discontent without fear of repercussion. Minimizing a difference of opinion won't make it go away.

Is not about having a different opinion. Is about signaling an individual who can’t defend him or herself.

Let’s do this with one of your kids when they grow up and let’s see how you feel.

Or with you. Let me share with all your customers that I think you are a terrible professional and trash you online anonymously. I am entitle to my opinion….

Fake debate. This is not a post about if I think DEI should have less weight on the school. This thread is signaling a specific professional, a person.

Plus, why have you joined a DEI focused school if you don’t like a DEI focus?

“I feel St. Mary’s should be less catholic”? Ok, but why do you join a catholic school in the first place?

You can debate about ideas, strategies, policies, whatever you want. But don’t try to disguise your anonymous coward bullying as free speech.

If you read through this thread there's no bullying or categorical opposition to DEI. The issue is how these programs are run by the administration and any differing opinions or concerns are not only not addressed but not welcome.

Can anyone say that all students and groups feel equally represented at GDS? As a POC family I can 100% say no. Does my kid feel safe to have a differing opinion without the fear of being cancelled? No. Are programs like college counseling or disciplinary actions consistent or transparent? Not really (the success of this year's seniors has nothing to do w/ the college counseling office its in spite of their hap-hazard efforts).

Yes, my child will be prepared for college, has made great friends at GDS, and has had great teachers. But programs run by the administration are poorly run. These two things are not mutually exclusive. Calling out the areas that are poorly run is not bullying.