GDS high school

[Anonymous]

What a strange thing to say. DC has done sports and camps with a dozen different GDS kids and they have all been really nice.

I can't say the same for other privates around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the parent of a junior at GDS, and just can’t across this thread with 26 pages. Would anyone care to summarize the issue, presenting both sides fairly? It would help me for sure but perhaps would help the many participants so far.

Entitled, much? Do you always ask strangers for favors and then give them instructions, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never met a nice kid at GDS. ever.

You probably haven’t met many GDS kids then because I know several and they are mostly pretty nice. I like them. Parents tend to be nice too. And my kids don’t go to GDS

[Anonymous]

I would add that they did a very nice job with the campus expansion. Not sure who was in charge but it looks great at least from the outside

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a strange thing to say. DC has done sports and camps with a dozen different GDS kids and they have all been really nice.

I can't say the same for other privates around here.

What a strange thing to say.

[Anonymous]

Has no one suggested restorative justice to GDS? I’m not a huge fan of RJ but it works well for minor to moderate infractions where the aggrieved person can have a restorative conversation with the perceived aggressor.
Hold a confidential healing circle where people can talk out their feelings. I think it would work better than these secret tribunals.
And it is all the rage these days so the DEI office will most likely embrace it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has no one suggested restorative justice to GDS? I’m not a huge fan of RJ but it works well for minor to moderate infractions where the aggrieved person can have a restorative conversation with the perceived aggressor.
Hold a confidential healing circle where people can talk out their feelings. I think it would work better than these secret tribunals.
And it is all the rage these days so the DEI office will most likely embrace it

LOL. Restorative Justice does not work!

[Anonymous]

Another GDS student op-ed about inability for students to voice dissenting opinions in HS classes - just as we experienced with our kids who have gone through the HS (and one there now).

https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

kudos to this student for writing what many (certainly all three of our kids) feel.

A great school academically for the most part - but tramples on the right to express any dissenting opinions.

"For instance, during a class focusing on transgender issues, many students were reluctant to participate because they were afraid of getting judged by the teacher or offending other classmates. My classmates have told me that they are scared to voice their true opinions because they don’t want their teacher to send them to the Disciplinary Consultation Committee or send an email home. Because many people do not want to voice their true opinions, there is a lack of meaningful dialogue. "

and

"In one of my classes, my teacher lectured to convey the racial power dynamic in America. The lecture was focused on his opinions about why Black people cannot be racist towards white people. Seminar is supposed to be a safe space, but starting with these opinionated lectures makes students afraid to voice their opinions because they are scared of getting in trouble if they have beliefs that differ from the teacher’s views. "

and

"Students must feel safe to share their opinions ... even if they go against the left-leaning, progressive views of most people at GDS."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another GDS student op-ed about inability for students to voice dissenting opinions in HS classes - just as we experienced with our kids who have gone through the HS (and one there now).

https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

kudos to this student for writing what many (certainly all three of our kids) feel.

A great school academically for the most part - but tramples on the right to express any dissenting opinions.

"For instance, during a class focusing on transgender issues, many students were reluctant to participate because they were afraid of getting judged by the teacher or offending other classmates. My classmates have told me that they are scared to voice their true opinions because they don’t want their teacher to send them to the Disciplinary Consultation Committee or send an email home. Because many people do not want to voice their true opinions, there is a lack of meaningful dialogue. "

and

"In one of my classes, my teacher lectured to convey the racial power dynamic in America. The lecture was focused on his opinions about why Black people cannot be racist towards white people. Seminar is supposed to be a safe space, but starting with these opinionated lectures makes students afraid to voice their opinions because they are scared of getting in trouble if they have beliefs that differ from the teacher’s views. "

and

"Students must feel safe to share their opinions ... even if they go against the left-leaning, progressive views of most people at GDS."

Well done. This student's op-ed very much captures how our senior has felt during their high school experience - especially in the last two years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never met a nice kid at GDS. ever.

That is just ridiculous. I'm a GDS parent with plenty of issues with the administration but I will say the kids (and most of the their parents) are nice, and more importantly kind, interesting, and intelligent.

[Anonymous]

Many on this thread have spoken about good teaching at GDS in HS. I mostly agree.

That said, there is a senior science teacher who is truly an atrocious teacher. That can happen anywhere. Those who know know.

A senior teacher who is frequently absent, does not prepare their students well at all, and is usually weeks late returning graded assignments.

Figured this was a place to mention that the teaching is not all amazing.

I've also seen lots of variability in the english dept.

The new teachers come in from other schools often being excessively hard graders. The students pay the price for this.

Turnover in that department has been high since COVID.

[Anonymous]

https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

Just wow on so many levels. But does it change anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

Just wow on so many levels. But does it change anything?

Great op-ed. There has been something like this written by a student every 3-4 mos in the school paper. My kid says that 75% of the kids agree with this sentiment. Maybe 90%. It's a few very loud hold out kids who are in favor of the status quo.

Russell keeps writing essays and giving talks about encouraging thought and idea diversity and yet, the admins and some select faculty and maybe 10-25% of the kids think they are running / at a social justice advocacy org instead of a f*'ing school

[Anonymous]

And the school doesn’t change. That says something about the institution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

Just wow on so many levels. But does it change anything?

Great op-ed. There has been something like this written by a student every 3-4 mos in the school paper. My kid says that 75% of the kids agree with this sentiment. Maybe 90%. It's a few very loud hold out kids who are in favor of the status quo.

Russell keeps writing essays and giving talks about encouraging thought and idea diversity and yet, the admins and some select faculty and maybe 10-25% of the kids think they are running / at a social justice advocacy org instead of a f*'ing school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theaugurbit.com/2024/03/10/seminar-limits-our-ability-to-speak-freely/

Just wow on so many levels. But does it change anything?

Great op-ed. There has been something like this written by a student every 3-4 mos in the school paper. My kid says that 75% of the kids agree with this sentiment. Maybe 90%. It's a few very loud hold out kids who are in favor of the status quo.

Russell keeps writing essays and giving talks about encouraging thought and idea diversity and yet, the admins and some select faculty and maybe 10-25% of the kids think they are running / at a social justice advocacy org instead of a f*'ing school

Russell is very removed from the day to day running of the school.