What is going on at Sidwell - LOTS AND LOTS OF TURNOVER - Upper School Head leaving

[Anonymous]

Is there any stability there? Sheesh.

From an email today ---

Dear Sidwell Friends School Parents, Students, Faculty, and Staff:

After four years of exemplary service to Sidwell Friends School, Upper School Principal Lee Palmer has informed me that she will resign from her post prior to the start of the 2014-15 school year. She has shared with me how deeply fulfilling her time at SFS has been to her, both personally and professionally, but she plans to take time now to pursue new challenges and new opportunities for professional growth. Lee will serve as Consultant to the Head of School next year and will be available to offer support so that the transition to new leadership goes smoothly.

[Anonymous]

I think turnover is pretty normal but an Upper School Head leaving in the summer with such little notice is odd. I doubt it will affect SFS applicant number at all, though.

[Anonymous]

You should be commended for waiting a whole hour from receiving the email to posting it on a public site.

[Anonymous]

PP - no problem. You are welcome. Like it matters. Anyway. Head of School. Head Admissions now Head of Upper School.

Annoying.

[Anonymous]

Congrats "scoop". Simply repeating what has been broadcast to the community has no value whatsoever, unless there is a thoughtful opinion or new facts that are relevant and meaningful. This is the equivalent of looking up at an outdoor thermometer and announcing that it is hot outside.

[Anonymous]

why don't you vote with your feet

[Anonymous]

Makes sense that a new head of school is going to want to bring a new head of upper school. I'm one of those people who is disappointed that Farquar is leaving. My sense is the school is in a good place now and I have been a pretty unhappy parent in the past

[Anonymous]

This is hard. On kids and parents. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is hard. On kids and parents. Sorry.

that's how real life works though. Teachers leave, pets die, best friends move away - get over it.

[Anonymous]

Private schools have lots of turnover bc the pay and benefits are poor and a lot of them are full of racists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private schools have lots of turnover bc the pay and benefits are poor and a lot of them are full of racists

You had me with the pay and benefits, but what the hell are you talking about the racists? Why in the world would you say that private schools are full of racists? If you had a bad experience at some point in your life with a private school then I'm very sorry, but to paint such a large brush over all private schools is more than a bit ridiculous...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congrats "scoop". Simply repeating what has been broadcast to the community has no value whatsoever, unless there is a thoughtful opinion or new facts that are relevant and meaningful. This is the equivalent of looking up at an outdoor thermometer and announcing that it is hot outside.

C'mon Sidwell student or parent. You really cannot think of any upside to discussing this topic anonymously? There is some potential value there.

[Anonymous]

Folks, she's not exactly a public figure and it's unfair for people to disparage her in an anonymous forum. Change is not unexpected in connection with a transition in leadership of any large organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private schools have lots of turnover bc the pay and benefits are poor and a lot of them are full of racists

You had me with the pay and benefits, but what the hell are you talking about the racists? Why in the world would you say that private schools are full of racists? If you had a bad experience at some point in your life with a private school then I'm very sorry, but to paint such a large brush over all private schools is more than a bit ridiculous...

I've worked at several. It's a common theme

[Anonymous]

SFS: Excellent faculty which carry the school & outstanding education but out-of-control & entitled parents. Hopefully they will figure out the administration situation out soon. On a positive note. The Lower School Head is outstanding!