S/O: Holton Parents - "I wish I had known x" type advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really like Patrick. He is fair and caring. He is not swayed by the wealthy parents at the school and really keeps the focus on the academics. I know there are some parents that do not like him, I think those are the parents who think their money should give them special treatment and Patrick is very clear about Holton being a school and not a country club!

Holton parent here. Let's be clear. Patrick Bane is the head of only one segment of Holton Arms. He is not the head of the school. Susanna Jones is. It is admirable that you feel Patrick Bane is an excellent administrator but please don't try and besmirch the character of those attending Holton Arms who are full pay or of financial means who continue and consistently make financial AND non-financial contributions to the school.

Oh, yes, I am not wealthy and am receiving some financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does anyone have a 100% favorability rating? Some people will connect with the head, some won't. As long as parents feel that Patrick Bane is making good decisions for the school, resulting in a positive educational experience for their DD, shouldn't that be enough?

I agree with you up to a point. One unpopular decision was changing the amount of homework done in the evening in exchange for at-home play time. While this might not have had an impact on 3rd through 5th, it directly impacted the 6th grade (Holton's middle school goes through 6th grade) in their preparation for middle school homework. Many 6th graders arrived in 7th grade stunned as they were not used to having 1 to 1/2 hours of homework per night. It should have remained in the teachers hands to designate the amount of homework in preparation for 7th grade. In my humble opinion, it wasn't a good move.

Of course, the 7th graders recovered but at what expense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does anyone have a 100% favorability rating? Some people will connect with the head, some won't. As long as parents feel that Patrick Bane is making good decisions for the school, resulting in a positive educational experience for their DD, shouldn't that be enough?

I agree with you up to a point. One unpopular decision was changing the amount of homework done in the evening in exchange for at-home play time. While this might not have had an impact on 3rd through 5th, it directly impacted the 6th grade (Holton's middle school goes through 6th grade) in their preparation for middle school homework. Many 6th graders arrived in 7th grade stunned as they were not used to having 1 to 1/2 hours of homework per night. It should have remained in the teachers hands to designate the amount of homework in preparation for 7th grade. In my humble opinion, it wasn't a good move.

Of course, the 7th graders recovered but at what expense?

PP here. Correction....Holton's lower school goes through 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Kudos to Holton once again why is it so hard for people to believe that we love the school. Holton is simply amazing!!

[Anonymous]

Darling 1/6 11;05 No one said anything about Patrick Bane being the Head of school. Full Pay here honey. I am fully aware Susanna Jones is the head of school.

[Anonymous]

Ahhhh.....11:32 true colors are coming out. It was just a matter of time. Btw, you can still love a school, especially like Holton, and also know there are chinks in the chain.

Honey? Darling? Not hardly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ahhhh.....11:32 true colors are coming out. It was just a matter of time. Btw, you can still love a school, especially like Holton, and also know there are chinks in the chain.

Honey? Darling? Not hardly?

????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't start the NCS. But, I acknowledged in both this thread and the Stone Ridge thread that I started these based on the NCS thread and wanting to see more thoughts on each of these schools as well.

Because you have a daughter who is thinking about attending, or because you are just curious, or because you like to stir the pot, or because you enjoy watching the independent school moms get their panties all in a bunch before unleashing the damage control squads?

You are trying to intimidate posters. You can't bully or demean any poster who will let you. I wish I had known...what it, BULLY, or I will ANSWER.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ahhhh.....11:32 true colors are coming out. It was just a matter of time. Btw, you can still love a school, especially like Holton, and also know there are chinks in the chain.

Honey? Darling? Not hardly?

????

I'm not a mind reader, and the crystal ball is cracked but I think it was the reference to calling the poster honey and darling saracastically. Don't think he/she liked it. Could be wrong, though.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had known Holton required passing a swim test in order to graduate. It wouldn't have made a difference in our attending. DC hates swimming and loves to just wade in the water A litle late in the learn to swim game but no choice as we are satisfied with Holton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had known Holton required passing a swim test in order to graduate. It wouldn't have made a difference in our attending. DC hates swimming and loves to just wade in the water A litle late in the learn to swim game but no choice as we are satisfied with Holton.

Is swimming part of gym?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had known Holton required passing a swim test in order to graduate. It wouldn't have made a difference in our attending. DC hates swimming and loves to just wade in the water A litle late in the learn to swim game but no choice as we are satisfied with Holton.

Is swimming part of gym?

Swimming is part of lower school gym but is optional for middle and upper school. We came in 9th grade so we have some catching up to do. Actually, DD has already started and will be fine. Still prefers to wade, though

[Anonymous]

I wonder if all private schools with pools have a swim test requirement for graduation?

[Anonymous]

DD had 2 hours of homework in 6th grade and is doing great in middle school, but we make homework a priority.

[Anonymous]

Are athletics required at Holton?