Big GDS news

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps property values will go up, but the loss of the grocery store (Fresh Fields is too expensive for regular shopping) and the increased traffic (including those who will now have to drive to go to the store) makes this a loss for daily quality of life in the neighborhood.

Omg. Are you really calling Whole Foods Fresh Fields....in 2014. Hilarious.

Personally I could not care less about GDS or Tenley Town which is a hellish area I avoid at all costs anyway. But still, this post is soooo funny.

Well, second thought, maybe this will make Tenley Town nicer. It is such a shit hole now. Sure cant get worse from them building a school campus. Still, what an unattractive area for a private school.

In fact, it will bring an school campus (with some green space) to that part of Wisconsin. Better than just another "New Clarendon" development with condos atop a 5-Guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chuckling at those who defended the GDS micro campus for years and now say the $100 million upgrade is essential. Pity the grads who paid top dollar for inadequate facilities.

That was my first thought too! Cafeteria isn't necessary... ha ha i bet that's the first thing in the plan. Although i thought the US had a lot of appeal being just that stand alone.

As far as sports fields, is that problem going to be fixed? Compared to sidwell (or ncs/sta) GDS has a long way to go (tennis courts, second field (so that multiple sports can practice after school), track, bigger gym. The US is pretty crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps property values will go up, but the loss of the grocery store (Fresh Fields is too expensive for regular shopping) and the increased traffic (including those who will now have to drive to go to the store) makes this a loss for daily quality of life in the neighborhood.

Omg. Are you really calling Whole Foods Fresh Fields....in 2014. Hilarious.

Personally I could not care less about GDS or Tenley Town which is a hellish area I avoid at all costs anyway. But still, this post is soooo funny.

Well, second thought, maybe this will make Tenley Town nicer. It is such a shit hole now. Sure cant get worse from them building a school campus. Still, what an unattractive area for a private school.

In fact, it will bring an school campus (with some green space) to that part of Wisconsin. Better than just another "New Clarendon" development with condos atop a 5-Guys.

Judging by the comments posted to news articles, it seems that at least some of the neighbors are none too pleased. GDS must learn to play nice with its neighbors. Fortunately for schools in DC, the neighborhoods don't have the clout of neighborhoods in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can this be a good thing for the city? Just more loss of property tax dollars....

+1

[Anonymous]

I’ve got to hand it to my DS who will be attending GDS this year. When we were looking at schools he was intrigued by the intimate GDS campus (he is quite a free thinker and bored with athletics, so he sees no need for acres of fields to provide a stimulating environment). Though he LOVES the upper school as it is, he prophetically observed “this won’t last forever.” But we agreed that even if the school decided to join the masses by expanding the campus, it wouldn’t impact his school experience. DS reminded me of a quote from his favorite author: “I’d like to be the sort of person who can enjoy things at the time, instead of having to go back in my head and enjoy them.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have posted already in this thread, but given that there was a plan for a mixed-use store which would have brought new residents and news income tax and property tax to the city that will now be replaced by a voice on Wisconsin Avenue and a removal of very valuable property from the city coffers, I believe this is a negative.

A private school brings nothing of value to the residential community. The school promised in its last variance hearings to share their field with the community as part of an amenity package, yet they never followed through with it despite years of pressing on it. They have, at every turn sought to increase capacity at their schools despite promises not to do so, and they are a really bad neighbor where traffic and parking are concerned. Plus, many are really tired of their upper classmen smoking pot and cigarettes in the residential areas near people's back yards where little kids are playing.

I will be asking the ANC to take a very close look at the proposals when they surface.

man, i wish i had as much time on my hands as you apparently do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have posted already in this thread, but given that there was a plan for a mixed-use store which would have brought new residents and news income tax and property tax to the city that will now be replaced by a voice on Wisconsin Avenue and a removal of very valuable property from the city coffers, I believe this is a negative.

A private school brings nothing of value to the residential community. The school promised in its last variance hearings to share their field with the community as part of an amenity package, yet they never followed through with it despite years of pressing on it. They have, at every turn sought to increase capacity at their schools despite promises not to do so, and they are a really bad neighbor where traffic and parking are concerned. Plus, many are really tired of their upper classmen smoking pot and cigarettes in the residential areas near people's back yards where little kids are playing.

I will be asking the ANC to take a very close look at the proposals when they surface.

+1 Other schools make there facilities available to the surrounding community and seek to engage the community. For GDS it is always a fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chuckling at those who defended the GDS micro campus for years and now say the $100 million upgrade is essential. Pity the grads who paid top dollar for inadequate facilities.

I love these sour grapes posters.
Parents, do you truly think that our elementary school students notice and compare facilities? I went to a fancy private school (different town) when I was younger and the school received a much needed update AFTER I graduated. Did I care as the student? Not in the slightest. Frankly, I have fond memories of the old dingy property and all of the friends I met there because it was a fantastic school experience. I think that we as parents create these out-of-touch expectations (lacrosse fields, fancy cafeterias and jungle gyms) because we pay handsomely for our children to attend these schools. But have you asked your elementary school children what is actually important to them when it comes to school? My guess: buddies, teachers, and cool field trips will be the top responses. No need to pity the grads who paid top dollar. My sense is that they'll do just fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have posted already in this thread, but given that there was a plan for a mixed-use store which would have brought new residents and news income tax and property tax to the city that will now be replaced by a voice on Wisconsin Avenue and a removal of very valuable property from the city coffers, I believe this is a negative.

A private school brings nothing of value to the residential community. The school promised in its last variance hearings to share their field with the community as part of an amenity package, yet they never followed through with it despite years of pressing on it. They have, at every turn sought to increase capacity at their schools despite promises not to do so, and they are a really bad neighbor where traffic and parking are concerned. Plus, many are really tired of their upper classmen smoking pot and cigarettes in the residential areas near people's back yards where little kids are playing.

I will be asking the ANC to take a very close look at the proposals when they surface.

+1 Other schools make there facilities available to the surrounding community and seek to engage the community. For GDS it is always a fight.

What other schools make their facilities available? Are you referring to Beauvoir and their phenomenal playground? What others? How does GDS LS make it more difficult than other schools? No dog in this fight, just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have posted already in this thread, but given that there was a plan for a mixed-use store which would have brought new residents and news income tax and property tax to the city that will now be replaced by a voice on Wisconsin Avenue and a removal of very valuable property from the city coffers, I believe this is a negative.

A private school brings nothing of value to the residential community. The school promised in its last variance hearings to share their field with the community as part of an amenity package, yet they never followed through with it despite years of pressing on it. They have, at every turn sought to increase capacity at their schools despite promises not to do so, and they are a really bad neighbor where traffic and parking are concerned. Plus, many are really tired of their upper classmen smoking pot and cigarettes in the residential areas near people's back yards where little kids are playing.

I will be asking the ANC to take a very close look at the proposals when they surface.

+1 Other schools make there facilities available to the surrounding community and seek to engage the community. For GDS it is always a fight.

I'm not a neighbor of GDS, but especially where they just have that one turf field they need to worry about maintenance (would you believe people will let their dogs do their business on turf fields? Sadly, people do); liability (it may be that their insurance coverage would go way up if the field were more broadly available); and keeping the field available for their own programs. I just think there are different concerns than a suburban school with lots of grass fields (Bullis, Landon, say -- and I'm not familiar with their usage).

Also, and I am a long-time city resident, don't people expect that being in a city will bring with it noise and traffic? That's part of the choice you make. The school has been there since the 1940s and it is foreseeable that any institution of that type will seek to expand.

In terms of "nuisances" or "secondary effects" -- parking, traffic, drawing unsavory characters, etc. -- schools are not active all day long -- they clear out a great deal by 4pm or so -- and tend to be quieter during academic breaks as well. I'm not sure what your ideal neighbor would be instead of a school but it's not like you're living next to a hog farm, strip joint, or lye factory.

Finally, the prior poster in real estate is correct -- living near a private school is good for property values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve got to hand it to my DS who will be attending GDS this year. When we were looking at schools he was intrigued by the intimate GDS campus (he is quite a free thinker and bored with athletics, so he sees no need for acres of fields to provide a stimulating environment). Though he LOVES the upper school as it is, he prophetically observed “this won’t last forever.” But we agreed that even if the school decided to join the masses by expanding the campus, it wouldn’t impact his school experience. DS reminded me of a quote from his favorite author: “I’d like to be the sort of person who can enjoy things at the time, instead of having to go back in my head and enjoy them.”

I'm sure your little genius won't be teased as he embarks on his HS adventure at GDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve got to hand it to my DS who will be attending GDS this year. When we were looking at schools he was intrigued by the intimate GDS campus (he is quite a free thinker and bored with athletics, so he sees no need for acres of fields to provide a stimulating environment). Though he LOVES the upper school as it is, he prophetically observed “this won’t last forever.” But we agreed that even if the school decided to join the masses by expanding the campus, it wouldn’t impact his school experience. DS reminded me of a quote from his favorite author: “I’d like to be the sort of person who can enjoy things at the time, instead of having to go back in my head and enjoy them.”

I'm sure your little genius won't be teased as he embarks on his HS adventure at GDS.

I'm not the parent who posted about her son, but was struck by the mean-spiritedness of the person calling him a "little genius." From what I have heard (and I work in schools), GDS actually is a friendly and respectful place where the kids can be comfortable in their own skins and not fear nasty teasing if, for example, he has the temerity to like to quote favorite authors. Honestly, shame on you, second quoted poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This had to be done, but it's kind of a big FU to current families and recent grads.

Do you really think that? For a school to make a big expansion, a lot of factors have to align: (a) the capital to do it; (b) the availability of property on which to expand; (c) a good chance of regulatory approval; and (d) a school admin and board that sees expansion as a top priority at that particular time. Why get so bent out of shape that those elements are aligning after your child was in school? Didn't your child still enjoy and value the experience as it was?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve got to hand it to my DS who will be attending GDS this year. When we were looking at schools he was intrigued by the intimate GDS campus (he is quite a free thinker and bored with athletics, so he sees no need for acres of fields to provide a stimulating environment). Though he LOVES the upper school as it is, he prophetically observed “this won’t last forever.” But we agreed that even if the school decided to join the masses by expanding the campus, it wouldn’t impact his school experience. DS reminded me of a quote from his favorite author: “I’d like to be the sort of person who can enjoy things at the time, instead of having to go back in my head and enjoy them.”

I'm sure your little genius won't be teased as he embarks on his HS adventure at GDS.

I'm not the parent who posted about her son, but was struck by the mean-spiritedness of the person calling him a "little genius." From what I have heard (and I work in schools), GDS actually is a friendly and respectful place where the kids can be comfortable in their own skins and not fear nasty teasing if, for example, he has the temerity to like to quote favorite authors. Honestly, shame on you, second quoted poster.

Agreed! Why do adults feel the need to spew this kind of crap? And we wonder where bullies learn it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve got to hand it to my DS who will be attending GDS this year. When we were looking at schools he was intrigued by the intimate GDS campus (he is quite a free thinker and bored with athletics, so he sees no need for acres of fields to provide a stimulating environment). Though he LOVES the upper school as it is, he prophetically observed “this won’t last forever.” But we agreed that even if the school decided to join the masses by expanding the campus, it wouldn’t impact his school experience. DS reminded me of a quote from his favorite author: “I’d like to be the sort of person who can enjoy things at the time, instead of having to go back in my head and enjoy them.”

I'm sure your little genius won't be teased as he embarks on his HS adventure at GDS.

Ouch! Being teased by GDS students is like having Richard Simmons tell a guy to "man up!"