Troubles at GDS high school?

[Anonymous]

Apparently there have been a number of racially charged incidents at GDS HS in past few months. Some students on a sports team hazed an African american team mate in what was seen as a racial incident. Then someone supposedly wrote the N word on the side of the school in spray paint or marker

Anyone know what's going on?

Lots of rumors around the NW private school scene that the African american students are revolting against the administration and perceived injustices against them

[Anonymous]

The GDS students, parents, families, faculty, staff, and administrators are diverse and often differently opinionated, yes; but they ultimately form a community which learns from one another and wholeheartedly supports each other.

Every time I walk into that School I see a community of students who seem together, happy, active, engaged, and alive with energy. But you can keep up the outside effort to exacerbate our differences and highlight those tensions which are natural to any healthy and vibrant community of young adults still learning and making their way in this world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The GDS students, parents, families, faculty, staff, and administrators are diverse and often differently opinionated, yes; but they ultimately form a community which learns from one another and wholeheartedly supports each other.

Every time I walk into that School I see a community of students who seem together, happy, active, engaged, and alive with energy. But you can keep up the outside effort to exacerbate our differences and highlight those tensions which are natural to any healthy and vibrant community of young adults still learning and making their way in this world.

Wow. Where did you major in PR?

[Anonymous]

Current parent - the bowing down to the demands of the PC/sensitivity police is a never ending process. the email from the head today to the school will be the latest step down the trail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent - the bowing down to the demands of the PC/sensitivity police is a never ending process. the email from the head today to the school will be the latest step down the trail.

Another email?

[Anonymous]

GDS purports to be a leader in diversity but this is a front. Things are changing for the worse.

[Anonymous]

What did the e-mail from the Head say?

[Anonymous]

I wonder how long this thread will last. GDS seems to enjoy special status here. People speculate about much worse stuff they have heard about DC public schools, and those threads are rarely deleted or locked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how long this thread will last. GDS seems to enjoy special status here. People speculate about much worse stuff they have heard about DC public schools, and those threads are rarely deleted or locked.

Stay away from racial stereotypes or commenting on individual students then. I suspect the GDS PR boosters know those two are hot button issues for Jeff, so they will report the thread as soon as they see either. If you want to have a discussion, don't give them an excuse to shut it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent - the bowing down to the demands of the PC/sensitivity police is a never ending process. the email from the head today to the school will be the latest step down the trail.

Racist hazing and spray painting the N word on school property seems extreme.

[Anonymous]

Can someone say more about what's going on at the school, as far as inappropriate behavior, and how it's being handled?

[Anonymous]

No one seems to be able to confirm what's actually happening. Seems like info lockdown mode at the school. Last nights email to all parents talked about changing the entire disciplinary process at the school because it was seen as unfair. But he refused to give context and said board has decided not to divulge what prompted all of this

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how long this thread will last. GDS seems to enjoy special status here. People speculate about much worse stuff they have heard about DC public schools, and those threads are rarely deleted or locked.

This time, nobody reported this thread to me. But, given the recent trend in how GDS threads have gone, I thought that I would take a peek. Sure enough, the very first response (which I removed) was essentially a troll post. One of the major issues with which I've been dealing where GDS is concerned in an incident that happened over the summer. Nobody seems to agree on the details of this incident and the rumors that are posted always result in one party or the other not being fairly represented (as far as I can tell given that I also don't know the facts). Let's not forget that we are discussing children. There is no need to engage in rumor-mongering.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how long this thread will last. GDS seems to enjoy special status here. People speculate about much worse stuff they have heard about DC public schools, and those threads are rarely deleted or locked.

This time, nobody reported this thread to me. But, given the recent trend in how GDS threads have gone, I thought that I would take a peek. Sure enough, the very first response (which I removed) was essentially a troll post. One of the major issues with which I've been dealing where GDS is concerned in an incident that happened over the summer. Nobody seems to agree on the details of this incident and the rumors that are posted always result in one party or the other not being fairly represented (as far as I can tell given that I also don't know the facts). Let's not forget that we are discussing children. There is no need to engage in rumor-mongering.

Has GDS sent the site a cease and desist or are you just being extra careful? Just curious

[Anonymous]

It's not just a revolt of African American students. Parents and students of all races are questioning both the efficacy of GDS's current diversity curriculum and the fairness of the school's approach to discipline. Many HS students have lost all respect for the Head of School and parents increasingly understand why.