Questions about Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's attitudes like pps that make Americans fat. No one thinks diet is a serious issue. Everyone wants to brush the issue aside. Without proper diet...kids can't do well in sports or school.

Agreed, but within reason. I grew up on a non-organic diet with a fair share of junk food. I played sports, was very active and was top of my high school class. Sure, kids should eat right, but trust me, they can do well in school and play sports, yet not have a pristine diet.

I agree many Americans are obese and don't get the problem, but it sounds like you may be taking it to the other extreme. IMO, especially with girls, that is just as dangerous as too much fat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holton parent here -- I know that the "cocktail" food is just that ... and it is fine for what it is. And there have been plenty of crudite (vegetable) options and ... although the healthy eaters will probably predict my DD will weigh 500 lbs. when she is 20 because of this, she loves the chocolate chip cookies. (And she will look like a model at 20, because she doesn't eat too much or many -- why? Precisely because I don't freak out and restrict things. My kids collect candy on Halloween ... eat about 6 pieces that night ... and I take the rest to work a couple of weeks later .... they have never been deprived of it, so they don't crave it or sneak it. They won't eat McD's by choice, because they have figured out they don't feel good after ... We've had a box of GS Mint Cookies here since April and a box of Oreos too, which I will end up pitching when the freshness date passes. They ate a few cookies out of each. Isn't that a bit more intelligent way to evolve choice more likely to last than to obsess whether Oreos are forbidden because they have transfat? -- meanwhile, their friends with "restricted" diets come here and literally pig out -- what is forbidden becomes attractive.)

Well said - I share your sentiments and your experience.

[Anonymous]

The family that once owned the company that supplies the food to the dining hall sent their kids to Holton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The family that once owned the company that supplies the food to the dining hall sent their kids to Holton.

What is the significance of this?

[Anonymous]

No kidding Sherlock. The Holton Library is named after the Marriotts. That doesn't mean those girls ate the food and that was years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The family that once owned the company that supplies the food to the dining hall sent their kids to Holton.

And I am thankful for their very generous contributions to the school.

[Anonymous]

Not a Holton parent here, but I do know the Marriott family incredible generosity has made a huge difference to the school. Back in the day, Holton was a "good" suburban all-girl's school, but nowhere near as strong academically as the school is today. The Marriott's have played a huge role in building the school's endowment and donating funds for top-notch facilities. Together these attributes have attracted top-notch faculty and students.

On a side note which has no bearing on the school's strength but in response to the comment about the food service. Marriott catered my pre-k-3rd, 4th-9th grade day school, 10-12 boarding, AND my college (same cafeteria manager at boarding & college) - and it was the worst food. It literally followed me from school to school (each school would send an announcement they had hired a "new" food service and lo and behold it would be Marriott!!) I'm sure the quality of Marriott food is better now.

[Anonymous]

Marriott spun off the food service to Sodexho, which is now an independent company.

[Anonymous]

Agree that the Marriotts almost single-handedly put Holton on the top tier map. Also agree - the food is terrible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are quite presumptuous pp to think your kid will necessarily be admitted to Holton. The most difficult entry year is third grade...there are fewer spots. Unless your kid is a legacy or URM...good luck getting in. And not just any legacy...one who has been involved with the school through participation and support.

Well. I don't know about that. We had never heard of Holton and only decided at the last minute to apply. We also are not wealthy or legacy. My daughter entered into the third grade and we have been very happy ever since. No school is perfect, but then again all pegs don't fit perfectly into the same hole. My daughter has never had so much positive nourishment from an environment. Sure there are some spoiled kids at the school, but there are spoiled kids no matter where you go. Nature of the beast of growing up with other people. There will always be someone who has more than someone else, and there will always be people who feed their self esteem by flaunting it. I've seen it at every school my daughter has attended and at every work and public environment that I have been in.

[Anonymous]

About Holton food--We are thrilled with the options. It is also incredible that my daughter's teacher talked about how important it was to eat on the very first day of school. We love that students can browse the options and pick foods they like. Teachers eat with the students and they do talk about nutrition, etc. in class. Also, if a student needs an extra snack during the day, she is allowed to take food as needed from the cafeteria. This is phenomenal! I don't have to worry any more about packing lunches and if we forget snacks, it is NOT a problem.

[Anonymous]

Some people have higher standards than others. Just because food is plentiful doesn't mean there is any quality to it.

[Anonymous]

Our DD got into Holton Arms at 3rd grade with less than perfect test scores, from a public school not on the usual admissions list, with no legacy background or history of contributions ... I really do think it is true that they look for some sparkle in the child that goes beyond paperwork or lineage.

[Anonymous]

Yes pp -- you're right. They have a sixth sense...almost like talent agents -- in picking the girls who have yet to fully develop their talents. They actually take more of a risk than NCS, but end up with just as good results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About Holton food--We are thrilled with the options. It is also incredible that my daughter's teacher talked about how important it was to eat on the very first day of school. We love that students can browse the options and pick foods they like. Teachers eat with the students and they do talk about nutrition, etc. in class. Also, if a student needs an extra snack during the day, she is allowed to take food as needed from the cafeteria. This is phenomenal! I don't have to worry any more about packing lunches and if we forget snacks, it is NOT a problem.

Sounds like your daughter might be like mine. If she is engaged, then she will not eat. She will go 80 miles an hour all day long and then feel completely sick at the end of the day. If there isn't enough food, people around her eating, or people reminding her to eat, she just will "get too busy" to eat. Makes me worry. She's only in 4th grade and skinny as rail, but very, very high energy. We try not to "push" the food, and she isn't worried about fat or anything, but geez! Sometimes, I worry that the message from her empty stomach isn't making it to and through her brain fast enough so that she can interpret it into hunger!