GDS Senior Prank

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a GDS parent. I think I would panic, then be annoyed (once the prank was revealed), and then get over it. At least it wasn’t physically destructive.

Why would this email make someone panic?

The resignation of the entire college counseling office at the same time would be a big issue, especially for current juniors.

[Anonymous]

I’m not convinced computer hacking is a good prank.

[Anonymous]

I think the prank was funny people need to take a breath. When I was in school someone stole the mascot in the lobby this is so much more creative. People need to stop the pearl clutching. It was resolved and it is fine now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not convinced computer hacking is a good prank.

It’s already been explained this wasn’t hacking - and I’m the pp who thought that initially as well. The school directory is available to any school members (through the student/parent portal, I assume) and includes parent emails. I should have realized that myself before making the hacking accusation - DC’s school directory is the same way.

[Anonymous]

Lame. A senior prank is something physical. Not revenge of the nerds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The GDS senior class pulled one of the all time senior class pranks today.

They spoofed an email from head of school and head of high school on school email template sent to all high school parent emails that the entire college office was resigning at the end of the school year.

They accessed the school directory and scraped all parent emails.

Pandemonium ensued from the parents.

School sent a prank notice 2 hours later to parents

I’m sure some kids will face disciplinary action for this

But I give them an A+ for tech prowess and creativity.

Something like this has been done at most schools over the course of the last 20 years. I am not sure why you think this is so creative or innovative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GDS senior class pulled one of the all time senior class pranks today.

They spoofed an email from head of school and head of high school on school email template sent to all high school parent emails that the entire college office was resigning at the end of the school year.

They accessed the school directory and scraped all parent emails.

Pandemonium ensued from the parents.

School sent a prank notice 2 hours later to parents

I’m sure some kids will face disciplinary action for this

But I give them an A+ for tech prowess and creativity.

Something like this has been done at most schools over the course of the last 20 years. I am not sure why you think this is so creative or innovative.

+1, I mean it’s an okay prank but the wowed responses are baffling (and a fascinating window into school culture.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is confusing-it’s just not a funny prank. The rxns remind me of people marveling at how amazingly adorable it is their four year old calls their teeth “toofies.”

Spot on and also hilarious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS so no skin in the game, but for me, hacking into a database of personal information goes beyond a prank. It certainly exposes a tech weakness that the school should address, but I would be upset about this one.

But again, not our school or our kid, so if y’all are cool with it, you do you.

It’s not hacking into a database. It’s all public information in the school directory

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the mother of a responsible, curious teen at GDS, I have to say I am appalled at how many of you are encouraging this behavior. My son is a junior caught in the middle of the college process and this chaos has completely derailed his studies. I spent the morning frantically reaching out to the school, believing my son’s college plans were now in jeopardy, and I had to miss several vital meetings with my working group to fix this mess. My son is now in an environment of anarchy and vandalism, right when he should be hard at work preparing for the SAT. I find it frankly disgusting on the part of the senior class, who must know from experience how difficult this time of the year is. Am I really the only one who wants to see some consequences enforced? Maybe not expulsion, but perhaps a suspension and some restrictions on the usual end-of-year senior festivities. I think cancelling their prom would be more than fair.

Great troll response. Right?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS so no skin in the game, but for me, hacking into a database of personal information goes beyond a prank. It certainly exposes a tech weakness that the school should address, but I would be upset about this one.

But again, not our school or our kid, so if y’all are cool with it, you do you.

Does the GDS handbook not have really specific rules for use of the directory? This would be grounds for expulsion of a student if a kid did it or non-renewal of a contract if faculty or a parent did it. We had a family removed from our school years ago because a parent scraped the directory for an outside fundraising thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an amazing prank. Hopefully also a little wake-up call to any high-strung parents who overreacted.

Way to go seniors!

+1. They certainly know their audience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really pretty solid. Sadly wouldn't be surprising given the recent staff turnover at GDS. All the kids use private counslers anyways

This is kind of what makes it mean spirited. What makes it funny to some, in part, is an underlying mockery of parents and the suggestion of general contempt for the counselors.

And as several parents here are proving they are well deserving of the mocking.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why it caused anyone to freak out. Even parents of juniors have to have believed that the school would hire replacements as soon as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not at GDS so no skin in the game, but for me, hacking into a database of personal information goes beyond a prank. It certainly exposes a tech weakness that the school should address, but I would be upset about this one.

But again, not our school or our kid, so if y’all are cool with it, you do you.

Does the GDS handbook not have really specific rules for use of the directory? This would be grounds for expulsion of a student if a kid did it or non-renewal of a contract if faculty or a parent did it. We had a family removed from our school years ago because a parent scraped the directory for an outside fundraising thing.

It says no commercial use, just as yours likely does. This wasn't commercial use.