GDS Parent Interview and Tour

[Anonymous]

I would appreciate any insight anyone might have into the GDS parent interview. Is the interview conducted on the same day as the tour? Also, what types of questions are asked of parents?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The parent interview is simple, conducted by a very nice woman. It was straightforward and not stressful. Loved, loved the school. We did hear buzz that the school is not allowing parents to walk their kids in any more. Anyone else heard this? Most disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parent interview is simple, conducted by a very nice woman. It was straightforward and not stressful. Loved, loved the school. We did hear buzz that the school is not allowing parents to walk their kids in any more. Anyone else heard this? Most disturbing.

I'm not sure what you find disturbing. The policy regarding walking children in is more related to not infringing on the rights of those who reside in the neighborhood. There isn't adequate parking around the school for large volumes of parents to park legally (versus illegally and thereby burdening the neighborhood) and walk the child(ren) in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent interview is simple, conducted by a very nice woman. It was straightforward and not stressful. Loved, loved the school. We did hear buzz that the school is not allowing parents to walk their kids in any more. Anyone else heard this? Most disturbing.

I'm not sure what you find disturbing. The policy regarding walking children in is more related to not infringing on the rights of those who reside in the neighborhood. There isn't adequate parking around the school for large volumes of parents to park legally (versus illegally and thereby burdening the neighborhood) and walk the child(ren) in.

Exactly. GDS is a very warm and loving place. If they could accommodate everyone parking and walking in, then they would. But they work hard to be good neighbors, so that is the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parent interview is simple, conducted by a very nice woman. It was straightforward and not stressful. Loved, loved the school. We did hear buzz that the school is not allowing parents to walk their kids in any more. Anyone else heard this? Most disturbing.

I'm not sure what you find disturbing. The policy regarding walking children in is more related to not infringing on the rights of those who reside in the neighborhood. There isn't adequate parking around the school for large volumes of parents to park legally (versus illegally and thereby burdening the neighborhood) and walk the child(ren) in.

Exactly. GDS is a very warm and loving place. If they could accommodate everyone parking and walking in, then they would. But they work hard to be good neighbors, so that is the policy.

The disturbing bit we heard is that parents can't walk in AT ALL any more. Not allowed to use legal spots around the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

19:37, if you don't like this arrangement, then you may want to pursue another school. This is the policy and it is not going to change, regardless of what current parents or families of applicants have to say about it.

[Anonymous]

PP: you are right that we need to get over it or move on. Its just a shame as we love the feel of the school and the mission. Of course, getting in isn't exactly a given either.

[Anonymous]

What if you were parking and coming in to read to DD or DS class or volunteer, etc?

How would they know they difference? Do you wear a special hat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if you were parking and coming in to read to DD or DS class or volunteer, etc?

How would they know they difference? Do you wear a special hat?

Current parent who lives next door told me that every car has to have a car pool number for identification. This parent was furious. And parents must get permission from the school to park in the neighborhood for any reason. This will lead to a decline in parent participation in classroom or school activities.

[Anonymous]

You are supposed to let the school know in advance when you are parking in the neighborhood to volunteer, meet with a teacher, etc.

It's a hard-to-enforce policy (though they have patrolling security folks who know faces) and strikes me as an unreasonable one, at least in the afternoon. In the morning, when rush hour and drop-off coincide, I see the logic behind minimizing parking and doing whatever we can to make entry/exit as efficient as possible.

Carpool numbers are made out of that peel-off material and I'd be surprised if that changes because different cars (parents, nanny, grandparents, friends) pick up the same kid(s) (who are waiting inside near their specific number).

[Anonymous]

If you go to an open house, you can take a tour then. If not, ask for a tour on your interview date and they'll make sure to have someone available to show you around.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. Can anyone please provide more information on the interview itself. It would be most appreciated. Is is possible to do a tour and then go back at a later date for the interview?

[Anonymous]

Definitely possible to do a tour and then go back at a later date. Our interview was with the previous head of admissions, so YMMV, but it was a friendly, casual conversation. They're just trying to get a sense of who you are, how you see your kid, whether you have questions about the school/fit, etc.

[Anonymous]

The head of admissions is a very nice woman, very accessible. She does not pose any "difficult" questions, just normal ones about what your DC is like. Just be yourself and be honest about who you are and what your child is like. Sincerity counts for a lot in all of these interviews. It is a very friendly discussion. If GDS is genuinely your first choice, its a good time to tell that that and tell her why. There aren't many slots in the young classes and they like to offer them to families who will accept an offer of admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if you were parking and coming in to read to DD or DS class or volunteer, etc?

How would they know they difference? Do you wear a special hat?

Current parent who lives next door told me that every car has to have a car pool number for identification. This parent was furious. And parents must get permission from the school to park in the neighborhood for any reason. This will lead to a decline in parent participation in classroom or school activities.

Why is someone furious about having a car pool number? It is to expedite pick-up. From what I can tell, there is NO decline in parent participation because of these rules. If anything, I only feel guilty that I do not volunteer more due to the numbers of parent volunteers at the school.