SSFS Will Stay Open

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dude PP said 232 kids think SSFS is magical. Not true!

What does it matter to you if it's 232 or 2? Every family has their personal reasons for staying at least one more year. What do you get by nitpicking? Every time new info comes from the Board or Coalition, every time a poster here expresses hope, so many rush to poke holes in it. Leave those who are staying alone and let the school's legal, finance, admissions teams sort it out.

Then don't come here. Stay on slack where everything is magical. As someone who has just 48 hours left to make my decision I feel I've been pushed to this dreadful forum rather than slack because I want to hear reality. I want to hear the holes that people are pushing into what I find to be overly hopeful. I can't make this decision from slack alone where everyone comes to celebrate and announce #why-we-are-staying. HOw about a channel for #why-we-are-leaving or a channel for #why-we-are-unsure.

Seriously, go back to slack and stop complaining that we are deflating you.

If you want to hear reality, DCUM is not your friend, on this topic or anything else. Be a big kid and make your decision. I am not at the school but seriously people, enough with dominating this forum.

Right, so you're not at the school but following along and felt the need to police/parent those here. That's all we need to know about you.

Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The word "magical" has been used on slack and in various zoom meetings by the parents who are staying. In other words, it's *your* word, not mine. I added the word "fairy tale". And yes, everyone has been through the same stress and trauma and those of us who are choosing to leave or are still on the fence with just 2 days to go before our decision has to be made feel that we are being kicked further down by the constant toxic positivity. You have decided to stay - good for you. I'm not going to apologize of feel sorry for you that the undecideds are somehow hurting your feelings. Are you kidding me?!

I am not a parent. I have a different connection to the school going back to before your kids were born. But I also haven't seen anyone here, or on the Slack trying to kick down those who are waiting to make a decision. In fact I saw lots of parents staying but still expressed support to do the outplacement fair. I know there are some who don't want to voice doubt on the Slack, but those who do are getting plenty of heart and clap emojis and praise.

You have my full understanding with whatever you decide to do for your family. But what's the point of saying "people are in denial"? Denial of what? That next year will be hard? The school's financial prospects? No one is denying that. It's OK to express frustration with what we don't know, which everyone is feeling. But it's not OK to act like you have a crystal ball to 3 years in the future and already know for a fact the school is doomed. Yes, there is a lot of work to do still, but there are over 1600 people (at the time of me writing this) working on the way forward. Let's root for them equally as we root for those starting over at a new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Dude PP said 232 kids think SSFS is magical. Not true!

What does it matter to you if it's 232 or 2? Every family has their personal reasons for staying at least one more year. What do you get by nitpicking? Every time new info comes from the Board or Coalition, every time a poster here expresses hope, so many rush to poke holes in it. Leave those who are staying alone and let the school's legal, finance, admissions teams sort it out.

Then don't come here. Stay on slack where everything is magical. As someone who has just 48 hours left to make my decision I feel I've been pushed to this dreadful forum rather than slack because I want to hear reality. I want to hear the holes that people are pushing into what I find to be overly hopeful. I can't make this decision from slack alone where everyone comes to celebrate and announce #why-we-are-staying. HOw about a channel for #why-we-are-leaving or a channel for #why-we-are-unsure.

Seriously, go back to slack and stop complaining that we are deflating you.

If you want to hear reality, DCUM is not your friend, on this topic or anything else. Be a big kid and make your decision. I am not at the school but seriously people, enough with dominating this forum.

Right, so you're not at the school but following along and felt the need to police/parent those here. That's all we need to know about you.

Truly all people need to know about parents like you is right here. I am an admin at another school and following. Good luck at your next school; hope they arent reading!

Hahahaha. No respectable school administrator would be following DCUM ...during the school day I might add. Buh bye!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The word "magical" has been used on slack and in various zoom meetings by the parents who are staying. In other words, it's *your* word, not mine. I added the word "fairy tale". And yes, everyone has been through the same stress and trauma and those of us who are choosing to leave or are still on the fence with just 2 days to go before our decision has to be made feel that we are being kicked further down by the constant toxic positivity. You have decided to stay - good for you. I'm not going to apologize of feel sorry for you that the undecideds are somehow hurting your feelings. Are you kidding me?!

I am not a parent. I have a different connection to the school going back to before your kids were born. But I also haven't seen anyone here, or on the Slack trying to kick down those who are waiting to make a decision. In fact I saw lots of parents staying but still expressed support to do the outplacement fair. I know there are some who don't want to voice doubt on the Slack, but those who do are getting plenty of heart and clap emojis and praise.

You have my full understanding with whatever you decide to do for your family. But what's the point of saying "people are in denial"? Denial of what? That next year will be hard? The school's financial prospects? No one is denying that. It's OK to express frustration with what we don't know, which everyone is feeling. But it's not OK to act like you have a crystal ball to 3 years in the future and already know for a fact the school is doomed. Yes, there is a lot of work to do still, but there are over 1600 people (at the time of me writing this) working on the way forward. Let's root for them equally as we root for those starting over at a new school.

Saying that everyone who is staying finds the school to be magical = denial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The word "magical" has been used on slack and in various zoom meetings by the parents who are staying. In other words, it's *your* word, not mine. I added the word "fairy tale". And yes, everyone has been through the same stress and trauma and those of us who are choosing to leave or are still on the fence with just 2 days to go before our decision has to be made feel that we are being kicked further down by the constant toxic positivity. You have decided to stay - good for you. I'm not going to apologize of feel sorry for you that the undecideds are somehow hurting your feelings. Are you kidding me?!

I am not a parent. I have a different connection to the school going back to before your kids were born. But I also haven't seen anyone here, or on the Slack trying to kick down those who are waiting to make a decision. In fact I saw lots of parents staying but still expressed support to do the outplacement fair. I know there are some who don't want to voice doubt on the Slack, but those who do are getting plenty of heart and clap emojis and praise.

You have my full understanding with whatever you decide to do for your family. But what's the point of saying "people are in denial"? Denial of what? That next year will be hard? The school's financial prospects? No one is denying that. It's OK to express frustration with what we don't know, which everyone is feeling. But it's not OK to act like you have a crystal ball to 3 years in the future and already know for a fact the school is doomed. Yes, there is a lot of work to do still, but there are over 1600 people (at the time of me writing this) working on the way forward. Let's root for them equally as we root for those starting over at a new school.

I am the poster you are responding to. I never said the school was doomed. Your interpretation of that being said is interesting.

[Anonymous]

So many of the "we are staying" crowd just don't get it. For me as an undecided - I am ANGRY that I am even in this position. So all this talk about a way forward and how hard people are working just doesn't do it for me - not yet anyway. I'm angry because I do/did love this school. Our family has stayed and hoped the school would do better over the last few years as more and more people left. Asking me to trust and be hopeful and get excited about some potential renaissance just doesn't cut it. The BOT betrayed us. Period! The school experience next year will NOT be the same. Period! Yet, the tuition will be. Period! That meeting last night did NOT go far enough to APOLOGIZE for what this school has done to families like ours who did stick it out. Resignations or Removals are needed. Otherwise, we leave. Clock is ticking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many of the "we are staying" crowd just don't get it. For me as an undecided - I am ANGRY that I am even in this position. So all this talk about a way forward and how hard people are working just doesn't do it for me - not yet anyway. I'm angry because I do/did love this school. Our family has stayed and hoped the school would do better over the last few years as more and more people left. Asking me to trust and be hopeful and get excited about some potential renaissance just doesn't cut it. The BOT betrayed us. Period! The school experience next year will NOT be the same. Period! Yet, the tuition will be. Period! That meeting last night did NOT go far enough to APOLOGIZE for what this school has done to families like ours who did stick it out. Resignations or Removals are needed. Otherwise, we leave. Clock is ticking.

+1000 Waiting for that promised email today. Looking for resignations or removals before we make our final decision.

[Anonymous]

I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

The subtle - and at times not so subtle - digs at families on financial aid as if they matter less or are more a problem than full pay families is very telling. It’s been happening on this thread a few times, and it is not a good look or good feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster you are responding to. I never said the school was doomed. Your interpretation of that being said is interesting.

I apologize then, because obviously when the posts are anonymous, it is hard to keep track of how many people I'm talking to, who said what, and who's a parent vs. on the outside.

It seems people are getting too hung up on the word "magical." I take it 1 or 2 people used that word on Slack and now it's being quoted here? I don't think it's fair to now attribute that to the posters on DCUM. The vast majority of those on Slack aren't here.

It sounds like you had to make the decision whether to stay or leave. Based on what I've seen, both groups of parents have a lot of sympathy for each other because they've had to wrestle with the same decision.

And yet... it seems the point being made here is that 232 families aren't actually satisfied with the school, and are only staying so they have another year to search elsewhere. I don't doubt that is true for many. But then, what happens after those families leave? Another massive drop in enrollment, right? So when you say "People who think the families are all happy are in denial," that leads to the conclusion that there will be a rude awakening next year, right? And that drop in enrollment will kill the school for good? Because that's how it sounds to me. I hear "You are in denial" and the rest is "...denial that the school can survive after next year." If that's not the argument, then again I ask, what are we in denial of? We know the challenges faced ahead, we just don't think they are insurmountable.

Hopefully I didn't come off as insulting anyone, because that wasn't my goal. I just believe every kid deserves a school where they are happy and thrive -- I think we all believe that. I know many kids for whom SSFS is/was that school. I want to fight for it to stay open so families still have that choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know emotions are running high, but policing others thought processes is not helpful.

I already made our family's decision but I personally know a few families who are on DCUM reading along while they struggle with theirs. Those of you who want to control the narrative aren't helping matters. You may be pushing more people away. And you need all of them. One of them pays full tuition too.

The subtle - and at times not so subtle - digs at families on financial aid as if they matter less or are more a problem than full pay families is very telling. It’s been happening on this thread a few times, and it is not a good look or good feel.

I'm the OP of the 'emotions running high' comment, and I hear you. Our family is a financial aid family ourselves. For the sake of money in hand though, SSFS would probably prefers that full tuition families come back.

And it brings up another thought: If aid families decide not to return, will SSFS offer it to another family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the poster you are responding to. I never said the school was doomed. Your interpretation of that being said is interesting.

I apologize then, because obviously when the posts are anonymous, it is hard to keep track of how many people I'm talking to, who said what, and who's a parent vs. on the outside.

It seems people are getting too hung up on the word "magical." I take it 1 or 2 people used that word on Slack and now it's being quoted here? I don't think it's fair to now attribute that to the posters on DCUM. The vast majority of those on Slack aren't here.

It sounds like you had to make the decision whether to stay or leave. Based on what I've seen, both groups of parents have a lot of sympathy for each other because they've had to wrestle with the same decision.

And yet... it seems the point being made here is that 232 families aren't actually satisfied with the school, and are only staying so they have another year to search elsewhere. I don't doubt that is true for many. But then, what happens after those families leave? Another massive drop in enrollment, right? So when you say "People who think the families are all happy are in denial," that leads to the conclusion that there will be a rude awakening next year, right? And that drop in enrollment will kill the school for good? Because that's how it sounds to me. I hear "You are in denial" and the rest is "...denial that the school can survive after next year." If that's not the argument, then again I ask, what are we in denial of? We know the challenges faced ahead, we just don't think they are insurmountable.

Hopefully I didn't come off as insulting anyone, because that wasn't my goal. I just believe every kid deserves a school where they are happy and thrive -- I think we all believe that. I know many kids for whom SSFS is/was that school. I want to fight for it to stay open so families still have that choice.

I'm not the PP you quoted, but I think the rest is just "denial of the full extent of the problem". It doesn't automatically follow, in my opinion, that the school is doomed. But failing to plan for a second-year enrollment decrease would be a mistake. Because it may or may not happen, but if it does, it's a very significant problem indeed.

You say you know the challenges faced ahead-- okay so what are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm way more put off by the Pollyannas than the Cassandras. It's going to be so much harder to save SSFS if people refuse to see the problems accurately.

What problems aren't been seen accurately? It feels to me like everyone is in the same page about what is needed over the next couple years (aggressive recruitment, paying off debts, teacher retention, making sure there are still plenty of academics and arts and athletics offered).

What is needed is an enrollment forecast and budget that is realistic and the math adds up. Not a wish list of things that people want. See the difference?