SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

Was just responding to the earlier post - leftovers - rejects - the point wasn’t trying to insult ppl- but questioning why anyone who had other options - COULD get admission elsewhere - COULD find jobs elsewhere would come here? So seemed like only those who got rejected elsewhere (ie could not find another school or job) would be interested in staying here. I used the term in that sense not because they are sub human. It just really seems to me that stellar candidates would find something else and would be ill advised to continue sinking money here. That’s all I meant to say

There are many many students, faculty and staff - stellar ones in fact - who want to stay. If you don’t understand why, that’s fine. You just don’t understand what SSFS is all about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

Was just responding to the earlier post - leftovers - rejects - the point wasn’t trying to insult ppl- but questioning why anyone who had other options - COULD get admission elsewhere - COULD find jobs elsewhere would come here? So seemed like only those who got rejected elsewhere (ie could not find another school or job) would be interested in staying here. I used the term in that sense not because they are sub human. It just really seems to me that stellar candidates would find something else and would be ill advised to continue sinking money here. That’s all I meant to say

“Stellar candidates”..I don’t believe you’re part of the SSFS community. Parents don’t talk like this. Please move on and take your “stellar candidate” elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

Was just responding to the earlier post - leftovers - rejects - the point wasn’t trying to insult ppl- but questioning why anyone who had other options - COULD get admission elsewhere - COULD find jobs elsewhere would come here? So seemed like only those who got rejected elsewhere (ie could not find another school or job) would be interested in staying here. I used the term in that sense not because they are sub human. It just really seems to me that stellar candidates would find something else and would be ill advised to continue sinking money here. That’s all I meant to say

There are many many students, faculty and staff - stellar ones in fact - who want to stay. If you don’t understand why, that’s fine. You just don’t understand what SSFS is all about.

That is certainly true, I don’t have this almost fanatical love of this school, that’s why I’m leaving. Yet it’s not just me right? Enrollment dropped ALOT which is why the school is in this mess in the first place. So clearly there are enough ppl who don’t see this magic you speak of which is why - at this moment at least - ssfs is the only one going out of business.

So I still wonder why is this school so important that ppl should put their kids future or livelihood even more on the line when other perfectly reasonable options exist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why anyone would stay after this debacle is mind-blowing to me. People care romanticizing an SSFS they WANT to remember, not the one that exists. Saving this particular version of SSFS is a noble endeavor, but not responsible. IF the money is actually put forth to run the school for the next few years, what about the actual repairs that the school is in dire need of. Will kids still be in jackets in the athletic center in the winter and have fans in the summer? The HVAC system won’t replace itself. They are one more repair from closure.

Keep trying to hold this place on by its shoestrings. I taught there. I know the dysfunction you are trying to resurrect. You will need full pay families to keep you afloat. You have too many families there bleeding you dry. You also have too many families there that don’t actually align with the Quaker values and were there for athletics or a reduced education and it actively took away from those students and families who walked the walked and believed in the SPICES.

I don’t want anyone to be without a job or a school, but I think it’s time to move on from that cesspool. I am so glad I have. The stress is now gone. While I know RG wasn’t the full cause of the debt, he WAS the cause of the recent mass exodus of talented teachers and administrators that lead to families pulling out. Add in a terrible admissions employee at key grades from 6-9 that was alienating to families and staff and you have yourself a million reasons why this school is failing.

It’s time to move on.
Anyone who stays gets what they deserve - leftovers.

I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

I am not a reject. I choose to stay because I believe in the power and strength of this community. I believe that this school is meant to be on that land and that the mission of the school and Quaker education is too important to throw in the towel. If you don’t understand why people want to stay there, then you haven’t felt what is truly special about the school and the land it sits on. You weren’t at the MFW on Thursday night that was focused on the school. You didn’t hear the words people shared or the power in that Meeting House. I’m sorry you didn’t. But there is no need to call faculty, staff, and students who choose to stay there rejects. That isn’t kind and it certainly isn’t in the manner of Friends.

Agreed. Yet so many things on this whole thread are not in the manner of Friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

Was just responding to the earlier post - leftovers - rejects - the point wasn’t trying to insult ppl- but questioning why anyone who had other options - COULD get admission elsewhere - COULD find jobs elsewhere would come here? So seemed like only those who got rejected elsewhere (ie could not find another school or job) would be interested in staying here. I used the term in that sense not because they are sub human. It just really seems to me that stellar candidates would find something else and would be ill advised to continue sinking money here. That’s all I meant to say

“Stellar candidates”..I don’t believe you’re part of the SSFS community. Parents don’t talk like this. Please move on and take your “stellar candidate” elsewhere.

Is this an ssfs thing? Getting so worked up over using completely normal words. Are there no stellar teachers at this school? They’re all just the average? Or are you saying they are all equally stellar?

Ok if they are equally stellar - you’re saying they don’t deserve a school that treats them better then dropping the brick on them with no warning and leaving it to parents to come down and rescue them? What kind of employer does that? I personally feel like these teachers deserve better. They were treated so poorly here I genuinely don’t want them to stay. This magical ssfs community treated EVERYONE abhorrently. I’m sorry to use that word but it’s true. No one with a shred of ethics would have treated their students or teachers - every single one of them - the way this school did.

[Anonymous]

To have such reverence for a school that blindsided people so uncaringly seems odd to me. Ssfs can do no wrong … yet we are in a mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

Was just responding to the earlier post - leftovers - rejects - the point wasn’t trying to insult ppl- but questioning why anyone who had other options - COULD get admission elsewhere - COULD find jobs elsewhere would come here? So seemed like only those who got rejected elsewhere (ie could not find another school or job) would be interested in staying here. I used the term in that sense not because they are sub human. It just really seems to me that stellar candidates would find something else and would be ill advised to continue sinking money here. That’s all I meant to say

I object to the idea that we should be thinking of them as "candidates"-- "stellar," ordinary, or otherwise. They're kids. And they need us to be kind, now more than ever.

[Anonymous]

It’s just so hard for me to watch the community continue to romanticize this place. I WAS THERE. It is not the place it once was. They want a version of the school that no longer exists. I want a lot of things, but they aren’t going to happen. This is “pie in the sky” thinking and it’s what got them here. The number of Quakers at the school can be counted on one or two hands. The amount of people seeking a space for their child bc they didn’t fit in elsewhere is why this school exists. And while it’s beautiful to find a “home” for everyone, it’s irresponsible to keep this one afloat. This school is not viable. With reduced numbers in all grades you’ll see a drop in athletics, an inability to field teams at most levels, and clubs and other organizations unable to be sustained.

Lastly, someone mentioned MFW as if these kids took that seriously. Please. It was a disaster at both the MS and US. US kids would skip MFW and MS kids just made faces at each other, would write on the benches, and disrupt continually - with no repercussions. Please stop acting like this community is tied to its Quaker roots. The vast majority of kids couldn’t care less.

[Anonymous]

Ssfs is the most magical school on earth. If we don’t see that we are trolls and need to leave. If we question that we are racist.

Yet…
Ssfs is deeply in debt. They did projects for years telling families it was paid for but wasn’t.
They have used full paying families to give fin aid to others even while going into deeper debt
They have chronically underpaid their teachers compared to regional schools
They have neglected maintenance while charging exorbitant tuition
They have hidden financial problems from families for years and most recently carried on hiring and recruitment without giving anyone any heads up that there was any risk in investing in this school
They dropped a bomb on families late in the year that causes undue stress and anxiety for all
Everyone agrees this is NOT due to just one person but actually a combination of poor management for years and across multiple heads and multiple boards

But - this is the most magical school on earth and if you don’t agree you’re a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s just so hard for me to watch the community continue to romanticize this place. I WAS THERE. It is not the place it once was. They want a version of the school that no longer exists. I want a lot of things, but they aren’t going to happen. This is “pie in the sky” thinking and it’s what got them here. The number of Quakers at the school can be counted on one or two hands. The amount of people seeking a space for their child bc they didn’t fit in elsewhere is why this school exists. And while it’s beautiful to find a “home” for everyone, it’s irresponsible to keep this one afloat. This school is not viable. With reduced numbers in all grades you’ll see a drop in athletics, an inability to field teams at most levels, and clubs and other organizations unable to be sustained.

Lastly, someone mentioned MFW as if these kids took that seriously. Please. It was a disaster at both the MS and US. US kids would skip MFW and MS kids just made faces at each other, would write on the benches, and disrupt continually - with no repercussions. Please stop acting like this community is tied to its Quaker roots. The vast majority of kids couldn’t care less.

You are right in many ways, but the Coalition wants an overhaul. They're not happy with the current state of things either. They're appalled that, over many years, the Board and leadership let things get this way. They won't part with the $15m unless a new plan forward, and probably a new Board, is created.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why anyone would stay after this debacle is mind-blowing to me. People care romanticizing an SSFS they WANT to remember, not the one that exists. Saving this particular version of SSFS is a noble endeavor, but not responsible. IF the money is actually put forth to run the school for the next few years, what about the actual repairs that the school is in dire need of. Will kids still be in jackets in the athletic center in the winter and have fans in the summer? The HVAC system won’t replace itself. They are one more repair from closure.

Keep trying to hold this place on by its shoestrings. I taught there. I know the dysfunction you are trying to resurrect. You will need full pay families to keep you afloat. You have too many families there bleeding you dry. You also have too many families there that don’t actually align with the Quaker values and were there for athletics or a reduced education and it actively took away from those students and families who walked the walked and believed in the SPICES.

I don’t want anyone to be without a job or a school, but I think it’s time to move on from that cesspool. I am so glad I have. The stress is now gone. While I know RG wasn’t the full cause of the debt, he WAS the cause of the recent mass exodus of talented teachers and administrators that lead to families pulling out. Add in a terrible admissions employee at key grades from 6-9 that was alienating to families and staff and you have yourself a million reasons why this school is failing.

It’s time to move on.
Anyone who stays gets what they deserve - leftovers.

I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

I am not a reject. I choose to stay because I believe in the power and strength of this community. I believe that this school is meant to be on that land and that the mission of the school and Quaker education is too important to throw in the towel. If you don’t understand why people want to stay there, then you haven’t felt what is truly special about the school and the land it sits on. You weren’t at the MFW on Thursday night that was focused on the school. You didn’t hear the words people shared or the power in that Meeting House. I’m sorry you didn’t. But there is no need to call faculty, staff, and students who choose to stay there rejects. That isn’t kind and it certainly isn’t in the manner of Friends.

Agreed. Yet so many things on this whole thread are not in the manner of Friends.

so many +1s here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s just so hard for me to watch the community continue to romanticize this place. I WAS THERE. It is not the place it once was. They want a version of the school that no longer exists. I want a lot of things, but they aren’t going to happen. This is “pie in the sky” thinking and it’s what got them here. The number of Quakers at the school can be counted on one or two hands. The amount of people seeking a space for their child bc they didn’t fit in elsewhere is why this school exists. And while it’s beautiful to find a “home” for everyone, it’s irresponsible to keep this one afloat. This school is not viable. With reduced numbers in all grades you’ll see a drop in athletics, an inability to field teams at most levels, and clubs and other organizations unable to be sustained.

Lastly, someone mentioned MFW as if these kids took that seriously. Please. It was a disaster at both the MS and US. US kids would skip MFW and MS kids just made faces at each other, would write on the benches, and disrupt continually - with no repercussions. Please stop acting like this community is tied to its Quaker roots. The vast majority of kids couldn’t care less.

You are right in many ways, but the Coalition wants an overhaul. They're not happy with the current state of things either. They're appalled that, over many years, the Board and leadership let things get this way. They won't part with the $15m unless a new plan forward, and probably a new Board, is created.

So what you’re saying the chance that anyone will need to pay up their $15 million in pledges is still very low cause you have to first recreate the school of about 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MFW

my face when?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree with all of this. The school looks to be only close to being redirected with the rejects - students and faculty - but limping along. I don’t understand why ppl are so desperate to stay here. We live in an area with so many options in education- why hold on to this one?

I too am moving on, I wish people the best, but I would never advise my friends to stay or go here.

Have we really sunk to calling students (children!) “rejects”? Are you really okay with insulting your own kids’ classmates and friends just to make a point?

Please do the very thing you insist others should: move on.

+ 1. Sickening to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MFW

my face when?

Just in case you aren’t kidding,

Meeting for Worship