SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

Novel idea. How about we let people do what they are going to do and let it be? If we truly believe in this school and community and are dedicated to keeping it going, we stay and rebuild. For those that don’t feel that way, do what works for you. There are two very distinct groups of people here and no one is going to change the others’ minds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Novel idea. How about we let people do what they are going to do and let it be? If we truly believe in this school and community and are dedicated to keeping it going, we stay and rebuild. For those that don’t feel that way, do what works for you. There are two very distinct groups of people here and no one is going to change the others’ minds.

Thank you! Well said!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Novel idea. How about we let people do what they are going to do and let it be? If we truly believe in this school and community and are dedicated to keeping it going, we stay and rebuild. For those that don’t feel that way, do what works for you. There are two very distinct groups of people here and no one is going to change the others’ minds.

Thanks for putting it kindly and clearly.

[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.

Ditto

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Novel idea. How about we let people do what they are going to do and let it be? If we truly believe in this school and community and are dedicated to keeping it going, we stay and rebuild. For those that don’t feel that way, do what works for you. There are two very distinct groups of people here and no one is going to change the others’ minds.

Exactly! I have ties to the community, but have been less involved over the past 10 or so years. I started lurking here because I wanted to learn what happened that led up to the closure. Then I saw people posting misinformation such as "The coalition isn't real." "The Board will never listen." Those people have been proven wrong and it's time for them to leave. At this point, this thread should be for people who care and want to stay in the loop.

[Anonymous]

I was skeptical. No longer. Seems there's a legit possibility the school remains open for at least the next 2-3 years?

As a parent of a rising senior, continuity for them is the primary priority. Would assume most others in the class would choose to remain for the same reason. Beyond that, disband the BOT and let experts, educational, financial and otherwise, take the lead.

Short term: do people need ironclad commitment from SSFS by April 30th that next year and beyond is happening? Money in the bank, commitments from families and teachers and staff who are staying, etc? We could handle one more year not knowing what lies beyond. But few others could be expected to. Clock is ticking...hoping for the best.

[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.

Yes. I think the School began to really lose its identity and way about 10-15 years ago. Covid and certain people (I won't name them) just sped the process. Just a small example, but I always thought rolling out iPads in Lower School was crazy and against the values and educational philosophy of the School. I don't know why SSFS didn't continue to embrace its unique identify, rather than jump onto various bandwagons... all of which just cost the School more money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely shitty. Now I am stuck with no school for a high schooler.

Have you heard of public school? It's free for everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely shitty. Now I am stuck with no school for a high schooler.

Have you heard of public school? It's free for everyone!

Sure. But our zoned high school gets a 16/100 on the college readiness index. Moving isn’t free. And not getting an education sure is expensive in the long run. This isn’t simple or based in snobbery for most of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely shitty. Now I am stuck with no school for a high schooler.

Have you heard of public school? It's free for everyone!

Sure. But our zoned high school gets a 16/100 on the college readiness index. Moving isn’t free. And not getting an education sure is expensive in the long run. This isn’t simple or based in snobbery for most of us.

SSFS is special for many things, but not for having a rigorous college prep US program. Hope you know that.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone involved with the Friends of SSFS speak to their intention to investigate wrong doing under previous Heads of School? Of course the current priority is fundraising and retaining students and faculty, but in the long run is there an appetite to uncover what brought us to this point? Would a new board complete a thorough audit and make that public? For some of us the choice to demonstrate transparency and accountability will impact our willingness to remain a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely shitty. Now I am stuck with no school for a high schooler.

Have you heard of public school? It's free for everyone!

Sure. But our zoned high school gets a 16/100 on the college readiness index. Moving isn’t free. And not getting an education sure is expensive in the long run. This isn’t simple or based in snobbery for most of us.

SSFS is special for many things, but not for having a rigorous college prep US program. Hope you know that.

I know graduates who did extremely well at very good colleges. So, not sure why you think it’s not rigorous. If you do not take honors or AP classes, perhaps classes are not very hard, but if you set out to challenge yourself, you will be fine in the future. This is true at any school, not just SSFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone involved with the Friends of SSFS speak to their intention to investigate wrong doing under previous Heads of School? Of course the current priority is fundraising and retaining students and faculty, but in the long run is there an appetite to uncover what brought us to this point? Would a new board complete a thorough audit and make that public? For some of us the choice to demonstrate transparency and accountability will impact our willingness to remain a part of the community.

They have only announced short-term goals so far. Their #1 goal is transparency, so I imagine we'll eventually get some info about the school's financial picture that led us to this point, but we have no indication they'll be focusing on misconduct from individuals (somehow I doubt it).

[Anonymous]

LOL at “parents digging up pocket change” meaning a school that needed 14-16M can suddenly stay open.

If you think that is pocket change, you are deeply unaware of your privilege.

And I say that as a white person, working to better understand how completely out of touch we are in this area. I read a statistic yesterday saying half of Americans could not come up with $400 for an emergency. That was sobering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL at “parents digging up pocket change” meaning a school that needed 14-16M can suddenly stay open.

If you think that is pocket change, you are deeply unaware of your privilege.

And I say that as a white person, working to better understand how completely out of touch we are in this area. I read a statistic yesterday saying half of Americans could not come up with $400 for an emergency. That was sobering.

Are you donating your white person money to help that half of Americans? SSFS hosts events every year to raise thousands for charity. They take kids on trips to build for Habitat for Humanity. Do you do these things? You're no better than anyone else. Quit with the red herrings and pointing and laughing at a grieving community.