GDS Senior Prank

[Anonymous]

That's pretty awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

So all they did was forge someone’s name and copy/paste a few email addresses?

I’d be more impressed if they hacked something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone please cut and paste the text of the prank? I've tried to do it, but am too technologically inept.

What was truly great about the email was that it was written in the most GDS style imaginable. The kids completely channeled Russell Shaw and every other administrator, starting off with saying that they were writing "with a heavy heart." These kids have heard at least 4 years of GDS talk, with some having heard 14 years by now. The kids nailed it. It's what made me laugh and give the kids some credit.

The pranks continued. There was an open bar. Carbl washes. And my DC had photos of the lovely outdoor wedding, complete with a jilted lover.

Dear High School families,

It is with a heavy heart and deep appreciation that we write to share some unexpected news. At the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year, the entire College Counseling team will be departing from Georgetown Day School. While this was not a transition we had anticipated, we want to approach it with honesty, gratitude, and a steadfast focus on the well-being of our students and families.

GDS has always prided itself on thoughtful, student-centered guidance through every stage of learning-and the college process is no exception. Our college counseling team has built meaningful relationships with students, families, and institutions across the country. Their commitment to each student's growth, goals, and story has been nothing short of extraordinary, and their absence will be deeply felt by all of us.

This sudden transition, while challenging, is also an opportunity to reimagine how we support our students in this pivotal stage. The search for a new College Counseling team is already underway. A committee of faculty, administrators, and trustees is working with urgency and care to identify new counselors who will bring wisdom, warmth, and deep experience to the work ahead. We are committed to ensuring that this process reflects the high standards and individualized attention that define GDS.

We will share more updates as the search progresses and will be hosting opportunities for families to ask questions and offer input. Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and care as we navigate this unexpected chapter together.

That’s so clearly fake! How did anyone fall for it? Unless GPS is known for grammatical errors?

[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.

I am a GDS parent, and this was pretty much my emotional progression, all in the space of about an hour.

That said, I didn’t expect the senior prank to be directed at parents like this. I always thought such pranks are aimed at administrators, faculty, or other students. As a parent of a junior who hasn’t hired an outside counselor, I was googling college counseling services. Luckily I hadn’t actually phoned any before the prank was revealed. So no harm, no foul. But it didn’t make me laugh.

My first read of this is that I didn't think the prank was particularly funny but the fact that you, in the span of a few hours, had started goggling college counseling services makes me laugh. You people are wound so tight. (My kids attend a different private).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I LOVE this prank! It had me scared at first because my son is projected to attend Harvard in 3 years. But I know my son would make it anyway because he has a perfect gpa and ACt. Anyways, love this prank!!!!

You know that's not enough right???

Are you a GDS parent? Because either you all or the trolls are making you look really stupid.

[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?

+1

It's the end of April. They have time to hire more people before next year. Unclench.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.)

+1000

[Anonymous]

It's super funny - because the tone nailed the tone of the emails from the school- it feels a bit of like an inside joke - you have to understand all the tones of emails we get - and this was spot on in a hilarious way.

[Anonymous]

Hilarious!! Especially genius because this happened at Sidwell a few years ago. Kudos to whoever pulled this off

[Anonymous]

That imitation was spot-on. I'm an education administrator and that feels pretty much like something I would have trotted out to my stakeholders. Well done, GDS, ChatGPT, or both.

[Anonymous]

I'm in the awesome camp as well. Super clever.

[Anonymous]

GDS kids know how to have fun. What a terrific school!

[Anonymous]

I'm an outsider, and I think it's pretty funny -- both the tone of "urgency and care" and the trolling of the parents.

[Anonymous]

My take aways:

1: GDS parents can't be much fun if they think this is "hilarious".

2: GDS parents are fragile if this prank sent hem running to the cabinet for their Xanax.

[Anonymous]

It’s funny (haha and strange) the seniors decided to mock the adults, including the parents, rather than do something just fun and silly.