SSFS Closing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

My hero!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do Quaker values include living within your means and being financially responsible?

Not sure about the Quaker stance but the Coalition definitely does! That's why they have dozens of legal, finance, and administrative experts looking over their every move, and they won't give the school a penny until there is a new Board and comprehensive management plan in place!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

'm not connected to SSFS in any way (I don't even live in DC!), but I'm just a grandma who hopes like hell that your school can make it. Love from Oregon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

Beautifully said. Thank you for this reminder.

+1 way to go, kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people who are “just being realistic” are missing is that for those of us at SSFS - many of us, anyway - it isn’t just a school. We actually believe what we say - that it is a community. And we don’t walk away from community when it falls on hard times. We don’t cut our losses and walk away. When the tornado comes through town, do you shrug and move on because the town leadership screwed up and didn’t have the right infrastructure? Some might, sure. But we applaud those towns when they care for each other, take stock, and rebuild better. We’ve just had a tornado comes through our small, flawed, wonderful town and destroy it. We chose SSFS because it teaches you to not walk away from hurt, to not despair but to roll up your sleeves. So, no, we can’t just be “realistic” and shrug and walk away. We have to try, even if we fail.

I don’t mean this at all to criticize families who can’t stay through the uncertainty. There are lots of circumstances that would make that impossible, or unwise. That’s fine! Just keep holding us in the light, and we will do the same for you.

Well, because tornados are external events and are not very predictable. The decline and failure of the school is due to internal management choices and was entirely predictable. That's where your analogy breaks down.

Would people continue to live in a town where the town government makes terrible policy choices until the town goes bankrupt? And then asks for lots of donations and wants people to pay taxes to live in a town of much diminished services and quality of life? That's a better analogy.

In PP's defense I'm sure they didn't realize that you're such a bitter prune.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

I hope you're school stays open and you can graduate with your friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

What an odd response.

What's odd (and cruel) is acting holier than thou when families are scared of losing a community and children are scared of being separated from their friends. Many posters here believe the school is a net positive in the world and for their kid. If they want to put their money toward saving it, that's none of your business.

+1. It's W E I R D (not to mention nasty) how snide some people are being about this when there's kids who are worried and don't know what school they'll go to next year or if they can stay with their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

You are not "rejects". You are not "delusional". You're a great kid and a fabulous writer, and everyone in this thread should listen to your point of view before adding more negativity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
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.

What an odd response.

What's odd (and cruel) is acting holier than thou when families are scared of losing a community and children are scared of being separated from their friends. Many posters here believe the school is a net positive in the world and for their kid. If they want to put their money toward saving it, that's none of your business.

I am sorry you’re hurting. No one wants the school to close. No one wants to see any child have their community, friends, and immediate future torn from them. It’s heartbreaking.

But I hate seeing children get their hopes up that this angel investor can magically come in and solve systemic problems over the next few years, much less in time for the fall. There’s a massive shortfall. There’s a morale crisis. Declining attendance. Lack of trust among faculty, families, trustees. Multiple openings in leadership. A chain of poor fiscal and hiring decisions. This kind of instability affects the every day ability to deliver. Can teachers come back and be on their game when their world just got rocked? They are only human.

Trustees take on fiduciary responsibility. They serve because they love the school/community and want to support it. If they closed the school, there is a compelling reason.

I am sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

'm not connected to SSFS in any way (I don't even live in DC!), but I'm just a grandma who hopes like hell that your school can make it. Love from Oregon.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry you’re hurting. No one wants the school to close. No one wants to see any child have their community, friends, and immediate future torn from them. It’s heartbreaking.

But I hate seeing children get their hopes up that this angel investor can magically come in and solve systemic problems over the next few years, much less in time for the fall. There’s a massive shortfall. There’s a morale crisis. Declining attendance. Lack of trust among faculty, families, trustees. Multiple openings in leadership. A chain of poor fiscal and hiring decisions. This kind of instability affects the every day ability to deliver. Can teachers come back and be on their game when their world just got rocked? They are only human.

Trustees take on fiduciary responsibility. They serve because they love the school/community and want to support it. If they closed the school, there is a compelling reason.

I am sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry for yet. Come back in 6 months or a year, and if the school has closed for good, then you can say "I told you so." Until then, you aren't changing anyone's mind. Let the coalition do their thing. And leave be communities that you aren't part of; this thread is not and was never for you. We now have a heartfelt plea from one of the students themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

Definitely can see why you’ve done well with the speech team. I don’t think anyone thinks you or the teachers deserve this. But at the end of the day the school is who got you all in this mess. It’s never been about speaking negatively. Anyone who says anything bad about the school has been burned/betrayed by it. We all hope you guys pull through of course, but don’t blame the people for speaking their valid frustrations. They’re not doing that to be mean to you. Ppl get angry when they’re screwed over, they’re angry for you not mocking you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like this whole forum has completely lost sight of what really matters: the kids. I'm a rising senior at SSFS, and I've definitely done my fair share of complaining. We've all poked fun at the schools instability, and made jokes about the boards terrible decisions. But as much as I like to joke about the school, I really cannot see myself going anywhere else. SSFS has my friends, my teachers, the classes I love, and my extracurriculars. I participate in our schools Speech Team, which was tied for first place in our league this year. I'm in the schools plays and musicals, which has been such an amazing experience for me. I know a lot of posters on here are parents, but from a students perspective, keeping our school open is the most important and worthwhile endeavor the community has ever taken on. I don't want to graduate with people I don't know at a place I don't know. And I know a lot of students, especially my fellow juniors, feel the same way. I know it feels like a sinking ship, and anyone who wishes to leave is welcome to do so and totally valid in that decision, but I just wanted everyone to know that those of us who want to stay or are hoping school stays open are not delusional, or rejects who can't get into other schools. We are kids who love our community, our friends, and our teachers. This isn't fair to us. The coalition has definitely given a lot of people hope, and I sincerely hope everything works out in our favor. I am obviously actively pursuing other options just to be safe, but am optimistic that I might be able to graduate with my friends. Reading through the forum I just feel like there's a lot of misinformation about our school and our community. Some people are claiming that our "woke" agenda has closed the school, others claiming it was all a former head of schools fault, and others telling me and my fellow students we are idiots to stay, or that our school is not academically rigorous enough/a place for unintelligent people. None of this is true. We are a school based in Quaker values. Academics, sports, arts, they all matter equally to the school. SSFS isn't a perfect place, not by a long shot, but it's my school. And I really hope everyone who has been commenting negatively on students, teachers, or admin step back and think about what this closure will do to students. I hate to say this, but this isn't about you. It's about us.

Definitely can see why you’ve done well with the speech team. I don’t think anyone thinks you or the teachers deserve this. But at the end of the day the school is who got you all in this mess. It’s never been about speaking negatively. Anyone who says anything bad about the school has been burned/betrayed by it. We all hope you guys pull through of course, but don’t blame the people for speaking their valid frustrations. They’re not doing that to be mean to you. Ppl get angry when they’re screwed over, they’re angry for you not mocking you.

Oh 100%! I've just seen a lot of misinformation and even insults at the school as a whole on this forum, and a lot of people can't seem to separate the board with the staff. I'm furious with the board! Everyone at school is! It's very kind to see so many people angry on our behalf, I guess I've just seen to much negativity hurled at the teachers/quality of the school. And I don't think that is fair. But of course be furious with the board on our behalf! I know we are!

[Anonymous]

People on here can be downright nasty about schools. It’s so pathetic.

Your school has a lot of amazing things about it, incredible faculty, dedicated families and students. No one is questioning that.

(Other than trolls who delight in making themselves feel superior)

I know how it must feel to go from despair to hope, and I truly hope this can be saved from the wreckage. /please/ have a backup plan in case it doesn’t sort out in the next few weeks. Never hurts to have options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh 100%! I've just seen a lot of misinformation and even insults at the school as a whole on this forum, and a lot of people can't seem to separate the board with the staff. I'm furious with the board! Everyone at school is! It's very kind to see so many people angry on our behalf, I guess I've just seen to much negativity hurled at the teachers/quality of the school. And I don't think that is fair. But of course be furious with the board on our behalf! I know we are!

We're all angry for you. The problem in this thread is some are not showing it in a supportive way. There are posters who think they're teaching some sort of lesson by talking about "better" uses for the money. Posters who insult the community's intelligence by parroting what the challenges will be reviving the school, over and over, as if we don't already know. Posters who refer to parents as "snowflakes" because they sought the best fit for their child. Posters who claim to be "sorry," but still won't change their behavior, even after being told their words are hurting children.

If you really feel for and support these kids, then root for them all -- the ones who are looking for a new place *and* the ones who want to stay. It doesn't mean you have to donate money. Just "hold them in the light" as Quakers call it.