SSFS HOS leaving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Six highly competent division heads were run out town by RG’s special mix of micromanagement in the US and complete disinterest in the LS. They fought for teachers as best they could but his ego and financial self-interest always won out.

What's clear is that of the HOS is bad, the board needs to step in. Teachers will suffer in fear and silence and administers will suffer too or leave. A board's inability to act or to fall for the head's lies and drama are real problems. I hope other schools learn the lesson from SSFS before it's too late.

Easier said than done. What happens if the board chair and the HoS are bff and other board members are ppl just like RG who run interference for the whole operation, while parent board members are afraid to speak out themselves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Six highly competent division heads were run out town by RG’s special mix of micromanagement in the US and complete disinterest in the LS. They fought for teachers as best they could but his ego and financial self-interest always won out.

What's clear is that of the HOS is bad, the board needs to step in. Teachers will suffer in fear and silence and administers will suffer too or leave. A board's inability to act or to fall for the head's lies and drama are real problems. I hope other schools learn the lesson from SSFS before it's too late.

Easier said than done. What happens if the board chair and the HoS are bff and other board members are ppl just like RG who run interference for the whole operation, while parent board members are afraid to speak out themselves?

I guess we're seeing what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

As a Friends Day l volunteer, i just want to add an insider perspective. Friends Day was moved indoors because the grounds were too wet for activities. Because people were spread out, no single location had everyone at once. Attendance was well beyond 100 people. We ran out of maps (400 copies), went through 200 hots dogs, 200 hamburgers, and 100 veggies burgers and tons of ice cream. Over 1000 books were donated to the book swap, at least half of which found new homes today, students performed to a full library of spectators, kids enjoyed inflatables, a community art project was completed, sports teams and clubs led activities, and the Spirit Shop was opened for the first two hours of the event. Last year's shirts were used and available for decorating because we had tons leftover, it made no sense to buy new ones.

If you have suggestions for next year, we would love for you to join the committee.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks to the parent volunteers - you make our school community richer!

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone who worked to put on Friends Day. There is a lot of love in this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

If a super successful community event is what made you worried about the school, then you must have had your head in the sand all spring/summer. 🙄 They were trying to make the best of reusing t-shirts that were over-ordered last year, instead of discarding them as useless.

What would you suggest is done differently next year? Maybe join the planning committee if you have so much to say about it. That’s a lot of complaining for someone who didn’t help, and definitely didn’t see the 400+ people who showed up and had fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

If a super successful community event is what made you worried about the school, then you must have had your head in the sand all spring/summer. 🙄 They were trying to make the best of reusing t-shirts that were over-ordered last year, instead of discarding them as useless.

What would you suggest is done differently next year? Maybe join the planning committee if you have so much to say about it. That’s a lot of complaining for someone who didn’t help, and definitely didn’t see the 400+ people who showed up and had fun.

Dp here, but ffs, lady, whatever you are hoping to achieve with your hectoring tone, I’d re-think it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

If a super successful community event is what made you worried about the school, then you must have had your head in the sand all spring/summer. 🙄 They were trying to make the best of reusing t-shirts that were over-ordered last year, instead of discarding them as useless.

What would you suggest is done differently next year? Maybe join the planning committee if you have so much to say about it. That’s a lot of complaining for someone who didn’t help, and definitely didn’t see the 400+ people who showed up and had fun.

Dp here, but ffs, lady, whatever you are hoping to achieve with your hectoring tone, I’d re-think it.

Nah. Not rethinking. This person complained about an event that people spent months of time planning while they were attending the event, about a T-shirt. The PA (who are all volunteers, BTW) and the Advancement team work tirelessly, with little fanfare and recognition, to plan, coordinate, and execute community events like today with minimal resources and support. Constructive criticism is ok, but these kinds of disparaging comments are hurtful to those who volunteered their time and energy to support the community. Didn’t like it? Participate in the planning process next time, or provide constructive feedback to the planners, rather than complain in a public forum.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for recognizing the effort it takes to pull off events like these! I appreciate you having our backs! Volunteers give their time and resources because they love this school and are committed to its success. Comments such as "it was the lamest event I've ever been to" are not just insulting, they discourage people from participating in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

If a super successful community event is what made you worried about the school, then you must have had your head in the sand all spring/summer. 🙄 They were trying to make the best of reusing t-shirts that were over-ordered last year, instead of discarding them as useless.

What would you suggest is done differently next year? Maybe join the planning committee if you have so much to say about it. That’s a lot of complaining for someone who didn’t help, and definitely didn’t see the 400+ people who showed up and had fun.

Dp here, but ffs, lady, whatever you are hoping to achieve with your hectoring tone, I’d re-think it.

I think she recognized how insulting and unproductive the complaint was and supported the people who worked hard to pull off today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

If a super successful community event is what made you worried about the school, then you must have had your head in the sand all spring/summer. 🙄 They were trying to make the best of reusing t-shirts that were over-ordered last year, instead of discarding them as useless.

What would you suggest is done differently next year? Maybe join the planning committee if you have so much to say about it. That’s a lot of complaining for someone who didn’t help, and definitely didn’t see the 400+ people who showed up and had fun.

Dp here, but ffs, lady, whatever you are hoping to achieve with your hectoring tone, I’d re-think it.

I think she recognized how insulting and unproductive the complaint was and supported the people who worked hard to pull off today.

Whereas I found it offputting and unwelcoming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

I was surprised to see the shirts too! But they bought $25K worth of shirts last year and barely gave away 500 shirts, so they’re going to be using those for years to come.

[Anonymous]

Friends day has been struggling for a few years. It’s hard to come up with activities that make everyone happy. There is a shoestring budget (this year specially there isn’t an influx of cash), and the weather didn’t help the atmosphere. The t shirts were definitely a mistake. Ordering them last year with a fixed year printed was a real error in judgement, which was pointed out then - but - to no avail. They were ordered and now we are stuck with them. Volunteers try their best but you can only do so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current parent here. So I really wasn't worried about how things were going at the school until I showed up today to our annual Friends Day. This has always been a really fun event with a carnival atmosphere and the entire community. While it's true that it was forecasted to rain, this is the lamest event I have ever been to at any school. There are probably a total of about 100 people here scattered across the campus. No spirit wear and recycled T-shirts from last year (I was literally told that I could use a Sharpie to update it to say 2024). What the heck is going on? This of all years would have been the year to inspire more confidence and community building. What a missed opportunity.

I was surprised to see the shirts too! But they bought $25K worth of shirts last year and barely gave away 500 shirts, so they’re going to be using those for years to come.

There were definitely too many shirts purchased last year, but the $25K cost is inaccurate. It was much less.

[Anonymous]

The t shirt ordering was a total fiasco. We barely made a dent in the number last year. And when volunteers tried to use them for other events last year (grand friends day, lunches, community service initiatives) we were told no. But handing them out to families for a welcome event not even in the right year? That’s sad. Not knocking the hard work volunteers put in for this event but to hoist an ordering mistake by advancement on families just seems wrong. And it makes the actual volunteers look bad cause it will seem like a volunteering parent mistake which it absolutely was not. And Families deserve better. School should have eaten the cost of their mistake then turn the parents into laughing stock.