Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 19:08     Subject: Re:NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Anonymous wrote:BVR parents are familiar with Johnathan Haidt's theories and many parents informally or formally pledged wait until 8. Tin Can phones starting to emerge as an alternative and many families participate in outside sports, arts instruction, or clubs so their kids have lots of opportunities to socialize in person instead of online. In regards to bullying, there will always be personalities or friendships some kids find challenging, and BVR has done a great job encouraging kids to develop healthy friendships, think about how to resolve conflicts, and foster inclusive groups. I hope NCS will build on this approach as they age to encourage healthy interactions but can't speak to how NCS addresses specific bullying violations.


We are a Beauvoir family and I have no idea what you’re talking about. BVR does not foster inclusivity at all.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 14:54     Subject: Re:NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
BVR parents are familiar with Johnathan Haidt's theories and many parents informally or formally pledged wait until 8. Tin Can phones starting to emerge as an alternative and many families participate in outside sports, arts instruction, or clubs so their kids have lots of opportunities to socialize in person instead of online. In regards to bullying, there will always be personalities or friendships some kids find challenging, and BVR has done a great job encouraging kids to develop healthy friendships, think about how to resolve conflicts, and foster inclusive groups. I hope NCS will build on this approach as they age to encourage healthy interactions but can't speak to how NCS addresses specific bullying violations.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 22:29     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Our (now in upper school) dd for a phone in 7th at NCS bc MS sports meet after school and pick up wasn’t always consistent. She also would go home with friends sometimes and it was easier for her to have a phone both to communicate w me and make plans with them. No social media until later though. I have observed over the years that bullies are really grade by grade. The girls in dd’s grade aren’t necessarily all friends but there’s no really bullying that she has seen.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 22:22     Subject: Re:NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Another LS Holton parent in one of the grades you identified. DD doesn't have a phone and I'm not aware that any of her friends do either. One has an Apple Watch that she uses before and after school, but it is banned in class. We signed the wait until eighth pledge and I know others in our class have as well. No bullying issues at all, and my kid is a nerd (in a great way, of course)!

The school is much maligned on other threads but we really love it.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 19:41     Subject: Re:NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
LS Holton parent in one of the grades you identified. My daughter doesn’t have an iPad or phone to text. I think there might be a group ichat in her grade that girls do on iPads that everyone is invited to but she doesn’t participate and she doesn’t seem to care. Have not heard of any bullying on it and my daughter doesn’t feel left out not being on the chat. She has plenty of friends and her teacher reports she’s very social in school.

FWIW — They are VERY strict about computer usage in the LS and there’s very little use of the school computers at home.


Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 17:19     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
No bullying at NCS lower grades, but plenty of drama. Most girls don’t have phones in 4th and 5th, some start getting phones in 6th and I guess by 8th most girls have phones. We are waiting until 8th.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 14:44     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Social dynamics/social media issues/bullying varies so much grade-by-grade - for some grades they are non-issues, for others there are major problems. Often it is somewhere in between. Interested in any insights about current NCS and Holton LS grades (3rd at Beauvoir and Holton, 4th and 5th). Any mean girls/bullying issues? And are the parents abiding by any sort of informal "wait til 8th" pledge or similar for phones or social media use? Thanks.


Are you writing an article? This forum is for parents seeking information about schools. With the wide grade span it sounds like you are fishing for gossip?


No, asking because we're looking for DD next year and didn't want to reveal the exact grade.

I promise there will be many other applicants. They won’t know who you are or acre that you asked a question on DCUM.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 14:00     Subject: Re:NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
At Holton, some of the LS girls chat on ipads even if they don't have phones. From what I saw, it was mostly to coordinate plans in and out of school. I did not observe any bullying in my daughter's grade but I do know there was an issue a few years back and I believe a child was expelled.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 13:59     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Because somehow that makes you identifiable? Really?
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 12:25     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Social dynamics/social media issues/bullying varies so much grade-by-grade - for some grades they are non-issues, for others there are major problems. Often it is somewhere in between. Interested in any insights about current NCS and Holton LS grades (3rd at Beauvoir and Holton, 4th and 5th). Any mean girls/bullying issues? And are the parents abiding by any sort of informal "wait til 8th" pledge or similar for phones or social media use? Thanks.


Are you writing an article? This forum is for parents seeking information about schools. With the wide grade span it sounds like you are fishing for gossip?


No, asking because we're looking for DD next year and didn't want to reveal the exact grade.
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 11:35     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Anonymous wrote:Social dynamics/social media issues/bullying varies so much grade-by-grade - for some grades they are non-issues, for others there are major problems. Often it is somewhere in between. Interested in any insights about current NCS and Holton LS grades (3rd at Beauvoir and Holton, 4th and 5th). Any mean girls/bullying issues? And are the parents abiding by any sort of informal "wait til 8th" pledge or similar for phones or social media use? Thanks.


Are you writing an article? This forum is for parents seeking information about schools. With the wide grade span it sounds like you are fishing for gossip?
Anonymous
Post 02/18/2026 09:33     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
DD is in seventh grade at NCS and there are only a few girls left without phones. They don't take them to school but they have them at home -- split between smart phones and old school cells.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 16:38     Subject: NCS & Holton - any issues w bullying or phones/social media in LS?
Social dynamics/social media issues/bullying varies so much grade-by-grade - for some grades they are non-issues, for others there are major problems. Often it is somewhere in between. Interested in any insights about current NCS and Holton LS grades (3rd at Beauvoir and Holton, 4th and 5th). Any mean girls/bullying issues? And are the parents abiding by any sort of informal "wait til 8th" pledge or similar for phones or social media use? Thanks.