Some folks are so committed to hating on SSFS. These people are continously moving the goal post in what they use to rationalize their scorn for this school. They seem genuinely upset and surprised this school is still up and running.

Just admit when you're wrong or say nothing at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That sounds absolutely cryptic, weird, and verbose. I read a lot of words with absolutely no substance behind them. So what IS the clear, concise message being delivered?

+1

+2

So they committed to communicating in good times and in bad? Isn’t that the bare minimum at this point? Sounds a wedding vow…

So WHAT exactly did they communicate?

Anonymous wrote:That sounds absolutely cryptic, weird, and verbose. I read a lot of words with absolutely no substance behind them. So what IS the clear, concise message being delivered?

The message is “we’re committing to communicating openly with you when things are good AND when things are bad”

This in and of itself is not a suggestion that anything is wrong.

Anonymous wrote:That sounds absolutely cryptic, weird, and verbose. I read a lot of words with absolutely no substance behind them. So what IS the clear, concise message being delivered?

+1

That sounds absolutely cryptic, weird, and verbose. I read a lot of words with absolutely no substance behind them. So what IS the clear, concise message being delivered?

Sounds like they are committing to being open and timely in their communications. Not sure why that is causing you concern?

This was the part I found a bit cryptic/suggestive...

We recognized that one of the clearest expressions of our Quaker values is how we show up in communication. That we are consistent, and therefore reliable, in good times as well as when we face challenges. The Committee brings together trustees, parents, alumni, administrators, and community experts precisely because we wanted the Committee’s work to reflect the full breadth of our community.

What we have landed on, together, is this: we will communicate openly, trusting that our community will benefit from having the best information we can provide. Operating a school can be a bit of a roller coaster ride, and we don’t all have to be in the front seat with our arms up. At the same time, we know that the School’s health and future rely on having earned your trust. The instinct to protect is strong, and the temptation to wait to deliver updates in the hopes that tomorrow will bring a better result can be tempting. But this is not the communications that we wish to model, nor do we think it will serve us well over the longer term. We prefer to practice what the Quakers call “plain speech”; it means exactly what it sounds like. The Board is committed to offering the visibility and transparency that it expects with a “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” attitude. With care for timing and context, Sandy Spring Friends School is stronger when its community has the information it needs and isn't left to fill the silence on its own.

Anyone know how many new kids they are hoping to add for next year’s 9th grade if most of the current 8th grade is staying?

Your OP
is cryptic.

We are an upper school family. I didn't read anything cryptic in the email either. These emails as a joint communication from the HOS and the board are monthly and have been occuring all year. I really appreciate the effort Yes, SSFS took a hit in enrollment last year but the enrollment now holds steady. Families are no longer leaving, new families are now joining and some families who left after last year are thinking of coming back or have already committed to doing so. So far in upper school, at least two families came back mid year and I know of at least 3 families coming back in the fall. The matriculation from the current 8th grade families into upper school for next year is very high. Things are solid. We wouldn't have stayed otherwise.

I didn’t take it as cryptic. They are working to communicate better than it has been and the email today was outlining how communication is so important and how the school wants to share openly with the community. I don’t jump to conclusions and there wasn’t anything there that came across as cryptic to me and retention is amazing. We don’t know anyone leaving. I know a new family coming. I bet the issue is going to be the seniors which is the largest class ever but I heard almost all of the 8th grade is back and so 9th grade should be good. These forum comments are bad for truth. 😞😖

What did the email say?

Cryptic email today. Does anyone know how enrollment is looking for 2026-2027? Especially high school?