Didn’t Sidwell kids last year go ahead and create their own fancy anti-prom at a hotel as a quiet protest against the school putting prom on campus? Same thing will probably happen this year.

Anonymous wrote:PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Sidwell does not disclose it’s finances so how would you have any idea how much debt the school has?

They have also quietly completed fundraising for over half of the cost of the new US renovations.

I severely doubt that the proposed change has anything to do with finances but just about student safety.

If it's not a big deal, then why change it?

Anonymous wrote:Grow up, OP.

+1, and let me elaborate. What is the difference between having the prom on campus or off? I honestly do not know. It has been a long time since my own prom, but the quality of my own experience depended on social factors (date, friends) and not the venue. I have no tie to Sidwell and don't know the reason for the change - is it covid, costs, safety, somebody thinks the venue would be more fun, a political agenda, what? I am curious to know the reason, but it would not change my impression that it sounds like a first world problem for bunch of rich kids to have their big gala in one space instead of another. And at least this class is having a prom, the past year or two did not have one at all. For an adult to be really upset over the issue does sound a bit immature, so I tend to agree with the PP's suggestion that the OP grow up.

Anonymous wrote:Without that fundraising, the tuition would be more expensive and the endowment would be lower. It is part of the job, as it is part of the job for every head of a private school in the country.

Well if you care about "appearances", I would suggest you be more consistent.

What was the justification for the move?

PP’s point is it’s not necessary to travel to MV for purported fundraising, it’s a cover. Sidwell admin is terrible and fundraising historically has been poor. Check out how much debt they have.

Without that fundraising, the tuition would be more expensive and the endowment would be lower. It is part of the job, as it is part of the job for every head of a private school in the country.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again, Sidwell squashes student joy. Is it aware that students call it "Sadwell"? What is wrong with this administration?

For those who don't know yet, SFS decided to move prom from a hotel to on campus. Yaay Sidwell.

It's sad because there are some great things about the school, but it can't get out of its own way in letting kids have fun.

They did this last year and the kids had a great time. Can't win. People complain about the school being ostentatious, but when it does this, people complain it is being cheap.

Who complains about it being ostentatious? It's for the kids.
As for the parents, we could use a nicer back to school night, if we ever go back to having them.
Want to charge over 40k and then nickel and dime in these situations?
Don't get me started on Bryan Garman hobnobbing in MV for "fundraising".

Sidwell is far from ostentatious. It's surrounded by a chain link fence and the upper school is a box with cinder block walls. Nobody cares about "appearances of having it at the Four seasons". You brag about a LEED building and nice gym but think it's more Quakerly to have prom in a cafeteria? That's where you take a stand?

Just let these kids enjoy themselves without some douche with a stick in his a## meddling.

Anonymous wrote:Kids are going to drive to after parties instead of taking the party up to the hotel. Way to think this through.

I have no faith in Sidwell "fixing up the gym" unless a motivated parent with good taste gets involved. If you're hiring a designer, isn't that making it "fancy" anyway.

I just don't understand why you can't let the kids feel some lightness for once. Everything has to have some Sidwell cloud over it. Where the F is Bryan Garman on this?

Have you been to a Sidwell auction? They bring in lighting, furniture, etc. It looks good.

Anonymous wrote:Kids are going to drive to after parties instead of taking the party up to the hotel. Way to think this through.

I have no faith in Sidwell "fixing up the gym" unless a motivated parent with good taste gets involved. If you're hiring a designer, isn't that making it "fancy" anyway.

I just don't understand why you can't let the kids feel some lightness for once. Everything has to have some Sidwell cloud over it. Where the F is Bryan Garman on this?

Bryan likely totally supports it. Doing it at the Four Seasons was a bad look for decades (even though they got a significant discount)

Anonymous wrote:Kids are going to drive to after parties instead of taking the party up to the hotel. Way to think this through.

I have no faith in Sidwell "fixing up the gym" unless a motivated parent with good taste gets involved. If you're hiring a designer, isn't that making it "fancy" anyway.

I just don't understand why you can't let the kids feel some lightness for once. Everything has to have some Sidwell cloud over it. Where the F is Bryan Garman on this?

The after party is on campus as well. Kids agree that if they go for part if it, they go for all of it. There is no driving away in the middle.

Anonymous wrote:Once again, Sidwell squashes student joy. Is it aware that students call it "Sadwell"? What is wrong with this administration?

For those who don't know yet, SFS decided to move prom from a hotel to on campus. Yaay Sidwell.

It's sad because there are some great things about the school, but it can't get out of its own way in letting kids have fun.

Well it's at least a step up from last year, when they were going to have it in the garage, until parents intervened at the 11th hour.

Anonymous wrote:Once again, Sidwell squashes student joy. Is it aware that students call it "Sadwell"? What is wrong with this administration?

For those who don't know yet, SFS decided to move prom from a hotel to on campus. Yaay Sidwell.

It's sad because there are some great things about the school, but it can't get out of its own way in letting kids have fun.

They did this last year and the kids had a great time. Can't win. People complain about the school being ostentatious, but when it does this, people complain it is being cheap.