Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 21:22     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think GDS is learning that talk is cheap. You can talk all you want about diversity and inclusion -- both the worthiest of goals -- but making it happen requires more than talk. It is hard work.
p
GDS HS parent here. I believe this statement is correct, and that GDS admin was stunned that there could be racism when there is so much focus on diversity. I've been a GDS parent for many years, and I always felt that their approach to diversity was focused on AA and LGBTQ at the expense of understanding it in broader terms of basic humanity, empathy for anyone facing challenges. My kid tells me it's important to focus on structural injustice because it is the worst. But I believe injustice starts at a more basic level with unkindness, and grows from there.
There is far less bitchiness and bullying at the HS than there are at most schools (or at least at my high school) and that may be why the admin was caught off guard by how racism could be a problem. But I also think the reaction of the school (to the discovery that some students experienced bias and worse at school) was immediate and soul-searching and my high-schooler learned a hell of a lot about society during that week of school-wide focus on the problem (though the academic setback that week took a toll.)


Thanks for taking th time to share your experience
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:33     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:I think GDS is learning that talk is cheap. You can talk all you want about diversity and inclusion -- both the worthiest of goals -- but making it happen requires more than talk. It is hard work.
p
GDS HS parent here. I believe this statement is correct, and that GDS admin was stunned that there could be racism when there is so much focus on diversity. I've been a GDS parent for many years, and I always felt that their approach to diversity was focused on AA and LGBTQ at the expense of understanding it in broader terms of basic humanity, empathy for anyone facing challenges. My kid tells me it's important to focus on structural injustice because it is the worst. But I believe injustice starts at a more basic level with unkindness, and grows from there.
There is far less bitchiness and bullying at the HS than there are at most schools (or at least at my high school) and that may be why the admin was caught off guard by how racism could be a problem. But I also think the reaction of the school (to the discovery that some students experienced bias and worse at school) was immediate and soul-searching and my high-schooler learned a hell of a lot about society during that week of school-wide focus on the problem (though the academic setback that week took a toll.)
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:25     Subject: Re:Getting the GDS mojo back
Not to mention their Fondness for Capitalization.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:22     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think TJ is kicking GDS' butt in the Harvard race.

The schools should be measured by the percentage of kids attending H rather than the absolute number attending. TJ has more than 3x the students as GDS. No dog in the fight here. Just an observation.


While Harvard gets a lot of attention, GDS does very well in admissions to all of the Top Ivy League colleges/universities. Admission staffs admire the great academics, the superb preparation of applicants and GDS's noteworthy and early commitment to Social Justice in the Nation's Capital.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 18:53     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:I think TJ is kicking GDS' butt in the Harvard race.

The schools should be measured by the percentage of kids attending H rather than the absolute number attending. TJ has more than 3x the students as GDS. No dog in the fight here. Just an observation.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 18:34     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
I think TJ is kicking GDS' butt in the Harvard race.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 18:26     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how much a school can change in a few years and depressing when that change is for the worse.


New school leadership? Pffschaw to that.


Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 12:35     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:It is amazing how much a school can change in a few years and depressing when that change is for the worse.


New school leadership? Pffschaw to that.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 10:27     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:Because they really wanted to go to GDS, but the way the campus was laid out made security impossible, which is why the fortress-like consolidation must take place.

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Remember more than 70% of GDS applicants also apply to Sidwell. So many of the families at GDS are at their second choice school-hence the inferiority complex.


Good grief.


And Sidwell turned out to be the Obamas' second choice.


And why GDS wants to build 'Harvard Commons on the Avenue' to pay for it!
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 10:11     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
It is amazing how much a school can change in a few years and depressing when that change is for the worse.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 10:07     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
It's probably time for new GDS leadership. The last two years have been challenging and disappointing in various ways. The PUD particular turned out to be a serious mistake. At best, it's been a huge distraction while there are school issues that need to be addressed.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 05:09     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Blah Blah Blah

No one cares.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2016 00:00     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Because they really wanted to go to GDS, but the way the campus was laid out made security impossible, which is why the fortress-like consolidation must take place.

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Remember more than 70% of GDS applicants also apply to Sidwell. So many of the families at GDS are at their second choice school-hence the inferiority complex.


Good grief.


And Sidwell turned out to be the Obamas' second choice.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2016 17:30     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Remember more than 70% of GDS applicants also apply to Sidwell. So many of the families at GDS are at their second choice school-hence the inferiority complex.


Good grief.


And Sidwell turned out to be the Obamas' second choice.
Anonymous
Post 06/25/2016 17:12     Subject: Getting the GDS mojo back
Anonymous wrote:Remember more than 70% of GDS applicants also apply to Sidwell. So many of the families at GDS are at their second choice school-hence the inferiority complex.


Good grief.