Anonymous wrote:As a current student, there’s a mixed feeling within the grade. Lots of people are upset. Still many others don’t care about the location, and some aren’t into prom at all. There’s a general agreement that the rationale is a little odd — in the announcement, details like ‘locally sourced food’ were stressed, giving the impression that prom was getting a crunchy, progressive makeover. Currently the student prom committee is talking to the administration, trying to see if there’s any wiggle room.

Anonymous wrote: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:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a senior. They couldn't care less where the prom is. Just happy it is even happening at all.

My senior said the same thing. I think it’s just the same disgruntled parents complaining.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a senior. They couldn't care less where the prom is. Just happy it is even happening at all.

My senior said the same thing. I think it’s just the same disgruntled parents complaining.

So did my senior. They have no concept of what a prom is - thanks Covid - let alone one at the Four Seasons.

And there is no reason to think the prom at the campus will not be nice. The save the date invitation was very pretty, so that's a good start! They also mentioned a seated dinner, dancing and an after party. I'm sure some talented parents will get involved and will make the gym look great.

Personally, I think this is (parental) college application stress projecting onto the prom!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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".

tons of people complain! every other post about Sidwell on dcum is some version of how it fails to live up to the quaker value of simplicity. Sidwell really can't win. That's partly because their oscillation between austerity and lavishness can seem arbitrary, but mostly it's because people love to hate.

Anonymous wrote:Senior class group texts suggest otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The debt is because 1) the local ANC forced them to build a two story garage 2) they bought the washington home 3) they bought the fannie mae building next door to their campus. All were prudent moves. Once they are able to sell the lower schools, the finances will be fine.

They need to buy out the post office so they can go somewhere else.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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".

tons of people complain! every other post about Sidwell on dcum is some version of how it fails to live up to the quaker value of simplicity. Sidwell really can't win. That's partly because their oscillation between austerity and lavishness can seem arbitrary, but mostly it's because people love to hate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell parent here, totally fine with the Prom being at gym. My DC is too. Given COVID, they feel lucky to even have the event.

I understand that other kids may be more disappointed and have grand expectations. This is age appropriate.

But to the other parents who are complaining here...not age appropriate at all! Isn't this the time for you to be the parent and talk this through with them? Acknowledge that life has disappointments (and many these days) but also think about what is important in life, and what isn't? These kids have so many things via school (as have others in DMV privates) that others kids have not had over the past two years. Be thankful kids (and parents). Read the room parents.

I like you!!!

Anonymous wrote:

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".

Anonymous wrote:

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)