x_staff | A suggestion

You're viewing

x_staff
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: site light

x-polarisstar.livejournal.com posting in

Angelo and I spoke briefly the other day and the idea of a Parent's Day came up. Parents are, for many of these kids, a grounding force and a link to the Real World that doesn't totally suck. Granted this does pose somewhat of a problem given the far-flung origins of some of the students but nevertheless, I thought it was not an idea without merit.

We've had parent's visit before but not to my knowledge a formal visiting day (or even week). Perhaps we can organize something and send out invites? Angelo has graciously volunteered to organize it.

I'm just tossing the idea out there. You senior staff types may feel free to explain all the reasons why it's a Bad Idea.

Current Mood: quixotic

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

x-angel.livejournal.com

Hm. I'd be a little worried about alienating the students who have strained relationships with their parents, or even no parents at all. Just off the top of my head, I can name several students for whom this is the case.

Aside from that, though, it sounds like a good idea. I'm sure my own parents would love it.

From:

x-juggernaut.livejournal.com

Lodging for that many parents could be a chore. Even if only half of the, what, seventy students here bring parents? That's an extra sixty to seventy people in the mansion. There's motels in Salem Center or hotels in Westchester where they could stay - but it'd be a serious difficulty to put them up in the mansion.

From:

x-rogue.livejournal.com

There's no trouble reserving a block of hotel rooms and hiring a shuttle service, I don't think, Cain. The organization of it all would be an excellent learning experience for the students. Food, lodgings, activities, preparing the grounds, it would be an excellent project and you could, of course, coopt as many hands as you saw fit to make sure the house and grounds were in the best condition possible. Giving the students a chance to appreciate how much work that is and what's involved could only be of benefit.

From:

x-juggernaut.livejournal.com

When you put it that way, I'm all for it. Point was made that there's a good portion of these kids who aren't on good terms with their families, or whatnot. Once we get the place set up, if those kids don't want to be around for the whole happy family schtick, that might be a good time for a bus trip into town or something where they don't have to be hanging around moping and brooding.

From:

x-rogue.livejournal.com

Or, not to be cruel, a chance for them to come to grips with the fact that this is how life is. They're going to be looking at happy families for the rest of their days and hiding from it isn't going to help them move on and make families -- of whatever shape or form -- of their own. I'll go with however Samson says to handle it, but I'd rather see those of us who won't be seeing our families again be able to hold our heads up and not cast shadows on other people's happiness. Personally, I think I could quite well spend the day here with the family I have now.

Life isn't fair. Best learn to cope with it, right? There's no shame in coming from a place that can't love you for what you are, or where they can't take the chance that someone else will hurt them because of you. Time the kids here learned that one, and learned it well.

From:

x-juggernaut.livejournal.com

Fair enough. Offer ought to be there for those who can't or won't cooperate. Last time someone tried to get a big event going with Xavier and Miss Blaire's dance in December, there were some pretty vocal and disrespectful dissenters. The Toxic Twins down in the basement, for example. Just sayin' those who're bound and determined to cause trouble might be best separated out so as not to make a scene.

From:

x-rogue.livejournal.com

I think it's an excellent idea as long as other activities are available for children whose parents don't want to come, or who can't come. I think that all the children should have a chance to see that this is not a house of discards or an orphanage. First and foremost, this is a boarding school, and we should treat it as such. Lorna, why don't you see what Dr. Samson has to say about it and how it should be handled? I think he's the best one to talk to about it. And then maybe put it to the students?