Jerry Seinfeld thrashes elite school for election distress day off, forcing him to transfer his son out
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jerry Seinfeld recently criticized an elite school that his children once attended, for its decision to allow “emotionally distressed” students to take a day off following the upcoming election on November 5.
Known for its rigorous curriculum and $65,540 annual tuition fee, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School communicated this policy in an email from upper school principal Stacey Bobo.
Jerry Seinfeld's son's school offers 'Election Day Support'
The message, titled “Election Day Support,” informed families that students feeling “high-stakes” pressure could opt out of classes on the day after Election Day.
In response, Seinfeld said such decisions had led his family to withdraw his son from the school.
“This is why the kids hated it. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people?” he told The New York Times.
Expressing frustration with the school's approach, he further criticized the school for what he viewed as a lenient approach, saying it “encourages them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.”
Jerry Seinfeld’s remarks elicit mixed reactions among other parents
Jerry Seinfeld’s comments reflect a divided response among the school community. Parent John Couchman, who has two daughters at Fieldston, said he supported the school’s decision, according to the outlet.
“I think it’s absolutely the right decision,” stated Couchman, adding that the students are aware of the high stakes and feel their rights could be impacted, whether “on election night or in five years.”
For Couchman, the school’s policy provides necessary support to the students.
Ethical Culture Fieldston School’s Election Day support plan
The email from Ethical Culture Fieldston School also stated that teachers would not assign homework or schedule assessments on Election Day, allowing students time to process results.
Additionally, absences would be allowed the day after the election, or whenever full results are announced, for students unable to “fully engage in classes.”
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The school included recommended readings from the Child Mind Institute on managing election-related stress, which is aimed at supporting students’ mental health during an intense political climate.
Recent tensions over political activism
Ethical Culture Fieldston School's policy follows previous controversies at Fieldston, including tensions over pro-Palestine activism earlier this year, which culminated in the resignation of former head Joe Algrant in August.
The school stated that Algrant left to “pursue other personal and professional goals,” but divisions over political issues continue to ripple through the Fieldston community, according to Daily Mail.
