From the School

This Week's Query

Does what you do define who you are?

Notes from Sally

On Thursday morning, all Middle School parents are invited to join us for Meeting for Worship in the Meeting Room (site of the former Kenworthy Gym) from 8:10 – 8:40. This will be followed by a reception in the Rubenstein Gallery in the same building. We hope you can join us to enjoy this beautiful new space!

Friday is Grandparents Day. Advance registration is required; if there are questions, please call 202-537-8442. Registration is from 9:00 – 9:30 in the courtyard above the garage. Following the morning assembly, grandparents will have the opportunity to attend two classes with their grandchildren. Parking will be limited and we strongly encourage parents to drop off and pick up our visitors. We are looking forward to a wonderful day!

Recently our sixth grade students had the opportunity to hear a reading with W. S. Merwin, the 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress. All SFS families are invited to attend a public reading this Wednesday, May 4, at 7 PM where Mr. Merwin will read selections from his extensive work. A book signing and reception will follow the event. This will be held at the following location: Coolidge Auditorium Thomas Jefferson Building 10 First Street S.E. Admission to the event is free, and no reservations are necessary, but seating is limited and guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before the event. For directions to the Library visit http://www.loc.gov/visit/directions.html.

Students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 will be registering for next year’s PE/Athletics classes next week. Look for information coming from the PE department.

One of our counselors ran in the Boston Marathon recently and finished 7th in her class. Congratulations to Karolynn Coleman!

Some grade-level reminders: All current 6th grade parents are encouraged to attend the Transition Meeting next Tuesday evening, May 10th at 7:30 PM to hear about the move to the seventh grade program. This will be preceded by a reception to meet the new families who will be joining the class.

On Tuesday evening, May 17th, there will be a transition meeting for parents new to sixth grade. Current 5th grade parents are invited to meet newly enrolled parents at 6:30 that evening in the Middle School lobby and then to stay for a Peer Group Meeting during the Transition Meeting.

A reminder to current 8th grade families about the dress guidelines for the Closing Ceremony: (From the Parent/Student Handbook): “Eighth grade boys should wear dress shirts (any color) and ties, slacks (no jeans), street shoes (no sneakers) and no jackets. Eighth grade girls should wear simple dresses or dress slacks (any color). No strapless or halter tops are allowed. For this ceremony, all students are seated on the stage in front of the audience, so the choice of dress should be modest.” 8th grade families will receive 4 tickets for the evening ceremony. A few additional tickets will be available, but the venue will not hold large parties of extended family for each student. If you need extras, please call Carlene Jackson in the Middle School office. Tickets will be mailed later this month.

Instrumental Music Notes

7/8 Full Orchestra Wednesday Rehearsal Period

5/6 Full Orchestra and Handchime Choir Wednesday Rehearsal Period

Jazz/Rock Band Wednesday 3:30-4:30

Jazz/Rock Band Thursday 3:45-5:15 Guitar Quartet Friday DEAR Period

Chorus Rehearsals this Week

Monday, May 2nd

Girls Ensemble 3:45-5:00pm

Tuesday, May 3rd

Boys Ensemble 2:30-4:00pm

Wednesday, May 4th

Boys Ensemble 7:25AM

Girls Ensemble during rehearsal period

Important News from Athletics

Please join us for the End of year Sports awards for all Upper School students on Tuesday May 31 at 6:00 pm.

Online Physical Education course selections for 2011-12: Sign-ups will begin online through the SFS portal for rising 9th graders on Tuesday, May 10 at 5pm. They will remain open for rising 9th graders only until Sunday, May 15 at midnight. There will be a online sign-up tutorial for rising 9th graders held during the PE period on May 10 . In addition, there is a power point online for step by step instructions.

Online sign-ups will be open to all Upper School students on Tuesday, May 17 at 5pm and remain open until Tuesday, May 31 at midnight.

Students NOT getting their first choice of class can email Megan Miller at millerm@sidwell.edu to be placed on a wait list. Students may print a confirmation of the sign-up, but that they do not need to get signatures or turn in any paperwork.

Rising 7th and 8th graders will make their Physical Education selections for the 2011-12 school year on paper with their spring coaches on May 10. Please do not hesitate to call with questions before during or after this process.

Best,

Poff

Conversation on Diversity

The conversation continues… Join the Head of School for a second “Conversation on Diversity”.

The 2012-2024 Strategic Plan, calls for the school to address issues of different ethnic and cultural groups, to celebrate and promote a community based on inclusion and respect for differences, and to encourage close interaction among students, parents, teachers, and staff with varying backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives.

The “Conversations on Diversity” series with Tom Farquhar is helping the Head of School and the Board to shape and articulate goals and objectives as the school prepares for our increasingly global and multicultural community and world. Come and be part of these sessions. They provide a safe space for you to hear diverse perspectives and it is our hope that these sessions also help bring enlightenment, understanding, and acceptance. The 2010-2011 Conversations on Diversity series is sponsored by the All-School PA Diversity Committee.

When: Monday, May 16, 2011 Time: 6:30 – 9:00 PM (Refreshments 6:30-7:00)

Where: Middle School Drama Room

Events for Student Scholarship Information

Reminder: Please pick up your auction items from Zartman House between 8 and 4.

2011 Golf Tournament: Hope you will be able to join us for this event on June 13, 2011! Registration forms were mailed last week and online registration should be available by the end of this week. Please contact the Events office with any questions at events@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8110.

2nd Annual Tour de Friends! Join us for glorious day of bike riding and friendship in Rock Creek Park to help us raise money for student financial aid on Sunday, May 15th, 9 AM. Your participation includes rides of varying distances to be followed by food, drink, music, and plenty of give-a-ways! Register today to help make this event a success! For information on registering and additional information contact Michael Tierney, tierneym@ninds.nih.gov, or Mark Michael, mmichael@occasionscaterers.com. Please contact Lauren Mulcahy at 202-537-8440 or email events@sidwell.edu to join this exciting family oriented event for all ages.

The Middle Years

The Middle Years newsletter is attached for your information.

PA Announcements

5th Grade Peer Group Meeting

The Parent Peer Group Meeting is scheduled to take place in the SFS Middle School Library on Monday, May 9th at 7:30pm. The Community Health Initiative sponsors parent peer group meetings in an effort to build community among Sidwell Friends parents. Parent peer group meetings were created to provide an opportunity for parents to discuss non-academic issues of relevance to our children in a safe and intimate environment. They are for parents only and facilitated by parents from the class. The forum is non-judgmental and confidential. Please join us.

Other News

Alaska Trip

The Alaska Trip is on! There are a few more spaces available. First come first serve. Questions? Contact Dave Wood, Margaret Pennock, or the Summer Programs office. Information and details are available on the Summer Progr ams website.

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