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Thursday - November 4, 2010


From the School

QUERY
“How can we listen to others with an open heart,
respect others and include others in play and
in games?”
-- Grade 2MATH FOR PARENTS
Several years ago, we offered a series that we called Math Class for Parents. We realized that many parents had questions about how math is now taught at Sidwell Friends and what they could do to best support their children's learning. We have decided to offer this series of classes again.

Beginning Friday, November 5, we will offer a math class for parents the first Friday of every month at 7:45 AM in the Math Lab (upstairs in the Manor House). The classes will be: November 5, December 3, January 14 (please note that this class will be on the second Friday of January) and February 4. We may then add one or two additional classes on later. We hope to have the library open early those days for childcare.

The classes will focus on the four basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The classes will show how these operations are taught from PK through 6th grade and examples of class lessons will be given. We will also show the most effective ways to help your children with their math homework and more importantly, with their math understanding. Please feel free to come to any or all of the classes and no RSVP is needed. Let us know if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing many of you on November 5.

Raina and Merry


PA Announcements

NOVEMBER 17 TECH TALK: LET YOUR LIFE SPEAK -- IN PERSON AND ONLINE
The SFS Lower School Parents Association invites all parents of Lower School students to a discussion about technology use at home and school, featuring SFS Lower School Director of Academic Technology, Jenni Voorhees, on November 17.
Note the new time and location: 7:30-9 PM in the common area next to the PK classroom.
Ms. Voorhees, an expert in educational technology, digital citizenship, and online behavior, will explain the Lower School’s technology curriculum, proper online behavior and its connection to Quaker values, and how Sidwell Friends families can embrace technology and netiquette at home.
Want to hear how Sidwell Friends families use technology at home? The Tech Talk is bringing back the small-group discussions that proved so popular in the past! After Ms. Voorhees’ remarks, we’ll break out into small groups. Learn from your peers and trade ideas and best practices.
The evening will include links to great resources, plus refreshments for parents and childcare for kids. For more information, contact Ira Apfel (ira.apfel@gmail.com) or Susan Maniatis (susan.maniatis@gmail.com). To reserve childcare, contact Pam Kurland (pamela.kurland@gmail.com).GOING SOON ... TIME TO CHECK LOST & FOUND
On Tuesday, November 16, volunteers will clean out the lost and found bin at Lower School and will donate unclaimed items to Martha's Table. Labeled clothing will be returned to its owner if possible. Please check the bin before November 16, and remember to label your child’s clothing.LOST AND FOUND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Looking to get involved but don’t have a lot of time? The PA is seeking a volunteer to help out, once a month, cleaning out the Lost and Found bin and bagging up donations of unclaimed items to go to Martha's Table. The job would only take an hour or so each month and could take place to fit your schedule. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Arrington arringtonlp@hotmail.com.THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
Come to the Lower School Book Fair on November 13 at Politics and Prose. Long a resource and opportunity for parents and faculty to encourage the joy of reading, proceeds from the event support the LS Parents Association, which funds a variety of activities for our community throughout the year. It is a perfect time to do some early holiday shopping while supporting the local community and our school!

This year’s Book Fair is one day only—shop anytime from 9 AM through 10 PM. At 10:30 AM, we are thrilled to feature a childrens' book reading by Lower School librarian Angela Smith. At 3 pm, Lower School parent and Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank will read from his book, “Tears of a Clown.” (Please note this is not a children’s book.)

When you use a Book Fair coupon, available at each cash register that day, 20 percent of your purchase total will be donated to the LS PA. Please ask for the coupon at the time of purchase so that your contributions can be counted!

Can’t make it to the Book Fair? Use our Personal Shopper Service! For details, contact ericka.markman@gmail.com, wwwevelyn@comcast.net or ginaskim@yahoo.com.ATTENDING MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD
You are always welcome to join your child for Meeting for Worship. On Tuesday, November 9, the following classes will be meeting in the Meeting House: 4, 2X and K.EARLY MORNING MEETING FOR WORSHIP
Start your hectic holiday season off with a little calm and join us with your child for early morning Meeting for Worship on Friday, November 19 from 7:45 - 8:15 AM in the Meeting House. Siblings welcome.COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
KNEE DEEP IN HALLOWEEN CANDY?
Put a smile on someone's face and bring in your extra Halloween Candy. We will deliver all donated treats to the folks at Bethesda Cares. You will find the collection bin outside of the library until Friday, November 5.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

How do I help my child learn to appreciate differences in people? Click here for an article on teaching kids about race and cultural diversity.
http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1151.580759.25157.7335

"Between five and eight, children are old enough to begin to think about social issues and young enough to remain flexible in their beliefs. By the fourth grade, children's racial attitudes start to grow more rigid. Our guidance is especially crucial during this impressionable, turbulent time." Taken from the civilrights.org publication "Talking to Our Children About Racism and Diversity." http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1151.580759.25157.7336

We welcome your comments and feedback. Email arringtonlp@hotmail.com.
VOLUNTEER TIP
Did you know that parent volunteers are a big part of Sidwell Friends School? Any day of the week, from before school starts until way after the last class has ended, there are parent volunteers actively participating in the richness of the school. A perfect example is the Next To New Sale that was held during Homecoming week. More than 100 parents gave hours and hours of their time raising over $64,000 for student financial aid. Although the money is very important, equally significant is the parent participation and dedication, making this event such an incredible service to the SFS community and the community at large.
If you’d like to volunteer at SFS, there is a place for you! No matter how much or how little time you have, you are needed! Please feel free to contact the clerks of your division, ochibell@alum.calberkeley.org, avonpentz@gmail.com; MS, bnixon@standfordalumni.org, gsvh@verizon.net; LS, ira.apfel@gmail.com, susan.maniatis@gmail.com; or simply log onto the Parent Portal of the Sidwell Friends Webpage, click Parents Association and then Volunteering in the grey highlighted area on the left. We look forward to working with you!
Polly Bomstein and Lynn Sachs, co-presidents, SFS Parents Association
GREEN TIP: DON"T USE LEAF BLOWERS OR FIND A LOW-EMISSION ONE

Leaf blowers save time, but they deposit toxic chemicals in the air. In fact, leaf blowers give out 500 times the hydrocarbons a car gives out (California Air Resources Board). (Hydrocarbons combine with other pollutants to create ozone.) This affects asthmatics and allergy sufferers the most, but also healthy children and adults. Also, blowers often blow fine particles of fertilizers and pesticides from the ground into the air. Raking can be a fun family activity and it burns some serious calories! So, don’t blow it, rake! Comments, questions to Louise Micallef at micallefj@aol.com.


Other News

MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL PLAY -- SAVE THE DATE!
The much-anticipated annual Middle School fall play is just around the corner. An adaptation of the novel There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by National Book Award-winning children's writer Louis Sachar, the play features a modern take on the classic tale of the misfit schoolboy. No-one likes 5th grader Bradley Chalkers. Teachers label him with "serious behavioral problems" while his classmates call him a monster. But the school counselor has faith in him, and after a series of tragi-comic episodes, she is proven right.
Free public performances will be held Friday November 12 at 7:30 PM and Saturday November 13 at 2:00 PM at the Middle School Drama Studio. Please show up to support our talented young thespians and bring along family and friends. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended by calling: 202/537-8150.
SALLY FOSTER GIFT-WRAP & GIFTS
STOCK UP NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Sally Foster is a school-wide sale that includes quality gift-wrap and delicious gourmet chocolates among many other great gift items available through a convenient online catalogue. 50% of all sales go directly to student financial aid. All orders may be placed now through January 31, 2011 at sallyfoster.com. When prompted at check-out, enter the SFS account code 505552 so that 50% of the proceeds are properly recorded to our school.LS THURSDAY LETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Our automated listserv subscription service is currently down. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter, please send an email to isaacsa@sidwell.edu and indicate whether you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe.
How to Submit an Article to Thursday Letter
Send submissions to PA.LSNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2 PM Wednesday. Please reference "Newsletter Submission" and the publish date(s) in the subject line. Items should be submitted as text in the body of the e-mail. PLEASE do not include any formatting such as indents, bullets, boldface or all-caps and keep submissions succinct. If you have a form or flyer to include with your submission, please send it as a PDF attachment to your email. Receipt of your submissions will be confirmed as soon as possible.
Note Concerning the School Calendar:
The calendar entries that appear in the right column of each Newsletter are automatically generated by the official school calendar and are not subject to editing by the Newsletter Editors. All changes or additions to the school calendar must be made through the school scheduling office, reachable at: scheduling@sidwell.edu.

The Parents Association newsletters are a forum for communication among parents and provide announcements concerning School or PA events or information related to a School or PA event.
LS newsletter submissions should be sent to PA.LSnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Thu, Nov 4th

All-School PA Diversity Meeting

Alumni Lounge
8:00am - 9:00am


Team Two to National Museum of American Indians


9:00am - 12:30pm


Fri, Nov 5th

Math Class for Parents

LS Math Lab
7:45am - 8:30am


Assembly: Rob Guttenberg - Disabilities

LS MultiPurpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


Tue, Nov 9th

PA Executive Committee Meeting

Athletic Center Meeting Room
8:00am - 9:00am


Fri, Nov 12th

No School for Upper School, 9th Grade Conferences


Grade 4 Play

LS MultiPurpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


MS Fall Play: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm


Sat, Nov 13th

LS Book Fair

Politics and Prose
9:00am - 10:00pm


PK and 1st Martha's Table Family Community Service

Off Campus
10:00am - 12:30pm


MS Fall Play: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

MS Drama Studio
2:00pm


Wed, Nov 17th

Kx to National Zoo


9:15am - 2:30pm


LS PA Meeting

LS Meeting Room
7:30pm - 9:30pm


Fri, Nov 19th

LS Parents Meeting for Worship

LS Meetinghouse
7:45am - 8:15am


Grade 3 Play

LS MultiPurpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard

Arts Center Theater
8:00pm


Sat, Nov 20th

US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard

Arts Center Theater
8:00pm


Sun, Nov 21st

US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard

AC Theater
2:30pm


Mon, Nov 22nd

Grade 4 to Freer Sackler Gallery


9:00am - 2:30pm


Wed, Nov 24th

Thanksgiving Break begins - No School


More


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