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Thursday - November 11, 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 2FROM THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Financial aid information will be mailed on December 1 to families currently receiving aid. If you are not currently receiving financial aid, but want to apply for the 2011-2012 school year, please call 202-537-2402 to be added to the financial aid mailing list.


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).THE BOOK FAIR IS (ALMOST) HERE
Come to the Lower School Book Fair this Saturday—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!
The Book Fair is one day only—shop anytime from 9 AM through 10 PM. At 10:30 AM, we are thrilled to feature a children’s 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, twenty 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!FRUIT FLIES
ORANGE YOU … interested in boosting upper school student activities—while receiving healthful and delicious fruit for your family and friends? We hope so! Because today marks the start of the FRUIT FLIES CITRUS SALE, which is the PA’s only annual fundraiser for upper school activities.
It’s simple to help out: Order fresh-off-the-tree citrus fruit, and all profits support PA-sponsored student events. Just like last year’s successful fund-raiser, this year all ordering is ONLINE! It’s easy. As is our tradition, purchases may be donated to Martha’s Table or S.O.M.E. Write in your request in the NOTES section of the payment page, and our FRUIT FLY volunteers will deliver your gift directly to the agency. ORDERS will be accepted through November 19. Fruit will be ready for pick up on Saturday, December 11. Click here to order!
REFLECTIONS FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
"I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant." ~Paul Newman
We welcome your comments and feedback. Email arringtonlp@hotmail.com.
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
On November 5, the Brightwood Elementary students came to Sidwell Friends Lower School to perform for their 4th Grade buddies. Afterwards the 4th Graders read to the Brightwood students as part of their year-long service project with Brightwood Elementary School. We would like to thank the parent volunteers (Catherine Weiss and Kristen Donoghue) and the fourth grade teachers, Rich Lodish, Barbara Conte, Jenni Voorhees, and Liz Stoneham who helped make this day a success.
A special thank you to all the children and parents who donated Halloween candy to Bethesda Cares. Halloween candy is a rare treat for the people at Bethesda Cares and they appreciated your generosity.
Parents are invited to come by the Manor House lobby to look at the pictures from the Fall community service days. There is a poster for each service day project. You can see the progression of service as the children mature during their years at the lower school. Posters will be on display until winter break.
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES IN DECEMBER
Weekend slots fill quickly.
A Wider Circle

Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, December 5 from 1 to 2:30 PM. Volunteers will help sort children’s clothing, household items, pantry foods and furniture. Your time will greatly benefit AWC’s Neighbor to Neighbor as they help families who are just leaving shelters to make a warm, safe, and comfortable home. All families welcome (ages 4 and up), Second Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP by November 29 to Sara Jane Harris, sjrharris@comcast.net. Read MoreGOING 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.


Other News

PARENTS COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON WEBINAR -- INTERNET SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY
WEBINAR_REGISTRATION_INFORMATION.docxStixrud_PCW_Short_Summary.docStixrud_PCW_Summary(3).docParents Council of Washington has another webinar scheduled for Monday, December 6 from 8:00-9:00 PM on the topic of "Internet Safety and Technology - How Logging on Affects Career Options." This webinar will cover a number of timely topics and is a great resource for parents. PCW sponsored registration information is attached. This webinar, as well as the other two webinars, are archived on the PCW website (www.parentscouncil.org).

Also attached is a short and a long summary of the PCW Fall speaker, Dr. William Stixrud. His presentation about how to alleviate stress in our children was fabulous. Sidwell had a good showing at the presentation. If you missed it or would like a printed summary you can also get these at www.parentscouncil.org. Read MoreSIDWELL'S GOT TALENT -- CHILDREN NEEDED
Last year, the Lower School children brought Star Wars the Musical and Chorus to Artrageous. The children were sensational. This year, we are asking for your child to participate in the first Lower School talent showcase: Sidwell’s Got Talent!, a talent show showcasing the talents of dance, vocals, movement and the performing arts.
Click on the "Read More" link to find out what is Sidwell's Got Talent about and how your child can participate. The first open rehearsal will take place on Sunday, December 5 from 1-4 PM at the home of a SFS parent. Read MoreMIDDLE SCHOOL FALL PLAY -- THERE'S A BOY IN THE GIRL'S BATHROOM
BIG B Poster.pdfSidwell Friends Middle School Drama presents Louis Sachar’s There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, a modern take on the classic subject of a misfit schoolboy. To learn more about this play, please click on the "Read More" link below.
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. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended by calling: 202/537-8150. The Drama Studio is on the first floor of the Sidwell Friends Middle School building. Parking is located at 3825 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC. Read More2010-2011 FAIR SHARE FUND IS UNDERWAY
The Fair Share Fund (the Annual Fund for parents) is well underway for the 2010-2011 school year. Thank you to the many parents who have already supported this vital effort. Your gift helps support the students, the teachers, and the programs that make Sidwell Friends the strong school that it is.
Please help us reach our goal of 95 percent family participation in the Fair Share Fund by making your gift before Thanksgiving. Visit www.sidwell.edu/support today to give online. Thank you!
For question, please contact Leslie Hutchens, Director of Annual Funds, at 202-537-8147 or hutchensl@sidwell.edu.
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


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


Mon, Nov 29th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


School Reopens


Tue, Nov 30th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


4x to National Zoo


9:00am - 1:00pm


Wed, Dec 1st

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


More


3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Tel: (202) 537 8100 Fax: (202) 537 8499