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Dear Sidwell Friends School Parents:


I look forward to seeing many of you on Monday evening, May 2, for a conversation about the themes and directions that are emerging at this stage in our year-long strategic planning process at Sidwell Friends School. This meeting, jointly sponsored by the Board of Trustees and the All-School Parents Association, will be held in the new Quaker meetinghouse on the Wisconsin Avenue campus from 7 to 9 pm. You must RSVP by 4 pm Friday, April 29 (see below).


Attached to this email you will find a Word document which the Board considers an early "sketch" of the ideas that are coalescing from many hours of conversations, committee meetings, and consultations with SFS parents, alumni, faculty, students, and experts from the field of education and beyond. No one doubts that there is more refinement needed in the weeks ahead to identify all the aims and aspirations that should be included in the final document that will be released next fall.


The faculty devoted time on their professional day Monday, April 11, to a conversation with trustees about this "Sketch," commenting on the ideas in the document and also noting what seemed in their view to be missing. The process of gathering input from teachers continues, and parents are invtied into the conversation as well.


As this document has circulated in recent weeks, some have asked whether the language in the "Sketch" intentionally signaled a shift away from academic excellence. The Board did not address the issue of academic standards in the "Sketch," assuming that the ideas in the plan would build on the solid foundation of academic strength at Sidwell Friends.


Clearly, what was assumed must be made explicit as the language of the Strategic Plan emerges from the "Sketch" in the coming months. Among the hallmarks of Sidwell Friends School in the past and present are the intensity of intellectual challenge students come to enjoy, the rigor of their discussions and explorations, the depth of the insights that are cultivated when inspiring teachers set high expectations. This strategic plan aims to develop these strengths and to ensure that they flourish in years to come by clarifying the outcomes toward which the educational experience at Sidwell Friends School must aim to ensure its relevance and vibrancy in a changing intellectual, social, and economic landscape.


The trustees report that there are other themes that teachers have raised in response to the "Sketch," and they are grateful for any and all further suggestions that parents can offer as the themes and priorities guiding Sidwell Friends School in the future are clarified in the months ahead.


Thank you,

Tom Farquhar

Head of School


Notice from the PA Newsletters:

· STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE WITH HEAD OF SCHOOL TOM FARQUHAR

MAY 2, 7-9 PM AT THE NEW QUAKER MEETINGHOUSE WISCONSIN AVENUE CAMPUS

Please join Head of School Tom Farquhar, the All-School Parents Association and the Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees for an update on Sidwell Friends School's Strategic Plan. The Board of Trustees has been working for over a year in consultation with parents, faculty, alumni and students on developing a strategic plan which will define the education skill sets through year 2024, the expectations for Sidwell Friends faculty as master learners, how the School's Quakerness defines our values and priorities, and the business models that allow us to reach our goals. As this important work approaches its final stages, please come for an update and discussion on these vital and exciting issues.

We look forward to seeing you there.
Polly Bomstein and Lynn Sachs, All School PA Co-Presidents

RSVPs required to: Adrianne Isaacs at isaacsa@sidwell.edu.