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Thursday - October 28, 2010


From the School

QUERY
“American Indians lived as one with nature.
Would the earth be a better place if we followed their example?”
--Grade 2XHALLOWEEN PARADE AT LOWER SCHOOL
Parents are invited to watch the LS parade which will begin on the Upper Field blacktop at 1:45 pm on Friday, October 29. After the parade, the children will go back to their classrooms and are also free to leave with parents if they wish. We will have our regular dismissal at 3:00 pm. Please be thoughtful about the choice of costumes and avoid those that have a violent or gruesome theme. If your child wears a mask make sure their vision is not impaired. And please, no weapons.WEDNESDAY MORNING MATH E-MAIL LIST
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}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Every week, we send out a complete list of the problems and solutions for Wednesday Morning Math, as well as a brief description of what the students will be working on that week. If you would like to be on this e-mail list, WHETHER YOUR CHILD ATTENDS WEDNESDAY MORNING MATH OR NOT, please send an email to Raina Fishbane (fishbaner@sidwell.edu).MATH 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 a.m. 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 5th.

Raina and Merry (fishbaner@sidwell.edu)


PA Announcements

SAVE THE DATE: TECHNOLOGY TALK ON NOVEMBER 17
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, November 17, 7-9 PM at the Lower School Meetinghouse. Ms. Voorhees is a recognized expert on educational technology, digital citizenship, and online behavior, and has made presentations to parents and schools from Richmond to Baltimore. For more information, contact Ira Apfel (ira.apfel@gmail.com) or Susan Maniatis (susan.maniatis@gmail.com).THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
Come to the Lower School Book Fair on November 13th 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 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, 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.REFLECTIONS FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
The following is offered by the LS Parents’ Diversity Committee as food for thought. We hope it leads to greater discussion on the meaning of diversity.

How do you fill in the blank? ______ people make me nervous (Gay, White, Fat, Black, Rich, Hispanic, Jewish, Poor, Disabled, Muslim, Asian, Mixed-race…)

We welcome your comments and feedback. Email arringtonlp@hotmail.com.COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
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Our kindergartners learned about composting and began their year long community service project by composting their clementine peels. The first graders worked in the gardens and did special projects to help the school. The second graders collected seeds & nuts and planted eight trees along the creek at Locust Grove Nature Center to help preserve the Potomac Watershed. The third graders picked up trash at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park and learned about bio-accumulation as it moves up the food chain. The fourth graders read to children at Brightwood Elementary School. The kids worked hard, learned, had fun, and made a real difference in the lives of others. There were SO many parents and teachers interested in being a part of it all. An event like this was possible only because of the time and energy donated by the Sidwell Friends Community. Special thanks to Barbara Conte, Francisco Flores, Liz Stoneham, Anna Urciolo, Diane McDougall, Sabreena Ahmed, Angela Smith, Cady Eddy, Chef Clark, Officer Burleigh, our parent organizers, and AMAZING parent chaperones. Thank you one and all!
Mark your calendars for the winter community service days:
Tuesday, March 1st: Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Thursday, March 3rd: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grades
Halloween Candy Collection
Do your kids like the collecting of Halloween candy more than the candy itself? Or do they just get too much candy! We will have a Halloween candy collection box outside the library from November 1st through November 5th. Candy will be donated to the Bethesda Cares lunch program.


WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES IN NOVEMBER
Weekend slots fill quickly.
A Wider Circle
Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, November 7th from 1 to 3 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), Third Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP by November 1st to Sara Jane Harris, sjrharris@comcast.net.


Other News

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.DO YOU HAVE USED CLEATS?
Zachary DeParle in Grade 4Y is collecting used cleats for a church trip to Plan Escalon, a boarding school for low-income students in Honduras. There is a collection box outside the library door. Boys’ and girls’ shoes are both needed—all sizes and conditions gratefully accepted. If you have any old shoes to spare, please drop them in the box by Thursday, October 28. Gracias!EDUCATION REBATE PROGRAMS
Painless way to contribute to Sidwell Friends School: If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to sign up now for Education Rebate Programs!

It's free and easy & provides Sidwell Friends Parents Association with funds for much needed programs. Sign up before November 1st for uninterrupted education rebate programs at Giant Food (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1143.575409.25157.909), Safeway (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1143.575409.25157.6864), and Target (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1143.575409.25157.5094). Online registration is quick and there are no fees involved. Click the links and follow the prompts to sign up for Sidwell Friends School. ID #s for Giant are LS: 00177; MS: 00176; US: 00178. If you have questions, please contact Donna Grell at dgrellbv@yahoo.com. Thank you for your support!LS THURSDAY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe
To receive the Thursday Letter via e-mail, send an e-mail to Thursday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
How to Unsubscribe
If you have wish to have your name removed from the subscription list, send an e-mail to Thursday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
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, Oct 28th

1x class to the White House and Lincoln Memorial


8:00am - 1:30pm


Fri, Oct 29th

LS Halloween Parade


1:45pm


Mon, Nov 1st

Grade 4 to National Zoo


9:00am - 2:30pm


3rd Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

LS Quaker Meeting Room
7:30pm - 9:00pm


4th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

LS Multipurpose Room
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Nov 3rd

Grade 3 to Library of Congress


9:00am - 12:30pm


Thu, Nov 4th

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

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

MS Drama Studio


No School for Upper School, 9th Grade Conferences


Grade 4 Play

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


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
7:30pm


Wed, Nov 17th

Kx to National Zoo


9:15am - 2:30pm


LS PA Meeting

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


More


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