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Sunday - January 15, 2017


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU


Announcements


QUAKER LIFE COFFEE AND DISCUSSION
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR US PARENTS ASSOCIATION


Events


MLK DAY SERVICE EVENT: JAN. 16
COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR JUNIORS: JAN. 19
ALL-COMMUNITY MEETING FOR WORSHIP: JAN. 22
PARENT SPEAKER DEBRA HAFFNER ON CHILDREN'S SEXUALITY: JAN. 23
GAMETIME! GIRLS' BASKETBALL, DANCE ENSEMBLE
STATE OF THE SCHOOL WITH BRYAN GARMAN: JAN. 31
PARENTS OF ASIAN STUDENTS: LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION


Other


QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS


News Around the School


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU
Dear Friends,

I know our students are happy to have mid-year exams behind them! I congratulate them on all their hard work!
Our first week of second semester will be a shortened week. All classes will meet from January 17 through January 19, and school will be closed on Inauguration Day.
I encourage all students to check their schedules using Educator Online, as many students change their arts classes during the second semester. All seniors will have new second semester English and history classes. Please keep in mind that January 24 is the last day students can add a second semester class, and January 31 is the last day they can drop a second semester class without having “withdrawn passing” appear on their transcript. January 31 is also the last day students can request pass/fail for electives. If you have any questions about your child’s schedule, please contact Min Kim (kimm@sidwell.edu). First semester report cards will be posted on January 27.
Over the course of the second semester, Dr. Kasaan Holmes, our Upper School psychologist, will host grade-level parent conversations, focusing on different developmentally appropriate topics. For her first Parents' Coffee, 9th and 10th grade parents are invited to learn about typical teenage development and the ever-changing demands of adolescent parenting. This will take place on February 9 at 8:00 a.m. in the choral room.
And here's another reminder about the College Counseling program for juniors and their parents: It will be on January 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the RLS Meeting Room. Please direct questions to Patrick Gallagher (gallagherp@sidwell.edu).

Warmly,

Mamadou

Mamadou Guèye
Upper School Principal


Announcements


QUAKER LIFE COFFEE AND DISCUSSION
Quaker Coffees continue in the new year! Join MS and US Quaker Life clerks for coffee, discussion, and Meeting for Worship on the last Monday of the month, from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. Our lively discussions inspire our Quaker Quotes and Questions feature, so bring your inquiring mind! While timing is geared toward US and MS drop-off, all parents are welcome.
January 30, 8:00–8:45 a.m.: Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
February 27, 8:00–8:45 a.m.: Zartman House Drawing Room
April 24, 8:00–8:45 a.m.: Zartman House Drawing Room

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR US PARENTS ASSOCIATION
Looking for a way to become more involved with the School? The Parents Association is seeking parent volunteers to fill positions for the 2017/18 academic year. If you enjoy community building and would like to make a contribution to the School or your child's grade, please sign up! We are filling division vice clerks, grade reps, and other positions; please see the SFS Parent Portal for descriptions.
To nominate yourself or someone else or for more information, please contact All-School Nominating Clerk Priscilla Cheng (ppcheng@aol.com) or Upper School Nominating Clerk Sandra McCoy (sandra.mccoy@mac.com). Thank you!


Events


MLK DAY SERVICE EVENT: JAN. 16
The Parents of Black Students (PBS), in collaboration with the Quaker Life, Community Service, and Equity, Justice, and Community (EJC) committees, invite all members of the SFS community to celebrate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will gather from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, January 16. Following a brief, query-centered discussion (and storytelling for younger members of the community), SFS volunteers will choose to participate in one of the available service events:
1. Bake casseroles for Bethesda Cares.
2. Make cards and sort donated items for Veterans Affairs DC Medical Center.
3. Create healthy snack bags for N Street Village Day Center.
4. Create winter care bags for Georgetown Ministry Center.
The Quaker Life Committee will also host coffee and conversation with speakers from the National Coalition for the Homeless. Afterward, we will regroup for a short time of reflection before closing with a moment of silence.
Please sign up to donate items and/or volunteer for one of the service engagements to help the underserved in our community.

COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR JUNIORS: JAN. 19
Juniors and their parents are invited to attend an important College Counseling program on January 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. Details will be e-mailed directly to juniors and their parents from the College Counseling Office.

ALL-COMMUNITY MEETING FOR WORSHIP: JAN. 22
On January 21, in the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice for those who have come before us, the Women’s March on Washington will take place in our nation’s capital. Members of the Sidwell Friends community are invited to come together the following morning, Sunday, January 22, at 10:00 a.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room for an All-Community Meeting for Worship, where we will reflect on the march and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. How can we encourage others to use their voices to stand up for what is right?

PARENT SPEAKER DEBRA HAFFNER ON CHILDREN'S SEXUALITY: JAN. 23
Parents are invited to a January 23 talk by sexuality education expert Debra Haffner, who will discuss raising sexually healthy and responsible children and adolescents. Debra has been working for more than 40 years in sexuality education and holds a doctorate degree in ministry in addition to master's degrees in public health and divinity. She is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister with a congregation in Reston, Virginia.
Before she was called to parish ministry, Debra was a nonprofit executive working in the fields of sexuality education, sexual health, and justice. In the 1980s, she was the director of education, counseling, and public affairs for Metropolitan Washington. She was also the president of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States for 12 years. Debra is the author or coauthor of seven books, including From Diapers to Dating, Beyond the Big Talk, and What Every 21st-Century Parent Needs to Know. Her specialty is helping parents talk to their children about sexuality in a way that reflects their own family values. Debra will talk about such issues as identifying and taking advantage of teachable moments; the influence of technology on teenagers' attitudes and behaviors; dress and sexuality; and helping children develop a sense of moral decision making about sexuality.
Our conversation with Debra will be relevant to parents of students in all divisions, as she asserts that conversations about sexuality are best started well before adolescence. This event is open to the broader community: We invite all to attend and welcome parents' friends. Light refreshments will be available at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room; the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Childcare is available for Sidwell Friends community members. Please e-mail Kathi Webb at webbk@sidwell.edu if you plan to use the childcare.

GAMETIME! GIRLS' BASKETBALL, DANCE ENSEMBLE
Join us in the Athletic Center on Tuesday, January 24, at 5:30 p.m. as the girls' varsity team takes on its league rival, National Cathedral School. Fans of all ages are encouraged to come, wear their school colors, and raise their voices in support. We’ll have pizza in addition to cookies for fans.
Need a cultural break? Come to the dance ensemble's performance* in the Mary Ellen Caplin Theater in the Arts Center on Thursday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m.
*The dance ensemble members earn PE credit for their work—hence they are featured as part of GAMETIME!

STATE OF THE SCHOOL WITH BRYAN GARMAN: JAN. 31
Join us on January 31 in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room for the second All-School Meeting for Business with Bryan Garman, sponsored by the Parents Association. The event officially begins at 7:00 p.m. In this meeting, Bryan will provide financial, real estate, and strategic planning updates.
There will be time for questions. A light supper will be available at 6:30 p.m., and we will adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Childcare will be available for school-age children. Please register here if you plan to come, especially if you intend to use the childcare option. All members of our SFS community are invited, including grandparents, parents of alumni, and alumni. Current students who are interested in learning more are also welcome.

PARENTS OF ASIAN STUDENTS: LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
PAS is in the midst of planning our first Lunar New Year Celebration at Sidwell Friends. This all-school event will take place on Sunday, February 5, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Upper School dining room. Although Lunar New Year is often referred to as Chinese New Year, there are other Asian cultures that celebrate this holiday. All are invited to join us in "awakening the lion" and ringing in the Year of the Rooster with crafts, music, delicious dumplings from various parts of Asia, and our very own dumpling-making food station.

This is a free event for the entire Sidwell Friends community, and we hope you will join us to make this event go "POW!" like a firecracker! RSVP at SidwellPAS@gmail.com. Please include the number of adults and children attending. To help contribute to this event, sign up here. We hope you and your family can join us on this special occasion.


Other


QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS
Q: If Quakers do not take oaths, how have Quaker presidents been sworn into office?
Quakers were very much a presence during the period of United States history when the Constitution was framed. They and members of certain other Christian faiths had already established the precedent of “affirming” rather than swearing an oath in judicial and other legal proceedings, in deference to their belief in strict adherence to this Biblical admonition:
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (James 5:12, KJV wording)
Having the option of affirming instead of swearing also served—and continues to serve—the needs of many non-Christian and non-theist people. Because of the biblical quotation, the instructions in the Constitution for swearing in a president read as follows:
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” (U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 1, paragraph 8)
That said, the only US president who has ever exercised the option of affirming rather than swearing was not a Quaker—it was Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, in 1853. Neither of the two Quaker US presidents, Herbert Hoover (31st) and Richard Nixon (37th), were concerned enough about the matter to affirm rather than swear when it came time to take their oaths of office. Some sources state that Hoover, as a Quaker, used “affirm,” but a newsreel of the ceremony offers evidence that the words he used were “solemnly swear.”
Famous Quaker quotes alternate with questions about Quakerism in this newsletter feature. To ask a question about Quaker history or practices, e-mail our Sidwell Friends Quaker Life Committee's authors at quakerquestions@sidwell.edu!


Upper School Weekly E-Newsletter Submissions

How to Submit an Article to the E-Newsletter. Fill out the form at www.sidwell.edu/submit by 12:00 p.m. Thursday.

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 Upper School Weekly E-Newsletter is a forum for communication among parents and is designed to provide announcements concerning school events or information. E-newsletter submissions should be filled out at www.sidwell.edu/submit.


Calendar


Mon, Jan 16th

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - NO SCHOOL


All Community Meeting for Worship and MLK Day of Service

RLS Meeting Room, Dining Room, US Library, Lower Level Classrooms
8:30am - 12:30pm


Tue, Jan 17th

PA 102: PA Roles for 2017-2018

LS Quaker Meeting House
8:15am - 9:00am


Dance Rehearsal - MLK Assembly

RLS Meeting Room
3:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Jan 18th

AC/PG meeting

US Library Board Room
12:00pm - 2:30pm


US Musical Rehearsal

Theatre Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


"Seek Justice, Find Peace: A Town Hall Meeting"

RLS Meeting Room
6:30pm - 9:00pm


PA Arts Committee Meeting

Upper School Room 102
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Jan 19th

9Th Grade Parent Coffee with US Adm

Choral Music Room
8:00am - 8:45am


US MFW

RLS Meeting Room
9:35am - 10:20am


US Musical Rehearsal

Choral Music Room
6:00pm - 9:00pm


11th Gr. Students/Parents with College Counseling

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
7:00pm - 9:00pm


GLSBT Dance

Caplin Theater & Arts Center Lobby
8:30pm - 10:30pm


Fri, Jan 20th

Inauguration Day - NO SCHOOL


New Garden Friends School

US Room 112 & 110
4:00pm - 12:00pm
1/21/2017


Sat, Jan 21st

BSU Rehearsal

Caplin Theater & Arts Center Lobby
12:00pm - 4:00pm


Sun, Jan 22nd

All-Community Meeting for Worship

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
10:00am - 12:00pm


US Musical Rehearsal

Caplin Theater + Rosenberg Theater + Theatre Arts Stidio
1:00pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Jan 23rd

Parent Speaker - Reverend Dr. Debra W. Haffner

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Tue, Jan 24th

US Musical - Rehearsal

Choral Room + Rosenberg Theater + Theatre Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Jan 25th

AC/PG meeting

US Library Board Room
12:00pm - 2:30pm


US Musical - Rehearsal

Choral Room + Rosenberg Theater + Theatre Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Jan 26th

US MFW

RLS Meeting Room
9:35am - 10:20am


US Musical - Rehearsal

Choral Room +Rosenberg Theater + Theatre Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Jan 27th

US Arts Guild

RLS Meeting Room
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Sun, Jan 29th

BSU Rehearsal

Caplin Theater & Arts Center Lobby
10:00am - 1:00pm


US Musical - Rehearsals

Choral Room + Rosenberg Theater + Theatre Arts Stidio
4:30pm - 7:30pm


Mon, Jan 30th

PA-Quaker Conversation & Coffee

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room & Lobby
8:00am - 9:00am


Tue, Jan 31st

State of the School - Bryan Garman

RLS foyer and Meeting room
7:00pm - 8:30pm


Wed, Feb 1st

US PA Steering Committee Meeting

Rusch Team Room
8:05am - 9:35am


AC/PG meeting

US Library Board Room
12:00pm - 2:30pm


Thu, Feb 2nd

PA Executive Committee

Rusch Team Room
8:30am - 9:30am


US MFW

RLS Meeting Room
9:35am - 10:20am


College Admissions - 2nd Annual Capitol Case Studies Program

Georgetown Day School
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Dance Ensemble Performance

Mary Ellen Caplin Theater, Arts Center Lobby
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Sat, Feb 4th

BSU Rehearsal

Caplin Theater & Arts Center Lobby
12:00pm - 5:00pm


LS Swim Party

Off Campus - Chillum Splash Pool
5:30pm - 7:30pm


More


Athletics


Tue, Jan 17th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Flint Hill


6:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


6:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Potomac School


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


7:30pm


Wed, Jan 18th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Sheridan School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. Sheridan School


2:45pm


Indoor Track - P.E. Class (Coed) - Georgetown Prep Practice Meet #2


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at Wilson H.S.


4:15pm


Thu, Jan 19th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Swimming - Boys 7/8 - St. Albans Meet


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 - St. Albans Meet


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Maret School


4:00pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Maret School


4:30pm


Squash - P.E. Class (Co-Ed) at Potomac School


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


6:00pm


Sat, Jan 21st

Indoor Track - P.E. Class (Coed) vs. Last Track to Philly @ Prep


8:00am


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Landon


11:30am


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Landon


1:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Landon


3:00pm


Mon, Jan 23rd

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C at Norwood School


2:45pm


Wrestling - 7/8 at Norwood School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Landon


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B at Landon


2:45pm


Tue, Jan 24th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. National Cathedral School


4:00pm


Squash - P.E. Class (Co-Ed) at Madeira


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. National Cathedral School


5:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill


6:00pm


Wed, Jan 25th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. Norwood School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at Norwood School


2:45pm


Wrestling - Varsity at Herndon HS


6:00pm


Thu, Jan 26th

Indoor Track - P.E. Class (Coed) vs. EHS Invitational


4:00pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


4:15pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Diving Championship


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


6:00pm


Fri, Jan 27th

Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Swimming Championship


3:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Wilson H.S.


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Wilson H.S.


5:30pm


Sat, Jan 28th

Swimming - Boys 7/8 vs. MS Swim Championships


9:00am


Swimming - Girls 7/8 vs. MS Swim Championships


9:00am


Wrestling - Varsity at Model Secondary School


12:00pm


Wrestling - Varsity at JP Great


12:00pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at Gonzaga High School


12:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. McKinley Tech


12:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Wilson H.S.


1:00pm


Mon, Jan 30th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 C vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:30pm


Tue, Jan 31st

Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Holy Child


6:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Maret School


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Maret School


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


7:30pm


Wed, Feb 1st

Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Mater Dei


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C at Mater Dei


2:30pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 - Stone Ridge Meet


2:45pm - 2:45am


Swimming - Boys 7/8 - Stone Ridge Meet


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Takoma Academy


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


6:00pm


Thu, Feb 2nd

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Anselm's


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Holy Child


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at Holy Child


2:45pm


Swimming - Boys 7/8 at St. Albans


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 at St. Albans


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Diving Championships


5:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Diving Championships


5:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis


6:00pm


Fri, Feb 3rd

Basketball - Boys Freshman at Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day


5:30pm


Sat, Feb 4th

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Swimming Championships


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Swimming Championships


Indoor Track - P.E. Class (Coed) vs. Private and Independent Schools Invitational


4:00pm


More


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