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Tuesday - November 2, 2010


From the School

This Week's Query
Is simplicity always better?Notes from Sally
Assembly: The Wolf Conservation Center. The assembly will start at 2:15 this week.
8th grade parents, we'll hope to see you Wednesday night at 7:30 for our CHI meeting!
Our Miniwalk for the Homeless will be Friday. We would love to a form from every student by Wednesday. Thank you!
5th grade Conversations with Jack - next Tuesday (11/9) at 7:45 AM in the dining room.
Thanks so much to Liz Bronder and the many parent volunteers who set up so beautifully for the dance on Friday night. A good time was had by all!
Parents are welcome in Middle School at any time! However, we do ask that if you need to speak with a teacher about your son or daughter that you make an appointment rather than just dropping in to be sure that we know you are coming. Remember - all teachers may be reached by email with the last name, first initial @sidwell.edu. A list of teachers, phone extensions, and emails is in the Student Directory.
Are you planning family travel that will necessitate your child's absence from school? While we understand that these are often important family occasions, we also hope that you recognize that missing school creates difficulties for your child and for his/her teachers. If absences are absolutely necessary, we ask that you follow the following procedures: Please notify both the office and the child's homeroom teacher/advisor as far in advance as possibly that such an absence will take place. Parents should then notify all of the child's teachers of the absence in the week prior to the trip. While we will attempt to pull material together for the child in advance, it is not possible to develop a comprehensive list of assignments ahead of time. The student is responsible for checking the homework websites for homework during the trip and for seeing each teacher upon his/her return to obtain a list of missing work and due dates for such work. Teachers are not expected to reteach material covered during the student's absence. It is important for parents to understand that it is impossible to duplicate the experience of being in class and that a decision for a child to miss an extended period of time should be the rare exception rather than the rule. Absences put children under undue pressure in our already rigorous curriculum.
Attention 8th grade parents: PLEASE NOTE as you are making your vacation plans for next summer: Upper School athletic teams all begin pre-season practice before school begins! If your child wants to play a fall sport, you must take this into consideration when scheduling your summer.
We are approaching the concert season. 7/8 choral and orchestral groups will perform in December, and 5/6 orchestra and 5th grade chorus will perform in January. For all Middle School concerts the dress requirements are as follows: Boys - black* pants, black* shoes, white dress shirt, any color tie. Girls - Black* pants or skirt, white top (must have sleeves) and black* shoes. (*or the darkest you own.) No tennis shoes please.
This week we will welcome back Jean Weitz to her advisory and teaching duties. Thanks so much to Senor Stewie - it has been great to have you back in Middle School!
The 8th graders from San Francisco Friends School will be traveling to Washington in the spring, and we would love to help them find homestays with Sidwell Friends families for the weekend of April 8-10 (spending Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night with your family.) Can you help? Let me know! [Note: Monday April 12 is a Professional Day, so there is no school.]
We have some wonderful dishes in the office: a white rectangular Pottery Barn platter, a large oval pewter plate and others. Are they yours?
We have two new student diversity organizations meeting this year. A little news from these groups: Last year, Sidwell Friends School was visited by renowned primatologist, environmentalist and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall. Inspired by her mission to promote peace, acceptance and social change, we have decided to start a 5/6 Roots & Shoots group. In keeping with the affinity and service groups established in our upper grades 7-12, the 5/6 Roots & Shoots will focus on developing leadership skills and teamwork through community service. The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth who share a desire to create a better world. SFS Roots & Shoots members will identify problems in our community and grow as leaders through the planning and implementation of service projects. With Roots & Shoots, the possibilities are as varied as our 5th and 6th graders' imaginations! Our flexible model will let the students customize projects to meet their individual and group needs. It is our goal to foster a fun, inclusive, dynamic and supportive environment where SFS 5th and 6th graders can come together to share ideas and inspiration, implement successful community service projects and participate in special events and global campaigns. Membership in the 5/6 Roots & Shoots is open to all students. The group will meet monthly on Wednesdays after school between 3:30 and 4:30. Students may come to as many or as few meetings as they wish. Contact: Anna Rozzi rozzia@sidwell.edu
The A-ZSU (7/8) is off to an inspiring start! So far, the approximately 30 members have met twice to set the tone for this year's on-going conversation. During the first meeting, students shared their interest in learning about culture, race, faith and other topics of diversity. Small groups came up with a wide range of definitions for "diversity", and we played a game called Zen Master in which students contribute one word in turn to invent new, "old" adages. During the second meeting, members were invited to share a few details of their journeys to the group, reflecting on different ways in which issues of difference, understanding, and perspective touch their lives. The group is full of positive, supportive energy. We are looking forward to our next Friday meeting on November 12th. Faculty advisors: Alexa Abdelatey, Cynthia Grady, Carlene Jackson, and Leslie Segal.Instrumental Music Notes
5/6 Orchestra – Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal period
7/8 Orchestra – Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal periodChorus Rehearsals This Week
Wednesday, November 3rd
Boys Ensemble 7:25
Girls Ensemble during Rehearsal Period
Girls Ensemble 3:30-5:00
Thursday, November 4th
Girls Ensemble 7:25An Invitation from 7/8 Middle School Drama
Middle School Fall Play - Save the Date!
THERE’S A BOY IN THE GIRLS’ BATHROOM

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 7:30pm and Saturday November 13 at 2:00pm 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.

(Performances for the 5th-8th grades will be held during school hours Wednesday November 10 through Friday November 12).
From the Athletic Director
This winter we are asking all 7/8 students who are playing basketball to purchase a reversible jersey ($25) from the Fox Den. This jersey can be used for practices, games and other sports. This jersey will be theirs to keep, and each year we will use the same reversible for our sports.

Thank you for your support of our program.


PA Announcements

6th Grade Hangout
Make sure your 6th-grader has reserved this time to gather, socialize and relax with other students in the grade. The hang-out is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3rd. Students will gather on the Upper Field from 3:30-5:00pm. We need parent volunteers to help chaperone and to provided veggies, fruit, etc. to go along with the pizza that will be served. Please contact Claire Dwoskin at cd@dwoskin.com if you are able to help.The Lower School 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 LS 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!


Other News

Newsletter Information
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Send submissions to PA.MSNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2 p.m. Monday. 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. Please 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.
MS newsletter submissions should be sent to PA.MSnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Wed, Nov 3rd

6th Grade Hang Out

Wetlands
3:30pm - 5:00pm


6th Grade Hang Out (rain)

Wannan Gym
3:30pm - 5:00pm


8th Grade CHI Meeting

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm


Thu, Nov 4th

PA Diversity Meeting

Alumni Lounge
8:00am - 9:00am


Mon, Nov 8th

MS PA Steering Committee Meeting

MS Library
8:00am


"There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" Dress Rehearsal

MS Drama Studio
3:45pm - 6:00pm


Tue, Nov 9th

5th Grade Conversations with Jack

US Dining Room
7:45am


PA Executive Committee Meeting

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


"There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" Final Dress Rehearsal

MS Drama Studio
2:00pm - 5:45pm


Thu, Nov 11th

MS Fall Play (Dress)

MS Drama Studio


Fri, Nov 12th

No School for Upper School, 9th Grade Conferences


MS PE Awards

AC Theater
2:30pm - 3:15pm


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

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm


Sat, Nov 13th

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

MS Drama Studio
2:00pm


Mon, Nov 15th

5th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

MS Library
7:30pm


6th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

Team Sea Room
7:30pm


Tue, Nov 16th

7th Grade Conservations with Jack

US Dining Room
7:45am


Wed, Nov 17th

MS Minimester Trips Meeting

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Nov 19th

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


More


Athletics


Tue, Nov 2nd

Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Norwood School


2:45pm


Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Norwood School


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School


3:45pm


Volleyball - Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:00pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:00pm


Football - Junior Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Wed, Nov 3rd

Volleyball - 7/8 vs. Maret School


2:30pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 B at Maret School


2:30pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 A vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Potomac School


2:45pm


Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Potomac School


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Football - 7/8 Heavyweight at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Football - 7/8 Lightweight vs. Maret School


2:45pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


3:00pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament vs. Georgetown Day


3:00pm


Thu, Nov 4th

Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Washington International


2:15pm


Field Hockey - 7/8 vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Field Hockey - Varsity - ISL Tournament


3:00pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament


3:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity - ISL Tournament vs. Maret


4:30pm


Fri, Nov 5th

Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


3:00pm


Field Hockey - Varsity - ISL Tournament


3:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


4:30pm


Sat, Nov 6th

Football - Varsity vs. Maret School


2:30pm


Sun, Nov 7th

Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


12:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


1:00pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


1:00pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament


1:00pm


Fri, Nov 12th

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Good Counsel


5:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Good Counsel


5:30pm


Sat, Nov 13th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity - Private School Championships


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity - Private School Championships


Fri, Nov 19th

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Landon


4:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:30pm


Sat, Nov 20th

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


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


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at National Cathedral School


10:00am


Basketball - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School


12:00pm


More


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