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Tuesday - September 28, 2010


From the School

LETTER FROM SALLY
This week’s query: How can we state our opinion without being rude or offensive to others?
This week’s assembly: Poetry Alive!
7/8 parents: We welcome your comments on the fall camping trip. Please send those to me or to your child’s advisor.
8th grade parents – we would love to have your son or daughter train to be a building tour guide. Training session options include this Saturday, October 2 from 11-1, Tuesday, October 5 from 2:30 – 4:30 and Wednesday, October 6 from 3:30 – 5:30. Students need only attend one of those sessions.
Back-to-School Night is next Thursday, October 7th. The program will start in the new Athletic Center at 6:00 PM. Child care is available for children of elementary and middle school age, but we MUST know how many students to expect so that we have enough staff to take care of them. We will also provide a pizza dinner for the students. The fee is $10 payable in cash that evening. Please call the Middle School office no later than Tuesday, October 5, to sign up for child care. Students may be dropped off at the Wannan Gym, next to the Middle School playground. We regret that we can only provide child care to children of elementary and middle school age, and we encourage students to bring homework, reading materials, or activities to keep them occupied. The evening will end around 8:15 p.m. for 5/6 and around 8:45 p.m. for 7/8, and students may be picked up in the Dining Room. Call the Middle School office no later than Tuesday, October 5, to reserve your space for child care. Please check next week’s Tuesday Letter for more details about the evening.
We are hearing that there are students who are attempting to charge Fox Den snack purchases to other students. In order to help prevent this, we will require students to use their student ids to make purchases at the Fox Den. Also, some students are asking other students to “borrow” money on their accounts. We recommend that each of you talk to your son or daughter about your limits on Fox Den purchases and strongly discourage this kind of borrowing of credit to pay for snacks for other students.
Instrumental Music Notes
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NOTES
5/6 Orchestra – String Ensemble Wednesday Rehearsal Period – Daily Warm-ups and Beethoven’s Ninth
7/8 Orchestra – String Ensemble Wednesday Rehearsal Period – A Quiet Christmas
Chorus Rehearsals for 7/8
7/8 Chorus Rehearsals This Week:
Wednesday, September 29th
Boys Ensemble 7:25 (sharp)
Boys Ensemble Rehearsal Period (12:55)
Thursday, September 30th
Girls Ensemble 7:25 (sharp)Playback Theatre North America Conference
Playback Theatre North America Knowledge-Sharing Conference at SFS Middle School
Leaders from Playback Theatre companies across North America are meeting in the Sidwell Friends Middle Drama Studio from Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3 to strategize about how to bring this social change theatre to another level of leadership, visibility, sustainability and impact. For more information click here. The gathering is for social impact artists, community arts educators, expressive arts therapists, and playback theatre enthusiasts and practitioners. Jonathan Fox, founder of Playback Theatre, will be attending, along with people from all over the country. There is a similar gathering in Seattle the following weekend.
Playback Theatre is an integral part of the Sidwell Friends Middle School Quakerism and the Arts course for all 7th grade students. Vertical Voices Playback Theatre, a performing troupe of eighth graders, is now in its fifth year. Founding members of Vertical Voices are currently SFS seniors. Vertical Voices has performed at the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania, the Intersections Festival at The Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC, Washington Veteran’s Hospital, IONA House, Sidwell Friends Lower and Middle Schools, and thespian festivals in Augusta, Georgia and Tupelo, Mississippi. For a complete list of Vertical Voices alumni see the list under "read more".

For more information on the conference, contact Tim Reagan, MS Drama, at reagant@sidwell.edu or at 202/537-2454.
Read MoreHealth and Wellness Course
Health and Wellness Course
During the 2009-2010 school year we were given a wonderful opportunity to pilot a Core Health and Wellness course for fifth and sixth grade students. We have successfully completed that pilot and have now implemented the course into the curriculum, primarily during advisory periods. Jack Huntington, Middle School Counselor; Jasmin Whitfield, School Nurse; and Randall Goldsborough, Physical Education Coach are the co-teachers of the course. Jack has already begun the year with discussions about bullying and respect: a four lesson unit entitled “Raising Respect in the Community” that examines the important concepts of civil behavior and appropriate boundary setting.
We continue with other important health and wellness topics such as: adolescence and hygiene, adolescent sexuality development and other aspects of puberty, drugs and alcohol and over the counter drug medication education, nutrition and diet, physical fitness and safety as it pertains to home, water weather, first aid, and handling emergencies. These are just a few of the topics covered this year in this exciting new curriculum.
We value your participation in the feedback surveys from last year and have incorporated some of your suggestions, especially on how we can increase our communication to keep you informed on what your children are learning. A timely and easy way to stay abreast with what your child is learning in this class is through this weekly newsletter. As always, we welcome phone calls, too. Please take this opportunity to continue the conversation at home with your children; we strongly believe that you are their best teachers and role models. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Math Counts
Attention 6th, 7th and 8th grade parents!! Does your child like solving challenging math problems and puzzles? If so, encourage him or her to come to Math Counts meetings. Starting on Thursday, September 30th, we will be gathering in Mr. C’s room (Room 306) from 3:30 – 4:30 pm every Thursday to tackle fun and challenging math problems together. In the spring, a team of students will be selected to represent Sidwell Friendsin area-wide competitions. Students do not need to sign up to attend the meetings – simply show up! An after school snack is provided for the students. For more questions, email Andrew Callard (aka Mr. C) at callarda@sidwell.edu.Your Voice Will Be Heard
Invitation to PA Oct 4.docxBut only if you RSVP to Lydia Adelfio, adelfiol@sidwell.edu by Thursday, October 1!
Join Head of School Tom Farquhar, The Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees and the Parents Association in round table discussions regarding the 2010-11 Strategic Plan. This is every parent’s opportunity to take part in the shaping of our school for the next 10 years. Please see the attached link for more information.
Read More


PA Announcements

Grade 6 Parent CHI Meeting
6th Grade Parents CHI Meeting Tonight
Tonight's CHI MEETING will begin at 7:30 in the Middle School Drama Studio, and will be preceded by a light dinner, beginning at 6:45 PM.
CHI meetings with Middle School Counselor, Jack Huntington, and Middle School Principal, Sally Selby, are very important and parents are urged to attend. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the developmental milestones of the upcoming year and how to best support your children in their academic and non-academic work, and how parents can support this work at home, and to learn how to best navigate the social scene. This meeting is designed to help strengthen the communications and bonds between the school and parents in an effort to help support everyone in our community in making healthy and informed decisions pertaining to our children.Potluck Hosts Needed!
Potluck Hosts Needed!
It is time, once again, for one of Sidwell Friends' most beloved traditions.
This year's fall potlucks will be held on the weekends of Oct 22-24, Oct 29-31, and Nov 5-7. If you are interested in hosting a potluck for parents in your child's class/team, please contact Belinda Nixon
( bnixon@stanfordalumni.org ) or Gita van Heerden ( gsvh@verizon.net ).
Training for Facilitators for Parent Peer Groups
Training for Facilitators for Parent Peer Groups -- Tuesday October 5
The Community Health Initiative is seeking volunteers who would be interested in facilitating upcoming parent peer group meetings. Parent peer groups are parent-only, grade-specific meetings that provide an opportunity to discuss non-academic issues of relevance to our children in a safe and intimate environment. They are facilitated by parents from the class, and topics are determined by the parents in attendance. Peer groups are scheduled three times over the course of the year for each grade, and we are currently seeking parent volunteers who can serve as facilitators. More information about the Peer Groups and the role of facilitators can be found online in the parents portal of the website under the Community Health Initiative materials). This is a great opportunity for a parent who would like to be involved but may have limited time available - and no prior experience is necessary.
Training for interested facilitators will be held on Tuesday October 5 from 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. in the Facilities Services Conference room, which is located in the garage in the security building.
If you are interested in facilitating, please notify your Grade Rep, or contact Raina Fishbane at raina.fishbane@verizon.net.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all at the facilitator training or at the peer groups!Parents of Black Students Welcome Back to School Gathering
Parents of Black Students Welcome Back to School Gathering
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Time: 2:00-4:00 P.M.
Place: Lower School Multipurpose Room
Please join us for this informal gathering of families from all three divisions of the school. We will meet, socialize and begin to discuss at a high level some of the topics PBS will be exploring this year. The Parents of Black Students focuses on programs, events and discussions that support Black and African American families and students at Sidwell Friends School. Although the focus of PBS is on the specific needs of African American and Black students as they strive for academic excellence and self actualization, the committee's efforts enhance the total Sidwell Friends experience for all students. Please contact Nicole Scott at scottfree3@netzero.net if you would like to receive more information.
Brightwood Volunteers Needed
BRIGHTWOOD READING PROGRAM
Looking for a very rewarding and fun volunteer opportunity? Come learn more about our Brightwood Reading Partnership. Parent volunteers read to students at our sister school, Brightwood Elementary School in DC. Last year, volunteers read and donated more than 1500 books to students at Brightwood. A volunteer meeting will be held Tuesday, October 5th, 8:30-9:30 am, in the LS library. For more info, please email Vanessa Johnson, coordinator, at vannateach@verizon.net. Please also remember to donate any children’s books to Brightwood when you donate to Next To New this year!
Grade 8 T-Shirt Contest
8th Grade T-shirt Contest
Every year the 8th grade class raises money for the 8th grade graduation gift to Middle School. This year, the 8th grade reps thought it would be fun to design and sell middle school t-shirts to raise money for our gift. To that end, we are asking all 8th graders to submit a possible design for this t-shirt, and the winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to either Chipotle or Yogi Berri--winner's choice. All designs should be drawn in black ink on a white sheet of 8.5 x 11" paper and should include the words "Sidwell Middle School." Designs should be submitted by Friday, October 1 to Carlene Jackson in the MS office. The 8th graders will then sell the t-shirts at homecoming.
if you have questions, please contact Joann Weiner at Jemweiner@comcast.net or Karen Marcou at KBarker145@aol.com. Thank you in advance for your participation!


Other News

Admissions Parent Volunteers Needed
The Admissions Office is seeking parent volunteers to help give tours and welcome prospective families during our Saturday Open House, taking place on November 6, 2010 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. For more details and to volunteer, please contact Kate Essex in the Admissions Office at essexk@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8111. Thank you!Admissions Office Announcement
Important Announcement from the Admissions Office. In an effort to work more closely with current families and employees who are applying a child for the 2011-12 academic year and who is not currently enrolled at Sidwell Friends, the deadline to submit Part I, the application form, is October 1, 2010.
All supplementary material to complete the application is due by January 15, 2011. The online application and all forms are now available from the website from the admissions tab. Call the Admissions Office at 202-537-8111 if you have any questions.
Newsletter Information
How to Subscribe
To receive the Tuesday Letter via e-mail, send an e-mail to Tuesday@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 Tuesday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
How to Submit an Article
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


Tue, Sep 28th

6th Grade CHI Meeting at 7:30 (light dinner in 1st floor lobby at 6:45)

MS Drama Studio
6:45pm


Fri, Oct 1st

Mid Atlantic Playback Theatre Leadership Gathering

MS Drama Studio, Art Classrooms, Music Room and Kitchen
5:00pm - 10:00pm


Sat, Oct 2nd

Mid Atlantic Playback Theatre Leadership Gathering

MS Drama Studio, Art Classrooms, Music Room and Kitchen
8:30am - 9:00pm


Sun, Oct 3rd

Mid Atlantic Playback Theatre Leadership Gathering

MS Drama Studio, Art Classrooms, Music Room and Kitchen
8:30am - 6:00pm


Parents of Black Students Get Together

Lower School cafeteria
2:00pm - 4:00pm


Mon, Oct 4th

MS PA Steering Committee Meeting

Athletic Center Meeting Room
8:00am - 9:15am


All School PA Meeting

MS Drama Studio, MS Rooms 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209
7:00pm


Tue, Oct 5th

CHI/Peer Group Facilitator Meeting

Facilities Services Conf Rm
8:00am - 9:00am


Thu, Oct 7th

MS Back to School Night

New Athletic Center
6:00pm


Mon, Oct 11th

Fall Break - No School


Tue, Oct 12th

PA Executive Committee Meeting

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


5th Grade Hang Out


2:00pm - 3:30pm


7th Grade CHI Meeting at 7:30 (light dinner at 6:45 in 1st floor lobby)

MS Drama Studio
6:45pm


Fri, Oct 15th

Breakfast for 8th Grade Parents

US Dining Room
7:30am - 9:00am


US/MS Photo Make-Up day

Kogod Costume Room
10:00am - 3:00pm


US One Acts Performance

AC Theater
8:00pm


Sat, Oct 16th

US One Acts Performance

AC Theater
8:00pm


Sun, Oct 17th

US One Acts Performance

AC Theater
2:30pm


More


Athletics


Mon, Sep 27th

Tennis - Girls 7/8 at Holton-Arms


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 A at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. Albans


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Holy Child


5:30pm


Tue, Sep 28th

Soccer - Boys Varsity at St. Albans


4:00pm


Golf - Varsity - Georgetown Day School at MVGC


4:00pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity at Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Wed, Sep 29th

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


2:45pm


Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity at Churchill


4:00pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:00pm


Thu, Sep 30th

Football - 7/8 Heavyweight at Landon


2:30pm


Football - 7/8 Lightweight at Landon


2:30pm


Field Hockey - 7/8 at Holton-Arms


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 A at St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity - Potomac School at Falls Road GC


4:00pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Episcopal High School


4:30pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


4:30pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


4:30pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:30pm


Fri, Oct 1st

Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Madeira


4:00pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity at Madeira


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Madeira


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Madeira


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School


5:30pm


Sat, Oct 2nd

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity - Octoberfest Invitational


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity - Octoberfest Invitational


Football - Varsity vs. Avalon


12:00pm


Field Hockey - Varsity at National Cathedral School


1:00pm


Mon, Oct 4th

Soccer - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 A at Landon


2:30pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B at Landon


2:30pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 B at Alice Deal Jr. High


2:30pm


Volleyball - 7/8 vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls 7/8 at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity - Georgetown Day School at Chevy Chase CC


3:30pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Tue, Oct 5th

Volleyball - Junior Varsity at Madeira


4:00pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity at Bullis


4:00pm


Golf - Varsity - Georgetown Day School at MVGC


4:00pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity at Flint Hill


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Cross-Country - Boys Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Volleyball - Varsity at Madeira


5:15pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Bullis


5:30pm


Wed, Oct 6th

Volleyball - 7/8 at Maret School


2:30pm


Field Hockey - 7/8 vs. National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 B at National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 A at Alice Deal Jr. High


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity at Maret School


4:00pm


Golf - Varsity - Flint Hill School at Kenwood CC


4:00pm


Football - Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Maret School


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:30pm


Thu, Oct 7th

Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Landon


2:30pm


Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Landon


2:30pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 A vs. Maret School


2:30pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 B at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Volleyball - 7/8 - Friendship Charter Woodbridge


2:30pm


Football - 7/8 Heavyweight at Bullis


2:45pm


Football - 7/8 Lightweight vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 A at Bullis


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. Wilson H.S.


4:30pm


Fri, Oct 8th

Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Good Counsel


4:00pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Golf - Varsity - The Heights at Falls Road CC


4:30pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


5:30pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Good Counsel


5:30pm


Sat, Oct 9th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity - Manhattan Invitational


Football - Varsity at Flint Hill


2:30pm


Tue, Oct 12th

Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Bullis


4:00pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity at Landon


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity at Landon


4:15pm


Golf - Varsity - St. James School at Whitetail


4:30pm


Wed, Oct 13th

Soccer - Boys 7/8 B at St. Albans


2:30pm


Volleyball - 7/8 vs. National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Soccer - Girls 7/8 A vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity - St. Andrew's School at Kenwood CC


4:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:30pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity at Holy Child


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


5:30pm


Thu, Oct 14th

Tennis - Girls 7/8 at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Football - 7/8 Heavyweight at St. Albans


2:30pm


Football - 7/8 Lightweight vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


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


2:30pm


Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at National Cathedral School


2:30pm


Field Hockey - 7/8 vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Volleyball - 7/8 at Holton-Arms


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Football - Junior Varsity at Bishop Ireton


4:30pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. National Cathedral School


4:30pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:30pm


Fri, Oct 15th

Soccer - Girls Varsity at Maret School


4:00pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Sandy Spring


4:00pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Volleyball - Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


5:30pm


Sat, Oct 16th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity - Prep Classic


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity - Prep Classic


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Holy Cross


12:00pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Holy Cross


12:00pm


Football - Varsity vs. Potomac School


1:30pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity at St. Andrew's School


2:00pm


More


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