EMAIL DETAILS

Sunday - September 6, 2015


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU


Announcements


NEWS FROM SPARC!
INTRODUCING EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY


Events


BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT FOR ATHLETICS
GAMETIME! FALL 2015
NEXT-TO-NEW SALE COLLECTIONS BEGIN SOON!
UPPER SCHOOL WELCOME EVENTS
"CELEBRATE DC" AUCTION PARTIES AND MORE
INTRO TO QUAKERISM + ALL-COMMUNITY MEETING FOR WORSHIP
PA ARTS COMMITTEE INVITATION


Other

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News Around the School


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU
Friends,
Welcome back to school! Faculty and staff have been busy this week preparing for the return of our students. We are all eager to have our students back on campus!
In meetings this week, faculty presented on the different summer professional development projects they undertook, including workshops and conferences on the neuropsychology of learning disabilities, developing computer science programs for high school students, and creative writing. Many faculty members also engaged in curriculum development work for courses in neuroscience, art history, women's and gender studies, Greek literature in translation, statistics, Chinese, and French.
This summer, faculty also traveled far and wide with our students for service learning and global studies programs, including programs in Hawaii, West Virginia, Jamaica, Japan, Uruguay, and Rwanda. They have returned with incredible stories about our students' experiences away from home. With the leadership of Shoshanna Sumka, our new coordinator for Global Initiatives and Service Learning, our global and service learning programs will surely continue to thrive and grow. Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn more about these programs as the school year gets underway.
This year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur fall on September 14 and September 23, respectively. Homework, tests, and quizzes will not be assigned on these days as well as the day immediately following each holiday. If you have any questions about our policy, please do not hesitate to contact Assistant Principal and Academic Dean Min Kim.
Fall team sports practices and games have been well underway for the past couple of weeks. Regular P.E. classes will begin September 14. P.E. uniforms for P.E. classes are not required. Each P.E. teacher will provide students with instructions on appropriate attire and footwear. Please remember that attendance for P.E. classes is mandatory. Missed classes due to doctor's appointments or illness will need to be made up. Please contact Jorgen Kjaer, acting athletic director, if you have any questions.
We will continue to hold our morning conversations with parents by grade level. Below is the fall schedule for these informal meetings for parents and Upper School administrators.These conversations create opportunities for us to come together as a community to raise questions and identify and address problems and challenges so that we can work together to better support all of our students.
Fall Grade-Level Parent Conversations with US Administrators
Time: 8:00--9:00 a.m.
Location: Robert L. Smith Meeting Room


Grade


Dates


9


September 18 and October 7


10


October 20


11


October 9


12


October 22


If you have any questions regarding your child's schedule, please contact Min Kim. I also want to remind you of the course drop/add deadlines. September 16 is the last day to add a new class. September 25 is the last day to drop a class without WP or WF appearing on the transcript. September 25 is also the deadline for requesting Pass/Fail. Dropping a course is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. If you are concerned about your child's performance in a class and believe that dropping may be necessary, please reach out to your child's teacher, advisor, and the academic dean.
Back-to-School Night this year falls on September 24. We will begin our program promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room for a few introductory remarks before you are invited to move into the academic buildings to meet your child's teachers. More information about Back-to-School Night will be sent to you shortly.
As you can see from our calendar of events, we have many upcoming athletics and arts events on campus. Even if your child is not directly participating in a sport or arts program, we encourage you to bring the whole family to these School events which provide wonderful opportunities for us to gather as a community.
I look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Warmly,
Mamadou
Mamadou Guèye
Upper School Principal
Upcoming Events and Deadlines:
September 8: First day of school (school pictures taken)
September 10, 6:00 p.m.: P.E. Back-to-School Night, RLS Meeting Room
September 14: Rosh Hashannah
September 14: P.E. classes begin
September 16: Last day to add a new class
September 17, 7:00 p.m.: 12th Grade Parent Night with College Counseling, RLS Meeting Room
September 18, 8:00 a.m.: 9th Grade Parent Coffee with US administrators, RLS Meeting Room
September 18, 6:00--8:30 p.m.: 9th Grade Movie Night, Room 104
September 23: Yom Kippur
September 24, 6:30 p.m.: Back-to-School Night
September 25: Last day to drop a class without WP/WF; last day to request pass/fail
September 25, 7:00 p.m.: Arts Guild
September 26, 8:30--10:30 p.m.: 9th Grade Dance, Dining Room
September 28, 8:00 a.m.: 12th Grade Parent Conversation with College Counseling, Choral Room


Announcements


NEWS FROM SPARC!
Special Programs After Regular Classes (SPARC) Offerings:
SPARC MS Robotics $450
Students will collaborate to build virtual and real robots using a variety of hardware and software platforms. No previous experience required. Open to 5th and 6th graders.
Thursdays, 3:45--5:30 p.m.
Starting September 17 through December 10
SPARC MS Chess with Coach Charlie $175
Join another great season of chess with Coach Charlie---all abilities welcome!
Tuesdays, 2:30--3:30 p.m.
Starting September 22 through November 10
Register here: http://www.sidwell.edu/middle_school/after-school-sparc/index.aspx

INTRODUCING EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY
Reflecting Sidwell Friends’ commitment to the Quaker values of service and social justice, the School has hired a director of Equity, Justice, and Community. Dr. Philip McAdoo, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania’ s School of Education, is reporting directly to the Head of School, serves as a member of the Administrative Council, and sits with the Board of Trustees. He is charged with providing strategic leadership for the School’s multicultural and diversity efforts. His role will span all areas of School life, including student life and support services, parent relations, faculty and staff recruitment and professional development, and admissions.
In addition to leading the Equity, Justice, and Community (EJC) Council, Philip will work with faculty, students, and families to design and oversee programs that will amplify the pursuit and appreciation of diversity and of equity and justice as espoused in Quaker values. He will work with admissions, human resources, and division principals on the recruitment and retention of employees and students from diverse backgrounds, and will be the primarily liaison to parent and student affinity groups.


Events


BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT FOR ATHLETICS
Parents who would like to learn more about the Sidwell Friends P.E. and Athletics programs are invited to join Interim Athletic Director Jorgen Kjaer, coaches, and other members of the P.E. faculty on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. Jorgen will provide an overview of the programs and School philosophy about athletics, and there will be a Q&A session with the coaches and P.E. faculty. Light refreshments will be served at 6:00 p.m.

GAMETIME! FALL 2015
Make your plans now to cheer on the defending MAC champion football team at their first home game on Friday, September 11. GAMETIME! starts at 4:00 p.m.; kickoff against George Mason High School is at 4:30 p.m. GAMETIME! popcorn and cookies will be available along with spirit gear. The football concession stand will be open for fans wanting more substantial food.
Additional fall season GAMETIME! dates are listed below.
September 18, 4:15 p.m. Girls’ Tennis vs. Madeira
September 25, 4:15 p.m. Girls’ Soccer vs. Maret
September 26, morning Cross-Country at Kenilworth Park, DC
September 29, 4:00 p.m. Boys’ Soccer vs. GDS
October 6, 4:15 p.m. Girls’ Volleyball vs. Maret
October 20, 7:00 a.m. Golf MAC Tournament (sendoff from garage)
October 29, 4:30 p.m. Field Hockey vs. St. James
GAMETIME! was started last year as a collaboration between the Athletics Department and Parents Association Athletics Committee to celebrate each varsity team once each season with extra publicity and a pregame warm-up party. Parents and students are encouraged to attend and, when feasible, special halftime activities are organized for younger students. Parents interested in helping the Athletics Committee with GAMETIME! events; please contact the committee clerks, Estee Portnoy and Joy Willing, at PA.Athletics@sidwell.edu. GO QUAKERS!

NEXT-TO-NEW SALE COLLECTIONS BEGIN SOON!
Sidwell Friends’ popular sale of quality used items is back, and we need your help to make this event more successful than ever! The Next-to-New Sale will be held October 15-17 in Wannan Gym on the Wisconsin Avenue campus. The Sale is part of the Friend to Friend program, and all net proceeds directly benefit student financial aid at Sidwell Friends. All items unfit for sale are recycled. All unsold items benefit local charities.
We need your donations!
Collection times at the Wisconsin Avenue campus will run Wednesday, Sept. 9, to Saturday, Oct. 3, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00-10:00 a.m., and Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Lower School campus pickups will take place on Fridays (weather permitting) from 7:45--8:45 a.m. September 11 through October 2. Please meet Melanie Jacobsen outside of Manor House by the handicapped parking area. *Donations will be accepted all day Saturday, September 12, to accommodate families attending back-to-school gatherings on campus.
To view a list of acceptable donations, please click here.
For a copy of the donation receipt for tax purposes, please click here.
We need volunteers!
There are volunteer jobs for everyone at Next-to-New. We need volunteers to organize, price, and set up donations for display, to serve as cashier at the Sale, and to assist with Charity Day and Sale breakdown. You can spend as much time helping as you would like—even a few hours is a huge help! All are welcome. To sign up to volunteer, please visit our Sign-Up Genius page. You may sign up for multiple slots if you wish. This is a great way to meet members of the community! Plus, volunteers get to shop the Pre-Sale!
Interested in a volunteer role with more responsibility? Section Heads are responsible for managing a specific section and its volunteers. We are seeking leaders for the following sections:

Electronics
Housewares
Shoes
Toys

Save the dates for the Sale:
Wednesday, October 14, 3:00-8:00 p.m. (SFS faculty and staff only)
Thursday, October 15, 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (SFS community only)
Friday, October 16, 9:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Open to the public)
Saturday, October 17, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Open to the public)
If you are interested in learning more about the Next-to-New Sale, please contact Jessie Jacobson, director of special events, at jacobsonj@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8442.

Thanks for your support!
Co-Chairs Melanie Jacobsen and Felice Roggen

UPPER SCHOOL WELCOME EVENTS
The Upper School Parents Association (US PA) is happy to welcome everyone to the 2015/16 school year! Welcome events are scheduled for next weekend, and we hope you will be able to join your grade for a chance to reconnect and meet folks who might be new to Sidwell Friends. This event is for parents only.
* 9th, 10th, and 11th grades will gather on Friday, September 11, 7:00--9:00 p.m.
* 9th grade will meet in the Drawing Room in Zartman House
* 10th grade will meet at the Arts Center courtyard (foyer in case of rain)
* 11th grade will meet in the Sledge Garden just outside the dining room (inside the dining room in case of rain)
* 12th grade will have a potluck on September 12 off campus.
By now, you should have received an e-mail from your grade reps. If you have not, please send them an e-mail with your correct e-mail address.
* 9th grade---Tazeen Hasan-Granier (tazeen@starpower.net)
* 10th grade---Marlin Dohlman (dohlman@gmail.com)
* 11th grade---Gus Bessalel (gbessalel@verizon.net)
* 12th grade---Carrie Irvin (carrie@irvin.com)

Norma Scogin and Shelley Schonberger
US Co-Clerks

"CELEBRATE DC" AUCTION PARTIES AND MORE
Upcoming “Celebrate DC” Auction Parties and More
American Food and Wine Pairing, Texas Hold `Em, and Progressive Dinners , oh my! Did you sign up to attend a party at last year’s “Celebrate DC” Auction? To view a full listing of these dates, please click here. The list is located on the right-hand column of the webpage. Please stay tuned for a message from the party host coming to your e-mail inbox soon. Questions? Please contact Jessie Jacobson, director of special events, at jacobsonj@sidwell.edu.


INTRO TO QUAKERISM + ALL-COMMUNITY MEETING FOR WORSHIP
All families are invited to a meeting to learn about Quakerism with Bryan Garman followed by Meeting for Worship on Saturday, September 12, from 2:00--3:00 p.m. Bryan will share background on the origins of the Society of Friends, their commitment to education, and how this is carried out at Sidwell Friends School. Bryan will provide an introduction to Meeting for Worship, and we will have time for a period of silent reflection. An alternative program for younger SFS students will be offered starting at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be offered at the rise of meeting for those not involved in the Middle School Family Gatherings, which start at 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m., depending on the grade. Grandparents and Special Friends are welcome to join us at this event.

PA ARTS COMMITTEE INVITATION
The PA Arts Committee invites you to its first meeting on Wednesday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. in room K-19 in the lower level of the Arts Center. Our committee is an all-school committee, and we welcome all parents whether you are an artist yourself, have a student artist, or just enjoy being an arts consumer. At this meeting, we will develop plans for our Homecoming arts table, brainstorm about activities for Artrageous: The Fabric of Art in January, and continue our discussion of other opportunities to celebrate the arts at Sidwell Friends.


Other

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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


Tue, Sep 8th

Opening Day for Students


Back to School Night - PE

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
6:30pm - 8:00pm


Wed, Sep 9th

All-School PA Meeting

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
7:00pm - 8:30pm


Thu, Sep 10th

PK & Kindergarten Full-Day programs begin


PA Executive Steering Committee Meeting

Zartman Drawing Room
8:30am - 9:30am


Fri, Sep 11th

GAMETIME! Varsity Football vs. George Mason

Zartman Garden
4:00pm - 4:30pm


10th Grade Parent Welcome Reception

AC Courtyard/AC Foyer (rain)
7:00pm - 9:00pm


11th Grade Parent Welcome Reception

Sledge Garden (US Dining Room case of rain)
7:00pm - 9:00pm


9th Grade Parent Welcome Reception

Zartman Drawing Room
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Sat, Sep 12th

All Community Meeting for Worship

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
2:00pm - 3:00pm


12th Grade Parent Potluck Reception

off campus TBD
6:00pm - 8:00pm


Wed, Sep 16th

US PA Steering Committee Meeting

Rusch Team Room
8:00am - 9:30am


PA Arts Committee Meeting

Arts Center Room K-19
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Sep 17th

LS Back to School Night - Grades 2, 3, 4

LS Gym
6:30pm - 8:30pm


12th Grade Parent Night/College Counseling

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


Fri, Sep 18th

9th Gr. Parent Coffee with US Administration

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
8:00am - 8:45am


GAMETIME! Girls Varsity Tennis vs. Madeira

Tennis Court patio
3:45pm - 4:15pm


Thu, Sep 24th

LS Back to School Night - Grades PK, K, 1

LS Gym, LS Multipurpose Room
6:30pm - 8:30pm


US Back to School Night

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
6:45pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Sep 25th

Virtual Town Hall

your computer, its virtual
12:00pm - 1:00pm


GAMETIME! Girls Varsity Soccer v. Maret

Zartman Garden
3:45pm - 4:15pm


US Arts Guild

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


Sat, Sep 26th

GAMETIME! Cross Country

Kenilworth Park, DC
9:00am - 9:15am


9th Grade Dance

US Dining Room
8:30pm - 10:30pm


More


Athletics


Tue, Sep 8th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity vs. Woodward Relays


3:30pm


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity vs. Woodward Relays


3:30pm


Golf - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Wed, Sep 9th

Soccer - Girls Varsity at Bullis


4:30pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Bullis


4:30pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Model Secondary School


4:30pm


Thu, Sep 10th

Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Heights


4:30pm


Fri, Sep 11th

Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. Holy Cross


3:45pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity at Flint Hill


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child


4:30pm


Football - Varsity vs. George Mason


4:30pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


4:30pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


4:30pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Maroon vs. St. Alban's


5:30pm


Sat, Sep 12th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity vs. Lake Forest Invitational


8:00am


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity vs. Lake Forest Invitational


8:00am


Volleyball - Varsity vs. ISL Play Day


9:00am - 2:00pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Madeira Play Day


9:30am


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Gray vs. St. James


12:00pm


Tue, Sep 15th

Golf - Varsity vs. Potomac School


3:30pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Maret School


4:00pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Maroon vs. Maret


4:00pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Madeira


4:30pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Madeira


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity at Potomac School


5:30pm


Wed, Sep 16th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Thu, Sep 17th

Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Volleyball - 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity vs. Riverdale Baptist


4:00pm


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


4:30pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Gray @ St. Andrew's


4:30pm


Fri, Sep 18th

Soccer - Girls Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity vs. National Cathedral School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Madeira


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Madeira


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


5:30pm


Sat, Sep 19th

Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Seton Keough School


10:00am


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Seton Keough School


11:00am


Volleyball - Junior Varsity at Pallotti HS


1:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity at Pallotti HS


2:00pm


Mon, Sep 21st

Field Hockey - 7/8 vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity vs. Maret School


4:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:15pm


Field Hockey - Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Bullis


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity vs. Bullis


4:30pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Maroon @ Bullis


4:30pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School


5:15pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


5:30pm


Thu, Sep 24th

Soccer - Boys 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Soccer - Boys 7/8 B at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Golf - Varsity vs. Riverdale Baptist


4:00pm


Volleyball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:15pm


Volleyball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. School Without Walls


4:30pm


Fri, Sep 25th

Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Soccer - Girls Junior Varsity at Maret School


4:15pm


Soccer - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Soccer - Boys Junior Varsity vs. JV Gray vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Field Hockey - Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


5:45pm


Sat, Sep 26th

Cross-Country - Boys Varsity vs. DCXC


8:00am


Cross-Country - Girls Varsity vs. DCXC


8:00am


Football - Varsity at Fredericksburg Christian School


2:00pm


More


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