EMAIL DETAILS

Thursday - February 10, 2011


From the School

QUERY
When unsure how to handle a
disagreement or misunderstanding,
what does your heart tell you to do?

4YERB TEST RESULTS & WORKSHOP
ERB test results for students in grades 2, 3 and 4 have been mailed home to parents. Rich Lodish will present a workshop for parents on interpreting (or misinterpreting) the ERB test results. This year the workshop will be on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 PM in the Lower School Meeting House. Rich will provide test examples and describe the detailed reports given to teachers, as well as chart how our students have done.PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE DAYS--AMENDED
At the beginning of the school year the March parent/teacher conference days were listed incorrectly. The correct schedule is as follows (note change to March 3):

Tuesday, March 1 – Conference Half Day. Dismissal at 12:15 PM
Thursday, March 3 – Conference Half Day. Dismissal at 12:15 PM
Friday, March 4 – No School – Conferences All Day

There will be community service projects on March 1 (for Kindergarten and 1st grades) and on March 3 (for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades) from 12:15 – 3:00 PM. Permission slips should be coming home soon.FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT AT THE AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Once again, Sidwell Friends as been invited to join other Quaker schools in the region for a special evening at the Air & Space Museum. Family Science Night will take place on Tuesday, March 8 from 6:45-9:00 PM. Buses will depart from the Wisconsin Avenue campus at 6:15 PM and return by 9:20 PM. We have space for 125 people from Sidwell. The program is geared for students in 3rd grade and up and younger children should not attend. Selected museum galleries will be open before the program. The evening includes the IMAX film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D and a presentation by scientist Jeff Goldstein on the size of the universe and understanding Earth’s place in it. Those of you who attended last year know that Dr. Goldstein is a dynamic presenter and makes complex space science accessible to all. If you are interested in attending Family Science Night, send an email to reserve your spot to Sam Francis, LS Science Teacher. (franciss@sidwell.edu). Indicate how many people in your family will be attending and the name and grade level of any Sidwell students. We will be charging a $5 per person fee to cover the cost of the buses with a $15 per family maximum. The Air & Space Museum will not allow individual entry to the museum on that night. Hope to see you there!


PA Announcements

PARENTS FROM GRADES 2-4: BREAKFAST WITH RICH
On Thursday, February 10, from 8:15-9:00 AM, parents from grades 2-4 are invited to the Meeting House for a casual light breakfast with Rich Lodish. This is your chance to ask Rich questions or share insights, thoughts, or feedback at the midpoint of the school year.DIVERSITY DISCUSSION WITH TOM FARQUHAR
The Parents Association invites you to participate in an important All School Diversity meeting with Tom Farquhar. This is part of the strategic planning process in order to formulate the right balance of instruction for our children. We would like to hear every voice speak. Please join us on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 PM in the Lower School Quaker Meetinghouse. Read MoreREFLECTIONS FROM THE PA DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Keep talking to your kids about race.

Research shows that although more than half of parents don't deliberately talk to their kids about race at all, the parents who do talk about race in their family tend to have kids who are better able to identify racism when they see it, and who are more likely to hold positive views about ethnic minorities.

To raise children who aren't prejudiced, the vital first step is simply to talk to children about race.

We welcome your comments and feedback, as well as your experiences. Email arringtonlp@hotmail.com.QUAKER MEETING FOR WORSHIP
You are always welcome to join your child in the classroom for Meeting for Worship at 1:30 PM every Tuesday. Please arrive a few minutes early to get situated. On Tuesday, February 15, the following classes will be meeting in the Meeting House instead of the classroom: 1, 1X, 4X.QUAKER LIFE COMMITTEE
For those parents who are interested in opportunities to learn more about Quaker practice, here is information on the Adult Religious Education programs in February at Bethesda Friends Meeting:

February 13th/27th: Experiment With Light Sessions

Experiment With Light is a meditative and centering practice based upon Rex Ambler’s book Light to Live By, which describes early Quaker meditative habits and translates them into a highly accessible process of clearness and understanding. It is quite easy to benefit greatly from the experience even if you have never done it before. There will be two sessions in February. The first will be at 9:30 AM on Sunday, February 13, in the Science Room of the SAM Building. The second will be on Sunday, February 27, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, at 6703 Pawtucket Road in Bethesda, near where River Road and Wilson Lane cross (the home of Jane Meleney Coe). For details: 301-320-5083 or bethesdafm@igc.org

February 20th: ARE: What Do We Mean By Centering?

On Sunday, February 20, at 9:30 AM, in the Music Room (basement) of the SAM Build-ing, Peirce Hammond will lead a discussion of what we mean by “centering.” Centering is a Quaker term that refers to a behavior that is fundamental to Friends’ worship. It refers, further, to finding focus. Where do you go, in yourself, to discern what to do, when to do it, how much and how little? If you turn outside to the group (elders, clearness committees, the meeting), where is their internal counterpart? Let’s con-sider, discuss, pray about, and discern what we may about centering on February 20.


February 27th: ARE: The Testimony of Simplicity

On Sunday, February 27 at 9:30 AM, in the Music Room (basement) of the SAM Building, Liz Hofmeister will lead a discussion on one of the foundational testimonies of Friends -- Simplicity. In Meeting for Worship on January 2, Friends considered the query on simplicity that reads in part, “How do the ways in which I choose to use my time, my possessions, my money, and my energy reflect my most deeply held values?” The forum will give participants an opportunity to further reflect on the query and also to learn what John Woolman, as well as more contemporary Friends such as Thomas Kelly and Richard J. Foster, have said about the centrality of simplicity in Quaker faith and practice.COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
Community Service Corner

WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES IN MARCH
Weekend slots fill quickly.
A Wider Circle
Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, March 13th 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), PreK and Second Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP to Sara Jane Harris, sjrharris@comcast.net. Read MoreLOWER SCHOOL FAMILY SWIM PARTY
Pool party one page flyer.doc@font-face {
font-family: "Arial";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
Calling all Lower School students, siblings, and parents! The annual swim party is where your kids can play, exercise, eat pizza, and return home clean and ready for bed! The Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool has play areas for all ages and swimming abilities. The facility boasts heated pools with water slides, a lily pad, fountains, and an area with a beach grade entry for toddlers.

The Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool is at 6122 Sargent Road, Chillum, MD. Facility opens at 5:15 PM for changing, everyone can start swimming at 5:30 PM. Pizza, snacks, and beverages provided. Volunteers needed for setup/refreshments/cleanup. For safety reasons, parents or a designated adult (i.e. carpool driver) are requested to stay on the premises throughout the event. Contact Anjali Prakash (anjali.prakash@comcast.net) or Simon Steel (ssteel@harkinscunningham.com) to volunteer or if you have questions.
For directions . . .

Read More


Other News

EVENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
CALLING ALL TENNIS PLAYERS!

Do you play tennis? Do you like to socialize with other parents? Then this is the event for you! Join the 6th Annual Events for Student Scholarships Tennis Round Robin. Have fun hitting the tennis ball, all while raising money for financial aid. New this year -- we are inviting students to join in on the fun! While you participate in the round robin tournament, your children can practice their swings with local tennis pros. The tournament is Saturday, March 12 from 6-10 PM at the Tennis Center at College Park. This has been a sell-out tournament the past two years. Please click here to register!CONFERENCE DAY SPARC PROGRAMS
The March Conference Days are almost upon us! Sign up now for one of our awesome SPARC options. Programs will be offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Friday all day. Visit the SPARC/Aftercare webpage http://bit.ly/byzE2N for the application and more details. Questions? Call Katelyn Burcaw at 202-537-8401 or email burcawk@sidwell.eduPENNIES FOR PATIENTS
During the month of February, Ms. Brownlee’s advisory is leading its third annual “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society program that helps collect important funds for blood cancer patients. Simply by collecting and donating pennies, the research on and patient services for blood cancers increases, and more patients are able to have effective treatment. Last year, students in the DC metropolitan area raised $450,000 to fight blood cancer and provide services for patients and their families. There are collection boxes in the main offices of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, as well as in Zartman House and the Fox Den. Donations can also be made online at http://nca.sy.llsevent.org/Sidwell. Any and all support is appreciated. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Brownlee at brownleel@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8180.IT'S ALMOST HERE: THE 2011 GBBC FEBRUARY 18-21
@font-face {
font-family: "Verdana";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
Please check out the website: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc
There is something for everyone: GBBC for Kids, Science Stories and more. Just click on “How to Participate” and you’re off and running. No matter where you are on President’s weekend, you can find a regional list and join in. I hope we get a lot of participants this year and lots of bird stories to tell. Any questions, contact Anna Urciolo at urcioloa@sidwell.edu.
Good birding!IS YOUR CHILD HAVING A BLAST PLAYING BASKETBALL THIS WINTER?
Keep the spirit alive by signing up for a week of Sidwell Summer Basketball Camp! 5 weeks of camp offered June 13-July 15. Encourage your whole team to come for a week together! Sign up before Saturday, February 12th and we’ll give you $25 off a session. If you refer a new camper to Sidwell Summer and get 5% off your session! (To get the discount, pay only the deposit when you sign up online and then send a quick email to Karen at mcclellandk@sidwell.edu and she will apply the discounts). Sign up online at www.sidwell.edu/summer. E-mail (summer@sidwell.edu) or call us (202-537-8133) with any questions.MOVIE NIGHT OUT WITH SIDWELL SUMMER
Drop off your ‘camper’ for his/her own night out Saturday, February 12 5-9 PM (then you go out for dinner/movie!). Participants (ages 4-12) will enjoy crafts, sports, pizza and a movie. Reserve your spot now by returning the sign up form.
Questions? Call 202-537-8133 or email summer@sidwell.edu.LS THURSDAY LETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Our automated listserv subscription service is currently down. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter, please send an email to isaacsa@sidwell.edu and indicate whether you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe.
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, Feb 10th

2nd - 4th Grade Breakfast with Rich

LS Meeting Room
8:15am - 9:00am


LS Diversity Committee

LS Meeting Room
5:00pm - 6:00pm


US Dance Ensemble Concert

AC Theater
7:30pm


Fri, Feb 11th

Grade 1 Play

LS Multi-Purpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


US Dance Ensemble Concert

AC Theater
7:30pm


Sat, Feb 12th

NEMNET Diversity Career Fair

US Dining Room
9:00am - 4:00pm


AC in DC a cappella concert

AC Theater
5:00pm - 10:00pm


Wed, Feb 16th

Diversity Discussion with Tom Farquhar

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


Thu, Feb 17th

All School Parents Coffee with Tom Farquhar

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


PA Arts Committee Meeting

US Library Board Room
7:45pm - 9:30pm


Fri, Feb 18th

BSU- Black History Month Show

AC Theater
7:00pm - 10:00pm


LS Assembly: BSU Performance

LS Multi-Purpose Room
9:00pm - 10:00am


Mon, Feb 21st

Presidents Day - No School


Wed, Feb 23rd

Grade 1x to the Phillips Collection


9:00am - 2:30pm


Thu, Feb 24th

Grade 4x to Freer Sackler Gallery


9:00am - 12:00pm


Sat, Feb 26th

LS Pool Party

Off-Campus
5:30pm - 7:30pm


Sun, Feb 27th

Parents of Latino Students Potluck Dinner

US Dining Room
5:00pm - 10:00pm


Mon, Feb 28th

Grade 4 to Freer Sackler Gallery


9:00am - 11:30am


Tue, Mar 1st

LS Conference Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15pm


Optional Service Day for K & Grade 1

LS
12:15pm - 2:00pm


Wed, Mar 2nd

PA Executive Committee Meeting

US Crane Room
8:00am - 9:00am


More


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