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Thursday - February 17, 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 ASSOCIATION REIMBURSEMENTS NEW RULE
Effective March 1, 2011, all Parent Association reimbursements must be submitted within 30 days of the expenditure. Please note the summarized procedures below and see the “How to Get Things Done” section of the Parents Association portal on the SFS Website for more detailed instructions:
**Download and fill out a PA Reimbursement Form (from Parent Portal, click Parents Association, and then click Forms).

**Attach ORIGINAL receipts or invoices; no copies, no faxes. Loose receipts should be TAPED (not stapled) on the back of the form, or to a blank sheet of paper so they can be easily copied. Please note that tax will NOT be reimbursed.

**Obtain signature of Division Clerk or All-School PA Presidents.

**Submit all paperwork to the PA Treasurer, Jay Dunn, who will process your request.
Thank you to the myriad of parents who take on these PA volunteer jobs and your willingness to expend your own funds to run these programs. Unfortunately, very delayed reimbursements make it impossible to budget effectively and we hope that this new procedure will allow us to allocate our PA funds more efficiently.

Lynn Sachs and Polly Bomstein
PA Co-PresidentsQUAKER LIFE COMMITTEE: MEETING FOR WORSHIP
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 22, the following classes will be meeting in the Meeting House instead of the classroom: 2, PK, 3X.REFLECTIONS FROM THE PA DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Don't wait for the invitation. Invite someone over you would not ordinarily invite into your home.

We welcome your comments and feedback, as well as your experiences. Email arringtonlp@hotmail.com.COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
COMMUNITY SERVICE DAYS ARE COMING
The Community Service Committee is still looking for parent to chaperone for the community service days, March 1 (K and 1st grade) and March 3 (2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades). If you are interested in volunteering, please contact you grade rep.
FOOD, TOILETRIES, AND BABY ITEMS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
More than 10% of Americans (over 36 million people) rely on food assistance programs, including more than 12 million children. Here in D.C., one out of every six residents is at risk of going hungry every day. The average age of a homeless person in D.C. is only 9. Please help!

Reach into your pantry to help a neighbor in need. We are collecting food, toiletries, and this year baby items to benefit Martha's Table, Bethesda Cares and A Wider Circle. All unopened food is welcome, even individual packets of oatmeal. Please drop off items in Manor House through Wednesday, March 2.

* canned foods (e.g., soup, beans, tuna, fruits and veggies)
* pantry items (e.g., oatmeal, hot cocoa, pasta, peanut butter, pasta, rice)
* toiletries (hotel-travel size or full size; did you know that food stamps don't cover essentials like soap and shampoo?)
* baby items (including gently used clothes up to size 3)
*paper grocery and shopping bags for food distribution

The Kindergarten, First and Second Grades are dedicating their upcoming Service Days to helping Bethesda Cares, Martha's Table, and A Wider Circle. Students will sort and package all items collected. There are so many people in need in our community. Every donation will make a difference. Thank you!
-- LS Community Service Committee
Community Service Posters
Service is happening every week at Sidwell Friends Lower School. To see the lower school children at work, check out the community service posters in the Manor House. All of our service partners: Bethesda Cares, A Wider Circle, Martha’s Table, Green Team, and Brightwood Reading Program are on exhibit.
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES IN MARCH
Weekend slots fill quickly.
Read MoreLOWER SCHOOL FAMILY SWIM PARTY SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26
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}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

BSU SHOW TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH
This Friday, February 18, at 7:00 PM in the Arts Center Theater, the US Black Student Union will present its community performance of this year’s Black History Month show entitled “Scratching the Surface: What’s Underneath.” The show is written and performed by Lower, Middle, and Upper School students and reflects their current experiences and their hopes for the future. Read MoreVERTICAL VOICES PERFORMS AT THE ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Sidwell Friends School Vertical Voices Playback Theatre performs Let Your Life Speak: A Celebration of Stories, in an interactive performance at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H St, NE, Washington, DC, Sunday, February 27 at 4:00 PM. Vertical Voices will perform in tandem with City at Peace, a youth development organization that uses the performing arts to teach and promote cross-cultural understanding and non-violent conflict resolution. More information is available at www.intersectionsdc.org. For more information, contact Tim Reagan at 202 537-2454. Read MoreEVENTS 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!IT'S ALMOST HERE: THE 2011 GBBC FEBRUARY 18-21
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}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!PENNIES 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://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1277.719722.25157.7905. Any and all support is appreciated. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Brownlee at brownleel@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8180.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.eduLS THURSDAY LETTER INFORMATION
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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 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

LS Nominating Clerks Meeting

LS Quaker Meetinghouse
8:15am - 9:30am


Grade 1x to the Phillips Collection


9:00am - 2:30pm


Thu, Feb 24th

Grade 4x to Freer Sackler Gallery


9:00am - 12:00pm


Fri, Feb 25th

K class to Colvin Run Mill


9:00am - 2:00pm


Sat, Feb 26th

LS Pool Party

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


Mon, Feb 28th

Grade 4 to Freer Sackler Gallery


9:00am - 11:30am


Tue, Mar 1st

LS Conference Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15pm


LS Community Service Committee

LS Quaker Meetinghouse
11:30am - 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


K class to Great Harvest Bread Co.


9:30am - 11:50am


Thu, Mar 3rd

LS Conference Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15pm


Optional Service Day for Grades 2,3,4

LS
12:15pm - 3:00pm


LS Diversity Committee

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


ERB Workshop for LS Parents

LS Meeting Room
7:30pm


Fri, Mar 4th

LS Conference Day - No School


US & MS In-Service Day No School


Sat, Mar 5th

Breakfast for Fathers of 4th Grade Boys

LS Manor House Library
9:00am - 10:30am


Grades 1 & 3 Martha's Table Family Community Service

Off Campus
10:00am - 12:30pm


More


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