EMAIL DETAILS

Sunday - March 27, 2016


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU


Announcements


2016/17 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
NEW PA COMMITTEE: PARENTS OF ASIAN STUDENTS (PAS)


Events


GAMETIME! SOFTBALL
TENNIS ROUND ROBIN: MAY 7
OUT & ABOUT WITH FACULTY AND FRIENDS
CELEBRATION FOR SALLY
A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS AND COLLECTION WITH ABBY WAMBACH: RSVP BY MARCH 31
A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS: AUCTION SNEAK PREVIEW
GAMETIME! SPRING SEASON BEGINS WITH SOFTBALL
"THE HUNTING GROUND" SCREENING


Other


COUNSELOR'S CORNER
QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS


News Around the School


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU
Dear Friends,
Just before spring break, upper school students had the opportunity to hear from Mei Fong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who delivered the annual Zeidman Lecture on March 16. Mei Fong spoke at a collection about her newly published book, One Child: The Story of China's Most Radical Experiment. Ms. Fong highlighted the many serious demographic consequences that have resulted from China's recently abandoned policy of family engineering, including the absence of young wage earners needed to support an enormous, aging population, and the presence of 30 million more men than women in the Chinese population. Ms. Fong’s presentation was both fascinating and illuminating.
Recently, five Sidwell Friends students competed in the DC Regional Science Bowl hosted by the Department of Energy. Students responded to questions from six categories, including energy, earth and space, chemistry, physics, biology, and math. The Sidwell Friends team went 4-1 in the round robin portion and earned the two seed in the tournament. After winning the semifinal match against NCS, Sidwell Friends defeated BASIS DC in the finals to win the tournament. It was a true team effort, with each of the five students competing in multiple matches. Congratulations to our Science Bowl team!
I also wanted to remind you to attend our special program, featuring Maura Lynch, Associate Attorney, Rismiller Law Group, LLC on Tuesday, April 5th. Ms. Lynch has spoken at many area schools as a parent of three sons and as a lawyer with expertise knowledge about the legal issues surrounding teen use of alcohol and marijuana. Ms. Lynch has particular expertise in Montgomery County policies but also has knowledge of the laws in DC, Virginia, and the other counties in Maryland. She will offer advice about hosting safe parties and will discuss the legal ramifications of alcohol for hosts and guests. Ms. Lynch will speak with students at collection on Wednesday, April 6, and with parents on April 5 at 7 pm in the Robert L. Smith Meeting House.
I would also like to encourage parents of 9th through 11th graders to attend the morning program on April 13th (8am-9am) with College Admissions Representatives for an informal Q & A. This program will take place in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. Juniors and their parents are encouraged to attend the Independent School College Fair at Georgetown Prep the same evening from 6 pm to 9 pm. Please direct questions to Director of College Counseling, Lauren Carter.
Finally, as many of you know, right before the break, a student reported she had been sexually assaulted by a classmate. The police are investigating and the school will be conducting its own inquiry. The situation has been the subject of some media attention and, once students are back on campus, reporters may seek out members of our community for comment. Press reports, gossip, and speculation can be extremely hurtful to the students and families of those involved in this incident so, out of respect for their privacy, I ask that you refrain from discussing this matter not just with reporters but even among yourselves. Respect, compassion, and the search for truth are hallmarks of the Quaker philosophy. I know you will keep these values in mind as we move forward.
Warmly,
Mamadou
Mamadou Guèye
Upper School Principal
Upcoming Events:
March 29, The Hunting Ground, Film and Panel for Seniors and Parents, 6pm-9pm, RLS Meeting Room
March 30, Senior Fieldtrip to see Othello (details forthcoming)
April 5, Maura Lynch Presentation on Legal Implications of Substance Abuse, 7 pm, RLS Meeting Room
April 11, No Classes, Professional Day for Faculty and Staff
April 13, 8 am – 9 am, 9th-11th Grade Parent Q&A w/ College Admissions Reps, RLS Meeting Room
April 13, 6 pm - 9 pm, WAIS College Fair, Georgetown Prep
April 16, BSU Go-Go
April 19, Founder’s Day (students report to school for normal school hours)
April 25-29, Senior Exam Week
April 29, 7:30pm, Spring Choral Concert
April 29, Last Day of Senior Classes
May 2 – May 27, Senior Project Period
May 2-13, AP Exam Period
May 4, 10th Grade Practice ACT Exam (No Prep Needed)


Announcements


2016/17 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Please click here to view the 2016/17 academic calendar. It includes vacations, parent-teacher conference days, and back-to-school nights. Events including morning coffees with administrators, and parent association activities will begin to be added to the website calendar in the spring and summer.

NEW PA COMMITTEE: PARENTS OF ASIAN STUDENTS (PAS)
The All School Parents Association is pleased to announce the formation of a new Parents of Asian Students (PAS) Committee. Its mission is to create an environment that strengthens awareness of Asian cultures, languages, heritages, and Asian American history and experiences by supporting cultural, social, and educational events within the Sidwell Friends community. All interested parents are welcome to participate, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background and are encouraged to attend an introductory planning meeting on Tuesday, April 5, at 8:15 a.m. in Zartman Drawing Room on the Wisconsin Avenue campus. We will begin planning activities for next year and lining up committee volunteers. For more information or to get involved, please contact Ginger Dietrich (gingerdietrich@yahoo.com) or Bill Bishop (bbishop@gmail.com).


Events


GAMETIME! SOFTBALL
Kick off April by coming out to cheer for the girls' varsity softball team on April 1---no fooling! Make your way to the softball field for some popcorn and cookies! The girls will be fresh off their training trip to Florida and ready to show their stuff.


First pitch is at 4:15 p.m. for this game against St. Stephen & St. Agnes.


Other GAMETIME! dates and times:

Wednesday, April 6: Track & Field, 4:00 p.m.

Friday, April 8: Baseball vs. Potomac, 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19: Girls' Lax vs. St. Andrews, 4:15 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26: Boys' Tennis vs. Potomac, 4:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 30: Girls' Crew at Georgetown Waterfront (morning)

Tuesday, May 3: Boys' Lax vs. St. Andrews, 4:30

TENNIS ROUND ROBIN: MAY 7
The Sidwell Friends Tennis Round Robin is coming! This year’s event will celebrate the continued growth of our tennis program and gather SFS tennis enthusiasts of all ages and skill sets for a day of matches and fun.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center (home of the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation and the CitiOpen). The event begins with warm-up drills and includes three doubles matches played in a round-robin style. Optional challenges against top varsity players take place following the matches. Students and adults are invited to participate!

Adult tickets cost $50 and student tickets cost $30. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All proceeds benefit student financial aid. Please register today!

If you’re interested in helping recruit players and sponsors, please reach out to co-chairs Eleni Rossides ’85 at erossides@wtef.org or Raina Fishbane at raina.fishbane@verizon.net. Hope to see you there!


OUT & ABOUT WITH FACULTY AND FRIENDS
Please join us for the final Out & About with Faculty and Friends discussion of the year. Tickets are $40.00 per person or $75.00 per couple. All net proceeds benefit student financial aid. Space is limited.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Ecosystems in Our Backyard: Exploring Natural History Field Studies at the Audubon Naturalist Society
with Ann Fieldhouse, Margaret Pennock, and Paula Wang
Hosted at Woodend Nature Sanctuary
Register now!

CELEBRATION FOR SALLY
Monday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m.
(Robert L. Smith Meeting Room)
Mark your calendars now! Please join us to celebrate Sally’s tenure at Sidwell Friends at the final all-School PA meeting on Monday, May 16. Sally worked tirelessly to make our Middle School a place that supports the healthy social, emotional, and academic development of children. Now is our chance to show our appreciation for those hours, months, and years of dedication. The meeting will be about 45 minutes in length and will be followed by a dessert reception.
Say your final farewells to our beloved principal at one of the Goodbye Coffees with Sally on Friday, June 3, and Monday, June 6, from 7:45-8:30 a.m. on the Zartman House Terrace.

A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS AND COLLECTION WITH ABBY WAMBACH: RSVP BY MARCH 31
A Night for Scholars is next weekend! This year’s spring fundraiser will continue a 45-year tradition of philanthropy in support of student financial aid at Sidwell Friends. Join us on Saturday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Athletic Center for an unforgettable evening featuring special guest Abby Wambach---athlete, activist, and inspiration. To learn more about this year’s new format, please click here.
This year's auction packages will be announced later this week.
Abby will also address the students on Saturday in a special Collection from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. This separate event is complimentary to students from all three divisions (including Lower School parents) and college alumni.
Purchase your ticket today for A Night for Scholars and/or the Student Collection with Abby Wambach (same link for both). There are a limited number of tickets available. Please RSVP for both events no later than March 31. For questions, please contact Jessie Jacobson, Director of Special Events, at 202-537-8442 or jacobsonj@sidwell.edu.
Thank you for your support of our efforts to raise money for student financial aid at Sidwell Friends.

A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS: AUCTION SNEAK PREVIEW
Back by popular demand, enjoy a sneak preview of some of the amazing items and sign-up parties being offered during A Night for Scholars.
Remote bidding opportunities will be available if you cannot attend. Please stay tuned for more information coming this week!
Questions? Please contact Jessie Jacobson, Director of Special Events, at jacobsonj@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8442.

GAMETIME! SPRING SEASON BEGINS WITH SOFTBALL
GAMETIME! Spring Season
Kick off April by coming out to cheer for the girls' varsity softball team on April 1---no fooling! Make your way to the softball field for some popcorn and cookies! The girls are fresh off their training trip to Florida and ready to show their stuff. First pitch is at 4:15 p.m. for this game against St. Stephen & St. Agnes. Other GAMETIME! dates and game times are as follows:
Wednesday, April 6: Track & Field, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 8: Baseball vs. Potomac, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19: Girls' Lax vs. St. Andrews, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26: Boys' Tennis vs. Potomac, 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, April 30: Girls' Crew at Georgetown Waterfront (morning)
Tuesday, May 3: Boys' Lax vs. St. Andrews, 4:30

"THE HUNTING GROUND" SCREENING
We would like to invite all seniors and their parents to a screening of The Hunting Ground on Tuesday, March 29, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The Hunting Ground is a compelling documentary addressing the important issue of consent and sexual assault on college campuses. It has been screened in several schools in the area and in hundreds of schools and universities across the country. The film has inspired new laws in California and New York as well as changes to campus policies.
Following the one-hour documentary, we will have a panel discussion including:
Amy Ziering, Producer, The Hunting Ground; Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Dana Folger, Co-Founder, Know Your Title IX and columnist for Feministing.com
Eva Martin ’13, Resident Advisor, George Washington University, Class of 2017
If you have any questions, please contact US Guidance Counselor Gaby Grebski at grebskig@sidwell.edu or (202) 537-8177.


Other


COUNSELOR'S CORNER
PCW_Spring_Speaker_Event_Flyer_3.4.16.pdfThe Parents Council of Washington (PCW) spring speaker is Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time and Founding Director of the Better Life Lab at the New American Foundation. This talk, the morning of Tuesday, April 12, is hosted by The Langley School, 1141 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA. A light breakfast is available at 8:30 a.m.; the presentation runs from 9:00-10:30 a.m. SFS is a member of the PCW so there is no charge to attend this talk.

QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled."
This preamble to the Declaration of Sentiments was unanimously adopted on July 20, 1848, and was authored by Elizabeth Cady Stanton with help from Lucretia Mott and other Quaker women leaders. Another generation of Quaker women that included Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul helped to ensure ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Consitution in 1920, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Quaker quotes and questions are intended to deepen the understanding of Quakerism in the Sidwell Friends School community. Suggestions and questions may be directed to Cynthia Richie Terrell at ctcabin@gmail.com?.


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


Fri, Mar 18th

Spring Break - School Closed


3/28/2016


Tue, Mar 29th

School reopens


Screening "The Hunting Ground" for Seniors ans Senior parents

RLS Meeting Room
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Mar 31st

US Senior Celebration Committee

US Room 102
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Apr 1st

9th Grade Parent Coffee

off campus
8:00am - 9:00am


GAMETIME! Softball

Softball Field
4:15pm


Sun, Apr 3rd

Rehearsal - US Collection

RLS Meeting Room
9:30pm - 11:30pm


Tue, Apr 5th

PA - Parents of Asian Students Meeting

Zartman Drawing Room & patio
8:15am - 9:30am


Wed, Apr 6th

GAMETIME! Track & Field

Softball Field
4:00pm - 6:00pm


Small Vocal Ensembles Night

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
8:00pm - 10:00pm


Thu, Apr 7th

PA Executive Steering Committee Meeting

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


Comedy Club

Caplin Theater
12:00pm - 1:00pm


Fri, Apr 8th

GAMETIME! Baseball

Baseball Field
4:00pm - 6:15pm


US Arts Guild

Fox Den
5:00pm - 7:00pm


Sat, Apr 9th

Auction

Athletic Center
6:00pm - 11:00pm


Sun, Apr 10th

Professional Day - NO SCHOOL


Apollo Orchestra Performance

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
3:00pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Apr 11th

School Closed - Professional Day


Tue, Apr 12th

PA Arts Committee

Upper School Room 102
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Apr 13th

9th - 11th Gr. Parent Q & A with College Admissions Reps

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
8:00am - 9:00am


(Tentative) Rehearsal US Collection

RLS Meeting Room
11:00am - 12:00pm


Fri, Apr 15th

MS Musical Performance

Caplin Theater
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Sat, Apr 16th

MS Musical Performance

Caplin Theater
1:00pm - 2:30pm


US Go-Go

Athletic Center
8:00pm - 11:00pm


More


Athletics


Tue, Mar 29th

Ultimate Frisbee - PE Class (Co-Ed) vs. School Without Walls


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Pallotti HS


6:00pm


Wed, Mar 30th

Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Maret School


4:00pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Sandy Spring


4:15pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Thu, Mar 31st

Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Maret School


4:15pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Riverdale Baptist


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity - Springside - Chestnut Hill


4:30pm


Fri, Apr 1st

Softball - Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


Sat, Apr 2nd

Crew - Girls vs. Scrimmage vs. Georgetown Visitation


Track & Field - Boys Varsity at Potomac School


9:00am


Track & Field - Girls Varsity at Potomac School


9:00am


Baseball - Varsity vs. Pallotti HS


12:00pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Pallotti HS


12:00pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Calverton


12:00pm


Mon, Apr 4th

Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 - SFS Home Meet


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 - SFS Home Meet


2:45pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Landon


4:30pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. Landon


4:30pm


Tue, Apr 5th

Baseball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Softball - Varsity at St. James School


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at Mercersburg Academy


5:00pm


Wed, Apr 6th

Track & Field - Boys Varsity - SFS Home Meet


4:00pm


Track & Field - Girls Varsity - SFS Home Meet


4:00pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Bethesda Chevy Chase HS


5:00pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Bethesda Chevy Chase HS


5:00pm


Thu, Apr 7th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at Bullis


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A vs. Potomac


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 vs. B @ Potomac


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Prep


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Softball - Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Fri, Apr 8th

Ultimate Frisbee - PE Class (Co-Ed) vs. Mideast Peace


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Prep


4:00pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Sat, Apr 9th

Crew - Girls - Baltimore Regatta


Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Woodward Relays


8:30am


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Woodward Relays


8:30am


Baseball - Varsity at St. Albans


12:00pm


Mon, Apr 11th

Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Heights


4:30pm


Tue, Apr 12th

Softball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity at Maret School


4:15pm


Wed, Apr 13th

Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Middleburg Academy


5:00pm


Thu, Apr 14th

Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:15pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Softball - Varsity - Falls Church High School


5:30pm


Ultimate Frisbee - PE Class (Co-Ed) vs. Hebrew Academy


5:30pm


Fri, Apr 15th

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


4:15pm


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


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity at Madeira


4:15pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Viking Invitational


6:30pm


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Viking Invitational


6:30pm


Sat, Apr 16th

Crew - Girls vs. Smokey Jacobs Regatta


Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Viking Invitational


9:30am


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Viking Invitational


9:30am


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day


10:45am


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Annandale High School


11:00am


Baseball - Varsity at St. James School


1:00pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. St. James School


1:00pm


Baseball - Varsity at St. James School


3:00pm


More


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