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Wednesday - December 7, 2011


From the School

Message from Lee

Last week sixteen faculty and administrators from Sidwell Friends School continued the valued tradition of attending and participating in the NAIS annual People of Color Conference. Seven Upper School students attended the concurrent Student Diversity Leadership Conference. The conference was held in Philadelphia this year and ran Thursday through Saturday. It included addresses from Wes Moore, Lorene Carey, and Martin Nesbitt, a viewing of "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin," as well as numerous workshops on the topic of supporting all of the diversity in our independent school community. More information can be found on the NAIS website at http://pocc.nais.org/
In anticipation of exams after winter break, advisors and teachers have been and will be discussing strategies for exam preparation in advisory, classes, and class meeting next Monday. Students and parents frequently ask whether any studying should occur over break. In an Upper School of 482 students, there are 482 answers to this question. In general, the school discourages studying over winter vacation. By winter vacation, students have worked hard and have earned a well-deserved break from studying. We want them to spend time with family and friends, eat, sleep, exercise, etc.. That said, the break is long and if your particular child gets anxious about test-taking, it is perhaps a good idea to spend a little bit of time towards the end of the break (just an hour or two for a few days) organizing himself/herself. Do they have all of the tests, quizzes, and papers that they will need for studying for a particular exam? If not, they should write down what they are missing and follow up the first day back (review day). Do they have all of the notes that they need? If there is a unit of material that was particularly challenging during the semester, they could spend some time looking over that material and/or could plan to ask a teacher for extra problems relevant to that unit on review day. No new material is introduced after winter break, there is a review day and reading day before the exam period begins, and a weekend and second reading day that occur during the exam period. Additionally, students are dismissed each day after the exam (at 10:30am).
Collection today will be Dr. James Maas speaking to students and faculty about sleep. On Thursday, December 8th, from 9:30 am to 10:15 am in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room, Upper School parents are invited to attend the Upper School Meeting for Worship. There will be another opportunity during second semester and we will announce that date in the spring.
Please join us for the Upper School Choral Concert this Sunday, December 11, at 2:30 pm in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. The concert features the Upper School Chorus, Chamber Chorus, and A Capella groups. A reception will follow the performance. As we near the holidays, please keep in mind that gifts for Upper School faculty are not expected. A note of appreciation, however, is always welcome no matter what time of year! I want to offer my gratitude to all of you for a wonderful fall. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this special community.
Peace, Lee
From Michael Woods, Dean of Students

Parents, Our Winter Dance takes place this Saturday beginning at 8:30 pm and concluding at 11:00 pm in the Upper School Dining Room. A reinvigorated French Club has won the right from the Student Government to sponsor the dance and to coordinate its themes. They have chosen to use “Rave” music primarily because they love that style and also because they wish to help steer away from music that inspires grinding dancing. Three cheers to them for this welcome assist to improve dances. Here are a few reminders of rules for all of our dances:
a. Students must arrive between 8:30 and 9:15pm. Arrivals between 9:15 and 9:30 will be given 4 points.
b. No one can enter after 9:30
c. No one may leave and reenter. The dance is from 8:30 – 11:00pm
d. Of course no drinking, drugs, or violence will be tolerated and yes, the Breathalyzer will be present and used if warranted.
e. The expectation is that all dancing will be appropriate for the event.

And finally, please arrange clearly with your child the manner that he/she will be brought to and picked up from the dance. Feel free to contact me if you have particular questions. Thank you.

Best -Mr. Woods
Upper School Community Service Newsletter Online

The December edition of the Upper School Community Service Newsletter is now available on the SFS website. Use this link to access the Community service webpage. You will find the newsletter halfway down in the middle of the page. This newsletter highlights upcoming and recent community service events taking place at the Upper School.
Please read this month’s publication if you would like to learn more, and/or get involved in the community service program at the Upper School.

Attention Parents of Juniors
Eager_Summer_Grant_Flyer.pdf
The Mark Watson Eager ’74 Summer Challenge grant will be offered again for juniors. The grant covers a portion (up to $4,000) of a three to four week outdoor summer excursion undertaken by a Sidwell junior. Student who wish to apply for the grant should submit their applications to Lee Palmer by Monday, January 23. More information is attached.

Read MoreWinter Choral Concert

The Sidwell Friends School Winter Choral Concert, featuring the Upper School Chorus, Chamber Chorus, and A Cappella Groups will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at
2:30 pm in the Meeting House, with a reception to follow.
Events for Student Scholarships Advertising

Advertise your business and help raise money for financial aid!
Help defer the design and printing costs of our Events for Student Scholarships publications like the Variety Show program and Live Auction catalog by placing an ad for your business today!
It’s very simple. We can design the ad for you, or you can send your ad copy to events@sidwell.edu by December 31st, 2011 to appear in both the Variety Show program and Live Auction catalog. Your ad will be seen by over 8,000 alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the school. Additionally, your name will be listed in the Annual Report.

Add Descriptions & Rates:
¼ page, black and white ad = $325
½ page, black and white ad = $500
full page, black and white ad = $1,000

For additional information, please contact events@sidwell.edu or call (202) 537-8110.


PA Announcements

Holiday Gift Giving for Rosemount Center and Martha's Table

Holiday Gift Giving benefitting the Rosemount Center and Martha's Table ENDS SOON - SPECIAL CURBSIDE PICK-UP AT MORNING DROP-OFF ON FRIDAY DEC. 9 starting 7:15 am

It has been a slow start to our annual Holiday Gift Giving ... our collection boxes are empty and waiting to be filled!! Please consider donating a gift to benefit a child, age infant through 18 years, and help make this time honored SFS tradition a success. Donated gifts will be delivered to our long-term partners, Martha's Table and the Rosemount Center for these organizations to distribute to their respective communities in time for the holidays. Community Action Club members are offering a special curbside pick-up of gifts at morning drop-off on Friday starting at 7:15 am to make it easier for you to donate to this event.

GIFT SUGGESTIONS:
Gifts must be new or never used before. No gently used items will be accepted.
Gifts may include books, board games, Leggos, African American and Latina dolls, crafts kits.
Gift cards help with shopping for teens. Suggested stores for gift cards are Target and Old Navy (shops in walking/ metro distance of recipients).
Diapers and baby wipes
PLEASE NO action figures that carry weapons.
HOW IT WORKS:
Place the gift/s in a large bag. Please do not wrap but include the wrapping paper. Gift cards may be dropped off with David Connell, Room 222.
Drop-off sites : collection boxes outside the Principal's Office and the Dean of Student's Office; David Connell's office; and under the Holiday Tree in the Lower Level of the Library.
Collection ends Friday, December 9.

Please contact June Das Gupta, junedasgupta@msn.com if you have any questions about this event.
Read MoreParents Council of Washington (PCW) - December Webinar TONIGHT

Don’t miss it! "Students in the Digital Age - How Technology Influences the Developing Brain" will be held from 9:00-10:00 pm for parents of children ages Pre-K - grade 12. The subject is internet safety and technology. Given that today's youth are bombarded with vibrant graphics and nonstop social connections, this webinar will address how technology use affects the development of social skills. And, as always, once the webinar airs, it will be available online for you to watch whenever it is convenient. Read more for instructions for how to register for the webinar (or to access the webinar archives).

Questions? Contact Allison Tierney, Sidwell Friends Representative: atierney427@gmail.com


Read MoreDesign a Poster for ArtRageous

All students grab your brushes, pencils, charcoals, cameras, scissors, papers (all visual arts media welcome) and design a poster for advertising ArtRageous. The theme this year is "Arts in Bloom". Use the camera in your phone and please send us a small jpeg file with your creation. The PA Arts Committee will choose up to 10 different creations and the artist will receive a printed poster. Deadline is Wednesday Dec 14. Please contact Cristina matheusjoao2@yahoo.com and Elena elena.dvorkina@gmail.com
ArtRageous Needs You

First Call for Large-Group Performers for ArtRageous 2012 on January 29th,1:00-4:00 pm.
As the leaves fall, let's send the arts up at SFS. Do you sing in an a cappella group? participate in a SFS dance class? play guitar in a rock band or drums in a jazz band? Are you a member of Vertical Voices or other dramatic enterprise, or a chamber group? Get your group together, choose the piece, and take advantage of the great performance opportunities at ArtRageous. Sign up NOW by sending an email to Maude Fish at maude.fish@comcast.net. Let her know the name of your group, the number(s) you wish to perform, composer/choreographer information, and she will get you on the schedule. Get your acts together, and let your adoring public see you in action!


Other News

Sidwell Friends Invitational Wrestling Tournament

The award winning Sidwell Friends Wrestling Team will host the annual Sidwell Friends Invitational Wrestling Tournament to be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011, in our state of the art upper school athletic center. The tournament will feature the best wrestling teams in our region, including Georgetown Prep, Georgetown Day, St Albans and Mercersberg Academy, to name a few. The SFS Wrestling team, led by Coach Lou Heberer, has had an unrivaled record of success for many years and the team needs the support of the entire Sidwell Friends community to raise funds to pay for team travel and expenses. The gate opens at 8:30am and team parents will sell your favorite breakfast snacks, lunch and drinks throughout the day at a well stocked concession stand close to the action. The Tournament hours are 9 am to around 6 pm.
Let’s fill the stands with SFS families cheering for our dedicated wrestlers. SFS students and children, ages 10 and younger, attend for free. For updates about the Tourament and schedule questions, please contact, Joe Baldinger, jbaldinger5@gmail.com
Quaker Quotes

On Meeting for Worship
Breathe in the quiet purpose of this place;
Through outward stillness, seek a calm within.
Here we can find forgiveness and forgive;
Here feel the healing miracle begin.
Breathe out the busy world, the teeming mind,
The follies, fears and failures of the week;
Breathe out contention, pettiness and pride,
And wait in trust for that of God to speak.
Breathe in communion, friend with quiet friend,
Each drawing closer in this timeless hour;
As all our different needs and gifts are drawn
To the one source of comfort, love and power.
Breathe out at last, to God, the heart's full thanks
That we have seen this vision, known this grace;
Renewed through love, let us that love extend
Through all our daily life beyond this place.

(“Draw Breath,” by Geoffrey Weeden)

“Quaker Quotes” is a weekly submission by Melissa Belman (melissa@ecologicflooring.com), Holly Moore (htmoore@gmail.com) and Cindy Terrell (ctcabin@gmail.com) . We welcome ideas.
US Wednesday Newsletter Information

How to Submit an Article to the Wednesday Letter. Send submissions to PA.USNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2 pm Tuesday. 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. Please be aware that submissions may not run for more than 3 weeks.

Modifying an existing Submission: if it becomes necessary to modify a submission, please send a redline or otherwise clearly indicate the change to be made.

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.
Subscribe/Unsubscribe

How to Subscribe: to receive the Wednesday Letter via email, send an email to Wednesday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.

How to Unsubscribe: if you wish to have your name removed from the subscription list, send an email to Wednesday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.


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.
US newsletter submissions should be sent to PA.USnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Tue, Dec 6th

Sleep for Success Speaker - Dr. James Maas

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


Wed, Dec 7th

All-School PA Executive Committee Meeting

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


DC Area School Year Abroad (SYA) Reception

Zartman Drawing Room
6:30pm - 8:00pm


Thu, Dec 8th

PA US Quaker Life Committee

Zartman Lower Level Conf Room
8:30am - 9:30am


Playwrights Festival Dress Rehearsal

AC Theater
4:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Dec 9th

Playwright Festival

AC Theater
6:00pm


Sat, Dec 10th

ACT Test


US Winter Dance

US Dining Room


Sun, Dec 11th

US Chorus Winter Concert

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
2:30pm


Mon, Dec 12th

US PA Steering Committee

US Room 102
4:30pm - 6:00pm


Wed, Dec 14th

US Instrumental Music Concert

AC Theater
7:30pm


Thu, Dec 15th

PA Arts Committee Meeting

US Library Board Room
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Dec 16th

Arts Guild

AC Theater
7:30pm


Sat, Dec 17th

Winter Vacation Begins


More


Athletics


Wed, Dec 7th

Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Thu, Dec 8th

Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms


5:45pm


Fri, Dec 9th

Basketball - Boys Freshman at Calverton


5:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity - Gonzaga Classic


6:45pm
12/11/2011


Sat, Dec 10th

Wrestling - Varsity at Mercersburg Academy


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Archbishop Carroll


12:00pm


Mon, Dec 12th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Wrestling - Varsity at Maret School


4:30pm


Tue, Dec 13th

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


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Wilson H.S.


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


5:45pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Edmund Burke


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Edmund Burke


7:30pm


Wed, Dec 14th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. Albans


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. Albans


6:00pm


Thu, Dec 15th

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at St. Andrew's School


5:45pm


Fri, Dec 16th

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Prep


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Prep


5:45pm


Sat, Dec 17th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - Holiday Tournament Puerto Rico


12/20/2011


Wrestling - Varsity - Sidwell Invitational


9:00am


Tue, Dec 27th

Wrestling - Varsity - Damascus Tournament


12/28/2011


More


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