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Tuesday, September 15, 2015


Dear Students and Parents,This past summer has been an eventful one for Sidwell Friends, and we are excited to share some important news. For several months, the School has been exploring an historic opportunity to unify the three divisions on one campus—a move that will not only serve the needs of students and teachers today, but will also offer flexibility for future generations.The Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees has signed an agreement to purchase the property of The Washington Home on Upton Street, bordering the Wisconsin Avenue campus. This historic opportunity will allow the School to realize Thomas Sidwell’s vision for a unified campus community. For the first time since 1963, when the Lower School moved to Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda, children of all ages, PK-12, will share one campus. The resulting continuity and strengthened sense of community will improve the Sidwell Friends experience for generations to come. The acquisition of The Washington Home site will also allow the School to create new shared community spaces for our Middle and Upper School students, and attend to a long-overdue renovation of the Upper School building. The opportunity to purchase the property and renovate the building will need to be funded through philanthropy.If all moves forward at the pace we expect, our new Lower School will open in fall 2019. What does this plan mean for you and your family? Students who have just entered Grades 1-4 will finish their Lower School years on the Bethesda campus. Students who are entering Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten this year will enjoy use of the new Lower School facilities starting in their respective 3rd and 4th grade years. By fall 2019, Upper School students and faculty will enjoy renovated spaces that provide greater flexibility and support for academic programming. All divisions will benefit from the creation of shared community and dining spaces—and from being part of one community on one campus.We know that you will have many questions regarding the purchase and our plans for renovation. We encourage you to visit www.sidwell.edu/onecampus for more details. We have also scheduled the following opportunities for parents to learn more and ask questions: Thursday, September 17, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. in the Lower School Meeting House (Note: This precedes Back-to-School Night for grades 2, 3, and 4.) Monday, September 21, 7:45 – 8:30 a.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room Tuesday, September 22, 8:15 – 9:00 a.m. in the Lower School Meeting House Thursday, September 24, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. in the Lower School Meeting House (Note: This precedes Back-to-School Night for grades PK, K, and 1.) Monday, September 28, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting RoomIn addition, you are invited to join a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on September 28 at noon where we will discuss plans and answer questions.We are thrilled to share this news with you and look forward to the exciting conversations to come.Best wishes for a successful school year.In friendship, Bryan Garman Head of School Margaret Plank Clerk, Board of Trustees


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