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Tuesday - January 17, 2012


From the School

This Week's Query

How can I be peaceful when being provoked?
Notes from Sally
6th grade wellness HGD letter.docx


Assembly: Paula Young Shelton, daughter of Andrew Young, civil rights leader and former US Ambassador to the UN, Mayor of Atlanta, and Georgia congressman. She is the author of the book Child of the Civil Rights Movement about her experiences growing up in the midst of this historic time. Ms. Shelton will be selling copies of her book for $20.00. Students who are interested in purchasing a copy should bring money to school on Friday. If there is a parent who could lend a hand with the book sale for a few minutes after school, please let me know.

8th grade parents, I will hope to see you Wednesday morning at 7:45 in the dining room for Conversations with Sally. In addition to general topics, we will preview the upcoming transition process to Upper School.

Mark your calendars for the Upper School Curriculum Night on Tuesday, February 7th - that is an important overview of the academic program of the Upper School.

Minimester forms are due next Friday, January 27th. Please note that there are a couple of errors on the form itself about teachers and grade levels - refer to the text in the booklet to be sure of that information.

Students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship for their Minimester should be thinking about and nailing down options. Guidelines are fairly simple. The intent of the Apprenticeship option is to allow students to gain valuable new perspective on a field of interest. Any apprenticeship should provide a meaningful learning opportunity that goes significantly beyond those the student usually encounters. Although it's fun to apprentice with a like-minded friend, no more than three students may sign on with a mentor together. Transportation is up to the students and parents, and hours should roughly approximate the school day for all four days. Apprenticeships with nonprofit organizations that work for people, animals or the planet may fulfill the service requirement for Middle School. Lower School apprenticeships are popular and here are few guidelines. Approximately 20 students can apprentice in the LS. If a student is interested, they should check with Susanne Saunders first to see which teachers are on our list. Susanne will give instructions from there. Apprenticeships in schools are no longer considered service, but 7th and 8th graders who spent a Minimester in a school previously still qualify for having performed service. Students need to have 2 years between their grade and the grade in which they are helping.

Wait-there's more! This year we're asking parents to help us envision possibilities and expand options for all our apprentices. If you work in an organization or field that lends itself to having a curious Middle Schooler learn the ropes, please let us know. Or perhaps you know someone else who might be a perfect sponsor. In past years, scientists, chefs, veterinarians, costume designers, environmentalists, early childhood educators and museum curators have been mentors. Please think if you can contribute in this valuable way and if so, contact Susanne Saunders (saunderss@sidwell.edu) or Anne Kennedy (kennedya@sidwell.edu) via email.

Thanks for all you do to make our programs a success. The 5/6 students have begun a new PE rotation. One of the 5/6 rotations is a Health and Wellness program. As a follow up to the informational session about this Core Health and Wellness Course that occurred on October 28th information is attached about the sixth grade curriculum which the remaining half of the 6th grade students began last Thursday. We ask that sixth grade parents review the attached objectives of the Human Growth and Development lessons as a guide to assist you in continuing these conversations at home. More about the curriculum can be found on the 6th Grade Main Page under Core Health and Wellness.

A reminder that students who are absent should get assignments through the Class Pages on the student portal of the website. If students do not know how to use the portal, they should stop by and ask Mrs. Stokes-Beverly to go over the procedure. It's also a good idea to have a homework buddy that students can call if they miss school.

Congratulations to our grade-level winners of the Geography Bee! 5th grade: Alex Wang, 6th grade: Ananya Kapur, 7th grade: Jack Ellert-Beck, and 8th grade Giri Srinivasan. After a tough competition, Giri won the Middle School run-off, and he will go on to try to qualify for the state-level competition. Good luck, Giri!
Read MoreInstrumental Music Notes

7/8 Orchestra 7/8 and Handbell Choir Wednesday rehearsal period Room 101 (travel to Lower School Friday 8 am return 10:30 am)

5/6 Orchestra auditions Wednesday rehearsal period Room 101

Congratulations to all the new members of the 7/8 Orchestra
7/8 Chorus Rehearsals This Week


Wednesday, January 18th

Boys Ensemble 7:25

Girls Ensemble during rehearsal period 12:55-1:50
Vertical Voices Performance

Vertical Voices Playback Theatre honors the human experience by bringing personal stories to life on the stage in a performance on Friday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the 37th Street Middle School Drama Studio at Sidwell Friends School. Vertical Voices Playback Theatre is a troupe of committed student actors that replays stories on-the-spot in front of the audience. Playback is an exciting way to learn about the community. Reservations are recommended. Call: 202/537-8150. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted for a Playback Theatre service learning project at the Milton Hershey School in May.
Read MoreMarch Minimester Apprenticeships

Students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship for their minimester should be thinking about and nailing down options. There is a meeting scheduled for Friday, January 20th, and the students will be given forms for both the students and their sponsors to complete. Guidelines are fairly simple.
Read MoreLong Range Priorities Parent Meeting


We invite all SFS Parents to join us for a conversation about “The 2025 Challenge: The Long Range Priorities” and next steps on Monday, January 30 at 7:00 pm in the Robert L. Smith Quaker Meeting Room on the Wisconsin Ave campus. You may rsvp to Adrianne Isaacs at Isaacsa@sidwell.edu. We look forward to the opportunity for continued dialogue to see the vision for this extraordinary school unfold in the years ahead.
Guidelines for Wisconsin Avenue Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Moving hundreds of students, parents, faculty and staff through the garage during peak hours is a challenge. Over the past year, the School has been working with the Parents Association and an outside consultant to improve traffic flow, and ensure the safety of our Community. We have sent recommendations to the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) for action. For your safety and the safety of our students, please review and follow these required guidelines:

Be respectful and patient. It is not always possible to get in and out of the garage quickly, especially at peak times.

Please plan your activities accordingly, and remember that safety comes first.

There is absolutely no cell phone usage (hands-free or not) while driving on campus. Model responsible driving behavior for our students.

Pull forward to drop-off and pick-up students. Pull as far forward as you can to allow others to drop-off or pick-up behind you. Pull far to the right so that other cars can easily pass on the left. Direct students to enter and exit vehicles on the curb side only.

Do not wait in the pick-up/drop-off lane; park in a space. Help support the environment and the health of our community by turning off your car while waiting.

Do not double park or block key intersections. If you cannot find a parking place, continue through the garage in order to avoid blocking traffic or park on the lower level of garage.

Be considerate. If you see someone trying to pull out of a spot, please provide adequate space.

Use caution when exiting by Post Office. This drive is shared by the Post Office and student walkers, who are often distracted or walking with headphones. If confused about which traffic signal to view, use the Rodman Street garage exit instead.

If you need to wait for your student, find a spot in the garage, on a nearby street or along Zartman Circle. Have your student call when he/she is ready for pickup, or come to a pre-arranged location.

Feel free to use the Zartman Circle for drop-off and pick-up.

Lower School parents meeting the bus are encouraged to use lower level parking. The lower level provides easy access to the pickup point to the Lower School bus by the north stairwell. It is also easier and safer to navigate with small children.

Many thanks for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Questions or Comments, please contact Jeanne Gemmell at gemmellj@sidwell.edu.
2012-13 Academic Calendar Now Available

http://www.sidwell.edu/calendars/list.aspx?year=next&StartDate=8/20/2012

View the calendar or download to your personal electronic calendar via iCal feeds. To access the feeds page, log in to the Parent Portal and click on iCalendar feeds (upper right) or visit www.sidwell.edu/calendars/ical.aspx . You must be logged in to subscribe to or download calendars that are only available to the SFS community. Please note that we recommend subscribing to the iCalendar feeds so you will get the latest information on cancellations and room changes. (If you just download the calendar, the information is only as current as the day you download it.)


PA Announcements

Artrageous -- FInal Call for Performers!

ArtRageous will go off like fireworks on January 29th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.! If you have something you want to perform, please contact Maude Fish at maude.fish@comcast.net. She can schedule performers on a first come/first serve basis to include: singers, dancers, rock bands, orators, musicians, magicians, actors, and more. The FINAL DEADLINE to request a time on the ArtRageous schedule is Friday, January 20th. Go for it! Your stardom awaits you at ArtRageous, and go for it NOW!
Boxopolis and Totem Poles


Have boxes left over from the holidays? Just moved and don’t know what to do with your boxes? Here’s the answer: donate them to Boxopolis. This is a wonderful, fun, creative activity during Artrageous on Sunday, January 29th from 1:00 – 4:00. Kids of all ages (meaning adults too) can build anything they would like out of the boxes. The sky’s the limit! We will also collect toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, gift wrapping rolls, etc. for our new totem pole project. Feel free to drop them before Artrageous at the box drop spot or bring them with you. Starting Monday, January 23rd, there will be a drop off spot at the end of the Upper School drop off line, near the bike racks. You will be able to drop them off there any time. Before January 23rd, please contact Allison Tierney at atierney427@gmail.com and she will arrange for the drop off.
All-School PA Presentation


Topic: ‘Of the Best Sort but Plain’: An Exploration of Quaker Aesthetics in American Art and Architecture

The SFS Parents Association invites you to join Sidwell Friends parent and art historian Amy Henderson for a discussion of Quaker aesthetics in the new Upper School Meeting House on Monday, January 23rd from 7:00-9:00 pm. Through a visual survey of Quaker material culture—from such everyday objects as clothing, furniture, and silver to paintings, quilts and architecture—Henderson will explore the many ways in which Friends throughout American history have used objects to communicate, as well as navigate, Quaker values. She will discuss what constitutes a shared Quaker aesthetic and how such an aesthetic has changed over time and place.
Would you like to connect with other Sidwell parents on LinkedIn?

The Parents Association would like to invite you to connect with other SFS parents and staff on LinkedIn, the online social media network for professionals. We have created a LinkedIn Group exclusively for current parents, faculty and staff. Membership is optional and limited to members of our school community. We have created this group to help members of our community get to know each other better, participate in discussions, and share resources. In the next week or two, you will be receiving an email with instructions as to how to join the group. In the meantime, if you are already a member of LinkedIn, you can join the group now by searching for "Sidwell Friends Parents" under the Group search function, clicking on the group name and then submitting a request to join from the Group profile page. Questions? Contact Alex Inman (inmana@sidwell.edu) or Gus Bessalel (gbessalel@verizon.net). Or better yet, connect with us on LinkedIn!
Parent Association Looking to Fill Positions for Next Year

If you enjoy community building and would like to make a contribution to the school or your child's grade, please volunteer as a Grade Representative, At-Large Rep, or Committee Clerk (Arts, Athletics, Community Health, Community Service, Diversity, Quaker Life). We are looking to fill positions in Upper, Middle and Lower School. If you are interested in serving as a Grade Rep, At-Large Rep or have an interest in a particular committee, would like to suggest someone else, or simply need more information, please contact Teresa Plotkin, All School Nominating Clerk at teresa.plotkin@verizon.net.
Next to New Sale -- Thinking Ahead


The Next to New Sale chairs are always looking for great ways to "Reuse, Renew, and Recycle" and even though our annual sale just took place in October, we're already looking forward to next year. You can help by bringing your extra shopping bags to the Middle School where we will be collecting them all beginning Tuesday, January 24th through Tuesday February 28th (collection box located in the lobby near the reception desk). We need department store bags, paper grocery bags, reusable cloth bags, Ikea bags, etc - we'll take any undamaged, non-plastic, shopping bags with handles. In addition to using them for the 2012 Next to New Sale, we'll be sharing some with Martha's Table so that families in need can take home donated clothing in nice bags rather than plastic bags. For more Information contact Anne Honn, Next to New Sale co-chair, at anhonn@gmail.com
Save your boxes - Boxopolous is back at Artrageous! Back by popular demand...

Have boxes left over from the holidays? Just moved and don't know what to do with your boxes? Here's the answer: donate them to Boxopolous. This is a wonderful, fun, creative activity during Artrageous!

Kids of all ages (meaning adults too) can build anything they would like out of the boxes. The sky's the limit!

We will also collect toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls for our new totem pole project. Feel free to drop them before Artrageous or bring them with you.

We will eventually have a drop off at the Upper School campus, but please contact Allison Tierney at atierney427@gmail.com if you have boxes, and she will arrange for the drop off.


Other News

Quaker Quotes

“When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.” Bayard Rustin

“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.
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Note Concerning the School Calendar:
The calendar entries that appear in the right column of each Newsletter are automatically generated by the official school


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.
MS newsletter submissions should be sent to PA.MSnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Tue, Jan 17th

Lower School No School - Report Writing Day


Wed, Jan 18th

8th Grade Conversations with Sally

US Dining Room
7:45am - 9:09am


Mon, Jan 23rd

All - School PA Meeting with Amy Henderson

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


Wed, Jan 25th

PA Community Service Committee Meeting

Athletic Center Meeting Room
8:00am - 9:30am


Looking Ahead to College: Keeping Things in Perspective

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Jan 26th

PA Arts Committee Meeting

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


Fri, Jan 27th

6th grade hangout

US Dining Room
3:30pm - 5:00pm


Vertical Voices Performance

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm


Sat, Jan 28th

Variety Show

AC Theater
8:00pm


Sun, Jan 29th

Artrageous

AC Theater
1:00pm - 4:00pm


Tue, Jan 31st

China Minimester meeting for Parents

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Feb 1st

MS ISMAW at St. Patrick's


All-School PA Executive Committee Meeting

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


Thu, Feb 2nd

6th Grade Parent Social

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


Mon, Feb 6th

MS PA Steering Committee Meeting

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


More


Athletics


Mon, Jan 16th

Basketball - Boys Varsity at T.C. Williams H.S. - MLK Showcase


Tue, Jan 17th

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


5:45pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill


6:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation, Heights, & Edmund Burke


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation, Heights, & Edmund Burke


7:30pm


Wed, Jan 18th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Landon


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. Landon


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B at Landon


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Washington Latin


2:45pm


Thu, Jan 19th

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at Wilson H.S.


4:30pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Fri, Jan 20th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Georgetown Day


5:30pm


Sat, Jan 21st

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. St. Albans & NCS


9:00am


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. St. Albans & NCS


9:00am


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. St. James School


1:00pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. St. James School


1:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Potomac School


1:45pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. Quad (Georgetown Prep, STA, Woodberry, SFS)


2:00pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Anselm's School


3:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Potomac School


5:15pm


Sun, Jan 22nd

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Diving Meet


4:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Diving Meet


4:00pm


Mon, Jan 23rd

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:30pm


Swimming - Boys 7/8 vs. Boys 7/8 Swimming


2:30pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 vs. Girls 7/8 Swimming


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Washington Latin


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day


5:30pm


Tue, Jan 24th

Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity at Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Bullis


5:45pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


6:00pm


Wed, Jan 25th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Maret School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Maret School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C at National Cathedral School


2:45pm


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


4:30pm


Thu, Jan 26th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B at St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


4:15pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Diving


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School


5:45pm


Fri, Jan 27th

Wrestling - Varsity - MAC Wrestling Tournament


10:30am


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Championships


3:15pm


Sat, Jan 28th

Swimming - Boys 7/8 vs. MS Championships


8:30am


Swimming - Girls 7/8 vs. MS Championships


8:30am


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child


1:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Holy Child


2:30pm


Mon, Jan 30th

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Mater Dei


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Mater Dei


2:30pm


Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Tue, Jan 31st

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Maret School


4:00pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at HD Woodson


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Maret School


5:45pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Holton-Arms


5:45pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Bullis


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis


7:30pm


Wed, Feb 1st

Basketball - Boys 7/8 C at Landon


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Thu, Feb 2nd

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Prelims


Wrestling - 7/8 at St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B at St. Albans


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. St. Albans


2:30pm


Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at Washington Episcopal


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. St. Anselm's


4:30pm


Fri, Feb 3rd

Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Diving


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Maret School


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity - Tri (SFS, Benedictine, JP Great)


4:30pm


Sat, Feb 4th

Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Chamionships


8:00am


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Championships


8:00am


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Episcopal High School


2:00pm


More


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