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Sunday - May 15, 2016


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU


Announcements


ADMISSIONS UPDATE


Events


TRANSGENDER/GENDER EVENT SPONSORED BY GDS & SFS
A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS: AVAILABLE PARTY TICKETS!
END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION WITH PBS, PLAS, PAS
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: MAY 20-22
VOLUNTEER AT THE 2016 NEXT-TO-NEW SALE
CELEBRATION OF SALLY SELBY: TOMORROW!
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, MAY 20-22


Other


QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS


News Around the School


US NEWS


MS NEWS


LS NEWS


Principal's Letter


MESSAGE FROM MAMADOU
Dear Friends,
Students enjoyed a special presentation at Wednesday’s Collection. Teaching for Change and their go-go education program, Teach the Beat, gave students the chance to learn about the history of go-go, a unique, musical genre that originated in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day, students and faculty were offered the chance to attend two optional classes featuring a gallery walk and conversations with go-go legends Sweet Cherie, JB, JuJu, and Sugarbear. At Collection, the go-go musicians reflected on their experiences, performed selected classics, and invited students to perform. Teach the Beat offered a perfect way for students to prepare for the Black Student Union go-go, which will be held on campus on Saturday, May 14.
Recently, our robotics team participated in the regional MATE ROV Challenge at Villanova, Pennsylvania. The SFS team won the CAD Design Award, came in 1st place for Technical Documentation, and took 3rd place overall. Please join me in congratulating our fabulous robotics team!
We are down to two full weeks of classes before we enter the semester exam period, which runs from June 2 through June 8. Exams will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m. Students who qualify for extended time will begin their exams at 9:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. The exam schedule is listed below. Please direct questions regarding semester exams to Assistant Principal/Academic Dean Min Kim at kimm@sidwell.edu.
I hope many of you will join us for the Spring Visual Art Exhibition and Reception on May 20 at 5:30 p.m. The Spring Play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will also run from May 20 through May 22. Bring the whole family to see this wonderful play!
On behalf of the faculty and administrators, I would like to thank the thoughtful members of the Parents Association for treating us to a lavish breakfast spread this morning. What a fantastic way to begin the day and end the week! We truly appreciate not only this kindness, but the many wonderful things you do for the School all year long.
Warmly,
Mamadou
Mamadou Guèye
Upper School Principal
Upcoming Events:
May 20, Spring Visual Art Exhibition and Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
May 20-22, Spring Play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
May 26, Athletic Awards, 6:00 p.m.
May 27, Prom
May 30, Memorial Day, no school
May 31, Review Day, regular class schedule
June 1, Reading Day, no classes meet
June 2, Math Exam
June 3, History Exam
June 6, Science Exam
June 7, Language Exam
June 8, English Exam
June 9, Last Day of School
June 7-8, 10:45-3:00 p.m., MBS Book buyback
June 10, Commencement, 10:30 a.m.


Announcements


ADMISSIONS UPDATE
As the school year winds down, please be sure to notify Admissions (admissions@sidwell.edu) if there is a change to your child's enrollment for the 2016/17 school year. Thanks for keeping us informed!


Events


TRANSGENDER/GENDER EVENT SPONSORED BY GDS & SFS
Schuyler_Bailar_Event_FINAL.pdfGDS and SFS are thrilled to invite parents/guardians and faculty/staff in their school communities to come and engage with Schuyler Bailar, GDS '14, and his mother, Terry Hong, on the evening of Wednesday, May 18.
As indicated on the attached event flyer, Schuyler, who was just featured on 60 Minutes and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, is a top student and an award-winning swimmer who was aggressively recruited by Harvard’s swim team. Schuyler is also the first openly transgender man to compete on any NCAA Division 1 men’s team.
Come hear his inspiring journey of determination and tough choices.
Please share this forward with your communities. RSVP is required via www.gds.org/may18 and is limited to the first 150 people.

A NIGHT FOR SCHOLARS: AVAILABLE PARTY TICKETS!
If you are interested in signing up for the upcoming ticketed Parties and More events, view a complete listing of available tickets. Available parties include:
Beer Sampling and Dinner
Date: Firday, January 27, 2017
Value: $150.00 per person
Donors: Ivy and Horace White Howells ‘86
Back by Demand: Wine Tasting
Date: February 2017---date to be announced six weeks in advance
Value: $175.00 per person
Hosts: Kristin Mannion & H.P Goldfield and Nick & Liz Baldick
Decision 2016: Journalists and Insiders Dinner
Date: Monday, September 19, 2016
Value: $500.00 per person
Donors: Claire Shipman and Jay Carney; Patti Solis Doyle and Jim Doyle; Dana Milbank; Nancy Jacobson and Mark Penn; Monica Langley and Roger Wallace; and Elsa Walsh and Bob Woodward.
Texas Hold `Em
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017
Value: $350.00 per person
Donors: Marla Malcolm Beck & Barry Beck and Mei Xu & Alessandro Rebucci
To purchase tickets to the available Parties and More, please contact Jessie Jacobson, Director of Special Events, at jacobsonj@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8442. Thank you for your support of our efforts to raise money for student financial aid.

END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION WITH PBS, PLAS, PAS
Parents and students from all three divisions are cordially invited to join the Parents of Black Students (PBS), Parents of Latino Students (PLAS), and Parents of Asian Students (PAS) for an end-of-year reception. We will be gathering in the Upper School Dining Room on Tuesday, May 31, from 6:00--8:00 p.m.
Please join us as we recognize the graduating seniors, hear from the seniors and their parents on how one successfully navigates the journey through Sidwell Friends School, and listen to others discuss the School’s Equity, Justice, and Community program.
Come and enjoy the opportunity to meet and greet other parents in the community before summer is upon us.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Fuentes at lisafuentes@gmail.com or Nicole Lang at washpeds@verizon.net.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: MAY 20-22
The Upper School production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream unfolds next weekend. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Check the Arts Page for ticket information. Don't forget to wander through the Upper School Art Show in the Rubenstein Gallery while you're on campus.

VOLUNTEER AT THE 2016 NEXT-TO-NEW SALE
Sidwell Friends’ popular sale of quality used items will return next October, and we need your help to make this event more successful than ever! We need your help organizing and pricing donations, cashiering, assisting on Charity Day, etc. Whether you have one hour of time to give or more, we strongly encourage you to volunteer for the Next-to-New Sale. This is a great way to meet other members of the Sidwell Friends community and support student financial aid. If you’re interested in volunteering one hour or more, please contact Jessie Jacobson, Director of Special Events, at jacobsonj@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8442.

CELEBRATION OF SALLY SELBY: TOMORROW!
Monday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
Please join us to celebrate Sally’s tenure at Sidwell Friends at the final All-School PA meeting on Monday, May 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Come be part of a special evening featuring serenades by the Middle School chorus and orchestra, a tribute from SFS parent, alum, and former English student of Sally's, Ali Mohamadi '94 -- and a few surprises, too! Sally has worked tirelessly to make our Middle School a place that supports the healthy social, emotional, and academic development of our children. Now is our chance to show our appreciation for those hours, months, and years of dedication.
The program will be about one hour in length, preceded by a light supper from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. and followed by a dessert reception.
Free child care is available for school-age children. You may sign up when you register here.
Don’t forget! Mark your calendars now to say your final farewells at one of the Goodbye Coffees with Sally on Friday, June 3, and Monday, June 6, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. on the Zartman House Terrace.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, MAY 20-22
The last Upper School production of the 2015/16 theater season is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:00 p.m.; the Sunday matinee is at 2:30 p.m. Check the Arts Page for ticket information. Student tickets are free, parking is free, and the talent is tremendous! Make your plans and get your tickets now.


Other


QUAKER QUOTES AND QUESTIONS
I have heard that Quakers do not make decisions by voting. Is this true? If so, why not?
Yes, it is true. This is one expression of the foundational Quaker belief that every individual, no matter who they happen to be, brings to the table some glimpse of the Truth. The idea is that, as in the Asian parable of the blind men and the elephant, different people may perceive different facets of Truth, or may understand it differently, but these are all important clues to the actual Truth—or in the parable, to the nature of the real-life, living-and-breathing elephant.
Friends do not expect any single human person (oneself included!) to be able to fully capture and convey the entire Truth—but the hope is that by combining all our insights together, we might get closer than any of us could on our own. Our work, then, is to try to make the best sense we can out of all the different fragments of true understanding that everyone brings. (And yes, everyone’s conscious and unconscious biases color what they convey; or, in Quaker parlance, “the water tastes of the pipe.”)
Because of this, Friends tend to turn away from problem-solving approaches that involve taking sides, as that leads to inflating the Truth in one’s own position and ignoring the Truth in the opposing position. Voting is, of course, very much about taking sides: Its task is to define contrasting positions that those voting can choose between, which in effect leaves the minority voice disregarded. Rather, Friends believe we should take on the far more difficult tasks of recognizing Truth wherever it can be found, and building a unified solution that incorporates it.
Thus, Quaker governance is not by majority rule, nor even, technically, by consensus, but by achieving unity—defined as searching for and discovering an outcome that all present can feel comfortable with. It is indeed a challenging process, and those new to it can be dumbfounded by the slow pace of normal Quaker business practice, but it also makes for surprising, and sometimes brilliantly novel, outcomes.
Quaker quotes alternate with questions about Quakerism in this newsletter feature. For questions about Quaker quotes, e-mail Cynthia Terrell at ctcabin@gmail.com. To ask a question about Quaker history or practice, e-mail our Sidwell Friends Quaker Life Committees’ authors at quakerquestions@sidwell.edu.


US NewsCelebrating the Bright Continent
Going beyond the stereotypes of Congo and Rwanda with poet/activist Omékongo Dibinga
Read More


MS NewsLiving poverty, one day at a time
“My view of the world changed dramatically during this overnight school trip.”
Read More


LS NewsA visit to Echo Hill Outdoor School
4th graders see the Chesapeake Bay through the eyes of two alumni
Read More


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


Mon, May 16th

All-School PA Transition Meeting

US Dining Room
6:00pm - 7:20pm


Celebration for Sally Selby

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


Wed, May 18th

US PA Steering Committee Meeting

Rusch Team Room
8:00am - 9:30am


Transgender/Gender Discussion

Georgetown Day School - High School
6:30pm


Transgender/Gender Discussion at GDS

Georgetown Day School - High School
6:30pm


Thu, May 19th

Japanese Class

US Room 130
6:00pm - 8:00pm


Fri, May 20th

US Spring Art Show & Reception

Rubenstein Gallery
5:30pm - 7:30pm


US SPRING PLAY - "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Caplin Theater
8:00pm - 10:00pm

Visit this Link


Sat, May 21st

Computer Science Club Hack- A- Thon

US Room 120, 122, 126
8:00am - 10:00pm


US SPRING PLAY - "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Caplin Theater
8:00pm - 10:00pm

Visit this Link


Sun, May 22nd

US SPRING PLAY - "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Caplin Theater
2:30pm - 4:30pm

Visit this Link


10th Grade Family Gathering

Arts Center Courtyard
4:00pm - 6:00pm


PA-sponsored 11th Grade Family Gathering

Off Campus - Cactus Cantina
5:00pm - 7:00pm


Mon, May 23rd

Senior Celebration Rehearsal

Caplin Theater
7:00pm - 10:00pm


Wed, May 25th

12th grade Student Community Service Project

Dining Room
4:00pm - 6:00pm


MS 7/8 Chorus and Orchestra Spring Concert

Caplin Theater
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Thu, May 26th

MS Meeting for Worship

Robert L. Smith Meeting Room
8:00am - 8:45am


US Football Parents & Players Meeting

Courtyard/Patio Zartman House
5:30pm - 6:15pm


Japanese Class

US Room 130
6:00pm - 8:00pm


SFS Upper School Athletic Awards Night

Arts Center Lobby and Caplin Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, May 27th

9th Grade Parent Coffee

off campus
8:00am - 9:00am


Prom

SFS and Four Seasons Hotel
8:00pm - 2:00am
5/28/2016


Mon, May 30th

Memorial Day


Tue, May 31st

PBS/PLAS/PAS Family Dinner

Dining Room, Sledge Garden
6:00pm - 8:00pm


Wed, Jun 1st

US Exams - Reading Day


Senior Projects

Rosenberg Theater & Theatre Arts Studio
11:00am - 5:00pm


Head's Advisory Board

US Library Board Room
3:30pm - 5:30pm


Senior Celebration Rehearsal

Caplin Theater
7:00pm - 10:00pm


Thu, Jun 2nd

US Exams - Math

US Dining Room & US Classrooms


Senior Projects

Rosenberg Theater & Theatre Arts Studio
11:00am - 5:00pm


Japanese Class

US Room 130
6:00pm - 8:00pm


MS 5th Grade Chorus & 5/6 Orchestra Concert

Caplin Theater
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Jun 3rd

US Exams - History

US Dining Room & US Classrooms


Goodbye Coffee with Sally

Zartman Drawing Room & patio
7:45am - 8:30am


Senior Project Recital

RLS Meeting Room
3:00pm - 8:30pm


Sat, Jun 4th

SAT Testing

Upper School
8:00am - 2:00pm


Senior Celebration

Kogod Arts Center, Courtyard, RLS
2:00pm - 10:00pm


More


Athletics


Sun, May 15th

Softball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


12:00pm


Mon, May 16th

Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. DCSAA Tournament 5/16 - 5/20


5/20/2016


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A @ Landon


2:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B at Potomac School


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. MAC Tournament


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament @ Potomac


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament Finals


5:30pm


Tue, May 17th

Softball - Varsity - DC State Tournament 5/17 - 5/21


5/21/2016


Baseball - Varsity - DC State Tournament 5/17 - 5/21


5/21/2016


Wed, May 18th

Baseball - 7/8 B vs. Sheridan School


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B vs. Landon


2:30pm


Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. MAC Tournament Finals


4:30pm


Thu, May 19th

Baseball - Varsity - MAC Tournament Rain Date


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Landon


2:45pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament Finals


4:30pm


Fri, May 20th

Lacrosse - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament Rain Date


Crew - Girls vs. Stotesbury Regatta


Sat, May 21st

Crew - Girls vs. Stotesbury Regatta


Mon, May 23rd

Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A @ Potomac


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B vs. Potomac


2:45pm


Wed, May 25th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at Flint Hill


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A at Flint Hill


3:00pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A @ Flint Hill


3:00pm


Thu, May 26th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Softball - 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Softball - 7/8 B at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B vs. GDS


2:30pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 - Middle School Track Championships


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 - Middle School Track Championships


2:45pm


More


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