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Tuesday - December 7, 2010


From the School

This Week's Query
How much do we need to be truly happy? Notes from Sally
The assembly this week is the 7/8 Choral and Instrumental Concert. The show will be performed Wednesday evening at 7:30 and again on Friday afternoon at 1:45 in the arts center theater. All are welcome!
There are two other special programs this Friday. 5th and 6th graders will see a performance by the Young Playwright’s Theater on Friday morning at 9 AM, and 8th graders will visit the Upper School for an introductory program at 8:30 Friday morning.
Our Robotics team will be participating in a preliminary round of competition this Saturday - good luck!! Also our 7/8 Girls’ Ensemble will be joining the Thomas Circle Singers for a holiday program on Sunday afternoon. I know they will do a beautiful job!
Finally, fifth graders will show off their fall science projects at the Invention Convention on Wednesday from 5-7 PM in Room 222.
We are pleased to announce that Stephen Balkam will be hosting sessions titled “From Cyberbullies & Sexting to Digital Citizenship,” for middle school parents, students and teachers. These events will occur throughout December and January. The first session is for 6th grade students on December 13th during the school day. Mr. Balkam is currently the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), an international, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC. FOSI’s mission is to make the online world safer for kids and their families. Parents, mark your calendars for the evening program on January 26th as part of the winter all-MS PA meeting.
We have a new Lost and Found bin on the third floor for 7/8 students. It already has clothes in it and is located near Room 320 on the science wing.
The full booklet of Minimester offerings will be published in January, and students who are participating in local options will be asked to fill out their preference sheet at that time. One of the offerings will continue to be an Apprenticeship program, which offers students the opportunity to shadow a professional in the community. A perennial favorite of Middle School apprentices is to spend the week shadowing a Lower School teacher. However, the increasing numbers of students who are interested in this possibility has become overwhelming for our friends at Lower School over the last year or so, so we have worked with them to create new guidelines for this apprenticeship. These new guidelines will apply to Lower School apprentices, beginning with the Spring of 2011: ·
There will be a cap of 20 on the number of students engaged in Apprenticeships at Lower School. In addition, there will be no more than two apprentices per classroom or per special teacher ·
We will ask that there be a gap of two grade levels between the Apprentices and the students that they are working with. Thus a fifth grade Middle School Apprentice would work with grade two and lower, a sixth grader with third grade and lower, seventh with grade four and lower and eighth with any grade. Special teachers who teach across grade levels could accommodate Middle School students of any level. ·
Students should contact Lower School teachers directly through email to ask for placement in their rooms. No phone calls, please! The Middle School teachers in charge of Apprenticeship Minimester (Susanne Saunders and Carlene Jackson) will confer with the teachers who receive emails and let the Middle School applicants know the status of their requests.
Please help us manage our Middle School program by adhering strictly to this guideline. ·
Middle School is examining our guidelines for service to make sure the true spirit of contributing to those in need is involved. Working at Lower School will now be considered a regular apprenticeship, designed to encourage learning and role exploration. Although those who worked at Lower School in previous years may have used it to fulfill their service requirement, it will no longer be categorized as a service Minimester beginning in the spring of 2011.
Instrumental Music Rehearsals
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Monday 3:30-5:30 Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Wednesday 12:55-1:50 Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Wednesday 6:00- CALL TIME 7:30 SHOW TIME Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Friday 12:30 - CALL TIME 1:45 SHOW TIME Arts Center
Concert Dress: "Black and Whites"
No 5/6 Orchestra this weekChorus Week is Upon Us!
Tuesday, December 7th ALL singers in the choral portion of the holiday concert—2:00 to 5:30pm in the arts center—singers must be present to perform on Wednesday
Wednesday, December 8th Concert at 7:30pm – Call time is 7:00pm in the middle school chorus room – dressed in “Black and Whites”
Friday, December 10th Concert at 1:45pm – parents are welcome at this concert also!!
Please feel free to contact Ms. Holtz if you have any questions or concerns.75 for 75 Fair Share Challenge
We are excited to announce that a few anonymous parents have joined forces to issue a collective Fair Share challenge to the current parent community at Sidwell Friends. Never before has your participation in the Fair Share Fund had such a monumental impact!
THE CHALLENGE: If parent participation in Fair Share reaches 75 percent by December 31, 2010, our anonymous donors will give a combined contribution of $75,000 to the Fund!
This means that your gift or pledge, regardless of size, takes on even more value as it moves us one step further toward our goal.
What’s the difference between a gift and a pledge? A gift is money given to Fair Share immediately. A pledge is a commitment to give a specific amount before June 30, 2011, at a time that is convenient for you. A pledge counts immediately toward our participation goal! If are unsure of the amount you want to give, pledge an amount that is comfortable for you now. It is easy to increase your gift at the time you pay if you wish to do so!
Please make a gift or a pledge today and help us meet this extraordinary challenge! Visit www.sidwell.edu/support to make a gift or e-mail your pledge to Leslie Hutchens, Director of Annual Funds, at hutchensl@sidwell.edu.
Thank you to all those who have already supported Fair Share!The Middle Years
Middle_years_12-10.pdfRead the latest issue of Middle Years, a newsletter for parents of middle schoolers. Read MoreAddresses Needed for Grandparents Day
All Middle School grandparents are invited to spend the day with their grandchildren for Grandparents Day held at the Middle School campus on May 6, 2011. Grandparents will have the opportunity to explore campus, meet their grandchildren’s teachers and friends, and enjoy lunch. If your MS students’ grandparents do not currently receive mail from us, please send their full mailing address to grandparentsday@sidwell.edu. We are expecting another large turnout so it is very important that grandparents RSVP for the event and that parents plan to drop them off (parking will be very limited). Thank you!


PA Announcements

Artrageous Needs You!
Put on your dancing shoes, exercise your fingers, warm up those voices, plug in the guitars, and rise up to this CALL for all performing musicians to participate in the fun event known as ArtRageous! This happening takes place in the beautiful spaces of the Middle School this year on Sunday, January 30, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Write it down now, and reserve your chance to participate by sending a note to maude.fish@comcast.net. Please include your name, and/or your parent's name, and contact information, how you wish to perform, what you wish to perform, i.e. the title of the piece and its author, composer, or choreographer. Read MoreArtrageous Shout Out
Friends, Parents, Patrons, lend us your love of all things Art! ArtRageous (Sunday, Jan 30 from 1-4) promises to bring out the artist or art appreciator in you if you'll help us bring out the RAGE in ART! This SCHOOL-WIDE day of COMMUNITY and ART is fabulously fun, and it CANNOT happen without YOU! We are excited by a new venue this year - the beautiful Middle School - and it's going to be exhilerating to celebrate the arts in ways old and NEW in the cool Blackbox Theatre, the professionally designed Art Studios, the inspiring Instrumental and Choral Classrooms - BUT WE NEED YOU. Set up (morning), Clean up (4-5:30), Assisting Art Stops and other events (1-4) - we've got a place only YOUR SHOES will dance in! To reserve your place in making this happen, please contact Rebecca Boylan at boylanr@georgetown.edu, and THANK YOU!Note from the Parent Association Presidents
On behalf of the entire Sidwell Friends Parents Association, Lynn and I wish you a happy, healthy holiday season.
Please take a moment to read the gift giving opportunities from each division. This year, we have made all drop-off dates the same, November 29th through December 10th. You can drop off unwrapped gifts at the Lower School Manor House, outside the Middle School front offices, or in the Upper School Library or Mr. Connell’s office – Room 222. Please see the individual division notices on the many different types of gifts needed.
We hope you take this opportunity to enjoy the best the season has to offer including a gift to those less fortunate. Happy Holidays!
Polly Bomstein & Lynn SachsHoliday Gift Giving
In the spirit of holiday gift giving, the MS Community Service Committee invites the Sidwell Friends families to share with our neighbors in need. As in past years, Lower, Middle, and Upper School families are welcome to donate gifts during the first two weeks of December. Donations will be delivered by parent volunteers to children and families in organizations with whom we have long-term partnerships: Martha’s Table and Brightwood Elementary School.
GIFT SUGGESTIONS
Martha's Table: Toys, board games, puzzles, African American and Latina dolls, picture books, dramatic play costumes & props, craft kits for children (please no action figures that carry weapons), clothing for cold weather for the whole family (hats, scarfs, gloves, mittens, long underwear), rolls of gift wrap
Brightwood Elementary School: High quality books for very young children such as board books about ABC's, 123's, shapes and colors (please no cartoon books).
All gifts will be greatly appreciated. Please drop off unwrapped gifts in the collection boxes located in the Middle School Office between Monday, November 29 and Friday, December 10.
If you have any questions or are interested in lending a hand, please contact Sherri Cafritz (sldcafritz@aol.com), MS Community Service clerk. Thank you for your generosity!Fruit Flies
Thank you for supporting the Fruit Flies Citrus Sale! For your orders arriving by truck, the time to pick up your fruit is this Saturday, December 11, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, at the Wisconsin Ave. campus. Drive to the end of the carpool lane, near the Security Office, and a volunteer will load your fruit into your car. Fruit that has not been picked up after Monday afternoon will be donated. Speaking of volunteers, we could use some helpers to distribute fruit on the 11th and especially to help unload the truck on Friday, December 10, at 4 p.m. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please e-mail Andrew Trotter, atrotter@aol.com.Parents of Latino Students (PALS) Admissions Message
In keeping with the school’s spirit to increase diversity in its student body, the Sidwell Parents of Latino Students (PLAS) would like to encourage Latino families in the Washington area to consider Sidwell Friends School for their children. More information is available at Sidwell’s website: www.sidwell.edu, along with information regarding financial assistance. Accepted students are eligible for financial aid, awarded on financial needs basis. Please use the financial aid calculator on the school site to determine potential eligibility/award. www.sidwell.edu/admissions/financialaid.aspx. Families and their prospective students are welcome to contact the Admission’s office. The application deadline is December 15, 2010; supporting documents are due by January 15, 2011.


Other News

Winter Break Camp 2010
Please join us over winter break – we are offering programs by the day for students in PK – Grade 10! Whip up delicious dishes with Chef Kevin, create adorable gifts and fashionable outfits and accessories with Handwork Studios, kick around with travel soccer coaches from Stoddert, and burn off excess holiday spirit our Sports & Games camp for the young ones! Click here for more information, or apply online at www.sidwell.edu/summer. Sign up by the day with half, full and extended day options. Contact us with any questions – 202-537-8133 or summer@sidwell.edu.Great News from the Fox Den!
Now you can shop at the Fox Den 24 hours a day! The online store is up and ready for your viewing and shopping pleasure. Just click here (https://foxden.sidwell.edu/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?display=home) and shop.
Please feel free to call or email Donna C. Osborn (202.537.8198 or osbornd@sidwell.edu ) if you have any questions.Forget the Stock Market -- This is The Way to Get a Triple Return on Your Investment!
SAVE THIS DATE!! Saturday, January 29, 2011, 8 pm in the Kogod Arts Center, for the Ninth Annual Variety Show – the showcase of SFS alumni who are professionals in the performing arts, who come back and entertain us for the benefit of student financial aid. This Show gives you that triple return! Your children are inspired by some of Sidwell's finest role models. You enjoy a relaxing evening of great entertainment followed by a reception with the performers. On top of it all, you support the worthiest of causes – Events for Student Scholarships. Click here to buy tickets -- and to quadruple your return by getting the tax deduction of a sponsorship. Get your tickets early; this show SELLS OUT! Annual Auction on April 16th
EVENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 16, 2011 for the All Hands on Deck themed benefit auction at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. All auction proceeds go directly to student financial aid.This will be a fabulous event you won’t want to miss!
In the meantime, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The Co-Chairs Mimi Reisner, Elissa Rubin, and Beth Wilkinson are asking each of you for your help. Do you have any special ideas, talents or connections that you could donate or help us to arrange? If so, please contact events@sidwell.edu.
Read MoreGreen Tip
Green up your winter holiday with these tips:
Switch your old incandescent bulbs for LEDs (using about 15% the energy). www.holidayleds.com will take back the old ones.
Choose a small “bulb” tree that can later be planted outside OR buy your tree from a local sustainable farm. Check out www.localharvest.org to find one.
Turn down the lights when you light your menorah.
Read More

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, Dec 7th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


6th Grade Conversations with Jack

US Dining Room
7:45am


PA Diversity Committee Meeting

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


MS Holiday Concert Rehearsal

AC Theater
2:30pm - 5:30pm


The Mountain Music Project: A Musical Odyssey from Appalachia to Himalaya

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:30pm


Wed, Dec 8th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


MS Holiday Concert Rehearsal (Dress)

AC Theater
12:50pm - 3:30pm


7/8 Choral and Instrumental Holiday Concert

AC Theater
7:30pm


Thu, Dec 9th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


Fri, Dec 10th

All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive


8th grade/US transition meeting

US Dining Room
8:30am - 9:30am


7th & 8th Choral and Instrumental Holiday Concert

AC Theater
1:45pm - 3:20pm


Sun, Dec 12th

US Winter Choral Concert

AC Theater
2:30pm


Tue, Dec 14th

PA Executive Committee Meeting

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


Wed, Dec 15th

6th Grade Poetry Alive Rehearsal

MS Drama Studio
4:00pm - 6:00pm


6th Grade Poetry Alive

MS Drama Studio
6:00pm - 8:00pm


US Instrumental Concert

AC Theater
7:30pm - 10:00pm


Thu, Dec 16th

PA Arts Committee Meeting

US Library Board Room
7:45pm - 9:30pm


Sat, Dec 18th

Winter Vacation Begins


More


Athletics


Tue, Dec 7th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman - Canberra Grammar School (Australia)


4:30pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. Albans


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis


6:00pm


Wed, Dec 8th

Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Thu, Dec 9th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms


5:45pm


Fri, Dec 10th

Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Field School


4:00pm


Wrestling - Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School


6:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


7:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


7:30pm


Sat, Dec 11th

Wrestling - Varsity - Mercersburg Dual


Basketball - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School


12:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity - McKinley


1:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity - McKinley


3:00pm


Mon, Dec 13th

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Tue, Dec 14th

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. George Mason


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Potomac School


4:15pm


Wrestling - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. George Mason


5:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Potomac School


6:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


7:15pm


Wed, Dec 15th

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


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Albans


4:15pm


Thu, Dec 16th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


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


2:45pm


Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


2:45pm


Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Holton-Arms


3:00pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Holton-Arms


3:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day


4:15pm


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


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day


5:45pm


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


5:45pm


Fri, Dec 17th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Sat, Dec 18th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament


Wrestling - Varsity - SFS Tournament


9:00am


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Prep


3:00pm


Sun, Dec 19th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament


More


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