SFS MS Tuesday Newsletter - BidenLaptopEmails

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SFS MS Tuesday Newsletter

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tuesday@listserv.sidwell.edu

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2010-12-14 04:30:00

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R. Hunter Biden <hbiden@rosemontseneca.com>

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Tuesday - December 14, 2010

From the School

This Week's Query
With the holidays approaching, can we be sensitive and accepting of beliefs other than our own?Notes from Sally
This week’s assembly: The Annual Faculty Follies, Lost and Found Fashion Show, and Holiday Singalong! Parents are welcome to join the frivolity in the arts center at 2:35 Friday afternoon.
Another special program this week: the sixth grade Poetry Alive presentations! Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, December 15th at 2:30 (Phillips and McCourt) – Drama Studio
Wednesday, December 15th at 6:00 (Clarkson and Farnum) – Drama Studio – (Clarkson and Farnum students will stay after school and be served a pizza dinner)
We are making the final check of the first trimester grade reports, and they will be posted very soon. They can be accessed through Educator Online on the Parent Portal. A newsflash will be sent when they are available. Please note that fifth grade vocal music and all 8th grade arts classes are semester courses; reports for those subjects will be written in late January.
Parents of all 5th graders and of 5/6 orchestra students: please mark your calendars for the concert coming up right after the holidays! The 5th grade choral and 5/6 instrumental concert will be held on Thursday evening, January 13th at 7:30 PM. The instrumental call will be at 6:30, and the choral call time is 7:00. In addition, both groups will perform at the Lower School for a Friday morning assembly in January. For all concerts the dress requirements are as follows: Boys – black* pants, black* shoes, white dress shirt, any color tie. Girls - Black* pants or skirt, white top (must have sleeves) and black* shoes. (*or the darkest you own.) No tennis shoes please.
We are planning a morning discussion about the 5/6 health curriculum soon after the holidays. As soon as we are able to confirm a date, we will send the information out to parents in those grade levels.
Is your son or daughter interested in talking about diversity, inclusion, social justice and multiculturalism with other middle school students? The Middle School Student Diversity Leadership Conference will be at the end of January (during the school day), and 6th, 7th and 8th graders may attend. Students who are interested should see Mrs. Clarkson in room 208 or check with their advisor or homeroom teacher.
Parents of 7/8 students: there is still room on our Bootham Exchange trip for Minimester, and we would love to have a few more students in the group! This trip to York, England will be led by Mary Dufour and Gretchen McCourt and is the continuation of a long tradition of every-other-year exchanges with two Friends schools. If your child is interested, please let me know!
We are also still looking for homestays for the 8th graders from San Francisco Friends School in April – one weekend only.
A follow up to the information about Lower School apprenticeships in last week’s letter: We have broadened the definition of “Service Apprenticeships” to also include working with animals and on environmental initiatives.
If your child is interested in an apprenticeship, please consider ways you might connect your child with those individuals and organizations that dedicate themselves to the welfare of our planet. What’s needed? Agreement in writing from the host nonprofit organization that your child will shadow an adult or contribute substantially for the four days of Minimester, March 14-17. This is a fabulous opportunity to pool our contacts and engage kids in meaningful projects. There is plenty of time to make these arrangements – this is just notice for those who are already thinking about these ideas.
This weekend was a big one for our Middle School Robotics Team! The “BotsBoyz” competed in the first-round qualifying tournament at Owings Mills High School on Saturday. They won three awards: the Robot Performance Award, the Overall Championship for the qualifier, and a chance to compete in the Maryland state tournament in February! Way to go! Members of Saturday’s winning team are Jordan Bessalel, Sam Blazes, Harry Finn, Andy Harris, Spencer Kee, Garrett Nixon, Jason Souvaliotis, and Alan Zhang, and they were coached by Mark Brumley. Way to go!!Instrumental Music Notes
5/6 Orchestra – Full Orchestra and Handchime Choir Wednesday Rehearsal Period (Dec 15)
5/6 Guitar Ensemble – Friday Dear Period (Dec 17)
No 7/8 Orchestra this week
Looking ahead: 5/6 Special After School Rehearsal Tuesday January 11th 2:30 – 5:00 (refreshments provided)Addresses 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. Read More

PA Announcements

Sorry, no news is available at this time.

Other News

Shared by an Upper School Parent: Prepare to be Uplifted, Arts Guild, Dec 17, 7 PM
Let SFS US artists offer you a spectacular way to begin Winter Break! To learn more about the Arts Guild, please read more for thoughts from an upper school parent on this special activity. Read MoreCome and cheer the SFS Varsity Wrestlers, this Sat, Dec 18, 9AM-3PM
Friends, Parents, Future SFS Varsity Wrestlers! Come and cheer on our AWARD-WINNING WRESTLING TEAM! THIS SATURDAY, DEC. 18, 2010, 9 am – 3 pm (last matches start around 2:45 pm) in the new gym. Yummy lunch and snacks available all day! In competition with: Read MoreWinter 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.Here's a Holiday Gift that Keeps on Giving! Tickets to the Variety Show, January 29, 2011
Give your extended family, your friends, your child's favorite teacher tickets to Variety Show 2011 -- the annual showcase where alumni professionals in the performing arts return to entertain us. You’ll be giving your children an evening with great role models. And you’ll be giving the gift of student financial aid – all proceeds go to Events for Student Scholarships. Read MoreArtRageous Wants You! Performing Musicians!!
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. Read MoreARTRAGEOUS SHOUT OUT! Volunteers needed!
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! Read MoreSupport SFS by registering your Giant bonus and Safeway cards.
Support SFS during the Holidays (and all year) without even trying! Take just a minute and register your Giant bonus card and Safeway card to automatically send $ to SFS. Each dollar is greatly appreciated. It’s easy and quick.
It's Not Too Late to Register your Giant Card! Read MoreSally Foster Gift Wraps and Gifts
STOCK UP NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Sally Foster is a school-wide sale that includes quality gift-wrap and delicious gourmet chocolates among many other great gift items available through a convenient online catalogue. 50% of all sales go directly to student financial aid. All orders may be placed now through January 31, 2011 at www.sallyfoster.com. When prompted at check-out, enter the SFS account code 505552 so that 50% of the proceeds are properly recorded to our school.Annual Auction on April 16th
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 MoreGreat 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 and shop. Please feel free to call or email Donna C. Osborn (202.537.8198 or osbornd@sidwell.edu ) if you have any questions.

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 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

Mon, Dec 20th

Winter Break Camp

Lower School
9:00am - 3:00pm