EMAIL DETAILS

Wednesday - February 8, 2012


From the School

From the Dean of Students

Dear Parents,
I gave a version of the following message to your students on Tuesday. The first message applies to all dances and the second relates to issues surrounding this Valentines Dance.
Standard Reminder:
Please enjoy your Valentines Dance this Saturday February 11. To do so, here are a few reminders:
a. Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:15pm. Arrivals between 9:15 and 9:30 will be given 4 points
b. No one can enter after 9:30
c. No one may leave and reenter. The dance is from 8:30 – 11:00pm.
d. Of course no drinking, drugs, or violence will be tolerated and yes, the Breathalyzer will be present and used if warranted.
e. The expectation is that all dancing will be appropriate for the event.
Comments on this Specific Dance:
This dance has a persistent custom in which 11th and 12th graders ask 9th and 10th graders to the dance, a practice that is no longer sanctioned by the school. Many students enjoy this tradition and its formalities while many others find the situations very difficult and uncomfortable; hence our decision years ago to end it.
Two problems persist that I wish to ameliorate:
1) Many students are feeling intimidated by the very public and elaborate invitations this year and are anxious that they cannot meet such a high bar of expectation. If this describes your child then please assure them that they do not have to ask anyone to this dance in order to attend. If in fact they wish to ask someone, there is no need to be elaborate. The best invitations are personal and accurately express their uniqueness, and that is rarely an outsized public production.
2) Many younger students feel great anxiety about this AAL practice, are not comfortable with the arrangement, and are also not comfortable speaking up for themselves. If your child finds him/herself in this social dilemma, please assure them that they do not have to attend the dance with an older student. In fact all Upper School students are welcome to attend every dance, regardless of whether or not they come with a date.
We want our students to thoroughly enjoy the dance and to fully participate in the best honorable traditions of Valentines fun. So if they find themselves in an awkward position this week, please tell them to feel free to come and talk to me or any adult they trust in our community.
If you have particular concerns feel free to contact me. Thank you.
Best,
Mr. Woods


From The Nurse
mono letter-parents.pdf
Attention parents: we have had an unexpected increase in the reported cases of Mono in the Upper School and so we believed it was imperative that we share the attached information with you as a precautionary health measure to prevent the continued spread of the virus. A similar notice has also been sent to students. Please continue to report communicable diseases to the School Nurse so that we may continue our efforts to protect and promote healthy behaviors.

Thanks
Jasmin
Read MoreUS Community Service Newsletter

The February edition of the Upper School Community Service Newsletter is now available on the SFS website. Use this link to access the Community service webpage. You will find the newsletter halfway down in the middle of the page. This newsletter highlights upcoming and recent community service events taking place at the Upper School. Please read this month’s publication if you would like to learn more, and/or get involved in the community service program at the Upper School.
Pennies for Patients

During the month of February, Ms. Brownlee's advisory is leading its fourth annual "Pennies for Patients" fundraiser, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society program that helps collect important funds for blood cancer patients. Simply by collecting and donating pennies, the research on and patient services for blood cancers increases, and more patients are able to have effective treatment. Last year, students in the DC metropolitan area raised $700,000 to fight blood cancer and provide services for patients and their families.
Read More10th Grade Service Project: Casserole Bake for the Homeless

Save the Date: The Casserole Bake will take place in the Upper School Dining Room on Sunday, February 26th from noon until 2 pm. 10th graders and their families will be assembling casseroles to deliver to Martha's Table and Thrive DC. Our goal is to prepare 50 casseroles, so we need many volunteers to make this event a success! How can you help?
By Wednesday February 22: Donate non-perishable ingredients for the casseroles and deliver the ingredients to David Connell's office, Room 222.
On Sunday February 26: Help with:
- Set up from 10:30 am to noon,
- Casserole preparation and assembly from noon to 2,
- Clean up from 2 to 3 pm, and
- Delivery of the casseroles at 2 pm.
- We also need volunteers to bring in extra can openers and measuring cups for use in preparation (labeled with your name).
Read MoreIt's Not Too Late to Donate to the 2012 AUCTION!

Have something you’d like to donate to the auction but you haven’t had a chance to fill out the form yet? You are in luck, my friend! The deadline for auction donations has been extended to Friday, February 10, 2012.
Please click here to donate anything from a case of wine to restaurant gift certificates to sports and theatre tickets.
Need a little inspiration? Feel free to call Jessie Jacobson, Assistant Director of Special Events at 202-537-8110 or e-mail events@sidwell.edu.

100% of what we raise at the auction goes to student financial aid.
We truly appreciate your support,
Meg Hauge, Shallah Jewel, Stacey Lubar & Sarah Wright
Authentic Success: Raising Children and Adolescents who are Prepared to Thrive in a Challenging World

On Wednesday, February 8th, from 7-9pm in the Robert L. Smith Meeting House, Ken Ginsburg, MD will be speaking to parents about raising successful children and building resilience. Dr. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The theme that ties together his clinical practice, teaching, research and advocacy efforts is that of building on the strength of teenagers by fostering their internal resilience. He works to translate the best of what is known from research and practice into practical approaches parents, professionals and communities can use to build resilience. If you have an any questions about the program, please email Gaby Grebski, US Counselor, at grebskig@sidwell.edu. For more information…
Read More


PA Announcements

Teacher Appreciation Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed for the February 14th Valentine's Day Cookie Bake. The US Parents Association is sponsoring a Valentine's Day Appreciation Cookie Bake for our wonderful faculty and staff on Tuesday February 14th. We need five volunteers from the grades listed below to bake three dozen homemade cookies (Over forty dozen cookies are needed.) Contributions should be dropped off at the Upper School Dining Room no later than 7:45am on the morning of Tuesday February 14th.
In addition to the volunteers to bake cookies, we are asking TEN 9th Grade parents to meet in the Upper School Dining Room on February 14th at 7:45am to help put together 120 festive, cellophane bags of homemade cookies for our teachers and staff. Last year it took about an hour to assemble the treats.
Volunteers needed:
9th Grade - 10 parents to help put together the cookie bags. (Tuesday February 14 @7:45am/ US Dining Room)
10th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
11th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
12th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
** We are still in need of a few more 9th grade parent volunteers to put together the cookie bags on the morning of Tuesday, February 14th. Please let us know if you can help.
**Reminder to cookie bakers: Please bring cookies to the US Dining Room no later than 7:45 am on Tuesday, February 14th.


Read MoreAttn: 11th Grade Parents

Parent Peer Group Meeting--New Time!!!
Thursday, February 9, 8am -9:30 am
Where: Athletic Center Conference Room
Topic: The College Process
Please join 11th grade parents for a special parent peer group discussion about the college process. Several 11th Grade parents with children in college have volunteered to share their experiences and tips.
PS--Bagels and Coffee included!!!

Stop Motion Projects from Artrageous

The iStopMotion animation projects we did at Artrageous are ready for viewing! They are posted on YouTube and can be found at this address: http://bit.ly/artrageous12
These projects were made by students of all ages. They only had a few moments to make them, just imagine what more time and planning could do!
Jenni Swanson Voorhees
Director, Lower School Technology
Academic Technology Coordinator


Other News

Quaker Quotes

"To "stretch beyond one's compass" grasping at shadows, and encumbering oneself with more than is needed for simple, wholesome living, is at variance with all our best traditions"
-- Caroline Stephen 1890

Quaker Quotes is a weekly submission by Melissa Belman (melissa@ecologicflooring.com), Holly Moore (htmoore@gmail.com) and Cynthia Terrell (ctcabin@gmail.com) . We welcome ideas.


Final Call for All Rowers!! Spectators, Mark Your Calendars!

We look forward to seeing you at DC's inaugural erg competition, "Erg, Play, Love," on Sunday, February 12 in the Athletic Center, in whatever capacity works for you.
Online registration closes this Thursday, February 9, at midnight. Please tell your teammates, friends, and relay partners and make sure they register by the deadline. (Each member of your relay team must register separately, if you are participating in a relay.) We will accept walk-in registrations on Sunday, subject to availability. Prices on race day increase to $30 for longer races and $15 for shorter events.
Come by to support your friends or just to watch the show. It’s a great excuse for a study break, and will give you an excellent vicarious workout. There are delicious home-baked goods to consume, T-shirts to acquire, logowear to model. Be part of the action just by showing up!

US Wednesday Newsletter Information

How to Submit an Article to the Wednesday Letter. Send submissions to PA.USNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2 pm Tuesday. Please reference "Newsletter Submission" and the publish date(s) in the subject line. Items should be submitted as text in the body of the e-mail. Please do not include any formatting such as indents, bullets, boldface or all-caps and keep submissions succinct. If you have a form or flyer to include with your submission, please send it as a PDF attachment to your email. Receipt of your submissions will be confirmed as soon as possible. Please be aware that submissions may not run for more than 3 weeks.

Modifying an existing Submission: if it becomes necessary to modify a submission, please send a redline or otherwise clearly indicate the change to be made.

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.
Subscribe/Unsubscribe

How to Subscribe: to receive the Wednesday Letter via email, send an email to Wednesday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.

How to Unsubscribe: if you wish to have your name removed from the subscription list, send an email to Wednesday@listserv.sidwell.edu with only the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.


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.
US newsletter submissions should be sent to PA.USnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Tue, Feb 7th

American Math Competition Math Exams (all grades eligible)

US Rooms 224, 228, 230, 232
2:45pm - 4:30pm


US Dance Ensemble Production Week

AC Theater
3:30pm - 6:30pm


US Musical Rehearsal

Theater Arts Studio, Choral Music Room
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Feb 8th

US Dance Ensemble Production Week

AC Theater
3:30pm - 10:00pm


US Musical Rehearsal

Theater Arts Studio, Choral Music Room
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Authentic Success: Raising Children and Adolescents who are Prepared to Thrive in a Challenging World

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


Thu, Feb 9th

11th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

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


US Musical Rehearsal

Theater Arts Studio, Choral Music Room
6:00pm - 9:00pm


US Dance Ensemble Performance

AC Theater
7:30pm


Fri, Feb 10th

US Dance Ensemble Performance

AC Theater
7:30pm


Sat, Feb 11th

ACT Test

off-campus


Valentine?s Day Dance

US Dining Room


Sun, Feb 12th

Erg, Play, Love (Crew Team Erg Sprints Event)

Athletic Center South
6:30am - 5:00pm


US Play / Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
1:00pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Feb 13th

US PA Steering Committee

US Room 102
4:30pm - 6:00pm


US Musical Rehearsal

Choral Music Room, Theater Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Tue, Feb 14th

US PA Reps cookie set-up

US Dining Room
7:30am - 10:00am


Valentine's Day US Faculty & Staff Appreciation

US Faculty Lounge
7:45am - 11:00am


US Musical Rehearsal

Choral Music Room, Theater Arts Studio
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Feb 15th

US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


9th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting

Small Quaker Meeting Room
7:30pm - 9:30pm


Thu, Feb 16th

US Parents Conversations with Lee Palmer and Anne Renninger

US Dining Room
7:30am - 8:30am


US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Feb 17th

BSU Show

AC Theater
6:00pm - 10:00pm


Sat, Feb 18th

NEMNET Diversity Career Fair

US Dining Room, Crane Room, US Library Board Room, US Room 10 and 12
9:00am - 4:00pm


Sun, Feb 19th

US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
1:00pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Feb 20th

Presidents' Day - No School


US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
1:00pm - 5:00pm


Tue, Feb 21st

US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Feb 22nd

US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Upper School Parent Curriculum Night

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


Thu, Feb 23rd

US ISMAW (Math meet) at Landon


US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


PA Arts Committee Meeting

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


Fri, Feb 24th

Winter PE Ends


Sun, Feb 26th

10th Grade Family Service Project ? Casserole Bake

US Dining Room
12:00pm - 2:00pm


US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
1:00pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Feb 27th

US Musical Rehearsal

AC Theater
6:00pm - 9:00pm


More


Athletics


Wed, Feb 8th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Thu, Feb 9th

Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


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


2:30pm


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


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. National Cathedral School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill


6:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


6:00pm


Fri, Feb 10th

Wrestling - Varsity - St. Albans Tournament


2/11/2012


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Metros


4:50pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Metros


4:50pm
2/11/2012


Mon, Feb 13th

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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C at Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Albans


4:30pm


Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity at Wilson H.S.


6:00pm


Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity at Wilson H.S.


6:00pm


Tue, Feb 14th

Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Squash - P.E. Class (Co-Ed) at Wilson H.S. - vs. Wilson H.S at Spots Club LA in Renaissance Hotel


4:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


5:30pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


6:00pm


Wed, Feb 15th

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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Thu, Feb 16th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Washington Episcopal


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Bullis


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Bullis


6:00pm


Sat, Feb 18th

Wrestling - Varsity - DC Classic


9:00am


Tue, Feb 21st

Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Stone Ridge School


4:15pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at Stone Ridge School


5:45pm


Wed, Feb 22nd

Swimming - Boys 7/8 vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Swimming - Girls 7/8 vs. Flint Hill


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Bullis


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. Bullis


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 C vs. Maret School


2:45pm


Thu, Feb 23rd

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


2:45pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament


5:30pm


Fri, Feb 24th

Wrestling - Varsity vs. National Preps


2/25/2012


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament


5:00pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament


5:00pm


Sat, Feb 25th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament


11:00am


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Championship


5:00pm


Sun, Feb 26th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament


1:00pm


More


3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Tel: (202) 537 8100 Fax: (202) 537 8499