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Tuesday - April 8, 2014


From the School

This Week's Query
What does it mean to be a respectful listener in a group situation?
Notes from Sally
Assembly: Gu Zheng and Peking Opera performance
The week’s query is one that I wrote, unlike most others which are written by our Quakerism and the Arts students. I encourage you to talk with your children about this query and the discussions that they have had in homerooms and advisories this week. Please help us by encouraging them to be respectful listeners in our weekly assemblies and in other situations when they have a presentation from an outside speaker.
Special Guest Speaker: Michele Norris Thursday, April 17, 2014 @ 6:30pm in the RLS QMH Michele Norris, an award-winning journalist, is one of the most recognized voices in radio. She was host of NPR's longest-running national program, All Things Considered until 2012 where she received many of journalism's highest honors, including a Peabody Award, duPont Award, and Overseas Press Club Award. She was named the 2009 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists, solidifying her as an in-demand speaker on current events and American culture. In 2013, as a special correspondent for NPR, Norris traveled the country and developed two successful initiatives: The Race Card Project and NPR's Backseat Book Club. The Race Card Project defines “race card” literally, inviting listeners to share Six Word summations of their racial ideas and experiences that became the basis of compelling reports about race, pride, prejudice and identity. Please join the MS PA Diversity Committee in welcoming Ms. Norris as she invites the Sidwell community to participate in the Race Card Project. Parents and students are invited.
I would like to call your attention to the USA Science and Engineering Festival, which will be held at the convention center over the weekend of April 25 and 26. This is a wonderful event with a rich offering of speakers and workshops. For more information, see their website: www.usasciencefestival.org Attention 8th grade families: A former SFS middle school science teacher, Peter Thomas, now teaches at Hawken School in Cleveland, Ohio. His students won an award for their work on a wind energy project. A few of Peter's students are invited to attend the USA Science and Engineering Festival in DC on Saturday April 26th. These students are looking for a home stay with Sidwell students the night of Friday April 25th. There will be two 8th grade boys and two or three 8th grade girls. Could you host one or two of them for the night? Perhaps they could attend the MS musical. The students will arrive at Sidwell Friday afternoon before the end of the school day and need to be dropped off at Sidwell on Saturday morning. Let me know if you can help.
And, in the same vein, I have some information about a summer program involving game design. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the link. Do you have any old baseball gloves, bats, and helmets you don’t need anymore? Every year Major League Baseball organizes an equipment drive to provide baseball equipment to underprivileged kids who want to play baseball. This year the Washington Nationals are collecting equipment on May 18th, so bring in all of your old baseball equipment by then so we can have an equipment drive of our own! There will be bins set up in the MS lobby for collection.
I’m sure you have seen Tom’s email about snow day make-up. Just to reiterate: the end of year schedule will be just as it was announced in September. Our only change is school on Memorial Day.
Congratulations to 6th grade poets who have won awards in two local contests! Quinn Lehrman, Colleen Zeugin, Mia Ellis, Lucas Donovan, Christin Clyburn, and Jimena Faz Garza are all finalists in the Parkmont Poetry Festival, and Zach Majd and Mia Ellis had winning submissions to the Folger Shakespeare's Library 2014 Sonnet Contest. Great job, everyone!
Choral Music Notes
Boys Ensemble meets Wednesday before school and during 7/8 rehearsal period.
Girls Ensemble meets Wednesday after school from 3:30 to 5:30pm.
6th Grade Ensemble meets Wednesday during 5/6 rehearsal period.
From the School Nurse
New Information regarding health forms:
As per D.C. DOH oral health exams are now required on an annual basis. There is a newly revised Oral Health form uploaded to the parent portal for you to download for completion due July 1st 2014. As you may have noticed, annual physicals are on a rolling 12 month basis. This means you will receive automatic email reminders directly from Magnus Health 6 weeks prior to the due date of your child's next physical examination. All documentation and blank health forms must be submitted via the Parent Portal on the SFS website by clicking on the Update Student Health Information link.
Please note the following D.C. immunization requirements:
1. A student 11 years & older entering 6th through 12th grade in the District of Columbia are due to have a TdaP vaccination if they have not had a dose of DTP/DTaP/Td in the past five years. This immunization must be documented and on file with your child's health records.
2. For students 11 years & older entering 6th through 11th grade in the District of Columbia, a series of three HPV vaccinations are required. A parent/guardian may sign the District of Columbia Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Opt-out Certificate. This certificate can be found by logging into your student's Magnus Health Tracker. The immunizations or the completed Opt-out Certificate must be documented and on file with your child's health records.
3. A student 11 years & older entering 6th through 12th grade in the District of Columbia are due to have a Meningococcal vaccination. This immunization must be documented and on file with your child's health records.
Apollo Orchestra and Piano Concert
You are invited to attend a free orchestral concert performed by the Apollo Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Stephen Czarkowski on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 8:00 PM in Sidwell's Mary Ellen Caplin Theater. The following works will be performed: Richard Strauss's Don Juan, Francis Poulenc's Double Piano Concerto in D Minor (featuring Sidwell Friends Arts Department Chair John Touchton and Sidwell Friends Alumni Parent Virginia Lum, pianists), and Johannes Brahm's Fourth Symphony. Admission is free and seating is open; no tickets are required.
"THE MIND OF THE ATHLETE" ON APRIL 16
Please join the Athletics Department and PA Athletics Committee in the Robert L. Smith Meeting room on April 16 from 7:30-9pm for a lecture on “The Mind of the Athlete” by sports psychologist Dr. Jarrod Spencer. Dr. Spencer’s passion is to assist athletes in attaining peak performance through sound emotional health. Dr. Spencer has a unique and provocative way of challenging us to re-think clearly and carefully about how we parent our young athletes. Dr. Spencer works with a number of professional, Olympic, college and high school athletes, coaches and teams and has served as the sports psychologist for athletic teams at the University of Maryland, Old Dominion University, Lehigh University and Lafayette College. For more information about this event, please contact Tony Mazlish.


PA Announcements

Community Service Corner
A Wider Circle Fun Run Our Minimester and long time service partner, A Wider Circle, is holding their annual "Race to End Poverty" on April 26th. If you are interested in participating, please go to http://www.awidercircle.org.
Save The Date: Spring Casserole Bake Save the date for the Middle School's Third Annual Casserole Bake to benefit Martha's Table -- May 5th - 7th!
PARENTS COUNCIL OF WASHINGTON SPRING FORUM
The Parents Council of Washington invites all parents and staff to attend their 2014 Spring Forum: “Using Mindfulness to Cultivate Resilience, Focus and Compassion at Home and at School”. Forum will feature Jesse Torrence and Dave Trachtenberg of MINDS Incorporated, and Joslyn Hills and Alison Shulman, creators of the SLOW LUNCH Program and other mindfulness curricula.
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Breakfast and networking: 8:30a-9:00a
Program: 9:00a-10:30a
Where: The Langley School, 1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA
Parking is limited – please carpool if possible!
MIDDLE SCHOOL USED BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
SFS families can buy great books at reasonable prices at the MS Used Book Fair, April 21 through April 25 in the MS Library.
Book Fair Hours:
Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday: No Fair
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
All proceeds will be used to purchase new books for the Middle School Library. Leftover books will be donated to charitable organizations needing books for children.
Volunteers are needed to help set up, sell and take down the Book Fair. Please sign up via this link.
We’ll see you at the Fair!
Upcoming Diversity Committee Speakers
On Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m., NPR correspondent Michelle Norris will speak about her Race Card project.
Then on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., Congressman John Lewis will speak about his life as a young activist, the importance of political engagement, and his conviction that today’s young people can transform a society.
Congressman Lewis has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District since 1987, and is the Dean of the Georgia Congressional Delegation. He is the only living "Big Six" leader of the American Civil Rights Movement and he was instrumental in the organization of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. He also chaired the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), playing a key role in the struggle to end legalized racial discrimination and segregation.
Please join the MS PA Diversity Committee in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room to welcome both of these important speakers to Sidwell Friends.


Other News

Quaker Quotes
In 1947 the Nobel Committee presented the American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Service Council with the Nobel Peace Prize for their relief work during World War II. The speech below is from Gunnar Jahn, then Chairman of the Nobel Committee. This speech, given by Gunnar Jahn, Chairman of the Nobel Committee, offers a nice reflection on Quakerism and its evolution.
www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1947/press.html
"It is now three hundred years since George Fox established the Society of Friends. It was during the time of civil war in England, a period full of the religious and political strife which led to the Protectorate under Cromwell - today we would no doubt call it a dictatorship. What then happened was what so often happens when a political or religious movement is successful; it lost sight of its original concern: the right to freedom. For, having achieved power, the movement then refuses to grant to others the things for which it has itself fought. Such was the case with the Presbyterians and after them with the Independents. It was not the spirit of tolerance and humanity that emerged victorious.
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Calendar


Tue, Apr 8th

8th Grade Conversation With Sally

Rosenberg Theater
7:45am - 9:00am


Wed, Apr 9th

Irene Addlestone and Gaby Grebski with US Parents - Sex Education

Robert L. Smith Meeting Rm
7:00pm - 8:30pm


Thu, Apr 10th

Haiti Minimester follow-up mtg

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


Fri, Apr 11th

7th grade Parent Social

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


Apollo Chamber Orchestra

AC Theater
8:00pm - 10:30pm


Wed, Apr 16th

PA Athletics Speaker - Dr. Jarrod Spencer

Robert L. Smith Mtg Rm
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Thu, Apr 17th

6th Gr. Parent Coffee

Zartman Drawing Rm
7:45am - 9:30am


PA Speaker Event - Michelle Norris

Robert L. Smith Mtg Rm
6:00pm - 9:00pm


Tue, Apr 22nd

Founders Day


Fri, Apr 25th

MS Musical

AC Theater
7:30pm


Sat, Apr 26th

MS Musical

AC Theater
1:00pm - 4:00pm


More


Athletics


Mon, Apr 7th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 at Potomac School


2:45pm


Tue, Apr 8th

Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Landon


4:30pm - 6:30pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity at St. James School


4:45pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at St. James School


4:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


5:30pm


Wed, Apr 9th

Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill Invitational at Flint Hill School


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Flint Hill Invitational at Flint Hill School


Tennis - Boys 7/8 vs. Bullis


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Mater Dei


2:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at Bullis


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B at Bullis


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A vs. Stone Ridge School


2:45pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Thu, Apr 10th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Softball - 7/8 A at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Softball - 7/8 B at Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A Team Home vs. Georgetown Day


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B Team away vs. Landon


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 B at St. Albans - NOTE: reschedlued from 4/7


2:30pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 at Landon


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 at Holton-Arms


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:15pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Wilson H.S.


4:15pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity at Landon


4:15pm


Lacrosse - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity at National Cathedral School


5:30pm


Fri, Apr 11th

Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. CRONLY at Episcopal HS


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. CRONLY at Episcopal HS


Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Wilson H.S.


4:00pm


Softball - Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:30pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Sat, Apr 12th

Crew - Club (Girls) vs. Baltimore Invitational Regatta


Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Woodward Relays at Georgetown Prep


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Woodward Relays at Georgetown Prep


Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


10:00am


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Heights


11:00am


Wed, Apr 16th

Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. Maret School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A vs. Maret School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B at Maret School


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B Team Home vs. St. Stephen St. Agnes


2:45pm


Baseball - Varsity at Maret School


4:00pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at Georgetown Visitation


4:15pm


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day


4:30pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at Potomac School


4:30pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity at Holton-Arms


5:45pm


Thu, Apr 17th

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


Baseball - 7/8 A at St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 - SFS meet


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 - SFS meet


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:15pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity at Bullis


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity vs. Bullis


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at Bullis


4:15pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Prep


4:15pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Prep


4:15pm


Baseball - Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at Baltimore Friends


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Boys Junior Varsity at St. James School


5:00pm


Mon, Apr 21st

Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at Bullis


2:45pm - 2:24pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 A at Potomac School


2:45pm


Softball - 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at Landon


4:15pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Tue, Apr 22nd

Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


4:00pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


Softball - Junior Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes


4:15pm


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


4:30pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School


5:30pm


Wed, Apr 23rd

Track & Field - Boys Varsity - SFS Invitational at Sidwell Friends School


Track & Field - Girls Varsity - SFS Invitational at Sidwell Friends School


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


2:45pm


Thu, Apr 24th

Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Penn Relays at The Univeristy of Pennsylvania


4/26/2014


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Penn Relays at The University of Pennsylvania


4/26/2014


Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. Landon


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 A at Landon


2:30pm


Baseball - 7/8 B vs. Landon


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - A Team Home vs. Landon


2:30pm


Tennis - Boys 7/8 - B Team Away vs. Landon


2:30pm


Track & Field - Boys 7/8 at Potomac School


2:45pm


Track & Field - Girls 7/8 at Potomac School


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B vs. Potomac School


2:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Sandy Spring


4:15pm


Softball - Varsity at National Cathedral School


4:15pm


Lacrosse - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Baseball - Varsity vs. St. James School


4:30pm


Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill


4:30pm


Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill


4:30pm


Baseball - Junior Varsity at St. James School


4:45pm


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Foxcroft


5:30pm


Fri, Apr 25th

Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day


5:00pm


Sat, Apr 26th

Crew - Club (Girls) vs. Charlie Butt Regatta


Tennis - Boys Varsity - NEMA Invitational


Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Viking Invitational at Walt Whitman HS


Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Viking Invitational at Walt Whitman HS


Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity at Madeira


9:30am


Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill


1:00pm


Softball - Varsity at St. James School


1:00pm


Softball - Varsity at St. James School


3:00pm


Sun, Apr 27th

Tennis - Boys Varsity - NEMA Invitational


More


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