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Tuesday - February 17, 2015


Principal's Letter


NOTES FROM SALLY


Announcements


INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NOTES
ONE MORE TIME - OPPORTUNITY TO MEET BRYAN GARMAN - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 7:00 P.M.
REENROLLMENT CONTRACT
ARTS COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING FOR ALL PARENTS
5TH GRADE PARENT PEER GROUP - TUESDAY, FEB 24
SPRING PARENT POTLUCKS
SIDWELL FRIENDS SUMMER STUDIES 2015
WIZARDS TICKET HOLDERS
QUAKER MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP


Other


COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
QUAKER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
MS NEWSLETTER INFORMATION


News Around the School


US NEWS


MS NEWS


Principal's Letter


NOTES FROM SALLY
This week’s query: What is trust, and how do you know when you can trust somebody?
Assembly: Meet the animals of the Rain Forest!
Parents are invited to join us for Meeting for Worship on Thursday morning in the Meeting Room from 8:10 – 8:40.
In addition to our ongoing linen and toiletry drives, we are beginning our winter food drive this week. We are collaborating with the Hearst School community on this drive, which will benefit We Are Family. We Are Family provides services such as free monthly grocery bags, friendly visits, transportation, and advocacy to older residents of the Columbia Heights, Petworth, Adams Morgan, Shaw, and North Capitol neighborhoods. The shopping list for this effort includes the following items: whole grain cereal, pasta, rice, or cans of vegetables, fruit, beans, and tuna. Students will help pack grocery bags during Minimester week. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this effort!
Winter sports wrap up this week, and spring sports begin next Monday (and yes, I do recognize the weather ironies there!). Also, groups for the local Minimesters will be announced this week. Next week is the final week of the winter trimester, and 7/8 students may have trimester tests.
The 8th grade hangout this Friday will include an activity that encourages students to say thanks to members of our Buildings and Grounds, Security, Dining Room, and IT staffs. We hope that all 8th graders will be able to come by to participate in this activity, which was discussed in Meeting for Worship last week.
Conversations with Sally continue next week, with the 7th grade meeting on Monday, February 23 and the 6th grade on Wednesday, February 25. Both are at 8:00 a.m. in the Rosenberg Theater, which is the small theater inside the Arts Center. 5th grade parents discussed, among other things, after-school clubs in the Middle School. Here is a list of the activities that go on each week:
Mondays:
5/6 Knitting Club – 9:40 a.m. Break in Library
5-8 Spanish Heritage Speakers - 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
5-8 Art Club – 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Tuesdays:
5/6 Knitting Club – 9:40 a.m. Break in Library
5/6 Math Club – 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Table Tennis Club – 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays:
5/6 Knitting Club – 9:40 a.m. Break in Library
7/8 Boys Ensemble – 7/8 Rehearsal Period
5/6 Choral Ensemble – 5/6 Rehearsal Period
5/6 Drama Collective – During Rehearsal
Robotics – 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. (SPARC program)
7/8 Debate Club – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
5/6 Drama Club - 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
7/8 Girls Ensemble – 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays:
5/6 Knitting Club – 9:40am Break in Library
6-8 Math Counts Club – 3:30 – 4:30
5-8 Creative Writing Club - 3:30 – 4:30
Fridays:
5/6 Knitting Club - 9:40 a.m. Break in Library
7/8 Handbell Choir – 11:00 – 11:25
5/6 Handchime Choir – DEAR period

If you have questions about any of these activities, please contact the office and we will be glad to connect you with the faculty sponsor.
Coming up: SFS Family Science Night at the Air & Space Museum. Look for details in next week's letter, or contact LS science teacher, Sam Francis - franciss@sidwell.edu - for more information.
I am delighted to announce that sixth grade teacher Kimberly Clarkson has been appointed Middle School Director at Moorestown Friends School in New Jersey, effective July 1st. Congratulations to Kimberly!


Announcements


INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NOTES
7/8 Handbell Choir - Tuesday 7:25 a.m.
5/6 and 7/8 String Ensembles - Wednesday Rehearsal periods
7/8 Jazz/Rock Band - Thursday 3:45-5:00 p.m.
5/6 Handchime Choir - Friday DEAR period
7/8 Handbell Choir - Friday 11:00-11:25 a.m.

ONE MORE TIME - OPPORTUNITY TO MEET BRYAN GARMAN - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 7:00 P.M.
Middle School parents are invited to meet Head of School Bryan Garman this Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Robert L. Smith Meeting Room. RSVP to events@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8110. If you couldn’t make the morning meeting in January, have more questions or want to share your thoughts with Bryan please come. Bryan learned who he wanted to be in room 212, of the Harrison Upper School Building. Please visit room 212 tour to learn more about opportunities to meet Bryan.

REENROLLMENT CONTRACT
Reminder from the Admissions Office: Reenrollment contracts must be submitted by Friday, February 20. Complete online with this link or from the parent portal page by clicking on Reenrollment Contract.

ARTS COMMITTEE OPEN MEETING FOR ALL PARENTS
The PA Arts Committee invites you to a meeting on Thursday, February 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate another successful Artrageous, gather structured feedback, and brainstorm for next year. A light supper and adult refreshments will be served. If you helped with Artrageous, have ideas about other initiatives, or just want to connect with friendly parent volunteers from all divisions who enjoy supporting the arts at Sidwell Friends, please come. If you're already involved, bring someone new to SFS! Please RSVP to Jane Legg (janelegg@yahoo.com) if you would like to attend so that she can organize refreshments. If you need child care or have an older student who needs a place to study, please contact Kathi Webb (webbk@sidwell.edu).

5TH GRADE PARENT PEER GROUP - TUESDAY, FEB 24
Sidwell Friends has a longstanding unique tradition of offering parent peer groups for grades PK - 12th grade. On Tuesday, February 24, the 5th grade Parent Peer Group will be meeting in the MS Library from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These groups are for parents and facilitated by parents of each respective grade with the agenda collectively determined by those attending. The intention of the peer groups is to foster a confidential, comfortable forum for parents to share and discuss issues, concerns, and perspectives.
Calling on 5th Grade Parents to Facilitate Parent Peer Groups
On a related note, we need parent peer group facilitators to facilitate the February 24 5th grade parent peer group! If you have participated in a parent peer group training and are available to volunteer as a trained facilitator, please email Susan Schwabacher or Lisa Horowitz. Thank you in advance!

SPRING PARENT POTLUCKS
Please join your fellow parents for an enduring and cherished Sidwell Friends tradition, the Grade-Wide Potluck. These potlucks provide a great opportunity to spend some quality time with parents from your child’s grade in a relaxed, informal environment. Each grade’s potluck will be held at a parent's home on one of the following dates:
5th Grade - Saturday, February 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
6th Grade - date to be determined
7th Grade - Sunday, March 8 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
8th Grade - Saturday, March 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Be on the look out for an email from your Grade Reps with all of the details, including the name of the host and directions to their house, as well as the foods each guest may bring. Please come, eat, and enjoy!

SIDWELL FRIENDS SUMMER STUDIES 2015
Sub-freezing temperatures may make it feel as though Summer 2015 is far away, but we have been busy planning a terrific Summer Studies Program, and it is definitely not too early to begin thinking about enrolling your child in one of our classes. Registration for summer classes is now open!
Middle School Program
We are offering a program for middle-school-aged students (grades 6 and 7) in need of additional review in math and language arts. This team-taught program models a middle-school morning, with students spending part of the morning in math class and part of the morning in language arts. Students also have the option of enrolling in a full-day program with recreational activities in the afternoon through the ExploreStar Program or by signing up for one of the two-week afternoon STEM workshops. Detailed descriptions for these offerings may be found on our website: www.sidwell.edu/summer.
For rising 8th graders, we have course offerings in English enrichment (English Review) and Pre-Algebra. Applications may be submitted online or downloaded from the Summer Studies website: www.sidwell.edu/summer.
Upper School Offerings
Our upper school courses this year include credit courses in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Physics, and United States History, and non-credit courses in English and College Essay Writing. We are also offering SAT and ACT Preparation workshops. All courses are taught by highly experienced faculty. Detailed course descriptions, class meeting dates and times, tuition information, and applications are available on the Summer Studies website: www.sidwell.edu/summer.
Students applying for upper school credit courses in math must obtain approval by the student’s current teacher, and students applying for U.S. History must have the approval of the Academic Dean. First priority for enrollment in U.S. History will be given to students applying to School Year Abroad and semester study-away programs such as CityTerm and China Fieldwork. After February 15, enrollment for U.S. History will be open to all students, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. U.S. History tends to be a popular course, so you should get your application in early to reserve a space.
Applications for non-credit courses may be submitted online. Online registration is not available for credit courses. Please use the paper application: http://www.sidwellsummer.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Summer-Studies-Application1.pdf
If you have any questions about our course offerings, please contact Min Kim, Director of Summer Studies and Interim Academic Dean/Assistant Principal of the Upper School at kimm@sidwell.edu.

WIZARDS TICKET HOLDERS
If you did not get a T-shirt at the Wizards game last Saturday we still have some. If you want one please contact Kathi Webb (webbk@sidwell.edu) with the sizes you desire and the name to hold them under. Kathi will batch your request and you, or your student, can pick up shirts at her office in the lower level of Zartman House. We have a few in each size right now (Y-M through A-2XL) and will do our best to get you shirts that will fit.

QUAKER MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP
Thursday, February 19, 8:10 - 8:45 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to worship with the Middle School staff and students in the Robert L. Smith Meetinghouse. Please arrive by 8:05 a.m. or earlier to settle in before students arrive.


Other


COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
Ongoing Collections in Middle School Lobby:
Winter Canned Food Drive Begins - Help Fight Senior Hunger with We Are Family!
We Are Family is excited to partner with Sidwell Friends School and Hearst Elementary School on a food drive and volunteer activities that will benefit District older residents! We Are Family provides services such as free monthly grocery bags, friendly visits, transportation and advocacy to older residents of the Columbia Heights, Petworth, Adams Morgan, Shaw and North Capitol neighborhoods. Please help us collect food for distribution through our Helping Hands Minimester. See the grocery list communicated in Sally's message.
Toiletries and Linens
- Dignity-condition items/toiletries (for humans) at A Wider Circle
- Shabby fleece blankets and towels (for our four-legged friends) at Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL)
- Tattered linens will be transformed into dog/cat toys during our “Paws and Claws” Minimester
- Collection bins for WARL linens also in the 5th grade hallway. See Susanne Saunders or Michael Salmon if you have questions.

Important Dates:
March 1 - 5th and 6th grade service club at A Wider Circle: ongoing project to manage the Kids' Corner. Contact: Dana.Milbank@washpost.com for additional information.
February 20 - 8th Grade hangout
February 27 - 5th Grade hangout
Contact MS Community Service Co-clerks Eva Xanthos at eva.xanthos@verizon.net or Lisa Arrington at arringtonlp@hotmail.com or your Grade Reps for volunteer opportunities.

QUAKER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What exactly does the Quaker expression 'to hold in the light' mean?
If you spend time around Friends (Quakers) you may hear the metaphor 'hold someone in the light.' Light is often invoked in a context where other faith traditions might mention prayer or blessing, e.g. “My sister is expecting her baby any moment now; please hold her and her family in the light.” That similarity of context may tempt us to equate holding in the light with intercessory prayer for someone, but there are distinctions.
Quaker spiritual practice tends to focus on developing one’s personal experience of connection with that of God within ourselves and each other. For many Friends, this experience feels like being touched by, surrounded by, or bathed in qualities like wisdom, understanding, calmness, love, compassion, and peace. Descriptive metaphors for this experience abound; 'light' has been used for centuries by Quakers, and it is a common spiritual metaphor in many cultures. So, to hold a person or entity in the light means to reach out mentally or interpersonally in a spirit of sharing, as well as to wish for that person or entity to receive similar energetic beneficence from elsewhere, not necessarily a divine intervention. Some Friends literally visualize the recipient as bathed in a healing or loving light.
We welcome your questions. To ask a question about Quakers, the Religious Society of Friends, Friends schools or other related topics, write to quakerquestions@sidwell.edu.

MS NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
How to Submit an Article to Tuesday Letter: Please send submissions, in the body of the email, to PA.MSNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Please reference "Newsletter Submission" and the publish date(s) in the subject line. 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, send it as a PDF attachment. Receipt of your submissions will be confirmed as soon as possible. Submissions may not run for more than three weeks.
How to Modify an existing Submission: Please send a redline or otherwise clearly indicate the change to be made in a second email.
School Calendar: Calendar entries that appear in the right column of each Newsletter are automatically generated by the school, not by the Tuesday newsletter editors. Any changes to the school calendar are made through the school scheduling office at scheduling@sidwell.edu.


US NewsSeniors pick their "battles" in history class
Students collaborate on a personal poem and perform it for their peers.
Read More


MS NewsAn inarguably successful showing
Middle School teams ace third DC Urban Debate League tournament.
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, Feb 17th

Maryland Math League Test

US Dining Room
8:00am - 9:00am


Meet the Head of School - MS Parents

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


Thu, Feb 19th

All MS Meeting for Worship - Parents Invited

Robert L. Smith Mtg Rm
8:00am - 8:45am


PA Arts Committee meeting

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


Fri, Feb 20th

8th Gr. Hangout

Wannan Gym and MS Courtyard
3:30pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Feb 23rd

7th Grade Conversation with Sally

Rosenberg Theater
8:00am - 9:15am


Tue, Feb 24th

MS France Minimester meeting

MS Drama Studio
7:00pm - 8:30pm


5th Gr. Parent Peer Group Meeting

MS Library
7:30pm - 8:30pm


Wed, Feb 25th

6th Grade Conversation with Sally

Rosenberg Theater
8:00am - 9:15am


Fri, Feb 27th

5th Gr. Hangout

Wannan Gym and MS Courtyard
3:30pm - 5:00pm


Sat, Feb 28th

5th Gr. Parent Potluck

Off Campus
7:00pm - 9:00pm


Mon, Mar 2nd

MS PA Steering Comm. Mtg

Rusch Team Rm
8:00am - 9:00am


Wed, Mar 4th

LS Parent Conferences - Half Day


8th Grade Conversation with Sally

Rosenberg Theater
8:00am - 9:15am


Thu, Mar 5th

LS Parent Conferences - Half Day


PA Executive Steering Committee Mtg

Rusch Team Rm
8:30am - 9:30am


Meet the Head of School - PBS & PLAS

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


Fri, Mar 6th

LS Parent Conferences - No School


MS Report Writing - No School


US Report Writing - No School


Sun, Mar 8th

7th Grade Potluck

Off-campus
6:00pm - 8:00pm


More


Athletics


Tue, Feb 17th

Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School


5:00pm


Wed, Feb 18th

Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at National Cathedral School


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Episcopal High School


4:15pm


Basketball - Girls Varsity at St. Andrew's School


4:30pm


Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Landon


4:30pm


Thu, Feb 19th

Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Andrew's School


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Holy Child


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


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


2:45pm


Fri, Feb 20th

Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament 2/20 - 2/22


2/22/2015


Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament: 2/20 - 2/22


2/22/2015


Sat, Feb 21st

Wrestling - Varsity - DC Classic


Indoor Track - P.E. Class (Coed) - Hoxton Meet


Fri, Feb 27th

Wrestling - Varsity - National Preps


2/28/2015


Sat, Feb 28th

Lacrosse - Girls Varsity - Bullis Play Day


Thu, Mar 5th

Lacrosse - Boys Varsity - Scrimmage vs. Walter Johnson


4:15pm


Fri, Mar 6th

Baseball - Varsity - Scrimmage vs. Cardozo HS


4:00pm


Sat, Mar 7th

Baseball - Varsity - Scrimmage vs. Blair


Baseball - Junior Varsity - Scrimmage vs. Blair


More


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