Subject: MS Tuesday Letter
From: <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:30:00 -0500

Tuesday - February 23, 2010

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                This Week's Query
 Why do the smartest people tend to do the best in our society as opposed to the kindest?Notes from Sally
This Friday 7th graders will have the chance to meet former SFS Head of School Bob Smith, and 8th graders will be hearing about their 9th grade arts options.  5/6 will not have an assembly.  In addition, 6th &ndash; 8th graders will have the opportunity to hear Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and President and Co-founder of the Millenium Promise Alliance, on Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
All Minimester groups will be announced this week, and groups will meet for a few minutes on Friday morning.
The research team from the Yale School of Forestry that has been studying the impact of the Middle School green building will be returning to the school next Wednesday and Thursday, March 3 and 4, to continue their work.  Middle School students will be bringing home release forms that will allow the team to survey students.  We hope that you will all give permission for your son or daughter to participate in the study!  Please have your child return the signed forms to their homeroom teacher or advisor by this Friday.
The Middle School Diversity Committee is collecting family pictures from students for a family tree display in the middle school. If you have a funny photo, silly snap shot, or just a great picture of your family please bring it in. We can make copies if you would like to keep the original. Pictures can be given to Ms. Phillips, Ms. Clarkson or Ms. Bright.
Reminders of upcoming events:  Conversations with Sally: 7th grade Wednesday morning (2/24),  5th grade next Monday (3/1),  6th grade next Wednesday (3/3), and 8th grade on Wednesday, March 10th.  All meet at 7:45 a.m in the Dining Room.
The 7/8 Dance will be Thursday evening, March 4 from 7:00 &ndash; 9:30 in the Dining Room.  7/8 Parent Peer Groups will also meet that evening, beginning with Michelle Parker in the Drama Studio.
There are no classes for Middle School students on Friday, March 5th.
Our thanks to Kareen Kakouris for filling in for Jamie Lauth in the 5th grade this winter!  Jamie will be back on Monday.
Congratulations to the Math Counts team of Claire Thompson, Benny Miller-Gootnick, Chase Migas, and Nora Kelsall, which won 2nd place at the Math Counts Chapter Competition this past weekend.  In addition, Benny placed 4th individually, and Chase placed 3rd individually.Instrumental Music Notes
Beauty and the Beast Pit Band Monday 3:45-5:00
7/8 Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal period
5/6 Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal period
Beauty and the Beast Pit Band Wednesday 3:45-5:00
Jazz/Rock Band Thursday 3:45-5:00 Chorus Rehearsals This  Week
Wednesday, February 24th
 8th grade small group I 7:25 a.m.
 Girls Ensemble  12:55-1:50 p.m.
 
 Thursday, February 25th
 Girls Ensemble 3:30-5:00 p.m.
 Friday, February 26th
       Boys Ensemble  11:00-11:25 a.m.From the Admissions Office
Re-enrollment contracts are due on Monday, March 1.  Log into the Parent Portal to submit your child&rsquo;s contract online.  Call the Office with any questions at 202-537-8111. 5th Annual Tennis Tournament -- Registration Deadline this Friday!
Register by Friday, February 26th and don't miss the chance to get out on the courts for a great evening of round robin, doubles tennis and socializing at the 5th Annual Tennis Tournament in support of student financial aid. Our event co-chairs Shallah Jewel, Sara Jane Harris, and Anne Mazlish would love to see you there. All player levels are welcome and spectators are encouraged.
When: Saturday, March 6; 6-10:00 p.m.
Where: College Park Tennis Center
Why: Play doubles with new partners, meet fellow tennis enthusiasts in the SFS community and have fun, ALL while raising money for financial aid!
Click here to register and consider becoming a sponsor. Please contact the Events for Student Scholarships office at 202-537-8100 or [email-masked] with your questions.
The 6th Annual Anindya Dehejia '78 Memorial Lecture
Please join us for a presentation by Jeffrey D. Sachs on Wednesday, February 24th at 3:45 p.m. in the Kogod Arts Center.
Professor Sachs is the director of The Earth Institute, the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, and a professor of health policy and management at Columbia University.   He also serves as special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Millennium Development Goals, the internationally agreed goals to reduce extreme poverty, disease, and hunger by the year 2015, and the president and co-founder of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization aimed at ending extreme global poverty. From 2002 to 2006, he was director of the UN Millennium Project and special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  He also is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Common Wealth  and The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time.
Professor Sachs was named one of Time Magazine&rsquo;s &ldquo;100 Most Influential People in the World&rdquo; in 2004 and 2005 and is widely considered to be the leading international economic advisor of his generation.  As director of The Earth Institute, he leads a large-scale effort to integrate the sciences&mdash;including climatology, hydrology, engineering, economics, geography, and public health&mdash;into a new field of sustainable development. In this capacity, he has helped to launch major new education programs, public outreach, and public policies to promote the practical application of inter-disciplinary knowledge to solve global problems. Recently, Professor Sachs has worked to encourage a school-to-school partnership between SFS Middle School students and students in Ghana.
A reception will follow the lecture.  Please RSVP by Friday, February 19 to [email-masked] or 202-537-8125.Friends Family Science Night at the Air & Space Museum, March 2
Family Science Night Invitation, March 2Once again, Sidwell Friends as been invited to join other Quaker schools in the region for a special evening at the Air &amp; Space Museum on Family Science Night, Tuesday, March 2 from 6:45-9:00 p.m.  Buses will depart from the Wisconsin Ave campus at 6:15 p.m and return by 9:20 p.m.  We have space for 175 people from Sidwell.  The program is geared for students in 3rd grade and up; younger children should not attend.  Selected museum galleries will be open before the program.  The evening includes the IMAX film Cosmic Voyage and a presentation by scientist Jeff Goldstein on current attempts to pick up signals from planets in other solar systems.  Those of you who attended last year know that Dr. Goldstein is a dynamic presenter and makes complex space science accessible to all.  Please send an email to reserve your spot to Sam Francis, LS Science Teacher.  ([email-masked]). Indicate how many people in your family will be attending and the name and grade level of any Sidwell students.  The cost is $5 per person(bus costs) with a $15 per family maximum.  No individual entry to the museum on that night.  Hope to see you there! Read More

								PA Announcements
                                
                                BSU -- Swab a Cheek, Save a Life
In conjunction with the BSU Black History performance on the evening of Wednesday, February 24th, the Swab a Cheek, Save a Life (SACSAL) organization will be holding a bone marrow drive in the foyer of the Arts Centerfrom 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Although SACSAL&rsquo;s mission is focused on increasing minority representation in the national bone marrow registry, no one who wishes to register will be turned away during the drive on February 24th. To enroll in the donor registry, no blood test is required; all it takes is a simple swab of the inside of your cheek. For more information regarding the drive, feel free to contact Donna Joe at [email-masked] or 301-640-6201. To learn more about SACSAL, please go to www.swabacheek.org.

5th Grade Hangout
The next 5th grade Hangout will be held in the Dining Room on Friday February 26th from 3:30-5:00 p.m.  If you are available to help set up, clean up or chaperone, please contact Lisa Gunty at [email-masked].  If you would like to contribute a treat, veggies, or fruit, please also contact Lisa Gunty.  Pick up will either be at the Dining Room anytime or on 37th Street at 5:00 p.m.  Please make arrangements to have your child picked up by no later than 5:00 p.m.  
 7th and 8th Grade Notes
Thank you to all the parents who helped set up and clean up for the 8th grade parent potluck at the Edgemoor Club on Saturday evening.  A good time was had by all.  If you are missing platters, utensils, etc. from this event or other gatherings please contact Margie Sollee ([email-masked]) or Adrienne Chen-Young ([email-masked]). We may have what you are looking for or know where to find it.
The postponed 7/8 dance and parent peer groups will be held Thursday evening March 4th.  Please note there is no school on Friday, March 5th.  The dance will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Parent peer groups will begin at 7:30 p.m. at which time psychologist Michelle Parker will be available to advise parents with questions regarding the Pete Peterson incident.  At 8:00 p.m., parents will break into grade specific peer groups.  The dance will end at 9:30 p.m.

 Middle School Book Fair--Collecting Used Books Now!
We are now collecting gently worn books for the Middle School Used Book Fair that will take place in April. We&rsquo;ll accept fiction and nonfiction books of interest to middle school students. Some picture books will be fine, but please no adult books, textbooks, workbooks, etc. People can drop bags/boxes of books off by Cynthia Grady&rsquo;s desk in the library.  If you have any questions please send an e-mail to Colette Chichester (email: [email-masked]) and Fatim Haidara (email: [email-masked] ).

								Other News 
                                
                                Green Tip
Green Dry Cleaning
Avoid PERC (perchloroethylene a volatile organic compound - VOC). PERC is regulated, though not banned by OSHA and EPA and 85% US drycleaners still use it. If inhaled, PERC can affect the nervous and respiratory system (usually in occupational settings, but not always) and long-term exposure can damage the liver and kidneys. Studies link PERC to cancer in lab animals. PERC also contributes to smog when it reacts with VOCs in the air, all of which acts to damage the stratospheric ozone layer that protects us from the sun&rsquo;s harmful rays. Here&rsquo;s a few alternatives:
1. You can often hand-wash many dry clean only clothes.
2. &ldquo;Wet&rdquo; dry cleaning is safe and uses controlled amounts of water.
3. A new safe alternative, &ldquo;liquid CO2&rdquo;, converts CO2 to a liquid &amp; carries soap like water.
4. Avoid DF-2000, if possible, it&rsquo;s made from oil and thus, contributes to global warming.
5. Recycle those wire hangers!
Comments, questions to Louise Micallef [email-masked] Information
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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: [email-masked].
							
						 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 [email-masked].

					

							
								
									 Calendar

									

												
												
	Tue, Feb 23rd 
		
				Lower School Conference Half -Day 

				

				

		
				Lower School Dismissal at 12:15 PM 

				

				

		
				Middle School Maryland Math League 
				
				US Dining Hall
				8:00am - 8:45am

				

		
				All School PA Nominating Committee Meeting 
				
				US Library Board Room
				8:00am - 9:30am

				

		
				Fair Share Committee Meeting 
				
				US Library Board Room 
				4:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	
Wed, Feb 24th 
		
				Lower School Conference Day 

				

				

		
				No School--Lower School Only 

				

				

		
				Conversation with Sally- 7th Grade Parents 
				
				US Dining Room 
				7:45am

				

		
				Dehejia Lecture Reception 
				
				MS Drama Studio and MS Foyer
				3:30pm - 7:30pm

				

		
				BSU Celebration Evening Performance 
				
				Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
				7:00pm

				

	
Thu, Feb 25th 
		
				Lower School Conference Half-Day 

				

				

		
				Lower School Dismissal at 12:15 PM 

				

				

		
				MS Meeting for Worshop 
				
				AC Meeting Room 
				8:10am - 8:40am

				

	
Fri, Feb 26th 
		
				5th grade hangout 
				
				US Dining Room
				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				Arts Guild 
				
				AC Theater
				7:00pm - 9:30pm

				

	
Sat, Feb 27th 
		
				7th Grade Parent Reception 
				
				TBD
				7:30pm

				

	
Mon, Mar 1st 
		
				Conversation with Sally- 5th Grade Parents 
				
				US Dining Room 
				7:45am

				

	
Tue, Mar 2nd 
		
				8th Grade Curriculum Night 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:15pm

				

	
Wed, Mar 3rd 
		
				Conversation with Sally- 6th Grade Parents 
				
				US Dining Room 
				7:45am

				

		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				US Crane Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

	
Thu, Mar 4th 
		
				9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Parents Breakfast with Principal, Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Academic Dean and Director of College Counseling 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30am

				

		
				MS Meeting for Worship 
				
				AC Meeting Room 
				8:10am - 8:40am

				

		
				7/8th Grade Dance  
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30pm - 10:00pm

				

		
				7th/8th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				8:00pm - 10:00pm

				

	
Fri, Mar 5th 
		
				No School--Upper and Middle School Only 

				

				

		
				Upper and Middle School Faculty In-Service Day 

				

				

	
Sat, Mar 6th 
		
				Tennis Tournament, IA 
				
				Off Campus

				

				
		
				Sidwell Summer: Coffee with the Kaleidoscope Directors 
				
				Lower School Multipurpose Room 
				9:30am - 11:00am

				

	
Sun, Mar 7th 
		
				Senior Portraits 
				
				Senior Center, US 10/12, Crane Room 
				8:30am - 6:00pm

				

	
Mon, Mar 8th 
		
				PA MS Steering Committee Meeting 
				
				MS Library
				8:00am

				

	
Wed, Mar 10th 
		
				Conversation with Sally for 8th Grade 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

	
Thu, Mar 11th 
		
				PA Arts Committee Meeting 
				
				MS Library Classroom
				7:45pm - 9:30pm

				

	
Fri, Mar 12th 
		
				US Play "The Importance of Being Ernest" 
				
				Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
				8:00pm

				

	
Sat, Mar 13th 
		
				6th Grade Parent Reception 
				
				TBD

				

				
		
				SAT Testing 

				8:00am

				

		
				DC Diversity Career Fair 
				
				US Dining Room 
				8:00am - 4:00pm

				

		
				US Play "The Importance of Being Ernest" 
				
				AC Theater
				8:00pm

				

	
Sun, Mar 14th 
		
				Daylight Savings Time Begins 

				

				

		
				Senior Portraits 
				
				US Senior Center, US 10/12, Crane Room 
				9:00am - 3:00pm

				

		
				US Play "The Importance of Being Ernest" 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm

				

	
Mon, Mar 15th 
		
				Middle School Minimester 

				
				3/18/2010

				

				MS Minimester 

				
				3/18/2010

				

				Grade 2 Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				8:15am - 9:45am

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	Mon, Feb 22nd 
		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Madeira 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Madeira 

				6:00pm

				

	
Tue, Feb 23rd 
		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Washington Latin 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at Maret School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Maret School 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Potomac School 

				7:30pm

				

	
Wed, Feb 24th 
		
				Winter Soccer - Girls 7/8 vs. National Cathedral School 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A vs. Landon 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity - Metros 

				4:45pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity - Metros 

				4:45pm

				

	
Thu, Feb 25th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity - Metros 

				4:45pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity - Metros 

				4:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament at higher seed 

				5:00pm

				

	
Fri, Feb 26th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament at St. Andrew's 

				

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity vs. National Preps 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament at higher seed 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity - Metros 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity - Metros 

				5:00pm

				

	
Sat, Feb 27th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament at GDS 

				

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity vs. National Preps 

				

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity - Metros 

				8:00am

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity - Metros 

				8:00am

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament at St. Andrew's 

				5:00pm

				

	
Sun, Feb 28th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament at GDS 

				2:30pm

				

	
Sat, Mar 6th 
		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity - St. Andrew's Playday 

				9:00am

				

	
Tue, Mar 9th 
		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity at Walter Johnson HS 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Walter Johnson HS 

				4:30pm

				

	
Thu, Mar 11th 
		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. St. John's College HS 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity at Riverdale Baptist 

				5:00pm

				

	
Fri, Mar 12th 
		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity at The Heights 

				4:00pm

				

	
Sat, Mar 13th 
		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. St. John's College HS 

				1:00pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity at St. Albans 

				2:00pm

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

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