Subject: SFS LS Thursday Letter 10-21-2010
From: "SFS LS Thursday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:00:00 -0400

Thursday - October 21, 2010

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                QUERY
&ldquo;American Indians lived as one with nature.
Would the earth be a better place if we followed their example?&rdquo;
--Grade 2XPHOTO RETAKE DAY-NOVEMBER 1
The Lower School photo retake day is Monday, November 1.  In order for your child&rsquo;s photo to be retaken you will need to send the original package back to school with your child.  Please keep the class photo as these are not retaken.  If you have any questions contact Liz Stoneham in the Manor House Office on 202-537-6995 or by email [email-masked].  
 HALLOWEEN PARADE AT LOWER SCHOOL
Parents are invited to watch the LS parade which will begin on the Upper Field blacktop at 1:45 pm on Friday, October 29.  After the parade, the children will go back to their classrooms and are also free to leave with parents if they wish.  We will have our regular dismissal at 3:00 pm.  Please be thoughtful about the choice of costumes and avoid those that have a violent or gruesome theme.  If your child wears a mask make sure their vision is not impaired.  And please, no weapons.INTRODUCTION TO QUAKERISM
Please join Tom Farquhar as he gives an overview of and more in-depth understanding to the foundational principles that Sidwell Friends School is based on. Quaker values, Meeting for Worship and the associated Testimonies will be discussed. Tom will talk about Quakerism in general and, of course, some of its applications here at school.  All are welcome on Tuesday, October 19 at 7PM in the Lower School Quaker Meetinghouse.

								PA Announcements
                                
                                COME TO HOMECOMING THIS SAT., OCT. 23 11:30 - 4
Fun for all ages. Rally around SFS and cheer for our teams. Activities for younger students. Fantastic food sales by the Upper School Clubs. Amazing deals at our enormous Next to New Sale. Read MoreATTENDING MEETING FOR WORSHIP
Please feel welcome to attend Meeting for Worship with your child.  Next Tuesday, October 19 at 1:30 PM the 4X, 1, and 3 classes will be  in the LS Meeting House. You are also most welcome to join your child in his or her classroom.  Please arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in before Meeting for Worship, or walk with your child's class  if they are hosted elsewhere.  Click on the &quot;Read More&quot; link for a Meeting House schedule for the year, for your advance planning. Read MoreREFLECTIONS FROM THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the LS Parents&rsquo; Diversity Committee and are offered by the committee as food for thought to facilitate an open dialogue on the subject.  We hope it leads to greater discussion on the meaning of diversity.

&ldquo;A young child&hellip;asks his mother why the man in the grocery store is so dark.  Instead of answering, his mother tells him to be quiet, which tells the child it&rsquo;s not okay to discuss differences.&rdquo;  Beverly Daniel Tatum &lsquo;98

Talk openly with your child about that which makes us different, and that which makes you uncomfortable.

We welcome your comments and feedback.  Email [email-masked] SERVICE CORNER: WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES
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A Wider Circle 
Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, November 7th from 1 to 3 pm. Volunteers will help sort children&rsquo;s clothing, household items, pantry foods and furniture. Your time will greatly benefit AWC&rsquo;s Neighbor to Neighbor as they help families who are just leaving shelters to make a warm, safe and comfortable home. All families welcome (ages 4 and up), Third Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP by November 1st to Sara Jane Harris, [email-masked].
Martha's Table
Gather at Martha's Table Saturday, November 13th from 10 am to 12:30 pm to make and bag donated food to feed the hungry throughout the city. You can even take a tour through the kitchen where you will see the enormous pot your Wednesday Veggies fill to make the famous Martha&rsquo;s Table soup! All families welcome (ages 4 and up), PK and First Grade families encouraged. (Families can leave earlier than 12:30 pm if they need to.) Please RSVP by October 22nd to Felice Roggen at [email-masked]. 

Wondering when your grade is slated to volunteer? Follow the link below:
 Read MoreCOMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER: WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING FOR FAMILIES IN NOVEMBER
Weekend slots fill quickly.
A Wider Circle 
Join SFS families at A Wider   Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, November 7 from   1 to 3 PM. Volunteers will help sort children&rsquo;s clothing, household   items, pantry foods and furniture. Your time will greatly benefit AWC&rsquo;s   Neighbor to Neighbor as they help families who are just leaving  shelters  to make a warm, safe and comfortable home. All families  welcome (ages 4  and up), Third Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP  by November 1 to Sara Jane Harris, [email-masked].
Martha's Table
Gather at Martha's Table Saturday, November 13 from 10 am   to 12:30 PM to make and bag donated food to feed the hungry throughout   the city. You can even take a tour through the kitchen where you will   see the enormous pot your Wednesday Veggies fill to make the famous   Martha&rsquo;s Table soup! All families welcome (ages 4 and up), PK and First  Grade families encouraged. (Families can leave earlier than 12:30 pm if they need to.) Please RSVP by October 22 to Felice Roggen at [email-masked].
Wondering when your grade is slated to volunteer? Follow the &quot;Read More&quot; link below.
 Read MoreCOMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER: SERVICE DAYS
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SERVICE DAY FOR GRADES 2 THROUGH 4 IS TODAY!
Your kids will have fun and meaningful experiences as they serve their community side by side with their friends. Be sure to check the weather and special clothing requirements for your child's trip. Please contact your grade rep or Beth Zeugin, community service co-clerk, with questions at [email-masked]. .

Second Graders: leave for Locust Grove Nature Center at 12:15 pm
Third Graders: leave for the Bladensburg Water Park at 11:30 am
Fourth Graders: leave for Brightwood Elementary School at 12:15 pm 
Tuesday, October 26th: Kindergarten and 1st grade
* Kindergartners help Lower School compost our food waste
* First graders beautify Lower School campus Read MoreCOMMUNITY SERVICE: FALL SERVICE DAYS FOR SFS LS STUDENTS
SERVICE DAYS ARE COMING FOR LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS!
Your kids will have wonderful and fun experiences as they serve  their community side by side with their friends. Please read the Parent Information Handout.  The handouts are grade specific and attached to the electronic  permission slip. Each grade has different clothing requirement and  important information for parents.  And remember the permission slips  are due October 13.

Thursday, October 21st: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades
* 2nd graders collect native hardwood seeds to restore Potomac Watershed
* 3rd graders do a river cleanup in the Anacostia Watershed
* 4th graders begin reading partnerships with Brightwood students
Tuesday, October 26th: Kindergarten and 1st grade
* Kindergartners help Lower School compost our food waste
* First graders beautify Lower  School campus
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact your grade representative or Beth Zeugin at [email-masked]. Read MoreLOWER SCHOOL FAMILIES INVITED TO HOMECOMING
Come and enjoy an afternoon of fun at Homecoming on Saturday, October 23, from 2-4 PM. Watch SFS athletics, sample great food and enjoy crafts, a moon bounce, and more. Interested in helping out? Volunteers are needed on October 23. For more info, contact Spirit Across Sidwell co-clerks Arnold and Shelley Kee at [email-masked].
SAVE THE DATE: SFS LOWER SCHOOL BOOK FAIR: NOVEMBER 13
The annual Lower School Book Fair will be held at Politics &amp; Prose this year &ndash; one day only!  Mark your calendars for November 13 and come make history with us as we host an old tradition at a new venue.SAVE THE DATE: TECHNOLOGY TALK ON NOVEMBER 17
The SFS Lower School Parents Association invites all parents of Lower School students to a discussion about technology use at home and school, featuring SFS Lower School Director of Academic Technology, Jenni Voorhees, November 17, 7-9 PM at the Lower School Meetinghouse. Ms. Voorhees is a recognized expert on educational technology, digital citizenship, and online behavior, and has made presentations to parents and schools from Richmond to Baltimore. For more information, contact Ira Apfel ([email-masked]) or Susan Maniatis ([email-masked]).MOVEMENT STUDIO GRAND OPENING PERFORMANCE
An Invitation from Margot Greenlee to the SFS Community:
Please come and help us inaugurate our new movement studio which is both big and beautiful. We will be able to really spread out and leap high here! To celebrate this year&rsquo;s new student initiatives within our greater campus visibility, we will host a Studio Grand Opening performance on October 27 at 4:30PM and 7 PM. This event will bring together all movement and dance students grades 7 - 12. Be sure to invite  your friends, family members and teachers. Potluck dinner too!!

								Other News 
                                
                                BOOK BOYCOTT!
Do not buy any books between now and November 13th! Save up a list for the LOWER SCHOOL BOOK FAIR at Politics &amp; Prose. Just in time for the holidays, you can shop 'til you drop and support the Lower School Parents Association. SAVE THE DATE and look for more information in the coming weeksCHI (COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE) NEWS
This Fall we'll have the first Parent Peer Group Meetings, where parents gather with other parents from their child's grade to talk about a wide range of parenting issues. These gatherings, which focus solely on non-academic issues, are guided by parent facilitators; topics are generated by the parents at hand and often include conversations about playdates, regulating children's &quot;screen time&quot; and juggling extracurricular activities. Please mark your calendars for these meaningful meetings which take place once in the fall and again in the spring. 

Parent Peer Group Meetings (all at Lower School from 7:30-9pm; separate locations for each grade) 

PK/K parent gatherings THURSDAY OCT. 21 (PK parents will meet in the Meeting House, Kindergarten parents will meet in the Library)

Grades 1 and 2: WEDNESDAY OCT. 27 

Grades 3 and 4 : MONDAY NOV. 1 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anne Conlee Mazlish at [email-masked] or Camille Thornton at [email-masked] REBATE PROGRAMS
Painless way to contribute to Sidwell Friends School:  If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to sign up now for Education Rebate Programs!

It's free and easy &amp; provides Sidwell Friends Parents Association with funds for much needed programs.  Sign up before November 1st for uninterrupted education rebate programs at Giant Food (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1136.569098.25157.909), Safeway (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1136.569098.25157.6864), and Target (http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1136.569098.25157.5094).  Online registration is quick and there are no fees involved.  Click the links and follow the prompts to sign up for Sidwell Friends School.  ID #s for Giant are LS:  00177; MS: 00176;  US:  00178.  If you have questions, please contact Donna Grell at [email-masked].  Thank you for your support!PRO-BOWL LINEUP FOR FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS at HOMECOMING
We have a PRO-BOWL line up for football concessions at homecoming.  Head of School Tom Farquhar, Upper School Principal Lee Palmer, and Athletic Director Anne Renninger will be taking over the concessions stand during half time of the game against Frederick County.  Kick-off is at 2 p.m.  Bring your camera and come get your FREE photo with our outstanding concessions team.EVENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
THE NEXT-TO-NEW SALE IS THIS WEEK!!!!

Thursday, October 21 from 11 AM to 8 PM (SFS families only)
Friday, October 22 from 9:30 AM to 8 PM (public)
Saturday, October 23 from 9 AM to 4 PM (public)

Shop early for the best deals on housewares, clothes, sporting goods, holiday items, bikes, shoes, and much more! Please be prepared to take your items with you, especially furniture since we have limited space.

All proceeds directly benefit student financial aid.UPDATING INFORMATION IN SCHOOL'S RECORDS
Moving?  New job?  New health insurance?   Please keep household and student health information up-to-date in the school&rsquo;s records.   Select &ldquo;Update Household/Student Information&rdquo; from the left banner on the Parent Portal. Update any information that has recently changed or correct information that is inaccurate.  Accurate information helps us provide appropriate care for your child in case of an emergency and to communicate with you concerning your child&rsquo;s academic progress.
HOMECOMING FUN RUN FOR KIDS
All SFS Lower School students are invited to participate in our run to kick off a day of Upper School athletic contests, food sold by clubs and Next to New Sale!  Please email the name and grade of any child interested in participating in the Fun Run to [email-masked].

WHEN: Saturday, October 23 at 10:30 AM
WHERE: Sidwell Friends Upper School Track
DISTANCE: 2 laps
AWARDS: every finisherEARLY RELEASE DAY SPARC CAMPS!
Time is running out to reserve your spot in the upcoming Early Release Day SPARC Programs. On Thursday, October 21  SPARC will offer a Autumn Mini-Camp complete with cooking and arts and crafts. On Monday, October 25 we&rsquo;ll head to Pumpkinville for a full day of fun with hayrides, hay maze, petting zoo, and pumpkin patch. On Tuesday October 26, SPARC will host a Halloween Party that will feature a scavenger hunt, moonbounce, optional face painting, and more! For more information and the application please visit http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1136.569098.25157.4881.  Questions? Email [email-masked] or call 202-537-8401.
ANNUAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CHORUS FESTIVAL CONCERT
An Invitation from John Touchton to the SFS Community!
Now celebrating its twenty-first year, the annual Independent Schools  Chorus Festival concert will be held at the National Cathedral on  Wednesday, October 20, beginning at 8:00 PM.  Five  hundred fifty student singers from area independent school choruses  (including Sidwell, Maret, Potomac, Landon, Holton-Arms, GDS, St.  Albans, National Cathedral School and Bullis) perform one solo piece and  then join together to perform four massed choral works.  Admission is  free and open to the public and, with the exception of administration  from the independent schools, there is no reserved seating.  We would be  so honored for Sidwell families to join us on this evening with our  wishes for you to enjoy inspiring music and amazing student musicians in  an awesome space!LS THURSDAY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe 
To receive the Thursday Letter via e-mail, send an e-mail to [email-masked] with only the word &quot;SUBSCRIBE&quot; in the subject line.
How to Unsubscribe 
If you have wish to have your name removed from the subscription list, send an e-mail to [email-masked] with only the word &quot;UNSUBSCRIBE&quot; in the subject line.
How to Submit an Article to Thursday Letter
Send submissions to [email-masked] by 2 PM Wednesday. Please reference &quot;Newsletter Submission&quot; 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.
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. 
						LS newsletter submissions should be sent to [email-masked].

					

							
								
									 Calendar

									

												
												
	Thu, Oct 21st 
		
				LS Conference Day, Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 

				8:30am - 12:15pm

				

		
				Next-To-New Sale 
				
				Wannan Gym
				11:00am - 8:00pm

				

		
				Optional Service Day for Grades 2,3,4 
				
				LS
				12:15pm - 3:00pm

				

		
				K Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				PK Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Quaker Meeting Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				PA Arts Committee Meeting 
				
				US Library Board Room
				8:15pm - 9:30pm

				

	Fri, Oct 22nd 
		
				Next-To-New Sale 
				
				Wannan Gym
				9:30am - 8:00pm

				

	Sat, Oct 23rd 
		
				Homecoming 

				

				

		
				Next-To-New Sale 
				
				Wannan Gym
				9:00am - 4:00pm

				

	Mon, Oct 25th 
		
				No School, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools/LS & MS Conference Day, US In-Service  

				

				

		
				Lower and Middle School Conference Day 

				8:30am - 4:00pm

				

	Tue, Oct 26th 
		
				Parents Association Athletic Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				7:45am - 8:30am

				

		
				MS Conference, Half Day, Dismissal at 11:45am 

				8:00am - 11:45am

				

		
				LS Conference, Half Day, Dismissal at 12:15 

				8:30am - 12:15am

				

		
				Optional Service Day for K & Grade 1 
				
				LS
				12:15pm - 3:00pm

				

	Wed, Oct 27th 
		
				Kx to Sharp's Farm, Brookeville, MD 

				9:00am - 12:15pm

				

		
				1st Grade Parents Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Quaker Meeting Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				2nd Grade Parents Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

	Thu, Oct 28th 
		
				1x class to the White House and Lincoln Memorial 

				8:00am - 1:30pm

				

	Fri, Oct 29th 
		
				LS Halloween Parade 

				1:45pm

				

	Mon, Nov 1st 
		
				Grade 4 to National Zoo 

				9:00am - 2:30pm

				

		
				3rd Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Quaker Meeting Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				4th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

	Wed, Nov 3rd 
		
				Grade 3 to Library of Congress 

				9:00am - 12:30pm

				

	Fri, Nov 5th 
		
				Assembly: Rob Guttenberg - Disabilities 
				
				LS MultiPurpose Room
				9:00am - 10:00am

				

	Tue, Nov 9th 
		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

		
				Technology Swivel Session  
				
				US Library
				2:30pm - 4:00pm

				

											More

									

						

			

	

	

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