Subject: SFS MS Tuesday Letter 11/2/2010
From: "SFS MS Tuesday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:30:00 -0400

Tuesday - November 2, 2010

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                This Week's Query
Is simplicity always better?Notes from Sally
Assembly:  The Wolf Conservation Center.  The assembly will start at 2:15 this week.
8th grade parents, we'll hope to see you Wednesday night at 7:30 for our CHI meeting!
Our Miniwalk for the Homeless will be Friday.  We would love to a form from every student by Wednesday.  Thank you!
5th grade Conversations with Jack - next Tuesday (11/9) at 7:45 AM in the dining room.
Thanks so much to Liz Bronder and the many parent volunteers who set up so beautifully for the dance on Friday night.  A good time was had by all!
Parents are welcome in Middle School at any time!  However, we do ask that if you need to speak with a teacher about your son or daughter that you make an appointment rather than just dropping in to be sure that we know you are coming.  Remember - all teachers may be reached by email with the last name, first initial @sidwell.edu.  A list of teachers, phone extensions, and emails is in the Student Directory.
Are you planning family travel that will necessitate your child's absence from school?  While we understand that these are often important family occasions, we also hope that you recognize that missing school creates difficulties for your child and for his/her teachers.  If absences are absolutely necessary, we ask that you follow the following procedures:   Please notify both the office and the child's homeroom teacher/advisor as far in advance as possibly that such an absence will take place.  Parents should then notify all of the child's teachers of the absence in the week prior to the trip.  While we will attempt to pull material together for the child in advance, it is not possible to develop a comprehensive list of assignments ahead of time.  The student is responsible for checking the homework websites for homework during the trip and for seeing each teacher upon his/her return to obtain a list of missing work and due dates for such work.  Teachers are not expected to reteach material covered during the student's absence.   It is important for parents to understand that it is impossible to duplicate the experience of being in class and that a decision for a child to miss an extended period of time should be the rare exception rather than the rule.  Absences put children under undue pressure in our already rigorous curriculum.
Attention 8th grade parents:  PLEASE NOTE as you are making your vacation plans for next summer:  Upper School athletic teams all begin pre-season practice before school begins!  If your child wants to play a fall sport, you must take this into consideration when scheduling your summer.
We are approaching the concert season.  7/8 choral and orchestral groups will perform in December, and 5/6 orchestra and 5th grade chorus will perform in January.  For all Middle School concerts the dress requirements are as follows:  Boys - black* pants, black* shoes, white dress shirt, any color tie.  Girls -  Black* pants or skirt, white top (must have sleeves) and black* shoes.  (*or the darkest you own.)  No tennis shoes please.
This week we will welcome back Jean Weitz to her advisory and teaching duties.  Thanks so much to Senor Stewie - it has been great to have you back in Middle School!
The 8th graders from San Francisco Friends School will be traveling to Washington in the spring, and we would love to help them find homestays with Sidwell Friends families for the weekend of April 8-10  (spending Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night with your family.)  Can you help?  Let me know! [Note:  Monday April 12 is a Professional Day, so there is no school.]
We have some wonderful dishes in the office:  a white rectangular Pottery Barn platter, a large oval pewter plate and others.  Are they yours?
We have two new student diversity organizations meeting this year.  A little news from these groups:   Last year, Sidwell Friends School was visited by renowned primatologist, environmentalist and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall. Inspired by her mission to promote peace, acceptance and social change, we have decided to start a 5/6 Roots &amp; Shoots group.  In keeping with the affinity and service groups established in our upper grades 7-12, the 5/6 Roots &amp; Shoots will focus on developing leadership skills and teamwork through community service.     The Roots &amp; Shoots program is about making positive change happen for our communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots &amp; Shoots network connects youth who share a desire to create a better world. SFS Roots &amp; Shoots members will identify problems in our community and grow as leaders through the planning and implementation of service projects. With Roots &amp; Shoots, the possibilities are as varied as our 5th and 6th graders' imaginations! Our flexible model will let the students customize projects to meet their individual and group needs. It is our goal to  foster a fun, inclusive, dynamic and supportive environment where SFS 5th and 6th graders can come together to share ideas and inspiration, implement successful community service projects and participate in special events and global campaigns. Membership in the 5/6 Roots &amp; Shoots is open to all students. The group will meet monthly on Wednesdays after school between 3:30 and 4:30. Students may come to as many or as few meetings as they wish.  Contact: Anna Rozzi [email-masked]
The A-ZSU (7/8) is off to an inspiring start! So far, the approximately 30 members have met twice to set the tone for this year's on-going conversation. During the first meeting, students shared their interest in learning about culture, race, faith and other topics of diversity. Small groups came up with a wide range of definitions for &quot;diversity&quot;, and we played a game called Zen Master in which students contribute one word in turn to invent new, &quot;old&quot; adages. During the second meeting, members were invited to share a few details of their journeys to the group, reflecting on different ways in which issues of difference, understanding, and perspective touch their lives. The group is full of positive, supportive energy. We are looking forward to our next Friday meeting on November 12th.  Faculty advisors:  Alexa Abdelatey, Cynthia Grady, Carlene Jackson, and Leslie Segal.Instrumental Music Notes
5/6 Orchestra &ndash; Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal period
7/8 Orchestra &ndash; Concert Band Wednesday rehearsal periodChorus Rehearsals This Week
Wednesday, November 3rd
Boys Ensemble 7:25
Girls Ensemble during Rehearsal Period
Girls Ensemble 3:30-5:00
Thursday, November 4th
Girls Ensemble 7:25An Invitation from 7/8 Middle School Drama
Middle School Fall Play - Save the Date!
THERE&rsquo;S A BOY IN THE GIRLS&rsquo; BATHROOM
 
The much-anticipated annual Middle School fall play is just around the corner. An adaptation of the novel There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by National Book Award-winning children's writer Louis Sachar, the play features a modern take on the classic tale of the misfit schoolboy. No-one likes 5th grader Bradley Chalkers. Teachers label him with &quot;serious behavioral problems&quot; while his classmates call him a monster. But the school counselor has faith in him, and after a series of tragi-comic episodes, she is proven right. 
 
Free public performances will be held Friday November 12 at 7:30pm and Saturday November 13 at 2:00pm at the Middle School Drama Studio. Please show up to support our talented young thespians and bring along family and friends.  Admission is free, but reservations are recommended by calling:  202/537-8150.
 
(Performances for the 5th-8th grades will be held during school hours Wednesday November 10 through Friday November 12). 
 From the Athletic Director
This winter we are asking all 7/8 students who are playing basketball to purchase a reversible jersey ($25) from the Fox Den.  This jersey can be used for practices, games and other sports. This jersey will be theirs to keep, and each year we will use the same reversible for our sports.
 
Thank you for your support of our program.

							
							
								PA Announcements
                                
                                6th Grade Hangout
Make sure your 6th-grader has reserved this time to gather, socialize and relax with other students in the grade. The hang-out is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3rd. Students will gather on the Upper Field from 3:30-5:00pm. We need parent volunteers to help chaperone and to provided veggies, fruit, etc. to go along with the pizza that will be served. Please contact Claire Dwoskin at [email-masked] if you are able to help.The Lower School Book Fair is Coming!
Come to the Lower School Book Fair on November 13th at Politics and Prose. Long a resource and opportunity for parents and faculty to encourage the joy of reading, proceeds from the event support the LS Parents Association, which funds a variety of activities for our community throughout the year. It is a perfect time to do some early holiday shopping while supporting the local community and our school!
This year&rsquo;s LS Book Fair is one day only&mdash;shop anytime from 9 am through 10 pm. At 10:30 am, we are thrilled to feature a children&rsquo;s book reading by Lower School librarian Angela Smith. At 3 pm, Lower School parent and Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank will read from his book, &ldquo;Tears of a Clown.&rdquo; (Please note this is not a children&rsquo;s book.)   When you use a Book Fair coupon, available at each cash register that day, 20 percent of your purchase total will be donated to the LS PA. Please ask for the coupon at the time of purchase so that your contributions can be counted!

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									 Calendar

									

												
												
	Wed, Nov 3rd 
		
				6th Grade Hang Out 
				
				Wetlands
				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				6th Grade Hang Out (rain) 
				
				Wannan Gym
				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				8th Grade CHI Meeting  
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:30pm

				

	Thu, Nov 4th 
		
				PA Diversity Meeting 
				
				Alumni Lounge
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

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

				

		
				"There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" Dress Rehearsal 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				3:45pm - 6:00pm

				

	Tue, Nov 9th 
		
				5th Grade Conversations with Jack 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

		
				"There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" Final Dress Rehearsal 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				2:00pm - 5:45pm

				

	Thu, Nov 11th 
		
				MS Fall Play (Dress) 
				
				MS Drama Studio

				

				

	Fri, Nov 12th 
		
				No School for Upper School, 9th Grade Conferences 

				

				

		
				MS PE Awards 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm - 3:15pm

				

		
				MS Fall Play: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom  
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:30pm

				

	Sat, Nov 13th 
		
				MS Fall Play: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				2:00pm

				

	Mon, Nov 15th 
		
				5th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				MS Library 
				7:30pm

				

		
				6th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				Team Sea Room
				7:30pm

				

	Tue, Nov 16th 
		
				7th Grade Conservations with Jack 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

	Wed, Nov 17th 
		
				MS Minimester Trips Meeting 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

	Fri, Nov 19th 
		
				US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard 
				
				Arts Center Theater
				8:00pm

				

	Sat, Nov 20th 
		
				US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard 
				
				Arts Center Theater
				8:00pm

				

	Sun, Nov 21st 
		
				US Performance of "The Real Inspector Hound" by Tom Stoppard 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	Tue, Nov 2nd 
		
				Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Norwood School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Norwood School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School 

				3:45pm

				

		
				Volleyball - Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Volleyball - Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Football - Junior Varsity vs. Maret School 

				4:15pm

				

	Wed, Nov 3rd 
		
				Volleyball - 7/8 vs. Maret School 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Soccer - Girls 7/8 B at Maret School 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Soccer - Boys 7/8 A vs. St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Cross-Country - Boys 7/8 at Potomac School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Cross-Country - Girls 7/8 at Potomac School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Bullis 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Football - 7/8 Heavyweight at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Football - 7/8 Lightweight vs. Maret School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Field Hockey - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Soccer - Girls Varsity - ISL Tournament vs. Georgetown Day 

				3:00pm

				

	Thu, Nov 4th 
		
				Tennis - Girls 7/8 vs. Washington International 

				2:15pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

		
				Field Hockey - Varsity - ISL Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Soccer - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Volleyball - Varsity - ISL Tournament vs. Maret 

				4:30pm

				

	Fri, Nov 5th 
		
				Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Field Hockey - Varsity - ISL Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Volleyball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				4:30pm

				

	Sat, Nov 6th 
		
				Football - Varsity vs. Maret School 

				2:30pm

				

	Sun, Nov 7th 
		
				Soccer - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				12:00pm

				

		
				Volleyball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				1:00pm

				

		
				Field Hockey - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				1:00pm

				

		
				Soccer - Boys Varsity - MAC Tournament 

				1:00pm

				

	Fri, Nov 12th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Good Counsel 

				5:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Good Counsel 

				5:30pm

				

	Sat, Nov 13th 
		
				Cross-Country - Boys Varsity - Private School Championships 

				

				

		
				Cross-Country - Girls Varsity - Private School Championships 

				

				

	Fri, Nov 19th 
		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Landon 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms 

				4:30pm

				

	Sat, Nov 20th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at National Cathedral School 

				10:00am

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School 

				12:00pm

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

		
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