Subject: MS Tuesday Letter
From: "SFS MS Tuesday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:00:00 -0500

Tuesday - December 7, 2010

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                This Week's Query
How much do we need to be truly happy? Notes from Sally
The assembly this week is the 7/8 Choral and Instrumental Concert.  The show will be performed Wednesday evening at 7:30 and again on Friday afternoon at 1:45 in the arts center theater.  All are welcome!
There are two other special programs this Friday.  5th and 6th graders will see a performance by the Young Playwright&rsquo;s Theater on Friday morning at 9 AM, and 8th graders will visit the Upper School for an introductory program at 8:30 Friday morning.
Our Robotics team will be participating in a preliminary round of competition this Saturday -  good luck!!   Also our 7/8 Girls&rsquo; Ensemble will be joining the Thomas Circle Singers for a holiday program on Sunday afternoon.  I know they will do a beautiful job!
Finally, fifth graders will show off their fall science projects at the Invention Convention on Wednesday from 5-7 PM in Room 222.
We are pleased to announce that Stephen Balkam will be hosting sessions titled &ldquo;From Cyberbullies &amp; Sexting to Digital Citizenship,&rdquo; for middle school parents, students and teachers. These events will occur throughout December and January. The first session is for 6th grade students on December 13th during the school day. Mr. Balkam is currently the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), an international, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC.  FOSI&rsquo;s mission is to make the online world safer for kids and their families.  Parents, mark your calendars for the evening program on January 26th as part of the winter all-MS PA meeting.
We have a new Lost and Found bin on the third floor for 7/8 students.  It already has clothes in it and is located near Room 320 on the science wing.
The full booklet of Minimester offerings will be published in January, and students who are participating in local options will be asked to fill out their preference sheet at that time.  One of the offerings will continue to be an Apprenticeship program, which offers students the opportunity to shadow a professional in the community.   A perennial favorite of Middle School apprentices is to spend the week shadowing a Lower School teacher.  However, the increasing numbers of students who are interested in this possibility has become overwhelming for our friends at Lower School over the last year or so, so we have worked with them to create new guidelines for this apprenticeship.    These new guidelines will apply to Lower School apprentices, beginning with the Spring of 2011:   &middot;
There will be a cap of 20 on the number of students engaged in Apprenticeships at Lower School.  In addition, there will be no more than two apprentices per classroom or per special teacher   &middot;
We will ask that there be a gap of two grade levels between the Apprentices and the students that they are working with. Thus a fifth grade Middle School Apprentice would work with grade two and lower, a sixth grader with third grade and lower, seventh with grade four and lower and eighth with any grade. Special teachers who teach across grade levels could accommodate Middle School students of any level.   &middot;
Students should contact Lower School teachers directly through email to ask for placement in their rooms.  No phone calls, please!  The Middle School teachers in charge of Apprenticeship Minimester (Susanne Saunders and Carlene Jackson) will confer with the teachers who receive emails and let the Middle School applicants know the status of their requests.
Please help us manage our Middle School program by adhering strictly to this guideline.   &middot;
Middle School is examining our guidelines for service to make sure the true spirit of contributing to those in need is involved.  Working at Lower School will now be considered a regular apprenticeship, designed to encourage learning and role exploration. Although those who worked at Lower School in previous years may have used it to fulfill their service requirement, it will no longer be categorized as a service Minimester beginning in the spring of 2011.
Instrumental Music Rehearsals
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Monday 3:30-5:30 Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Wednesday 12:55-1:50 Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Wednesday 6:00- CALL TIME 7:30 SHOW TIME Arts Center
7/8 Orchestra - FULL ORCHESTRA - Friday 12:30 - CALL TIME 1:45 SHOW TIME Arts Center
Concert Dress: &quot;Black and Whites&quot;
No 5/6 Orchestra this weekChorus Week is Upon Us!
Tuesday, December 7th ALL singers in the choral portion of the holiday concert&mdash;2:00 to 5:30pm in the arts center&mdash;singers must be present to perform on Wednesday
Wednesday, December 8th Concert at 7:30pm &ndash; Call time is 7:00pm in the middle school chorus room &ndash; dressed in &ldquo;Black and Whites&rdquo;
Friday, December 10th Concert at 1:45pm &ndash; parents are welcome at this concert also!!
Please feel free to contact Ms. Holtz if you have any questions or concerns.75 for 75 Fair Share Challenge
We are excited to announce that a few anonymous parents have joined forces to issue a collective Fair Share challenge to the current parent community at Sidwell Friends. Never before has your participation in the Fair Share Fund had such a monumental impact!
THE CHALLENGE:  If parent participation in Fair Share reaches 75 percent by December 31, 2010, our anonymous donors will give a combined contribution of $75,000 to the Fund!
This means that your gift or pledge, regardless of size, takes on even more value as it moves us one step further toward our goal.
What&rsquo;s the difference between a gift and a pledge? A gift is money given to Fair Share immediately. A pledge is a commitment to give a specific amount before June 30, 2011, at a time that is convenient for you. A pledge counts immediately toward our participation goal!  If are unsure of the amount you want to give, pledge an amount that is comfortable for you now.  It is easy to increase your gift at the time you pay if you wish to do so!
Please make a gift or a pledge today and help us meet this extraordinary challenge!  Visit www.sidwell.edu/support to make a gift or e-mail your pledge to Leslie Hutchens, Director of Annual Funds, at [email-masked].
Thank you to all those who have already supported Fair Share!The Middle Years
Middle_years_12-10.pdfRead the latest issue of Middle Years, a newsletter for parents of middle schoolers.  Read MoreAddresses Needed for Grandparents Day
All Middle School grandparents are invited to spend the day with their grandchildren for Grandparents Day held at the Middle School campus on May 6, 2011. Grandparents will have the opportunity to explore campus, meet their grandchildren&rsquo;s teachers and friends, and enjoy lunch. If your MS students&rsquo; grandparents do not currently receive mail from us, please send their full mailing address to [email-masked]. We are expecting another large turnout so it is very important that grandparents RSVP for the event and that parents plan to drop them off (parking will be very limited). Thank you!

								PA Announcements
                                
                                Artrageous Needs You!
Put on your dancing shoes, exercise your fingers, warm up those voices, plug in the guitars, and rise up to this CALL for all performing musicians to participate in the fun event known as ArtRageous!  This happening takes place in the beautiful spaces of the Middle School this year on Sunday, January 30, 1:00-4:00 p.m.  Write it down now, and reserve your chance to participate by sending a note to [email-masked].  Please include your name, and/or your parent's name, and contact information, how you wish to perform, what you wish to perform, i.e. the title of the piece and its author, composer, or choreographer. Read MoreArtrageous Shout Out
Friends, Parents, Patrons, lend us your love of all things Art! ArtRageous (Sunday, Jan 30 from 1-4) promises to bring out the artist or art appreciator in you if you'll help us bring out the RAGE in ART! This SCHOOL-WIDE day of COMMUNITY and ART is fabulously fun, and it CANNOT happen without YOU! We are excited by a new venue this year - the beautiful Middle School - and it's going to be exhilerating to celebrate the arts in ways old and NEW in the cool Blackbox Theatre, the professionally designed Art Studios, the inspiring Instrumental and Choral Classrooms - BUT WE NEED YOU. Set up (morning), Clean up (4-5:30), Assisting Art Stops and other events (1-4) - we've got a place only YOUR SHOES will dance in! To reserve your place in making this happen, please contact Rebecca Boylan at [email-masked], and THANK YOU!Note from the Parent Association Presidents
On behalf of the entire Sidwell Friends Parents Association, Lynn and I wish you a happy, healthy holiday season.
Please take a moment to read the gift giving opportunities from each division.  This year, we have made all drop-off dates the same, November 29th through December 10th.  You can drop off unwrapped gifts at the Lower School Manor House, outside the Middle School front offices, or in the Upper School Library or Mr. Connell&rsquo;s office &ndash; Room 222.  Please see the individual division notices on the many different types of gifts needed.
We hope you take this opportunity to enjoy the best the season has to offer including a gift to those less fortunate.   Happy Holidays!
Polly Bomstein &amp; Lynn SachsHoliday Gift Giving
In the spirit of holiday gift giving, the MS Community Service Committee invites the Sidwell Friends families to share with our neighbors in need. As in past years, Lower, Middle, and Upper School families are welcome to donate gifts during the first two weeks of December. Donations will be delivered by parent volunteers to children and families in organizations with whom we have long-term partnerships: Martha&rsquo;s Table and Brightwood Elementary School.
GIFT SUGGESTIONS
Martha's Table:   Toys, board games, puzzles, African American and Latina dolls, picture books, dramatic play costumes &amp; props, craft kits for children (please no action figures that carry weapons), clothing for cold weather for the whole family (hats, scarfs, gloves, mittens, long underwear), rolls of gift wrap
Brightwood Elementary School:  High quality books for very young children such as board books about ABC's, 123's, shapes and colors (please no cartoon books).
All gifts will be greatly appreciated. Please drop off unwrapped gifts in the collection boxes located in the Middle School Office between Monday, November 29 and Friday, December 10.
If you have any questions or are interested in lending a hand, please contact Sherri Cafritz ([email-masked]), MS Community Service clerk. Thank you for your generosity!Fruit Flies
Thank you for supporting the Fruit Flies Citrus Sale! For your orders arriving by truck, the time to pick up your fruit is this Saturday, December 11, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, at the Wisconsin Ave. campus. Drive to the end of the carpool lane, near the Security Office, and a volunteer will load your fruit into your car. Fruit that has not been picked up after Monday afternoon will be donated.    Speaking of volunteers, we could use some helpers to distribute fruit on the 11th and especially to help unload the truck on Friday, December 10, at 4 p.m. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please e-mail Andrew Trotter, [email-masked] of Latino Students (PALS) Admissions Message
In keeping with the school&rsquo;s spirit to increase diversity in its student body, the Sidwell Parents of Latino Students (PLAS) would like to encourage Latino families in the Washington area to  consider Sidwell Friends School for their children.   More information is available at Sidwell&rsquo;s website: www.sidwell.edu, along with information regarding financial assistance.  Accepted students are eligible for financial aid, awarded on financial needs basis.  Please use the financial aid calculator on the school site to determine potential eligibility/award. www.sidwell.edu/admissions/financialaid.aspx.     Families and their prospective students are welcome to contact the Admission&rsquo;s office.     The application deadline is December 15, 2010; supporting documents are due by January 15, 2011.

							
								Other News 
                                
                                Winter Break Camp 2010
Please join us over winter break &ndash; we are offering programs by the day for students in PK &ndash; Grade 10!     Whip up delicious dishes with Chef Kevin, create adorable gifts and fashionable outfits and accessories with Handwork Studios, kick around with travel soccer coaches from Stoddert, and burn off excess holiday spirit our Sports &amp; Games camp for the young ones!  Click here for more information, or apply online at www.sidwell.edu/summer.  Sign up by the day with half, full and extended day options.  Contact us with any questions &ndash; 202-537-8133 or [email-masked] News from the Fox Den!
Now you can shop at the Fox Den 24 hours a day!  The online store is up and ready for your viewing and shopping pleasure.  Just click here (https://foxden.sidwell.edu/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?display=home) and shop.
Please feel free to call or email Donna C. Osborn (202.537.8198 or [email-masked] ) if you have any questions.Forget the Stock Market -- This is The Way to Get a Triple Return on Your Investment!
SAVE THIS DATE!!  Saturday, January 29, 2011, 8 pm in the Kogod Arts Center, for the Ninth Annual Variety Show &ndash; the showcase of SFS alumni who are professionals in the performing arts, who come back and entertain us for the benefit of student financial aid.  This Show gives you that triple return! Your children are inspired by some of Sidwell's finest role models. You enjoy a relaxing evening of great entertainment followed by a reception with the performers. On top of it all, you support the worthiest of causes &ndash; Events for Student Scholarships.  Click here to buy tickets -- and to quadruple your return by getting the tax deduction of a sponsorship. Get your tickets early; this show SELLS OUT! Annual Auction on April 16th
EVENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 16, 2011 for the All Hands on Deck themed benefit auction at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium. All auction proceeds go directly to student financial aid.This will be a fabulous event you won&rsquo;t want to miss!
In the meantime, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The Co-Chairs Mimi Reisner, Elissa Rubin, and Beth Wilkinson are asking each of you for your help. Do you have any special ideas, talents or connections that you could donate or help us to arrange? If so, please contact [email-masked].
 Read MoreGreen Tip
Green up your winter holiday with these tips:
Switch your old incandescent bulbs for LEDs (using about 15% the energy). www.holidayleds.com will take back the old ones.
Choose a small &ldquo;bulb&rdquo; tree that can later be planted outside OR buy your tree from a local sustainable farm. Check out www.localharvest.org to find one.
Turn down the lights when you light your menorah.
 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 [email-masked].

					

							
								
									 Calendar

									

												
												
	Tue, Dec 7th 
		
				All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive 

				

				

		
				6th Grade Conversations with Jack 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

		
				PA Diversity Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:30am - 9:30am

				

		
				MS Holiday Concert Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm - 5:30pm

				

		
				The Mountain Music Project: A Musical Odyssey from Appalachia to Himalaya 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:30pm

				

	Wed, Dec 8th 
		
				All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive 

				

				

		
				MS Holiday Concert Rehearsal (Dress) 
				
				AC Theater
				12:50pm - 3:30pm

				

		
				7/8 Choral and Instrumental Holiday Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Thu, Dec 9th 
		
				All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive 

				

				

	Fri, Dec 10th 
		
				All School Community Service Holiday Gift Drive 

				

				

		
				8th grade/US transition meeting 
				
				US Dining Room
				8:30am - 9:30am

				

		
				7th & 8th Choral and Instrumental Holiday Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				1:45pm - 3:20pm

				

	Sun, Dec 12th 
		
				US Winter Choral Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm

				

	Tue, Dec 14th 
		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

	Wed, Dec 15th 
		
				6th Grade Poetry Alive Rehearsal 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				4:00pm - 6:00pm

				

		
				6th Grade Poetry Alive 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				6:00pm - 8:00pm

				

		
				US Instrumental Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm - 10:00pm

				

	Thu, Dec 16th 
		
				PA Arts Committee Meeting 
				
				US Library Board Room
				7:45pm - 9:30pm

				

	Sat, Dec 18th 
		
				Winter Vacation Begins 

				

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	Tue, Dec 7th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Bullis 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman - Canberra Grammar School (Australia) 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. Albans 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis 

				6:00pm

				

	Wed, Dec 8th 
		
				Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Stone Ridge School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Stone Ridge School 

				2:45pm

				

	Thu, Dec 9th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Holton-Arms 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman at Flint Hill 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at Holton-Arms 

				5:45pm

				

	Fri, Dec 10th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Field School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. James School 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School 

				6:30pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				7:30pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				7:30pm

				

	Sat, Dec 11th 
		
				Wrestling - Varsity - Mercersburg Dual 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at National Cathedral School 

				12:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity - McKinley 

				1:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity - McKinley 

				3:00pm

				

	Mon, Dec 13th 
		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Georgetown Day 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day 

				2:30pm

				

	Tue, Dec 14th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. George Mason 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Potomac School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. George Mason 

				5:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Potomac School 

				6:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation 

				7:15pm

				

	Wed, Dec 15th 
		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 B at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman at St. Albans 

				4:15pm

				

	Thu, Dec 16th 
		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Georgetown Day 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 B vs. Georgetown Day 

				2:30pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

		
				Swimming - Boys 7/8 at Holton-Arms 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Swimming - Girls 7/8 at Holton-Arms 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				5:45pm

				

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

				5:45pm

				

	Fri, Dec 17th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School 

				4:15pm

				

	Sat, Dec 18th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament 

				

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity - SFS Tournament 

				9:00am

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Prep 

				3:00pm

				

	Sun, Dec 19th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity - Bullis Tournament 

				

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

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