Subject: SFS MS Tuesday Letter 2-1-11
From: "SFS MS Tuesday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:30:00 -0500

Tuesday - February 1, 2011

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                Query of the Week
How do your interests influence your friendships?Notes from Sally
Parents are invited to join us for Meeting for Worship on Thursday in the Athletic Center from 8:10 -8:40.
This week&rsquo;s assembly will be presented by SFS alum Emma Jaster, Visual Artist.
Our next round of Parent Peer Groups is beginning.  5th and 6th grade parents meet tonight, and 7th and 8th grade parents meet next Friday during the dance.  We hope you can attend these important conversations!
8th grade parents &ndash; a reminder of the important Upper School curriculum meeting next Tuesday, February 8th at 7:30 PM in the Drama Studio.
CTPs begin Monday morning.  Students may use a calculator on one portion of the test &ndash; please help them remember to bring one to school next Wednesday.
All 7th and 8th grade students are invited to attend the dance in the dining room next Friday, February 11th, from 7:30 &ndash; 10:00 PM.  A reminder that school dress code guidelines do apply.  The admission &ldquo;price&rdquo; is a box or cereal or canned goods for our winter food drive.  Please drop off and pick up students in the garage.
Also coming up:  Conversations with Sally.  Anne Renninger, SFS Athletic Director, will join me for the first few minutes of each meeting to answer questions that you may have about the PE/Athletics program.  All of these meetings are Wednesday mornings at 7:45 AM in the Dining Room.  5th grade is first, on February 9th, followed by 8th grade on February 16, 7th grade on February 23, and 6th grade on March 2nd.  Hope to see you there!
Just a reminder about weather closing announcements:  If there is a situation like the one last week when surrounding counties are closed but most of DC is open, a &ldquo;we are open&rdquo; confirmation will be posted on the SFS Hotline (202-5387-8176.)  This may also be useful in the event of a power outage.
The internet safety evening that was cancelled last week will be rescheduled &ndash; we&rsquo;ll get word about that out soon!
Minimester preference sheets are due next Monday.  There was one mistake on the sign-up form:  Food Frenzy is open to all (as noted in the booklet) not restricted by grade level as listed on the sign-up sheet.  Please help your son or daughter remember to get those sheets in on time!

Congratulations to the Nights of the Round Table (the 4th - 5th Grade Robotics team) who were awarded first place in teamwork Saturday and a slot in the state tournament! They also had the second highest score in robot performance at the qualifier.  5th grade team members:  Harrison Blain, Liam Susswein, Peirce Prue.  The Robotics teams in all three divisions have done a great job this year!Instrumental Music Notes
5/6 Concert Band Wednesday Rehearsal Period Rm 101
7/8 Concert Band Wednesday Rehearsal Period Rm 101
Aladdin Pit Band Monday and Wednesday 3:45-4:45 Rm 101
Jazz/Rock Band Thursday 3:45-4:45 Rm 101Choral Notes
7/8 Chorus Rehearsals This Week:
Wednesday, February 2nd:  Boys Ensemble 7:25 AM, Girls Ensemble during rehearsal period 
 Weather Closures and Delays
For all closures and delays, as stated on the inside front cover of the Parent Student Handbook, we will make announcements on the website, through email, on the Hotline (202-537-8176)(especially helpful if you do not have power), on WTOP and on NBC 4. We will only use AlertNow phone, email and text messages for extreme emergencies.All Parents Invited to a Coffee with Tom Farquhar
Tom Farquhar would like to have an open dialogue with parents on Thursday, February 17 from 7:30 &ndash; 9 am in the Upper School Dining Room. Please join him for all or part of the morning. Tom will share some of his thoughts and perceptions and welcomes the chance to take your questions and comments. 

								PA Announcements
                                
                                Please join us:  5th and 6th Grade Parent Peer Group meetings on Tuesday, Feb 1 at 7:30 PM
The 5th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting will be held in the MS Library and the 6th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting will be held in Team Sea Room on the third floor of Middle School &ndash; Rooms 314 and 316. The Community Health Initiative sponsors parent peer group meetings in an effort to build community among Sidwell Friends parents.  Parent peer group meetings were created to provide an opportunity for parents to discuss non-academic issues of relevance to our children in a safe and intimate environment.  They are for parents only and facilitated by parents from the class. The forum is non-judgmental and confidential.  Please join us.Mardi Gras Masquerade dance for 7th/8th graders, Friday Feb 11, 7:30-10 PM
Join the fun at the Mardi Gras Masquerade dance for 7th/8th graders on Friday February 11 from 7:30-10pm.  We are kicking off the food drive by requesting contributions of boxed cereal or cans to be collected at the door.  Parents (and Middle Schoolers!) - if you can join us to help set up decorations from 2pm in the cafeteria and/or stay a few minutes afterwards to clean up please let Liz ([email-masked]) or Shelley ([email-masked]) know. Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Feb 23:  looking for volunteers for set up and clean up
We are looking for volunteers to help set up (2 PM) and/or clean-up (4:30 PM) for the Middle School teacher appreciation lunch on Wednesday, February 23rd. This lunch is a way for parents to celebrate our wonderful teachers and express thanks for their hard work. With donated food from parents, we present a sumptuous buffet feast which teachers truly enjoy on a winter afternoon, after school. If you would like to volunteer please send an e-mail to Colette Chichester (email [email-masked]) or Felix Sanchez (email [email-masked]).MS PA Winter Meeting postponed due to last week's weather:  stay tuned for new date
The MS PA Winter Meeting has been postponed due to last week's weather.  As soon as a new date for 
OMG! Navigating our Kids' Digital Lives: Encouraging Safe &amp; Responsible Online Use, an evening with Stephen Balkam is available, we will let you know!

								Other News 
                                
                                Discussion with Tom Farquhar on Finding Balance in Student Life:  Mon Feb 7, 7-9 PM, US Dining Room
PARENT POP QUIZ:  Do Sidwell Friends Students
A) work very hard and constantly feel too much stress?; B) coast compared to students in China and India
C) find the perfect balance between academic rigor and downtime;  or D) I have no idea and/or my kids are still young, and I don&rsquo;t know what the future will hold.
Whether you picked A, B, C or D, the Community Health Initiative Committee invites you to a discussion with Head of School, Tom Farquhar on finding balance in student life.  All parents are welcome to join us for this important conversation to be held in the Upper School Dining Room on Monday, February 7, 7-9pm.  Please note the change of venue! CALLING ALL TENNIS PLAYERS!
Do you play tennis? Do you like to socialize with other parents? Then this is the event for you! Join the 6th Annual Events for Student Scholarships Tennis Round Robin on Saturday, March 12 from 6-10 PM at the Tennis Center at College Park.  Read MoreTHE VARIETY SHOW--THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING IT A BIG SUCCESS!!
Thanks so much to all the dedicated student, parent and graduated parent volunteers, the fabulous alumni performers, and &ndash; of course &ndash; the intrepid audience members, all of whom braved power outages, construction conditions and hikes to the rest rooms to work at, and attend, the Variety Show!  The Show was a huge success, thanks to everyone&rsquo;s generosity and enthusiasm. 
							
						 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 1st 
		
				Spring Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Music Room 
				2:15pm - 5:30pm

				

		
				China Minimester Meeting 
				
				MS Room 305
				7:00pm - 8:30pm

				

		
				5th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				MS Library
				7:30pm

				

		
				6th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				Team Sea Room (Room 314/316)
				7:30pm

				

	Wed, Feb 2nd 
		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

	Thu, Feb 3rd 
		
				MS MFW 
				
				Athletic Center
				8:10am - 8:40am

				

	Fri, Feb 4th 
		
				5th Grade Hangout 
				
				Wannan Gym
				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

	Sat, Feb 5th 
		
				5th Grade Parents Reception 

				

				

	Mon, Feb 7th 
		
				CTP Testing in MS 
				
				Middle School

				

				
		
				MS PA Steering Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am

				

		
				All-School PA Community Health Initiative Conversation with Tom Farquhar 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Tue, Feb 8th 
		
				CTP Testing in MS 
				
				Middle School

				

				
		
				8th Grade Curriculum Night 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:30pm - 8:30pm

				

	Wed, Feb 9th 
		
				CTP Testing in MS 
				
				Middle School

				

				
		
				5th Grade Conversations with Sally 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

	Thu, Feb 10th 
		
				CTP Testing in MS 
				
				Middle School

				

				
		
				US Dance Ensemble Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Fri, Feb 11th 
		
				CTP Testing in MS 
				
				Middle School

				

				
		
				US Dance Ensemble Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

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

				

		
				7th Grade Parent Peer Group 
				
				Middle School
				8:00pm - 9:30pm

				

		
				8th Grade Parent Peer Group 
				
				Middle School
				8:00pm - 9:30pm

				

	Sat, Feb 12th 
		
				NEMNET Diversity Career Fair 
				
				US Dining Room
				9:00am - 4:00pm

				

		
				AC in DC a cappella concert 
				
				AC Theater
				5:00pm - 10:00pm

				

	Tue, Feb 15th 
		
				Maryland Math League contest 
				
				US Dining Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

	Wed, Feb 16th 
		
				8th Grade Conservations with Sally 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:45am

				

		
				Diversity Discussion with Tom Farquhar 
				
				LS Meeting Room
				7:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Thu, Feb 17th 
		
				Parents Coffee with Tom Farquhar 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30am - 9:00am

				

		
				PA Arts Committee Meeting 
				
				US Library Board Room
				7:45pm - 9:30pm

				

	Fri, Feb 18th 
		
				7th Grade Hangout 
				
				US Dining Room
				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				BSU- Black History Month Show 
				
				AC Theater
				7:00pm - 10:00pm

				

	Mon, Feb 21st 
		
				Presidents Day - No School 

				

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	Tue, Feb 1st 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Episcopal High School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at St. James School 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at St. James School 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Episcopal High School 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac & Edmund Burke 

				7:15pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Potomac & Edmund Burke 

				7:15pm

				

	Wed, Feb 2nd 
		
				Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Mater Dei 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 C at Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Takoma Academy 

				5:00pm

				

	Thu, Feb 3rd 
		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. Stone Ridge School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at Stone Ridge School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Championships 

				3:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at The Heights 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman at Baltimore Friends 

				4:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at The Heights 

				6:00pm

				

	Fri, Feb 4th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:15pm

				

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

				4:15pm

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity - John Paul the Great & Benedictine 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				6:00pm

				

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

				6:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Championships 

				6:00pm

				

	Sat, Feb 5th 
		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. WMPSSDL Finals 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity - WMPSSDL Finals 

				5:00pm

				

	Mon, Feb 7th 
		
				Wrestling - 7/8 at Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 C vs. Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Madeira 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Madeira 

				5:45pm

				

	Tue, Feb 8th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				6:00pm

				

	Wed, Feb 9th 
		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A vs. National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 B at National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Stone Ridge School 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Wrestling - Varsity vs. St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at Stone Ridge School 

				6:00pm

				

	Thu, Feb 10th 
		
				Swimming - Boys 7/8 at St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Swimming - Girls 7/8 vs. National Cathedral School 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Wrestling - 7/8 vs. Maret School 

				2:45pm

				

	Fri, Feb 11th 
		
				Wrestling - Varsity - St. Albans Tournament 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Flint Hill 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Flint Hill 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				5:45pm

				

	Sat, Feb 12th 
		
				Wrestling - Varsity - St. Albans Tournament 

				

				

	Mon, Feb 14th 
		
				Wrestling - 7/8 vs. St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 C at St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A at St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 B vs. St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				2:45pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				6:00pm

				

	Tue, Feb 15th 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				6:00pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Boys Varsity vs. Bullis 

				7:30pm

				

		
				Swimming & Diving - Girls Varsity vs. Bullis 

				7:30pm

				

	Wed, Feb 16th 
		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A at Holy Child 

				2:45pm

				

	Thu, Feb 17th 
		
				Wrestling - 7/8 at Georgetown Day 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Junior Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity vs. Holy Child 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman vs. Landon 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity vs. Holy Child 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				6:00pm

				

	Fri, Feb 18th 
		
				Basketball - Boys Varsity vs. St. James School 

				4:30pm

				

	Sat, Feb 19th 
		
				Wrestling - Varsity - DC Classic 

				

				

		
				Basketball - Girls 7/8 A - SFS Middle School Showcase Tournament 

				9:30am

				

		
				Basketball - Boys 7/8 A - SFS Middle School Showcase Tournament 

				9:30am

				

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

				1:00pm

				

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

				3:00pm

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

		
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