Subject: US Newsletter: February 2, 2011
From: "SFS US Wednesday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:00:00 -0500

Wednesday - February 2, 2011

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                From the Upper School
Dear Upper School Parents,
The Valentine's Dance on Saturday, February 5th, will be held in the Dining Room.  The doors to the dance will open at 8:30 p.m.  Students should arrive before 9:15.  Between 9:15 and 9:30 students will be admitted but will be assigned four disciplinary points.  No student will be admitted after 9:30 (without prior approval by the Dean), and students may not reenter the dance once they leave the building.  The event will end at 11:00 p.m.  Please help your child plan to arrive promptly by reminding them of the timeline for the evening.  A student may bring one guest to the dance; this person must arrive with him/her and bring a high school ID. The SFS host student is responsible for the behavior of his/her guest throughout the evening.
Before every dance we remind students of the rules governing on-campus social events.  The School asks that you also review the School&rsquo;s policy on student drug and alcohol use, as stated in the Handbook for Parents and Students, at home with your child(ren) prior to the Winter Dance. 
The custom has been that older Upper School students ask younger Upper School students to this dance. This is not something sanctioned by the school.  In fact, all Upper School students are welcome to attend every dance, regardless of whether they come with a date.  While this practice may have started with good intentions of bringing the community together, it often creates great anxiety for younger students and their families.  If you are not comfortable with your child attending the dance with an older student, please feel free to say no.  As always, please contact one of us if you have any questions or concerns.
Lee Palmer  Michael Woods
Principal  Dean of StudentsCounselor's Corner
Today, February 2nd, Scot Anthony Robinson will be giving a presentation on substance abuse called Vision Warrior to all students in the Upper School.  A former TV and movie actor, Scot has spoken to over 1 million educators, young people and families throughout the U.S. about real-world challenges that parents and students alike face.  Scot&rsquo;s theatrical approach helps to communicate his important message to students about the issues and consequences of drug and alcohol use/abuse while encompassing the themes of self-esteem, peer pressure, relationships and the importance of being true to one&rsquo;s self.  We will have a special schedule on this day as Scot will speak to each grade after the performance to debrief his presentation and allow students to ask questions and challenge messages they are given on a daily basis about substance use.  Scot has spoken at Sidwell Friends before so we look forward to his return and the opportunity to experience, once again, the important work he does.
There will also be a Parent Workshop this evening, Wednesday, February 2nd from 7-9 pm in the Middle School Drama Studio.  All parents are welcome -- last time we had a full house!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gaby Grebski, US Guidance Counselor at [email-masked]'s Dance: Parent Volunteers Needed
The Valentine's Dance will be held on Saturday, February 5th from 8:30-11:00pm. We are looking for four parents (moms, dads or couples) to pour water for the students during the dance and monitor the coat rooms. If decorating is your thing, we would love to have you join the students in decorating on Friday (4th) at 2:30pm in the US Dining Room. Kindly email Jamie Baldinger at [email-masked].
 
Events for Student Scholarships
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.  Have fun hitting the tennis ball, all while raising money for financial aid.  New this year -- we are inviting students to join in on the fun!  While you participate in the round robin tournament, your children can practice their swings with local tennis pros.  The tournament is Saturday, March 12 from 6-10 pm at the Tennis Center at College Park.  This has been a sell-out tournament the past two years.  Please click here to register!
THE VARIETY SHOW &ndash; 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 restrooms to work at, and attend, the Variety Show!  The Show was a huge success, thanks to everyone&rsquo;s generosity and enthusiasm.

								PA Announcements
                                
                                Head of School Tom Farquhar on Finding Balance 
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, from 7-9 pm. Please note the change of venue for this meeting!Teacher Appreciation Volunteers Needed
February 11th Valentine&rsquo;s Day Cookie Bake
The US Parents Association is sponsoring a Valentine&rsquo;s Day Appreciation Cookie Bake for our wonderful teachers and staff on Friday, February 11th. We need five volunteers from each grade to bake 3 dozen homemade cookies (over 40 dozen cookies are needed).  Contributions should be dropped off at the Upper School Dining Room no later than 7:45 am on the morning of Friday, February 11th.

We traditionally ask the 11th Grade to take the lead on this Teacher Appreciation event. We will need ten 11th Grade parents to meet in the Upper School Dining Room on February 11th at 7:45 am to help put together 120 festive, cellophane bags of homemade cookies for our teachers.  Last year it took about an hour to assemble the delicious cookie bags.

Please contribute:
9th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
10th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
11th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
11th Grade - 10 parents to help put together the cookie bags. (Friday, February 11th @7:45 am/ US Dining Room)
12th Grade - 5 parents to each bake 3 dozen small sized cookies.
The faculty welcomes these special Valentine&rsquo;s Day treats. The USPA thanks you for your help in showing our appreciation to the incredible Sidwell Friends faculty, coaching, administrative and security/grounds/building staff.
Please email Maria Gomez, [email-masked], if you would like to contribute. Thanks again!All School Diversity Committee Meeting:  February 16th
The All School Diversity Committee, the Parents of Black Students, and the Parents of Latino Students invite you to an all-school meeting with the Head of School, Tom Farquhar, on building a diversity vision in support of the 2024 Strategic Plan. 
When:  Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Where:  Lower School Quaker Meeting House

								Other News 
                                
                                9th Grade Peer Group - February 8
The second peer group meeting of the year for 9th grade will be Tuesday, February 8th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper School Crane Room. Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to join with other ninth grade parents and talk about non-academic issues of relevance to our children's well being. Peer groups are facilitated by parents in the grade and topics are determined by the parents in attendance that night. The peer group also provides a great chance to build relationships with the other parents in the grade.
We hope you will join us. If you have any questions, please contact Raina Fishbane or Jeanine Hull, the Upper School Community Health Initiative co-clerks.Pennies for Patients
During the month of February, Ms. Brownlee&rsquo;s advisory is leading its third annual &ldquo;Pennies for Patients&rdquo; fundraiser, a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society program that helps collect important funds for blood cancer patients. Simply by collecting and donating pennies, the research on and patient services for blood cancers increases, and more patients are able to have effective treatment.  Last year, students in the DC metropolitan area raised $450,000 to fight blood cancer and provide services for patients and their families. There are collection boxes in the main offices of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, as well as in Zartman House and the Fox Den.  Donations can also be made online at http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1259.698268.25157.7905.  Any and all support is appreciated.  If you have any questions, contact Lauren Brownlee at [email-masked] or 202-537-8180.Newsletter Basics
How to Submit An Article
Send submissions to [email-masked] by 2 pm on Tuesday.  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 email. 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 submission will be confirmed as soon as possible.  If you have not received a confirmation of receipt by the deadline for submissions, please contact the editors at [email-masked].
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. 
						US newsletter submissions should be sent to [email-masked].

					

							
								
									 Calendar

									

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

				

		
				Vision Warrior with Scot Anthony Robinson 
				
				AC Theater
				8:30am - 10:45am

				

		
				Senior Lunch with Alumni Office 
				
				US Library Board Room
				11:45am - 1:45pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 6:00pm

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				Vision Warrior Parent Workshop 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Thu, Feb 3rd 
		
				9th Grade Parent Coffee with Ms Grebski/ Ms. Lazarus 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30am - 8:30am

				

		
				Senior Lunch with Alumni Office 
				
				US Library Board Room
				11:45am - 1:45pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 6:00pm

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Fri, Feb 4th 
		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Music Room
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Sat, Feb 5th 
		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Music Room
				1:00pm - 3:00pm

				

		
				US Valentine's Dance 
				
				US Dining Room
				8:30pm - 11:00pm

				

	Sun, Feb 6th 
		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal (tech) 
				
				AC Theater
				1:00pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Music Room
				1:00pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Music Room
				5:00pm - 8:00pm

				

	Mon, Feb 7th 
		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal (tech) 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 6:30pm

				

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

				

	Tue, Feb 8th 
		
				Senior Lunch with Alumni Office 
				
				US Library Board Room
				11:45am - 1:45pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal (tech) 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 6:30pm

				

		
				9th Grade Parent Peer Group Meeting 
				
				US Crane Room
				7:30pm - 9:30pm

				

	Wed, Feb 9th 
		
				US Dance Ensemble Rehearsal (tech) 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 9:30pm

				

	Thu, Feb 10th 
		
				9th - 12th Grade Parent Coffee with US Administration 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30am - 8:30am

				

		
				Senior Lunch with Alumni Office 
				
				US Library Board Room
				11:45am - 1:45pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Fri, Feb 11th 
		
				Valentine's Teacher/Staff Appreciation 
				
				US Dining Room
				7:30am - 9:00am

				

		
				Senior Lunch with Alumni Office 
				
				US Library Board Room
				11:45am - 1:45pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Sat, Feb 12th 
		
				ACT 
				
				Off Campus 

				

				
		
				NEMNET Diversity Career Fair 
				
				US Dining Room
				9:00am - 4:00pm

				

		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				12:00pm - 4:00pm

				

		
				US GDS Jazz Festival  
				
				Off Campus
				12:00pm - 6:00pm

				

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

				

	Sun, Feb 13th 
		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				1:00pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				5:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Mon, Feb 14th 
		
				US PA Steering Committee Meeting 
				
				US Room 102
				4:30pm - 6:00pm

				

		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Tue, Feb 15th 
		
				BSU Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

	Wed, Feb 16th 
		
				Collection / BSU Show 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm - 3:20pm

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				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

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

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

				

	Fri, Feb 18th 
		
				BSU- Black History Month Show 
				
				AC Theater
				7:00pm - 10:00pm

				

	Sun, Feb 20th 
		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				1:00pm - 5:00pm

				

	Mon, Feb 21st 
		
				Presidents Day - No School 

				

				

		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				1:00pm - 5:00pm

				

	Tue, Feb 22nd 
		
				US Musical Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				6:00pm - 9:00pm

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	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

				

	Tue, Feb 22nd 
		
				Basketball - Girls Junior Varsity at Madeira 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Basketball - Girls Varsity at Madeira 

				5:45pm

				

		
				Basketball - Boys Freshman - Yeshiva 

				6:30pm

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

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