Subject: SFS LS Thursday Letter 4-14-11
From: "SFS LS Thursday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:00:00 -0400

Thursday - April 14, 2011

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                QUERY
&quot;How can we work together 
to invent ways to keep the earth 
and its oceans clean and safe 
for creatures and all living things?&quot;
- Grade 1GRADUATION ATTIRE FOR FOURTH GRADERS
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }Boys &ndash; White dress shirt with collar or polo shirt (long or short sleeves); Dress pants, nice shoes, no jacket or tie.
Girls &ndash; Simple white or pastel dress or nice slacks and similar top.  The outfit may be a solid color or with a subtle design. Dress shoes, flat or with a small heel.
Any questions, contact Anna Urciolo ([email-masked]).
TEAM TWO TRIP TO SACKLER
On Thursday, April 21 Team Two will visit the Freer Sackler Museum. to view the Japanese collection and learn more about Japanese culture and history through their art.  We will have the opportunity to explore how the annual cycle of the seasons has been integral to the lives of Japanese people since the earliest historical times.  We will be back to school in time for lunch.NO ALADDIN FOR LS STUDENTS
Unfortunately, due to Founder's Day falling during the same week of the show, Lower School will not be attending the special matinee performance of Aladdin on Thursday, April 14. We would love to see as many Lower Schoolers at the Friday evening and Saturday matinee shows.

Thank you,

Tim Reagan, Director &amp; Mary Milroy, ProducerCURIOUS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Come and hear about the division from the students.  On Thursday evening, April 14, there will be a presentation by a panel of Middle School students about their experiences.  This is particularly aimed toward current 4th grade parents, but any Lower School parent is welcome to attend.  Join us in the Meeting House at 7:30 PM.CLASS PLACEMENT
If you have any comments about your child&rsquo;s classroom placement for  next year please put your thoughts in writing and share them with Rich  Lodish by Friday, April 22 (this includes rising 5th graders).   However, please feel no obligation to do so as teachers carefully and  sensitively look at what is best as each student moves on to another  grade.  Page 20 of the SFS Handbook for Parents and Students 2010-2011  gives a complete description of the placement process.  The Handbook  section is as follows:
&ldquo;The placement of children within available classrooms is the  Principal&rsquo;s responsibility and incorporates the professional judgment of  the teachers.  At the end of each school year, teachers from adjacent  grades spend a great deal of time discussing each child and determining  the most suitable placement for the following year.  Such factors as  individual student needs, interests, temperament and learning styles are  balanced with the logistics that make for a cohesive class.  The  teachers and Principal collectively determine class make-up with an eye  toward an effective and diverse mix of student capabilities,  achievement, leadership and friendship.  If the teachers or Principal  receive parent input, it enters into the placement equation, although  the final decision rests with the School.&rdquo;

								PA Announcements
                                
                                MAY 2 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE 7-9 PM, LIGHT REFRESHMENTS 6:30 PM
Please join Head of School Tom Farquhar, the All-School Parents Association and the Sidwell Friends Board of Trustees for an update on Sidwell Friends School&rsquo;s Strategic Plan.  The gathering will take place at the New Quaker Meeting House on the Wisconsin Avenue Campus.  The Board of Trustees has been working for over a year in consultation with parents, faculty, alumni and students on developing a strategic plan which will define the education skill sets through year 2024, the expectations for Sidwell Friends faculty as master learners, how the School's Quakerness defines our values and priorities, and the business models that allow us to reach our goals.  As this important works approaches its final stages, please come for an  update and discussion on these vital and exciting issues. We look forward to seeing you there.   

Polly Bomstein and Lynn Sachs, All School PA Co-Presidents   

RSVPs required to:  Adrianne Isaacs at [email-masked] COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
@font-face {
  font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 38.15pt; text-indent: -0.25in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }SFS/MedStar Health Blood Drive: Thursday, April 14, 2&ndash; 5 PM, Wannan Gym
Donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 lbs. Student donors will require parental permission to take part in this service. Due to the age requirement, we are strongly urging participation from the adult community within our school. For more information, to sign-up as a donor and/or for permission forms, please contact David Connell or 202-537-8182.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST COUNTRY AMBASSADORS
It's not too late to assist and support the diveristy committee and the country ambassadors at the spring festival on May 7.  Fun jobs available for students in grades 3 and above, and parents too. Contact [email-masked] for detailsQUAKER MEETING FOR WORSHIP
On Tuesday, April 19, there will be an All-School Meeting for Worship in the gym.  Please join us at 1:30 PM if you are able.REFLECTIONS FROM THE PA DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Ecidujerp is prejudice spelled backwards. Either way, it makes no sense.
-unknown

We welcome your comments and feedback, as well as your experiences.  Email [email-masked].

							
								Other News 
                                
                                2011 LIVE AUCTION INFORMATION
It&rsquo;s not too late to participate in the 2011 Events for Student Scholarships Auction! If you are unable to attend the auction but would like to bid on an item in the silent or live auction, be sure to fill out a sealed bid form (located in your catalog) and submit it to the Events office by Friday, April 15 at noon.

You can also support the auction by donating to Fund A Scholar. All donations are directed to the Student Financial Aid Fund. Donations can be made by mailing in a check or calling the Events office with a credit card at 202-537-8110. All Fund A Scholar donations are fully tax-deductible.AFTER CARE, SHUTTLE, SPARC
Sign up now for 2011-12 After Care and Shuttle
8 weeks 'til summer?!  Less than 60 days 'til break?  What are you doing once school is out? Join your friends at Sidwell Summer,

&middot;  Creating in our Lego Pre-Engineering and Engineering FUNdamentals workshops - only a few spaces left!
&middot;  Voyaging to area water parks, Six Flags, bowling, and outdoor adventures 

&middot;  Kicking, shooting, and acing in our Soccer, Basketball, and Tennis &amp; Golf camps

&middot;  Discovering about new cultures with Sidwell teachers Eve Eaton &amp; Edith Zhang in Travelers (Chinese, Spanish, and French sessions, 8/1-12)

&middot;  Exploring and relaxing in Kaleidoscope (LS Campus) or Explorers (DC Campus)

Want more information?  Contact us at [email-masked], 202-537-8133, or http://classic.sidwell.edu/summer/index.html.  Start thinking summer! COME SEE ALADDIN
Aladdin FlyerCome see the MS production of Aladdin at the Mary Ellen Caplin Theater, Kogod Arts Center.  Friday, April 15 at 7:30 PM or Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m.  Free Admission. Read MoreCAR WASH FOR CREW--MAY 1
Clean that winter grime off your car and support the Sidwell Crew team!  The annual Spring Carwash is the team's primary fundraiser.  Help the team, help yourself drive away clean!  Sunday May 1st, from 11 AM-2 PM, Upper School garage.LS THURSDAY LETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Our automated listserv subscription service is currently down. To  subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter, please send an email to [email-masked] and indicate whether you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe.
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, Apr 14th 
		
				3y to Old Town Alexandria 

				8:45am - 2:45pm

				

		
				Blood Drive 
				
				Wannan Gym
				2:00pm - 5:30pm

				

		
				LS Parents Panel about MS 
				
				LS Meeting Room
				7:30pm

				

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

				

	Fri, Apr 15th 
		
				Nutrition Assembly 
				
				LS Multi-Purpose Room
				9:00am - 10:00am

				

		
				MS Spring Play of Aladdin 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Sat, Apr 16th 
		
				Auction 
				
				Off Campus 

				

				
		
				MS Spring Play of Aladdin 
				
				AC Theater
				1:00pm

				

	Mon, Apr 18th 
		
				Passover begins at Sundown 

				

				

		
				Grade 4 to Buddhist Temple 

				9:00am - 11:00am

				

		
				Grade 4x to A&J Restaurant 

				10:30am - 12:30pm

				

	Tue, Apr 19th 
		
				Passover 

				

				

	Wed, Apr 20th 
		
				K CHI Meeting 
				
				LS Multiprupose Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				PK CHI Meeting 
				
				LS Quaker Meetinghouse
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

	Thu, Apr 21st 
		
				4y Play 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				9:00am - 10:00am

				

		
				Team Two to Freer-Sackler Gallery 

				9:45am - 12:30pm

				

		
				Founders Day 

				10:30am - 1:00pm

				

	Wed, Apr 27th 
		
				1st Grade CHI Meeting 
				
				LS Quaker Meetinghouse
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

		
				2nd Grade CHI Meeting 
				
				LS Multipurpose Room
				7:30pm - 9:00pm

				

	Thu, Apr 28th 
		
				Grade 3 to Chestertown, MD 

				8:30am - 8:00pm

				

		
				US Visual Arts Gallery Opening 
				
				AC Rubenstein Gallery and AC Lobby
				4:30pm - 6:00pm

				

	Fri, Apr 29th 
		
				Kx Play 
				
				LS Multi-Purpose Room
				9:00am - 10:00am

				

		
				Team Two to Discovery Theater 

				9:30am - 12:15pm

				

		
				US Spring Choral Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				7:30pm

				

	Sat, Apr 30th 
		
				Bikes for the World Bike Drive 
				
				Tennis Courts and Visiting Buses Lot
				10:00am - 1:00pm

				

	Sun, May 1st 
		
				US Instrumental Ensemble Concert 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm - 6:00pm

				

	Mon, May 2nd 
		
				Grade 4 to A & J Restaurant 

				11:00am - 1:00pm

				

		
				Board of Trustees with Parents Association 
				
				DC Quaker Meetinghouse, US Rooms 102, 104/106, 108, 110, 112, 120, 126, 128, 130, 234
				7:00pm - 9:30pm

				

	Tue, May 3rd 
		
				Kx Class to National Museum of Natural History 

				9:15am - 1:00pm

				

	Wed, May 4th 
		
				PA Executive Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Center Meeting Room
				8:00am - 9:00am

				

											More

									

						

			

	

	

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