Subject: Prom
From: <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:00:57 -0400

April 25, 2011

Dear Upper School Parents,

The annual bloom of spring has arr=ved (finally) and with it the incredible realization that the calenda= of end-of-year events has begun.&n=sp; For the 11th and 12th grade students= one of the most special events of the spring is the Prom, which will=be held on Saturday, May 14.  =/span>This year it will be held at the National Press Club from 9:00 =.m. to 12:00 a.m.  Afte= the dinner dance, there will be an after-prom party at the new Athle=ic Center at SFS from 12:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Please take some time to review wi=h your child all the information in this letter to ensure that the ev=ning is a safe one filled with happy memories.  The goal of the Prom is to celebrate the seni=rs as they near the end of their tenures as Sidwell Friends School st=dents and to celebrate the juniors as they rise to the status of seni=rs.  It is the case eve=y year that some 9th and 10th grade students ar= invited as guests of the 11th and 12th grade s=udents, therefore it is important that all parents be familiar with t=is information.

I want particularly to urge parent= and students to remain vigilant about what continues to be a dangero=s aspect of teen culture: drinking and substance abuse.  It is important to remember that Sch=ol policy clearly prohibits the use, distribution, or possession of d=ugs and alcohol on campus and at school-sponsored events.  Students may not attend an event =nder the influence of a controlled substance.  Possible penalties for violating these policie= include suspension and expulsion.&=bsp; Unfortunately, there have been incidents in the past that=have prevented students from participating in graduation exercises, a=d I hope that we can work together to avoid such situations this year=

When planning for the Prom, please=remember these other important points below.

·         <=span>The=School will provide buses to the Press Club.  Students should arrive by 8:00 p.m. at the Uppe= School parking lot at the north end of the garage so that all buses =an depart by 8:30 p.m.    At midnight, the buses will trans=ort students to the after-prom party at School.

·         <=span>Stu=ents who attend the prom are required to attend the after-prom party.=span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  However, students may =ttend the after-prom party even if they have not attended the Prom, a=d every year there are students who choose to do so.

·         <=span>Stu=ents will not be permitted to bring backpacks, duffle bags or any foo= or drink into the Press Club. = They can leave belongings safely on the buses reserved for th= evening, and the buses will be numbered so the students can easily r=turn to the same bus on which they left their belongings.

·         <=span>Stu=ents attending both events will be able to change into more casual cl=thes when they arrive at School and will be able to store their belon=ings there safely.

·         <=span>Stu=ents will be checked in at the Press Club and at the Athletic Center.=span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Students will not be a=lowed to leave the after-prom party until 2:00 a.m. unless their pare=ts have made prior arrangements with the Dean of Students.  Once a student leaves either venu=, he or she will not be allowed to re-enter.

Many thanks to Jamie Balding=r, Mimi Kirstein, and all the other parent volunteers who have made t=is wonderful event possible.  =/span>Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any quest=ons.  We are looking fo=ward to a fabulous evening!

Peace,

Lee Palmer
Upper School=Principal