Subject: MS Tuesday Letter
From: "SFS MS Tuesday Letter" <[email-masked]>
To: "R. Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 03 May 2011 01:00:00 -0400

Tuesday - May 3, 2011

		

		

		 

					

								From the School
                                
                                This Week's Query
 Does what you do define who you are?Notes from Sally
On Thursday morning, all Middle School parents are invited to join us for Meeting for Worship in the Meeting Room (site of the former Kenworthy Gym) from 8:10 &ndash; 8:40.  This will be followed by a reception in the Rubenstein Gallery in the same building.  We hope you can join us to enjoy this beautiful new space!
Friday is Grandparents Day.  Advance registration is required; if there are questions, please call 202-537-8442. Registration is from 9:00 &ndash; 9:30 in the courtyard above the garage.  Following the morning assembly, grandparents will have the opportunity to attend two classes with their grandchildren.  Parking will be limited and we strongly encourage parents to drop off and pick up our visitors.  We are looking forward to a wonderful day!
Recently our sixth grade students had the opportunity to hear a reading with W. S. Merwin, the 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress.  All SFS families are invited to attend a public reading this Wednesday, May 4, at 7 PM where Mr. Merwin will read selections from his extensive work. A book signing and reception will follow the event.  This will be held at the following location:   Coolidge Auditorium Thomas Jefferson Building 10 First Street S.E.   Admission to the event is free, and no reservations are necessary, but seating is limited and guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before the event.  For directions to the Library visit http://www.loc.gov/visit/directions.html.
Students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 will be registering for next year&rsquo;s PE/Athletics classes next week.  Look for information coming from the PE department.
One of our counselors ran in the Boston Marathon recently and finished 7th in her class.  Congratulations to Karolynn Coleman!
Some grade-level reminders:   All current 6th grade parents are encouraged to attend the Transition Meeting next Tuesday evening, May 10th at 7:30 PM to hear about the move to the seventh grade program.  This will be preceded by a reception to meet the new families who will be joining the class.
On Tuesday evening, May 17th, there will be a transition meeting for parents new to sixth grade.  Current 5th grade parents are invited to meet newly enrolled parents at 6:30 that evening in the Middle School lobby and then to stay for a Peer Group Meeting during the Transition Meeting.
A reminder to current 8th grade families about the dress guidelines for the Closing Ceremony:  (From the Parent/Student Handbook): &ldquo;Eighth grade boys should wear dress shirts (any color) and ties, slacks (no jeans), street shoes (no sneakers) and no jackets.  Eighth grade girls should wear simple dresses or dress slacks (any color).  No strapless or halter tops are allowed.  For this ceremony, all students are seated on the stage in front of the audience, so the choice of dress should be modest.&rdquo;  8th grade families will receive 4 tickets for the evening ceremony.  A few additional tickets will be available, but the venue will not hold large parties of extended family for each student.  If you need extras, please call Carlene Jackson in the Middle School office.  Tickets will be mailed later this month.
Instrumental Music Notes
7/8 Full Orchestra Wednesday Rehearsal Period
5/6 Full Orchestra and Handchime Choir Wednesday Rehearsal Period
Jazz/Rock Band Wednesday 3:30-4:30
Jazz/Rock Band Thursday 3:45-5:15 Guitar Quartet Friday DEAR Period
Chorus Rehearsals this Week
Monday, May 2nd
Girls Ensemble  3:45-5:00pm
Tuesday, May 3rd
Boys Ensemble 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday, May 4th
Boys Ensemble 7:25AM
Girls Ensemble during rehearsal periodImportant News from Athletics
Please join us for the End of year Sports awards for all Upper School students on Tuesday May 31 at 6:00 pm.
Online Physical Education  course selections for 2011-12:   Sign-ups will begin online through the SFS portal for rising 9th graders on Tuesday, May 10 at 5pm.  They will remain open for rising 9th graders only until Sunday, May 15 at midnight.  There will be a online sign-up tutorial for rising 9th graders held during the PE period on May 10 . In addition, there is a power point online for step by step instructions.
Online sign-ups will be open to all Upper School students on Tuesday, May 17 at 5pm and remain open until Tuesday, May 31 at midnight.
Students NOT getting their first choice of class can email Megan Miller at [email-masked] to be placed on a wait list. Students may print a confirmation of the sign-up, but that they do not need to get signatures or turn in any paperwork.
Rising 7th and 8th graders will make their Physical Education selections for the 2011-12 school year on paper with their spring coaches on May 10.    Please do not hesitate to call with questions before during or after this process.
Best,
Poff
Conversation on Diversity
The conversation continues&hellip; Join the Head of School for a second &ldquo;Conversation on Diversity&rdquo;.
The 2012-2024 Strategic Plan, calls for the school to address issues of different ethnic and cultural groups, to celebrate and promote a community based on inclusion and respect for differences, and to encourage close interaction among students, parents, teachers, and staff with varying backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives.
The &ldquo;Conversations on Diversity&rdquo; series with Tom Farquhar is helping the Head of School and the Board to shape and articulate goals and objectives as the school prepares for our increasingly global and multicultural community and world. Come and be part of these sessions.  They provide a safe space for you to hear diverse perspectives and it is our hope that these sessions also help bring enlightenment, understanding, and acceptance.  The 2010-2011 Conversations on Diversity series is sponsored by the All-School PA Diversity Committee.
When:  Monday, May 16, 2011 Time:    6:30 &ndash; 9:00 PM (Refreshments 6:30-7:00)
Where:  Middle School Drama Room Events for Student Scholarship Information
Reminder:  Please pick up your auction items from Zartman House between 8 and 4.
2011 Golf Tournament: Hope you will be able to join us for this event on June 13, 2011! Registration forms were mailed last week and online registration should be available by the end of this week. Please contact the Events office with any questions at [email-masked] or 202-537-8110.
2nd Annual Tour de Friends!  Join us for glorious day of bike riding and friendship in Rock Creek Park to help us raise money for student financial aid on Sunday, May 15th, 9 AM. Your participation includes rides of varying distances to be followed by food, drink, music, and plenty of give-a-ways!  Register today to help make this event a success! For information on registering and additional information contact Michael Tierney, [email-masked], or Mark Michael, [email-masked]. Please contact Lauren Mulcahy at 202-537-8440 or email [email-masked] to join this exciting family oriented event for all ages. Read More The Middle Years
May Middle Years.pdf The Middle Years newsletter is attached for your information. Read More

								PA Announcements
                                
                                5th Grade Peer Group Meeting
The Parent Peer Group Meeting is scheduled to take place in the SFS Middle School Library on Monday, May 9th at 7:30pm. 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. 

								Other News 
                                
                                Alaska Trip
The Alaska Trip is on! There are a few more spaces available. First come first serve. Questions? Contact Dave Wood, Margaret Pennock, or the Summer Programs office. Information and details are available on the Summer Programs website.Newsletter 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 
Send submissions to [email-masked] by 2 p.m. Monday. 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. Please 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. 
						MS newsletter submissions should be sent to [email-masked].

					

							
								
									 Calendar

									

												
												
	Tue, May 3rd 
		
				Rising 5th Grade Meeting  
				
				MS Drama Studio 
				7:30pm

				

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

				

	Thu, May 5th 
		
				Parent Quaker Life Committee Coffee 
				
				Meetinghouse Foyer
				8:40am - 10:00am

				

		
				MS Poetry Night 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				6:00pm - 8:00pm

				

		
				5th Grade Parent Gathering 
				
				Zartman Drawing Room
				6:30pm - 8:30pm

				

	Fri, May 6th 
		
				Middle School Grandparents Day 
				
				DC Quaker Meetinghouse

				

				

	Mon, May 9th 
		
				PA Athletics Committee Meeting 
				
				Athletic Centner Meeting Room
				7:45am - 9:00am

				

		
				Class of 2015 Welcome for Students and Parents 
				
				DC Quaker Meetinghouse
				6:00pm - 7:00pm

				

		
				Class of 2015 Welcome Picnic 
				
				Sledge Garden, US Dining Room (rain location)
				7:00pm - 8:30pm

				

	Tue, May 10th 
		
				Rising 7th Grade Meeting  
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:30pm

				

	Wed, May 11th 
		
				PA Retreat 
				
				US Dining Room
				6:00pm - 8:30pm

				

	Fri, May 13th 
		
				8th Grade Hang Out 

				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Outdoor Performance 
				
				Zartman Garden then moving through US campus
				4:00pm

				

		
				US Dance Ensemble Outdoor Performance 
				
				Zartman Garden then moving through US campus
				7:00pm

				

	Mon, May 16th 
		
				Refreshments for Diversity Meeting 
				
				MS Foyer/Lobby
				6:30pm

				

		
				All-School PA Diversity Meeting 
				
				MS Drama Studio
				7:00pm

				

	Tue, May 17th 
		
				7th Grade Hang Out 

				2:00pm - 3:30pm

				

	Thu, May 19th 
		
				PA Arts Committee Calendar 
				
				US Library Board Room
				7:45pm - 9:30pm

				

	Fri, May 20th 
		
				5th Grade Hang Out 

				3:30pm - 5:00pm

				

		
				US Spring Play Performance 
				
				AC Theater
				8:00pm

				

	Sat, May 21st 
		
				US Spring Play Performance 
				
				AC Theater
				8:00pm

				

	Sun, May 22nd 
		
				US Spring Play Performance 
				
				AC Theater
				2:30pm

				

	Mon, May 23rd 
		
				7/8 Orchestra Rehearsal 
				
				AC Theater
				3:30pm - 5:30pm

				

											More

									

									Athletics

									

                                                
												
	Mon, May 2nd 
		
				Tennis - Boys 7/8 vs. Mater Dei 

				2:30pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A - Brookewood 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Maret School 

				4:00pm

				

	Tue, May 3rd 
		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Softball - Varsity at Potomac School 

				5:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. Maret School 

				5:30pm

				

	Wed, May 4th 
		
				Softball - 7/8 A vs. Maryland School for the Deaf 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Baseball - 7/8 B vs. St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B at Maret School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity vs. National Cathedral School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Softball - Varsity at Holy Child 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Flint Hill 

				4:30pm

				

	Thu, May 5th 
		
				Baseball - 7/8 A at Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A at Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys 7/8 at Bullis 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys 7/8 - GDS, NCS & McLean 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls 7/8 - GDS, NCS & McLean 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - Junior Varsity at Stone Ridge School 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at Flint Hill 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity at Flint Hill 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Junior Varsity at Episcopal High School 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at Georgetown Visitation 

				5:30pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Flint Hill 

				5:30pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. Flint Hill 

				5:30pm

				

	Fri, May 6th 
		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Draper Invitational 

				

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Draper Invitational 

				

				

		
				Softball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Visitation 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity at St. James School 

				5:00pm

				

	Sat, May 7th 
		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. Draper Invitational 

				

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. Draper Invitational 

				

				

		
				Crew - Club (Girls) - Ted Phoenix Regatta at Occoquan 

				

				

		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity at Potomac School 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. Potomac School 

				3:00pm

				

	Mon, May 9th 
		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes 

				2:45pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

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

				2:45pm

				

		
				Baseball - 7/8 A vs. St. Andrew's School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys 7/8 vs. St. Andrew's School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. St. Andrew's School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - Junior Varsity at Georgetown Day 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. ISL B meet 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. MAC B meet 

				4:30pm

				

	Tue, May 10th 
		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity at St. Andrew's School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. St. Andrew's School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Softball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				5:00pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity at Bullis 

				7:00pm

				

	Wed, May 11th 
		
				Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Mater Dei 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys 7/8 vs. Landon 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 A vs. Mater Dei 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B at National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 A vs. National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 B at National Cathedral School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Junior Varsity - Brookewood 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Softball - Varsity vs. Stone Ridge School 

				4:30pm

				

	Thu, May 12th 
		
				Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Softball - Junior Varsity at Potomac School 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:15pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Baseball - Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				5:00pm

				

	Fri, May 13th 
		
				Tennis - Boys Junior Varsity vs. Georgetown Day 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				4:00pm

				

		
				Softball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				4:30pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Championships 

				5:15pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Championships 

				5:15pm

				

	Sat, May 14th 
		
				Softball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				

				

		
				Crew - Club (Girls) - VA Scholastic Rowing Championships at Occoquan 

				

				

		
				Tennis - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				9:00am

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Championships 

				9:30am

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Championships 

				9:30am

				

		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				4:30pm

				

	Sun, May 15th 
		
				Softball - Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				1:00pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				3:00pm

				

	Mon, May 16th 
		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 B at St. Albans 

				2:30pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 A vs. Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Tennis - Boys 7/8 at Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Baseball - 7/8 A vs. Alice Deal Jr. High 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls Varsity vs. ISL Tournament 

				4:00pm

				

	Wed, May 18th 
		
				Baseball - Varsity vs. MAC Tournament 

				

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys Varsity - State Meet (Good Counsel HS) 

				

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls Varsity - State Meet (Good Counsel HS) 

				

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 B at Holton-Arms 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 A at Holton-Arms 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 B vs. Landon 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A vs. Holton-Arms 

				3:00pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 B vs. Holton-Arms 

				3:00pm

				

	Thu, May 19th 
		
				Lacrosse - Girls 7/8 A at St. Andrew's School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Softball - 7/8 B vs. St. Andrew's School 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Lacrosse - Boys 7/8 B at Bullis 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Boys 7/8 - Holy Child, Bullis, SSSAS & Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

		
				Track & Field - Girls 7/8 - Holy Child, Bullis, SSSAS & Flint Hill 

				2:45pm

				

	Fri, May 20th 
		
				Crew - Club (Girls) - Stotesbury Regatta in Philadelphia 

				

				

	Sat, May 21st 
		
				Lacrosse - Boys Varsity vs. DC Classic 

				

				

		
				Crew - Club (Girls) - Stotebury Regatta in Philadelphia 

				

				

                                            More

									

							

				

		

		

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