Subject: SFS 9th grade advisor introduction
From: "Thomas Donley" <[email-masked]>
To: "Roberta \(Maisy\) Biden" <[email-masked]>
Cc: <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:53:31 +0000

Dear Maisy,

I hope your summer is in full swing and that you are enjoying time away from the typical academic year. I wanted to be in touch before next year started and let you know that I will be serving as your adviser for the 2015-2016 academic year. An Upper School adviser is here to answer whatever questions you have about classes, daily routines, arts, sports, clubs, lockers, lunch – and anything else that might puzzle you as you navigate your new environment next year. Each advisory has about ten students, and the group meets together once a week during the school year. You will also meet one-on-one with your adviser often. Sometimes, that meeting may last just a minute as you check in about something; sometimes, that meeting may fill an entire period so that you and your adviser can keep up with how things are going. Establishing a good relationship with your adviser from the start will help you have a successful ninth grade year. I would love to begin that relationship by inviting you and your parents to come meet with me before the start of next year. I will be on campus from July 11 to July 31 from 9am to 2:30pm; and from August 3 to August 7 from 9:30am to 11:30am. Please talk with your parents and let me know if meeting is practical given your summer schedule and, if so, when we might be able to get together.

I also want to be sure that you and your parents know the best way to contact me. My email address is [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>; email is a great way to be in touch as I usually check it all day. If you want to call me, my direct line is 202/537-8173.  You can leave a voicemail on that line.

Again, I hope you are having a wonderful summer, and I look forward to working with you.

Tom Donley
Science Department Head
Director of Summer Studies
Sidwell Friends Schoo