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Thursday - April 8, 2010


From the School

A ZEN QUERY
If I demand I get silence
When I seek I find the answer
When I demand I get thunder
If I ask I am given the light

-Written by 2XCLASS PLACEMENT
If you have any comments about your child’s classroom placement for next year, please put your thoughts in writing and share them with Rich by Friday, April 23 (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 2009-10 gives a complete description of the placement process. The Handbook section is as follows:
“The Placement of children within available classrooms is the Principal’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.”
LOWER SCHOOL WELLNESS EVENT
HEALTHY CHILDREN, HEALTHY FAMILIES
How important is Vitamin D? How can I act now to prevent heart disease in my children? Get answers to these questions and more at the Lower School Wellness Event, where you will hear from a panel of specialists (who also happen to be Lower School parents) on ways to keep our children and families healthy. Topics will include: What Should We Be Eating?; Everything you Need to Know About Vitamin D; The A to Z's of Childhood Allergies and Asthma; How to Ensure Your Child is Heart-Healthy; and Developing and Maintaining Healthy Relationships Within the Family. Parents can hear more in smaller group Q&A sessions following the presentations. Don't miss this very informative event on Tuesday, April 27, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm, in the Meeting House.
FOR PARENTS: MIDDLE SCHOOL PANEL
Are you curious about Middle School? Come and hear about the division from the students. On Tuesday evening, April 20th at 7:30pm in the LS Meeting House 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. NEW MEETINGHOUSE & ARTS FACILITIES
Are you curious about these new facilities? Mike Saxenian, CFO, will provide a visual presentation that details the timing, design, and architectural renderings of the plans on Monday, May 3 at 7:30 pm in the Middle School Drama Studio.


PA Announcements

THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 8TH (TODAY): RICH LODISH'S "STATE OF THE SCHOOL"
CHILDCARE PROVIDED. Want to be in the loop...have the scoop...know the 411 about Lower School? Then don't miss Rich Lodish's "State of the School" talk THIS EVENING at 7:30pm in the Lower School Meeting House. We will invite parent questions and hope for a robust discussion. We will also consider the query “How can we make communication within our school community the best it can be? Are we as open, respectful, and inclusive as we could be?” We hope to see everyone there, and we especially encourage new families to attend. Childcare, with pizza dinner, will be provided for $15/child; to RSVP for childcare contact Kristen Donoghue at kristendonoghue@gmail.com.COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING IN APRIL
Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, April 11th from 1 to 3 pm. Volunteers will help sort children’s clothing, household items, pantry foods and furniture. Your time will greatly benefit AWC’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program as they help families who are just leaving shelters to make a warm, safe and comfortable home. All families welcome (ages 4 and up), First and Third Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Sara Jane Harris, sjrharris@comcast.net.
Please click on "Read More" below for more info about weekend volunteering opportunities.
PLANT SALE AT BETHESDA FRIENDS MEETING
Please join us at the Bethesda Friends Meeting annual perennial plant sale on Sunday, April 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lower School. We welcome both contributions of plants, which have been repotted a week ahead of time and are labeled for sun or shade, and people eager to find lovely perennials to plant in their gardens. This is the first of two fundraisers for scholarships for the Ramallah Friends School, a project of Bethesda Friends Meeting for the last 36 years. For details please contact Jillaine Smith, Bethesda Friends Meeting (301-229-3375, jillainedc@yahoo.com).
Read MoreHISTORIAN JAMES ZUG ON APRIL 25TH
JOIN THE CONVERSATION...
At the end of this school year, James Zug, author of The Long Conversation: 125 Years of Sidwell Friends School 1883-2008, is moving to Delaware with his wife Rebecca, the current Upper School Dean of Students, as she takes a job at Wilmington Friends School. In writing SFS's history, Jim spent more than two years pouring through our archives and interviewing dozens of alumni and current and former trustees, parents, faculty and staff. In order to take final advantage of this extraordinary resource, the Quaker Life Committee and the Parents of Black Students have invited Jim to lead a discussion on one of the most pivotal moments in the school's history: the story of Sidwell Friends’ experience with integration in the 1950s and 1960s and on the implications it has for diversity concerns today. We are also delighted that Jeffrey Mazique will attend. In 1956, Mazique became the first African American student to enroll at Sidwell Friends. A once and future SFS parent, Mazique will join us in this conversation to share some personal observations. The discussion will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2010, at 3:30 pm in the Zartman House Drawing Room. We hope you can join us for this special event. For questions, please contact Geoff Klineberg at gklineberg@khhte.com or Nicole Scott at scottfree3@netzero.net.
CHI NEWS: FREE WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND!
Whenever appropriate, CHI likes to inform parents of local speakers and workshops. Please see the below FREE workshop by PEP (Parent Encouragement Program):
“Why Don’t My Kids Listen to Me?”
A free workshop for parents of children ages 2 ½ to 18
Saturday, April 10, 3:00-4:30 pm, in Kensington

If you feel like a broken record or like you’re talking to a brick wall when it comes to your kids, this workshop may be just what you’re looking for. Offered by the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), a local nonprofit that has provided parenting education since 1982, this program gives parents insight into what we often do to make our kids “parent deaf” and how we can break the cycle and gain more cooperation without repeating, reminding, nagging or yelling. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by calling PEP at 301-929-8824.
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
GREEN TIP: EARTH DAY'S 40TH BIRTHDAY!
Earth Day’s 40th anniv. is April 22! Check out www.earthday.net for local events, including Global Days of Service April 17-18 and a “Song for the Earth Contest” ONLY for the UNDER 18. The winner gets to perform his/her song on the National Mall at the massive Climate Rally on Sunday, April 25th. Also, be on the lookout in the next couple of weeks for Earth Day events at/with Sidwell, including a river cleanup with the Anacostia Watershed Society on Sat, April 24. For more info, checkout www.anacostiaws.org. Comments, questions to Louise Micallef at micallefj@aol.com.

P.S. Last month, one of the green tips discussed ways to conserve water. I suggested that we in America take too many showers and maybe don’t need to shower daily. Unfortunately, I tried to lighten up what I sometimes fear is a preachy column and suggested using perfume when you’re not sweaty, calling it a “French shower”. I did not intend to comment on French hygiene, merely a (not so funny) way of suggesting that Americans bathe too much. I apologize to anyone who was offended.


Other News

AUCTION RSVP DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 8
2010 EVENTS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AUCTION
The auction replies are coming in, tables are being arranged, but we want more SFS families to participate. Not only is the auction important to help maintain the 23 percent of students receiving aid, but it is FUN! You get to socialize with friends, meet new parents, see a beautiful DC venue, and enjoy great food and wonderful company. Not to mention Ali Wentworth is the Emcee so you are guaranteed to laugh! Please call (202) 537-8110 or fax your RSVP card to (202) 537-8449 to ensure your spot at this year’s auction.
The online auction is right around the corner. Online bidding will take place April 9-13 but you can check out the catalog now. Follow this link to see all items available at both the live and silent auction. Remember, all proceeds from the auction directly benefit student financial aid.
2010 LS GRANDPARENTS DAY: MAY 7TH
Invitations went in the mail last week for Grandparents Day! All grandparents must RSVP for this event by April 24, 2010 to (202) 537-8442 or grandparentsday@sidwell.edu. Parking will be limited, if possible please drop-off grandparents. The program will last from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
SIDWELL SUMMER TRAVELERS PROGRAM
TRAVEL THE WORLD THIS SUMMER -- WITHOUT EVEN LEAVING TOWN!
Join the Sidwell Summer Travelers program this summer for a fun adventure in world cultures. Starting on June 21st, the campers will join SFS teachers Noemi Rodriguez and Jorge Baez-Mora in Spanish camp, where the children will learn about the culture of Mexico, Puerto Rico and other Spanish speaking nations while enhancing their Spanish vocabulary from the school year. Then campers can then move to China camp on July 6th for another two week session with LS teachers Eve Eaton and Edith Zhang. There they will be able to learn Chinese through songs and skits while also experiencing aspects of Chinese culture. Finally, on July 19th, the campers can join MS teacher Alexa Abdelatey for a venture through French speaking cultures with songs, projects, stories, and cooking. We hope to see you there! Questions? Please contact Eve Eaton at eatone@sidwell.edu. 10TH GRADE STUDENT SERVICE PROJECT
Ms. Brownlee’s 10th grade advisory is participating in a service project from April 5 - April 23 benefitting “Pennies for Patients”, a program that helps collect important funds for blood cancer patients through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. By donating and gathering pennies, the research on and patient services for blood cancers increases, and more patients are able to have effective treatment. 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=366.1025.488460.55595.6246. Any and all support is appreciated. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Brownlee at brownleel@sidwell.edu or 202-537-8180.LS THURSDAY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
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Send submissions to PA.LSNewsletter@sidwell.edu by 2 pm Wednesday. Please reference "Newsletter Submission" 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: scheduling@sidwell.edu.

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 PA.LSnewsletter@sidwell.edu.


Calendar


Thu, Apr 8th

Grade 1 to American History Museum


9:15am - 11:45am


All Lower School PA Meeting

LS Meeting Room
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Fri, Apr 9th

3y Play

LS MultiPurpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


Mon, Apr 12th

Regular School Day


Tue, Apr 13th

Middle School Book Fair


4/16/2010


Wed, Apr 14th

Grade 3 to historic sites in Virginia


9:00am - 3:00pm


Thu, Apr 15th

LS Early Morning Meeting for Worship

LS Meeting House
7:45am - 8:15am


LS PA Parent Meeting for Worship

LS Meeting House
7:45am - 8:15am


Blood Drive

Kenworthy Gym
2:00pm - 4:00pm


PA Arts Committee Meeting

MS Library Classroom
7:45pm - 9:30pm


Fri, Apr 16th

All 4th grades to Peace Speaker Event

Wisconsin Avenue Campus
8:50am - 10:40am


A Capella Event AC in DC

AC Theater
7:30pm - 9:30am


Sat, Apr 17th

Alumni Community Service Day

Off Campus


Live Auction


Mon, Apr 19th

Mock Admissions for Junior Parents and Students

US Dining Room, US Library Board Room, US Classroom, AC Theater
6:30pm - 9:00pm


Tue, Apr 20th

Student Panel at Lower School for Lower School Parents

LS Meeting Room
7:30pm


Thu, Apr 22nd

Grade 1 to the Phillips Collection


9:00am - 11:00am


MS Musical (Beauty and the Beast)

AC Theater
9:30am


Childcare for LS PA Meeting

LS Aftercare Room
7:00pm


Fri, Apr 23rd

7th Grade Parent Coffee

Sledge Garden
7:30am - 9:30am


Malcolm Daglish - Wild Wild Words Show

LS MultiPurpose Room
9:00am - 10:00am


MS Musical (Beauty and the Beast)

AC Theater
9:30am


MS Musical: Beauty and the Beast

Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
7:30pm


Sat, Apr 24th

Alumni Community Service Day

US Dining Hall
12:00pm - 5:00pm


MS Musical: Beauty and the Beast

Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
2:00pm


3rd Grade Parent Reception (PA)

Off Campus
7:00pm


Sun, Apr 25th

Crew Team Car Wash

US Parking Garage


Quaker Life Committee Meeting

Zartman Drawing Room
3:30pm - 5:00pm


Mon, Apr 26th

Senior Exams: Math, History


Grade 4 to A & J's Restaurant


11:30am - 1:30pm


Tue, Apr 27th

Senior Exams: Math, English

TBA


Lower School Wellness Event

LS Meeting Room
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Wed, Apr 28th

Senior Exams: Science, English


More


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