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Thursday - April 15, 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 23rd (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 How to Raise a Child with Healthy Self-Esteem. Parents can hear more in smaller group Q&A sessions following the presentations. Don't miss this very informative event on Tuesday, April 27th 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 7:30 pm 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.iCal Feeds
Have you tried iCal feeds yet? If you’re tired of transferring school holidays, PA meetings, and other school events to your calendar, keep on top of it all by syncing your calendar program with our iCalendar feeds! Log in to the Parent Portal and click on iCalendar feeds (upper right) or visit www.sidwell.edu/calendars/ical.aspx . You must be logged in to subscribe to or download calendars that are only available to the SFS community. Please note that we recommend subscribing to the iCalendar feeds so you will get the latest information on cancellations and room changes. (If you just download the calendar, the information is only as current as the day you download it.) If you have any questions, contact [email protected].


PA Announcements

PA REPORT 2009-2010
The leadership of the Parents Association invites parents to read what the PA has been up to this year. Please click here to read the PA Report to Parents for 2009-10. This report may also be found by logging on to the parent portal of the website; click parents association, then click meetings & events, then click PA Report to Parents on the right side bar. To view volunteer opportunities in the PA, log on to the parent portal of the website, click parents association, then click volunteering on the left side bar. Join us! [email protected]
LOWER SCHOOL SPRING FESTIVAL
SAVE THE DATE -- MAY 1ST!
Calling all Lower School students, siblings, and parents. The annual Lower School Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 1st from 3-5 pm at the Lower School Campus. Festivities include - arts & crafts, field games, 4th grade car wash & bake sale, community service activities, music and more. Volunteers needed! For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ellen Alexander at [email protected] or Donna DePasquale at [email protected].

FOURTH GRADE PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Please email or call Miriam Herman ([email protected]; 301-706-3916) to sign-up to help with the 4th Grade Carwash and Bake Sale at the Spring Festival. We need volunteers to help set-up, bring in baked goods, help wash cars, sell baked goods, and clean-up. Thanks for the support.

COLLECTION OF HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS FOR A WIDER CIRCLE
Spring Clean, Recycle and Do Your Part to Fight Poverty - All At Once! Please join LS in collecting gently-used household essentials at Spring Festival. Donated items will be given to A Wider Circle (www.awidercircle.org), a local non-profit that helps families just moving out of shelters and into homes. They provide necessities (beds, linens, furniture) that the families would otherwise not have. See "Read More" below for a more complete list of wishlist items.
Read MoreCOMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER
MARTHA'S TABLE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Martha's Table is having our annual Volunteer Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 24th. This is at the tail end of National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19th to 25th). This year's event is focused on celebrating youth involvement. We are planning a fun filled day of kickball, trivia, music, food, refreshments and more. More information at www.mtvolunteerday.eventbrite.com.
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERING IN MAY
* A Wider Circle: Join SFS families at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring on Sunday, May 2nd from 1 to 3 pm. Volunteers will help sort children’s clothing, household items, pantry foods and furniture. All families welcome (ages 4 and up), Second and Fourth Grade families encouraged. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Sara Jane Harris, [email protected].
* Martha's Table: Gather at Martha's Table Saturday, May 22nd from 10 am to 12:30 pm to make and bag donated food to feed the hungry throughout the city. All families welcome (ages 4 and up), PK and Kindergarten families encouraged. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Camille Thornton, [email protected].

These are the final scheduled weekend volunteer dates of the school year. Please join us!HISTORIAN 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. Please join us for a discussion taking place on Sunday, April 25th at 3:30 pm in the Zartman House Drawing Room. For more information, please click on "Read More" below. We hope you can join us for this special event. For questions, please contact Geoff Klineberg at [email protected] or Nicole Scott at [email protected]. Read MoreLS AFTERCARE FAMILIES GATHERING
SAVE THE DATE! Come join the LSPA Diversity Committee and Aftercare Director, Diane Everts, as we celebrate the Aftercare community and the wonderful staff who assist in the development of our children each day. Friday, May 21st from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room. Be prepared for good food and conversation! RSVP to Liza Long ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
GREEN TIP: HEALTHY LAWNS FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE
Know your local soil and plants – U MD’s Home and Garden Information Center (www.hgic.umd.edu) will tell you how much and what type of nutrients to add. Another great site, www.seedland.com suggests the best plants for your area, allowing you to water less.
Light on the Lawnmower. Try not to mow too much, but keep your blades sharp. Lawnmowers contribute 10% of our air pollution in summer. Try an electric or hand mower if your lawn isn’t too big. Grass clippings are almost all water, so, leave them in place and they’ll decompose and act as fertilizer.
Water deeply, less often and only in the AM. Use automatic shutoffs when away.
Organic fertilizers need less water and fewer nutrients. Check out www.safelawns.org for suggestions. Corn gluten, available at local garden stores, is a great, easily obtainable organic fertilizer. Available at American Plant Food in Bethesda. Check out their site for organic tips- www.americanplant.net.
Aerate early and often.


Other News

2010 AUCTION FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
THE LIVE AUCTION IS THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 17TH
Sealed Bids: Even if you aren’t able to attend the silent and live auction you can still bid on these items. Simply fill out a sealed bid sheet and an auction volunteer will do the bidding for you. Don’t forget to support fund-a-scholar! A generous donor has offered to match the first $50,000 pledged to this cause! Please contact the Events for Student Scholarships office with any questions at [email protected] or 202-537-8110.
Auction Volunteers Needed: We're looking for volunteers to help set-up for the auction from 9 am to 1 pm. No experience required, no meetings beforehand. You just have to be ready, willing, and able! Call Lauren Galleher at 202 537 8103, [email protected] SCHOOL PERFORMANCE: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JR.
Welcome to the world of Belle and the Beast in the Sidwell Friends Middle School musical production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. in the Kogod Arts Center at the Mary Ellen Caplin Theater on Friday, April 23rd at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, April 24th at 2 pm. For more information, please see the "read more" link below or contact [email protected] or call 202/537-8150. Admission is free. Read MoreSIDWELL SUMMER SPONSORSHIP FUND
Sidwell Summer Sponsorship Fund offers assistance to more than 125 campers each summer, with preference going to Sidwell families receiving aid during the school year – if you are interested in applying for summer sponsorship we will extend the April 15th deadline for Sidwell families only – apply by end of the day Monday, April 19th. The application can be found at: http://www.sidwell.edu/broadcast/action/clickthru.aspx?id=366.1032.495572.55595.6258 (scroll down to the sponsorship section). If you have any questions, please e-mail Karen at [email protected]. We hope you will join us this summer!
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 [email protected]. 10TH GRADE STUDENT SERVICE PROJECT
Ms. Brownlee’s 10th grade advisory is participating in a service project from April 5th - April 23rd benefiting “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=366.1032.495572.55595.6246. Any and all support is appreciated. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Brownlee at [email protected] or 202-537-8180.PLANT SALE AT BETHESDA FRIENDS MEETING
Please join us at the Bethesda Friends Meeting annual perennial plant sale on Sunday, April 18th from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm 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, [email protected]).PARENTS' CORNER
Parents' Corner is used to permit SFS families to publish information of a more personal nature. Under no circumstances does Sidwell Friends School endorse the advertisements or personal requests printed in this corner
CALLING ALL RUNNERS!! - Swab a Cheek, Save a Life Campaign
Swab a Cheek, Save a Life Campaign was created by a few Sidwell Friends parents who are passionate about fighting racial disparities in the area of bone marrow transplants. Tragically, only a small percentage, as low as 17% of some minority patients, who conduct a formal search for a bone marrow donor actually find a match and go on to receive a transplant. In an effort to dramatically increase the number of minority bone marrow donors in the registry, Swab a Cheek, Save a Life has secured 60 entries into the Marine Corp Marathon and 10K Road Race. For those of you not quite up to the 26 miles, the 10K is a 6 mile trek from the National Mall to the Marine Corps War Memorial. We invite you to run on Team Swab-a-Cheek, on October 31, 2010. For more details or to sign up, contact third grade moms and founders: Lisa Horowitz (transplant recipient) or Sara Jane Harris at [email protected]. You can also go to www.swabacheek.org or call us at 561-982-2919.
LS THURSDAY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
How to Subscribe
To receive the Thursday Letter via e-mail, send an e-mail to [email protected] with only the word "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
How to Unsubscribe
If you have wish to have your name removed from the subscription list, send an e-mail to [email protected] with only the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
How to Submit an Article to Thursday Letter
Send submissions to [email protected] 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: [email protected].

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 protected].


Calendar


Tue, Apr 13th

Middle School Book Fair


4/16/2010


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


Sat, Apr 17th

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


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

MS Musical: Beauty and the Beast

Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
2:00pm


Alumni Community Service Day

US Dining Hall
2:00pm - 4:00pm


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


Thu, Apr 29th

Senior Exams: Science Language

TBA


Middle School Parents invited to Meeting for Worship

Kenworthy Gym
8:10am - 8:40am


Fri, Apr 30th

Senior Exams: Language, History


Kx Play

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


US Choral Concert

Mary Ellen Caplin Theater
7:30pm


6th Grade Party

LS Multipurpose Room
7:30pm - 9:30pm


Sat, May 1st

SAT Testing (Not at Sidwell)


Spring Festival

LS Meeting House
2:00pm - 3:00pm


Sun, May 2nd

US Jazz and Chamber Orchestra Concert

Theater
2:30pm


Mon, May 3rd

Presentation on the New Arts and Meetinghouse Facilities

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm - 9:00pm


Tue, May 4th

AP Tests: Computer Science, Spanish Language, Statistics


Parents of Rising 5th Graders Transition Meeting

MS Drama Studio
7:30pm


Wed, May 5th

AP Tests: Calculus, Chinese


SAT Testing


PA Executive Committee Meeting

US Crane Room
8:00am - 9:00am


More


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