SSFS Welcomes Tom Gibian, our next Head of School

Opportunities for International Student Program Home Stay Program
This fall, the International Student Program is seeking between 10 and 15 home stay families to house our new international students for the 2010-2011 academic year. The home stay program creates the optimal environment for new international students to improve their English, acculturate to life in a new country and community, and integrate more effectively into the broader Sandy Spring Friends School community. We also believe that this program is of tremendous benefit to the families who have chosen to participate, particularly for young children. In this modern world of globalization, it is vital for Americans to learn to communicate across cultures and understand, through experience, the ways in which different cultures view the United States. Find out more about opportunities to apply to be a part of the ISP home stay program, including an outline of the compensation and obligations that families interested in this opportunity should consider before applying.

Renewable Wind Power - Costs Less - Helps the Environment - Green Project for SSFS

Help the Environment: By default right now your home's electricity is coming from a mix of coal and nuclear sources. The average home is responsible for putting about 1,500 lbs of carbon dioxide, the main global warming gas, into the atmosphere each year. That's a 1,500 lbs of carbon footprint or the equivalent of 4 cars on the road for a year! By switching to Clean Currents (electricity through wind power) you personally eliminate your home's carbon footprint.

Thank you to the 21 households who have joined the SSFS Green Neighborhood Effect Challenge. We're putting 31,500 lbs less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Plus, we've earned $210 for a green SSFS project.

Please join the effort. Go to: www.cleancurrents.com/index.php/Green-Neighborhood-Effect

Support SSFS - Use Giant Gift Cards to buy groceries, gifts, other stores' Gift Cards
5% of all gift card sales go directly to SSFS! Find out more and download an order form...
Also, sign up for the grocery card programs! Grocery/education programs are an easy way for families to donate money to the school without spending any extra out of pocket cash. For each purchase you make at any of the participating retailers, a percentage of what you spend will automatically be given to SSFS. This year, in addition to Giant Bonus Bucks and Safeway's eScript programs, you can also sign up with Target, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion. Find out more...

The Parents Association Needs YOU!
All parents and guardian of SSFS students are members of the Parents Association (PA). Every year we sponsor a variety of events and fundraisers which help enrich our community, such as Winterfest and the Auction. But without the involvement of our members, our events and fundraisers cannot become realities each year. In this light we are looking toward the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. The PA feels very strongly about resurrecting the Community Life Committee. In order to make this a reality we need a volunteer(s) to clerk this committee. This committee would bring together a few existing events such as the All School Skating Party and the Teachers Appreciation Lunch as well as initiating new ideas to bring our community together. In addition to a clerk for the Community Life Committee, we are seeking volunteers to coordinate Winterfest and the Auction. We understand that these tasks seem rather large, but they can also be very rewarding ones, leading to greater friendships and the satisfaction that you have contributed to our community in a very meaningful way. Please contact either Michelle Yates or Kathy Bittinger (see directory) if you would like to become more involved in these or any of our other PA events. WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

Communication from the PA is only a click away!
Find out about FriendsNet and PA ListServs...

Lower School Summer Reading

April 23 - Letter from Lynn Darman regarding faculty and programming changes

Lower School Bulletin
See the latest Lower School news...

Middle School Summer Reading Lists Now Available
See summer reading requirements and suggestions for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders

Middle School Bulletin
See the latest Middle School news...

Upper School Summer Reading

Congratulations to the Class of 2010!
See Graduation photos here...

Upper School Awards
See this year's recipients of awards for academic, artistic, athletic, and community achievements...

9th Grade Summer Reading Guide for Life of Pi
9th Grade Trip Packet: Equipment List, Food Suggestions, Sample Itinerary

Upper School Online Newsletter (biweekly)
See the latest Upper School news...