Upper School student life is enriched by a multitude of clubs, committees, literary pursuits and activities which offer experiential opportunities for intellectual, social and emotional growth. The focus is on developing leadership skills, strengthening interpersonal relations, providing social outlets, acquiring knowledge of and appreciation for the broader community and encouraging civic responsibility.

Student initiative, interest and expertise are the driving forces behind most of the non-academic pursuits in the Upper School. This enables the students themselves to determine the focus and direction of co-curricular programming and encourages greater participation in activities.

• Activities Schedule
• Clubs
• Committees
  • Co-curricular Committee (Upper School)
  • Diversity Committee (All-school and Upper School)
  • Faculty (Upper School)
  • Spiritual Life Committee (All-School and Upper School)
  • Traditions (All-school)
  • Peace Committee (All-school)
• National Coalition Building Institute (Peer educators)
• Peer Counselors
• Procedures and Discipline Committee
• Publications
  • The Wildezine (Literary magazine)
  • The Gnus (Newspaper)
  • Yearbook
• Student Government

Committees

Student representatives are chosen for several major All-school and Upper School faculty committees as part of the continuing effort to develop leadership and encourage student voice in decision-making.

• Upper School Co-curricular Committee: Approves of Intersession trips and changes to Intersession policies
• Diversity Committee (All-School and Upper School): Monitors and improves the school community with respect to issues of inclusion
• Upper School Faculty: Monthly meeting of all Upper School teachers and administrators
• Spiritual Life Committee (All-School and Upper School): Strives to maintain an atmosphere that encourages the development of student character and Quaker values
• Traditions Committee (All-School): Raises school spirit and sense of unique school culture through community-building events
• Peace Committee (All-School and Upper School): Helps members of the SSFS community follow leadings toward peace in their personal lives, in the community, and/or in society at large; acts as a clearinghouse for peace information and curricula, a support group for peace (for example, providing access to counseling for young men in the community contemplating conscientious objector status), and a work group to help organize and run events that promote awareness of peace and nonviolence

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National Coalition Building Institute (Peer educators)

All Upper School students participate in the award-winning NCBI One-Day Prejudice Reduction Workshop (Fall 10th-12th grades; Spring 9th grade). The purpose of the workshop is to empower individuals to take leadership in building inclusive communities by celebrating similarities and differences, recognizing misinformation, identifying and healing internalized oppression, claiming pride in group identity, understanding the personal impact of discrimination and learning effective methods for dealing with bigoted comments and behavior.

Students may pursue their interests further by participating in a two-day Train-the-Trainer Seminar in which they continue to develop their leadership skills in this area and learn to conduct the one-day workshop for their 9th grade peers.

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Peer Counselors

Interested 10th-12th graders may participate in an eight-week intensive peer counseling training program. The training includes the development of listening and group facilitation skills, as well as information on substance abuse, sexuality issues and peer pressure among other issues. Students focus on how to identify problems, provide support and recognize the boundaries of their own skills as they work with their peers.

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Procedures and Discipline Committee (P & D)

The P & D Committee includes students appointed by the student body, teachers appointed by the Upper School faculty, dormitory staff, and the Dean of Students. Its role is to help the community define the rules by which we govern our daily lives at Sandy Spring Friends School. P & D also recommends consequences for students who violate existing rules and procedures.

P & D Committee for 2007-2008:

Andrew Stowe
Martha Pskowski
Maddee Morehouse
Denis Mahame
Quilla Otto-Jacobs (Day Alternate)
Linnea Burgevin (Day Alternate)
Jamual Edwards (Dorm Alternate)

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