Sandy Spring Friends School

Although we were a few hours from the path of totality, SSFS students and families still got to enjoy the partial solar eclipse on our campus on April 8, where 87% of the sun was blocked by the moon during the peak time (3:20 PM). We made sure everyone participating had special safety solar eclipse glasses, and it was a pretty cool sight! 

Join us as we welcome back a community tradition this Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM in the PAC! The 2024 production will be Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman, a collection of stories from Ancient Rome told from a distinctly modern point of view. Zimmerman used both classical and modern texts to create a show that emphasizes ensemble storytelling, different perspectives, and movement. The play is suitable for audiences aged 7 and up. 

"Our People Our Planet” (OPOP) Day is an annual celebration at SSFS where we try to highlight two wonderful parts of our community. The "Our People" part is a chance for us to celebrate the vast array of different cultures and identities represented at SSFS. The "Our Planet" part is focused on raising awareness about actions we can take to be better stewards of our planet. This year's OPOP is on Wednesday, April 24, and the theme is "Renewal: Weaving Threads from the Past into the Fabric of Our Future." Learn more!

REMINDER: BRING IN CLOTHING DONATIONS BY MON., APR. 22 for the 2nd Annual Clothing Swap

Drop off clothes that no longer work for you/your family, and pick something up instead of buying new! To align with OPOP Day and encourage the reduction of clothing waste, the Upper School's Environmental Stewardship Committee is hosting the 2nd Annual Clothing Swap on Friday, April 26 (3:15-4:30 PM) and Saturday, April 27 (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) in Yarnall gym. Donations will be accepted until 2:00 PM on Saturday, but in order to have items for the service project on OPOP Day, please bring donations by Monday, April 22! Any item not picked up will be donated to Interfaith Works. 

The Annual Auction raises funds for student financial aid. All of our hard work and money raised goes right back to our students and families. The auction is both a live in-person party as well as a week-long online auction. It's an incredible way for our community to come together to have a great time AND support a worthy cause. The May 4 auction event at Ten Oaks Ballroom will be here soon, so be sure to purchase your tickets today!

Middle School Spring 2024 "Minimester" classes have wrapped up, and some of the classes have published student capstone projects. Luc Hotaling's Documentary Film Minimester class created their own original documentaries, and students in his Public Speaking class wrote and recorded "This I Believe" Statements. Check them out!

We are halfway through five history and heritage month celebrations that run from February through June, and in the midst of several religious holidays and observances. April 1 marked the beginning of Arab American Heritage Month, and between Ramadan and Eid, Easter, and anticipation for Passover (which begins April 22), many members of our community have lived and celebrated their faith this spring. See below for a recap of Women’s History Month and National Day of (No) Silence, and the histories of Arab American Heritage Month and Passover. 

This fall, the Upper School will stage Bertolt Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" on Fri., Dec. 15 at 7:00 PM, and on Sat., Dec. 16 at 2:00 PM and at 7:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). Friday and Saturday night performances will be followed by an audience Q&A with the cast.

On Oct. 17, SSFS students, faculty, and staff began the day with a walk to the Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting House for an all-school Meeting for Worship. We then gathered in cross-divisional Family Groups for bonding activities, art projects, on-campus service/stewardship, and lunch. In the afternoon, we played Morley Games and Captain's Calling, and ended the day with an all-school aerial photo.