The calendar information below is for all-school, cross-divisional events and activities in the coming weeks. Please see the Lower School, Middle School, or Upper School sections for division-specific "must-know" info.

• Fri, Jan. 5: PA Community Connections Committee Meeting, 8:00-9:00 Scott House Conference Room
• Wed, Jan. 10: Admissions "Discover SSFS" event, 8:15-11:00 am (RSVP online here)
• Mon, Jan. 15: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day;
• Mon, Jan. 15: MLK Day of Service at SSFS, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (see more info here)
• Mon, Jan. 22: NO CLASSES - Professional Day (Exam Make-Up Day for US)
• Tues, Jan. 23: First Day of 2nd Semester
• Thurs, Jan. 25: State of the School Presentation (weather make-up date Feb. 1), 6:00 pm, PAC (see more here)
• Thurs, Jan. 25: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs (get flyer here)
• Fri, Jan. 26: Lyle Denniston Assembly for Middle and Upper School (see more info here)
• Wed, Jan. 31: Evening Panel on Interracial Marriage moderated by NPR's Korva Coleman, 7:15 pm, Yarnall Library (see more info here)
• Fri, Feb. 2: Re-Enrollment Contracts Available for Current Families After 7:00 pm
• Sat, Feb. 3: Middle School Play, 7:15 pm, PAC
• Wed, Feb. 7: Middle and Upper School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:45-5:00 pm
• Wed, Feb. 7: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Event: Managing Stress and Pressure, 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room

Do you know a family who has been meaning to come and explore all that we have to offer here at Sandy Spring Friends School? Please encourage them to start their New Year by attending our Discover SSFS Information Session and Tour on Wednesday, January 10th from 8:15-11:00 am. A Financial Aid Q&A will follow in Scott House. If possible, we request that families RSVP.

Mark your calendars! On January 15, 2018, the Parent Association of Sandy Spring Friends School will, once again, host the annual MLK Day of Service at SSFS! Breakfast will be served, and there will be specific activities for students of all ages, as well as opportunities to participate in various service projects, such as Empty Bowl, Smart Sacks, and the Linus Blanket Project. There will also be space for open dialogue centered around our theme, "Why Race Still Matters In Our World," led by Dr. Joanna Scott, a nationally recognized expert on race in organizations. Bring a friend and join in the fun!

If you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please contact Kerry-Ann Farmer at kerryann.farmer@yahoo.com. Please RSVP here to let us you'll be there. We are looking forward to a great day of service!

Lights! Camera! Action! On Saturday, January 13th, with studio doors opening at 2:30 pm, the SSFS Quiz Bowl Team returns to the NBC4 Studios for a match on It's Academic, "recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running quiz program in TV history." SSFS will face off against Dominion and Suitland high schools where they will be tasked with answering academic-centered questions for points posed by award-winning radio and television reporter, Moderator Hillary Howard.

Filmed before a live audience, in the same studio where one of the Kennedy-Nixon debates took place and adjacent to the Meet the Press set, the show's producers welcome a packed studio, charged with supportive energy. It's Academic encourages competing schools to bring lots of supporters to the free taping and provides the audience with Giant-sponsored poster-board and markers, along with cowbells and other noise-makers, to promote school spirit and increase enthusiasm. You can also bring your own signs, noise makers and don your school colors.

So this is a call to all 'Beest Boosters! Come form part of the Wildebeest herd and cheer on your Quiz Bowl Team! Just show up at 2:30pm, when the studio doors are opened for fans. About 15 miles and 35 minutes away from SSFS, down Connecticut Avenue, off of Nebraska Avenue, the NBC4 Studios are located at 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. Parking is free and ample, as there is a large gated parking lot on site, along with free overflow parking at the church next door.

With free admittance, this is a family-friendly show and community-wide event for nearly all ages that promotes academic excellence and provides the educational opportunity to be in a real television studio, participating vociferously in support of SSFS while spotlighting our unique sense of community.

The Parent Association is made up of ALL school parents and guardians, so we look forward to seeing you at many upcoming events as the year unfolds. Please visit the PA Website to see the 2017-18 PA reps and sign up to volunteer at one of our many fun events throughout the year.

Upcoming Events (Click here to see other PA Events scheduled for 2017-18)

• Fri, Jan. 5: PA Community Connections Committee Meeting, 8:00-9:00 am, Scott House Conference Room. We welcome and encourage newcomers to join in the discussion, and/or email suggestions. We are especially looking for ideas for informal and off campus opportunities for casual connection in the winter and spring.
• Mon, Jan. 15: MLK, Jr., Day of Service, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Find out more and RSVP here
• Fri, Jan. 25: SSFS PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs - show this flyer when you place your order and 15% of the proceeds will be donated back to SSFS!
• Wed, Feb. 7: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Event: Managing Stress and Pressure, 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room

Save the date for the first annual State of the School on Thursday, January 25 at 6:00 pm! In the spirit of taking stock at the start of a new year, please join Head of School Tom Gibian in the SSFS Performing Arts Center for a presentation on the state of Sandy Spring Friends School. This is an opportunity to review questions often asked about SSFS, including its long-range plan, budgeting and the endowment, and—most often asked of all!—the status of the campaign for the new Upper School building and the project itself. Watch your inbox for more details to come! Questions? Contact Lauren Mossman, Director of Advancement, at lauren.mossman@ssfs.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday, January 26th US/MS Assembly - Lyle Denniston, grandfather of Irene '21 and Vivian '28 will be speaking about his 58 years covering the Supreme Court without missing a case. His talk, highlighting the impact of precedence in the law will include discussion of Loving v. Virginia (1967), Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), and the so-called Wedding Cake Case before the court now.

NYT article, National Constitution Center blog articles

Wednesday, January 31st 7:15 in the library- Evening Panel on Interracial Marriage since Loving v Virginia. The panel moderated by Korva Coleman of NPR, will include SSFS alumni Derek Turner and Bonnie Imlay; longtime Sandy Spring residents Chandlee Offerman and Andy Murphy, who were not allowed to marry in Sandy Spring due to anti-miscegenation laws; their daughter Heather Murphy Capps and husband and Dudley Capps; and our own Kwame Darko. Together their experience of "mixed" marriage spans the 50 years since the United States Supreme Court struck down anti-miscegenation laws across the country. Students, parents, and faculty in the SSFS Community, as well as those from the larger community, are invited to come and participate.

Korva Coleman NPR bio

The Advancement Office would like to thank all of our friends and faculty for their continued support of the SSFS Annual Fund. Participation from the community shows our students we are invested in their future. Join me, and make a gift to the 2017-18 Annual Fund today!

Did you get a new lacrosse stick for Christmas or a baseball bat for Hanukkah? Have you simply outgrown your cleats? Is it time to get rid of some things so you can actually fit your car in the garage or your boots in the closet? While you're replacing, rearranging, and reorganizing, please consider regifting! The donation of your used athletic gear can make a difference in children's lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in sports.

Sporting goods will be collected at SSFS through the MLK, Jr., Day of Service. Donation bins will be located in the Athletic Center, the Performing Arts Center, The Beestro, and the Ken & Jan Smith Collection Space (Middle School).

Did you know that only about 15% of underprivileged children are involved in athletics? The rising cost of sports equipment and participation continues to widen the gap between those who can afford to play and those who cannot. Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is a Silver Spring-based non-profit working to give all children the opportunity to play. LPF works within our community to collect gently used/excess sporting equipment to help ensure that every kid living in and around the DMV can enjoy the benefits of athletic involvement. You can help by cleaning out your garage and donating your old or outgrown gear!

• LPF accepts: Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football (except helmets), Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball, Soccer, and Tennis equipment. They also accept PE/Recess items that schools can use, such as playground balls, hula hoops, and jump ropes. Please make sure donated gear is clean and in usable condition.
• LPF CANNOT accept: any athletic clothing (including hats, jerseys, socks, and swimwear), football helmets, roller blades, bicycles, shoes (except cleats), fishing gear, basketball hoops, or badminton and racquetball equipment. Please do not donate excessively dirty or unusable equipment.

To find out more about the organization, please visit their website at www.levelingtheplayingfield.org. If you have questions about the SSFS donation drive, please contact Quinn Bittinger-Esser ('19) (see Directory) or US Community Service Director Bim Schauffler. Thank you!

Happy 2018--and now our Empty Bowl Dinner truly quickly approaches: 2/11/18!! The final full glazing session in preparation for the event is on Saturday, January 13th. Please sign up using this form if you are interested in joining us in helping others as many lovely bowls await a colorful hand.

On the MLK day of service, there will also be some glazing happening, but please sign up on the service day forms as we have very limited space.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Now, after returning to School, we will begin rehearsals for the Community Play Production of The Sound of Music. We will need your help assembling the Pit Orchestra! While most brass and winds are covered, all strings (violins, violas, cellos, bass) are needed!

Rehearsals will take place on Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Sandy Spring PAC (Studio B) beginning January 14, with Performances February 22-25 Interested players are asked to email Bryan Seith at bjseith@ssfs.org.

The November 29 PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) talk at SSFS, "Taming Morning Mayhem," was a wonderful--and helpful!--event! Here's what one participant said about the talk:

"The recent PEP at SSFS presentation of Morning Mayhem was excellent! The presenter was so funny, while providing lots of helpful and practical suggestions, so I really felt this was time well spent. I left feeling encouraged about what we've done as a family that worked, and with new ideas about what to adjust to help my kids develop their skills at self care and take some stress off our family. Having had experience with getting kids to school daily at the LS, MS & HS levels, I welcome all the help I can get!" ~KL, current parent of LS & US students

The great news is that even if you weren't able to attend this event, or the Nov. 1 PEP talk on "Problem Solving with Tweens/Teens" presentation, you can see the video and get a one-pager with quick tips and highlights from the programs. See below for the links.

• Problem Solving with Teens video (password: SSFS) and Problem-Solving with Teens/Tweens One-Pager
• Taming Morning Mayhem video (password: SSFS) and Taming Morning Mayhem One-Pager

There are two more PEP speaker events scheduled for the 2017-18 school year: one on February 7 and one on April 4. The topics are managing stress and dealing with technology. More information about the PEP talks are here. Tickets for these talks often go for $35/each--and, thanks to our SSFS Parents Association, we have access to these remarkable speakers for free! Be sure to mark your calendars and take advantage of this wonderful resource.

Below is information about upcoming LS events. For questions or more information about an event, please contact Pam Gilmer, LS Administrative Assistant, at ext. 112 or pam.gilmer@ssfs.org.

• Fri, Jan. 5: Packing Smart Sacks (5B and 2B), 8:15 am, Westview Dining Hall
• Tues, Jan. 9: 2nd Grade Family Journeys
• Wed, Jan. 10: Admissions "Discover SSFS" event, 8:15-11:00 am (RSVP here)
• Thurs, Jan. 11: 2nd Grade Family Journeys
• Fri, Jan. 12: LS Coffee & Conversation, 8:30 am, Scott House
• Mon, Jan. 15: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; MLK Day of Service at SSFS (see more info here)
• Fri, Jan. 19: 4th Grade Class Play, 8:30 am, Clifton
• Mon, Jan. 22: NO CLASSES - Professional Day
• Thurs, Jan. 25: State of the School Presentation (weather make-up date Feb. 1)
• Thurs, Jan. 25: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs (get flyer here)
• Fri, Feb. 2: Re-Enrollment Contracts Available for Current Families After 7:00 pm
• Sat, Feb. 3: Middle School Play, 7:15 pm, PAC
• Wed, Feb. 7: Middle and Upper School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:45-5:00 pm
• Wed, Feb. 7: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Event: Managing Stress and Pressure, 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room

Attention Smart Sacks volunteers! 5B and 2B will be packing Smart Sacks tomorrow, Friday, Jan 5th. We will meet in Westview cafeteria at 8:15 am, immediately after drop off. Find out more about this community service project here. Additional Smart Sacks packing dates for 2018 are:

• Jan 15th- MLK Day of Service
• Feb 2nd-3rd/KB
• Feb 23rd-4A/1A
• Mar 9th-5A/PK4
• Apr 6th-4B/1B
• Apr 20th-1st Grade
• May 18th-5B/PK

Mark your calendar for the LS Coffee & Conversation on Friday, January 12h at 8:30 am in Scott House. The agenda will focus on having developmentally appropriate conversations with Lower School students about identity and self-identifying. Please bring additional topics for discussion to the gathering. We hope to see you there!

Winter weather can be a trickster. Be sure to dress your child in layers to ensure both indoor and outdoor comfort. We strive to get the students outdoors for breaks and recess. Unless the thermometer reads below 20 degrees, we go outside to play. If the thermometer reads above 20, but the wind chill is below 20 degrees, we will remain indoors. On snowy days, all Lower School students know that they must wear their "MAGIC 5" to play in the snow. The "MAGIC 5" includes a coat, hat, gloves, snow-boots and snow-pants. These items should be sent to school in a sturdy reusable shopping bag. As always, please label your child's clothing with his or her first and last name.

It's a perfect time for us to remind you and your child about making sure they are prepared for PE with appropriate footwear, especially since this bitter cold and winter weather is here to stay for a bit. "UGG" style boots (the warm and fuzzy ones!), snow boots, or slip-ons are not appropriate footwear and your child will not be allowed to participate in PE, especially climbing the wall, without sneakers. Should this be a reoccurring problem, and your child has an extra older pair of sneakers, you can always leave at school and we would be happy to keep them in our office so they are prepared.

Lower School PE Schedule:

• PK3: Green and Gold Weeks: Tuesday and Wednesday
• PK4/K: Green and Gold Weeks: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• 1st Grade: Green Week: Wednesday and Friday; Gold Week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
• 2nd Grade: Green Week: Tuesday and Thursday; Gold Week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
• 3rd Grade: Green Week: Tuesday and Thursday; Gold Week: Monday, Tuesday and Friday
• 4th Grade: Green Week: Monday, Thursday and Friday; Gold Week: Tuesday and Thursday
• 5th Grade: Gold Week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; Green Week: Wednesday and Friday

The second grade will begin their annual Family Journey Days next week. This wonderful second grade class tradition of sharing family histories is always a special event. Journeys will take place on Tuesday, 1/9, and Thursday 1/11, from 8:30 – 10:00 am.

Happy 2018--and now our Empty Bowl Dinner truly quickly approaches: 2/11/18!! The final full glazing session in preparation for the event is on Saturday, January 13th. Please sign up using this form if you are interested in joining us in helping others as many lovely bowls await a colorful hand.

On the MLK day of service, there will also be some glazing happening, but please sign up on the service day forms as we have very limited space.

Below is information about upcoming MS and all-school activities and events in the coming weeks. For questions or more information about an event, please contact Erin Ryan, MS Administrative Assistant, at ext. 160 or erin.ryan@ssfs.org.

• Fri, Jan. 5: Deadline to sign up for Winter Clubs
• Tues, Jan. 9: Middle School Summer Service Trip Info Session, 7:15 pm, Middle School Collection Space
• Wed, Jan. 10: Admissions "Discover SSFS" event, 8:15-11:00 am (RSVP here)
• Thurs, Jan. 11: MS Coffee & Conversation, 8:15-9:30 am, Scott House
• Fri, Jan. 12: MS International Potluck Lunch (see more info below)
• Mon, Jan. 15: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; MLK Day of Service at SSFS (see more info here)
• Thurs, Jan. 18: MS Performing Arts Evening, 7:15-9:00 pm, PAC (see more info below)
• Mon, Jan. 22: NO CLASSES - Professional Day
• Tues, Jan. 23: First Day of 2nd Semester
• Thurs, Jan. 25: State of the School Presentation (weather make-up date Feb. 1)
• Thurs, Jan. 25: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs (get flyer here)
• Fri, Feb. 2: MS Sportsplex Day
• Fri, Feb. 2: Re-Enrollment Contracts Available for Current Families After 7:00 pm
• Fri-Sat, Feb. 2-3: Middle School Play, 7:15 pm, PAC
• Wed, Feb. 7: Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:45-5:00 pm
• Wed, Feb. 7: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Event: Managing Stress and Pressure, 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room

Plans are underway for the Middle School 2018 Summer Service Trip! Aimee Farley (Middle School Humanities) will be leading the trip, which will give students an opportunity to develop their outdoor leadership skills, go camping with their peers, and of course to do some community service. The trip is open to all current 7th and 8th graders. The group will be heading to Acadia National Park in Maine from June 18-23. The estimated cost is between $1,200-$1,600. An information meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at 7:15 pm in the Middle School Collection Space. Please join us to learn more! You may also contact Aimee with any questions.

The Middle School will be offering two clubs for students who want to explore an extracurricular activity. This winter we are offering a Sweet Treats Baking Club on Tuesdays and The Art of Drawing People on Thursdays. Clubs will run for 6 weeks, from 4:30-5:30 pm starting the week of January 8th. Click here for more information and to sign-up by Friday, January 5th. If you have any questions regarding clubs, please e-mail lindsay.kellogg@ssfs.org.

Please mark your calendars for the annual Middle School International Lunch, which will be held on Friday, January 12. This annual potluck lunch is a chance for our students to taste some delicious cuisines from around the world and to celebrate the diversity of our school community. Each middle school student will be asked to bring in a dish (details coming soon), and we will also need lots of volunteers to make this year's event a success. Please be on the lookout for a Sign-Up Genius coming your way soon, and thanks in advance for your help. Gracias and merci!

Be sure your calendar is marked for the Middle School Winter Arts Evening on Thursday, January 18, at 7:15 pm in the SSFS Performing Arts Center. This event is the culmination of a semester's worth of work and study, and the majority of Middle School students will be performing. The Visual Art, Digital Media Arts, and Weaving classes will have their work on display in the Performing Arts Center Lobby. For Music, Movement, and Drama students, attendance and participation is essential and required. Students in those classes must arrive by 6:30 pm. Full details were sent in an e-mail communication to all Middle School parents, and parents may e-mail Michelle Puhl-Price with any questions.

Below is information about upcoming Upper School and all-school activities and events. For questions or more information about an event, please contact Meredith Shankle, US Administrative Assistant, at ext. 109 or meredith.shankle@ssfs.org.

• Tues, Jan. 9: US College Info Session - College Overview for 11th Grade Students and Families, 6:30 pm, Yarnall Library
• Thurs, Jan. 11: US Music Evening, 7:15-9:00 pm, PAC (weather make-up date: Jan. 12)
• Sat, Jan. 13: Upper School Quiz Bowl team to compete on It's Academic at the NBC4 Studios (see more info below)
• Mon, Jan. 15: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; MLK Day of Service at SSFS (see more info here)
• Tues-Fri, Jan. 16-19: US Exams (see exam schedule here)
• Mon, Jan. 22: NO CLASSES - Professional Day (US Exam Make-Up Date)
• Tues, Jan. 23: First Day of 2nd Semester
• Thurs, Jan. 25: State of the School Presentation (weather make-up date Feb. 1)
• Thurs, Jan. 25: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs (get flyer here)
• Fri, Feb. 2: Re-Enrollment Contracts Available for Current Families After 7:00 pm
• Sat, Feb. 3: Middle School Play, 7:15 pm, PAC
• Tues, Feb. 6: Dorm Black History Month Celebration, 6:00-8:00 pm, Westview
• Wed, Feb. 7: Upper School Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:45-5:00 pm
• Wed, Feb. 7: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) Event: Managing Stress and Pressure, 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room

Lights! Camera! Action! On Saturday, January 13th, with studio doors opening at 2:30 pm, the SSFS Quiz Bowl Team returns to the NBC4 Studios for a match on It's Academic, "recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running quiz program in TV history." SSFS will face off against Dominion and Suitland high schools where they will be tasked with answering academic-centered questions for points posed by award-winning radio and television reporter, Moderator Hillary Howard.

Filmed before a live audience, in the same studio where one of the Kennedy-Nixon debates took place and adjacent to the Meet the Press set, the show's producers welcome a packed studio, charged with supportive energy. It's Academic encourages competing schools to bring lots of supporters to the free taping and provides the audience with Giant-sponsored poster-board and markers, along with cowbells and other noise-makers, to promote school spirit and increase enthusiasm. You can also bring your own signs, noise makers and don your school colors.

So this is a call to all 'Beest Boosters! Come form part of the Wildebeest herd and cheer on your Quiz Bowl Team! Just show up at 2:30pm, when the studio doors are opened for fans. About 15 miles and 35 minutes away from SSFS, down Connecticut Avenue, off of Nebraska Avenue, the NBC4 Studios are located at 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. Parking is free and ample, as there is a large gated parking lot on site, along with free overflow parking at the church next door.

With free admittance, this is a family-friendly show and community-wide event for nearly all ages that promotes academic excellence and provides the educational opportunity to be in a real television studio, participating vociferously in support of SSFS while spotlighting our unique sense of community.

The Upper School is very excited to announce a summer 2018 service opportunity in rural China. The trip will take place from mid-July through early August (exact dates will be confirmed by January). The trip will focus on running a summer camp for kids in an isolated and mountainous area of FengShan County, Guangxi province. In addition to the work in Guangxi, the trip will include travel to major sites in Southeast China, and will involve a homestay period in ShenZhen (next to Hong Kong) with SSFS alumni and current international students. Please contact faculty sponsors Brian Brubaker, Takisha Reece, or Bim Schauffler for further details.

Spanish teacher Leah Niepold is organizing a relief trip to Puerto Rico to help families affected by Hurricane Maria. Open to current SSFS 9th – 12th grade students, we will tour San Juan and work with families in Villa Del Rio, located on the North Coast of Puerto Rico. We will end our trip with a kayaking tour of Puerto Rico's famous bioluminescent bay. Students will complete a minimum of 30 community service hours through various work projects and put their Spanish to use in community- building activities, cultural tours and service work. Please see the flyer for more detailed information and pricing. If interested, fill out this application by Friday, January 12, 2018. The first deposit to Global Works is due January 22, 2018. For more information, contact Leah Niepold.

• Trip flyer
• Apply here online
• Questions? Contact Leah: leah.niepold@ssfs.org

As a student athlete, do you find it harder to manage homework once your sport season begins? Would you like to gain insight on ways to better develop your time management and organizational skills? Consider the Flex Program! Your Flex session can be used to

• get homework done;
• create a schedule for the upcoming week/month;
• learn how to prioritize assignments;
• find resources/tools to remind you of work that needs to be completed, and more!

It's all up to you! "Reclaim your time" by registering for a drop in Flex session today!

Did you get a new lacrosse stick for Christmas or a baseball bat for Hanukkah? Have you simply outgrown your cleats? Is it time to get rid of some things so you can actually fit your car in the garage or your boots in the closet? While you're replacing, rearranging, and reorganizing, please consider regifting! The donation of your used athletic gear can make a difference in children's lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in sports.

Sporting goods will be collected at SSFS through the MLK, Jr., Day of Service. Donation bins will be located in the Athletic Center, the Performing Arts Center, The Beestro, and the Ken & Jan Smith Collection Space (Middle School).

Did you know that only about 15% of underprivileged children are involved in athletics? The rising cost of sports equipment and participation continues to widen the gap between those who can afford to play and those who cannot. Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is a Silver Spring-based non-profit working to give all children the opportunity to play. LPF works within our community to collect gently used/excess sporting equipment to help ensure that every kid living in and around the DMV can enjoy the benefits of athletic involvement. You can help by cleaning out your garage and donating your old or outgrown gear!

• LPF accepts: Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football (except helmets), Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball, Soccer, and Tennis equipment. They also accept PE/Recess items that schools can use, such as playground balls, hula hoops, and jump ropes. Please make sure donated gear is clean and in usable condition.
• LPF CANNOT accept: any athletic clothing (including hats, jerseys, socks, and swimwear), football helmets, roller blades, bicycles, shoes (except cleats), fishing gear, basketball hoops, or badminton and racquetball equipment. Please do not donate excessively dirty or unusable equipment.

To find out more about the organization, please visit their website at www.levelingtheplayingfield.org. If you have questions about the SSFS donation drive, please contact Quinn Bittinger-Esser ('19) (see Directory) or US Community Service Director Bim Schauffler. Thank you!

ENERGY CHOICES WE FACE EVERY FEW YEARS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD - on Sunday, January 14 at 12:30 pm please join Sandy Spring Friends in Unity with Nature for a presentation by Bob Bruninga, a member of Annapolis Meeting and the Friend responsible for their solar system and other energy efficient measures that Annapolis Meeting has installed. Bob will present his informative and entertaining workshop from last summer's BYM Annual Session. He will address solar, Electric Vehicles (EVs), air conditioning, heat pumps, water heaters and other major energy investments that the Meeting and individual Friends are now facing. The presentation will be on the second floor of the Community House in room 204. Room 204 is located at the end of the hall on the left. Stairs to the second floor are across from the restrooms. A lift is available for those using wheelchairs and walkers.

Summer at Sandy Spring is excited to announce that registration for the summer 2018 camp season is now open! Getting a jump on summer fun has never been easier; navigate to our website to check out all the new and amazing options for this season. We pride ourselves on the customization of camp for every family. So whether it's hand picking workshops, extended day, transportation options, or flexible lunch options, we are sure we can create just the right fit for your busy family this summer.

We heard the feedback and added more workshop options for each age group. Check out the website for the brand new workshop section where each workshop has its own page to tell you things like sample lessons, a week at a glance, mini descriptions, videos, and so much more. We are proud to introduce the partnering with Einstein by Design to create an amazing technology experience. We added rock climbing, Theatre, Outdoor Living Skills, Robotics to just name a few. Oh and we brought back our popular high flying, zip lining fun at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School with our Adventure Challenge workshops and Aftercare in the Trees options. From tots to teens - there is truly something for everyone!

We encourage you to take some time this winter and go through the exciting programming you'll find on our completely revamped website. When you're ready to register, you'll find a link at the top right corner. SSFS families can enter the code BEESTSATCAMP during registration for a 10% discount.

If you have any questions or if we can be of assistance, please e-mail us at camp@ssfs.org or call 301-774-7455 x167.

Do you ever wish you had a way to "connect" to the SSFS community of families about topics not part of the traditional school day or school related events? Maybe you've wondered if any of those nice high school students babysit, or if any parents know of a good violin teacher. Maybe you are looking for a plumber, a travel agent, or someone to work out with? Want to start a hiking group, a meditation group, or need help moving furniture??

Online communities abound these days, so the SSFS PA has created one (via Shutterfly) for our wonderful community of families. This is an opt-in choice open to current and alumni families for all divisions, home stay and boarding parents. The site is moderated by parent volunteers to ensure we don't misuse the tool for problems an online community can't address, and don't duplicate or replace what is official school business that belongs on other communication sites.

We hope this tool will be an additional way to support connections across this diverse community of families who share the choice of SSFS for their children. Please fill out this quick online form to opt-in. Questions? Please contact Nikol Jackson or Kathleen Landers.