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Thanks for reading the March 22, 2018 newsletter, emailed to all SSFS families each Thursday afternoon during the school year with news, photos, upcoming events, and "must-know" info. 

Please note that there will be no e-newsletter next Thursday, March 29, while we are out on Spring Break. We wish all our families a restful and rejuvenating break!

It took until March 22, but SSFS Lower Schoolers finally got some good snow for the sledding hill behind Westview. We hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's snow day as much as these kids! You can see more photos of the fun on Vidigami here.

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

All School "Must-Know" Info for Mar. 22 Newsletter
  • Thurs, Mar. 22: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs - Show this flyer and 15% of the proceeds will be donated back to SSFS!
  • Mon-Fri, Mar. 26-30: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
  • Mon, Apr. 2: Classes resume
  • Tues, Apr. 3: FriendsFest Planning Meeting
  • Wed, Apr. 4: "Discover SSFS" Admissions Event (RSVP here)
  • Wed, Apr. 4: PA PEP All-School Event - "Tackling Technology," 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room (See more details)
  • Thurs, Apr. 5: PA Auction Committee Meeting, 8:15 am
  • Fri, Apr. 6: Last Day of 3rd Quarter
  • Fri, Apr. 6: Packing Smart Sacks, 8:15 am, Westview
  • Sat, Apr. 7: Youth Peace Conference, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Mon, Apr. 9: NO CLASSES, Professional Day

More all-school calendar events... 


No Bus Shuttle Service on Saturday, March 24

As noted in the recent email from Tom Gibian to our community, SSFS offered to provide shuttle transportation to and from the Glenmont metro station on Saturday, March 24, for the “March for Our Lives” event on the National Mall, provided that there was sufficient interest. Since we received only 5 submissions and have heard from many that they will be arranging their own transportation to and from the event, we will not plan to run the shuttle service. Thanks to all who responded.


Vidigami Access

A quick reminder that all SSFS staff and parents (and students in grades 4-12) have access to a password-protected online photo sharing service called Vidigami. Upper School families, in particular, have emailed this week with questions about how to access this service, as many Intersession groups are posting their photos using this service. If you have not yet accessed your account, click here for instructions.


SSFS in the News

From local to international news organizations, SSFS students were represented in stories about the March 14 National Walk Out. Click here for more information and links, including additional TV news stories released late last week.


Spread the Word – April 4th Discover SSFS Event for Prospective Families

Do you know a family that has been meaning to come and check out the school? The Admission Office is hosting a Discover SSFS event on Wednesday, April 4th. Parents take a campus tour and visit classrooms to learn more about what makes Sandy Spring Friends School such an amazing place for personal and academic development. Check-in is from 8:15-8:45 am, and the event will conclude at 11:00 am. Spaces are limited, so be sure to ask your friends to pre-register by Friday, March 30th. Thank you!


March Madness - SSFS Final Four

Score one for the team: Make your donation today!


April 4 PEP Event: "Tackling Technology" 

What: In our 3rd PA-sponsored PEP workshop this year, the topic is "Tackling Technology," and is for parents in all divisions. In this workshop, we will explore some of the problems caused by excessive electronic use, as well as ways to set limits around technology and ideas for improving connections with your children through technology. Read more here, or see flyer with info from all workshops for 2017-18 (note change in location from Yarnall to Scott House).
Where: Scott House Collection Space/Living Room
When: Wednesday, April 4, at 7:15 pm
Who: Parents with kids in preschool through 12th grade
Questions: Contact Kathleen Landers

Click here to see full article, including links to videos and tip sheets from past PEP workshops. 


SSFS Parents Association Upcoming Events

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

  • Thurs, Mar. 22: PA Fundraiser at Jersey Mike's Subs - Show this flyer and 15% of the proceeds will be donated back to SSFS!
  • Tues, Apr. 3: FriendsFest planning meeting. Please come learn more about what it takes to hold the FriendsFest (formerly Winterfest) Event
  • Thurs, Apr. 5: PA Auction Committee Meeting, 8:15-9:15 am
  • Fri, Apr. 13: PA Meeting for Worship, 8:00-9:00 am, Meeting House

All-School ICYMI

This section ("In Case You Missed It") provides brief summaries and links to articles that have appeared in previous newsletters, but reference activities or events that are still upcoming and/or may be of interest to families. Links to the original articles are also available below.


MAY 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm - Save the date, and find out more about this important (and fun!) event!


 
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS

Lower School "Must-Know" Info for Mar. 22 Newsletter
  • Fri, Mar. 23: LS Talent Show Performance (Group A), 8:30-9:30 am, Clifton
  • Fri, Mar. 23: LS Talent Show Performance (Group B), 9:30-10:30 am, Clifton
  • Mon-Fri, Mar. 26-30: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
  • Mon, Apr. 2: Classes resume
  • Mon, Apr. 2: 1st Grade to Kid Museum
  • Wed, Apr. 4: "Discover SSFS" Admissions Event (RSVP here)
  • Wed, Apr. 4: PA PEP All-School Event - "Tackling Technology," 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room (See more details)

More Lower School Calendar Events...


Letter from Brenda Crawley

Lower School Head Brenda Crawley writes, "Wishing everyone a happy spring seems hardly in order, given this week’s wintry weather! The “mud season” is still with us; and yet the lower schoolers are enjoying the newly-installed climbing equipment on the playground. In addition, our PK3 and PK4 students have their own new play area, specifically designed for preschoolers. We only need to hope that the forecast stays fixed on one season with full sunshine and the warmth of spring!" Click here to read the full letter, with information about Brenda's recent trip to Atlanta for the NAIS conference, congratulations to the LS participants in the Community Play, highlights from recent weeks in the Lower School, and information about today's rescheduled Talent Show. Click here for full letter.


 
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

Middle School "Must-Know" Info for Mar. 22 Newsletter
  • Mon-Fri, Mar. 26-30: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
  • Mon, Apr. 2: Classes resume
  • Wed, Apr. 4: "Discover SSFS" Admissions Event (RSVP here)
  • Wed, Apr. 4: PA PEP All-School Event - "Tackling Technology," 7:15 pm, Scott House Living Room (See more details)
  • Thurs, Apr. 5: PA Auction Committee Meeting, 8:15 am
  • Fri, Apr. 6: Last Day of 3rd Quarter
  • Sat, Apr. 7: Youth Peace Conference, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Mon, Apr. 9: NO CLASSES, Professional Day

Immersion Week Wraps Up on March 23

All Middle School faculty and students have been thoroughly enjoying our Immersion Week activities. From coding to climbing, cooking to podcasting, there’s been no shortage of opportunities to learn something new.  As some groups will be going off campus on Friday, be sure your child arrives to school promptly and please limit early pick-ups for appointments. See more pictures from our week online, and on Vidigami here


Upcoming 7th Grade Trips

The Seventh Grade Team is preparing for a busy April! Read about their upcoming all-day field trip to the Newseum April 10th (please have your student bring $15 for lunch), and their April 18-20 overnight trip to Gettysburg (please bring any medicine to the Health Center by April 12th). Read full article here.  


Middle School ICYMI

This section ("In Case You Missed It") provides brief summaries and links to articles that have appeared in previous newsletters, but reference activities or events that are still upcoming and/or may be of interest to families. Links to original articles are also posted below.

  • Youth Peace Conference 2018 - 8th graders: don't forget to sign up for the April 8 for this year's YPC, hosted at SSFS. The theme for this annual student-organized social justice conference focusing on youth activism as a means towards local social change is "Breaking Down Walls."

 
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS

Upper School "Must-Know" Info for Mar. 22 Newsletter
  • Fri, Mar. 23: Dorm closes for Spring Break at 7:00 pm
  • Mon-Fri, Mar. 26-30: NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
  • Sun, Apr. 1: Dorm re-opens at 12:00 noon
  • Mon, Apr. 2: Classes resume
  • Wed, Apr. 4: PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) All-School Event - "Tackling Technology," 7:15-9:00 pm, Scott House (see more details)
  • Fri, Apr. 6: Last Day of 3rd Quarter
  • Sat, Apr. 7: Youth Peace Conference hosted at SSFS, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (see details)
  • Mon, Apr. 9: NO CLASSES, Professional Day
  • Wed, Apr. 11: 10th Grade Symposium, 6:30-9:00 pm, Westview (see flyer)

More Upper School Calendar Events...


Great Reports Coming In From Upper School Intersession Trips!

SSFS students learn about the world by being in the world. Intersession is an important component of the emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning at SSFS. Upper School Intersession participants near and far are sending along photos and updates about their amazing experiences this week. You can read about them all by visiting our new 2018 Upper School Intersession Blog page. Check it out to see how our students and faculty are "letting their lives speak" here at home and across the world! See more photos from Intersession trips by logging in to the parent portal page and clicking the "Photo Galleries - Vidigami" link. 


Upper School ICYMI

This section ("In Case You Missed It") provides brief summaries and links to articles that have appeared in previous newsletters, but reference activities or events that are still upcoming and/or may be of interest to families. Original articles are also posted below.

Vaping Presentation By Ilene Lees, Upper School Counselor: We are always trying to share relevant information with our school community. This short video is a new way for us to spread the word about the dangers of vaping. 

Youth Peace Conference 2018: Don't forget to sign up for the April 8 for this year's YPC, hosted at SSFS. The theme for this annual student-organized social justice conference focusing on youth activism as a means towards local social change is "Breaking Down Walls." Find out more...

Prom 2018: The Junior and Senior Prom will be held on Saturday, April 14th from 7:00-11:00 pm. Read more here, or contact Ilene Lees with questions.


Prom 2018

 
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