Weekly Newsletter Emailed Each Sunday During The School Year.
Apr. 14, 2019 AP Environmental Science Class Visits Geothermal Wells The Upper School AP Environmental Science class got a chance to see environmental construction firsthand at the site of our new Upper School building, which will be "net-zero ready." Currently, 35 geothermal wells are being dug at the site; this process is an energy efficient way to help heat the building in colder weather, and cool it when it's hot. See more photos of the class visit to the site on Vidigami here, and see more about the Upper School building construction (including a link to a "Construction Cam" that is documenting the ongoing building process) here!
Dive Into This Week's News Read The Latest News Across Our Divisions On The SSFS Website.
News At Your Fingertips Your Mobile-Friendly Email Digest Of Our Weekly Must-Know Information And More. ALL SCHOOL NEWS All-School "Must-Know" Info for Apr. 14 Newsletter The calendar information below is for all-school, multi-divisional, and/or Parent Association events and activities in the coming weeks. Please see the Lower School, Middle School, or Upper School sections for division-specific "must-know" info, or visit the Calendar web page to see the full calendar.
And coming up soon/to keep on your radar...
Post Prom - Looking for Volunteers ICYMI: The PA-sponsored Post Prom is Sat. evening - Sun morning, April 13-14, from 11:00 pm - 6:00 am. We are getting geared up for a fun night for both the kids & chaperones, but it can’t come together without volunteers. Every parent from every division is welcome to join in. Just click the link and sign up now to help decorate, donate food or drink, or chaperone. We thank you, and the 11th -12th grade kids thank you! Feel free to reach out with any questions to Dawn Lee or Lauren Deichman. PA Speaker Series: "What Works With Teens" When: Thursday, April 18th, 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm Parenting and working with teenagers pose challenges unique to this developmental stage. Teens are not always receptive to our efforts at teaching, rearing, directing and coaching them toward goals for growth and development. Better understanding these developmental challenges and ways to utilize your relationship with teens can make an enormous difference in helping them achieve positive growth and change. In this program for parents and professionals, Julie Baron, LCSW-C will share the tools you need to make the most of your interactions with the teens in your life, whether at work or at home (or both!). Find out more here... April 18: Celebrate Cultural Diversity at the World Fair ICYMI: Come celebrate cultural diversity at the "World Fair" hosted by the SSFS Student Ambassadors on April 18, 12:10 - 12:50 pm in the Beest Café! Journey across the globe to learn about the history and culture of the home countries of our large international student community. Read more and see flyer here. April 23: PA Coffee and Conversation Please join us for an all-school, Parents Association-led coffee and conversation on Tuesday, April 23 at 8:15 am in Scott House. We look forward to discussing a variety of topics and community building! Snacks and coffee will be provided. PA Auction 2019 – Buy Tickets Online, Childcare Coming Soon, & Upcoming Meetings SSFS Parents Association Annual Auction for Financial Aid Where? Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, MD Join the PA Auction Committee in making this year's auction a roaring success! The next planning meeting will be in the Scott House conference room on April 17, from 8:15-9:30 am. May Meeting Dates: May 1st and May 8th. Volunteer opportunities still available! Auction Volunteer Sign Ups HERE. May 7: Join the SSFS PA and Counselors for a Screening of "Like" The SSFS Parents Association and the School Counselors are excited to present a screening of Like, a documentary that explores the impact of social media on our lives. After the screening, there will be a panel of experts to answer questions from the audience. WHEN: Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 PM
Nominating for the PA Executive Committee: Assistant Treasurer and Recording Clerk Needed Are you a wiz with numbers? Or do you know anyone who is? The nominating committee is close to finishing its task, but we still need to fill the role of Assistant Treasurer. If you or anyone you know would like to take on this position, please nominate them! The assistant treasurer will work with the treasurer to manage the finances for the PA. We are also in need of a recording clerk who can take minutes at the Executive Meetings and PA Meetings. Please make nominations through this nominating form. FriendsFest Do you love FriendsFest? If so, see how can you help out! We are looking for co-clerks for many different areas and would love your help. If you are interested, please contact PA.Clerk@ssfs.org. Spring Cleaning? Redecorating? Moving? ICYMI: Have treasures that you no longer want or need? Gift your stuff to us! In support of several SSFS PA events, we are collecting new or gently-used items. (Click here to see a list of items we are especially looking for.) Look for the collection boxes labeled “Secret Shop” in the carpool drop off circles of the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. For questions email: pa.clerk@ssfs.org Thank you! SSFS PA
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS Lower School "Must-Know" Info for Apr. 14 Newsletter For questions or more information about an event, please contact Pam Gilmer, LS Administrative Assistant, at ext. 112 or pam.gilmer@ssfs.org, or visit the Calendar web page to see full calendar.
And coming up soon/to keep on your radar...
Spring Clubs 2019 - Apr. 14 Update Our Spring Club sessions began on Tuesday, April 9. Debate Club and Simply Soccer have been canceled. Chess Club still needs additional registrations in order for it to begin on Monday, April 15. Tues, Apr. 23: Child/Parent Workshare and Cardboard Challenge We hope you will join us for our second annual Lower School Cardboard Challenge (and Parent-Child Workshare) on Tuesday, April 23, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Come and see how engineering meets design when the creative minds of our Lower School students put lots of cardboard to good use! (See a brief video from last year's Cardboard Challenge here...) Collecting Donations for the Montgomery County Humane Society Fifth graders Quinlan G-P. and Caitlin S., along with their Girl Scout troop, are working on their Bronze Award. Their Bronze Award project includes collecting donations for the Montgomery County Humane Society. Having toured the MCHS facility, the girls learned that there is a need for many things to help care for the animals there. Items needed are bath towels, AA batteries, paper towels or toilet paper, pet toys (no feathers), cat litter, and cat or dog food. Donation boxes are located in the Walbrooke lobby and in the upper level hallway of Tanglewood. Your help is greatly appreciated. Book Discussion Group for Parents of Students in Grades 4-8 ICYMI: Middle School Head David Blake is hosting a book discussion series for parents of students in grades 4-8 during the months of April and May. Over the course of seven weeks, the group will be discussing The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair. Find out more, RSVP, and sign up to receive information shared during the sessions here.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS Middle School "Must-Know" Info for Apr. 14 Newsletter 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, or visit the Calendar web page to see full calendar.
And coming up soon/to keep on your radar...
Mon, Apr. 22: Costa Rica and France Trip Mandatory Meetings Reminder! There is a mandatory meeting Monday, April 22, at 6:15 pm for the families of the students attending either the Costa Rica or the France trip in June. The Costa Rica trip meeting will be held in the Athletic Center Multi-Purpose Room; the France trip meeting will be held in Scott House. At the meetings, we will go over important details such as flight and hotel information, packing, and spending money. Following the meeting, we will have a notary present in order to sign a few important documents. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please let either Kristin M or Liz D. know ahead of time. Middle School Book Discussion Series ICYMI: Middle School Head David Blake is hosting a book discussion series for parents of students in grades 4-8 during the months of April and May. Over the course of seven weeks, the group will be discussing The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair. Find out more, RSVP, and sign up to receive information shared during the sessions here. 7th Grade Signature Trip to Gettysburg is Just Around the Corner ICYMI: The 7th grade will soon be heading to Gettysburg for 3 days and 2 nights filled with education, entertainment, and last, but not least, fun! We will leave campus on Wednesday, April 24th at 2:00 pm and will return to campus on Friday, April 26th in time for normal participation in sports and electives before dismissal on Friday afternoon. Any medicine that needs to go on the trip must be brought to the Health Center by a pare t or guardian by Wednesday, April 17th. Read full article here... The Scoop from the Sixth Grade - Apr. 14 Update Three quarters down, one to go! It is hard to believe that in just two months, our sixth graders will be rising seventh graders. There is still a lot of learning to do and fun to have between now and June, though, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For example, one month from today on May 9-10 is the Spring Signature Trip to Calvert Cliffs and Sandy Point State Parks. We will drive to Calvert Cliffs State Park Thursday morning and spend the day hiking, playing, looking for fossils, and learning about the geology of the area. At 3:00 pm, we will drive to the Sandy Point State Park to have dinner, camp, play games, and eat s’mores. Friday we will stay at the park until about 1:15 pm before heading back to SSFS in time for sports practice or electives. A detailed email with important information, including a packing list, will be sent out soon. For now, please just mark your calendars. Also on the horizon next month is the decision all students must make about whether to study French or Spanish in the seventh and eighth grades. The choice is still a month away, but please start thinking about it now if you think it might be a tough decision for your child. As always, please let me know if you have questions about any of the above. Donate Old Toys and Games to the MS Art Room! ICYMI: The MS Art Room is ISO the following items:
Questions? Email Michelle Puhl Price. ICYMI: On April 18, English classes in the Middle and Upper School will welcome SSFS alumnus John Schoffstall '69 to talk about his book Half-Witch, the craft of writing, and his fascinating career. See more here...
UPPER SCHOOL NEWS Upper School "Must-Know" Info for Apr. 14 Newsletter Below is information about upcoming US and all-school activities and events in the coming weeks. For questions or more information about an event, please contact Kerry Foley, US Administrative Assistant, at ext. 109 or kerry.foley@ssfs.org, or visit the Calendar web page to see full calendar.
And coming up soon/to keep on your radar...
Congratulations to Alicia A - Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Recipient! Big congratulations to SSFS senior Alicia A., who is a recipient of Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s prestigious College Scholarship Program award! Alicia was one of 106 high-achieving high school students who were selected from 5,500 applicants nationwide. As noted on the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website, "the foundation evaluated each submission based on academic ability, persistence, leadership, and service to others." Alicia will be attending Smith College next year. We congratulate her on this exceptional recognition, and wish her all the best in her college career and beyond! Mon, Apr. 15: Quiz Bowl Club Quarterfinals With the #1-seeded Hoch’s Folks and #2-seeded Quiztanbul, Not Constantinople having earned respective byes through the quarterfinals, Monday, April 15th marks the start of Quiz Bowl Club Playoffs for seeds 3 through 6:
Spectators are welcome from 3:10 to 3:40 pm in Moore Hall, Room 105 (Eduardo’s classroom) and Room 111 (Anne’s classroom). Better yet, come feel the excitement at either of the upcoming Quiz Bowl showcases on May 20 & 21. Read more here... Wed, Apr. 24: College Admissions Info Session - Mock Admissions Committee The College Counseling office invites all juniors and their families to join us for a Mock Admissions committee. This event is designed to show students and families how admissions officers make their decisions. Admissions officers from 5 colleges will lead students and parents in making admissions decisions on four applicants. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in Yarnall Library. If you have questions, contact Candice Ashton. Apr. 18: Open Meet-and-Greet with Acclaimed Novelist John Schoffstall On Thursday, April 18, SSFS will welcome SSFS alumnus John Schoffstall, author of Half-Witch. Upper School students are invited to an open meet-and-greet in Yarnall Library at 1:00 pm. Students can ask John any questions about writing, publishing, and promoting a novel. Dessert will be provided by the Writing Center and the Library Inquiry Guides. Published in 2018, Half-Witch is a thrilling and fantastical hero’s journey that’s perfect for middle-school and upper-school readers. It also earned a place on NPR’s Best Books of 2018 list! John will meet with several classes of 6th, 7th, and 10th graders in the morning. SSFS Students Participate in 2019 Youth Peace Conference On Saturday, April 6th, five students from our Upper School (Samaa E, Jocelyn M, Irene D, Sarah F, and Rebecca M) and one Middle School student (Rachel F) went to the 2019 Youth Peace Conference. The event is a place for local students to discuss social problems and tangible solutions in our world, and to inspire everyone to return to their communities with courses of action. For the past few years, this event has been hosted on our own campus, but this year it took place at James Hubert Blake High School, just down the street. The event is student-organized, with a keynote speaker in the morning and workshops throughout the day, and is funded by the Sandy Spring Meeting. YPC was wonderfully put together by the students of Blake and was incredibly organized and smooth-running. All students came away saying that they'd love to have the event hosted here in coming years. Upper School Student Ambassador Leadership Opportunity ICYMI: SSFS Upper School students have created a student-led organization called the SSFS Student Ambassadors Program. The goal of this program is to help new students adjust to our school, integrate into our community, and build a strong network between current SSFS students and SSFS alumni. By joining the program, students will have many opportunities to grow and gain valuable skills, as there is a great deal of leadership responsibility. Students will also learn and practice public speaking skills in giving talks and presentations. Lastly, this leadership role is great preparation for college and beyond. We are actively recruiting Student Ambassadors through May 1 for the 2019-2020 school year. If you are interested or have questions, please email one of the following students:
Please note: The Student Ambassador Application deadline is Friday, May 3, 2019 for the 2019-20 school year Young World Leaders Cultural Immersion Program: July 7-Aug. 3 Hello International Upper School Friends! Are you looking for an exciting way to spend 4 weeks this summer, continuing to improve your English skills, making friends, and traveling? Sign up today and join us at Young World Leaders! Young World Leaders (YWL) Summer 2019 Upper School Musical Production Announces The 2019 Spring Musical ICYMI: The spring musical by the upper school musical production class will be THE BOY FRIEND. Performances are scheduled for May 2-4 at 7:15 pm in the PAC theater. Read more here, or for more information about the musical production class or this year’s musical, contact stage director, Carlo Grossman.
Be sure to check the Athletics Today page for up-to-date info about games! Monday - April 15, 2019 4:00 PM Barnesville School Wednesday - April 17, 2019 4:00 PM Northwest Golf Course Monday - April 22, 2019 4:30 PM St. Andrew's Episcopal School
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