SSFS Weekly and Bi-Weekly Newsletters

The 5th Grade took a day trip to Washington, DC to visit the National Archives Museum. They saw the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, and visited national monuments.

As part of their study of non-Newtonian fluids in science classes, sixth graders made Oobleck, which can behave like a solid or a liquid, depending on how much pressure is applied. 

The winter sports season has  started off strong! Come out to support our 'Beests as they compete in swimming, rock climbing, and basketball events—including the Dec. 12-13 Ben Uzzell invitational! 

We are overjoyed to announce that thanks to the generosity and dedication of 414 incredible donors, we raised a record-breaking $166,712 during our Day of Giving: Spring For It campaign—far surpassing our $100,000 goal! This remarkable achievement is a testament to the strength and commitment of our community and the collective spirit of parents, alums, faculty, staff, and friends who believe in the power of our mission. Every contribution, big or small, played a pivotal role in reaching this milestone. Thank you for being a part of this historic success; together, we are making a difference!

SSFS had a strong fall season of athletics (soccer, volleyball, cross-country, and intramural sports), and we are incredibly proud of our student-athletes, supported by our amazing coaches and 'Beestly community of fans. Now that the fall season has wrapped up, we invite the community to come out to support our winter teams! See the school calendar for dates, times, and locations of athletic events. 

The chilly weather and sudden snow showers on Fri., Nov. 22 were offset by the warm smiles and laughter of our students and staff hosting over 280 grandfriends on our campus for the annual Lower/Middle School Grandfriends Day. Attendees began the day with a hot breakfast in Westview, school slideshows, and remarks by Assistant Director of Advancement Adrienne Chisolm, Middle and Interim Lower School Head David Blake, and Interim Head of School Sue Groesbeck. Grandfriends then met up with their Lower and Middle School grandchildren and accompanied them to their classrooms for activities. Thank you to all who attended!

It was a joy to "welcome home" all the SSFS alums and families who came out for the annual, post-Thanksgiving Alum Soccer Games—and stayed to honor Coach Eduardo Polón P '18's 30 years at SSFS and the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Men's Varsity Soccer Team's PVAC Championship. The celebration in Pen Y Bryn Upper School was a moving tribute to a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend who has touched the lives of countless Springers over the years. Special thanks go to Henry Winokur '70 for sharing his fantastic photos of the day. 

Sandy Spring Friends School is delighted to share that The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring just signed a multi-decade contract extension with the School! We are thrilled that the country's largest ropes course and zipline park, which was founded in 2010, will remain our neighbor for the foreseeable future. John Hines P '08, '11, former trustee and parent of alums Kelly '08 and Matt '11, is the owner of The Adventure Park, and Matt Hines is the Director of Business Development.

Finding purpose and promoting access through education has been a cornerstone of Candice Ashton’s life and career. Raised in Southeast D.C. by a strong single mother who instilled the values of academic excellence and hard work, Candice experienced firsthand how educational opportunities transform lives. Her own journey has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. Now, in her ninth year at SSFS, Candice reflects on her numerous roles within the community, her passion for student growth, and how the school’s Quaker values guide her work.

Always a popular auction offering, the "Head of School for a Day" experience auctioned off at the annual Friends Celebration: Supporting Financial Aid event sparks lots of friendly competition. The parents of Landon R. '30 ultimately secured the winning bid, and on Fri., Dec. 6, Landon got to live out his dream of becoming Head of School. After his first duty as Head of School—warmly welcoming a full room of SSFS student applicants who were on campus to attend classes as part of their admissions shadow day—Landon accompanied Interim Head of School Sue Groesbeck in a full day of activities, interviews, meetings, and lunch.

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of high-energy basketball, spirited competition, and community pride! We’re thrilled to invite you to the 3rd annual Ben Uzzell '20 Basketball Invitational on Fri. and Sat., Dec. 13–14, beginning at 1:00 PM in the Athletic Center. Whether you’re a 'BEEST basketball enthusiast, a dedicated SSFS supporter, or just looking to enjoy a memorable community event, this is the perfect way to spend a weekend. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on these talented athletes as they compete for the championship title in honor of a remarkable individual.

The SSFS Arts Department is thrilled to announce this year's 2025 Community Play: Twelfth Night—a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a classic story of love and mistaken identity. 

In keeping with the way this adaptation of Twelfth Night was developed through The Public Theatre’s Public Works project, the principal roles in the play will be cast within the Upper School Musical Theater class. The larger community will help us create the world of Illyria. Auditions for roles will be held in February. This production is appropriate for all ages, and we are looking for a diverse group of actors to help us created a chorus of sailors, officers, shopkeepers, citizens, and more! Stay tuned for more information, including audition dates, songs, rehearsal dates, and the performance schedule. See more info about the play online.