Sandy Spring Friends School

 

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SSFS Weekly and Bi-Weekly Newsletters

Gnu Stories, the SSFS all-school newsletter, is sent bi-weekly on Mondays during the school year, and features stories that provide families with a snapshot of school life at SSFS and connects them to the wider community. 

Learn More: Weekly Division Newsletters

Wildebeest Statue

Signs of Spring

Gnu Stories: Highlights from the SSFS Community

Quiz Bowl MABL Champs 2025 - Bronze Medal
Quiz Bowl Team Earns Bronze Medal in MABL Championship

Finishing 22-3-1 in the MABL, including victories in the Championship Round over Whitman, Wootton, and Rockville high schools, SSFS capped off another remarkable academic competition conference season. Next up, and sporting an impressive overall record of 29-6-0, our 'Beestly Quizards are headed back to WETA's television studios in Arlington, VA to compete in the It’s Academic semifinals on Sat., Apr. 5.

See More about Quiz Bowl Team Earns Bronze Medal in MABL Championship
Speech Team Trophy 2025
Speech Team: WACFL Speech MetroFinal Co-Champs!

The SSFS Speech Team participated in the 85-school WACFL Speech League Metropolitan Championship (MetroFinal) on Sat., Mar. 1. After only the 4th year of competing, our team ended the 2024-25 season and MetroFinal as Co-Champions (SSFS and Our Lady of Good Counsel tied with 192 points)! SSFS students qualified for Nationals in six events, with seven other students selected as alternates. Huge congratulations go to the participants and coaches!

See More about Speech Team: WACFL Speech MetroFinal Co-Champs!
Upper School Student Summit Presentation
Upper School Students Participate in Summit to Promote a Culture of Consent

Ten Upper School students participated in the annual GDS Student Summit on Sexual Assault & Consent, where high school students from the DMV region and beyond gather to raise awareness and promote change on a national level, helping to eradicate sexual assault and promote a culture of consent-based interaction. Recently, these students led peer-to-peer presentations to help educate and empower their classmates. 

See More about Upper School Students Participate in Summit to Promote a Culture of Consent
MS Experiential Learning
Middle School Immersion Week Coming Soon

While Upper School Intersession Week has been a part of SSFS's curricular programming since the School's early days, Middle School Immersion Week is a more recent addition, beginning in 2015-2016. Similar to the Upper School's Intersession (and occurring during the same time period—next week), Immersion Week offers dedicated time for experiential and immersive learning. Students rotate between three workshops, selected based on their interests. It's a great opportunity for them to interact with new students/teachers, learn more about various topics of interest, and have fun!

See More about Middle School Immersion Week Coming Soon
OIEJB Update: Women's History Month 2025
OIEJB Update: Women's History Month 2025

Welcome to Women’s History Month! This year’s theme, according to The National Women’s History Alliance, celebrates “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” At SSFS, we will celebrate with a variety of engagements for students intended to spark learning and discussion. Please join the School and the National Women's History Alliance this month in celebrating “the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations—both past and present.”

See More about OIEJB Update: Women's History Month 2025

Upcoming Dates: SSFS All-School Events

March 17-21

MS Immersion Week
US Intersession Week

Get ready for a week of hands-on, experiential learning!

March 24-31

Spring Break
No School

Fri., Mar. 21: Early dismissal at 12:00 PM; Classes resume Apr. 1

April 4

All-School Spring
Pep Rally

SSFS students and staff will cheer on our MS/US spring team athletes!

GnuStories: Previous Articles

Division-Specific Newsletters: The Week Ahead

Division-specific newsletters are emailed to SSFS families each Sunday afternoon during the school year and posted on the division-specific pages of the Parent Portal. These newsletters provide messages from division heads and "must-know" calendar information about upcoming events for the week. 

Parents and guardians must log in to the Parent Portal to access the division-specific pages where the newsletters are posted.

Please Note: Only SSFS parents have access to the links above. SSFS employees may access the division-specific newsletters via the Faculty/Staff Portal.