Weekly Newsletter

ICYMI: There will be an early dismissal (1:00 pm) on Wednesday, October 16 so that faculty and staff may participate in some Professional Development activities. Kids After Hours is available for drop-in child care if needed. Families not already registered with KAH should pre-register with KAH for October 16th care. Thank you.

On Friday, October 18, the K – Grade 5 students will visit Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. We are looking forward to exploring the many exhibits at the museum. Our time at the museum will also allow each grade to participate in age-appropriate enrichment experiences that offer extensions to some of the museum’s core exhibits. Please click here for important information about lunches, grade t-shirt colors, and more...

Our Fall Parent teacher conferences will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 23 and also on Friday, November 1.  If you have not already signed up, please click here to schedule your conference time slot.

The Junior class is hosting a Halloween Carnival for all Lower School students! The day will include games, crafts, and food with friends. Get ready to enjoy the activities on Saturday, October 26th from 2:00-4:00pm in Yarnall Lobby. Tickets will be available for purchase at the festival ($1 for 4 tickets). Can’t wait to see you at this fun community event! See flyer...

The next LS Parent Education Forum will be held on Tuesday, October 29, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Scott House Collection Space. Joel Gunzburg, LS Guidance Counselor, will present “The Social-Emotional Learning Approach in the Lower School.” We hope to see you there!

Our first Smart Sack packing of the school year will be on Friday, October 25th, in Westview Dining Hall immediately after drop off. We are seeking 3-4 parent volunteers to join our Smart Sacks team this year. Find out more about the Smart Sacks Program and how you can  do something meaningful with the Lower School kids while providing a very worthwhile service to the community...

LS photo packets came home via backpack express on Monday, Oct. 7.  If you have not already done so, please send in your payment (cash or check payable to Stone Photography) or you may return the unopened photo package to the LS office. Thank you!

As part of an extensive thematic science unit on trees, the second graders have learned how to successfully identify several campus species using an on-line dichotomous key. Through deductive reasoning and the process of elimination, these scientists were able to separate out several identifying characteristics related to trees in order to name the species in front of them. See photos of the students as they examine the leaves and branches in the classroom (be sure to log in to the website first, as the album is in Vidigami, a password-protected site). 

On Wednesday, October 16th, students have an early release day at 1:00 pm in order for faculty to participate in professional development activities. To assist with the adjustment that day, Aftercare will be open starting at 1:00 pm. In order to help us prepare for this day, we ask that parents send an email to lindsay.kellogg@ssfs.org letting us know to expect your child. See drop-in rates here...

The Fall Signature Field Trip for seventh graders is THIS WEEK - October 17th - 18th.  Students will be spending the two days bonding with classmates, doing service work, and exploring the principle of sustainability.  A detailed letter and supply list was sent via email, and parents are reminded that any medication for the trip is past due to the Health Center. Please contact Kristin McCarthy at kristin.mccarthy@ssfs.org with questions.  

Our Middle School Fall Sports and Electives season ends on Friday, October 25th! The Winter season will begin on Monday, November 11th, and students are in the process of making their selections. Just a friendly reminder to parents that dismissal for students will be at 3:40 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during the Weeks of October 28th and November 4th.  Aftercare is always available during these gap times between sports/electives seasons!

The Middle School is excited to be hosting Grandfriends Day this year! The Grandfriends are treated to a light breakfast, followed by a campus tour and classroom visits. Their time on campus concludes with a special lunch featuring some student performances and Meeting for Worship. The date of this year's Grandfriends Day is Friday, October 25th. The formal invitations were sent out this week, so be sure to tell your Grandfriends to check their mailboxes and to RSVP by October 16th. Find out more here...

ICYMI: The Middle School Art Room needs supplies such as cardboard, paper towel tubes, plastic containers and bottles, magazines, egg cartons, costume jewelry, and more. Click here for the full list...

Please click here for important reminders from the School nurses about how to keep your student healthy and School policies concerning over the counter (OTC) medications and school absences. 

Upper School Experiential Education Coordinator Sunshine Klein sent an email to all Upper School parents on Thursday, Oct. 10, with important information about the upcoming Intersession trip selection process for 2019-2020. (See the letter here.) Please remember that the Intersession Survey is DUE Monday, Oct. 21. Parent/guardian approval is needed for survey submission, and late submissions may result in students' not getting their preferred trip selection. Trip descriptions may be found online here.

On Saturday, October 12th, the SSFS Quiz Bowl Team demonstrated continued academic excellence by advancing to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years on It’s Academic. Inspired by a supportive crowd of ‘Beest Boosters and our beloved Wildebeest mascot, SSFS earned a commendable 510 points in defeating Paint Branch (365 points) and Bowie (220 points) to advance to the It's Academic playoffs. SSFS returns to the World MediaNet Studio at National Harbor to compete in the It’s Academic quarterfinals on Saturday, January 11th, at 1:45 pm against Poolesville and Georgetown Day high schools. Read more here...

On Tues, Oct. 29 at 6:30 pm in PAC - Studio B he SSFS College Counseling Office and Upper School Arts Department are hosting a panel discussion with college admissions representatives from four colleges and universities, focused on the application process for visual and performing arts. Topics will include visual art portfolio information and guidelines, performing arts supplements, and the admission process in arts programs. Students and families interested in the arts are welcome and encouraged to come! See flyer...

The Arts & Ideas classes recently traveled to the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, for a more comprehensive understanding of this medieval architectural advancement. Using their cameras, students wove throughout the cathedral and grounds to capture key characteristics of the Gothic era. Read more about the trip, and see student quotes sharing their impressions here... 

Sandy Spring Friends School Upper School Presents: "Radium Girls" by D. W. Gregory, on November 15 and 16 @ 7:15 pm
(Upper School Assembly Performance on November 14) in the Performing Arts Center. In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Rating: Parental Guidance is suggested as the play deals with adult topics. Find out more... 

The Upper School has recently begun a partnership with MobileServe in order to be able to track community service hours using an app. Please click here for more information about how to get your student's account set up and access instructions for logging service hours. 

If you were unable to come to the College Admissions and Search Process Fall Program for Juniors, it is now available on our YouTube channel here.

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School is looking for several people to join our team of Park Hosts and Supervisors. Come to work after drop-off, leave in time for pick-up!  Learn More...

This is an optional, opt-in virtual bulletin board for all members of the SSFS community to share resources and announcements about topics not part of the traditional school day or school related events (think: finding babysitters, repair service recommendations, hiking groups, etc.)   Please fill in this quick online form to opt in.