Students returned on Wednesday to get second-semester classes underway. It was good to have everyone back on campus!

Pictured above: On Thursday, we welcomed seven Brazilian students to campus. While here, these students will strive to enhance their English language skills through immersion, experience our culture, pursue personal development, and make new life-long friends. We are excited about their arrival and hope they enjoy their stay! A welcome dinner is scheduled for Monday during halftime of the girls' basketball game, around 6:30 pm. Ms. Sorrenti sent out a response form for interested students. Students, please submit the form if you plan to attend.

Next week, the artwork of Upper School students will be on display in the Dent Gallery beginning Monday. The reception will take place on Tuesday during Midday MAC (11:30-12:00).

This Sunday, SAT prep sessions resume. Dr. Duncan has communicated with students by email about the opportunity, and I forwarded his message to parent groups as well. While any Upper School student is welcome to participate, the second-semester sessions are primarily attended by students in grades 10 and 11. These sessions are free to SDS students, but purchasing a study book is recommended.

Here's the info from Dr. Duncan's email:

SAT prep will start back up this Sunday, 1/7. We will also meet on 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, and 2/11. Each meeting will be held in the Seminar Room from 1 pm until 3 pm. 

Starting this year, the SAT will be fully digital. The book I've chosen to use during our sessions is Princeton Review's Digital SAT Premium Prep 2024. If you plan on attending any of these sessions, please pick up a copy ASAP. 

Here's a link to the Amazon page: 

www.amazon.com/Princeton-Review-Digital-Premium-Prep/dp/0593516877

Here is what the book looks like:

He also sent out a Google Form for interested students to submit. 

Homecoming preparations are well underway. Students are in the process of coordinating efforts to complete hall plans, banner masterpieces, and videos. It's always fun to see what they create.

For those who like to look ahead, I've posted a rundown of Homecoming Week below.

Wishing you all a good weekend. Stay healthy, warm, and dry!

Paige

 

2024 Homecoming Timeline

Monday, Jan 15 - Martin Luther King Junior - School Holiday 

Tuesday, Jan 16 (A Day) - US Spirit Day: Toddler (9-11) vs Senior Citizens (12)

Wednesday, Jan 17  (E Day) - US Spirit Day: Red/White

Red White game in Stone Gym (dismiss varsity players and cheerleaders to lunch at 11:25 pm to eat and get ready for the game (eat on LS side ) LS, MS, US in attendance for Red/White game.

Red White Game Attire:

Grades 9 and 11 wear white

Grades 10 and 12 wear red

Class Schedule:

8:30 - US assembly

8:45 - 10:00 E Block (75 min)

10:10 - 11:25 F Block (75 min)

11:30-12:00 Midday MAC 

**11:30 - Players and Cheerleaders report to lunch and then prepare for the game

12:00 - 12:25 Upper School Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 Red/White Game

1:35 - 2:20 G Block (45 min)

2:25 - 3:15 H Block (50 min)

Thursday, Jan 18 (A Day) - US Spirit Day: Rhyme without a Reason

Hall Night 4:30-8:30 - students must be finished with halls by 8:30. Parent/Adult help is not allowed. Grade parents provide food (please see the message from Megan Tolbert).

Theme: “Movies”

9th: Teen Beach Movie

10th: Space Jam

11th: Ratatouille 

12th: Hunger Games

Friday, Jan 19 (E Day)

** PLEASE NOTE that we have an EARLY START on Friday to accommodate the festivities.**

Homecoming

8:00 - 8:10  - Brief US Assembly for attendance and last-minute announcements - move quickly to Presnell to get in place for hall viewing
8:15 - 8:45  - Viewing of halls 
8:45 - Move to Stone Gym
9:00 - 10:15  - Pep Rally/Class Videos
** US students check in with your advisor as soon as you return to Presnell for cleaning
10:20 - 11:00 - Cleaning of Halls
11:05 - 11:55  - E Block (50 min) - study hall students to complete any remaining hall clean-up
12:00 - 12:30  - Upper School Lunch (do walk-through with HC court in the new gym)
12:35 - 1:25  - F Block (50 min)
 1:30 - 2:20  - G Block (50 min)
 2:25 - 3:15 - H Block (50 min)

4:00 pm         MS Girls’ Basketball vs. SCA
5:00 pm         MS Boys’ Basketball vs. SCA
6:00 pm         V Girls’ Basketball vs. SCA
7:30 pm         V Boys’ Basketball vs. SCA
 

Saturday, Jan 20

8-10 pm  Winter Homecoming Semi-Formal (SGA sponsored event - US)  “Masquerade Ball”

Location: Dent