At the beginning of the first semester, students at Sidwell Friends receive a nine-day add-drop period. This year, the period to add or drop classes fell from Sept. 5-Sept. 13. Several of the nine days given were used for the introductory period before classes actually began, so students only had one week of exposure to their classes before they made a permanent choice regarding their courses. The short duration of the add-drop period is an obstacle for many, as it is an insufficient amount of time to develop an accurate impression of the course and its material.
This school year, Meeting for Worship (MFW) occurs from 9:15–10:00 a.m. instead of its previous collection time of 1:55–2:40 p.m. This shift to morning MFW is undoubtedly productive, as it helps calm students down and serves as a “reset” before the day continues. Morning MFW also benefits teachers as they receive space for quiet and relaxation during times of stress. Additionally, students will be virtually unable to avoid MFW, leading to more accountability.
Despite the majority of Americans’ complete opposition to providing Ukraine with additional funding, according to CNN, financial support to aid the nation should still be delivered as necessary. Suspending aid would likely prolong the war and may be costly if Russia successfully annexes Ukraine.
On Aug. 9, President Joe Biden signed an executive order restricting certain Chinese tech investments. His order was targeted at outbound investments in areas that may pose a threat to United States national security. Noah Berman, a representative from the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote that the three main areas targeted in Biden’s order include “advanced computing chips and microelectronics, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence (AI),” industries critical to advancements in military technology.
On Sept. 6, President Joe Biden announced that his administration would no longer permit oil drilling on the 13 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Alaskan wilderness, reversing the decision made by former president Donald Trump to allow drilling in the area. The refuge was the largest untouched expanse of wilderness in the United States until 2017, when Trump reversed the environmental protection over the area and approved leases to oil drilling companies.
Donald Trump’s presidential term was a historic one for the worst reasons. His presidency was marked by turbulence and controversy, from a humanitarian immigration crisis to constant instances of blatant racism and sexism. As the 2024 election draws closer, political campaigns have started to pick up speed.
Former President Donald Trump’s political career has been mired in controversy, scandalous accusations and criminal allegations since his 2016 presidential bid. Trump is currently facing four indictments...
According to Sarah Markovits, Sidwell’s Upper School Choral Music Director, “Singing has always been the only time my brain shuts off. When I’m singing, everything kind of falls away, and all I kind of focus on is the sounds. I think that’s why it's been so appealing to me.”
Handmade Habitat is a candle store located in Northeast Washington known for its sustainable, eco-friendly craftsmanship. Founded by Amina Ahmad, the small business has been gaining recognition for its commitment to natural, renewable materials and its dedication to creating products that are better for both the environment and for consumers.
The 2023 World Culture Festival was the fourth global event of its kind, and the first held in North America. It hosted over 17,000 entertainers from more than 35 countries, with performances from a1,000-person Chinese choir, an Iranian Folk Orchestra and dance acts featuring dozens of different styles. The festival also had over 50 local food trucks serving food from all over the globe.
Jimmy Buffet, who passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 after a four-year battle with merkel skin cancer, was many things: a musician, an author, a conservationist and the founder of a wildly successful business. A cultural icon of his time, Buffet popularized the laid-back “Margaritaville” lifestyle among his fans, who are known as “Parrot Heads.”
When wandering around a portrait gallery, the faces staring back often appear monotonous and foreign, which makes connecting to portraits a seemingly arduous task. The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s “Kinship” exhibition takes a different approach. The theme of this exhibition calls for artists to explore a different side of portraiture, one that requires a more personal connection between the viewer, the photographer and the subjects.
