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January 19, 2023

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Featured News

Potomac Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Assembly
Potomac Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Assembly

Last Friday’s second annual K-12 Martin Luther King Day Assembly was an inspiring program that included musical performances, remarks by student speakers, and the presentation of The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service. 

Third graders Ben Jordan, Reya Mathur, and Case Pittman and sixth graders Sofia Elrefai, John Griffith, and Riley Singleton shared reflections on selected Dr. King quotes. Third, Sixth, IS, and US Choruses sang If I Can Help Somebody (1945, Alma Androzzo) before remarks from eighth grader Cecelia Russell and senior Grace McMiller. Additional musical performances included the Potomac Jazz band and guest artist Everyday Everybody who played Sweeter (Leon Bridges) and their original song In the Name of Everyone.

Another highlight of the assembly was the presentation of The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service, an honor designed to recognize members of the wider community who are making a difference through service to others. The award was presented to Amanda Marshall, founder of Fair Chance and co-founder of Families4Families, who has devoted her career to partnering with individuals and organizations to address societal needs, with a particular focus on supporting children and families. Ms. Marshall shared, “I believe that each person, regardless of how old you are, how much money you have, or where you live, can make a positive impact on the lives of others. Let me repeat that: I truly believe that anyone, regardless of their circumstances, can find a meaningful way to help others.”

Director of community engagement James Hightower III closed the event by reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy and encouraging the members of the Potomac community to take action through service. Watch a recording of the assembly, learn more about The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service, and enjoy photos from the event.

Save the Date for a Spotlight Program 

We hope that you will join us for a joint Parent Association and Board of Trustees Spotlight Program on Wednesday, February 1, 8:30 am, in the IS Choral Room. The program will first shine a spotlight on the current financial health of Potomac and the School's 2023-24 operating budget. Then we will offer a look to the future and the impact that several envisioned campus facility improvements will have on our students' experience at Potomac.

11th Annual Diversity Hiring Fair

Potomac’s annual Diversity Hiring Fair, now in its 11th year, is scheduled for Saturday, February 4. We will welcome representatives from more than 35 schools and over 100 candidates who are interested in careers at independent schools. The program, co-sponsored by AISGW and East Ed, includes a panel discussion, a Q&A, a career fair, and opportunities for one-on-one interviews. All are welcome! View details about the fair, and feel free to share this information with anyone you think may be interested in attending.

Announcements

PCW Panel on Mental Health

The Parents Council of Washington will host a panel discussion with psychologists and counselors from its member schools on Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, at The Field School in Washington, DC. Potomac Upper School counselor and director of student support Josie Woods will join her fellow panelists in a conversation for parents around mental health and student well-being in independent schools.

Seeking Additional DIY Valentines for PASLC Service Project

The Parent Association Service Learning Committee (PASLC) kicked off its annual Valentine’s Day service project to bring cheer to older adults in our community, many of whom continue to experience social isolation as a result of the pandemic. Potomac families are invited to create DIY valentines for older adults living in local senior living communities, including Chesterbrook Residences, Culpepper Gardens, and the Washington Home Center, through January 31. Learn more and sign up to participate.

Pawz Corner

Support the Scholarship AuctionYour participation in the Scholarship Auction is especially purposeful as we strive to welcome a wider community, to empower students, and to offer professional opportunities for growth and learning to our teachers. Learn about ways to get involved. 

Week Ahead

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2023-24 Calendar

The 2023-24 core calendar is now available.

Potomac Social

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    Lower School News

    Lower School

    Sharing Assembly Tomorrow, January 20

    Please join us tomorrow, January 20, 11:00 am, in Ramsey Assembly, for our first Sharing Assembly of 2023. This assembly will feature Ms. Webster's second-grade class and Ms. Passano's and Ms. Smalley's third-grade classes.

    LS/MS Kids Heart Challenge

    Kids Heart Challenge helps raise funds for the American Heart Association (AHA) while teaching our students the importance of physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and community service. The Potomac School has supported the AHA for over 40 years!

    The Kids Heart Challenge Assembly will take place on Friday, January 27, in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community. This K-6 event will be held from 9:30-10:30 am. The assembly will be a chance for the students to "showcase" their talents and display a variety of "heart-healthy" activities, including jumping rope, hula hooping, ball tricks, juggling, and more.

    An information packet, including a sponsor/collection envelope, is coming home with the students this week. Thank you for helping to support the American Heart Association! Please note that all LS students, faculty, and staff are highly encouraged to wear red, comfortable clothes, and sneakers on this day. Parents are welcome to attend this event.

    Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up

    Beginning at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 25, parents can sign up for a conference time with their child's homeroom teacher via the Parent Portal section of CampusNET. Sign-ups will close on Wednesday, February 1, at noon. These conferences are a good opportunity to connect with your teacher if you have questions after reading your report. The conference day is on Friday, February 3. There will be no classes for students. Drop-in childcare will be available during the time of your conference. 

    LS Reports Available February 1

    Lower School semester reports will be available to parents in the Parent Portal section of CampusNET on Wednesday, February 1, at 3:00 pm.

    RSVP For the LS Family Science Event

    Join us for a Lower School Family Science Event on Thursday, February 2, 6:00-7:30 pm, in Ramsey Assembly. This event will be led by the Children's Science Center Lab. Activities include Stacking Currency: Financial Literacy, Magnets at Work: Everyday Uses, It’s All Relative: Exploring Gravity in Space, and others. LS families will participate in hands-on experiments designed to provoke interest in STEM subjects. For our planning purposes, please fill out the required RSVP form by 4:00 pm on Monday, January 30.

    Lower School Dates

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    Middle School News

    Middle School

    MS Reports Available February 1

    Middle School semester reports will be available to parents in the Parent Portal section of CampusNET on Wednesday, February 1, at 3:00 pm.

    Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-up Opens January 25

    MS parents may sign up for a conference with their child's homeroom teacher on Wednesday, January 25, at 12:00 noon and will close at noon on Wednesday, February 1. Sixth grade conferences will be student-led and will last 20 minutes. Sixth grade teachers will communicate with parents and provide more specific information about these special conferences. Fourth and fifth grade conferences will last 25 minutes. 

    MS Sharing Assembly and Lunar New Year Parade

    The MS will host a Sharing Assembly on Friday, January 20, 9:30 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. Students will perform songs, skits, dances, and more, both individually and in various groupings. Homeroom teachers will notify their class parents to let them know which students are participating.

    Additionally, as part of their ancient Chinese civilization studies, the fifth graders will celebrate the Year of the Water Rabbit with our annual Lunar New Year dragon parade. The clanging, jangling, luck-bringing parade will travel through the LS and MS on Friday morning, just before our Sharing Assembly. The assembly may also be enjoyed via livestream.

    January's Field Trip Bonanza Winds Down

    After a busy January, we are winding down our field trips for the month before we move on to February. 

    • January 24 – Ms. Harter's and Mr. Mogle's fourth grade classes head to Martha's Table (service learning trip)
    • January 31 – Ms. Armstrong's and Ms. White's fourth grade classes head to Martha's Table (service learning trip)
    Grade 6 Parent Forum on January 25

    Grade 6 parents are invited to attend a Parent Forum on Wednesday, January 25, at 8:30 am, in the Spangler Team Meeting Room. Parent Forums are opportunities for parents to connect with one another and discuss topics related to their children’s age group.

    Guest Author And Illustrator to Visit

    Author Steve Sheinkin and illustrator Nick Bertozzi will speak with students in grades 5 and 6, as well as those in the Intermediate School, on Tuesday, January 24, 1:00-2:00 pm, in the Langstaff Auditorium. Mr. Sheinkin is one of the foremost children's authors specializing in non-fiction narrative. His captivating books about American History have been recognized with numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor for Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. Learn more about his books here. Mr. Sheinkin and Mr. Bertozzi recently finished collaborating on a graphic novel version of Bomb. See more about that project here. Books for autographing can be ordered here.

    LS/MS Kids Heart Challenge

    The LS/MS Kids Heart Challenge is once again just around the corner! This event helps raise funds for the American Heart Association (AHA) while teaching our students the importance of physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and community service.  Potomac School has supported the AHA for over 40 years!

    This year, Kids Heart Challenge will take place on Friday, January 27, in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community.  This K-6 event will be held from 9:30-10:30 am. The assembly will be a chance for the students to “showcase” their talents and display a variety of “heart-healthy” activities including jump rope, hula hoops, ball tricks, juggling, and more. Please note that all MS students, faculty, and staff are highly encouraged to wear red, comfortable clothes, and sneakers on this day. Parents are welcome to attend this event.

    An information packet, including a sponsor/collection envelope, is coming home with the students this week. Thank you for helping to support the American Heart Association!

    Middle School Dates

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    Intermediate School News

    Intermediate School

    IS Reports Available February 1

    Intermediate School semester reports will be available to parents in the Parent Portal section of CampusNET on Wednesday, February 1, at 3:00 pm.

    Entangled Alliances

    Eighth-grade history students engaged in a simulation to visually demonstrate how the tangle of alliances before World War I led to the outbreak of such a massive war. Students were assigned a country to represent and learned which countries could become their allies. The activity led to some fun “tension” and eventually a political tug of war. Debriefing the activity allowed students to see how the convoluted web of alliances further complicated matters during the war.

    Parent Conference Sign-ups Open January 25

    Sign-ups for your parent-advisor conference will be available through the Parent Portal section of CampusNET beginning at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 25, and will close at noon on Wednesday, February 1. We expect that all conferences will take place on campus on Friday, February 3, but if you prefer to meet over Zoom, please email your child’s advisor by Thursday, February 1, to request a link.

    IS Birds of Art
    IS Birds of Art

    In eighth grade Art - A Block, students responded to Scott Clark’s beautiful photographs of the “Birds of Potomac.” Each student created a painting of one of the birds commonly found around Potomac’s campus. The Great Blue Heron image that is featured, was painted by Mary Parker Stump. All the paintings are on display in the IS Hallway.

    Guest Author and Illustrator to Visit IS

    Author Steve Sheinkin and illustrator Nick Bertozzi will speak with IS students, as well as those in grades 5 and 6, on Tuesday, January 24, 1:00-2:00 pm, in the Langstaff Auditorium. Mr. Sheinkin is one of the foremost children's authors specializing in non-fiction narrative. His captivating books about American History have been recognized with numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor for Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. Learn more about his books here. Mr. Sheinkin and Mr. Bertozzi recently finished collaborating on a graphic novel version of Bomb. See more about that project here. Books for autographing can be ordered here.

    Intermediate School Dates

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    Upper School News

    Upper School

    Start of US Semester 2

    Best of luck to our students and teachers as they begin the second semester. Students will soon receive their first-semester grades for each of their courses. If there has been a significant change since the November interim, teachers will include a comment. Parents will be able to access grades and any accompanying comments through the Parent Portal section of CampusNET after 4:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24. Students will review their reports in advisory meetings earlier that day. Additionally, the last day to add a Semester 2 class is Tuesday, January 31.

    Read More about Start of US Semester 2
    Reminder for Planning the Next Year

    Planning the Junior Year (for parents of sophomores) will be tonight, January 19; and Planning the Sophomore Year (for parents of freshmen) will be on Thursday, January 26. Both will take place at 6:30 pm in the Upper School Crossroads.

    These evenings will provide an overview of the academic and cocurricular opportunities available in the year ahead. The events will include presentations by the Upper School head, the Upper School director of curriculum and academics, representatives from the College Counseling Office, and the grade-level dean. You will hear about the course trajectories in each department and learn more about the course application and appeal processes.

    During the academic day, students will receive an abbreviated version of the same presentation in a class meeting. Following each evening session, the slides and handouts from the presentation will be posted on CampusNET. If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to Tory Virchow.

    Read More about Reminder for Planning the Next Year
    Speech and Debate Results from Weekend Competition
    Speech and Debate Results from Weekend Competition

    ​​The Potomac speech and debate team brought 35 students to compete in the Durham Academy Cavellier tournament over MLK weekend, advancing a phenomenal 20 students into the elimination rounds. The team came in second place overall. Students from 14 states competed in this year's event. A cavalier sword serves as the first-place trophy.

    Taylor Burris ’24 received a special standing ovation at the awards for winning two swords – one for the championships of extemporaneous speaking and another for impromptu speaking. Olivia Eads '23, Natalie Roots-Nowakowski '23, and Hannah de Souza '25 just missed winning a sword with second-place finishes.

    Cary Academy (NC) earned the team championship and Bronx Science (NY) took third. Full results of late December and January debate events can be found at this link.

    Taylor was also recognized as one of America's top extemp students during a competition in Nashville earlier this month.

    Read More about Speech and Debate Results from Weekend Competition
    Winterfest Save-the-Date: January 27

    All Upper School students are encouraged to attend Winterfest on Friday, January 27, a tradition that returns for the first time since January 2020. This year's event will feature a dual varsity wrestling meet, as Potomac takes on Lewis High School in the Landry Wrestling Arena. There will also be an a capella concert, plenty of food (dinner is included), and the beloved 3v3 basketball tournament organized by the varsity basketball teams. This year, we are also excited to welcome Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates to sweeten up our event with treats. Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates is a business enterprise of the non-profit Every1 Can Work, creating permanent employment opportunities for young adults living with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

    Winterfest is free to attend and dinner will be provided. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Panther Pit, and chocolates and hot chocolate will be available for purchase from Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates. A limited number of shuttles will be available for students traveling to NW and NE DC and the Marlow Heights Shopping Center.

    Read More about Winterfest Save-the-Date: January 27
    US Team Competes on "It's Academic"

    Potomac’s It’s Academic team – Alexander Zhou ’23, Rachel Robbins ’24, and Noah Altschuler ’25 – recently participated on the televised quiz show, competing against National Cathedral School and Walt Whitman High School. Their previously taped show airs on NBC 4 this Saturday, January 21, 10:30 am. Go, Panthers!

    Read More about US Team Competes on "It's Academic"

    Upper School Dates

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    US T208 Tiered Classroom

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    Athletics

    Athletics

    Potomac Indoor Track Off to a Fast Start!

    Fourteen track athletes set 16 personal bests this past weekend at the VA Showcase. Cole Griswold ‘24 broke the school record in the 300m and also grabbed the second best time ever for a Potomac athlete in the 500m. Charlie Ortmans ‘23 lowered his own school record in the 2 mile with a time of 9:04.89. Mackenzie Fulgham's ‘24 time in the 300m places her as the second overall fastest in school history as does Kate Tuttle's ‘24 time in the 1K. Tenley Overdeck's ‘24 performance in the 500m places her third in school history. As of now, five athletes have punched their tickets to Nationals: Fulgham, Tuttle, Matt Brow ‘24, Ortmans, and Ally Griswold ‘26. The team will compete at Episcopal this Friday.

    Boys Squash
    An Impressive Turn-Around for Boys Squash

    In a dramatic turn of events, the boys varsity and JV squash teams upset visitors Woodberry Forest one month to the day after both teams had lost to them on the road. The Panthers varsity team defeated Woodberry 6-3 in regulation (7-3 overall) and the JV team won 5-4.

    Boys JV was missing three athletes and had to fill the line-up by recruiting the number 11 and number 12 varsity players for the top of their lineup, making a key difference in the nail-biting wins. Max Revis ’23 and Daniel Overdeck ’24 (varsity), Cliff Kanner-Bitetti ’25, John Cayenne-McCall ’23, and Nik Bhargava ’26 all had wins. This was a significant win for the JV team against a squad that seemed invincible a month ago, and a fine reward for our athletes who have been giving 100% at every practice! 

    The varsity match was hard-contested. Solid wins from co-captain Jack Wigmore ‘23, Will Scribner ‘25, and Revis, helped jumpstart the competition. Will Forkner ‘25 notched a quick 3-0 win, leaving the official tally 3-2 in favor of Potomac at the end of the second round of play. In the third round, Jackson Mackney ‘23 prevailed 3-0, and Graham La Force ‘25 clinched the win for the team with his 3-0 victory. Ben Joel’s ‘23 dominant and conclusory 3-0 victory was exactly what was needed to upend Woodberry’s hopes and reverse our prior loss.  

    The team had a strong 8-1 win over Gonzaga yesterday as they prepare for the Mid-Atlantic squash tournament on Saturday, January 21..

    Athletics Dates