Fifth graders are practicing their Greek odes and Olympic long jumps, decorating their personalized chitons, and rehearsing a traditional Greek dance for tomorrow's ancient Greek extravaganza. Grade 5 parents may come for part or all of the festivities. The assembly will begin at 10:30 am in the Langstaff Auditorium, followed by Olympic sporting events on the Turf Field at 11:00 am, and a well-deserved feast for the Olympians at approximately 12:30 pm in the courtyard between the Lower and Middle Schools. Lunch for our guests will be available for those who completed the now-closed Google Form. 

Our fourth and fifth grade students learned about Middle School summer reading requirements last week. One of their requirements will be to read a book from a curated list of grade-level texts with a focus on the theme of courage – one of Potomac's core values. Students have been asked to indicate their top three choices from the appropriate grade-level list on a Google Form, which they can find on their Middle School Summer Reading Google Classroom. Please review and discuss with your child the book choices listed for their upcoming grade and have them complete the Google Form at home no later than tomorrow (May 19). Students will receive their assigned book title before the end of school, and their assignments will be shared with you via their homeroom teacher on Bloomz. More details about Middle School summer requirements will be sent in June.

The Middle School has several music related events occurring next week. 

Band, Bells and Strings Assembly: The fifth and sixth grade musicians will showcase their accomplishments in their instrumental music groups and help fourth graders choose an instrument at the annual BBS Assembly. Parents who are unable to attend the Spring Concert the following day are welcome to attend this event, which will take place on Tuesday, May 23, at 9:00 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium.

BBS Instrument Familiarization for fourth graders: On Wednesday, May 24, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, fourth grade students will try out various musical instruments. This process will help them make their band, bells, or strings selection for their fifth grade year. Following this event, parents will receive an email with an ensemble selection form that will need to be completed by the end of the school year.

Grades 5 and 6 Spring Concert: On Wednesday, May 24, at 7:00 pm, in Langstaff Auditorium, fifth and sixth graders will highlight their accomplishments in chorus, band, bells, and strings. Students should dress in attire similar to that worn for May Day and report to their ensemble’s classroom by 6:30 pm. Guests can enjoy refreshments in the EPAC lobby at that time. Please note that Extended Day is able to accommodate a limited number of MS students after school on the day of the concert. We will hold these spots for students who live far away and cannot make it home and back in time for the 6:30 warm-up. Please contact Kim Mackay if this situation applies to your family.

Written by Charlotte Gabriel ‘25, staff writer, The Potomac Current

From numerous defensive lockdowns to cunning offensive plays, the Potomac Girls Lacrosse team triumphed in a breathtaking game against Collegiate. In the midfield, sophomores Catherine Letendre and Amory Imperatore controlled the draw, with Kate Motley ‘23 dominating ground balls. The defense was led by Cate Dannahey ‘23. Freshman defender Nathalia Kellett had a clutch interception in the first half, with others following her lead. The defensive unit was able to hold off the Collegiate attackers for three minutes in the second half without a shot. Nathalia worked effectively alongside freshmen Ally Griswold and Alden Marin, as well as sophomore Margit Crittenberger and junior Abby Park. Aria Patnaik ‘25 kicked off the offensive action with an early goal in the first half, firing a low shot past Collegiate goalie Avery Greenberg.

The team advances to the VISAA semifinals to play St. Anne’s-Belfield (currently ranked first in the state) on Thursday, May 18, in Charlottesville. PGVL has had an outstanding season so far, with exciting milestone events including senior midfielder Kate Motley’s 100th goal during an away game against Bullis, sophomore attacker Stella Pence’s 100th assist, and an exhilarating overtime win against Georgetown Visitation (previously ranked 15th nationally). The team’s overall season record stands at 13-5.

Boys varsity tennis continues to capitalize on success and battle adversity as they keep their season alive. The team swept St. Andrews 7-0 in the first round of the MAC tournament rallying to an assertive 6-1 win in the semifinals. Leading the charge were Alex Zhou '23 and Andrew Mu '25, who both turned in great performances that led the boys to the MAC finals, against reigning champion, first-seeded Sidwell Friends. Having lost 2-6, 4-6 to the same pairing in the championship the year before, senior captains Michael Fleming and Ben Schirmeier avenged their defeat with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Similarly, Mu and captain Eli Butler '24 rallied in long third set tiebreakers to net the Panthers two more matches. Despite extremely close single and doubles matches the Panthers lost 3-4 after a four and a half hour battle.

Fueled by the loss, the boys defeated fifth-seeded Norfolk Academy in an incredibly tight 5-4 match in the VISAA Division 1 State quarterfinals on Tuesday. Butler and Mu clinched the deciding match in a clutch 10-7 victory with everyone surrounding the court. The Panthers remain undefeated against VISAA teams, with an overall record of 13-5, as they head to first-seeded St. Christopher's in Richmond for the State semifinals.

The Potomac athletic department will host the annual "Senior Signing Day" on Wednesday, May 24, 4:00 pm, for our senior athletes who have committed to play college sports.  All members of our community are welcome to join us in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community.