During the week of August 21, over 40 IS students were on campus for August Academics. Through engaging lessons, students worked collaboratively, met new friends, brushed up on writing skills, tackled math problems, learned about their brains, and practiced the skills found in the IS Habits of Learning.

We are looking forward to welcoming our new students and families to Potomac's IS. All seventh and eighth graders new to Potomac are invited to an orientation and welcome session in the IS Choral Room on Tuesday, September 5, at 11:00 am. This event is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other new students and learn more about the IS. Lunch will be provided.

At 12:30 pm, ALL seventh graders will meet in the IS Choral Room for an informative and fun orientation session. At that time, they will meet with their advisors and receive information about the first days of school. All parents of seventh graders are invited to get acquainted with their child's advisor at 2:30 pm in the IS Commons. Students will be dismissed at 3:00 pm to meet parents and depart.

At 3:00 pm, new seventh grade families are invited to the Upper Commons in the IS to share cookies and lemonade with their mentor families. There is no formal presentation or agenda for this event; this informal gathering is one more opportunity for new families to connect with their mentor family before school begins. 

For over 40 years, the entire seventh grade class has spent time at a camp in the Shenandoah Valley near Luray, VA. On September 27-29, our seventh grade students will enjoy outdoor experiences such as stream study, hiking, orienteering, canoeing on the Shenandoah River, and much more. Permission slips, a packing list, and other key information will be provided to students during the opening weeks of school and to parents at the grade 7 parent coffee on Thursday, September 14, at 8:30 am.

In the meantime, we are greatly in need of parent volunteers of both genders. If you are interested in joining us, even if it's only for one or two nights, please contact the grade 7 dean, Greg Mueller, at your earliest convenience. After connecting with Greg Mueller and completing the required forms and background check, the parents who will be chaperoning will need to attend a Caroline Furnace parent chaperone meeting on Wednesday, September 20, at 9:15 am, in the Spangler Team Room 154. 

Students are required to wear uniform shorts and t-shirts during athletics. These are available for purchase through Potomac's online store through September 5. The access code, if needed, is P2TOMAC2. IS students are permitted to wear old practice uniforms if their family purchased them during a previous year. Uniforms ordered before August 25 will be distributed at the IS student orientation meeting on September 7.  Uniforms ordered after August 25 will be distributed upon arrival in late September. 

Students should wear the full Intermediate School uniform on the first day of classes. Read the complete uniform policy for more details. Upon arrival, students will go directly to their advisories/homerooms. Faculty members will be in the hallways to help students find their classrooms. Students should bring some basic school supplies and a water bottle, and teachers will let them know about anything else needed. All students will receive a snack for the first day of school. 

If your child hasn’t finished their work, there’s still time. IS students are expected to read four books and participate in the postcard program. Read about the details of required summer reading for grade 7 and grade 8. 

Grade 8 parents are invited to attend a parent information session on Tuesday, September 12, at 8:30 am, in the IS Choral Room. The grade 7 parent meeting will take place on Thursday, September 14, at the same time and venue.