Please join us tomorrow, October 7, for our next Sharing Assembly at 11:00 am in Ramsey Assembly. We will be featuring Ms. Kim’s and Mrs. Zecher's kindergarten class, Mrs. Mendoza's and Ms. Malik's kindergarten class, and Ms. Smalley's third grade class.

Please join us next Friday, October 14, for a Sharing Assembly that will feature Mrs. Harper’s and Ms. Morrissey's kindergarten class, Mrs. Berke's first grade class, and Ms. Jackson's and Ms. Webster's second grade classes. 

Our third grade students enjoyed an onsite field trip last Thursday, working with the Watershed Education and Outreach organization to conduct water quality tests and benthic organism studies in Pimmit Run creek on Potomac's campus. The students learned about water quality metrics that help identify the health of a stream and tested the water for dissolved oxygen and pH, both of which came back in the moderately healthy range. In addition, they observed various benthic macroinvertebrates, including mayflies, hellgrammites, and damselflies. It was a terrific day of learning on our beautiful campus.

First graders have been learning about all things arthropodic, especially insects and spiders. They have learned how to identify them by their anatomical parts, where to find them in nature, and what their various means of defense are. Getting a closer look under the microscopes, the first graders were amazed by the brilliance and intricacies of many arthropods’ wings and marveled at the fact that insects have breathing holes in their abdomens. What a great learning experience!

On Thursday, October 13, all second grade students will visit Riverbend Park in Great Falls to explore the culture of Native Americans in Virginia during the 1600s. The children will have the chance to examine artifacts, use a bow and arrow (with supervision!), and explore a real longhouse while learning facts about the time period.

Last Friday, our Lower Schoolers closed the week with the Folk Dance Assembly – their first divisional assembly of the academic year and a Potomac tradition. Folk dances are about storytelling; they are a medium used in many cultures to pass traditions, history, and customs down from generation to generation. Each grade took turns sharing their dances, which were received enthusiastically by everyone in the gym. Thanks to LS music teacher Tara Clayburn for helping the students prepare for this very enjoyable assembly. See the photo gallery.

Parents are welcome to come and watch our MS Field Day activities on October 12, beginning at 12:30 pm, on the Turf Field. The PE teachers are busy planning an exciting afternoon of safe, non-competitive activities for each Middle School grade. If it rains, Field Day will be moved to October 19, at 12:30 pm.

During our MS Assembly last Friday, students learned about the variety of clubs offered this fall. With options like Puzzle-o-Rama, Service Learning Club, Math Olympiads, and Dog Club, the students were excited to try out these amazing opportunities this week. View the schedule here.

Last but not least, grade 6 parents will have the opportunity to learn about the curriculum and special projects particular to their grade on Wednesday, October 12, from 8:30 - 10:15 am, in the Flag Circle Building Dining Room. As with our previous grade-level curriculum meetings, a recording will be posted on CampusNET for any parents who are not able to attend in person. 

We are eager to once again experience the enticing smell of cold cuts, cheese, and multi-grain bread in the morning as we welcome back MS Sandwich Day on Wednesday, October 12. Mrs. Furr's and Mrs. Fields' sixth grade classes will make sandwiches in the MS Square. Our sandwiches will then be delivered to Martha's Table in Washington, DC. Thank you to the parents of students in these two classes for donating the necessary supplies for this first MS Sandwich Day of the year! 

On Wednesday afternoon, cycle 1 clubs had their first meetings, with all IS students taking part. One group discussed what it means to be a leader, another group explored Potomac’s campus, and others played games during their meeting time. The clubs will meet at least twice a month until the next cycle begins in January. Clubs that are active in the current cycle include Anime Club, Current Events Club, Service Learning Committee, Sunshine Club, and Vending Machine Club.

The overnight stay has made a comeback! Potomac’s traditional Intermediate School trip to Caroline Furnace was a big hit with our seventh grade students, parent chaperones, advisors, and supporting administrators and faculty. The students rotated through several team-building activities, including a hike to Kennedy Peak, a blindfolded walk, a stream study, a challenge course, and canoeing on the Shenandoah River. Additionally, both nights included fun activities around the campfire. Our group rose to invigorating music each morning and our lights-out came with “Taps” each evening, compliments of Mr Heidtmann. It was evident that the students and adults felt a strong sense of community throughout the trip. Enjoy the photo gallery. 

Our eighth graders had a blast during their fall bonding day last week! Each homeroom began the day by embarking on a local hike, and all enjoyed the time together outdoors. When everyone returned to campus, the students engaged in spirited inter-homeroom competition, with games including bingo, scooter soccer, and the balloon pop challenge. At the end of the event, the Green/Hoffmann homeroom was declared the winner! Check out the photos from this grade day of fun and camaraderie! 

Potomac’s Study Hall Plus (SHaP) program will resume next week with some changes based on our new school-year schedule. Groups of students will attend based on grade level. Sessions will alternate between Tuesdays after school (3:15-4:45 pm) and during Conference Time on Wednesdays (1:35-2:20 pm). Attendance is by invitation only, and students and parents will receive this by email on the Saturday prior to their session. If your student is invited to attend an after-school SHaP session, please be sure to indicate the adjustment to their departure in SchoolPass. A list of FAQs related to SHaP can be found here, and you can always reach out to Alex Helwink, our IS learning specialist, for more information.

During Tuesday’s Community Time Assembly, eighth grader Mariam Gaibi introduced Breast Cancer Awareness Month to the IS students and teachers. In her remarks, Mariam presented important statistics, praised the courage of cancer survivors, and identified specific ways people can raise awareness and support the women in their lives. Along with being able to wear a pink polo during October, students will be able to wear provided bracelets and pins that further spread awareness.

The Intermediate School team looks forward to welcoming our parents to campu this evening, Thursday, October 6. Parent Night will begin at 6:30 pm in the Langstaff Auditorium, where IS Head Ryan Woods will offer remarks. At 7:00 pm, parents will move to their child's homeroom to receive their schedule for the evening and hear from their child's advisor. Light refreshments will be served in the IS Commons, and parents are invited to view the IS clay project display. Parents can park in the IS or EPAC parking lots.

Colorful and realistic-looking sculptures made by the Class of 2027 will be on exhibit in the IS Commons, just in time for Parent Night. On display is work that our eighth graders completed at the end of the last academic year. In an effort to understand form, shape, color, and dimension, the students made sculptures of everyday food, such as hamburgers, sushi, ice cream, pie and cake, baozi, noodle soup, and fruit. The goal, according to IS art teacher Hillary Steel, was to teach observational skills and trompe-l'oeil, the technique of creating art that, at first glance, looks real and "fools the eye." The exhibit will remain in the IS Commons through most of October.

Baritone Jonathan Christopher visited the Intermediate and Upper School chorus classes on Tuesday to tell students about his experience while playing the role of Aaron Burr in the national tour of Hamilton. Mr. Christopher discussed how he became a professional Broadway and opera singer, shared an anecdote about appearing with Celine Dion on the Today Show, sang several solos for the students, and enjoyed performances by each chorus. We were all inspired and awed by his powerful singing and stories of his eclectic career spanning multiple musical genres in North America and abroad. Thanks to assistant chorus director Dr. Catherine Wethington, a college classmate and former professional colleague of Mr. Christopher, for arranging this visit. 

For the first time, members of Potomac’s Black Student Union and juniors and seniors who identify as Black and/or African American attended the Congressional Black Caucus’s Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The conference gave the students an opportunity to attend workshops and interact with various Black stakeholders in politics, journalism, entertainment, activism, and other fields. It was a great opportunity for the students to develop their networking skills and gain insights into how the federal government operates and how to advocate on issues affecting the Black community. Among those that the Potomac group met were Tony Coles, CEO of Black Information Network; Harim Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media; and noted journalists Ed Gordon and Soledad O’Brien.

Last week, 11 members of Potomac's Model United Nations team participated in the McLean Model United Nations Conference. Our group competed in various forums and served in many roles, including as members of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. One Potomac delegate, junior Fifi Loza, was honored with a verbal commendation for her work on the Crisis Committee. The members of Model UN are looking forward to upcoming conferences and welcome any students who are interested in joining.

Every year, we provide health education concerning drugs and alcohol for our tenth grade students. With a focus on strengthening problem-solving and decision-making skills, we aim to increase students’ knowledge about substance abuse and foster healthy attitudes and behaviors. On Monday, students heard from Madeleine Moore, who has worked with Potomac for several years. Ms. Moore comes from an academic background in public health and has experience leading health and wellness education programs in both secondary and higher education settings. In addition to working with the WE CARE Collaborative, Ms. Moore currently serves as the alcohol and other drug program coordinator at the University of Maryland Health Center.

The College Counseling Office hosted representatives from several institutions of higher education at our first mini-fair of the season in the US Library. More than 100 Upper School students dropped by to learn about colleges and chat with admission representatives. It was an informative and energetic event. The following colleges were present: Allegheny College, Bowdoin College, Davidson College, Drew University, James Madison University, Louisiana State University, Miami University (of Ohio), Spelman College, Trinity College, and University of Maryland Baltimore County.