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November 16, 2023

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Featured News

Students carrying bags of books and smiling
At Book Fair, the Joy of Reading Was Shared With All

Book Fair 2023 was a huge success! Thank you to the amazing volunteers, librarians, donors, and book lovers who continued to make this Potomac tradition possible. Our dedicated Book Fair Committee sorted through thousands of donations – more than 8,000 came just from LS, MS, and IS! Book Fair proceeds support Potomac's libraries, and parents can continue this support by purchasing new books for the libraries via the library wish lists.

Our school's longstanding tradition of fostering a love of reading extends to the local community through book donations to partner organizations across the DC metro area. As part of grade-level service learning initiatives, students in grades 3 and 5 selected books for local preschoolers at the Falls Church McLean Children's Center and Higher Horizons, to help grow their home libraries. Additionally, supported by the US Service Learning Club, book donations will be shared with Affordable Homes and Communities, DC Books to Prisons, Turning the Page, and Habitat ReStore Rockville.

A special thanks to co-chairs Cindy Malone, Kim Owen, and Jennifer Steinhoff for all their hard work to ensure that this year's Book Fair was a great success. Enjoy the photo gallery. 

Thanksgiving Assembly Next Week

Potomac’s schoolwide Thanksgiving Assembly will be held on Tuesday, November 21, from 1:45 to 3:00 pm, in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community. Parents are welcome to attend. The event will include musical selections by various student ensembles, reflections on gratitude from student speakers, the presentation of Potomac’s Generosity of Spirit Award to a faculty or staff member who exemplifies our school’s core values and inspires our community, and – of course – the famous Turkey Tango! It will be livestreamed so all parents and family members can enjoy the celebration. After the assembly, students will return to their respective divisions and be dismissed as usual. If your dismissal plans change for that day, please remember to fill out the SchoolPass form by 1:00 pm. Note that there will be no late buses on Tuesday.

Winter Necessities Delivered to Cornerstones 
Winter Necessities Delivered to Cornerstones 

Last week, our Middle School Service Learning Club delivered more than 150 winter necessities (coats, hats, and gloves) to Cornerstones for their annual Winter Coat Closet drive. Many thanks to our Potomac community for sharing your gently used coats with our neighbors in need. This month, we are featuring Cornerstones on our website. Learn more about this important partner doing great work in the community. Thank you to our MS Service Learning Club for their leadership with the coat drive and our Parent Association Service Learning Committee for helping to make it happen.

Things to Know

Nominations Ending: Exemplary Service Award and PA Positions
  • The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service, introduced in 2021, is designed to recognize individuals outside the school community whose efforts align with our school’s core values and commitment to generosity of spirit. Today is the last day to nominate a deserving individual for this honor, which will be presented at Potomac’s Martin Luther King Day Assembly on Friday, January 12, 2024. Learn more about The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service.
     
  • The Parent Association seeks the Potomac community's participation in the nomination process for the 2024-25 school year. The fall cycle ends on November 17. Please consider nominating yourself or another Potomac parent using this link.
Register Now! Winter ETC

Registration for Winter ETC is now open! Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Cooks with Books, where you'll discover the magic of culinary delights combined with thrilling storytelling. Or dive into Adventures in Spanish and unlock the secrets of a new language while experiencing thrilling adventures. But that's not all – we have Panther Game Time, where you can unleash your competitive spirit and engage in heart-pounding games and challenges. And for those with a flair for creativity, Graphic Design offers a chance to unleash your imagination and bring your visions to life.

Space is limited, so make sure to secure your spot quickly. Registration works on a first-come, first-served basis. Access our fantastic offerings and register today. Prepare for an unforgettable winter filled with learning, growth, and excitement!

The Term is Online
The Term is Online

The Fall 2023 issue of our alumni magazine, The Term, is arriving in your mailbox and is also available online! Flip through to learn more about the president and CEO of Leading Harvest, Kenny Fahey ’04, author and illustrator Jamie Potter ’01, and game designer Grant Hoechst Jackson '14. Their diverse stories span sustainable agriculture, young adult fiction, and gaming. Also, learn more about our Board Chair, Norma Ramsey, new leaders at Potomac, our robotics program, and other news around campus. 

Participation in PASLC Power Pack Family Service Event

During this season of gratitude, please join in helping local children facing food insecurity by participating in our annual Parent Association Service Learning Committee family Power Pack event. Families may donate items for our Power Packs by visiting this Amazon Wish List and supplying non-perishable food items. All donations will be greatly appreciated. We invite your family to help assemble Power Packs on Saturday, December 2, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, in the Fisher Family Dining Room. Please sign up here if you plan to participate. Contact Tiffany Butler or Rosie Pandhi with questions. We hope to see you there! 

The Potomac Spirit Store is Open for the Holidays!
The Potomac Spirit Store is Open for the Holidays!

The Potomac Spirit Store is open and has lots of great Potomac swag for your holiday shopping. There are custom Potomac Scout tote bags, Stanley-style tumblers, dog leashes, pom pom beanies, blankets, hand-painted ornaments, and so much more! Be sure to check it out.

ICYMI: Raising A Kid Who Can with PCW

Please join the Parents Council of Washington at their next event featuring the authors of Raising A Kid Who Can. If you missed Potomac’s Health and Wellness Speaker Series, this is another excellent opportunity to hear what advice authors Dr. Catherine McCarthy, Dr. Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver have to offer. These local mental health professionals work with kids and families and will offer neuroscience-based strategies and advice for parents, teachers, staff, and social media wellness administrators. Time for Q&A will be provided after the presentation. Please register here if interested. The event is Tuesday, December 5, at 7:00 pm, at the Lowell School (DC). 

Pawz Corner

Thanksgiving Break

School will be dismissed at the regular time on Tuesday, November 21; please note there will be no late buses that day and no Extended Day, ETC, or private music lessons. Paw Prints will return on Thursday, November 30. We wish all of our Potomac families a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

Week Ahead

November

all day
LS Activities Room 152 (LSAR)

Potomac Social

    PHOTO OF THE WEEK

    Ms. Chung's grade 5 cast of The Fairy Tale Network.

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    Lower School News

    Lower School

    Tomorrow’s Sharing Assembly

    Please join us tomorrow, Friday, November 17, at 11:05 am, in Ramsey Auditorium. We will feature Ms. Callahan's and Ms. Zecher's kindergarten class, Ms. Mendoza's and Ms. Husain's kindergarten class, Mrs. Berke's first grade class, and Mrs. Hoffmann's second grade class. For those unable to attend, a recording will be available after the assembly. 

    Our next Sharing Assembly will be on Friday, December 1. We will feature Ms. Morrissey's second grade class and Ms. Smalley's third grade class. 

    Family Reading and Music Event Tomorrow!

    Our first of three family learning events will look at the intersectionality of reading and music and will take place tomorrow (Friday), November 17, from 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm, in LSAR. If you plan to attend, please make sure to change your child's SchoolPass form by Noon tomorrow. 

    Students Participate in Veterans Day Assembly
    Students Participate in Veterans Day Assembly

    Last week, Lower School students honored Veterans and thanked them for their bravery, service, and sacrifice. They were mesmerized by our military guests who shared stories, answered questions, and formed connections with them. The students heard personal reflections from retired army officer Captain Mr. Christopher Molino, whose military decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. View the album here.

    Young students hold marbles on a toothpick structure built with marshmellows
    First Grade Engineers

    First graders are learning all about engineering and the different types of engineers! They were tasked with a variety of challenges that tested their creativity, determination, and perseverance – from building bridges to towers. In this particular challenge, as seen in the photo, students needed to make their toothpick and marshmallow tower hold as many marbles as possible. It was a frustratingly great time!

    Young student looks into microscope
    Lessons in Kitchen Chemistry

    Kindergarten students began studying kitchen chemistry this week. They learned about the three states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas – and that matter is anything that takes up space. They learned to describe the substance by some of its properties, such as size, shape, color, and luster. They also took to the microscopes to see what various common kitchen solids look like up close and then sketched their observations. Everyone had a terrific time!

    Thanksgiving Assembly Reminder

    Our schoolwide Thanksgiving Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, from 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm. Our kindergarteners and seniors will participate in the Turkey Tango – a favorite Potomac tradition. All LS students and staffers should be in tennis shoes because they will be walking on Spangler's Culp Main Court. Students will not be dismissed from Spangler. After the assembly, LS students will return to the Lower School and be dismissed as usual. If your dismissal plans change for that day, please fill out the SchoolPass form by Noon. 

    Lower School Dates

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    Middle School News

    Middle School

    Book Collection Goal Met!

    Middle School came through this year and collectively contributed well over our 2,000 book goal – 3,090, to be exact! As a reward, MS students will enjoy a pajama/read-in day on Friday, December 16.

    Thanksgiving Assembly

    The schoolwide Thanksgiving Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, from 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm. Students will not be dismissed from Spangler. After the assembly, MS students will return to the Middle School building and dismissed as usual. If your dismissal plans change that day, please fill out the SchoolPass form by Noon. 

    All MS students will come to school in their regular, standard uniform (assembly dress). Since fifth grade has PE on this day, the PE teachers will design their lesson plan accordingly.

    Grade 4 Parent Forum

    Fourth grade parents are invited to join the conversation during our annual Grade 4 Parent Forum. It will be in Ramsey Auditorium on Thursday, November 30, from 8:30 to 10:15 am. Parent Forums are informal gatherings of parents in a particular grade. At these programs, parents have the opportunity to discuss topics and challenges that are most relevant to their children's developmental stage. 

    JA4 Class Play Coming Soon 

    Ms. Armstrong's fourth grade class will present Imaginary Friends Detective Agency on Friday, December 1, at 9:05 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. The students are excited to put on this entertaining production for parents and all MS students. Enjoy the livestream if you are unable to attend in person. 

    Lost and Found Bin Nearing Capacity

    Please remember to label all uniform and outerwear items. All articles that have a name on them will make it back to their owners. Misplaced coats, sweaters, and more can be found in two locations. There is one large bin near the Panther Post in the MS Square and another outside the sixth grade entrance. Please encourage your child to look in both locations for any lost items.

    Middle School Dates

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    Intermediate School News

    Intermediate School

    Save the Date for the IS Winter Concert 
    Save the Date for the IS Winter Concert 

    The Intermediate School Winter Concert is Wednesday, December 6, at 7:00 pm, in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community. More information will be shared in the November 30 issue of Paw Prints.

    Seventh Grade Parent and Student Social Tonight

    We look forward to seeing everyone tonight at our Seventh Grade Parent and Student Social at 6:00 pm in the Upper School Leonsis Dining Commons. Following the dinner, we will be in the Chester Gym for a fun-filled dance event. As previously communicated, all seventh graders are expected to attend and bring at least one parent or caregiver. Please wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes to protect the gym floor! We are kindly requesting for families to park in the LS and IS parking lots. The EPAC is reserved for the US Fall Concert attendees this evening.

    Grade 7 Parent Forum

    Seventh grade parents are invited to join the conversation during our annual Grade 7 Parent Forum. It will be on Wednesday, November 29, from 8:30 to 10:15 am, in Ramsey Auditorium. Parent Forums are informal gatherings of parents in a particular grade. At these programs, parents have the opportunity to discuss topics and challenges that are most relevant to their children's developmental stage.

    IS Students Attend Diversity Conference
    IS Students Attend Diversity Conference

    Last Friday, a group of IS students attended the sixth annual Middle School Diversity Conference at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA. With the theme "The Power of Words," more than 120 students from the Mid-Atlantic region came together to explore how language can harm and heal. Students participated in peer-led interactive workshops on the topic of storytelling. Over the course of the day, they assembled in groups and discussed story creation, the power of listening, and the rich differences between them. The keynote speaker, local hip-hop artist, poet, and teacher, Jason Moore, delivered an inspiring address.

    Intermediate School Dates

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    Upper School News

    Upper School

    Tonight: Upper School Fall Concert 
    Tonight: Upper School Fall Concert 

    Guests are invited to the Upper School Fall Concert tonight, November 16, at 7:00 pm, in EPAC. The concert promises to be a wonderful showcase of talent, featuring performances by our string orchestra, concert band, concert and honors handbell ensembles, madrigal singers, and jazz band. Please join us in supporting our talented student musicians. If you are unable to attend the concert in person, we are pleased to offer a livestream of the event for your convenience. 

    Read More about Tonight: Upper School Fall Concert 
    Veterans Day Reflections
    Veterans Day Reflections

    Last Thursday, Upper Schoolers gathered for a Veterans Day program. The highlight was a presentation by students who participated in the Charles Kenney Legacy Trip to Normandy last summer. The four seniors, Zach Lighthammer, Maddie Magielnicki, Rachel Robbins, and Laith Weimer, shared photos and reflections from their trip with their peers. They spoke about visiting military sites in Normandy and learning about how the heavy legacy of WWII battles are remembered there. During the program, planned in conjunction with Veterans Day, the seniors presented souvenirs from their travels to Head of School John Kowalik and Upper School Head Doug McLane. Following the program, students returned to their advisory spaces to write letters to veterans and those currently serving in our armed forces. 

    Read More about Veterans Day Reflections
    Celebrating Diwali and Navratri
    Celebrating Diwali and Navratri

    Tuesday’s assembly was hosted by the South Asian Student Alliance (SASA) to celebrate Diwali and Navratri. During the assembly, students presented the holidays’ origins and performed traditional dances. Students and faculty also shared personal reflections on the significance of these festivals, emphasizing the importance of unity and culture. The assembly reminded us of the strength of embracing and understanding the diverse traditions that bring our community together. Following the assembly, SASA hosted a lunchtime conversation. 

    Read More about Celebrating Diwali and Navratri
    Model UN Competes at American University

    This past Saturday, 16 members of Potomac’s Model United Nations team attended the Washington International Relations Conference at American University. The conference's theme was "The African Century," and our students competed with and amongst 12 other schools from around the area. The MUN Club spent the morning in workshops to hone their diplomatic skills, including public speaking, resolution writing, negotiation, and parliamentary procedure. In the afternoon, students simulated various scenarios in specialized Crisis Committees and General Assembly sessions focused on Africa. As always, Potomac's representatives were respectful and enjoyed their time immensely. Look for additional information on upcoming Model UN conferences this year. 

    Read More about Model UN Competes at American University
    Competitive Sushi Making with ASIA Club
    Competitive Sushi Making with ASIA Club

    As part of the Clubs and Affinity and Alliance rotations, ASIA (Asian Students in America) Club met last week for snacks and a competitive "sushi" making activity. The popular Popin' Cookin' candy kits were provided so students could make small sushi-like jellies and candies. Congrats to our creative sushi-making winners! 

    Read More about Competitive Sushi Making with ASIA Club
    Diving into Trigonometry
    Diving into Trigonometry

    The extended precalculus classes are beginning a months-long study of trigonometry. To kick things off, classes are starting with building, recreating, and understanding the unit circle. Various puzzles helped students to reinforce the values and properties of the unit circle – which is a mathematical tool for making the use of angles and trigonometric functions easier.

    Read More about Diving into Trigonometry

    Upper School Dates

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    US T208 Tiered Classroom

    Athletics

    Cross Country Finishes Season with a 1-2 Punch at VISAA Championships
    Cross Country Finishes Season with a 1-2 Punch at VISAA Championships

    The top 10 runners on each of Potomac’s Cross Country teams traveled to Woodberry Forest last week. The boys team defended their title by defeating St. John Paul the Great by 41 points (54-95). Sasha Minsky ’24 led the Panthers to finish as the state individual runner up. Potomac’s depth won the day, placing six finishers in the top 20. Luke Carter ‘26 (10th), Eli Levine ‘26 (12th), Alex Mathews ‘24 (14th), Trip Moser ‘26 (16th), and Zach Dalva-Baird ‘25 (17th) also earned all-state honors. Max Zeldes ‘24 (35th), Noah Altschuler’25 (41st), Avi Agrawal ‘26 (43rd), and Javi Almonte '25 (46th) completed the team finish. Out of more than 160 competitors, all 10 Panthers finished close to the top 25% – displaying a depth of unmatched team strength. 

    The girls achieved their highest place finish in Potomac’s VISAA XC history as runners-up. Audrey Rentzepis ’24 summoned a furious finish to pass several runners in the last 150 meters of the race to finish as the individual fourth place. Emmy Holland ‘24 (10th) also cracked the elusive top 10 (out of 140 competitors). Rose Barabanov ’27 stunned with an all-VISAA performance as a ninth grader while Avery Miller ‘26 (21st) finished just outside the all-state honors. Arielle Kouyoumdjian ‘25, in her first race returning from an injury, rounded out the scoring five for Potomac in 23rd. Vivi Evans ‘27 (29th), Kate Tuttle ‘24 (30th), Isabella Song ‘27 (71st), Brynn Windisch ‘27 (82nd), and Tenley Overdeck ‘24 (83rd) also ran strong for Potomac contributing to the most cohesive team performance and smallest team spread of all the schools. Combined with the girls second place finish, Potomac cross country won the day at Woodberry Forest. Read coverage of the boys and girls teams in the Gazette Leader.

    Girls Varsity Win NOVA Tournament Championship
    Girls Varsity Win NOVA Tournament Championship

    For the first time since the inception of the tournament, Potomac’s girls varsity soccer team beat Bishop O'Connell 3-2 in a rematch of last year’s title game to emerge as champions of the NOVA Tournament. The team took a 2-0 lead and although O'Connell valiantly battled back, Potomac never relinquished their lead. Read the recent coverage in The Washington Post.

    Boys Varsity Soccer takes VISAA Tournament Semifinal to PK shootout

    In a nailbiter of a match, the boys varsity soccer team played St. Christopher’s last week to a 1-1 draw leaving the outcome to be decided by penalty kicks. St. Christopher’s won 5-3 in the shootout as the Panthers completed their season as MAC regular season champions and MAC tournament runners-up and VISAA tournament semifinalists. It was a terrific season!

    IS Volleyball Season Ends

    The Intermediate School volleyball teams enjoyed a great season. The A team dominated their matches with a display of consistently strong serving, passing, and hitting. A culture of teamwork, effective communication, and unwavering competitive team spirit was on display throughout the season. We offer a heartfelt goodbye to our eighth graders as they continue their volleyball journey in the Upper School. They showed great leadership on the court which contributed significantly to our success.  

    The B team players showcased their progress by securing victories through solid serving and passing. They demonstrated remarkable growth and throughout the season, their team chemistry and competitive spirit were the driving forces behind their success. We look forward to next year as many of these players continue to play volleyball in our Intermediate School program.

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    Athletics

    After-School Activities

    Reminder: No After School Activities on Tuesday

    Potomac’s Extended Day community sends well wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to all! There will be no Extended Day, ETC, or private music lessons on Tuesday, November 21. Have a joyful and safe holiday!

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    After School Activities