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November 17, 2022

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Featured News

Book Fair a Success from Cover to Cover
Book Fair a Success from Cover to Cover
Thank you to the amazing volunteers, librarians, donors, and book lovers who made Book Fair 2022 a success. Our dedicated Book Fair Committee sorted through thousands of donations – 6,391 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 Arlington Housing Corporation, DC Books to Prisons, Turning the Page, and Habitat ReStore Rockville.
 
A special thanks to co-chairs Rachel Bedell, Ashley Walde '94, Cindy Malone, and Kim Owen for all their hard work to ensure that this year's Book Fair was a great success. Enjoy the photo gallery. 
Next Week's Thanksgiving Assembly

Potomac’s schoolwide Thanksgiving Assembly will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 1:45-3:00 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 that 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. 

Faculty and Staff Art On Display
Faculty and Staff Art On Display

Artwork by 20 faculty and staff members is on exhibit at the 2022 Potomac Faculty Art Show. The participating artists represent all four divisions, and their work spans a variety of mediums, including painting, textiles, woodworking, and photography. The exhibit, which runs through December 2, is on display in the Engelhard Performing Arts Center Lobby. We hope that you will stop by and take a look when you’re on campus.

Announcements

PA Leadership Fall Nominations Close Tomorrow

The Parent Association fall nomination cycle closes tomorrow, November 18. Please consider nominating yourself or another Potomac parent for a PA leadership role. Contact Mary-Leigh Morrison or Jen Graham with any questions. You can learn more about open positions and submit your nominations here, or you may email them. The PA Nominations Form can also be accessed via the Parent Association page on CampusNET. The spring nomination cycle will open in mid-February.

PASLC Power Pack Family Service Event

During this season of gratitude, please join in helping local children facing food insecurity by visiting this Amazon Wish List and donating non-perishable food items for the upcoming Power Pack Family Service Event organized by the Parent Association Service Learning Committee. All donations will be greatly appreciated! We also invite your family to help with assembling Power Packs on Saturday, December 3, 10:00-11:30 am, in the Flag Circle Dining Room. Please sign up here if you plan to participate. Contact Gretchen Speigel or Tiffany Butler with questions.

Around The World Kick-off Meeting

Exciting plans are underway for Around the World. Come learn about ways to participate in this year's event; our kick-off meeting will be on Tuesday, November 29, 8:30-10:00 am, in the Spangler Team Meeting Room. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, or in helping to organize and run a booth, please submit a participation form. 

Help us spread the word…and share the world! We want to have a record number of countries and families represented this year. Check out photos from last year’s Around the World to see what all the excitement is about, and get involved to help make this year’s event another fabulous success!

Washington Revels: Celtic Crossroads

In December, Washington Revels will bring the 40th annual Christmas Revels to the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. This year’s program, Celtic Crossroads, is a homespun celebration of the holidays with music, dance, and stories that echo from the Celtic homelands to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Shows will be held at various times on December 10, 17, and 18, and there is a special 20% discount on tickets for members of the Potomac community. Learn more here.

This year's cast and crew include Bill Hoffmann '79, Christopher Lewis '98, Patrick Malone '97, Chris Simon, and past Potomac parents Greg and Susan Lewis. Potomac School students Genevieve Privitera (grade 3), Journey Jackson (grade 4), Millie Stanzel (grade 4), Ben Levin (grade 5), and Liezel Phillips (grade  5) are part of the children's chorus.

Pawz Corner

Thanksgiving BreakSchool will be dismissed at the regular time on Tuesday, November 22; please note that there will be no late buses that day. Paw Prints will return on Thursday, December 1. We wish all of our Potomac families a very relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving Break!

Week Ahead

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Thankful Fun in Extended Day
Thankful Fun in Extended Day
Potomac students dropped in to Extended Day while their parents were attending conferences on November 11. While there, the students created seasonal projects to kick-off the Thanksgiving holiday. They made feathered turkeys, fixed the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner plate, built a gratitude chain, and enjoyed the Extended Day joke of the day. (Be sure to stop by the Flag Circle Building Dining Room to read our joke of the day, near the entrance closest to the Lower School.)

Potomac Social

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    Lower School News

    Lower School

    Upcoming Sharing Assemblies

    Please join us tomorrow, November 18, 11:00 am, in Ramsey Assembly, for our Sharing Assembly. We will be featuring Mrs. Berke's first grade class and all three second grade classes (Mrs. Hoffmann, Mrs. Jackson, and Ms. Webster).

    On Friday, December 2, at 11:00 am, in Ramsey Assembly, we will be featuring all three kindergarten classes (Mrs. Harper, Ms. Kim, and Mrs. Mendoza) and Ms. Smalley's third grade class. Recordings from assemblies will be available later.

    Angklung Instrument
    Students Learn About Angklung Instrument 

    Lower School students recently participated in an educational program with visiting musicians, arranged by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, DC. The students learned about the angklung, an Indonesian musical instrument made from bamboo, which symbolizes unity and community. Topics included how and where the instruments are made, the significance of using bamboo, and the geographical layout of Indonesia and its more than 17,000 islands.

    Professor Diah Ayu Maharani, DDS, PhD, the Educational and Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, attended the program in support of bringing awareness of Indonesian culture to Potomac’s students. Read more

    Kindergartners Inspired by American Sculptor
    Kindergartners Inspired by American Sculptor

    This week, Potomac kindergartners learned about the American sculptor John Grade and his large-scale works inspired by nature. The students turned paper bags into tree sculptures, ripping and twisting the bags to make branches and gluing on autumn leaves. Using beans, seeds, and tissue paper, they added texture and details like grass, stones, and a river to their forest landscapes. To complete their sculptures, the kindergartners drew and cut out pop-up animals you might find on a local hike in the woods. Enjoy some photos from this lesson. 

    Upcoming Field Trips

    On Tuesday, November 29, our first grade students will visit the National Gallery of Art's East Building. The students will tour the contemporary art galleries to make connections to the abstract art curriculum we have been learning about in art classes this semester. That same day, second graders will go to the Kennedy Center to see a musical based on the book The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. All of our second graders read this text to help launch our conversations about identity.

    A Reminder to Label, Label, Label

    The next time you are on campus, please take a look at the Lower School Lost and Found, located in the wooden bin by the Gum Tree doors near the Michael Granger Library. You can also remind your child to check the Lost and Found. And remember, labeling helps ensure that misplaced or forgotten items make it back to their owners. 

    Thanksgiving Assembly Reminders

    Potomac's Thanksgiving Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 1:45-3:00 pm. Our kindergartners and seniors will participate in our traditional Turkey Tango. All LS students and staffers should wear tennis shoes, because they will be walking on Spangler's main court. Students will not be dismissed from Spangler. After the assembly, LS students will be brought back to the Lower School 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. There will be no late buses on Tuesday. 

    Lower School Dates

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    Middle School News

    Middle School

    MS Exceeds Book Donation Goal
    MS Exceeds Book Donation Goal

    Middle School bookworms really came through this year, surpassing our Book Fair donation goal of 2,000 books with a total of 2,649! Their contributions helped make for a very successful Book Fair. It has been exciting to watch the students leave the fair with big smiles and heavy bags full of books that they will enjoy at home. We will be announcing a special pajama/read-in day soon, as a thanks for their tremendous support of this beloved Potomac tradition. 

    Dismissal for Thanksgiving Assembly

    Potomac's Thanksgiving Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 1:45-3:00 pm. 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. There will be no late buses on Tuesday. 

    Grade 4 Parent Forum in December

    Grade 4 parents are invited to attend a Parent Forum on Friday, December 2, 8:30-10:15 am, in the Intermediate School Choral Room. This informal meeting is an opportunity to share ideas and build relationships with fellow Potomac parents and guardians while discussing parenting topics. 

    Grade 6 Travels Again

    To continue their study of world religions, sixth graders will visit Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA, on Tuesday, December 6. They will be off campus from 8:30 to 10:45 am.

    Class Plays Continue In Early December

    Adam McNeil's fifth graders will perform their class play on Friday, December 2, 9:30 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. The students were inspired by this year's school photo day and decided to write their own play based on this theme. They worked hard with Mr. McNeil to write, direct, and act in Picture Day. Parents are welcome to come and enjoy this first-run production.

    Invention Convention Is Coming Soon

    Parents are invited to see the products of our fifth graders’ imagination and ingenuity at the “Meet the Inventors” event, which will take place on Tuesday, December 9, at 1:30 pm, in the EPAC lobby. Our students are working on their prototypes, their tri-fold exhibits, and their sales pitches and are eager to share their creations with the Potomac community.

    “The Wiz" Comes To Potomac!

    The Middle School’s first class play of the school year will take place tomorrow, November 18, 9:30 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. Alisha McClain’s fifth grade class will perform "The Wiz" for MS students. This production is an adaptation of the Broadway retelling of "The Wizard of Oz." Parents are welcome to attend. Here is the livestream link for anyone who cannot attend in person. 

    Middle School Dates

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    Intermediate School News

    Intermediate School

    Treehouse Constructions in Grade 8 Art
    Treehouse Constructions in Grade 8 Art

    Eighth grade A block art students have created treehouse constructions using sticks, cardboard, and twine. They worked in pairs, using their imaginations and developing practical construction skills as part of their architecture unit.

    IS Students Attend Diversity Conference

    Last Friday, five eighth graders represented Potomac’s Intermediate School at the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Middle School Diversity Conference. The event was attended by more than 120 students from all over the Mid-Atlantic region. The participants attended workshops about being a change agent and an ally, learned how to make their middle school voices heard, and explored what it means to go from well-meaning to well-doing. In the near future, the students who participated will share what they learned with their peers. 

    Students View New "Black Panther" Film
    Students View New "Black Panther" Film

    Over the weekend, Potomac IS and US students from the IS Black Student Alliance and US Black Student Union had the opportunity to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The latest Marvel film pays tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played the title character in the previous installment. The movie also celebrates Black culture while portraying an ideal picture of a world in which diversity, equity, and a sense of belonging provide a deep foundation for a thriving community. 

    We hope that viewing this film will inspire Black and Brown Potomac students to come together and work for growth and change in our community. Now, that's true power! 

    IS Veterans Day Assembly
    IS Veterans Day Assembly

    In honor of Veteran’s Day, Randy Woods, father of IS Head Ryan Woods, recently spoke to seventh and eighth graders and IS faculty and staff. Mr. Woods served six years in the U.S. Navy, which included two tours in Vietnam. In his presentation, he highlighted how his experience in the Navy instilled in him each of Potomac’s core values. In addition, Mr. Woods shared that he learned the importance of “being a part of something bigger than yourself.” 

    Intermediate School Dates

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    Upper School News

    Upper School

    First page of the PDF file: USFallConcert2022poster
    Upper School Fall Concert

    The Upper School Music Department invites you to join us for our annual Fall Concert tonight, November 17, at 7:00 pm, in EPAC. The evening will feature performances by our string orchestra, concert band, concert and honors handbell ensembles, madrigal singers, and jazz band. The concert will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.

    Seniors Serve Others on Community Action Day
    Seniors Serve Others on Community Action Day

    On Tuesday, Potomac seniors engaged in their final Community Action Day, supporting 12 community partners across the DC metro area, including Cameron's Chocolates, the Greater DC Diaper Bank, and Higher Horizons. In the afternoon, the students selected a Changemaker Project, led by peer senior leaders, to continue serving others on campus. Making an impact both within and outside of our Potomac community, the seniors created 120 STEM kits for elementary students served by Arlington Housing Corporation and 30 birthday kits for children served by Second Story. In addition, more than 35 seniors visited Lower School classrooms and Book Fair to read with students in kindergarten through third grade. View photos from the day.

    Junior College Counseling Kick-off

    On Tuesday, the College Counseling Office hosted the Junior Kick-off Event for eleventh graders and their families. Members of the College Counseling Team shared important information about the junior year and facilitated a panel discussion with enrollment managers from American University, Georgia Institute of Technology, New York University, and The College of William & Mary. The panel touched on a variety of topics, including testing, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of the college search and application process. 

    Students Exhibiting in Marymount Art Show
    Students Exhibiting in Marymount Art Show

    Artworks by three Upper School students – sophomore Karina Satoskar, junior Jaye Huff, and senior Ella Adamec – are featured among the works of 35 students in a juried show of high school artists at Marymount University's Barry Gallery in north Arlington. The show runs through December 2. Additional information can be found on the exhibition site: Marymount University - Barry Gallery - Visions. 

    The titles of the Potomac students' works are "Silent Desperation" (Karina), "Grandparent's Bedroom" (Ella), and "Cups, Grey" (Jaye).

    Singing Sculptures
    Singing Sculptures

    Advanced ceramics students recently sculpted vessel flutes called “ocarinas.” Under the tutelage of Mr. Nadel, the students then created an original musical composition by playing their handmade instruments. They look forward to performing for some of our fourth grade students and comparing notes on their experiences learning about the art and science of sound.

    Dismissal for Thanksgiving Assembly

    Potomac's Thanksgiving Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 1:45-3:00 pm. 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. There will be no late buses on Tuesday. 

    Upper School Dates

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    US T208 Tiered Classroom

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    Athletics

    Athletics

    Cross Country States
    Cross Country Boys Take State Title; Girls Capture Third!

    Capturing their first-ever state title, Potomac's boys cross country team completed their season in winning fashion! Charlie Ortmans '23 led the charge with his individual win, earning the title of state champion. Sasha Minsky '24 and Alex Mathews '24 both earned All-State honors with their respective fourth and 15th place finishes. Eli Levine '26 was the fourth-fastest freshman of the day, with a 27th place finish.

    Continuing their record-breaking season, the girls cross country team captured bronze at states. This was the team's highest-ever finish in the Division 1 category. Showing their depth, the girls had four runners earn All-State honors: Arielle Kouyoumdjian ’25 (fifth place), Genevieve Harris ’23 (11th place), Kate Tuttle ’24 (12th place), and Emmy Holland ’24 (19th place). Congrats to all the runners from both teams on a remarkable season!

    Girls Tennis States
    Girls Tennis Runner-up in States

    The girls varsity tennis team closed out the season in Richmond, where they lost in a hard-fought match to Collegiate in the Division 1 state finals. The team beat Flint Hill (5-1) in the quarterfinals and Saint Catherine's School (5-2) in the semifinals. The entire team had a great season, finishing with a 16-4 record and a second place finish in the ISL AA, behind nationally ranked Sidwell Friends. Seniors and co-captains Lauren Foster and Maia Phillips were heavy contributors to the varsity program's success over the past four years. During their freshman year, the team won the first girls Division 1 state tennis tournament in Potomac School history; they then made it to the state finals in both 2021 and 2022.

    Let The Games Begin!

    Students, parents, faculty, and staff are all welcome to join the Alumni Office for Potomac's Fall Alumni Games on Friday, November 25, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Come play, cheer, and enjoy a day with our connected community.  

    Activities include the 4th Annual Hale Stevenson Ross '14 Memorial Run, co-ed squash, men's lacrosse, co-ed soccer, and co-ed basketball games. Additionally, the tennis courts and The Moser Family Fitness Room will be open from 11: 00 am to 1:00 pm. Learn more here. This is a rain or shine event.

    Athletics Dates