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December 1, 2022

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Featured News

K-12 Thanksgiving Assembly
K-12 Thanksgiving Assembly

Potomac’s K-12 Thanksgiving Assembly, held on the Tuesday before break, was a celebration of community and gratitude. The program featured remarks by Head of School John Kowalik, musical selections by various student ensembles, reflections on gratitude by student and faculty speakers, and – of course – the famous Turkey Tango!

In addition, Potomac’s 2022 Generosity of Spirit Award was presented to two longtime, highly respected members of our community: Grades 5-8 Counselor Weezie Parry and Upper School English Teacher Suzanne Bailey. This award recognizes faculty and staff members who exemplify Potomac’s core values, demonstrate generosity of spirit, and inspire others. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Many thanks to all who helped make this year’s Thanksgiving Assembly very meaningful and memorable. Enjoy photos from the event. 

Nominations Now Open for Exemplary Service Award

The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service, introduced last year, is designed to recognize individuals in the wider community whose efforts align with our school’s core values and commitment to generosity of spirit. Recipients of this award will be persons who, through outstanding service and leadership, are making a positive difference in the lives of others and serve as an inspiration to the Potomac School community. Again this year, the Exemplary Service Award will be presented at Potomac’s Martin Luther King Day Assembly in January. 

The inaugural award was presented to Ericc Powell, a longtime volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, whose work with the organization has taken him across the country and around the world.

Learn more about The Potomac School Award for Exemplary Service and nominate a deserving individual for this honor. The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 9.

K-12 Coat Drive for Cornerstones Begins Next Week

Potomac's annual K-12 Coat Drive for longstanding community partner Cornerstones will take place December 6-15. Please donate gently used warm winter coats and new hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves for children and adults, to help fill Cornerstones’ Winter Coat Closet, located in Reston. Donations will be collected on the designated coat racks in each division. Please check out the MS Service Learning Club’s video and support their school-wide goal of collecting 175 coats. Thank you for helping our neighbors in the local community stay warm this winter!

Announcements

Board of Trustees Nominations

The Potomac School Board of Trustees is seeking nominations for candidates to serve as elected members of the board. One of the responsibilities of the board's Committee on Trustees is to maintain an ongoing pipeline of trustee candidates for future consideration and election by the full board. Nominees should have the ability and willingness to fully participate in the board's work. Learn more here. 

Supporting Your Family’s Well-being

“How to Talk to Your Kids About Technology”: Our kids' use of technology is one of the greatest challenges modern parents face. Join Dr. Edward Spector and The Study Pro on Thursday, December 8, 9:00 am, for “How to Talk to Your Kids About Technology.” Dr. Spector’s presentation will help parents better understand what drives our kids to tech as a preferred "outlet," as well as how we can have the most productive and effective dialogue with them to help build balance in all our lives. Register for this free one-hour webinar.

Resources: The Child Mind Institute offers advice for families as they navigate the holiday season and its challenges. Check out How to Take the Stress Out of Family Gatherings, How to Handle Holidays After a Death in the Family, Divorce and Holidays.

Three parents stand with jars of gifts for staff and faculty.
Gifts of Gratitude for Faculty and Staff

Ahead of the Thanksgiving Break, the Parent Association Faculty and Staff Appreciation Committee spread the joy on campus by giving jars of locally sourced apple butter with notes of thanks to all faculty and staff. Presenting autumn “gifts of gratitude” is a beloved tradition warmly supported by the FSA Committee. Thank you to all who participated in assembling and delivering the gifts – they were deeply appreciated by the wonderful people who work with our children each day!

Two Ways to Support the US EFEB Concentration

Potomac's Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Business (EFEB) Concentration provides interested Upper School students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of economic and business issues through coursework. In addition, participants are required to complete either individual research or an internship experience in the summer before their senior year. The goal of the internship is to gain hands-on experience working through a business problem, while learning about how organizations work, how teams are structured, and more. Information for prospective sponsors can be found here.

Recently, Potomac parent Scott Barbee spoke with EFEB students about his work as a value investor. If you would be interested in presenting to students on an EFEB-related topic or sponsoring a four-week internship in the summer of 2023, please complete this form, and a member of the EFEB team will contact you to discuss further. Thank you for supporting this important Potomac initiative!

Next PCCC Meeting on December 5

The Parent Cultural Competence Committee (PCCC) invites you to its next virtual meeting on Monday, December 5, 7:00-8:30 pm, for a wide-ranging and interactive discussion with Michael Davis, a Potomac trustee who leads the board's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and James Hightower III, Potomac’s director of community engagement. Please join the Zoom meeting here (meeting ID: 873 9183 6020 / passcode: 044172).

December 13 FAPS Meeting

Please join us for our monthly Fathers Association of The Potomac School (FAPS) meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 8:30 am, at McLean Baptist Church. Our faculty speaker will be Head of Upper School Doug McLane.

Pawz Corner

Important Parking ReminderPlease do not park in the campus spaces designated for persons with disabilities unless you have a valid disability parking permit issued by your state of residence. Thank you for respecting those in our community who need these accessible parking spaces.

Week Ahead

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Potomac Social

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    Lower School News

    Lower School

    Sharing Assembly December 2

    Please join us tomorrow, December 2, 11:00 am, in Ramsey Assembly, for our Sharing Assembly. We will be featuring all three kindergarten classes (Mrs. Harper, Ms. Kim, and Mrs. Mendoza) and Ms. Smalley's third grade class. A recording of the assembly will be shared via Bloomz.

    Please note that we will not have a Lower School Sharing Assembly next Friday, December 9, as students will be practicing for Lower School Carols.

    student sits at pottery wheeel
    Artist Ryan Rakhshan Visits the LS

    On November 18, local ceramics artist and educator Ryan Rakhshan visited Lower School Art to teach third graders all about ceramics. Mr. Rakhshan shared examples of his unique sculptures and answered questions about his artistic process. Then, students had a great time working with the artist, getting their hands messy by throwing a small clay pot on the potter's wheel. Enjoy some more photos from his visit. 

    Field Trip to Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater

    On Monday, December 5, all kindergarten students will attend Seasons of Light at the Smithsonian's Discovery Theater. The show celebrates the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah (Hanukkah), Las Posadas, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the traditions of the Winter Solstice.

    Mark Your Calendars: Lower School Carols is Coming!

    The excitement is building as our young performers prepare for Lower School Carols, our traditional holiday-season program of music, poetry, and dance. Please join us for this festive celebration on Friday, December 16, 10:30 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium.

    It's Getting Cold Outside

    Except when there is heavy rain or severe weather, LS students will have recess outdoors. When the weather is cold, please be sure to send your child to school with a labeled hat and gloves. Lower Schoolers greatly enjoy recess in the snow, so please send along boots, gloves, and snow pants on snowy days. Students without boots or snow pants will still go outside but may only play on paved areas.

    Please make sure that the clothing your child keeps at school still fits and is appropriate for the season. The items should be individually labeled with the child’s name and sent to school in a labeled ziploc bag.

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    Middle School News

    Middle School

    Lunar New Year Parade
    Lunar New Year Parade

    The Middle School has celebrated the Lunar New Year in several ways these past few weeks. Most recently, fifth graders wound their way around campus to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with their annual Lunar New Year dragon parade. This was the first year that second graders joined the parade. View the photo gallery here.

    Standardized Testing - Nearing Completion

    We have one more day of makeup tests for the Comprehensive Testing Program. Please take note of the grades and times for tomorrow's tests: 

    Grade 4: 12:00 to 12:50 pm and 1:15 to 2:05 pm
    Grade 5: 9:50 to 10:35 am
    Grade 6: 10:40 to 11:25 am

    We are unable to provide makeup tests after February 23. Test results and a guide for how to interpret the results will be sent home to parents via USPS in mid-March. John Mathews or Shefali Sardar will be happy to discuss the results with parents who have questions about the results.

    Vision Screening - Tomorrow 

    All fifth grade students and new-to-Potomac fourth and sixth graders will have their vision tested at school tomorrow, February 23. Students who wear glasses or contacts are encouraged to bring their corrective lenses with them to school on this day.

    MS Celebrates Black History Month 

    Middle School students will gather in the Langstaff Auditorium at 9:05 am, for a special assembly tomorrow, February 23. Ms. Alisha McClain, fifth grade teacher, and Middle School DEI coordinator, has organized a program that celebrates this year's Black History Month theme: African Americans in the Arts. The program will include songs and poems written by African Americans and performed by our Middle School students and reflections from some of our sixth graders about what Black History Month means to them. A special thank you goes to Russell Nadel for his help in arranging the musical selections for the event. Parents are welcome to join us. For those who cannot attend, here is the livestream link.

    Sharing Assembly - February 29

    Our Sharing Assembly will take place on Thursday, February 29, beginning at 9:05 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. There will be music, poetry, and dance performances from many MS students. Classroom teachers will notify parents if their child is performing. However, all parents are welcome to attend or enjoy the show via this livestream link.

    Standardized Testing Is Underway

    The Comprehensive Testing Program tests will continue into next week. We ask parents to try to avoid taking their child out of school for appointments during these important tests. Below is the schedule:

    Tuesday, February 20 – 8:30 to 9:15 am - Writing Mechanics
    Wednesday, February 21 – 8:30 to 9:45 am - Quantitative Reasoning

    Make-up tests will take place on February 22 and 23:

    Thursday, February 22 – grade 5; 12:00 to 12:50 pm
    Thursday, February 22 – grade 6; 1:15 to 2:05 pm
    Friday, February 23 – grade 4; 12:00 to 12:50 pm and 1:15 to 2:05 pm
    Friday, February 23 –grade 5; 9:50 to 10:35 am
    Friday, February 23 – grade 6; 10:40 to 11:25 am

    We are unable to provide makeup tests after February 23. 

    Grade 5 Field Trip on Tuesday 

    As part of their social studies unit on ancient China, the entire fifth grade will travel to the National Museum of Asian Art on Tuesday, February 20. Buses will depart campus at 9:30 am, after the CTP test. This is after a long weekend, so mark this on your calendar and set those alarm clocks for Tuesday morning.

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    Intermediate School News

    Intermediate School

    IS Winter Concert

    On Thursday, December 8, 7:00-8:30 pm, Potomac’s Music Department will present the Intermediate School Winter Concert. To accommodate performers and guests from each family, the event will be held in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community. All IS students are expected to stay for the entire concert to support their peers. Details on call times and dress requirements were shared with parents and students in a recent letter. The concert will be livestreamed for those who are unable to join us in person.

    IS Sandwich Day Next Wednesday

    For the first time this school year, all seventh and eighth graders will participate in Potomac's 33-year Sandwich Day tradition to support Martha's Table and Cornerstones on Wednesday, December 7, in their homerooms. This week, students were asked to donate sandwich-making supplies (including meat, cheese, and bread); the students will email their parents with the items they have signed up for. IS students should bring all sandwich-making donations to school on the morning of December 7. Thank you, IS families, for your support of this important service event!

    Door Decorating Contest
    Door Decorating Contest

    The Intermediate School Cup competition continues! The latest point-earning event was a Thanksgiving door decorating contest, organized by the Student Council Spirit Committee. The committee announced the initiative to homerooms at an assembly, recruited three judges, and created a rubric for the judging. Students used conference and homeroom time over two days to create their designs and decorate their homeroom doors. The final designs looked fantastic! See the slideshow announcing the winners in four categories: Most Creative, Best WOW Factor, Best Aesthetics, and Best Overall.

    Thanksgiving Listen With Mr. Taylor
    Thanksgiving Listen With Mr. Taylor

    Prior to break, the IS gathered for the annual Thanksgiving Listen Assembly. After introductory remarks from IS Head Ryan Woods, Tristan Mankovsky ’27 and Mary Parker Stump ’27 interviewed seventh grade history teacher and advisor Victor Taylor. Mr. Taylor shared about formative moments in his life, people whose influence shaped him, and his personal values and convictions. Notably, he spoke about the importance of persevering through tough situations and his efforts to lead with kindness. The students were encouraged to conduct a similar interview with one of their parents or guardians over the Thanksgiving Break, to see what new perspectives or stories surfaced.

    Grade 7 Zoofari Social
    Grade 7 Zoofari Social

    Everyone had a great time at our recent Grade 7 Student and Parent Social. Originally a square dance, the event was modified last year to allow for a little social distancing, creating a country-themed zumba class! This year we welcomed back zumba instructor Kearsha Saxson to run a zoo-fari themed event. Teachers, students, and parents gathered for dinner and then were off to dance the evening away in the Chester Gym. Special thanks go to Joleen Hyde for coordinating all the details to create such an enjoyable event, and to grade 6 teacher Kate Morgan, Jack Morgan ’24, and MS Head John Mathews for providing live African drumming. View the photo gallery.

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    Upper School News

    Upper School

    Assembly Addresses Core Value

    Upper School students were treated to remarks about one of Potomac’s five core values, integrity, by two beloved and talented faculty members – Becca Brooks and Giorgio Secondi. Ms. Brooks brought some levity to the conversation and used the example of not eating in the library to convey her message about stewarding the relationships and opportunities we have here at Potomac. Dr. Secondi then spoke about being a person who reflects the type of world you want to live in. He also encouraged the students to honor the most important relationship they have – the one with themselves. Thank you to Ms. Brooks and Dr. Secondi for sharing such inspiring words and ideas!

    EFEB Speaker Shares Journey in Investing
    EFEB Speaker Shares Journey in Investing

    The Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Business (EFEB) Concentration kicked off its Club Block Conversations with a visit from Potomac parent Scott Barbee, owner and president of Aegis Financial Corporation, a fund manager based in McLean. In his talk, titled "Journey of a Wall Street Skeptic," Mr. Barbee walked the students through his life and work as a value investor. He said that developing curiosity about the world is key to being a good investor and encouraged the students to gain an informational advantage by "densifying [their] web of understanding." Mr. Barbee closed his presentation with a discussion of behavioral psychology, which is important to investing, through Rudyard Kipling's poem "If."

    US Fall Concert Recap
    US Fall Concert Recap

    The Upper School Fall Concert was an entertaining evening of music that featured more than 100 performers and six ensembles. The audience enjoyed elegant string orchestra pieces by Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, and Joplin; polished band works by Atay Shabazz and Richard Saucedo, as well as a new work by Brian Balmages entitled Kyiv, 2022. The evening also included a Haydn Gloria, two Renaissance madrigals, and choral settings of Bright Morning Stars, Yesterday, and No Time; and sophisticated handbell showpieces by Valerie Stephenson, Tammy Waldrop, and Arnold Sherman. The evening concluded with festive finales by the honors handbell ensemble (Prelude on THAXTED, Nocturne in A Minor, and Toccata Ritmica) and the jazz band (Freddie Freeloader, Cold Duck Time). Enjoy photos from the concert.

    World Cup Club Hosts Viewing Parties
    World Cup Club Hosts Viewing Parties

    Excitement for the World Cup and Team USA is palpable! A new Upper School club, the World Cup Club, has hosted two viewing parties for students to enjoy the games in the Crossroads. After classes end, the popular gathering space has filled up with hundreds of students cheering for the Red, White, and Blue. The club members have also filled out brackets and held meetings for fans at Potomac. Go, Team USA!

    GDS Sexual Assault Summit
    GDS Sexual Assault Summit

    Seniors Pippa Westland, Jackson Mackney, Caroline Norton, and Sienna Staver and US Director of Student Support Josie Woods attended the 7th Annual Summit on Sexual Assault and Consent at Georgetown Day School on November 19. The summit brought students, faculty, administrators, and parents together to examine current laws, policies, and programs established to prevent assault, support survivors, and advocate for victims’ rights. The Potomac team will apply the knowledge they gained to our own community by leading the design of initiatives and programming.

    Tip-Off Tournament

    Tomorrow night we host the annual Tip-Off Basketball Tournament, featuring Potomac's boys and girls varsity teams in a double header. The girls, reigning ISL A champions, will square off against John Paul the Great at 6:00 pm. Next up will be the boys, playing The Heights, at 7:30 pm. Dinner will be provided for all US students at 5:00 pm in the Leonsis Dining Room, and we will be showing holiday movies and the World Cup. Our dance team and pep band will be performing throughout the evening, which promises to be fun for everyone! After the games, shuttles will run to Trinity, the Wells Fargo in NWDC, Ebenezers Coffeehouse in NE DC, and the Marlow Heights Shopping Center. Go Panthers!

    Upper School Dates

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    US T208 Tiered Classroom

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    Athletics

    Athletics

    wrestling
    Wrestling Kicks Off Its Season Outdoors

    The varsity wrestling squad competed outdoors against Sidwell Friends this past Saturday in the third Annual Backyard Classic. The team had a great crowd of parents, alumni, and former Potomac wrestlers cheering them on.  Adar Weinman '25, Bram Halpert '23, Carter Donald '25, and Jeremy DeLaVille '24 all scored wins. Deven Tuladhar '26, Gus Tierney '26, and Anthony Cipriani '25 wrestled well in their varsity debuts. Excellent weather and wonderful support from our community helped make the event really special this year. Next up, the team heads to the Loudoun County duals on Saturday.  

    Swim Opens with a Win

    The swim team opened their season against Georgetown Visitation and Maret at the Holton-Arms Aquatics Center on November 21. Both teams were victorious, with the girls team winning their tri-meet (65-37 vs Maret and 58-46 vs Visitation) and the boys team winning theirs against Maret.

    The girls had first place finishes in the 200 medley relay (Sabine Barbee ’26, Maren Schwarz ’25, Leila Bodner ’24, Kate Douglas ’26), 50 free (Douglas), 100 Free (Douglas), 500 Free (Barbee), 200 Free Relay (Claire McEwen ’26, Madeleine Steves ’26, Schwarz, Douglas), and 100 back (Barbee). A special shout-out to Charlotte Gabriel ’25 for chasing down and beating Visitation’s A relay anchor swimmer to secure a one-two punch for Potomac!

    The boys won eight of 10 events at the meet: the 200 medley relay (Sasha Minsky ’24, Brock Schedler ’23, Will Walters ’24, Ale Wick ’25), 200 IM (Walters), 50 free (Wick), 100 fly (Walters), 100 free (Minsky), 200 free relay (Alex Christ ’23, Minsky, Wick, Schedler), 100 breast (Schedler), and the 400 free relay (Schedler, Christ, Greg Zubler ’23, Walters). Walters and Schedler sprinted to the finish to win their individual races, the 100 fly and 100 breast, by 0.16 and 0.44 seconds, respectively.

    Potomac Panthers
    The Power of Panther Pride

    Just as the leaves change and fall from the trees, signaling that a new season has arrived, we too have ushered in a new season in Athletics. As we say hello to winter sports, we must say goodbye to the fall ones. Fall 2022 proved to be a fruitful season on and off the fields, courts, and courses as the Panthers earned six outright or co- team championships. But as our JV tennis coach, Debbie LeHardy, writes in a reflection on her team’s journey this fall, it is the power of Panther pride that makes every season special.

    Coach LeHardy shares...

    The season began in sweltering heat with 38 girls vying for positions on The Potomac School’s varsity and JV tennis teams. As an individual sport that is honed and crafted over years of consistent and ever-evolving experience, tennis shows its true colors early and often, with strokes and strategies swiftly emerging to reveal the top players. For Potomac’s storied girls varsity team – historically having claimed several state championships – the player positions were either known or quickly filled as stellar underclassmen grabbed the few available spots on the varsity team.

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    Athletics Dates