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December 15, 2022

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Featured News

Potomac Auction
Save the Date!

Potomac’s 2023 Scholarship Auction, Casino Royale, will be here in two months! We invite you to save the date: Saturday, March 4. You can organize your own table or plan to be seated with other parents in your child's grade. Invitations will be sent out in January. Every dollar raised through the auction supports student scholarships and faculty professional development. 

Here are three ways you can get involved: 

Donate or solicit auction items. Help us get items for our live, silent, and online auctions! We welcome donations both large and small. Do you have tickets to sporting events, restaurant connections, a vacation home, or AMEX points that give access to special experiences? Please consider donating.

Be a sponsor. What a great way to let our community know about your business! Take advantage of one of our sponsorship opportunities. 

Volunteer. Donate your time and talents to make this year’s auction the best yet! If you’re interested in helping, please contact one of our chairs, Janelle Nowak-Santo, Sarah Murphy Starr '99, or Hunter Weimer.

Announcements

Supporting Your Family’s Well-being

Holiday Depression and Stress – Thoughts from Potomac’s Counseling Team

Although the holidays are supposed to be a time full of joy, good cheer, and optimistic hopes for the new year, many people struggle during the holiday season when expectations are high and disrupted routines can feel overwhelming. Some mental preparation and planning can help everyone cope with the holiday season – and, of course, enjoy it! 

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Two More Washington Revels Shows

The Washington Revels has two more shows, on December 17 and 18, that offer the Potomac community a discount. 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.

Save the Date: PCW Panel on Mental Health

The Parents Council of Washington will host a panel discussion with psychologists and counselors from its member schools on Wednesday, January 25, 7:00-8:30 pm, at The Field School in Washington, DC. Potomac Upper School counselor and director of student support Josie Woods will join her fellow panelists in discussing the value of school-based student support systems and ways that parents/guardians can partner with schools to enhance a culture of wellness. A question and answer period will follow the panel discussion. Register to attend. 

After-School Activities

ETC: Debate Results and Class Availability

Over the weekend, Potomac welcomed 30 debaters in grades 6-8 for a spirited tournament on the topic of whether the United States should work with Russia and China for world peace. Students from Potomac’s ETC Debate program and Holy Trinity School participated in the event. The tournament featured three preliminary rounds for all participants, followed by a championship debate between the two finalists. Potomac’s fifth grade participants, led by Ms. Kayla Williamson, gave speeches in a showcase attended by their parents. Students from the Upper School debate program served as judges. This was the first tournament experience for many of the participants, and all rose to the challenge with well-prepared arguments and rebuttals. Most of all, the students had fun and gained a foundation for advancement in Potomac's Speech and Debate program. 

There is limited space available in the Winter ETC Debate class for grades 5-8. Be sure to secure your student’s space by registering now!

ETC: Grades 4-5 Robotics
ETC: Grades 4-5 Robotics

Last Saturday, three teams representing Potomac’s inaugural grades 4 and 5 robotics squad participated in the VEX IQ Robotics Tournament at the Nysmith School. Fourth graders Arman Aggarwal, Henry Lettow, Gates Marwell, Liam Marwell, and Sophia Saltiel joined fifth graders Erik Eggers and Drew Gudenberg at the competition, which featured teams of fourth through eighth grade students from Virginia and New Jersey. All of the teams did very well in their first tournament, demonstrating incredible poise and showcasing their ability to collaborate effectively with a variety of teams. Our Panthers provided many memorable highlights throughout the day, and the competition was capped-off with Aggarwal, Lettow, G. Marwell, and their robot earning a top-10 finish.

Pawz Corner

Winter Break – See You in 2023!Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a safe and fun Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming our students back to campus on Tuesday, January 3. Paw Prints will return on Thursday, January 5.

Week Ahead

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2023-24 Calendar

The 2023-24 core calendar is now available.

Potomac Social

    Summer@Potomac – Mark Your Calendars!
    Winter Break is about to begin – and so is Summer@Potomac's early bird registration! We are excited to offer many of our longstanding camps, as well as new programs. Visit our website to learn about the summer 2023 offerings. Priority registration for current Potomac families and 2021 and 2022 camp families will open on Friday, January 6, at 9:00 am, with general registration opening on Thursday, January 12. A registration link will be shared with families the week we return from Winter Break.

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    Lower School News

    Lower School

    LS Carols Livestream Link
    LS Carols Livestream Link

    Lower School Carols is tomorrow, December 16, 10:30 am, in the Langstaff Auditorium. If you are unable to attend in person, please note that the performance will be livestreamed.

    Little Panthers
    Mini Panthers Annual Half-time Game

    Last Thursday, the Mini Panthers played their annual half-time game against five Senior Athletics Committee members from the Upper School. Though the Mini Panthers had a few more players, the SAC members had significant height and speed advantages working in their favor during "throw back" night in Chester Gym. After five minutes of grueling defense and spectacular offense, the Mini Panthers were able to pull off a sparkling 8-2 victory in front of a raucous crowd. Their team is made up of third graders Ella Faltas, Lily Virchow, Tuck Wiltshire, Alayna McGrew, Laila Pandhi, Marcial Moreno-Fuentes, and Hadley Hicks. The Mini Panthers were honored to play against the talented SAC members and want to thank the varsity boys basketball team for the opportunity to participate in this annual tradition.

    Dismissal for Winter Break

    Dismissal for the Winter Break is at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Friday, December 16. Please make sure to complete a SchoolPass change form no later than today (Thursday) by 3:00 pm if you plan to take your child home with you at the end of tomorrow’s LS Carols program. Please change your child’s dismissal to "carpool" and include details in the notes section with the pick-up location: from the classroom or the carpool line. There will be sign-out sheets in front of classrooms for those students who will be dismissed from the classroom. Students who do not leave immediately with a parent will ride the bus home at our noon dismissal. There will be no Extended Day or late buses on December 16. As a reminder, a link to the GPS bus tracking can be found on CampusNET and the Potomac School app.

    Happy Holidays!

    We are wishing you all a happy, restful, and healthy holiday season! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

    Lower School Dates

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    Middle School News

    Middle School

    When the Snow Falls…

    On occasions when inclement weather delays our school start time, MS students have casual dress privileges. Additionally, when there is an accumulation of snow on our playground, students who bring snow gear to school may enjoy their recess time outside. Proper gear includes all of the following: snow pants, snow boots, a warm coat, a hat, and gloves or mittens.

    Lost and Found Items Need a Good Home

    All of our lost and found items are now sorted and on display in the MS Square. Please stop by if you are on campus today or tomorrow and take home any items that even remotely resemble something belonging to your MS student. All items remaining after Friday will either be given to the Panther Post for resale or donated to Goodwill.

    A Warm Send-Off and Holiday Wishes

    To help put our Middle Schoolers fully into the holiday mood, the faculty have arranged for a hot cocoa bar to be available to all MS students in the MS Square tomorrow (Friday) morning. While there is no limit of marshmallows in one's cup, we do hope people will have at least a few drops of cocoa along with their toppings! Above all, we hope the students enjoy this special seasonal treat. Happy holidays!

    The Middle School faculty and staff hope that our students and their families have a wonderful holiday filled with good cheer, delicious food, and plenty of reading and relaxation. See you in 2023!    

    Know Your Winter Break Dismissal Plan

    We will dismiss students for Winter Break at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Friday, December 16. If your child will not be taking their regular bus home, please make this change in SchoolPass by 3:00 pm today (Thursday). Any special instructions or notes can be made in the comment section of SchoolPass. There will be no Extended Day or late buses on Friday.

    Un-conventionally Amazing!
    Un-conventionally Amazing!

    There was no shortage of amazing ideas, gadgets, gizmos, and creative solutions to everyday problems at the annual grade 5 Invention Convention. Everyone enjoyed the "Meet the Inventors" event last Friday, as the students described the process of developing their ideas and prototypes and shared their cost analyses and marketing ideas; many even included special holiday promo codes for their products! Congratulations to all of our young inventors. Enjoy the gallery of photos.

    Middle School Dates

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    Intermediate School News

    Intermediate School

    Noon Dismissal on December 16

    School will dismiss at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Friday, December 16, beginning our Winter Break. If your child will not be taking their usual bus home, please be sure to complete a SchoolPass form by 3:00 pm today (Thursday). Note that there will be no late buses or Extended Day this Friday.

    IS Holiday Wishes

    The Intermediate School faculty and staff would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for our incredible students and supportive families. Whether you are traveling over the Winter Break or remaining at home, we wish each of you a safe, joyful holiday filled with lots of special moments and relaxation!

    Health And Wellness Programing 

    As indicated in a recent letter from Ryan Woods, all Intermediate School parents are invited to hear directly from Dr. Jenna Messman about upcoming sexual health and wellness lessons for our seventh and eighth graders. The program will take place at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 5, via Zoom. Dr. Messman is the founder of WE CARE Collaborative, LLC, and serves as the sexual health program coordinator at the University of Maryland Health Center, College Park. After a short presentation, she and Mr. Woods will be available for questions pertaining to the sexual health and wellness classes and adolescent sexual development in general. The presentation slide deck and handouts will be posted on CampusNET for those who are unable to join the program on January 5.

    IS Winter Concert a Success
    IS Winter Concert a Success

    Our Intermediate School musical ensembles played and sang beautifully to welcome in the season at the IS Winter Concert, held for the first time in the Spangler Center. The String Orchestra, Concert Chorus, Handbell Ensemble, and Symphonic Band performed seasonal selections Greensleeves, Dona nobis pacem, In the Bleak Midwinter, and Celtic Bell Carol, respectively. Other crowd favorites included the orchestra’s energetic Dance of the Tumblers, the inspiring Let it Go from the chorus, a rhythmic Gloria Hodie played by the handbells, and Hidden Wonders, a stirring piece from the band. A gallery and recording will be emailed on Monday, December 19.

    French Students Spread La Gaieté
    French Students Spread La Gaieté

    On Tuesday, IS French students welcomed the winter season, singing “Vive le Vent” (“Jingle Bells”) and spreading holiday cheer as they caroled through the halls and into the Flag Circle building, where they offered lunchtime entertainment for Middle School students. Then, they enjoyed a special French luncheon – a feast of crêpes, quiches, bûches de Noël, and other traditional fare – prepared by parents and teachers. Bonne Année et Merci à tous! Enjoy the video!

    Intermediate School Dates

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    Upper School News

    Upper School

    Winter Lights Assembly Today

    The Upper School will gather this afternoon for our annual Winter Lights Assembly. Each year, four seniors and one faculty member are selected to speak about their holiday traditions; these remarks are accompanied by performances by many of our musical ensembles and a capella groups. Parents are invited to join us via livestream. Happy holidays from all of us in the Upper School!

    Read More about Winter Lights Assembly Today
    US Robotics Competes at Battle of the Bridge
    US Robotics Competes at Battle of the Bridge

    This weekend, two US robotics teams traveled to Woodbridge, VA, to compete in "Battle of the Bridge," one of the largest tournaments of the academic year. The tournament provided a great chance to see other Virginia robotics teams and qualify for States. Team 12X (sophomores Erim Ozcan, Ben Muhlendorf, Michael Giuliano, Andrew Mu, Ava Moazzez, and Ritvik Bandi) finished the qualifications ranked first, with a 6-0 record, while also ranking fourth overall in the skills competition. They continued their winning run throughout the day, becoming the tournament champions and going 10-0 for the entire tournament! Team 12B (juniors Ben Runde, Arav Bhargava, Daniel Overdeck, Devin Gaines, and David Gardner) also had a successful day, finishing 20th while going 3-3. They ended up reaching the quarterfinals, where they lost in a close match to 12X.

    Read More about US Robotics Competes at Battle of the Bridge
    Coffeehouse Returns to the Crossroads

    One of the Upper School's most beloved traditions, Coffeehouse, returned to the Crossroads for the first time since the winter of 2019, much to the excitement of the student body. A packed house adorned with holiday lights and decorations provided a festive setting for an evening of student performances that included cover and original songs, poetry readings, and stand-up comedy. The event also raised awareness and more than $735 for the Red Cross's Vaccinate a Village program, a fundraiser spearheaded by Potomac's Red Cross Club leaders, sophomores Anaahita Kaashyap and Leela Iyer. A big thank you goes out to Potomac’s Building and Grounds crew for setting up the space, the Technology Team for helping with all of our audio needs, and the Coffeehouse Committee: seniors Ella Adamec, Emma Chun, Gracie Courtauld, Andrew Lay, and Ben Schirmeier. 

    Read More about Coffeehouse Returns to the Crossroads
    Upcoming Lunchtime Conversation with Tom Dillon ’98
    Upcoming Lunchtime Conversation with Tom Dillon ’98

    Tom Dillon '98, founder of the Literacy Lab, a nonprofit that works to close the literacy gap among low-income children from age 3 through grade 3, will return to Potomac to discuss his new project, Otto Learning. The social venture seeks to address the literacy crisis through custom AI-powered voice recognition technology that empowers emerging readers to practice foundational reading skills out loud. On January 5, Mr. Dillion will lead a Lunchtime Conversation with US students. His remarks about his career, new venture, and the volunteer support needed should be of special interest to students involved with service learning, computer science, and the EFEB concentration. 

    Read More about Upcoming Lunchtime Conversation with Tom Dillon ’98
    Pilkerton Advisees Create Gingerbread Houses

    Madame Pilkerton, French teacher and Upper School registrar, and her grade 10 advisees recently held a gingerbread house-making competition. Each group was provided the same set of resources but was allowed to supplement with additional items from home to adorn their sweet abodes. A team of faculty will determine a winner later this week. Happy Holidays from the Pilkerton advisory!

    Read More about Pilkerton Advisees Create Gingerbread Houses
    SDLC Juniors Meet With Mr. Jaeger

    Eager to hear about their experience at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), Acting Head of School Tim Jaeger invited the six juniors who participated to join him for a working lunch. The students had the opportunity to share about the impact that SDLC had on them personally, the skills they gained at the conference, and ideas they have for continuing DEI work at Potomac. Discussion topics included the importance of affinity groups and spaces, the need to engage students in DEI work across all grades, and gender disparity within the realm of DEI work. Mr. Jaeger and the students are excited to continue working together throughout the spring!

    Read More about SDLC Juniors Meet With Mr. Jaeger

    Upper School Dates

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    US T208 Tiered Classroom

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    Athletics

    Athletics

    College Night for Prospective Scholar-Athletes 

    Join us as we welcome college coaches, administrators, and directors of admission for Potomac's College Night for Prospective Scholar-Athletes on Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 pm, in the US Tiered Classroom. Students interested in participating in athletics during their college years are encouraged to attend this program, which is open to all US students and their parents. Topics will include getting recruited, living the life of a collegiate athlete, the NCAA Eligibility Center, and terminology that students and parents will encounter during athletic recruitment. If there are specific topics that you would like to have addressed during this meeting, please email Assistant Director of Athletics Asha Franklin or Associate Director of College Counseling Chris Zissi.

    Looking for a Few More Panther Pit Heroes!

    Thank you to all our parent volunteers for making the grand re-opening of the Panther Pit a roaring success!  Because of your dedication, we were able to serve over 200 Intermediate and Upper School students each day, giving them a place to recharge after school and before athletics. We sold more than 3,000 bottles of Gatorade, 1,500 bags of Skittles, and 1,400 bags of popcorn these past three months!

    We are looking for volunteers to staff the Panther Pit next semester. Please complete this Google form if you’re interested in helping out. We will follow up with everyone over the Winter Break to let you know your volunteer shift. Thank you again for being a part of the Potomac community!

    Swim Travels to Woodberry
    The swim team, led by their newly appointed senior captains Samantha Taylormoore, Grace Lee, Brock Schedler, Alex Christ, and Greg Zubler, recently competed in a meet at Woodberry Forest School. The girls engaged in a close dual meet with St. Anne’s-Belfield School, and the boys were locked in a five-way meet against Woodberry, Collegiate, Fork Union, and St. Anne’s-Belfield. The girls came out on top (89 to 77). while the boys defeated St. Anne’s-Belfield and Fork Union but fell to Woodberry and Collegiate.
     
    The girls had many wins on the day, including Sabine Barbee ’26 in the 200 free, Kate Douglas ’26 in the 200 IM and the 100 free, the 200 freestyle relay team (Taylormoore, Kate Reynolds ’26, Madeleine Steves ’26, and Douglas), and Steves in the 100 breaststroke. Claire McEwen ’26 completed the 500 freestyle, one of the most notorious events in the high school lineup, while Barbee closely edged out one St. Anne’s swimmer for a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke.
     
    The boys also competed well with Christ setting a fast example in the 500 freestyle. Will Piester ’26 executed well in the 100 breaststroke resulting in a personal best time and an eight second drop.
    Girls Bball
    Girls Basketball Continues Winning Streak

    The girls varsity basketball team swept all three of their Virginia Independent School opponents, enhancing their chances for a stronger seeding at the end of the season. Each game was decided early in the contest, as the Panthers easily handled Episcopal (54-14), St. Stephens & St. Agnes (69-36), and Collegiate (64-26). Catherine LeTendre ’25 led all scorers with 14 points in the win against Episcopal. Calen McCormack ’23 sparked the team with her 13 points against SSSA. And Skylar Giuliani ’25 gave a strong performance against Collegiate with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

    Wrestlers Take Two From Tough IAC Opponents

    The Panther wrestling squad beat St. Alban's and Georgetown Prep this past Tuesday in the Landry Wrestling Center. Potomac beat St. Albans 42-24 and Georgetown Prep 36-30. Bram Halpert '23, Richard Perry '25, Jeremy DeLaVille '24, Devin Tuladhar '26, and Jason Seeber '25 all notched two wins on the evening. Carter Donald '25, Anthony Cipriani '26, Adar Weinman '25, and Aidan Cullinan '23 won a match each. The Panthers next see action at The Pat Dulaney Invitational at Langley High School and the Holiday Classic Invitational at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes. View the full wrestling schedule. Happy Holidays from the Potomac wrestling family!

    Girls Squash Picks Up Two Wins
    Girls Squash Picks Up Two Wins

    Girls varsity squash recently had a home match against Stone Ridge. The Panthers emerged victorious with a 13-1 defeat over Stone Ridge, defending their victory from last year. There were great 3-0 wins from many players, such as Anya Aggarwal ’25, Haley Coon ‘24, and Alex Meek ‘23. It was a great match for the Panthers! The girls squash team also defeated Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School. Although the match was close with Potomac winning 8-5, all but one of their individual wins were 3-0. In Harper Kelly’s ’25 game, she started off down two games, 7-11 and 15-17, making an impressive comeback in the back half of her match with a 3-2 win.

    Athletics Dates