2024 Winter ETC - Potomac School

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Contact Us

Shveta Khullar
Director of Auxiliary Programs
(703) 749-6380

Semedra Thomas Fields
Director of Extended Day and After School Educational Program
(703) 749-6307

2024 Winter After School Classes

The enrichment classes for Winter 2024 ETC will run from January 16 to March 6, with the exception of Panther Game Time, and ETC Workshops and Sports Clinics. Below please see the schedule and details of all our offerings.

Monday: Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 26, Mar. 4 (6 weeks)
Tuesday: Jan. 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 5 (7 weeks)
Wednesday: Jan. 17, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 6 (7 weeks, no class Wednesday, January 24, 2024)
Thursday: Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (7 weeks)

Registration will open Thursday, November 9 at 9:30 am and run through noon on Friday, December 15. To view our offerings at a glance, click here. Information about our cancellation and refund policy can be found here.

ETC Workshops/Weekend Clinics- Please click here to access information regarding our ETC workshops or weekend clinics.

Lower School Classes

Checkmate Adventures (kindergarten-grade 6)

Course Description: Let’s have some FUN while learning different chess strategies. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons will range from basic rules to advanced tournament strategies. Students will have the opportunity to play in tournaments (in-person and online) outside of the club time. In-person tournaments are at an additional cost. The group will have an opportunity to participate in weekly practice tournaments and an event with world champion Magnus Carlsen or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player of all time. All skill levels are welcome.

Teacher: Magnus Chess Instructor
Day: Wednesday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $290.00

Video Games Unplugged using LEGO® Materials (kindergarten-grade 3)

Course Description: Level up your LEGO® Engineering skills in this video game-inspired experience. Our Play-Well instructors bring your favorite video game characters and experiences to real life. Using LEGO®, learn Link’s signature moves to defeat enemies, build mechanisms to make sonic spin and take out Robotnik, and even build go-karts to challenge Mario and friends in a race for the Mushroom Cup. All the fun of a video game adventure without the screen!

Teacher: Play-Well Technology, Ms. Becca
Day: Monday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $225.00

Panther Game Time (kindergarten-grade3)

Course Description: This class is for students who love being active in a fast paced high-energy environment. Our youngest panthers will participate in games that they have enjoyed in Physical Education class and will also be introduced to traditional team sports such as basketball, soccer and flag football. Students will improve their overall coordination and work on their throwing, catching and kicking skills. All skill levels are welcome.

Teacher: Barbara Mays, Lower and Middle School Physical Education Teacher and Coach
Day: Tuesday - 5 weeks only ( Jan. 23 ,30, Feb 6, 13, 20)
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $125.00

Adventures in Spanish (grade 1-3)

Course Description: In this class, students will explore Spanish language and culture through participation in conversation, games, and songs. They will learn through storytelling, creative movement, the arts, and more. This immersive experience will allow them to begin to develop an “ear” for the spoken language, including tones, accents, and rhythms. The objective is to make the student’s initial exposure to Spanish a relaxed, enjoyable, and enriching experience.

Teacher: Nancy Alarcon-Levy, Potomac School Substitute and ETC Teacher
Day: Tuesday (January 23 - March 5)
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $175.00

Cooks with Books (grades 1-3)

Course Description: Calling all chefs! In this interactive culinary class, students will embark on a journey where books come to life through the magic of cooking. Each session begins with a brief storytime, allowing us to dive into captivating tales to spark the imagination. Following our book, students will roll up their sleeves and step into the kitchen to bring the stories to the table, cooking recipes, and dishes inspired by our book! Join us for a class where literature and culinary arts blend seamlessly, creating a recipe for both literacy and tasty fun!

Teacher: Morgan Downing, Lower School Technology Teacher and JV Volleyball Coach
Day: Thursday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $225.00 (includes supplies cost)

Arts and Crafts (grades 1-3)

Course Description: Embark on an enchanting adventure through the magical world of art! Get ready to unleash your imagination and dive into a thrilling journey that will transport you from the time of cavemen to the vibrant modernism era. With every stroke of the brush and every splash of color, you'll unlock the secrets of creativity and have a blast expressing yourself like never before. Join us today for an unforgettable experience that will ignite your passion for art and leave you smiling from ear to ear!

Teacher: Oksana Ehle, Extended Day Teacher, Artist, and Baker
Day: Tuesday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $200.00 (includes supplies cost)

Middle School Classes

Checkmate Adventures (kindergarten-grade 6)

Course Description: Let’s have some FUN while learning different chess strategies. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons will range from basic rules to advanced tournament strategies. Students will have the opportunity to play in tournaments (in-person and online) outside of the club time. In-person tournaments are at an additional cost. The group will have an opportunity to participate in weekly practice tournaments and an event with world champion Magnus Carlsen or Judit Polgar, the best female chess player of all time. All skill levels are welcome.

Teacher: Magnus Chess Instructor
Day: Wednesday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $290.00

Cooks with Books (grades 4-6)

Teacher: Morgan Downing, Lower School Technology Teacher and JV Volleyball Coach
Day: Monday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $200.00 (includes supplies cost)

Graphic Design (grades 4-6)

Course Description: If you enjoy designing posters and backgrounds on Canva, editing videos, or even just love art, join the Graphic Design ETC class! In this project-based course, we will create logo and brand designs, build websites and mood boards, and even create our own stickers to take home! Chromebooks will be provided for 4th graders, and 5th graders. 6th graders should bring their Chromebooks to class.

Teacher: Ella Nagy-Benson, Middle School Teacher and Girls Lacrosse Coach
Day: Thursday
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Cost: $200.00 (includes technology fees)

6th Grade Debate

Course Description: Learn about public speaking and discourse through debate! Under the direction of Harry Strong and Dr. Jeremy Metz, as well as current Varsity students in the Upper School competitive program, students begin to learn about debate through a World Schools style parli format. Participants are expected to prepare and debate using evidence that is provided, and also evidence they produce through their research. The students will have an opportunity to scrimmage students from other Independent schools around the country.

Teachers: Dr. Jeremy Metz, Upper School English Teacher and Assistant Speech & Debate Coach
Day: Thursday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $225.00

5th & 6th Grade Speech

Class will now include Gr. 6 Speech

Course Description: This class will give students the practical skills of building a clear argument and communicating that argument effectively. The content-based skills will focus on logical flow and providing evidence for their claims. The delivery-based skills are eye contact and projection. The 5th - 6th grade Speech class will work with the instructor, Kayla Williamson, to put these skills into practice so they have a solid foundation of confidence in their speaking.

Teacher: Kayla Williamson, Upper School Humanities Teacher
Day: Monday
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $200.00

6th Grade Speech (CANCELLED)

class combined with Gr. 5 Speech on Mondays

Course Description: 6th grade speech will equip students with the practical skills of how to structure a speech, using a main idea and supporting evidence. It will also provide them with confidence-building delivery skills such as eye contact and vocal production. This class will focus on several of the same skills of the 5th grade speech class. However, it will include a completely new set of prompts. Both students who took 5th grade speech and those who are new to speech are welcome.

Teacher: Kayla Williamson, Upper School Humanities Teacher

Day: Monday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $200.00

Intermediate School Classes

IS Debate (grades 7-8)

IS Debate (grades 7-8)

Course Description: Learn about public speaking and discourse through debate! Under the direction of Head Coach Harry Strong and Dr. Jeremy Metz, as well as current varsity students in the Upper School competitive program, students begin to learn about debate by practicing the fundamentals of public forum debate. The class provides many opportunities for students to improve their public speaking on topics that are both fun and timely. As students advance, they will gain experience in using evidence and engaging in research of their own. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a local tournament at the end of the session, which many find to be enjoyable and motivating. Students who participate in Epic Debate will find themselves well-prepared for the award-winning competitive program in the Upper School.

Teachers: Dr. Jeremy Metz, Upper School English Teacher and Assistant Speech & Debate Coach, and Julian Dodson, Upper School Debate Coach

Day: Wednesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $225.00