Dear Parents,
When talking with students about decisions they made that go counter to their good character and Potomac’s Core Values, I consistently ask them to consider what influenced their choices. Although I don’t track this data, I can safely say that a high percentage of students identify extreme fatigue or lack of sleep as a contributing factor. My amateur theory that there is a direct correlation between quality of sleep and adolescent behavior was confirmed by health professionals Dr. McCarthy, Dr. Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver at the PA Spotlight on Wednesday, October 18. In fact, the authors of Raising a Kid Who Can: Simple Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Adaptability and Emotional Strength made it clear that rest, recreation, and routine are the roots of good mental health. If you missed the event, I encourage you to watch the discussion.
During their presentation to the Potomac community, the authors pointed to peer-reviewed studies and MRI brain imaging that prove that proper sleep reduces the risk of depression, inhibits anxiety, flushes adrenaline and other toxins from the brain, and increases the capacity for learning and memory. Their own words illustrate the power of sleep more clearly. “Sleep is one of the most critical components for body and brain health, impacting everything from cognitive function and mental well-being to growth, height, and immunity.” (McCarty et al., 27)
This summer, members of Potomac’s health and wellness team conducted an audit of current programming through the lens of the school’s newly adopted definition of health and wellness. The resulting programmatic adjustments align with messages from the authors. First, seventh grade Seminar now includes a unit on sleep. Second, in all health and wellness conversations and lessons, the direct connection between all six dimensions of wellness is emphasized. In the context of this letter, sleep, a component of physical wellness, has far-reaching impacts on all other dimensions of wellness.
If you are like me, you are reading this newsletter late in the evening after the house is settled and the children are in their rooms. Stop reading now and go get your children to sleep, and then you do the same. Ryan Woods Head of Intermediate School |
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Everything You Need to Know: Parent Conferences
Intermediate School Parent-Advisor Conferences are scheduled for Friday, November 10. During the 30-minute meeting, parents will share information they have about their child’s start to the year, hear observations and insights that the advisors have gathered from teachers, and collaboratively shape goals for the months ahead. Key areas of focus during the conference will be connections students have made with other students and their teachers and each child’s learning habits. While the students have completed graded assignments throughout the first quarter of the year, focusing on the habits and actions that have fueled their results will help identify specific areas for growth.
On Tuesday, November 7, or Wednesday, November 8, each student will have a one-on-one conversation with their advisor. During this conference, they will review interim reports prepared by each teacher, which include a detailed checklist and brief bullet-point comments; cumulative course grades are not included. That evening, the students will come home with a copy of their interim reports and a document that they will use to guide a discussion with their parents. The students are asked to lead this at-home "conference" prior to November 10.
Parents can sign up for parent-advisor conferences through the parent portal section of CampusNET beginning on Wednesday, November 1, at noon. Conference sign-ups will close at noon on Wednesday, November 8. It is assumed that all conferences will take place on campus, but if a Zoom conference is preferred, parents can email their child’s advisor by Thursday, November 9, to request a link. Questions about accessing the parent portal can be emailed to Loretta Sevier.
The interim conference process provides each child the opportunity to carefully reflect on the first two months of the school year and identify specific areas of growth to focus on for the remainder of the semester. Advisors look forward to partnering with parents to move this important work forward. |
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Creating Routines Through Conference Block "Training"
The #1 essential from Raising a Kid Who Can is “Getting Your Three R’s: Rest, Recreation, and Routine.” In order to help our students build routines, all students participated in a week of Conference Block “training” to develop healthy and sustainable routines to maximize their study hall time.
During the weeklong training, students learned how to make a plan to complete their homework based on brain science and motivation, color-coded and organized their planner, and participated in a photo scavenger hunt, taking pictures of what Conference Blocks do and do not look like (pictured above is a well used Conference Block). By taking time to help develop routines early in the year, we hope students feel empowered to carry them forward and have more time for rest and recreation. |
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InSights Insider Grade 7 Parent and Student Social
The seventh grade parent and student social, a Zoo-fari-themed dinner and dance, will take place on November 16, at 6:00 pm. This letter contains information about this important event that students and one parent/guardian are expected to attend.
Transitioning from Fall to Winter Athletics
The fall athletics season ends on Friday, November 3. Please remind your child to turn in their uniform to their coach. If you have not already done so, please read this letter that contains information for the winter season. |
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Dates to Know IS Make-Up Photo Day Thursday, November 2
8:00 am IS Pingree Garden Fall Musical: Willy Wonka, Jr. Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4 Langstaff Auditorium Friday Night Lights Friday, November 3 5:30 pm IS Winter Sports Season Begins Monday, November 6 2:00 pm Athletic Fields Parent-Teacher Conference Day (No Classes) Friday, November 10 8:00 am to 3:30 pm Intermediate School US Parent and Student Information Session (Grade 8 Parents & Students) Wednesday, November 15 6:00 pm Kettler Crossroads, Upper School Grade 7 Parent and Student Social (Zoo-fari) Thursday, November 16 6:00 pm Leonsis Dining Room, Upper School All School Thanksgiving Assembly (No athletics) Tuesday, November 21 2:00 pm Spangler Thanksgiving Break Wednesday, November 22 to Friday, November 24 No Classes |
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