At last Friday’s Opening Assembly, Head of School John Kowalik welcomed students, faculty, and staff to the start of the 2022-23 school year. The celebration began with a procession of the school’s oldest and youngest students, as the members of the Class of 2023 escorted the kindergartners into their first Potomac assembly. Inspiring remarks followed, with Mr. Kowalik reflecting on the meaning and importance of generosity of spirit, and Student Government Association President Yabby Maelaf ’23 urging her fellow students to follow their passions and persevere as they pursue their goals. A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the 2022 Bill Cook Excellent Teaching Award to two outstanding faculty members (see article below). The IS/US chorus closed the assembly with a beautiful a capella version of Potomac’s alma mater. Enjoy a video and photo gallery from the special day. 

A very meaningful part of Potomac’s Opening Assembly is the presentation of the school’s Bill Cook Excellent Teaching Award. Named in honor of beloved teacher and assistant head of school Bill Cook, who passed away in 2016, the award is presented annually to teachers “who exemplify the commitment to excellence and love of learning that define a Potomac School education.” This year there were two honorees: Nick Hanson and Shefali Sardar.

Mr. Hanson joined Potomac’s Music Department in 2006. Through his efforts, the school’s handbell program has grown to include five ensembles, featuring 139 students in grades 5 through 12. In addition to leading Potomac’s program, he has spoken at music conventions and conducted at handbell festivals throughout the United States and in England, China, and Singapore. Many of his handbell compositions and arrangements have been published. 

Ms. Sardar is the Middle School’s first academic dean, a role she has held since 2016. In nearly 25 years at Potomac, she has held a number of classroom and administrative positions. She began as an MS teaching intern, then served as a sixth grade teacher, a language arts resource teacher, and the Middle School’s language arts and humanities coordinator before being named dean.

Both Mr. Hanson and Ms. Sardar are known for their focus on student success and unwavering commitment to excellence. We thank them for their many contributions to Potomac and congratulate them on receiving this well-deserved honor.

Hundreds of students and family members came to campus to celebrate the start of the new school year at last week’s Welcome Back Cookout, hosted by the Fathers Association of The Potomac School (FAPS). It was a great opportunity to reunite with old friends and meet new ones while cheering for the Panthers, as the boys varsity soccer and football teams took the field. Read the game recaps in the Athletics section below. A huge thank you to all the FAPS members who volunteered their time and grilling skills, helping to make this year’s event a huge success. 

An additional thank you to the girls varsity soccer and volleyball teams and their coaches for providing an amazing time for our K-6 students at the sports clinics before the cookout. What a great show of Panther spirit! Enjoy the photos.

Please join us for LS Parent Night, this evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Lower School faculty and staff members are looking forward to seeing you! We will assemble in the EPAC’s Langstaff Auditorium for introductions, highlights from special subject teachers, and remarks from LS Head Dr. Donnette Echols and LS Dean Michelle O'Hara. Parents will then head to their child's homeroom class, where homeroom teachers and parent reps will present. Please be aware that children do not attend Parent Night. As in past years, school directories will be distributed at the divisional Parent Nights. Please note that your family’s directory will be available for pick up at the Parent Night for the division in which your oldest Potomac student is enrolled.

In Lower School, we commemorated the 21^st anniversary of September 11 by celebrating Patriot's Day. It is an opportunity for our students to show their gratitude to our local community helpers (police officers, firefighters, and health care workers). We passed around a jumbo card for all our students to write either their names or a thank you message for the McLean Firehouse.

Freed Photography will be on campus on Monday, September 19, to take individual and class photos for Lower School students. Look for an email from Freed Photography with information about how to order photo packages.

Save the date! Our Kindergarten and Grade 1 Parent Coffee will take place on Tuesday, September 20, 8:30 am, in Ramsey Assembly. Parents are invited to hear Lower School Head Dr. Donnette Echols and Lower School Dean Michelle O'Hara speak about grade-level developmental milestones and goals. Additionally, faculty members Gladys Alfaro Moisa, Anni Ince-McKillop, and Kristin Smith will share highlights about our grade-level reading, writing, and math curricula. We hope to see you there!

Save the date! Our Grades 2 and 3 Parent Coffee will take place on Thursday, September 22, 8:30 am, in Ramsey Assembly. Parents are invited to hear Lower School Head Dr. Donnette Echols and Lower School Dean Michelle O'Hara speak about grade-level developmental milestones and goals. Additionally, faculty members Amanda Gibb, Michelle Michlik, and Nadia Pardesi will share highlights about our grade-level reading, writing, and math curricula.

Our first LS Sharing Assembly will be on Friday, September 23, 11:00 am, in Ramsey Assembly, and will feature Mrs. Hoffmann's and Mr. McEwen’s homerooms. Parents are invited.

Please check your child's homeroom Bloomz page to find out when their class will be participating in a Sharing Assembly. Please note that only division-wide assemblies will be livestreamed and recorded.

Middle School students are enjoying catching up on the news each morning as they wait in the MS Square for the first bell to ring. Don't be surprised if your child comes home with a few stock tips to share.

Please mark your calendars for MS Parent Night on Thursday, September 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. More details about the evening will be shared next week.

Middle School parents are invited to join us for our annual Welcome and Friendship Assembly, which will be held in Langstaff Auditorium on Friday, September 23, 9:30 am. This MS tradition, which includes class performances, presentations, and songs, will kick off our year with a tone of friendship and caring.

At the end of September, the entire sixth grade will travel with our PE teachers to Camp Crowell in Oakton, Virginia. Ms. Furr’s and Ms. Fields' classes will head out for this fun, all-day adventure on Tuesday, September 27. Ms. Coffeen’s and Ms. Morgan's classes will go the following day, Wednesday, September 28. The PE department will send out a letter next week with more details and a required waiver for parents to sign. Students on the school lunch plan will be provided a bagged lunch from Meriwether-Godsey. 

Freed Photography will be on campus on Tuesday, September 20, to take individual and class photos for Middle School students. Students will not change to PE uniforms on this day; they should wear comfortable sneakers for their PE classes, which will be tailored specifically for a day in full uniform. Information about online ordering will be forthcoming from Freed Photography. Each student will be provided a unique ID number, which parents will use to order their preferred photo packages from Freed.

On Wednesday, September 21, 8:30 am, all IS and US parents are invited to our Athletics Parent Coffee. The event will be held in the Spangler Center Team Room (on the building’s lower level). Director of Athletics Erica Woda will speak about the impact and value of participating in athletics, share program updates and thoughts about the road ahead, and answer your questions. 

Potomac eighth graders will spend a day bonding and hiking on Friday, September 30. During the day students will hike local trails with their homerooms. In the afternoon, all homerooms will report back to campus to kick off an evening of fun and team-building. The eighth graders will stay at school following the 3:15 pm bell and depart on the 5:30 pm bus or be picked up by their parents in front of the IS building. You can view an overview of the day here and advisors will share more specific information next week.

During the IS’s Opening Assembly last week, the students were challenged to identify the themes present in six song clips. Once all the tracks were played, the students worked in advisory groups to identify how the collection of songs created a message. In the end, it was revealed that the collection of songs represented Potomac’s core values of courage, humility, integrity, respect, and perseverance.

After the game, Intermediate School Head Ryan Woods introduced the IS to this year’s theme, “Core” Characters. Throughout the year, assemblies and advisory periods will highlight people who, in one epic moment or throughout their lives, exhibited one or more of Potomac's core values. These "Core" Characters will be displayed on the themed bulletin board off the IS Commons. We look forward to hearing stories from and about Potomac parents and alumni, as well as famous figures.

Grade 7 parents recently received a letter about the upcoming class trip to Caroline Furnace, included in the letter were links to two forms that must be printed out, signed, and returned to school: the Potomac School Overnight Field Trip Release and the Shenandoah Outfitters Release. The students also received copies of these forms to bring home.

Please note that an additional form, which can be submitted online, must be completed to determine swimming abilities and identify dietary restrictions. All forms are due by Monday, September 19.

Next Tuesday, September 20, is the individual and group picture day for IS students. Information about online ordering will be forthcoming from Freed Photography. Each student will be provided a unique ID number, which parents will use to order their preferred photo packages from Freed.

Last Friday, IS students met with their coaches for the first time this year. They were introduced to the athletics program and given their uniforms, then met separately in smaller groups by team. Some Upper School students came to share their experiences and advice related to Potomac athletics. Wishing everyone good luck this season!

During homeroom last Friday, advisors engaged IS students in a discussion about 9/11. The students watched a short video highlighting Tribute in Light, a commemorative public art installation. The installation was first presented six months after the terrorist attacks and then every subsequent year, from dusk to dawn, on the night of September 11. A moment of silence was held at the end of homeroom to pay tribute to those who lost their lives as a result of 9/11.

The college counselors met with seniors this week to help them move forward with the completion of their college searches and applications. Senior parents will get a chance to receive similar information during a Senior Parent Coffee on Monday, September 19, 8:30 am, in the Upper School Library. If you are unable to attend in person, the session can be accessed here. 

Please join us on campus for Upper School Parent Night, Thursday, September 22, 7:00-9:30 pm, where you will get a chance to meet your child’s advisor and teachers. We ask that parents arrive in the Upper Crossroads between 6:30 and 6:55 pm, where you will receive a school directory and the schedule for the evening. At 7:00 pm, the program will begin in the Lower Crossroads with remarks from Upper School Head Doug McLane. Parents will then follow a modified schedule of their child’s classes. Student stewards and members of the Upper School administrative team will be on hand to guide you throughout the evening.

On Monday morning, the US observed a moment of silence in recognition of the 21st anniversary of September 11, 2001. In a message to the community, Mr. McLane asked students and teachers to reflect on the heroism, selflessness, and generosity of spirit displayed that day and, in the weeks, and months that followed. 

Students in Jia Laoshi’s Chinese class celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival last week. The immersive experience taught the students about the second most important festival in China. They enjoyed making and tasting traditional mooncakes and exploring the cultural meaning of the festival through songs, poems, and legends.  

The opening week of classes ended with a special community gathering. Hosted by our new senior emcees, Annabel Cronic, Fernando Falcon, Lea Saba, and Patrick Wolff, the first US Meeting of the year was a joyful way to conclude the week. After setting out the expectations for US Meetings and sharing a few brief announcements, our emcees introduced themselves and led the division in a rousing game of rock, paper, scissors. Though the decision was mired in controversy, we believe that the winner was US Head Doug McLane.

And we're off – on US trips and retreats, that is. Upper School students have a busy week of community-building experiences. Our seniors are enjoying a few beautiful days in Chincoteague, VA, and our freshmen arrived at Camp Tockwogh in Maryland this morning. Sophomores and juniors will be participating in Community Action Days, serving community partners throughout the region, in addition to engaging with one another in class bonding experiences. Watch next week’s Paw Prints for reports on these exciting activities.

Our crowd-pleasing candy counter game will return to Fall Frolics this year, and we need lots of sweets! When you come to campus for a meeting or sporting event, or for US Parent Night next Thursday, please bring along a bag of individually wrapped candy to donate. There will be collection bins at all division entrances. Thank you for your support!