DEAR FRIENDS,

The 2022-23 school year is well underway, and we’re having an amazing fall at Potomac. The easing of pandemic restrictions has brought us not just a sense of relief but something even more powerful – a surge of energy and renewed excitement. I have felt this in our classrooms and assemblies, on our athletic fields, and in every corner of campus where students, teachers, parents, and alumni gather. We have come through an extraordinary time together, and I believe that the past two years have given us fresh appreciation for being part of an engaged, connected school community.

Potomac’s mission is to prepare young people for lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit. Thoughtful planning and management are key to ensuring that we achieve this mission. In 2018, the Board of Trustees and administration developed Potomac’s Strategic Roadmap, which guides our planning and decision-making. The roadmap is built around four foundational commitments: excellent teaching, empowering students, connected community, and financial sustainability I would like to take this opportunity to mention some of the initiatives that are underway this year in support of these commitments.

Excellent teaching is at the core of the student experience, so attracting and retaining the best faculty and staff is key. We know that K-12 education is not immune to the “Great Resignation” that has led to workforce shortages across many professions and industries. While Potomac has not experienced significant faculty and staff attrition, we recognize that the challenges posed by the pandemic put tremendous stress on our teachers, with effects that linger. This year, we are focusing on efforts to promote engagement, prevent burnout, and strengthen employee retention. As part of this effort, I am meeting with small groups of faculty and staff to hear their perspectives and discuss strategies to support our employees. Along with sustaining a supportive, collegial work environment that fosters professional excellence, Potomac will continue to offer attractive salaries and benefits and a robust faculty professional development program.

Our school empowers students through a rigorous, wellrounded educational program that fuels the development of their knowledge, skills, and talents. Understanding that good health is essential for learning and growth, we have made a concerted effort to examine factors that contribute to mental and emotional health challenges in young people and ensure that we are providing the best possible support for our students. Last year, we added a fourth professional to our Counseling Team. This year, our Intermediate and Upper Schools are piloting new daily schedules, designed to balance the academic workload and ensure a studentcentered experience. As we implement such strategies to support our students’ mental health and well-being, we will also continue to prioritize an excellent academic program that challenges them to stretch and grow.

Emerging from the pandemic, we seek to amplify Potomac’s focus on connected community. This work takes place on many fronts, as we strive to more fully engage students, parents, faculty and staff, and alumni in the life of our school. This fall, James Hightower III joined Potomac in the newly created senior position director of community engagement. James is working with colleagues across campus to plan initiatives that will bring Potomac people together, fuel school spirit, and promote a strong sense of inclusion and engagement. As I write this, we are coming off a wonderful Fall Frolics/Homecoming/Alumni Reunion weekend and our first-ever Friday Night Lights celebration, both of which brought large numbers of people to campus for fun and friendship. There will be many more activities to connect the Potomac community throughout the year, and I hope that you will join us.

Finally, the Strategic Roadmap directs us to focus on financial sustainability – operating our school in a fiscally responsible manner today, while building a strong foundation for tomorrow. An important objective this year is revitalizing our Growing Ever Greater capital campaign, which was paused during the pandemic. Our early campaign efforts generated incredible energy, optimism, and generosity, manifested most visibly in the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community. We are eager to rekindle that spirit as we look toward our next major capital goals – renovation of the Middle School; repurposing and refurbishment of areas around the Chester Gym; and increased endowment support for faculty excellence, student financial aid, and innovative academic programming. You will be hearing more about these priorities in the months ahead.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of The Term, which highlights some remarkable alumni and many of the exciting things happening here at Potomac. Thank you for your continued interest and support.

All my best,

John Kowalik Head of School