Greetings! 

School has started, the campus is buzzing, and the Alumni Office is looking forward to a fantastic year! This summer, I worked closely with the Alumni Governing Council executive committee, comprised of president Reed Landry '99, vice president Cate Rooney '08, and secretary Rory Byrnes '01, as well as with the full AGC. We've been planning social, cultural, and educational events for 2017-18, and we look forward to engaging with Potomac's vibrant alumni community! 

There are a variety of ways to stay connected with Potomac. Visit our alumni website, follow us on Facebook, or join our LinkedIn group. Also, check out Potomac Connect, a resource for professional networking open exclusively to Potomac alumni.

If you have an idea you would like to share, are interested in volunteering, or simply want to say hello, please stop by my office, send me an email, or call me at (703) 749-6356.

Best wishes, 

Laura Miller 
Director of Alumni Relations

THIS SATURDAY: JOIN US FOR FALL FROLICS AND HOMECOMING
It's that time of year again! Catch up with friends and relive Potomac memories with your own little ones at Homecoming and Fall Frolics this Saturday, October 14. The carnival begins at 10:00 am, and the Panthers will take on the Maret Fighting Frogs at 2:00 pm for the Homecoming football game. Grab a bite to eat, enjoy games and rides, and take a peek at Nearly New before enjoying the game! And don't forget to visit the alumni reception tent, located on the Tundra, for your free Homecoming t-shirt (first come, first served). We hope to see you there!

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: JONATHAN LINDSAY
Upper School faculty member Jonathan Lindsay began working at Potomac before most of today's students were born, and despite his intention of only teaching for two years, he's stayed for the past 18! Here, Jonathan talks about what brought him to the school in 1999 and what's kept him here so long 

Q: What brought you to Potomac, and how has your career path here unfolded? 
A: When I came here, my aunt [the late Rosie Turner] was Potomac's band director; that was my connection to the school. My first job here was coordinating computer science, robotics, and IT for the Upper School. After a couple of years, the head of the Science Department retired, and I was asked to take on a teaching role. Today, I teach two AP Physics courses, a general physics class, and two senior electives --engineering design and astronomy. Over the years, I've had opportunities to develop classes to better suit our students' needs and abilities. I have found those opportunities very exciting. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with Upper School students?
A: The students inspire me. I particularly enjoy working with some of our seniors; I get to see a fully-formed Potomac student, and they are wonderful to work with. Even if they're not into science, they're always engaged, thoughtful, and interesting.

Q: What has changed at Potomac over the years, and what's stayed the same?
A: There has definitely been a lot of change due to administrative shifts over time. The really good ideas stick around, and the school becomes this big place of best practices. Certainly, the physical plant has grown. I think genuine relationships and quality classroom experiences have always been at the core of what we do here. Those things define the Potomac experience.
 

Q: Do you have a favorite Potomac memory or tradition?
A: Usually, whatever year I'm in kind of feels like the best year! I do enjoy getting to know the students better and hearing their stories, so the Winter Lights Assembly is always neat when students are up on stage sharing about their lives. But I just enjoy being in the classroom with my students -- as long as I can do that, it's going to be a good day.

LOOKING TO HIRE? NEED AN INTERNSHIP?
POTOMAC CONNECT CAN HELP!
At some point you've probably thought, "I could really use an intern right now!" Our newly launched mentorship program, Potomac Connect, helps cultivate professional relationships among alumni and is a great place to post internship and job openings. If you're interested in having a Potomac alum intern at your organization this winter, spring, or summer, please reach out to Laura Miller, or join Potomac Connect and post directly on the site.

VOLUNTEER TO BE A REUNION CHAIR
On April 27 and 28, we will honor the classes of 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. If you're interested in serving as a class reunion chair or helping out in another capacity, please email Director of Alumni Relations Laura Miller or call her at (703) 749-6356. We'd love to have your help to make this year's celebration a great success!

Not celebrating a milestone year? All alumni are welcome to attend Reunion! Invitations will be mailed in February. Click here for Reunion updates.

SENIORS SHARE INSIGHTS
SGA President Hamilton Brooks and Senior Class President Amelia Mazloom are excited about all that the 2017-18 school year has to offer. The two students, who also serve as members of the Alumni Governing Council (AGC), share some of the work they have been doing so far, along with their goals for the rest of the year.

Q: What is your role within the AGC?
Hamilton: Amelia and I are the Upper School connection to the AGC and we can participate on AGC committees. Last month, I worked with the Potomac Fund, and Amelia worked on the upcoming Career Day event. We're also looking to increase Upper School support for the upcoming phonathons.

Q: What are some initiatives you plan to address within the Upper School?
Amelia: We're working to bring class rings back to the Upper School. Students had class rings when the US opened, but this eventually stopped. We think this would be a great way to show school spirit, and it would reflect the bond that exists among Potomac students and alumni.

Hamilton: I've been interested in creating sub-committees, which is something you see on the college level. They're something I've been wanting to bring to the Upper School, since students don't always feel connected to the Student Government Association. Sub-committees would give students opportunities to get involved and focus on various issues.

Q: What's something you'd like alumni to know about Potomac today?
Amelia: Potomac is the same school that alumni know and love. A lot has remained the same, and lots of our traditions have lasted over the years -- though today's students aren't afraid to challenge standards and norms that may no longer apply. Overall, Potomac is the same great community it's always been, because the students share the same values. 

Hamilton: This community -- and the Upper School community in particular -- is really good at balancing the traditions in place with creating our own legacy. The upperclassmen are increasingly focused on helping the underclassmen develop and be successful. Helping younger students get involved in clubs and just being friendly to them in the hallways can go a long way.

UPPER SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW HEAD
Having previously worked at New Jersey's Saddle River Day School and Princeton Day School, US Head Doug McLane began his new role at Potomac this July. In addition to his administrative leadership positions, Doug has taught all levels of Spanish language and literature, including AP, during the past two decades. At Potomac, he oversees the Upper School administrative team and works closely with 9th through 12th grade students and faculty. He also has a family connection to the school -- son Garrett is a first grader at Potomac!

BINGE-WORTHY...
Maria Bissell '06 is the producer of Corridor Four, a film that explores how a 9/11 hero grapples with life after the traumatic event.

FOR YOUR EARBUDS...
Rostam Batmanglij '02 released Half-Light, a solo album.

Jamie Potter '01 will release "Indian Summer" with The Crooked Angels this November. 

PAGE TURNING ALUMNI...
Kara Arundel, wife of Tom '90, recently published Raising America's Zoo. 

Barbara Kent Lawrence '58, recently published The Other Island: Ben's Story.

SNAIL MAIL OR EMAIL 

Don't forget to provide us with your current mail and email addresses! To update your contact information,
email the Alumni Office or click here to update online. ou can also reach out to us via postal mail:
Office of Alumni Relations, The Potomac School, 1301 Potomac School Road, McLean, VA 22101.

If you know of a classmate who has not been receiving mail or email from Potomac, it's likely because we don't have that person's current address. Please forward this along so your friend won't miss out on important updates! 

CONNECT WITH US IN CHICAGO
We're off to the Windy City! The Potomac School Alumni Office and the Alumni Governing Council cordially invite you to an evening with Head of School John Kowalik on Tuesday, October 24. Join us for a cocktail reception at
Cindy's (12 S. Michigan Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Kindly RSVP by  email  or by calling (703) 749-6356 by Wednesday, October 18. Thank you to our host committee of Belen Aquino '99, Brent Locey '04, and Todd Langstaff '08. 

TAP INTO THE ALUMNI NETWORK
Stay connected by logging in to the Alumni Center, where you can find information about fellow Potomac alumni, update your Alumni Directory information, and sign up for networking activities. These member-only resources are available solely to Potomac alumni.

October 14
Fall Frolics Carnival:

10:00 am-2:00 pm;

Alumni Reception Tent:

10:00 am-3:00 pm; 

Homecoming Football Game, Potomac vs. Maret: 2:00 pm; 

 
October 24

Alumni Chicago Reception 

5:30-8:30 pm 

 
October 28 

Fall Stewardship Day

10:00 am-2:00 pm

 
November 14 

Alumni Book Fair Reception 

6:00 pm-7:30 pm

November 15 

NEW: Alumni Books and Bagels 

7:30-8:45 am 

 
November 24

Alumni Fall Games

11:00 am

November 24

NEW: After-Thanksgiving Party at Town Hall

December 2 

Basketball Tip-Off Tournament 

April 27 and 28 

Reunion 2018