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8th Grade CAD

We Are Changemakers

Service Learning is about asking essential questions like "How can I be a changemaker?", "What are the needs, injustices, and inequities in our community?", and "What matters to me?". When students begin to explore the 'why' they acquire a stronger understanding of the importance of building habits of service. They evolve from questions to firm statements, such as, "I have a responsibility to know about, and address community issues."

 

Character defining moments are created at Potomac. Our aim is for students to recognize they have the power to make a difference, to show their civic responsibility, and to embody a generosity of spirit.

Service learning is an essential part of the Potomac School experience and integrated into the K-12 curriculum. Through grade-level initiatives, classroom projects and leadership opportunities, students in each division expand their understanding of issues in our community and take action to support people in need, steward our natural world, and work towards social change. In our schoolwide program, Service Learning helps students discover ways to use their time, talents, and interests to create positive outcomes. 

What Makes Service Learning at Potomac Distinct?

Potomac School’s Service Learning program

  • Digs into the 'why' behind the lack of equitable distribution of resources within communities.
  • Exemplifies a K-12 approach by creating experiences for students across all grade levels and providing multiple touch points to our community partners over time, helping students develop a deeper understanding of needs in our community.
  • Is integrated into the classroom experience and the Advisory program as well as interconnected with our school’s focus on developing life skills, including cultural competence, financial literacy, and real world problem solving.
  • Supports Potomac’s commitment to character formation and our school’s mission to prepare students to live lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.

How does service Learning reach every student at Potomac?

All Potomac students, from Kindergarten to grade 12, participate in foundational service learning experiences connected to four community needs: hunger, homelessness, and poverty; literacy; the elderly; and the environment. Grade-level initiatives in Kindergarten to grade 6 are led in the classroom and foundational initiatives in grades 7-12  are led in Advisory groups. Each grade-level experience connects our students with local community partners and is intended to provide a foundation for service for every student at Potomac.

What Guides potomac in developing community partnerships?

All Potomac students, from Kindergarten to grade 12, participate in foundational service learning experiences connected to four community needs: hunger, homelessness, and poverty; literacy; the elderly; and the environment. Grade-level initiatives in Kindergarten to grade 6 are led in the classroom and foundational initiatives in grades 7-12  are led in Advisory groups. Each grade-level experience connects our students with local community partners and is intended to provide a foundation for service for every student at Potomac. Potomac works with partners that utilize an equity frame in their work. 

Map of donations for service learning

Potomac's Impact

POTOMAC'S IMPACT IN THE DMV

In 2021-22, our Potomac community – including students, families, faculty, and staff – engaged in more than 55 donation projects reaching 24 partner organizations across the DC Metro area. As part of our K-12 service learning program, the projects demonstrate ways we learn about community issues and take action by sharing resources, including food items donated to Martha's Table and Cornerstones through our year-long Joyful Food Markets. Additionally, we shared repurposed resources from across the school, including robotics kits to benefit youth at Arlington Housing Corporation, helping to minimize our environmental impact through dignity donations. This interactive map highlights the story, reach, and outcomes of our donation projects. Donations have been a central part of our service learning work during the pandemic given limited opportunities to directly interact with individuals in the wider community. Thank you to all the members of the Potomac community for your commitment to making a difference by serving our neighbors in need! 

Map

Hunger, Homelessness, Poverty

Environment