Winter 2022 After-School Offerings

Winter 2022 After-School OFFERINGS

The enrichment classes for winter 2022 ETC will be offered in person. The classes will run from January 10 through March 7. Below please see the schedule details.

Classes scheduled for Monday, will run for 7 weeks, beginning January 10 and ending March 7. Monday classes will not meet on January 17 (Martin Luther King Day) and February 21 (President's Day).
Classes scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, will run for 8 weeks, beginning the week of January 10 and ending the week of February 28.

Registration will open Monday, November 29 at 9:00 am and run through noon on Wednesday, December 15. To view our offerings at a glance, click here. Information about our cancellation and refund policy can be found here.

Lower School

CARDBOARD CARNIVAL FOR GRADES K-3 (Monday)

FULL, waitlist only

Description: Students will follow the engineering design process as they plan, construct, test, and finalize a variety of carnival games with cardboard serving as the primary building material. Throughout the process, students will consider the characteristics of a good game and how those characteristics should influence their designs. The group members will also tap into their inner entrepreneur as they create and present a proposal for sharing their cardboard creations with the rest of the Lower School community.

Materials Required: Building materials and tools will be supplied by Potomac; however, feel free to send extra cardboard boxes and tubes to school.

Teacher: Beth Brundage

Day: Monday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $175

WINTER WONDERLAND ENGINEERING FOR GRADES K-3 (Monday)

Description: Bundle up! We are creating a spectacular Winter Wonderland! Build bobsleds, design snowmobiles, and take a ride on the Polar Express. Explore your snowiest ideas and learn STEM concepts with tens of thousands of LEGO® pieces at your mitten-tips and the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor.

Teacher: Play-Well TEKnologies

Day: Monday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $225

BRAIN GAMES FOR GRADES 2-3 (Tuesday)

Description: If you like brain teasers, solving puzzles, and investigating logic problems, this program is for you! In this class, we will explore a variety of games and puzzles that are intellectually challenging to give your brain a workout and improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will participate in age-appropriate individual challenges to build mental flexibility and stamina, as well as group games that build the critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving strategies needed in school and beyond. Come join the fun and put your big brain to the test!

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Teacher: Kathleen Morgan

Day: Tuesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $200

MONEY MATTERS FOR GRADES K-1 (Tuesday)

Description: Earn, save, spend, donate! Let's learn about money! This innovative program provides a solid foundation on financial literacy for kids in a fun setting. Games and hands-on activities help students internalize key concepts (like money, budgeting and saving) in an engaging and supportive environment fostering teamwork. This unique experience empowers students with the mindset to start making sound financial decisions and develop into responsible global citizens.

Teacher: SPARK Academy

Day: Tuesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250

MY FIRST HOT COCOA STAND FOR GRADES K-3 (Thursday)

FULL, waitlist only

Description: Come learn how to make yummy hot cocoa and how to earn money selling it! A hot cocoa stand is a great way to introduce our youngest entrepreneurs to the world of business and is fun! This program empowers kids with an entrepreneurial mindset for their “business,” drawing from such disciplines as marketing, finance and strategy, in a supportive environment fostering teamwork. From designing marketing flyers to estimating profits to experimenting with recipes, students have fun while developing business savvy!

Teacher: SPARK Academy

Day: Thursday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250

Middle School

DRAMA CLASS FOR GRADES 4-6 (Monday)

World Explorers FOR GRADES 4-6 (Monday)

Description: Take a trip around the world without leaving The Potomac School! Guided by a guest teacher, students will travel to a new country each week and learn about cultural traditions, holidays, and games, while developing a further appreciation for the diversity of the people who make up our world. Click here to learn about the country you will be traveling to, as well as your local tour guide for each week.

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Day: Monday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $175

DEBATE CLASS FOR GRADE 6 (Wednesday)

Description: Learn about public speaking and discourse through debate! Under the direction of Harry Strong and Dr. Jeremy Metz, as well as current Varsity students in the Upper School competitive program, students begin to learn about debate through a World Schools style parli format. Participants are expected to prepare and debate using evidence that is provided, and also evidence they produce through their research. In this COVID environment, the goal will be that students will eventually scrimmage students from other Independent schools around the country.

Teachers: Harry Strong, Director of Forensics, K-12 Public Speaking Coordinator, and Dr. Jeremy Metz, Upper School English Teacher and Assistant Speech & Debate Coach

Day: Wednesday

Time: 4:30-5:30 pm (Please note, this class has a late start time, students will be chaperoned by an Auxiliary Programs staff member until class starts.)

Cost: $250

RC (Remote Control) FUN FOR GRADES 4-5 (Tuesday)

FULL, waitlist only

Students are bound to have loads of fun as they learn the basics of radio controlled vehicle operation. From building robotic machines to racing RC cars through obstacle courses and even learning to fly drones in the gymnasium, this class covers all things related to the RC world! In addition to the thrill of operating these vehicles, students will also be introduced to the history of RC as well as many modern day applications for this technology.

Teacher: Stephen Wolfe

Day: Tuesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250 (Includes technology usage fees)

VEX IQ Robotics for Grade 6 (Tuesday, continued from fall)

Course Description: Why robotics? The path towards a passion for STEM starts early, and sparking curious minds while engineering is “cool” is imperative. By its nature, the study of robotics inherently incorporates all four pillars of STEM. VEX IQ is a snap-together robotics system designed to provide an opportunity for future engineers of all skill levels. Through incorporating advanced concepts into an accessible package, the system also naturally encourages teamwork, problem solving, and leadership. Working with the VEX IQ platform gives the students a foundation in engineering design and programming at the Middle School age that will continue in the Intermediate School and directly translate to VEX Robotics in the Upper School. The VEX IQ platform introduces students to VEXCODE programming, which uses a standard coding system that can expand into Python.. The name of this year’s VEX IQ challenge is “Pitching In” Click here for more information about the VEX IQ Team Challenge.

Teamwork is essential to the success of the program, therefore it is mandatory that every member of the team attends all after school meetings and the tournament scheduled for Saturday, January 8, 2022 at The Potomac School. This tournament is dependent on COVID conditions and restrictions. No prior experience with robotics is necessary to be on this competition team, but space is limited. If the team should advance to the VA State tournament, practice will be extended until March 8, 2022, and an additional fee will apply for continued participation in this ETC program.

Teachers: Greg Mueller, K-12 Director of Robotics and IS Science Teacher, and Jenni Ashley, Academic Technologist for Grades 5-8 and Robotics Coach

Day: Tuesday

Time: 3:30-5:30 pm

Cost: $750

FINANCE CLUB FOR GRADES 4-6 (Wednesday)

Description: Learn how to manage your money in this program promoting essential life skills! Set your financial goals, develop a budget from scratch, shop for a credit card and calculate the monthly cost of your dream car. Students also learn about mortgages, FICO scores, taxes and the dangers of piling up debt. Through simulations and hands-on activities, participants gain confidence to explore financial decisions they will have to make in the future.

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Teacher: SPARK Academy

Day: Wednesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250

MAKING MUSIC ELECTRONICALLY FOR GRADES 5-6 (Wednesday)

Description: Building on foundations taught in Mr. Nadel’s classes, students will explore their creativity through the medium of electronic music. During this course, students will:

expand their abilities with digital music software
understand how different effects are used and how to apply them to their music
use software instruments to create original melodies
collaborate on musical projects together, and express their own thoughts through musical means
learn different theories and strategies for constructing expressive songs

Materials Required: Students will use their own chromebooks and software that the music department already licenses; no additional costs.

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Teacher: Christopher Simon

Day: Wednesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $200

ART ADVENTURES FOR GRADES 4-6 (Thursday)

Description: Looking for a chance to unleash your creative side? After school art classes at Potomac give Middle School students an opportunity to explore various techniques, media, and artistic styles of famous artists while employing their own ideas in art. We will be painting, sculpting, drawing, and crafting - the possibilities are endless!

Teacher: Sara Koenig

Day: Thursday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250 (Includes the cost of supplies)

BRAIN GAMES FOR GRADES 4-6 (Thursday)

Description: If you like brain teasers, solving puzzles, and investigating logic problems, this program is for you! In this class, we will explore a variety of games and puzzles that are intellectually challenging to give your brain a workout and improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will participate in age-appropriate individual challenges to build mental flexibility and stamina, as well as group games that build the critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving strategies needed in school and beyond. Come join the fun and put your big brain to the test!

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Teacher: Kathleen Morgan

Day: Thursday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $200

Intermediate School

MUSIC PRODUCTION FOR GRADES 7-8 (Monday)

Description: Students will use a variety of software and hardware tools to understand and create music electronically. Working both individually and in small groups, they will work through the music production process from conception to sharing with the world.During this course, students will learn:

to use Digital Audio Workstation software to bring musical ideas to life
how MIDI works and how they can use it to take control of their music
to use microphones to bring non-electronic instruments into their electronic compositions
to collaborate on musical projects together, and to express their own thoughts through musical means
to edit and refine music with arrangements, mixing, and effects, and to share it with others

Materials Required: Students will use Mac laptops currently used during the day in US Science labs. The software they will use will be free.

This class has been cancelled for Winter 2022

Teacher: Christopher Simon

Day: Monday

Time: 3:30-5:30 pm

Cost: $350

DEBATE CLASS FOR GRADES 7-8 (Wednesday)

Description: Learn about public speaking and discourse through debate! Under the direction of Harry Strong, K-12 Public Speaking Coordinator, and Dr. Jeremy Metz, as well as current Varsity students in the Upper School competitive program, participants prepare and debate using evidence that is provided, and also evidence they produce through their research. Students will compete at least once during the course at an age appropriate weekend tournament (date and time TBD).

Teachers: Harry Strong, Director of Forensics, K-12 Public Speaking Coordinator and Dr. Jeremy Metz, Upper School English Teacher and Assistant Speech & Debate Coach

Day: Wednesday

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Cost: $250

VEX IQ Robotics for grades 7-8 (Thursday, Continued from fall)

Description: The VEX IQ platform gives the students a solid stepping stone between Robotics in the Middle School to VEX Robotics in the Upper School. By incorporating advanced concepts into an accessible package, the system also naturally encourages teamwork, problem solving, and leadership. Working with the VEX IQ platform gives the students a foundation in engineering design and programming at the Intermediate School level that directly translates to VEX Robotics in the Upper School. The VEX IQ platform has a very robust programming environment, allowing students to utilize up to 12 sensors and motors. This platform is also supported by a free powerful computer aided drawing program (CAD), designed specifically as an introduction to CAD. The students going through the VEX IQ robotics platform will leave the Intermediate School with a strong understanding of engineering and design concepts. The name of this year’s VEX IQ challenge is “Pitching In.” Click here for more information about VEX IQ Team Challenge.

The 7-8 VEX IQ Robotics team will meet Thursdays after school from 3:30-5:30 pm from October 7 through March 3. Students must be in grades 7 or 8 to be on this competition team and space is limited. Since teamwork is essential to the success of this program, it is mandatory that every member attend all after school meetings and tournaments. This team will compete at the Potomac School tournament planned for Jan 8 and possibly other competitions dependent on COVID conditions and restrictions.. Competition dates will be released as soon as they are opened for registration. If the team should advance to the VA State tournament, Nationals, or Worlds, additional practices will be necessary and an additional fee will apply for continued participation in the ETC program. Travel expenses will also apply for Nationals or Worlds.

Teachers: Greg Mueller, K-12 Director of Robotics and Intermediate School Science Teacher and Shing Wai Koo, Lower School Teacher and Robotics Coach

Day: Thursday

Time: 3:30-5:30 pm

Cost: $875