Health and Wellness
The mental health and wellness of Potomac students is a primary focus to ensure they experience success academically, emotionally, and socially.
Health and Wellness
In addition to the resources offered by our Health and Counseling services, The Potomac School supports student well-being through both formal programs and more informal, organic conversations. Advisors, deans, teachers, coaches, and school administrators work together and with students to encourage responsible decision-making and promote a healthy school culture.
The Board of Trustees Health & Wellness committee meets throughout the year to identify goals and priorities for the school. Additionally, our Health Services team, composed of nurses, counselors, and trainers meets bimonthly to advance a holistic approach to support our students.
Potomac recognizes that health and wellness are multidimensional concepts, encompassing the physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, environmental, and social aspects of a person's life. To foster the well-being of each member of our school community, we strive to ensure that every individual feels a sense of belonging and support, has opportunities to develop meaningful relationships, finds joy in learning, and is encouraged to live a healthy and balanced life.
excerpt from Potomac's Mental Health and Wellness Statement of Purpose
Go Well, Stay Well
Potomac has a Health Services Team, that includes two full-time registered nurses, who care for our K-12 community of students, faculty, and staff. Our team also includes certified athletic trainers and counselors.
It's not easy for a parent to know when your child may benefit from outside help to support behaviors or mental health. It's natural to wonder, "How will I know if my child needs professional help? What kinds of issues can I just keep an eye on?" This article from Child Mind Institute can guide you: When To Wait: Getting Kids Care, Or Not.
Every year, we provide health education concerning drugs and alcohol for our grade 10 students. With a focus on strengthening problem-solving and decision-making skills, we aim to increase students’ knowledge about substance abuse and foster healthy attitudes and behaviors. On March 29, the tenth graders will hear from Madeleine Moore, who comes from an academic background in public health and has experience leading health and wellness education programs in both secondary and higher education settings. In addition to working with the WE CARE Collaborative, Ms. Moore currently serves as the alcohol and other drugs program coordinator at the University of Maryland Health Center.
Additionally, each year, our juniors participate in the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program. On March 29, they will hear from Dr. Melissa Sporn, a clinical psychologist who will educate our students about depression, which is one of the most common illnesses that teenagers face. The program is intended to increase awareness about depression and the need for proper evaluation and treatment.
WELL BEING
The school counselors, the health services team, the support services team, and our athletic trainers are available to all students to assist with social, emotional, physical, and behavioral support, with the goal of helping students be successful at school by employing a holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of Potomac students.
Counseling Services
By promoting wellness through healthy choices and balance, the Counseling Department's primary goal is to facilitate each student’s ability to experience success academically, emotionally, and socially at The Potomac School.
Our program is developmental in nature, based on the premise that children at different stages face a variety of challenges. We work with students who have everyday issues and concerns. Students learn that seeking help and developing strategies to manage setbacks are lifelong skills. Services include:
- One-on-one counseling
- Small groups meetings
- Lunch clubs
- Guidance and Health classes
- Support for parents, faculty, staff and administration
- Consultations with outside support services and specialists
Counselors
Allison Lewkowicz
Grades K-4 Counselor
Weezie Parry
Grades 5-8 Counselor
Paul Singleton II, Ph.D
Grades 7-12 School Counselor and DEI Coordinator
Josie Woods
Upper School Counselor and Director of Student Support
Health Services
The Potomac School has two full time registered nurses. In addition, a Health Services Manager for health care centered administrative and programmatic work. Nurses provide medical treatment as well as administer daily medications. Speech, hearing and vision screenings are done during the school year and blood drives are managed through the medical office in conjunction with student leaders. An integral part of the health services team, the health office promotes self-advocacy while teaching healthy and safe practices.
Danielle Donaldson
Health Services Manager
Ellen Grass, RN
Lower, Middle, and Intermediate Schools Nurse
Sajini Gundry, RN
Upper School Nurse
Athletic Trainers
The Potomac School’s Athletic Health Care team is composed of our two Athletic Trainers, Precious Barnes and Erin Mulligan. Our Athletic Trainers provide prevention services, emergency care, clinical examination and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Both Athletic Trainers are certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association and licensed by Virginia’s Board of Medicine.
Precious Barnes
Head Athletic Trainer
Erin Mulligan
Assistant Athletic Trainer and Physical Education Teacher
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
Opened in fall 2019, the Spangler Center for Athletics and Community is a 76,500-square-foot facility that serves as a hub for basketball, volleyball, squash, athletic training and athletic health services, as well as a community gathering center. Learn more about the Spangler Center and our athletic facilities.