Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

We have had a successful start to the school year, and we have also learned a lot. We have seen areas of growth, areas to celebrate, and areas where we know we have more work to do.

 

First, I want to celebrate our Panthers! Congratulations to our girls volleyball team for tying for first place and bringing another banner home to Potomac Middle! I am also incredibly proud of our girls track team for finishing second at regionals. Our student-athletes continue to represent Potomac with pride. Our 8th grade students also engaged in a full simulation voting exercise mirroring our local VA election. Students received voter registration cards and a full ballot. This lesson highlighted their civic responsibility and made connections to the civics curriculum.

 

We have already kicked off our Quarter 2 Reset, and our message to students is simple: No More Opting Out of Learning. The new grading scale is more challenging and it shows.

 

We do not want students to fail. We do not want students opting out of learning. We want every student completing assignments, asking for help when needed, attending available supports, and taking ownership of their progress.

 

Our school improvement work is centered on learning and achievement for all students, not just some. We are intentionally strengthening instruction, academic interventions, and family outreach to students who are struggling academically.

 

And families, this is where we need you!

 

I want to say this plainly and from the heart: we need you to care with us.

 

If your child is failing a class, we need you to care and act.

 

If your child is reading below grade level, we need you to care and ask what supports are available and what can be done at home.

 

If your child is repeatedly disrupting the learning environment, we need you to care and partner with us to change the behavior.

 

This is not about blaming families, teachers, or students. It is about recognizing that none of us can do this work alone.

 

We need to see a change in student work habits and behaviors. That means coming to school ready to learn, completing work, putting phones and distractions away, treating others with respect, accepting redirection, and taking advantage of opportunities for support.

 

This past Friday, we hosted Instructional Rounds as part of our continued focus on strengthening classroom instruction. Our work asks us to look closely at the quality of the tasks students are being asked to complete, the rigor of those tasks, the questions teachers are asking, and whether students are being asked to explain, justify, analyze, and think deeply.

 

Our administrators are also conducting regular classroom walkthroughs because this information helps us make decisions about coaching, professional learning, and where additional support is needed. We are asking more of our students, and we are also asking more of ourselves.

 

We have also heard the feedback from families about how difficult it can sometimes be to locate assignments and resources.

 

We are working to streamline our Canvas pages and create greater consistency in where students and families find assignments, resources, and instructional materials. Our leadership work has already included reviewing Canvas pages for current course information, assignments, resources, and ease of navigation for students.

 

This work will continue throughout November as we work toward a more consistent experience for students and families.

 

As we move deeper into Quarter 2, I am asking everyone to reset with us.

Students: Show us what you are capable of when you don't opt out.

Staff: Keep pushing for engaging, rigorous learning.

Families: Stay connected, check grades, ask questions, and hold students accountable alongside us.

And as a school, we will continue looking honestly at our own practices and making changes where they are needed.

 

We have a lot to be proud of at Potomac, and we also have work to do.

 

TO VIEW THE NEWSLETTER IN IT'S ENTIRETY, CLICK HERE

 

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

  • BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
  • HONOR ROLL INVITATIONS EMAILED THIS WEEK
  • NOV. 10-VETERANS DAY PROGRAM 9:15AM
  • Q2 D & F LIST EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
  • Q1 INCENTIVE: FALL FESTIVAL
  • TUTORING SIGN UPS EMAILED THIS WEEK

 

 

With Panther Pride,

Staff, Students, and Parents Working Together as One

 

Dr. Rachel Preston

Principal, Potomac Middle School