Community Service
At Potomac we champion a model of service leadership. That model is fully integrated in our academic and extra-curricular programs, where students and teachers understand the power of community and the collaborative process. We learn better by learning together and we serve better in partnership with those we serve.
- Potomac Students Distributing Fans
Opportunities for service, both at school and in the community, abound for students from kindergarten through grade 12. Dozens of student-led initiatives have flourished over the years and new ones are constantly evolving in response to local, national, and global needs. Many students look forward to playing a role in once-a-year traditions such as the annual holiday Embry Rucker party for homeless children and the “Senior Prom” in April for elderly citizens in a local retirement home.
Dozens of other students tutor children in weekly sessions. Many projects are created by students in response to what they have learned at school. After hearing a presentation from an Upper School teacher about Kenya, third grade community service leaders led a fundraising campaign in all lower school classes. The money rasied was used to finance one new fully furnished classroom at the Red Rose School in Kibera. As part of this outreach, a group of seven students, three teachers and two parents went to Kenya over the past summer for a community service and learning trip to help build a school.
The Potomac School was honored to win the Fairfax County Youth Volunteer Service Award for 2007 for our extensive involvement in community service.
On Going Community Service Projects
Embry Rucker - Volunteers from the grade 10 Ethics class serve breakfast each Friday throughout the school year at the Embry Rucker homeless shelter in Reston.
- Potomac Student providing tutoring
Latino Student Fund Tutoring - Potomac students join others to tutor Hispanic youth in grades 1-12.
Alternative House - Teens can stay in this shelter near Tyson’s Corner for up to two weeks. Two to four Potomac students volunteer during the spring to cook dinner for the residents.
Weekly tutoring of fourth and fifth grade students at the Latin
Ronald McDonald House - Potomac students cook for families of seriously ill children staying at Fairfax Hospital on alternate Wednesdays.
- K-12 students making sandwiches.
Lower School Aids – Upper School students assist Lower School teachers for one or two classes each week.
Sandwich Day - This long-standing tradition produces 1500 sandwiches for Martha’s Table each month. Our students bring in materials and students go to work making sandwiches. All ages participate.
Special Events
- Fundraising Walks for Breast Cancer Awareness, AIDS, and the Homeless.
- Fall Fun Day in October. This is a special play day on campus with children from the Community of Hope shelter.
- SHARE Food Drive. SHARE is a coalition of McLean churches, synagogues, civic groups, and individuals who collect food for Food Banks that help the needy during the winter months.
- Thanksgiving Pie Sale. Every November we sell pies at school with proceeds from the sale used to buy food for needy families at the Embry Rucker Shelter.
- Christmas in April: We are assigned our own house in Prince George’s County to paint, repair and plant.
- Blood Drive : We hold a Blood Drive each November.
- Senior Prom: It’s not what you think, but it is truly a “senior” prom and one our senior citizens at the Alzheimer’s Family Day Center really enjoy. Potomac students choose the theme and decorate; provide baked goods, and dance with the seniors!
- International Children’s Festival Technology Booth: About 15 Potomac students help with technology related activities for children at this Wolf Trap event.
