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Vol. 6, No. 2
October 2008
Potomac High School
3401 Panther Pride Drive
Dumfries, Virginia 22026
(703) 441-4200
(703) 441-4497 FAX
_____________________________________________________________________
Administration
Marc A. Maloney, Principal
Lorraine Sadler, Assistant Principal
Ernette Martin, Assistant Principal
Steven Bryson, Administrative Assistant
Salvatore Colangelo, Administrative Assistant
Natalie Wright, Director of Guidance
Bill Stearns, Activities Director
Sally Kenavan, Specialty Program Coordinator
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Message from the Principal:
Greetings from Potomac High School,
The past month of school has gone by quickly and I might
add smoothly. There is definitely an academic focus. This
is evident as I walk through the hallways and notice that
they are clear and silent. This is evident as I visit
classrooms and witness the students engaged and
connected with the curriculum and their teachers. As a
Principal, it’s a great feeling knowing that we are on the
right path, a path that fosters success.
We had our back to school night last week, and
according to many parents, it was very successful. We
started a new format this year in which parents went
directly to the classroom. Being a parent myself, seeing
the teacher was the only thing on my mind.
We had our first PAC (Principal’s Advisory Committee)
meeting. Our new President this year is Arlene Graham, a
parent of one of our seniors. I would like to take this
opportunity to welcome her aboard. She is energetic and
anxious to get started. I look forward to working with her.
Our next meeting will be held on October 20th at 7:00 in
the library. In our last meeting, it was discussed that
perhaps parents were unfamiliar with our title “PAC”.
Parents seem to be more in tune with organizations such
PTSO, PTA, or PTO. The bottom line is this, all parents
are more then welcome to attend, if we decide to change
the name of this committee or create new committees,
then we will.
There are a couple of upcoming dates I want to make you
aware of. On Oct 15th, our sophomores and juniors will
be taking the PSAT test and at the same time, the
freshman will be taking the Kaplan test which is a test
that prepares them for the actual PSAT. On this same
day, the seniors will be on the Senior Picnic outing.
November 4th is a teacher workday which means no
school for the students and this is also the day for our
Presidential elections. Potomac High School will be a
voting poll location.
Thank you and remember if there is anything we can do
to help you, please let us know.
Marc Maloney
Upcoming Dates
Oct 13
Oct 17
Oct 18
Oct 20
Oct 14
Nov 4
Nov 11
Nov 10
Nov 17
Nov 26
Nov 27-28
Interim Reports Go Home
Homecoming Football Game
Homecoming Dance
PAC Meeting
Grad Nite Meeting
Teacher Workday – No School
Veteran’s Day – No School
Report Cards Go Home
PAC Meeting
Early Release
Thanksgiving Holiday Break
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Congratulations go out to all of Potomac’s leaders!
GUIDANCE AND
COUNSELING
SERVICES
Tips for Academic Success: As students settle into their
classes for the duration of the academic year, it is
important that a routine is established to help ensure their
success for the year. The following tips are offered to
support this goal:
Establish a set time, place, and standard for homework to
be completed.
Check homework for completeness and accuracy.
Have your student explain his/her homework to you. If
the student is unable to explain how he/she obtained an
answer, chances are he/she does not understand.
Restrict amount of TV, games, and other distraction
during the week.
Restrict students from working during the school year. If
a student needs to work restrict work during the weekday.
Emphasize rest and relaxation on the weekends and
reasonable bedtime hours during the week.
Offer incentives for academic success. Dinner out for the
family in celebration of a successful report card is a great
incentive for the entire family.
Register for our Edulink Online program designed to
keep you informed of your student’s academic and
attendance performance.
Contact your student’s teacher via email or telephonically
as clarifications or assistance is needed.
Contact your student’s counselor via email or
telephonically to set a conference with your student’s
teacher (s) if the need arises.
Youth Salute Selectees: The Youth Salute Council held
its annual awards ceremony at Osbourn Park High School
on Sept. 25. The Youth Salute Council strives to
recognize high school students who have shown
leadership qualities throughout Prince William County in
both the school and community settings.
Potomac Senior High School had 16 students recognized
at this ceremony. Those students were Mona Amireh,
Robert Arman, Alexa Brown, Katie Christensen, Tyler
Covington, Rima Janusziewicz, Brittany Johnson, Hira
Khaliq, Anthony Langaigne, Kristen Mahafee, Besrate
Nega, Mabel Sandoval, Kimberly Spencer, Thomas
Stierwalt, Shervonne Thomas, Michael Turner
College Fair: The Eastern Prince William College Fair
will be at Woodbridge Senior High School on Tuesday,
October 7, 2008, from 6 – 8 p.m. College
representatives from more than 125 institutions attend this
event. Applications, college catalogs, view books, and
financial aid information are available. This is an
opportunity to obtain information about colleges and
universities that interest your child. Students in all grade
levels from Gar-Field, Woodbridge, Potomac, Hylton,
Freedom, Forest Park, and Quantico are invited to attend
this program. We strongly encourage PSHS juniors,
seniors, and their parents to attend.
College Admissions Process and Financial Aid: A
College Admission Process Program will be held on
October 7, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. in the Potomac auditorium.
During this program, parents and students will be
provided with information regarding the college
application process, college admissions, financial aid, and
the college search services available at our school. This
is a good opportunity for your questions and concerns to
be addressed by college admissions personnel.
Admission representatives from several colleges will be
present to answer questions. The program is designed for
college bound seniors and their parents.
PSAT: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at 7:30 a.m.
We will be administering the Practice Scholastic Aptitude
Test (PSAT) to all tenth-and eleventh-grade students this
year. Practice tests like the PSAT provide students with
valuable experience that will increase their success on the
SAT. The junior year results are used to determine
National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists. Taking this
test during the eleventh grade is essential if a student
desires to participate in the National Merit Scholarship
Competition.
This year, Prince William County is offering the PSAT
free of charge to all sophomores and juniors. Counselors
will meet with sophomores and juniors in early October,
during English classes to explain relevant material
regarding the PSAT.
SAT Online Course Access Cards: This year, Prince
William County is very excited to provide access to The
College Board’s SAT Online Course to every high school
student. This resource enables students to take practice
SAT questions anytime and anywhere they have a
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computer connected to the Internet. Student answers are
scored online and explanations are given for any incorrect
responses. The SAT Online Course will also be used in
many of our classrooms and in any SAT preparation
classes offered. A wallet size card, containing the access
code for the SAT Online Course will be distributed to
each high school student. By logging in and following the
directions on screen, students will have access to eighteen
interactive lessons on critical reading, writing, and math.
They will also have access to seven practice tests.
Students should begin with the full-length pretest and
focus their practice on areas where they have difficulty.
There is also a calendar available to practice time
management skills and ensure that time is set aside to
work on areas of weakness. In addition, the Virginia
Department of Education has announced statewide
availability of a test prep program.
English 11 EOC Part 1(Multi Choice)
October 20, 9:00 a.m.
Virginia Mentor Test Prep Program for the SAT,
ACT, & GRE
The Virginia Department of Education has announced
statewide availability of a test preparation module
through VirginiaMentor at www.virginiamentor.org. The
VirginiaMentor Test Prep feature provides easy-to-use
tutorials for each subject area covered by the ACT, the
SAT, and the GRE. This new feature on the
VirginiaMentor Web site is funded through the
Commonwealth’s National Governors Association Honor
States grant and is available to all students preparing for
these key tests.
Senior Corner: Senior Interviews began this week.
Counselors meet one on one with each senior to review
after high school plans. During this session, counselors
discuss all graduation requirements and review the
college application process and career plans for each
student. It is extremely important that college bound
seniors register to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test
(SAT) or ACT as part of the college application process.
They should prepare for these exams by utilizing the
online course or purchasing and using a study guide CD
to learn test-taking strategies. Finally, do not forget to
obtain desired college applications at the Prince William
County School’s college fair on October 7, 6-8p.m at
Forest Park High School. http://www.collegeboard.com
Students may establish accounts on the site by pressing
the "create an account" button under the Virginia Mentor
logo at the top of the main page. Students will then have
access to customized test preparation courses. The Web
sites feature a series of tutorials covering all the subject
areas and/or question types seen on the various tests.
Each tutorial provides between 30 and 90 minutes of
instructional material. Students are able to refine their
academic skills by working through practice questions in
each subject or question type. Practice sessions
dynamically adapt to each user’s response patterns,
providing questions that are tailored to each student’s
ability level. At the end of each practice session students
receive a percentile ranking.
SOL Re-Takes: SENIORS ONLY
SOL Test
Re-Take Date and Time
English 11 EOC Part 2 (Multi Choice)
October 21, 9:00 a.m.
English 11 EOC Writing
October 22, 9:00 a.m.
English 11 EOC Writing (Seniors-second attempt)
October 23, 9:00 a.m.
English 11 EOC Writing (make-ups)
October 27, 8:00a.m.
English 11 EOC Writing (make-ups)
October 28, 8:00 a.m.
Junior Corner: At this juncture in their high school
career, all juniors should ensure they have scheduled
courses that will best enhance college selection and
performance potential such as Advanced International
Certificate of Education (AICE) or Advance Placement
(AP) courses and are doing their very best in each class.
It is extremely important that college bound junior’s
register and take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in
the Spring or ACT to determine areas of strength and
those, which need strengthening prior to completing
college applications. They should prepare for these
exams by taking our PSAT/SAT prep course, utilizing
SAT online program access cards or purchasing and using
a study guide or CD to learn test-taking strategies.
Additional information on SAT exams may be obtained
from the following website:
http://www.collegeboard.com. Additionally, it is not too
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early to start visiting colleges, searching for scholarships,
and saving money for college from summer jobs.
Participating in extracurricular activities in school and the
community is also important for college or career
preparation. Juniors are eligible to compete for summer
Governor’s school program and the American Legion
Boys State and Girls State summer programs. The
applications process for all Service Academies also
begins in the junior year.
Sophomore Corner: Performance in the classroom and
community becomes increasingly important during the
sophomore year. Sophomores should seek to establish a
stronger grade point average going into their junior year.
Most colleges prefer that students take the most rigorous
courses offered by the schools and they do well in those
classes. Establishing a record of community and school
extracurricular activities is equally essential. Getting
involved in school clubs and athletic programs are
important. Sophomores can compete for the Hugh
O’Brian Youth Leadership competition and other summer
enrichment programs. http://www.collegeboard.com
Freshman Corner: Beginning in November, following
senior conferences, counselors will begin meeting with
their freshman in small groups to discuss overall school
performance and long term goals. These sessions are
designed to encourage freshmen to establish college and
career goals and to take measures now in the classroom to
achieve these goals. The order of the day for all freshmen
should be to obtain the highest grade point average (GPA)
possible and build a solid academic foundation which will
support their long term and career aspirations.
http://www.collegeboard.com
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Congratulations to the following seniors who
have declared themselves as the AICE DIPLOMA
CANDIDATES for 2009: Justina Acquah, Ali
Ahmed, Mona Amireh, Ben Argo, Michael Ayenson,
Daniel Ballas, Jovannie Bazil, Evan Becker, Rhoda
Boateng, Zuri Cannon, Alex Chatman III, Katie
Christensen, Kristina Cracknell, Patrick Curran,
David Dominguez, Ashley Dumas, Gerorge
Emmanuel, Darren Green III, Jade Hilliard, Megan
Hofer, Ian Hudgins, Ishmel Jalloh, Rima
Janusziewicz, Rebekkah Johnson, Brittany Johnson,
Imran Khalid, Hira Khaliq, Justin Laputin, Brett
Layne, Mathew Lhee, Victoria Lopez, Nicollo
Madden, Kristen Mahaffee, Safaq Majiid, Anum
Mirza, Patrick Moriarty, Alexandra Moss, Shelby
Munsen, Christine Oliver, Thomas Ostrosky,
William Rotchford, Sannan, Saleem, Mabel
Sandoval, Elizabeth Shaeffer, Kimberly Spencer,
Thomas Stierwalt, Crystal Stumpe, Shervonne
Thomas, Joseph Tilitisky, Francisco Urquiola, Jeff
Vaise, Jasmine Vellocido, Tyler Vieira, Ishmael
Walker and Dominique Whidbee.
These 55 Cambridge Seniors are working to
complete the requirements for the Advanced
International Certificate of Education (AICE)
Diploma. The students must successfully complete
the examinations in 6 AICE courses from the three
curricular areas of Math and Science, Languages,
and Arts and Humanities. Based on the external
examination scores, the student will be awarded
pass, merit, or distinction, on the AICE Diploma.
Visit the new recognition website to find how AICE
exams earn college credit at
http://recognition.cie.org.uk
New course for 08-09 is AICE Psychology.
This weighted course allows students the opportunity
to study advanced topics related to the five core
areas of psychology, namely, cognitive, social,
physiological, developmental, and the psychology of
individual differences; it also relates psychology to
education, health, organizations, the environment,
and abnormality. AICE Classical Studies, also new
this year, aims to provide students with an
understanding and appreciation of selected aspects of
Greek and Roman civilisation. The syllabus exposes
students to a variety of subject-matter, including
original sources, archaeological evidence,
interpretation and argument, and encourages students
to make comparisons between the classical
civilisations of Greece and Rome and contemporary
Western society.
Students who completed IGCSE Geometry in
June 08, and who are presently enrolled in IGCSE
Algebra II and Trig will be taking the Cambridge
Qualifications Exam for Mathematics on November
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5 & 10 at 7:45 in the Library. The November test
window allows students more time to complete
topics not covered in IGCSE Geometry.
AICE Retake Exams will be administered to
students who tested in June 08 but did not receive a
passing grade. Students have pre-registered to take
the following:
AICE English 11 Language (Oct. 30 &Nov 10)
AICE Thinking Skills (Oct 21, Nov 12)
AICE US History (November 19)
AICE General Paper (Nov 5)
AICE Design
(Oct 13)
All students will register for the May/June 09
IGCSE & AICE examinations in early December 08
through their English classes. Students enrolled in
AICE Courses or IGCSE weighted courses are
required to take the Cambridge exam.
IGCSE Biology students are researching
topics for the annual Science Fair to be held in
February. A spring field trip is planned after the
Science Fair.
AICE Environmental Management
students traveled to Prince William Forest Park in
September to identify a variety of
marcoinvertebrates in the creeks as an indicator of a
healthy stream. Check the PWCS website at
www.pwcs.edu for pictures and story.
IGCSE and AICE Foreign Language
students are involved in activities surrounding
Foreign Language month. AICE IV Languages (AS)
and AICE V Literature (A-level) new for 09-10..
AICE US History together with AICE
International History qualifies the student who
passes both Cambridge exams an A-level
qualification, which counts as 2 credits for the AICE
Diploma requirement.
AICE Thinking Skills II exam offers the ALevel qualification to students who pass this exam.
AICE English 12 Literature A level- Students
in AICE English Literature A Level, while meeting
all objectives for English 12, follow an accelerated,
international curriculum. They study a range of texts
in the three main forms of literature: prose, poetry,
and drama. Set texts are offered from a wide range of
different periods and cultures. Students enhance their
reading skills and expand their ability to analyze
text. Diverse reading material assists students in
their comprehension of the work of various authors
and expedites their ability to speak coherently about
all forms of literature. Students meet the
requirements of an advanced International Certificate
of Education (AICE) with possible college credit
through successful completion of external
assessments.
IGCSE English 10 students are taking the
double syllabus in June 2009 for English First
Language, and English Literature. These 2 exams
prepare them for the English 11 SOL for Reading
and Writing.
All IGCSE students are working in the
extended curriculum which will afford more
opportunities for enrichment and advanced topics.
All curriculum topics for the IGCSE Syllabus as well
as the AICE syllabus are available on the website:
www.cie.org.uk
Recruiting for new Cambridge students
begins in late October. Information Night for all
Prince William County Specialty Programs is
scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 at 7pm. at C.D.
Hylton High School.
Information Night for the Cambridge
Program will be Wednesday, November 5th and
Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 7pm.in the Library at
Potomac Senior High School. January 6, 2009 is the
Graduate Awards Ceremony for the Class of 2008
at 7pm.
Applications for 09-10 Cambridge Program
are available on-line or in the Cambridge
Office.Visit the Cambridge Program website at
potomac.hs.groupfusion.net to meet the Cambridge
Teachers for 2008-2009. Please contact Dr. Sally
Kenavan at kenavasb@pwcs.edu for information about
our Cambridge Program, “Providing an
international benchmark for students of global
society.”
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School on October 9 at 6 PM. The Cardinal District
Cheer Competition will be hosted by Potomac this year
on October 23 at 6 PM. The top four teams at the district
competition will move on to the regional competition in
November. Please come out and support the
cheerleaders!
The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is off to
a running start this year. The chapter held an installation
of officers at the first official meeting on Sept. 30th.
Congratulations to the following students who
interviewed and were selected to be officers for the 08-09
school year:
President- Eboni Strawder
Vice-President- Ahsan Zaman
Secretary-Justina Acquah
Treasurer-_Ishmael Walker
Publicist/Reporter-Kamaria Whitley
Historian-Crystal Hong
Parliamentarian- Ali Ahmed
During October home football games and Spirit Week,
prior to Homecoming Weekend, the FBLA chapter is
having a “Blue Light Special” Fundraiser. This
fundraiser features blinking blue frame sunglasses,
lighted leis (Homecoming theme is Caribbean Nights),
star wands, and blue glow sticks. We are hoping for lots
of blue light sales to help Potomac “glow” at the football
games and on Homecoming Weekend! On Oct. 17th, the
FBLA will participate in the Homecoming Parade.
As of the first of October, we had 101 “Active” members.
Students are reminded that dues are now $12 for any
business student still wanting to join our chapter’s
membership. In addition, Potomac FBLA is recruiting
professional adults for the Professional Division. Send an
email to klotskgl@pwcs.edu for more info.
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Cheerleading
The Varsity cheerleaders will be competing at the AllCounty cheer competition at Stonewall Jackson High
The JV cheerleaders will compete at the 13th annual
Potomac Invitational Cheer Competition on October 26 at
9 AM. This competition will feature local middle school,
freshmen, and JV teams.
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GRAD NITE NEWS
The Grad Nite Committee is a group of parent
volunteers that organize and fund raise for a safe
grad nite party for the seniors. We will have our first
meeting on October 14th at 7:00 in room 100, which
is located in the PE hallway. We meet every other
Tuesday. Please come out and see what it's all
about.
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