Anonymous
Post 04/13/2016 09:37     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:The new guy definitely wants Potomac athletics elevated. Hard to see that happening on the boys side given the MAC affiliation.

I predict this new HOS will either be a huge success, or a resounding failure.


Way to make a bold prediction!
Anonymous
Post 04/13/2016 04:58     Subject: Re:New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:This information has NOT been made public to the Potomac community. I do not think this is credible information so please be weary of false advertising!

I am wearily wary...
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 22:30     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:All of the schools rent out their facilities. What is the problem with that?


It means that the school's neighbors never, ever get a quiet weekend. Traffic 7 days a week. Most public schools are closed up on the weekends.



Every DC and Montgomery high school that I can think of hosts a number of activities all weekend long, sports, clubs, robotics, theater, music, neighborhood events, whatever. I don't know what bubble you are living in.


Arlington too!!
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 17:26     Subject: Re:New field house at Potomac

This information has NOT been made public to the Potomac community. I do not think this is credible information so please be weary of false advertising!
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 14:25     Subject: Re:New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Current Potomac family and disappointed that fund raising has been devoted to this. Perhaps, they should look to renovate the middle school--(really an eyesore) and has a disturbing mold problem before focusing on more athletic facilities....


That is part of the new building phase, along with the field house.[/quote

When was this announced? I never heard it.
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 14:00     Subject: Re:New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:Current Potomac family and disappointed that fund raising has been devoted to this. Perhaps, they should look to renovate the middle school--(really an eyesore) and has a disturbing mold problem before focusing on more athletic facilities....


That is part of the new building phase, along with the field house.
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 11:54     Subject: Re:New field house at Potomac

Current Potomac family and disappointed that fund raising has been devoted to this. Perhaps, they should look to renovate the middle school--(really an eyesore) and has a disturbing mold problem before focusing on more athletic facilities....
Anonymous
Post 04/12/2016 08:52     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:Personally, the new new head of school and new attitude at Potomac to be more competitive in sports, as well as new facilities all while maintaining a hard core academic curriculum all factored heavily into our kid going there next year. We had lots of choices, live in NWDC, have another kid at a "big 3" school but just thought Potomac looked great for our uber athletic, really smart and driven kid. We were surprised that we were all so impressed and are excited about Potomac. Our older kid was not at all impressed when we looked at it a few years ago so we didn't even bother applying. Seems to me it is headed in a much stronger direction. At least I certainly hope since we "bought the farm" as they say.


I hope you haven't "bought the farm" -- that has always been military slang for someone killed in combat.

But it sounds like you bought their pitch. I'm sure you'll like it -- it is an excellent school with high family satisfaction.

The Potomac Board made their vision for the school clear when they hired someone whose professional background included years of coaching football at a jocky independent school and whose big advanced degree is business school (Dartmouth MBA). They are looking for the marketing and the sports, and probably feel comfortable they can get the academic leadership from elsewhere in the leadership team. This is a different strategy from, say, Andover hiring a Harvard professor, but it represents a clear strategic choice and the steps taken since that hiring (forcing out personnel, bringing in more varsity coaches as FTEs, big money athletic facility) are all in line with that strategic choice.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 18:03     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Personally, the new new head of school and new attitude at Potomac to be more competitive in sports, as well as new facilities all while maintaining a hard core academic curriculum all factored heavily into our kid going there next year. We had lots of choices, live in NWDC, have another kid at a "big 3" school but just thought Potomac looked great for our uber athletic, really smart and driven kid. We were surprised that we were all so impressed and are excited about Potomac. Our older kid was not at all impressed when we looked at it a few years ago so we didn't even bother applying. Seems to me it is headed in a much stronger direction. At least I certainly hope since we "bought the farm" as they say.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 12:45     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Potomac parent here. We've known the field house was going to be next (after the Admin building construction in 2012 and Intermediate School renovation two years ago) for several years. Definitely before Kowalik arrived.

As PP stated, there are serious restrictions on renting out Potomac facilities. It practically never happens.

Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 12:13     Subject: New field house at Potomac

PP - What public schools are closed up over the weekend????

Every single elementary, middle and high school in my school district/county is used on the weekends.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 11:31     Subject: New field house at Potomac

beware the Prep experience. It does affect the type of students you end up getting and diverts resources from going elsewhere. Modern facilities are important, but going over the top has consequences. Prep now regularly loses students to other catholic schools and the headmaster who spearheaded the field house project was ousted.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 10:31     Subject: New field house at Potomac

The new guy definitely wants Potomac athletics elevated. Hard to see that happening on the boys side given the MAC affiliation.

I predict this new HOS will either be a huge success, or a resounding failure.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 08:31     Subject: New field house at Potomac

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:All of the schools rent out their facilities. What is the problem with that?


It means that the school's neighbors never, ever get a quiet weekend. Traffic 7 days a week. Most public schools are closed up on the weekends.


Not sure what public schools you are referring to - but that is definitely not the case in Montgomery County. Drive by any public school (elementary, middle or high school) and you will see them utilized by outside groups on weekends - both the fields and buildings.
Anonymous
Post 04/11/2016 08:20     Subject: New field house at Potomac

OP, where did you read this announcement?