Assistant Principal's Corner

Welcome Back, 10th Grade Families!🎉

Greetings Parents & Guardians of our 10th Grade Scholars,

Your Tenth Grade Academy Administrative Team welcomes you back to another  year at THE Potomac High School. Below is the team's contact information:

● Dr. Itari Hinds 10th Grade Administrator 

   Email: Itari.hinds@pgcps.org - Rm #217

● Ms. Brittany Woods, 10th Grade Advocate

   Email: Brittany.Woods@pgcps.org  Rm # 242

● Ms.Eboni Davis, Professional School Counselor  

   Email: Eboni.chriss@pgcps.org

   Rm: Main Hallway Guidance Suite

It is my pleasure to welcome you and your student to 10th grade. As your grade-level administrator, I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to partnering with you to support our students as they continue their high school journey.

Sophomore year is an important time of growth and development. Students are no longer the young impressionable freshmen, fumbling through the halls of a 3-building campus. They have become more independent, confident, and are beginning to think more intentionally about their academic and career goals. Our collective responsibility is to provide the structure, encouragement, and accountability our students need to thrive.

To My Scholars: This year, we will continue to emphasize academic achievement, personal responsibility, respectful relationships, positive decision-making, and preparation for life beyond high school. We want every student to feel seen, supported, challenged, and valued while also understanding that success requires consistent effort and commitment on your part. 

The school day begins promptly at 7:20 a.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m. each day. You are expected to arrive on time and be prepared to engage in learning from the moment you enter the building. Please note that if you are late, breakfast for tardy students ends at 7:30 a.m. Once the bell rings for the day to begin, you are expected to go to your locker, if you need to, then directly to class. IN between classes during class transitions, you may not go to lockers without a pass. Do not engage in behavior that will cause you to be late for class: loiter in the halls, wait for friends, or escort anyone to class.  

All students are expected to be in full uniform every day. The uniform expectation includes khaki pants AND a white, blue, or black polo shirt. You may wear a sweater or hoodie that is one of those colors, but you must put your coat/outer gear in your locker.

Students are also required to have a clear bookbag each day. Any student who arrives with a non-clear bag will have the bag confiscated and it will be secured in the Security Office until the appropriate next steps are completed.

In addition, students who carry purses must ensure that they meet the county's size expectations. Purses must be no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches. Any purse larger than the approved size will be confiscated by Security and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

Please understand that these county-enforced expectations are in place to support a safe, organized, and orderly learning environment. Students who are not in uniform will be assigned to the Student Accountability Center (SAC)/ In-School Suspension for the day. We ask that students and families partner with us by ensuring these expectations are followed daily to avoid unnecessary consequences.

Lastly, get involved! There will be many opportunities this year for you to grow academically, socially, and personally. I encourage each of you to become involved with a sports team, intramural activity or club, take advantage of available resources, and set meaningful goals making choices that help you to become a well-rounded scholar and life-long learner.

To My Parents: Your involvement plays an important role in your student's success. I encourage you to enage in the following:

• Stay informed about your student's academic progress and attendance by checking ParentVue weekly.

• Encourage your student to communicate with teachers and seek assistance when needed. Don't wait till the end of the quarter or they are failing a class.

• Reinforce the importance of meeting deadlines and fulfilling responsibilities.

• Encourage positive relationships and respectful communication between adults and peers.

• Celebrate your student's accomplishments while helping them learn from challenges.

• Reach out when you have questions or concerns so that we can work together to address them. Email or call me as soon as something happens that concerns you.

Please know that my door is open. While I cannot promise that every situation will be resolved exactly as we might hope, I can promise that I will listen, communicate, and work to support the best interests of our students and school community. 

Thank you in advance for your partnership and support. When families, students, teachers, counselors, and administrators work together, we create the strongest possible environment for student success. Let us continue to build on the partnership we began last year as we forge ahead on his journey. If you are new to the Potomac Family, WELCOME ABOARD!

I am looking forward to a productive, positive, and successful school year with our 10th-grade students and families. Welcome back, and let's make this a year to remember!

Educationally yours,

Itari Hinds

Dr. Itari Hinds

10th Grade Administrator

Additionally, the following key information is necessary for a solid start to the 10th grade experience:

High School Grading Policy (see table below):