Middle School Newsletter – May 29, 2024
MAY 29, 2024
Letter From The Division Director
It has been a pleasure working with your children and with you throughout this amazing year. We start the year asking all of us to engage in doing our best and recognize that the growth and richness of the experience comes as much from our stumbles as from our successes. Like every school year, this one was wonderfully imperfect and full of learning opportunities for all of us — especially in the Middle School. I appreciate your partnership and support throughout the year. Please remember that tomorrow is the final day of school, and see below for final details and reminders.
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
Announcements
Final Grade Reports — Open Wednesday, June 12
Your child’s Middle School Quarter 4 Report will be available on Husky Hub on Wednesday, June 12, at 4:00 p.m. In addition to providing a complete set of quarter and semester grades for each subject, we will include a narrative comment from your child’s advisor, summarizing their growth throughout the year.
Middle School Summer Learning and Summer Reading Information
Our Middle School Summer Reading document provides the options for meeting our summer requirements. The Middle School Summer Learning document includes recommended resources for enrichment and skill maintenance across all disciplines.
Middle School Creative Writing Submissions
Earlier this spring, students had the opportunity to submit their written work as part of our annual contest. Our English teachers reviewed the submissions and focused on the authenticity of voice, clarity of structure, sophistication of language, presentation of manuscript (formatting, punctuation, etc.), and overall emotional impact of the piece. Pieces ranged from poems to short stories to personal narratives and are presented for viewing on this Creative Writing Spring 2024 site.
7th Grade Satellite Project
Our 7th grade Earth and Space Science students designed, imagined, and built six class satellites and successfully placed them in "orbit" in our Middle School project spaces. They were responsible for creating six sensors, each representing a unit of science as well as the six major satellite systems to keep the satellites in orbit and focused on the Earth. They also completed group videos on these sensors and systems as well as individual reflections on their experiences. Please use this link to view the introduction video and each group’s contribution to the project.
Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year
Several resources are now available to help your family prepare for the 2024-25 school year. Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year is a tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board, with checklists for each division, containing important action items for parents.
- Back-to-School Forms — Online back-to-school forms are now available on Husky Hub and are required for students to attend school and any school activity prior to the start of school. The deadline for submission is Friday, June 14. Please contact Enrollment Services Manager Sarah Burnett with any questions about student forms.
- Health Forms — Starting Monday, June 10, parents are asked to log into the Health Portal to submit required health forms, which are due Thursday, August 1.
- Calendar — Access the 2024-25 Calendar Highlights for your convenience in planning for the next year.
Thank You from the Parents’ Association President
Dear Flint Hill Families,
It has been my honor to serve as president of the Flint Hill School Parents' Association for this past year, and I am grateful for the privilege.
One of the many great aspects of our school is maintaining continuity while also making each year better. With that in mind, please join me in thanking and welcoming incoming Parents’ Association President Rejera Arnold for stepping into this role. Rejera has already made an impact in the Flint Hill community, where she has:
- Served as a Lower School Divisional Ambassador for the past two years and even signed up during her first year.
- Served as a Flint Hill Fund volunteer this year.
- Served as an active volunteer and helped at many school events such as Homecoming, Teacher Appreciation Week, Night on the Hill, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and more!
Rejera, you are going to do a wonderful job, and we wish you well!
Flint Hill's Core Values have resonated with me since the moment our family first explored this school, and the values are something we see lived every day with each of you. The first three — Respect and Value All Equally; Lead and Support with Compassion; and Act with Integrity — I think of as the minimum standards we expect of ourselves and give to others. They are our essential principled foundation, and while they may be a floor, they are a high floor. The remaining two, though, are where the magic really happens — when we Imagine What's Possible and Blaze the Trail. It is thanks to all of you — for bringing that energizing spirit to the school and to each other — that we create this special environment in which the students — our dear kids! — learn and grow.
Though my time as Parents’ Association President is ending, I’m excited to continue to serve as a divisional ambassador next year, along with my wife, Jennifer, and many of you. In fact, the Divisional Ambassador program has grown to over 90 volunteers heading into next year, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the level of interest and what it will mean for the school.
To parents, faculty, staff, and everyone who dedicates time, energy, and talent in support of strengthening our Flint Hill community, Thank You! I look forward to continuing to pull the sled with all of you.
Have a wonderful and safe summer!
Go Huskies!
Scott McCandless
Reminders
Last Day Schedule — Thursday, May 30
Please note that Thursday, May 30, is the last day of school.
- Regular 8:00 a.m. arrival time.
- English (8:10-9:10 a.m.) and makeup (10:45-11:45 a.m.) exams in the morning with a half hour of extra time available to any student.
- We will also have a final Town Meeting assembly and a brief promotion ceremony rehearsal for 8th graders.
- We will run two dismissals — one at 10:45 a.m. and one at 12:00 p.m.
- We will have supervision available for those who need to stay for the afternoon.
Grade 8 Dance — Thursday, May 30, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Middle School Commons
We will celebrate this important milestone with a festive evening in our building, and we hope that all members of the Class of 2028 will attend and enjoy the evening as a group. Parents are welcome to take pictures on the terrace until 6:45 p.m. Recommended Dress — a dress; or a suit jacket, dress pants, and a tie. Please keep it simple and avoid homecoming and prom-style attire and transportation.
Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony — Friday, May 31, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Upper School Gym
Students should be dropped off at the Middle School by 10:00 a.m., and parents should park in the Upper School lot and proceed to the main Upper School entrance. Family members and relatives are invited to attend; no RSVP required. Seventh graders may attend as audience members, but their attendance is not required. There will be a brief reception for families in the Upper School Commons immediately following the ceremony. Recommended Dress — a collared shirt or blouse with khaki-style or dress pants; skirt with a blouse or sundress.
Enrollment Contract Binding Date — Saturday, June 1
Saturday, June 1, is the date on which your 2024-25 Flint Hill Enrollment Contract becomes legally binding. As stipulated in the contract, if a student is withdrawn for the 2024-25 school year after Saturday, June 1, those who are financially responsible for that student are liable for payment of the full tuition. If your child(ren) will not be attending Flint Hill School next year, please contact Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations Anne Peterson prior to Saturday, June 1. If you have specific billing questions, please contact Student Billing Specialist Sammy Nelson.
Final Medication Pickup — By Monday, June 3
Any medication sent to the School Clinic for this school year must be picked up on or before Friday, May 31, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or Monday, June 3, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Emergency medication (EpiPens, inhalers, diabetic supplies) must be picked up by Monday, June 3, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Medications are not stored at the School over the summer. All medication not picked up by Monday, June 3, at 2:30 p.m., will be discarded. Please call the division clinic to schedule a time for you to pick up your child’s medication.
- Lower School Clinic: 703.584.2399
- Middle School Clinic: 703.584.2397
- Upper School Clinic: 703.584.2396
2024 Summer Tutors — Monday, June 10, and Friday, August 23
Some Flint Hill faculty and staff will be available for tutoring this summer. Please note that Flint Hill employees may only tutor Flint Hill students between Monday, June 10, and Friday, August 23. All arrangements for times, rates, and payments are solely between the faculty member and the family, and tutoring sessions may not take place on campus. This information is also available on the Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year tile on the Resource Board.
Rising 8th Grade — Independent Community Service Project
The Middle School Community Service tile on our Resource Board includes information about the 8th Grade Independent Community Service Project. This involves at least 10 hours of service and a presentation during our Service Share in the spring. We encourage rising 8th graders to begin planning or even completing hours this summer. Contact our Middle School Community Service Coordinator Ann Bazzarone with any questions.
Gratitude for Our Departing Faculty and Staff
As we do each year, we have faculty and staff departing due to retirement, relocation, or new career/educational opportunities. We are grateful for their service to Flint Hill and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Middle School
Claire Holman, Middle School English Teacher (April 2024)
Katie Knicely, Middle School History Teacher
Jackie McLoughlin, Middle and Upper School Theater Arts Teacher and Director of Theater Arts Productions
Leslie Taylor, Middle School Math Teacher
Ken Whitley, Lower, Middle, and Upper School Orchestra Teacher
All School
Rick Clark, Controller
Ana Yarbrough, Executive Assistant to the Head of School (October 2023)
Spring Athletic Pictures by Freed Photography
To purchase pictures taken by Freed Photography during the Spring Athletic Season, use the link and information below or check your respective Husky Hub team page.
- Middle School Athletics: Password: FLINT2324MSSPTM
Upcoming Events
End of Fourth Quarter/Second Semester
Thursday, May 30
Lower, Middle, and Upper School Last Day of School
Thursday, May 30
Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop Off
Tuesday, May 28 - Monday, June 3
Lower School Campus, Miller House
Grade 8 Dance
Thursday, May 30
Peterson Middle School Commons, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Grade 8 Parent Dinner
Thursday, May 30
International Country Club, 13200 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Fairfax, VA
7:00-9:15 p.m.
Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony
Friday, May 31
Upper School Gym, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Final Medication Pickup Dates
Friday, May 31
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Monday, June 3
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Call the division clinic to schedule a time for you to pick up your child’s medication.
- Lower School Clinic: 703.584.2399
- Middle School Clinic: 703.584.2397
- Upper School Clinic: 703.584.2396
Enrollment Contract Binding Date
Saturday, June 1
Upper School Dance Team Tryouts
Rising grades 9-12 students
Tuesday, June 4 - Thursday, June 6
Upper School Dance Studio, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Register to Attend Tryouts
Commencement
Friday, June 7
Upper School Gym, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream beginning at 9:45 a.m.
Final Grade Reports Open on Husky Hub
Wednesday, June 12, at 4:00 p.m.
Online Back-to-School Forms Due
Friday, June 14
Forms are available on Husky Hub
Confirmation of Class Schedules — Returning Students
Tuesday, July 16
We will email families with a list of classes (without specific teachers or rosters) that can be used when purchasing textbooks.
Required Health Forms Due
Thursday, August 1
Newsletter Resumes
Wednesday, August 7
Student Schedules Available in Husky Hub
Thursday, August 8
