From The Head of School – September 20, 2023

Flint Hill Community,

Last week, our entire Husky community came together – students, faculty, and staff – for our annual All School Gathering, which served as the convocation for the 2023-24 school year.  

During this ceremony, we heard from three students – 6th grader MaKayla, 8th grader Bethel, and Senior Rhett – who each shared thoughtful remarks and advice for their peers to make this a great school year.  

MaKayla spoke about Flint Hill’s welcoming environment, reflecting that she feels happy and excited to come to school each day: “When you get out of the car, you see teachers welcoming you with a fist bump and a high five. Entering the building I hear laughter and see smiles. I feel safe and joyful because I know I can be myself.”  

Bethel shared the impact of a supportive community ethos, particularly during the Middle School years: “The Husky family will and has always been there to help me and others through any challenges we encounter as we navigate a new environment.”

Finally, senior lifer and SCA president Rhett encouraged all Huskies to take meaningful risks, saying, “I guarantee you, some of the best decisions you will make in the next 10 years will be because you decided to join in tag during recess, you talked to that one kid in your art class, or you went to the Friday night basketball game and met your new best friend.” 

The student voices were followed by our annual lighting of the Flint Hill lantern – our take on the lantern that is lit at the start of the 1,000-mile Iditarod dog sled race (We’re Huskies, after all!). The lantern symbolizes respect and value for all of the racers about to begin this tremendous feat and it remains lit until the last team finishes the difficult trek across the Alaskan wilderness. It wasn’t about who finished first, but that everyone finished – doing their best – and no one was left behind. 

Our Flint Hill “Lifers,” the seniors who began their Flint Hill journey as Junior Kindergarteners or Kindergarteners, lit the lantern which will remain lit in my Upper School office throughout the school year until our last senior completes their graduation requirements. We are one Husky team, and these traditions and symbols of our Core Values in action mean a great deal to our students and community.

All School Gathering was, once again, a special event, and a connecting moment for all of our students – from the Seniors in the Class of 2024 to our youngest Husky pups in the Junior Kindergarten Class of 2037. We have many more connecting opportunities coming up, including Homecoming next week! I hope to see you all at the many events over that weekend, if not sooner.