Lower School Newsletter – April 10, 2024
APRIL 10, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Dear Lower School Families,
How quickly time passes by after Spring Break in the Lower School! I can’t believe we're already nearing mid-April.
As the end of the academic year draws closer, both students and parents naturally start to ponder the upcoming school year. In anticipation of these thoughts and plans, we are thrilled to invite you to our Rising Grade Open Classrooms and Coffee event. This presents a wonderful chance for parents to step into and experience a classroom setting from their child’s forthcoming grade level, engaging directly with both a teacher and students.
We warmly invite families of JK-2 students to join us this Friday, April 12, 8:15-9:30 a.m. This is a special opportunity to visit K-3 classrooms and gain insights into the next stage of your child’s education. Following the classroom visits, I will be available for a question-and-answer session to address any questions you may have.
For families with children in grades 3-5, we are pleased to offer a similar opportunity to visit 4-6 classrooms on Friday, April 19, 8:15-9:30 a.m. After exploring the classrooms, you are also invited to a question-and-answer session with me to discuss any thoughts or questions about your child’s upcoming transition.
These sessions are a unique opportunity to glimpse into the future of your child's education, fostering a smooth transition and ensuring you feel informed and supported as part of our school community. We look forward to sharing this experience with you and answering any questions you may have about the next steps in your child’s academic journey.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We're always happy to hear from you!
Warmly,
Madeleine Lopez
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Parent Meetup: Walking Group - More Dates Added!
Enjoy the spring weather and join fellow parents for rejuvenating walks through different trails and neighborhoods near the School! Check the sign-up form for more information and location details. If you have any questions, please contact fellow parent Molisa Meholic.
Dates: Friday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 24 at 8:15 a.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, May 6
Our final meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School. We will meet to discuss “The Sun is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon. Our book club provides a safe and engaging space for parents to read, discuss, and reflect on thought-provoking narratives that have been deemed too controversial. We've curated a diverse selection of banned books from various genres and eras that have sparked debates and provoked change. RSVP here for the meeting. If you have any questions, please email All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day — Friday, May 10
We look forward to welcoming grandparents and (adult) special friends on Friday, May 10, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., to spend the morning with their Husky and get a glimpse into their educational experience! This event is for grandparents and special friends of Lower School students in grades JK-6. We politely request that parents visit during open classroom days throughout the school year in order to accommodate grandparents and special friends.
Invitations have been mailed to grandparents and special friends. They can RSVP by returning the reply card, registering online, or contacting Olivia Landrum.
- To help with limited parking, please plan to drop off your guests during regular morning carpool. Guests who need to drive separately may begin arriving at 7:45 a.m.
- All students are permitted and encouraged to leave school for the day at the end of the program. This is a great opportunity for families to arrange afternoon playdates with friends or outings with grandparents and special friends.
- A special mid-day carpool will run 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Please use the SchoolPass system to notify the school by Tuesday, May 7, if your student will be leaving at the end of the event.
- There will be childcare for students who remain on campus until regular dismissal time. No additional sign up is needed. Afternoon carpool and Aftercare will run as normal for students who remain on campus.
Visit the Grandparents and Special Friends Day website for more details.
For Rising 7th Grade Parents: Orientation Presentation Slides
Those who were not able to attend this morning’s orientation session for rising 7th grade parents are invited to view Mr. Lamont’s slide presentation.
Lands’ End Uniform Sales Discounts
Lands’ End is currently running a duo of 40% off and 20% off promotions online. Use this link, code: LEARN, pin: 7879. The discount is valid through Friday, April 19.
New Sign-in Experience on Husky Hub Coming Soon
At Flint Hill, we partner with Blackbaud to provide Husky Hub. Beginning Tuesday, April 23, you’ll notice changes to the Husky Hub sign-in page. These changes were made to improve reliability for your Blackbaud ID and a more attractive, intuitive sign-in experience. Just follow the prompts to access our online services. A couple of things to note:
- Your sign-in credentials won’t change.
- If you enabled multi-factor authentication, you will need to set up that up again.
More information is available here. If you have any questions, you can contact helpdesk@flinthill.org.
Reminders
Lead the Pack Challenge — Deadline Friday, April 12
Huskies in all divisions are on the move and closing in on the goals of our Lead the Pack Challenge — thank you for your support!
There are less than 48 hours to join with a gift or pledge to this year’s Flint Hill Fund and be counted in for the Lead the Pack Challenge. Your gift of any amount counts you as a participant for the challenge and helps to support students and teachers each and every day.
Remember, only gifts and pledges (payable by June 30) that are made by Friday, April 12, 12:00 p.m. will count toward this challenge. Don’t wait until it’s too late — make your gift today!
Space Available! Summer on the Hill Athletic Camps
Summer on the Hill offers a range of athletic Camp offerings for students in grades 3-12 that are designed to provide campers with the opportunity to work with our exceptional coaches, their star staff, and members of their teams. Check out our offerings below and register now!
Girls’ Basketball
Dates: July 15-19
Price: $450
Grades: Rising 3-9
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Join the 2023 Conference Champion Flint Hill Huskies and Head Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach Sedrick Winston for camp this summer! The camp will provide an opportunity for young girls to learn the fundamentals of basketball, improve their skills, and have fun in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Boys’ Basketball
Dates: July 8-12, July 22-26
Price: $450
Grades: Rising 3-9
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Join Rico Reed, longtime Flint Hill Boys' Varsity basketball coach, his staff, and players for a week of skills and fundamentals, full-court games, and group activities to improve your campers’ individual and team skills.
Co-ed Flag Football
Dates: June 24-28
Price: $450
Grades: Rising 5-9
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Join Flint Hill’s Head Varsity Football Coach Kirk Peterson and his staff for the first annual Flint Hill Flag Football Camp emphasizing good sportsmanship, the importance of teamwork, and a focus on basic football skills, games, agility, and position training.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Dates: June 17-21 (closed June 19)
Price: $360
Grades: Rising 4-8
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Join Flint Hill Head Lacrosse Coach Adam Rice and his staff, including current Flint Hill players, for a week of learning fundamentals, skill development, and thrilling matches!
Girls’ Volleyball
Dates: June 24-28
Price: $225
Grades: Rising 5-8, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grades: Rising 9-12, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Join Flint Hill coach and former professional volleyball player Rhamat Alhassan for this half-day volleyball camp! Campers will learn the knowledge, discipline, work ethic, leadership, and competitive edge needed to take them to the next level!
Rising Grades K-3 Transition Coffee — Friday, April 12
On Friday, April 12, 8:15-9:30 a.m., at the Hazel Lower School, parents are welcomed into homeroom classrooms where students will share what they are currently learning. This is followed by an informal gathering in the Olson Theater with the Lower School leadership to share questions and discuss next year's transition.
Headfirst Summer Camp Open House — Saturday, April 13
Headfirst Summer Camps is excited to attend the Flint Hill Open House on Saturday, April 13, 9:00-11:00 a.m., at the Hazel Lower School Gym. We will have games, inflatables, prizes, and treats for all who attend. We’re excited to be on-site at one of our favorite facility partners and cannot wait to see your family!
Rising Grades 4-6 Transition Coffee — Friday, April 19
On Friday, April 19, 8:15-9:30 a.m., at the Hazel Lower School, parents are welcomed into homeroom classrooms where students will share what they are currently learning. This is followed by an informal gathering in the Olson Theater with the Lower School leadership to share questions and discuss next year's transition.
Upper School Visual Arts Show Opening Reception
Please join us as we celebrate the Visual Arts in the Upper School on Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., for the Visual Arts Showcase and Reception. The exhibition will include a variety of student works ranging from ceramics, digital art, film making, drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media created throughout the year. In addition, on the second level of the building, you can view the Portfolio Art Exhibition, “Our True Nature” featuring Bella Bloom '24, Jessica Li '24, Hannah Reeder '24, and Clara Stevens '24. We encourage all community families to attend and bring your friends. The work will be on display until Thursday, May 23.
PCW Event: Navigating the New World of College Admissions
Flint Hill is a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW), which hosts programming for member schools throughout the school year. All PCW member school parents, administrators, faculty, and staff are invited to register for PCW’s free Spring Speaker Series webinar, “How Families Can Navigate the New World of College Admissions” on Wednesday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
PCW is pleased to welcome Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark, authors of “The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting in and Staying Together,” in conversation with Trudy Fleisher, college advisor at The Lab School of Washington. Barnard and Clark — with combined decades of experience and insight from both the high school and university sides of the process — will provide advice, strategies, and reassurance to navigate the college admission process together as a family in a way that makes the experience positive for everybody.
The discussion will feature topics such as:
- How to create a list of prospective schools.
- A better understanding of how colleges make admission decisions.
- Thinking through financial considerations: affordability and aid.
- Changes in standardized testing.
Register Here. The event’s discussion format will feature ample opportunity for Q&A. We welcome questions in advance for the speakers, which may be submitted to administration@parentscouncil.org by April 19.
RSVP for a Night on the Hill — Friday, April 26
Join us for a night of community building and fun on Friday, April 26, 8:00-10:00 p.m., at the Upper School! RSVP and learn more. Wondering what to wear? Check out some ideas from our official Flint Hill stylist!
Parent Education Series: "Rethinking Parenting Anxious Kids"
As a follow-up to our April 3 Parent Education Series event: Anxious Kids and Tolerating Big Feelings, we will host divisional morning sessions for parents to continue the conversation. No RSVP is needed to attend these sessions. We hope you'll join us as we welcome our speakers back to campus to share concrete strategies for making simple shifts in your own behavior that can lead to significant changes in your children and, ultimately, create a more peaceful and cooperative household. Click here to learn more about the presenters.
Upper School: Wednesday, April 17
8:30-9:45 a.m., Upper School, Multipurpose Room
Middle School: Thursday, April 18
8:30-9:45 a.m., Peterson Middle School, Learning Commons
Lower School: Friday, May 3
8:30-9:45 a.m., Hazel Lower School, Room 201
There’s a Place for You at the Golf Invitational & Skills Social
The Golf Invitational and Skills Social on Thursday, May 23, is for everyone! It’s not about skill or a great round of golf; it’s about building community and celebrating Flint Hill.
While there’s plenty of fun to be had in the tourney, perhaps what’s even more fun is the Skills Social hosted by Head of School Patrick McHonett and his wife, Jessica. It’s great for those who want to enjoy a fun morning with fellow Huskies (and maybe a little golf!). You’ll enjoy 90 minutes of casual conversation and skills taught by pros, and then lunch in the Clubhouse to connect with golfers arriving for the tourney. Plus, rental clubs are provided.
Up for 18 holes? Register as an individual and we will pair you with fellow Huskies. Or, get your foursome together! All abilities are welcome.
Igloo and Den Concessions Volunteers Needed
We need many volunteers to keep both the Igloo and the Den running until the end of the school year! It’s a great way to meet other parents while supporting our community. Sign up for as many shifts as you'd like and invite a friend to join you. Students can volunteer in the Den too and receive service hours!
Upcoming Events
Course Selection and Middle School Transition Presentation for 6th Graders
Thursday, April 11
Rising Grades K-3 Transition Coffee
Friday, April 12
Hazel Lower School, Classrooms and Olson Theater, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Parent Meetup - Walking Group
Friday, April 12
8:15 a.m.
Sign up!
Lead the Pack Challenge Deadline
Friday, April 12, 12:00 p.m.
Make Your Gift Today
Headfirst Summer Camp Open House
Saturday, April 13
Hazel Lower School, Gym, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Rising Grades 4-6 Transition Coffee
Friday, April 19
Hazel Lower School, Classrooms and Olson Theater, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Parent Meetup - Walking Group
Wednesday, April 24
8:15 a.m.
Sign up!
Upper School Visual Arts Show Opening Reception
Wednesday, April 24
Upper School Commons, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Webinar: How Families Can Navigate the New World of College Admissions
Wednesday, April 24
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Register
Night on the Hill
Friday, April 26
Upper School Campus, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
RSVP
Lower School Parent Education Series: Rethinking Parenting Anxious Kids
Friday, May 3
Hazel Lower School, Room 201, 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Upper School Musical, “Legally Blonde”
Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater
Details and Ticket Information will be available in the next newsletter!
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, May 6
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
RSVP
Grades 5-8 Spring Orchestra Concert
Tuesday, May 7
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Grades 5-8 Spring Band Concert
Thursday, May 9
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Lower School Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Friday, May 10
Hazel Lower School, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Grades 5-8 Spring Percussion Concert
Tuesday, May 14
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Grades 5-8 Spring Choral Concert
Thursday, May 16
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Volunteer Appreciation Reception
Friday, May 17
Peterson Middle School Terrace, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Flint Hill Golf Invitational
Thursday, May 23
Westfields Golf Club, 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Register
Grades JK-4 Spring Concert
Friday, May 24
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
