Lower School Newsletter – Aug 21, 2024
AUGUST 21, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
The Flint Hill Lower School campus is bursting with energy and enthusiasm as our faculty and staff gear up for the upcoming academic year. The air is alive with discussions about plans and goals, reflecting our collective dedication to the power of a growth mindset. This enthusiasm comes on the heels of our summer reading, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” which has prepared us for a strong year ahead.
Each year, the Lower School faculty and staff select a goal to help pinpoint our focus and our attention. This year, we have chosen to focus on strengthening our community — a community that is predictable, and where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. During our preplanning sessions, we dedicated time to share and discuss the necessary steps to foster this enhanced feeling of community.
One exciting initiative to promote this goal is the creation of our Lower School playlist. Music has a unique power to unite people, lighten our workloads, evoke special memories, and expose us to diverse experiences. This communal project not only allowed us to contribute collectively but also to enjoy the fruits of our collaboration.
Monday was a testament to our community spirit. The entire Lower School faculty came together — pulling the proverbial sled — to organize and distribute the myriad of supplies, Amazon boxes, and textbooks that had accumulated over the summer. We navigated carts through hallways and up and down floors, from the art rooms to every corner of our building. The adage "many hands make light work" has never rung truer! All the while, we were energized by our Lower School playlist, enjoying our colleagues' favorite "Get Pumped-Up!" songs.
To share in our community spirit, I invite you to enjoy our 2024-25 Lower School Playlist on Spotify. We’d rate the songs as G or PG so please look over the titles before playing in the company of your Lower Schooler. Let's start this school year with joy, unity, and an invigorating soundtrack!
Happily,
Jess Henry
Interim Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Lunch in the Lower School
Parents are encouraged to provide students with a lunch with a minimum of packaging that requires no additional preparation. (Younger children have a hard time opening some packages.) Each student needs to have their own lunch, as sharing food is not permitted. No soda or sports drinks should be included in lunches. If a student forgets their lunch, parents may bring a lunch to the Lower School office. However, deliveries by delivery services to campus are not permitted.
Snack in the Lower School
Parents are kindly asked to provide a daily, healthy snack from the snack list. Lean protein snacks are beneficial to both body and mind and aid students with alertness, attention, and productivity. It would be best to avoid snacks with artificial flavors/colors and with high sugar content. Each child should bring their own snack, as students are not permitted to share food and the school does not provide snacks. Please also send in a reusable water bottle.
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Hummus
- Graham crackers
- Yogurt
- Goldfish/crackers
- Pretzels
- Cheese sticks
- Muffins
- Bagels
- Granola bars
- Cheese
- Hard-boiled egg
- Candy or gum
- Soda/sports drinks
Parents’ Association Lower School Volunteer Fair — Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27
Looking for ways to get involved? Stop by the Parents’ Association table in the Lower School Commons during Hopes and Dreams Conferences on Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., to learn about the many volunteer opportunities available. If you’re unable to attend, you may complete this form to share your general interest, and we will reach out to you as each opportunity arises.
Lower School Picture Day — Tuesday, September 3
Remember that Tuesday, September 3, is Picture Day at the Lower School. Students will have their individual portraits as well as class photos taken.
Lower School Back-to-School Nights — Grades JK-3 on Thursday, September 12; Grades 4-6 on Thursday, September 19
Parents are invited to an evening focused on the Lower School curriculum. Teachers will welcome parents into their classrooms to learn about daily routines, expectations, curriculum, and upcoming highlights for the year ahead.
- Grades JK-3 Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 12, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Hazel Lower School
- Grades 4-6 Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Hazel Lower School
Register for the Parents’ Association Tennis Social — Friday, September 13
Whether you are advanced or new to the game, join fellow parents, alumni parents, and grandparents at the Parents’ Association Tennis Social on Friday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., on the Middle and Upper School Campus Tennis Courts. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other families and enjoy some friendly competition. Players of all levels are welcome. Want to sharpen your skills and learn some tips from a pro? Sign up for the Skills and Drills Clinic. Or, register for the tournament where you’ll be matched with other parents for some mixed doubles. After a fun morning on the courts, plan to stay for a light lunch, raffles, and prizes. Learn more and register! Contact Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum '11 with questions.
Parent Morning Mixer — Tuesday, September 17
Parent Morning Mixers are informal socials for all JK-12 parents to get together on campus after morning carpool and are a great way to meet other parents across divisions. Parents from all divisions are welcome to attend regardless of the location. This year’s first Parent Morning Mixer is on Tuesday, September 17, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the Upper School deCamp Garden.
Author Visit & Book Reading — Wednesday, September 18
Join us in the library for an engaging family program featuring local author Leah Moser as she shares her book, "I Am a Thundercloud," on Wednesday, September 18, at 4:30 p.m. Designed to help young readers navigate big emotions, this beautifully illustrated story draws parallels between feelings and the sounds, sensations, and colors of nature. Through this event, children and their families will find comfort and understanding for those confusing, stormy days, making them feel lighter and more connected. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the world of emotions with Leah Moser’s insightful storytelling! Sign up to attend.
Parents’ Association: Sign Up to Volunteer in the Igloo and Den!
One of the most frequent and fun volunteer opportunities is selling concessions in the Igloo or Den. It’s a great way to meet other parents, while getting a glimpse of life in the Upper School, or to get the best view of a game on the Peterson Family Field.
The Igloo is located in the Upper School and is open for Upper School students during the day and after school. The Den is located on the John M. Thomas Terrace and is open during select athletic games. The proceeds benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel, which was established to support financial aid for families of current students who experience unexpected financial hardship. We are excited to open both concession stands for the school year and need many volunteers to operate!
Sign Up for Shifts:
Special thanks to our Concessions Leads!
Stephanie Anderson P’28
Wanda Bergeron P’25
Barbara Frank P’21, ’25
Kesha Kingswell P’26
Tanya Loyd P’25
Molisa Meholic P’29
Shamika Shahid P’25
Reminders
Lower School First Day of Class — Wednesday, August 28
The first day for Lower School students is Wednesday, August 28, 8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m. At that time, students will remain in the gym until classrooms are opened at 7:45 a.m.
Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year
Several resources are available to help your family prepare for the upcoming school year. Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year is a tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board with a comprehensive listing of back-to-school information. Here are some quick links we think you’ll be most interested in:
Please Review the 2024-25 Flint Hill Family Handbook
All families are encouraged to review the Flint Hill Family Handbook for the 2024-25 school year. The Family Handbook outlines community standards and policies for all Flint Hill students and family members and is organized into three sections: “Respect for Self,” “Respect for Others,” and “Respect for Shared Environment.” The Flint Hill Family Handbook will live on the Resource Board for ease of reference. No other action is required, as enrollment at Flint Hill expects awareness and respect of these policies throughout the school year.
Health Forms — New and Returning Students
Completed health forms must be uploaded to the Magnus Health system and approved by the first day of classes, or your child may not attend school. If you have any questions regarding the health forms, please email Director of Health Services Mary Hart or call at 571.926.2818.
SchoolPass Steps To Complete Before School Starts
Flint Hill School uses SchoolPass, a user-friendly and real-time system that allows parents to easily notify the school of student absences, late arrivals, or appointments; helps students and teachers with daily attendance; and assists the school with efficient and secure dismissal to direct students to Lower School carpool, buses, and AfterCare.
Returning Families
The only step you need to complete at this time is to review your approved driver's list and update or delete it if needed. Instructions for “Adding, Updating, and Deleting Approved Driver and Car Procedures” for the SchoolPass app are on the Preparing for the 2024-25 School Year tile on the Resource Board in Husky Hub.
New Families
You should have received an auto-generated “welcome” email from noreply-2300@schoolpass.com with instructions to download the application and create a profile. If you did not receive that email or need SchoolPass assistance in general, please email helpdesk@flinthill.org.
You will receive your car tags during your Hopes and Dreams Conference. During carpool, your tag will be scanned and confirmed by a staff member. This automatically notifies classroom teachers that you are in the carpool line, so they can send your child to the pickup area.
Medication Drop-Off — Tomorrow, Thursday, August 22
For students who will need to keep medication on campus during the school year, medication drop-off day is on Thursday, August 22, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
NOTE THAT DROP-OFF TAKES PLACE AT THE UPPER SCHOOL CIRCLE.
Families will pull into the circle, and a nurse will come to your car to collect the medication and the appropriate forms. As a reminder, all prescription medication must be accompanied by the physician's order on the Medication Authorization Form, which must be completed and signed by the prescribing physician.
All medication must have the pharmacy label on it. All over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by the Medication Authorization Form and must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian. The medication must be in the original packaging and must be administered according to the package instructions, including the time and route to be administered.
If you are unable to come to the School on the medication drop-off day, please call to schedule an appointment with your division’s nurse prior to the start of school.
- Upper School Nurse 703.584.2396
- Middle School Nurse 703.584.2397
- Lower School Nurse 703.584.2399
To drop off medication refills throughout the school year, please call and schedule an appointment with your division’s nurse.
Lower School Parent-Teacher Hopes and Dreams Conferences — Monday, August 26 - Tuesday, August 27
Parents were emailed instructions on August 12 to sign up for in-person conferences. The 20-minute conferences take place on Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27. These conferences give parents the opportunity to share their hopes, dreams, and goals for their child for the new year. Parents are also encouraged to share any other information that would be helpful for the teacher to know about their child.
If you have any questions or need help with the online scheduling system, please email Donna Holaday or call her at 703.584.2360.
Childcare Details Reminder: Childcare for Lower School Flint Hill students will be available at the Hazel Lower School in the Multipurpose Room (Room 201), from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27, allowing parents/guardians to attend their Hopes and Dreams conference.
Lower School New Parent Orientation — Friday, August 30
To help new parents, as we prepare for the school year, Director of the Lower School Jess Henry and Assistant Director of the Lower School Stephanie Phillips will host a meeting on Friday, August 30, 8:15-9:15 a.m., in the Olson Theater. Returning parents are also welcome to attend.
Upcoming Events
Medication Drop-Off
Thursday, August 22
Upper School Circle, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lower School Parent-Teacher Hopes and Dreams Conferences
Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27
Link to register was sent via email on Monday, August 12.
Parents' Association Lower School Volunteer Fair
Monday, August 26, and Tuesday, August 27
Hazel Lower School Commons, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
If unable to attend, complete this form to share your general interest.
Lower School First Day of Class
Wednesday, August 28
8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Lower School New Parent Orientation
Friday, August 30
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Returning parents are also welcome to attend.
Labor Day — Grades JK-12, No Classes
Monday, September 2
Lower School Picture Day
Tuesday, September 3
Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador Kickoff Meeting
Friday, September 6
Westwood Country Club, 8:45-11:45 a.m.
Grades JK-3 Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 12
Hazel Lower School, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Parents’ Association Tennis Social
Friday, September 13
Middle and Upper School Campus Tennis Courts, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Learn more and register.
Parents of "Lifers" Reception
Monday, September 16
Upper School deCamp Garden, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
All-School Gathering
Monday, September 16
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Parent Morning Mixer
Tuesday, September 17
Upper School deCamp Garden, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Author Visit & Book Reading: 'I Am a Thundercloud'
Wednesday, September 18
Hazel Lower School Library, 4:30 p.m.
Learn more and register.
Grades 4-6 Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 19
Hazel Lower School, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
FH Volleyball Invitational
Saturday, September 21
