Lower School Newsletter – January 3, 2024
JANUARY 3, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Dear Lower School Families,
Happy New Year! Welcome back from what I hope was a wonderful and relaxing winter break! My family and I enjoyed a lovely weekend trip to New York to see family and friends, and we celebrated our first holidays at home in Virginia.
As we are easing into the new year with a couple of calm weeks in the Lower School, I’d like to spotlight our Lower School theme for this year: Joy! The importance of joy in learning at Flint Hill cannot be overstated, as it serves as a powerful motivator for students. When learning is a joyful experience, it enhances engagement, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation. Joyful learning fosters a positive attitude toward education, creating an environment where students are eager to explore and discover. The emotional connection to learning experiences not only makes the process more enjoyable but also contributes to better retention and understanding of information. Our passionate and inspiring educators in the Lower School ignite a love for learning through engaging lessons, encouragement, and a supportive learning environment. These elements are instrumental in shaping our students' attitudes toward education. When our students feel seen, valued, and encouraged to explore their interests, the joy of learning lays the groundwork for a lifelong love of knowledge and a continuous pursuit of personal and intellectual growth. We hope you are witnessing at home the positive impact that joyful learning in the Lower School is having on your children!
Once again, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support and active involvement in the Lower School community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Warmly,
Madeleine Lopez
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Summer on the Hill Registration — Coming Soon!
Families can look forward to an announcement this month regarding our upcoming Summer on the Hill Programs for 2024. Program options will be available through Headfirst, D.C. United, Washington National, and our very own Flint Hill teachers and coaches. For questions, contact Matt McCoart.
Community Festival Planning Meeting — Tuesday, January 9
On Saturday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m, we will host our annual Community Festival in the Upper School. If you attended this event last year, you’ll remember that the morning was dedicated to our Community of Care forum and the afternoon involved a cultural celebration sharing foods and traditions from the various countries represented throughout our Flint Hill community. This year, we’re calling the whole event Community Festival! If you and your family would like to represent a country, please fill out this form and join us for a brief planning meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group — January Dates Added
Stay connected in the New Year and meet up with parents for a rejuvenating walk through the trails and neighborhoods behind Oakmont Rec Center. Locations may vary each week, so check the sign-up form for more information. If you have any questions, please contact FH parent Molisa Meholic. Dates: Wednesday, January 10, 8:00 a.m. and Tuesday, January 23, 8:00 a.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, February 5
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. We will meet to discuss “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendon Kiely. 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 to attend by completing this form. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Reminders
Driving Spirit Awards — Nominate by Thursday
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill employees who lead by example through their dedication to students, faculty, or the Flint Hill community at large, as evidenced by their ability to energize and inspire the Husky community. Their embodiment of the Driving Spirit makes our School the special and unique place we all value, a place that respects and values all equally, leads and supports with compassion, acts with integrity to imagine what’s possible and where all are inspired to blaze their own trail. Please think about the exceptional employees of Flint Hill who you believe fit this description. Complete the nomination form by Thursday, January 4.
Financial Aid Deadline — Monday, January 8
If your family is planning to apply for financial aid for next year:
- Monday, January 8: Financial aid application deadline. All supporting documents are also due on this date.
- Wednesday, January 31: Financial aid decisions for current students will be included when 2024-2025 enrollment contracts are issued to current families.
- Thursday, February 8: 2024-25 Enrollment contracts for current students are due.
- Friday, March 1: Financial aid decisions for new students will be included when admission decisions are released.
Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 if you have any questions.
Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget — Monday, January 8
Current families are invited to join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Associate Head of School for Finance & Operations Anne Peterson for our annual budget coffee on Monday, January 8, at 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room to learn more about your investment in a one-of-a-kind Flint Hill experience for your student(s).
Register for Spring Break Camp Registration
Spring Break Camp will be held March 18-22, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Throughout the week, students will participate in a variety of STEM, art and team building activities, as well as participate in a week-long color competition. Register now!
Tell Your Friends: Get to Know Flint Hill
Events are a great way for families to learn about Flint Hill — and it helps us get to know them, too! If you know someone who would make a great Husky, submit the Refer a Husky form and consider inviting them to these upcoming admission events:
Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12 — Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. Current families are welcome to attend.
Lower School Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 9:00 a.m.
Middle School Virtual Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.
Inclement Weather Classwork Policy
Delayed openings and closures will be announced to members of the Flint Hill community by 5:45 a.m. on the day of a severe weather event in the following ways:
- Text/email alerts through our emergency notification system.
- A banner on our website.
- Story posts on Instagram and Facebook.
If a change to the school day is required, we will contact you as stated above. If you do not hear from us, know that the school day is scheduled as normal.
We also want to make you aware of our classwork policy on inclement weather days.
For students in Grades JK-2 — Starting with the second inclement weather day of the season, teachers may provide optional home learning to be done via Seesaw or email. This work will neither be graded nor collected and is solely for the purpose of review, practice or enrichment.
For students in Grades 3-6 — Starting with the second inclement weather day of the season, and including all others, teachers may choose to assign home learning available on Seesaw or by email by 10:00 a.m.
Volunteer in the Igloo
We need volunteers for the Igloo — no experience needed. It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents while strengthening our community. Upper School students can volunteer and earn service hours for basketball games, too. Sign up for as many shifts as you'd like and invite a friend to join you. With more volunteers, we can open for more games and activities. Sign Up to Volunteer in the Igloo
2024-25 School Year Calendar Highlights Now Available
We have shared our 2024-25 Calendar Highlights on the Parent Resource Board, including the first and last days of school, breaks, holidays, Conference Days, and Professional Development Days. We will communicate any changes made to this calendar in the newsletter.
Upcoming Events
Driving Spirit Awards Nomination Deadline
Thursday, January 4
Admission Event: Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12
Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m.
Current families are welcome to attend.
Sign up to attend
Financial Aid Application Deadline
Monday, January 8
Grades JK-12 Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget
Monday, January 8
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Community Festival Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 9
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Wednesday, January 10
Oakmont Rec Center, 8:00 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Grades JK-12 No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed
Monday, January 15
Grades 4-6 Classroom Visits and Parent Coffee
Friday, January 19
Classrooms and Olson Theater, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Tuesday, January 23
Oakmont Rec Center, 8:00 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Grades JK-3 Classroom Visits and Parent Coffee
Friday, January 26
Classrooms and Olson Theater, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Flint Hill Day
Tuesday, January 30
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Enrollment Contracts Issued — Current Students
Wednesday, January 31
Financial Aid Notification — Current Students
Wednesday, January 31
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, February 5
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
RSVP to attend
