Lower School Newsletter – May 29, 2024
MAY 29, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Dear Lower School Families,
As I prepare to say goodbye to Flint Hill, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. Our students' bright smiles, boundless energy, and thirst for knowledge have fueled my passion for education every single day. It has been an absolute privilege to watch them learn, grow, and thrive under our collective guidance. Reflecting on my time here, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the unwavering support and collaboration that you, our dedicated families, have extended to me and the entire staff. Your involvement, whether through volunteering in the classroom, attending school events, or simply offering words of encouragement, has been instrumental in creating a vibrant and thriving school community. While I am excited for what lies ahead, leaving behind this community is certainly bittersweet.
If you haven’t already, please enjoy photos from the JK-4th Grade Spring Concert. Those who missed it can view a full recording here.
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 30, is the last day of school and Lower School Field Day. Please make sure to pack a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes for your child.
On Friday, May 31, we invite our 6th grade families to celebrate our 6th grade students during their Promotion Ceremony at 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Upper School gym.
In closing, I want to extend my sincerest thanks for the privilege of serving as your Lower School director. The memories we have created together will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will cherish them always. Have a wonderful summer!
Warmly,
Madeleine Lopez
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Final Grade Reports — Open Wednesday, June 12
Your child’s Lower School Progress Report will be available on Husky Hub on Wednesday, June 12, at 4:00 p.m. The report will include a checklist accompanied by a narrative comment from each teacher with a reflective summary of their growth this year.
Lower School Summer Learning Resources
Summer Learning and Summer Reading information is available here and listed by grade. The Summer Reading information details the options for meeting our summer requirements. The Summer Learning information includes recommended resources for enrichment and skill maintenance across all disciplines.
For Rising 7th Graders: Our Middle School Summer Reading document provides the options for meeting our summer requirement. The Middle School Summer Learning document includes recommended resources for enrichment and skill maintenance across all disciplines.
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
Lower School Class Placement Process
Through the end of the year, our faculty, staff, and administration are participating in a student-centered, intentional process to determine class placements for the 2024-25 academic year. In our Lower School Wellness classes, students in rising Grades 4-6 have been asked to identify three other students from their grade whom they wish to have assigned to their class next year. Our goal is to have at least one of those students in their class next year.
Additionally, grade-level classroom teachers and specialists are internally sharing their recommendations, for social and academic fit, for peers in class composition for next year. Our administration and admissions team are meeting to overlay newly-enrolled students with our rising grade-levels to ensure robust connections, balance, and opportunities for new friendships next year. Lastly, additional considerations, including Learning Center support, math placement (rising grades 5 and 6 only), and music placement (rising grades 5 and 6 only) will be incorporated into placements.
Music and math section placements will be communicated to rising Grade 5 and Grade 6 families by the beginning of July. Classroom and teacher placement, as well as class schedules, will be available in Husky Hub to all families on Thursday, August 8.
Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop Off — Tuesday, May 28 - Monday, June 3
Time for some spring cleaning! Parents can drop off gently used uniform and spirit wear items on the Miller House front porch, on the Lower School Campus, from Tuesday, May 28, to Monday, June 3. Middle and Upper School parents are welcome to donate, too. Please be sure items have been laundered. Reach out to Melissa Riley with any questions.
Field Day Attire / Pizza Lunch — Thursday, May 30
From a water slide to potato-sack races, the annual Lower School Field Day on Thursday, May 30, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., will be a fun conclusion to a memorable year for students in JK-6. Please plan for your child to wear athletic attire, including sneakers. They have the option to wear a swimsuit under their clothing. Students should bring an extra set of dry clothes, a change of socks and shoes, and a towel. Please apply sunscreen before coming to school. A picnic-style lunch, catered by Fairfax Foods, will include two slices of Papa John’s pizza, watermelon, chips, and a mixed-green Caprese salad. A gluten-free option is available. If you have specific allergy concerns, please contact Director of Health Services Mary Hart. You are also welcome to send lunch with your child instead of the pizza.
Grade 6 Promotion Ceremony — Friday, May 31
We will honor the Class of 2030 at the 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony on Friday, May 31, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Gym. All 6th grade students are expected to attend, and any and all family or friends may join us. If, for any reason, you expect your Husky to miss this event, please let us know as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Lower School
Jenny Beck, Lower School Nurse
Jessica Craig, Kindergarten Teacher
Megan Dhar, Assistant Director of the Lower School
Rachel Hinnant, 4th Grade Teacher
Marguerite Holliday-Poyer, After-School Nurse
Madeleine Lopez, Director of the Lower School
Megan Sharkey, 2nd Grade 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)
Upcoming Events
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
Lower School Field Day
Thursday, May 30
Lower School Campus, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Grade 6 Promotion Ceremony
Friday, May 31
Upper School Gym, 8:30-9:30 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
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
Required Health Forms Due
Thursday, August 1
Newsletter Resumes
Wednesday, August 7
Lower School Classroom and Teacher Placement and Class Schedules
Thursday, August 8
Available in Husky Hub to all families
