Lower School Newsletter – May 8, 2024
MAY 8, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Dear Lower School Families,
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, we're thrilled to share the exciting happenings and upcoming events with you. Our students have been buzzing with excitement as they embark on enriching field trips, immersing themselves in hands-on learning experiences that complement their classroom studies. We hope your child has been eagerly recounting these adventures to you at home!
Join us for the much-anticipated spring concerts featuring our talented 5th and 6th graders, who will be joined by their older peers from 7th and 8th grades. Enjoy the showcase of musical talents and celebrate the students’ hard work and dedication at the Band Concert on Thursday, May 9; the Percussion Concert on Tuesday, May 14; and the Choral Concert on Thursday, May 16.
This Friday, May 10, we extend a warm welcome to all beloved Grandparents and Special Friends. It's a day filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories. If you haven't already, please take a moment to update SchoolPass with your child's dismissal plans for that day. Please note that we will be conducting an early carpool dismissal at 11:30 a.m., followed by childcare services (no academic classes) for the remainder of the day. AfterCare will continue to be offered, as normal, for any students remaining on campus past 3:00 p.m.
As always, we value your feedback and are here to address any concerns or questions you may have. Your child's journey in the Lower School is our top priority, and we're committed to making it a wonderful experience.
Warmly,
Madeleine Lopez
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
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 2024-2025 School Year is a tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board, with checklists for each division, containing important action items for parents.
Online back-to-school forms, due by Friday, June 14, are now available on Husky Hub and are required for students to attend school and any school activity prior to the start of school. Please contact Enrollment Services Manager Sarah Burnett with any questions about student forms.
RSVP for Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Friday, May 17
Join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Parents' Association President Scott McCandless for a reception to celebrate your volunteer service this year! The reception will be on Friday, May 17, 8:30-9:30 a.m., on the Peterson Middle School Terrace. RSVP here.
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.
Just Announced: New Tennis Summer Camp Run by Blue Chip Tennis — June 10 - August 9
As a reputable sports management company, Blue Chip is renowned for its commitment to excellence, top-tier coaching staff, and dedication to quality service and client satisfaction. Camp is designed for all levels of players 5-18 years old. They offer a half-day or full-day option. Players will be grouped by age/skill level and exposed to learning technique, drills and match play challenges.
Full Day Camp: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (lunch not included)
1 week: $485
Half Day Camp: 9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.
1 week: $330
*Before- and after-care is available at an additional cost.
Camps run June 10 through August 9, on the tennis courts at the Middle and Upper School Campus. Click here to register! You must create an account to register and Flint Hill families should be sure to select the Flint Hill Family membership when signing up.
Reminders
Grandparents and Special Friends Day — Friday, May 10
We look forward to welcoming Grandparents and Special Friends to campus this Friday. All registrants have received an email with information about the event. Parents can help us prepare for the event by sharing the reminders below.
All students are permitted and encouraged to leave school for the day at the end of the program, regardless of whether or not they have a guest attending. If your student will be leaving after the event, at 11:30 a.m., please remember to notify the school using the SchoolPass system and select 11:30 a.m. as the early dismissal time. There will be childcare, not academic classes, for students who remain on campus until regular dismissal time. No additional sign-up is needed if your child will stay the rest of the day. Afternoon carpool and AfterCare will run as usual for students who remain on campus.
Event Schedule:
7:45-8:15 a.m. — Arrival and check-in outside the Lower School front entrance
8:20 a.m. — Welcome and Morning Meeting in the Olson Theater
9:00 a.m. — Classroom visits begin
10:00-11:00 a.m. — Specials activities
11:00-11:15 a.m. — Event concludes
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Special midday pickup
Traveling to Campus:
- We encourage grandparents and special friends to ride with their student(s) to campus and be dropped off in morning drop-off. If they are driving separately, staff will be there to assist with parking and will help guide them to the front entrance.
Departing from Campus:
- A special midday pickup will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Parents picking up students and guests should arrive at 11:30 a.m. and join the carpool line in front of the Activity Center. Guests will wait for their ride in the Activity Center hallway.
Helpful Reminders:
- If guests have multiple Huskies to visit, they will be able to change classrooms and decide how to split their time. You can plan with your guests to choose where they should begin and end the morning.
- Staff will be available to help guests find all their Huskies.
Visit the Grandparents and Special Friends Day website for more details. Please contact Olivia Landrum with additional questions.
Lower School Spring Concerts in May
Our Lower School students will showcase the musical skills they have learned through the year in a series of concerts in May. First, students in 5th and 6th grades will join Middle School student-musicians for orchestra, band, percussion, and choral concerts. JK-4 students will wrap things up with a fun concert of their own.
Grades 5-8 Spring Band Concert
Thursday, May 9
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 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.
Grades JK-4 Spring Concert
Friday, May 24
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador for 2024-2025 — Sign Up by Monday, May 13
You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year. The sign-up form is open through Monday, May 13. If you have any questions, please contact Olivia Landrum or Meredith VanDuyne.
You can also contact one of this year’s Divisional Ambassadors to hear about their experience. Please see below for more information:
Win a Ticket to Paradise While Supporting Flint Hill! — Enter by May 22
Enter a raffle by May 22, 8:00 p.m., to win a 7-night adventurous yet romantic getaway at Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Belize! Your stay includes accommodation in a run-of-house room, including daily breakfast, welcome drink, and free use of kayaks and bikes in the local area.
Proceeds benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel. Since 2012, the endowment has supported financial aid for students whose families experienced unexpected financial hardship.
HOW TO ENTER
- Purchase raffle tickets online, arrange to pick up your stubs, or contact Tiffany Parry to purchase tickets in person. The raffle is open to anyone over the age of 18. Parents, faculty, staff, friends, and neighbors may purchase too.
THE DRAWING:
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- The drawing will be held and recorded on Thursday, May 23, at the Westfields Golf Club at 2:30 p.m.
- Winner need not be present to win.
- The winning raffle ticket will be announced on Thursday, May 23, to all ticket-holders who provided their email address.
- The winning raffle ticket number will also be posted on the landing page.
Join Us on the Links! — Thursday, May 23
The Golf Invitational and Skills Social is right around the corner. Registration is filling up, but there’s still time to register for the tournament or Skills Social. Whether you want to play 18 holes or learn the basics, all abilities are welcome! Grow your Flint Hill network, and you may even go home with incredible raffle prizes, including Nationals, Signature Theater, or Wolf Trap tickets; a $500 catered lunch; or even a Flint Hill swag basket! Grab your spot here!
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.
Igloo Volunteers Needed
Finish strong! Help keep the Igloo 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. Volunteer in the Igloo
Upcoming Events
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.
Deadline to Sign Up for Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador
Monday, May 13
Sign-up Form
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.
RSVP
Deadline to Enter Belize Resort Raffle
May 22
8:00 p.m.
Enter to Win!
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.
Memorial Day
Monday, May 27
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop Off
Tuesday, May 28 - Monday, June 3
Lower School Campus, Miller House
Lower, Middle, and Upper School Last Day of School
Thursday, May 30
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.
Commencement
Friday, June 7
Upper School Gym, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Online Back-to-School Forms Due
Friday, June 14
Forms are available on Husky Hub
