Lower School Newsletter – November 13, 2024
November 13, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Dear Lower School Families,
Our Week of Thankful Giving is underway, and I am especially grateful to celebrate this meaningful tradition with you as the newly appointed Director of the Lower School. Thank you all for your support during my time as Interim Director; it’s a true privilege to work alongside such a warm and dedicated community.
Through Monday, November 18, we invite Lower School families to join us in supporting Food for Others, an organization providing food for those in need. Nonperishable items can be donated in collection boxes on the second floor outside the school office and can be sent in with your students.
As you consider items to give, this is a wonderful opportunity to involve your child in selecting donations. Here are some questions to spark discussion, reflection, and gratitude:
- “What foods are special to you, and how could sharing them make someone else feel cared for?”
- “Why is helping others important, especially those who may not have enough to eat?”
- “How do you feel knowing you’re making a difference?”
Please consider joining us in making this a week of gratitude and generosity!
With thanks,
Jess Henry
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Last Chance to Order! 20th Annual Tip-Off Classic T-Shirt
The 20th Annual Tip-Off t-shirts are available for preorder! T-shirts are $20 each and will be delivered to students' classrooms during Tip-Off week. This preorder will be open until Thursday, November 14. Exchanges and returns are not available on this item. If you have any questions, email the School Store.
Opportunities and Updates from the Admission Team
Invite Your Friends to Check Out the Lower School! Do you have friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors who are interested in Flint Hill? Invite them to sign up for the Lower School Morning Meeting and Tour on Tuesday, November 19, 8:00-9:15 a.m. They’ll attend our dynamic weekly assembly led by our students and then experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Lower School with a guided tour. Send your colleagues this signup link.
Bring Your Curiosity to our Virtual Curiosity Event! Our faculty and staff will be on hand to answer your questions about how we motivate students to imagine what’s possible on Wednesday, November 20, 8:00-9:00 p.m. While this event was initially designed with prospective families in mind, we’ve heard that many current families are also eager to dive deeper into how we fuel students’ curiosity. We look forward to a lively and engaging discussion! Register today.
Important: Upcoming Deadline for Sibling Admission! As a reminder, we are offering members of our Husky community an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2025-26 school year. The application deadline for grades 3-11 is Saturday, November 30. Grades JK-2 must have all application pieces submitted, but you can schedule parent interviews, Gesell, and student visits through early December.
Please refer to the email you received from Jennifer Webb on Monday, October 14, for more details, or reach out to admission@flinthill.org with questions.
Financial Aid Application — Due Sunday, December 1
Submit your financial aid application by Sunday, December 1. Enrollment contracts and financial aid decisions are issued for current students on Wednesday, January 29. Contact admission@flinthill.org with any questions.
20th Annual Flint Hill Basketball Tip-Off Classic Tournament — Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7
The 20th Annual Flint Hill Tip-Off Classic Tournament is around the corner! We invite you to come support your Huskies on the court. The tournament will begin on Friday, December 6, and conclude on Saturday, December 7.
Friday, December 6
Game 1: 3:00 p.m. (Varsity Girls) South County vs Trinity Episcopal
Game 2: 4:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Sandy Spring vs Springdale
Game 3: 6:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Flint Hill vs Forest Park
Game 4: 8:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Flint Hill vs Friendship Tech
Saturday, December 7
Game 5: 11:00 a.m. (Varsity Girls) Loser of Game 3 vs Loser of Game 1
Game 6: 12:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Loser of Game 4 vs Loser of Game 2
Game 7: 2:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Championship Game
Game 8: 4:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Championship Game
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, December 9
This year, we’re diving deep into an inspiring collection of memoirs and historical biographies that were adapted for young readers. These captivating personal narratives will take us on incredible journeys, showcasing diverse experiences, challenges, and triumphs that resonate across time and culture. Our next meeting is Monday, December 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room and we'll be discussing, “It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” (adapted for young readers) by Trevor Noah. *Please note that this is the “young reader” version of this title.
If you have any questions, please contact Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson. Please sign up to be included on our email list to receive meeting reminders, schedule information, and opportunities to connect.
Lower School Family Spirit Nights — Grades JK-3 on Thursday, December 12; Grades 4-6 on Tuesday, December 17
Spend time with Lower School families and cheer on the Huskies at these Family Spirit Nights! Parents and students are invited to meet in the Upper School Commons before the selected basketball games to make signs and mingle before finding a spot in the bleachers to cheer on the Huskies. This is a great opportunity for families to connect while building school spirit across divisions.
These events are hosted by the Parents' Association and school personnel will not be in attendance to supervise. Parents must be in attendance to supervise their students.
Mark your calendars and register to attend!
- Grades JK-3 Family Spirit Night: Thursday, December 12, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Girls' Varsity Basketball game
- Grades 4-6 Family Spirit Night: Tuesday, December 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Boys' Varsity Basketball game
Join the Fun — Volunteer at the Igloo!
The winter season has arrived, and the Igloo is gearing up to serve our school community during both basketball games and daytime hours. But, we can’t do it without YOU! We're looking for volunteers to help us run the concessions stand each day.
Why Volunteer?
- It’s Fun: Interact with our wonderful students and community members.
- Bring a Friend: Volunteering is more fun when you do it together! Invite a friend or family member to join you. It’s a great way to meet other parents too.
- Students Welcome: Upper School students can volunteer and earn service hours!
Ready to help? Sign Up Here
Reminders
The Week of Thankful Giving Food Collection — This Week
It's the Week of Thankful Giving! In the Lower School, we are collecting nonperishable items to support Food for Others. The mission of Food for Others is to distribute food to our neighbors in need by mobilizing our giving community and volunteers. The Lower School has collection boxes on the second floor, outside of the school office.
Some of the most needed items are:
- oil
- cereal
- canned tomato products (crushed, peeled, diced, etc.), 4 oz. - 1 lb.
- canned meat (chicken, turkey, or seafood), 2 oz. - 15 oz.
- rice, 16 oz. packages
- spaghetti sauce, 14 oz. – 1 lb. (ideally in cans instead of glass)
- canned fruit (packed in fruit juice instead of syrup), 11 oz. - 20 oz.
- dried or canned beans (black, kidney, pinto, etc.)
- pasta
- fruit juice (100% juice) 32 oz. – 64 oz.
- non-food items: new or clean reusable grocery bags, 8 ½ x 14 x 15
Grades 4-6 Classroom Visits and Reading/Math Instruction and Assessment Coffee — Friday, November 15
Parents of students in grades 4-6 are invited to campus Friday, November 15, 8:15-9:30 a.m., for a classroom visit (8:15-8:45 a.m.) and coffee (8:45-9:30 a.m.) to learn more about how the Lower School uses benchmark assessments for reading and math.
Upcoming Events
The Week of Thankful Giving Food Collection
November 11-18
20th Annual Tip-Off T-Shirt Deadline
Thursday, November 14
Preorder Now
Grades 4-6 Classroom Visits and Reading/Math Assessments Coffee
Friday, November 15
Hazel Lower School, Classrooms and Olson Theater, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Lower School Morning Meeting and Tour
Tuesday, November 19
Hazel Lower School, 8:00-9:15 a.m.
Invite Your Friends to Sign Up
Parent Volunteer Leadership Fall Mixer
Tuesday, November 19
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Open Road, 8100 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042
Virtual Curiosity Event
Wednesday, November 20
8:00-9:00 p.m.
Sign up for this Virtual Event
Parent Volunteers: Bake Mini Pies for Teacher Appreciation
Thursday, November 21
Drop off at the Miller House
7:45-8:15 a.m.
Signup Now Closed
Parent Volunteers: Wrap and Organize Pies for Teacher Appreciation
Thursday, November 21
Miller House Cafeteria
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Signup Now Closed
Thanksgiving Break — No Classes
Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29
Deadline for Early Admission Process for Siblings
Saturday, November 30
Financial Aid Application Deadline for Current Families
Sunday, December 1
20th Annual FH Basketball Tip-Off Classic Tournament
Friday, December 6, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 11:00 a.m.
Upper School Gym
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, December 9
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Grades 5-6 Winter Concert
Wednesday, December 11
Lower School Olson Theater, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Grades JK-3 Family Spirit Night
Thursday, December 12
Upper School Commons, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Cheer on the Girls' Varsity Basketball Team
Register to Attend
Grades 4-6 Family Spirit Night
Tuesday, December 17
Upper School Commons, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cheer on the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team
Register to Attend
Grades JK-1 Winter Concert
Wednesday, December 18
Lower School Olson Theater, 8:30-9:00 a.m.
Grades 2-4 Winter Concert
Wednesday, December 18
Lower School Olson Theater, 9:15-9:45 a.m.
End of First Semester
Friday, December 20
Winter Break
December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
