Lower School Newsletter – October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
It’s hard to believe that we are about to wrap up the first six weeks of school! During this time, our students have settled beautifully into their classroom routines, becoming comfortable with expectations and procedures. With this strong foundation in place, we are excited to introduce opportunities — in addition to the Day of Play — for creativity, joy, and building community!
As we move forward, I’d like to highlight the importance of play in our students’ development. Play, especially dramatic play, is essential, as it nurtures imagination, fosters creativity, and develops theory of mind (the understanding that others have unique thoughts and feelings) as well as empathy. When children step into someone else’s shoes for a short time, they grow in meaningful ways that support both social and cognitive development.
To celebrate this, we are delighted to continue our tradition of allowing students to wear costumes to school on Wednesday, October 30, the day before Halloween. We’ve also planned some exciting activities for the day. Our JK-3 students will participate in a morning Halloween parade, and 4th-6th graders will line the route to cheer on their younger Husky friends. Parents of JK-3 students are warmly invited to join us as spectators for the parade. Following the parade, all students will return to their regular academic schedules. In the afternoon, our 4th-6th graders will enjoy participating in three exciting sessions led by their teachers. Each student will have the opportunity to visit three stations of their choice. Some stations will be connected to Halloween, others will be centered around activities that we know our students love — ensuring a fun and engaging afternoon for everyone! More detailed information regarding costume guidelines and parade specifics will be shared in the Announcements section of this newsletter.
We look forward to seeing the creativity and joy that these events will bring to our Lower School community.
Happily,
Jess Henry
Interim Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Learning Center Parent Coffee — Wednesday, October 23
The Learning Center Parent Coffee is on Wednesday, October 23, 8:15-9:30 a.m., in the Miller House Cafeteria, on the Lower School Campus. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents of students who use the Learning Center and discuss topics of interest with the Learning Center team.
Vienna Halloween Parade — Wednesday, October 23
Parents and students, let’s gather to watch the Vienna Parade on Wednesday, October 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m., and share in the excitement as a school family. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Flint Hill community to come together, celebrate the season, and enjoy a festive tradition. This year’s theme for the parade is Party Like It’s 1999! More information about Flint Hill’s Parent and Student gathering space will be shared later — it's sure to be a spooky and spectacular time! Please sign up here.
Under the Lights - Mark Your Calendar for Friday, October 25!
On Friday, October 25, the Flint Hill community is invited to a fun family night filled with Husky spirit. Following regular school dismissal, there will be inflatables, face painting, balloons, games, Spirit Alley activities led by Upper School clubs, concessions, food trucks, spirit and glow-in-the-dark giveaways, bonfire, and a football game under the lights at 6:00 p.m. All events take place on the Middle and Upper School campus. Shuttles to Lower School campus parking will be available.
We'll send more details by email next week. In the meantime, please sign up for a volunteer slot and help make this a fun evening for all.
Webinar: Balancing Student Technology — Friday, October 25
Flint Hill is curious and innovative, and with innovation comes technology. Balancing Student Technology is a virtual event on Friday, October 25, 12:00-12:45 p.m., where our tech experts will share how our students use technology. You’ll learn how to help your student make healthy decisions about their screen time. Sign up to attend Balancing Student Technology.
JK-3 Lower School Halloween Parade — Wednesday, October 30
On Wednesday, October 30, 8:30-9:30 a.m., on the Lower School Campus, the Lower School will celebrate Halloween! Students are welcome to come to school in their costumes, with free dress underneath to ensure comfort throughout the day. Wearing a costume is optional, and students who choose not to dress up can still enjoy a free dress day. Please keep in mind that gruesome or violent costumes, masks, and weapons of any kind are not permitted. When selecting a costume, we also encourage families to be respectful of ethnic and cultural sensitivities and avoid reinforcing cultural stereotypes.
Weather permitting, we hope to hold the parade outdoors, but if necessary, we will move it to the Lower School Gym for a "pep rally style" parade. Parents of students in JK-3 are invited to attend, and we kindly ask parents to park in the back lot at the top of Husky Drive by 8:15 a.m. As our students will be parading through campus, we will not be able to accommodate cars on campus past 8:15 a.m.
Coming Soon: Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, November 4
We’re thrilled to announce the theme for the 2024-25 Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club! 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.
Whether you’re a passionate reader or just looking to connect with fellow parents, this book club promises to be an engaging and enriching experience. Join us as we explore meaningful literature, spark lively discussions, and foster a sense of community and inclusivity.
Get ready for an exciting year ahead! Here is the title and date for the first meeting of the 2024-25 school year:
“Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution” by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
*Please note that this is the “young reader” version of this title
Monday, November 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School, Room 204
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.
Refer a Husky to Flint Hill
Do you know a family who’d make a great addition to the Flint Hill community? The Admission Team values referrals from current families. You know Flint Hill best! Encourage your interested colleagues, neighbors, and friends to connect with us as early as possible. Enrollment is most possible at our entry grades (JK-1, 5th, 7th, and 9th). Sometimes, space is open in other grades, and connecting with us early allows us to best plan with prospective families. Fill out this form to refer a potential new Husky.
Have You Heard the Flinstagram Buzz?
Flinstagram is this year’s Annual Report on Your Philanthropy — it showcases the impact of support at Flint Hill and shares information in a way that we hope you will find fun and easy to navigate. No Instagram account is needed. The best part is that it’s interactive, so you can “like” the posts you enjoy most and help us learn what you’d enjoy seeing more of! Happy Scrolling!
Homecoming Photos Are Up!
Thanks to all who came up to support our student-athletes and spread Husky spirit this past weekend! Enjoy the Homecoming photo albums now posted on our Flickr page.
Reminders
Parent Meetup: Walking Group — Friday, October 11, and Thursday, October 24
Meetup with fellow parents for walks through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The location varies weekly and will be shared with the group before each walk. Register for each date you can attend. If you have any questions, please contact Middle School Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29.
October Dates: Friday, October 11, 8:15-9:15 a.m., and Thursday, October 24, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Lower School Day of Play — Friday, October 18
The Day of Play is an annual Flint Hill tradition that invites students to work together to plan, build, and play using recyclable materials, basic supplies like tape and glue, and their imagination! Each year, we explore a new theme to focus our building and creating.
We are excited to announce that the theme of this year’s Day of Play on Friday, October 18, is Travel Del Mundo! Each class will create its own tribute to a Spanish-speaking country that they will share with their fellow Huskies as they travel the Spanish-speaking world.
Students will work with their Innovation teachers and homeroom/advisory teachers to plan and prepare for the day. We would love recyclable materials from home to help bring each class’ vision to life. Teachers will share a wish list of recyclable/household materials. We are seeking only materials you already have at home. Please do not purchase any new materials for this day! Whatever you send in will not be returned. Please do not send anything to school before Tuesday, October 15.
We welcome parent volunteers. This year, we will only need morning volunteers. Please complete this Day of Play Parent Volunteers form if you are interested.
Photo Day Portraits Now Available Online
Flint Hill Student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering. Parents should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received that email (check your spam, too), please contact Freed at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452.
Lower School Picture Makeup Day is scheduled for Friday, October 18. Note that this is a Spirit Dress Friday and Day of Play. If your child will have their photo taken, please be sure they arrive in uniform. They can change into spirit dress afterward.
Need a Babysitter? Babysitting Network Available
The Flint Hill Babysitting Network was designed to build community and is available exclusively for Flint Hill Families.
The linked database lists the Upper School students who have indicated an interest in babysitting this school year. Where applicable, students have included notes relating to their experience and any relevant skills and/or certifications they have acquired.
This network is provided as an informational resource only. The School does not participate in scheduling, transportation, or fee negotiation. Participating students are engaged members of our school community. Families are encouraged to interview and vet students to ensure they match their individual needs.
2025-26 Financial Aid Application Now Open with New Deadline
Flint Hill’s need-based financial aid application is now open. Sunday, December 1, is the new deadline for financial aid applications. Here’s the updated timeline:
- Sunday, December 1 — Deadline to submit your financial aid application
- Wednesday, January 29 — 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts are issued to current students, including financial aid decisions.
- Thursday, February 6 — Deadline for current families to submit 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts.
- Friday, March 7 — 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts are issued to new students, including financial aid decisions.
Please email admission@flinthill.org or call 703.584.2314 with any questions.
Upcoming Deadlines for Early Admission Process for Siblings
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.
If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the application process for the 2025-26 school year, please submit the application form, recommendations, questionnaires, writing sample (grades 7-11), and last two year’s transcripts by Friday, November 8.
Saturday, November 30: Quarter grades, interviews, and student visits (grades 3-6) must also be completed.
Monday, December 2 - Thursday, December 5: Gesell and Parent Interviews due for grades JK-2.
Saturday, December 14: JK-2 Student Visit.
Applications to grades 3 to 11 fully completed by Saturday, November 30, will receive an admission indication by mid-December. Applicants to JK-2 must be complete by November 30 with the exception of the Gesell and Parent interview and Student visit scheduled in December to receive an admission indication by mid-December.
For more information, please schedule an appointment with the Admission team member for your division of interest. Your admission officer will provide you with an application fee waiver code.
Calling All Concessions Volunteers! Sign Up for a Shift in the Igloo or Den
We’re always looking for more volunteers to open the concession stands. Make a difference by signing up for a shift below, and invite a friend to join you!
Sign Up for Shifts:
- Volunteer in the Igloo (inside the Upper School)
- Volunteer in the Den (outside the Middle School on the John M. Thomas Terrace)
Upcoming Events
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Friday, October 11
8:15-9:15 a.m.
The location will be shared with the group before the walk.
Register
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Grades JK-12 No Classes; Administrative Offices Closed
Monday, October 14
Lower School Day of Play
Friday, October 18
Day of Play Parent Volunteers form
Lower School Picture Makeup Day
Friday, October 18
Learning Center Parent Coffee
Wednesday, October 23
Miller House Cafeteria on the Lower School Campus, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Vienna Halloween Parade
Wednesday, October 23
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Details coming soon
Sign Up Here
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Thursday, October 24
8:15-9:15 a.m.
The location will be shared with the group before the walk.
Register
Webinar: Balancing Student Technology
Friday, October 25, 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Sign up for this virtual event
Under the Lights Festivities
Friday, October 25
More details will be sent via email next week!
Grades JK-3 Halloween Parade
Wednesday, October 30
Outside Hazel Lower School, weather permitting, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Grades JK-12 Parent Conferences - No Classes
Thursday, October 31 - Friday, November 1
