Middle School Newsletter – December 4, 2024
December 4, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
I hope that last week felt like a meaningful break for your families — whether or not you traveled or gathered with extended family and friends. In the flow of a school year, it is a great time for students to reflect and recharge for this next short stretch until Winter Break. Please see below for information about our Middle School Activity Night this Friday, December 6. As a reminder:
- It is a great opportunity to have fun with classmates outside of the school day and get a taste of Upper School spirit and pride.
- We will keep students after school and supervise them until 8:00 p.m. We will provide pizza; students may also bring money for the Igloo (snack bar) at the Upper School.
- All students will return to the Middle School at 8:00 p.m., and you may pick them up in our regular carpool line or on foot.
- Because Friday night's games have a "white-out" theme, MS students may wear white clothing to school on Friday.
You must complete this form by TOMORROW, December 5, at 8:00 a.m. to confirm attendance.
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Driving Spirit Award Nominations
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill faculty and staff members who lead by example through their dedication to students and ability to energize and inspire the Flint Hill community. Please think about the exceptional current teachers and staff members in the Flint Hill community who you believe fit this description, and complete the nomination form by Thursday, January 9.
Gifts to Faculty and Staff
As we approach the Winter Break, we wanted to remind you of the School’s recommendations concerning gifts to faculty and staff. Flint Hill encourages simplicity in the giving of gifts. Please note that holiday gift giving is not an expectation, and individual families should decide what is best for them, keeping in mind that a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” often carries the greatest meaning.
The School discourages the collection of money from parents to provide teachers or coaches with gifts. If, however, you choose to provide a holiday gift to a faculty or staff member, please be sensitive to varying culture/religious backgrounds and avoid gifts exceeding $100 in value, as outlined in the Family Handbook.
Parents: Come to Campus to Share Your Professional Knowledge With Our Students!
From time to time teachers would like to bring in a presenter to enhance the classroom curriculum. Given the extensive levels of expertise within the parent and alumni community, we’d like to make these opportunities more broadly accessible.
If you might be willing to present, or have a connection you might be willing to facilitate, please contact Meredith VanDuyne, Assistant Head of Institutional Advancement, to learn more (no obligations). Note, these presenting opportunities are not compensated.
Here are four specific upcoming needs. Would you be willing to consider presenting or know someone else who might?
- A slam poet who can talk about the process of creating and performing and do a performance for Lower School students. Not required but it would be terrific if the presenter has also done community advocacy work.
- Current or retired NASA astronauts and engineers.
- Lawyers, prosecutors, or judges who have argued or adjudicated any cases involving the Bill of Rights.
- A presenter for an African Studies class who has unique expertise, experience, or perspective on the continent.
Special shout out to Omar Balkissoon P’28, ‘29, ‘30 for recently presenting to the Upper School Discovery of Engineering class. Students had a particular interest in motorsports. Omar shared the vital role engineers play and facilitated a virtual presentation with an engineer in Italy and a race team owner in Tennessee. The students were enthralled!
Inclement Weather 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.
IMPORTANT: If you are new to Flint Hill, you must opt in to receive text messages by texting YES to 79041. Note: the mobile number used must match what we have in our system. You’ll receive a confirmation text that you’ve opted in. We strongly suggest families opt in — these messages will provide the most timely information in the case of an emergency or school closure.
Parent Walking Group — Friday, December 6
Meetup with fellow parents for a walk through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The next walk is on Friday, December 6, 8:15-9:15 a.m. The location varies 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 '29.
Upcoming Winter Dates:
- Friday, January 17
- Friday, February 7
Webinar: Explore Student Success at Flint Hill — Friday, December 13
Learn more about how we define and nurture student success at our upcoming webinar on Friday, December 13, 12:00-12:45 p.m. This event is designed for prospective families, but current families are more than welcome to attend! The session will feature a series of brief presentations from our dedicated faculty and staff, focusing on the strategies we use to extend, challenge, and support our students. Sign up to attend.
Summer 2025 Enrollment Is Open for Headfirst Summer Camps at Flint Hill!
Day camp programming for JK-7th graders includes arts & crafts, STEM, and multi-sport as well as Washington Nationals Baseball & Softball Camps and D.C. United Soccer Camps. Flint Hill parents can sign up now through December 25 to take advantage of 5% off. Just use the code Oakton5 at checkout.
Any questions? Headfirst staff will be at dropoff on Friday morning or email customercare@headfirstcamps.com.
Register to Attend Grades 7-8 Family Spirit Night — Tuesday, January 7
Spend time with Middle School families and cheer on the Huskies during this Family Spirit Night on Tuesday, January 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Boys’ Varsity Basketball game! 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. Register to attend!
This event is hosted by the Parents' Association and school personnel will not be in attendance to supervise. Parents must be in attendance to supervise their students.
Alumni Virtual College Panel — Tuesday, January 7
On Tuesday, January 7, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Middle and Upper School families are invited to hear directly from recent graduates as they describe their transition to college and respond to questions about what they have learned, how they were prepared, and the challenges they experienced during this pivotal time. We hope you’ll join us to learn about how Flint Hill prepares our students for college life — inside and outside the classroom. Use this Google Meet link to join the Alumni Virtual College Panel.
Reminders
2025-26 School Year Calendar Highlights Now Available
Our 2025-26 Calendar Highlights listing is now available 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.
Middle School Activity Night — Friday, December 6
All students are encouraged to attend the activities this Friday, December 6, which will begin immediately after school and involve a trip to the Upper School gym to support our Girls’ Varsity Basketball team as part of the FH Basketball Tip-Off Classic. This is a great opportunity to socialize and connect with the Upper School program.
Parents must complete this form by Thursday, December 5, at 8:00 a.m. This confirms your child’s attendance at the event and your 8:00 p.m. pick-up plan. You may edit the form later if your plans change.
- 3:30-6:00 p.m. — Activities and pizza in the Middle School building, supervised by FH staff.
- 6:00-8:00 p.m. — Basketball game in the Upper School gym, supervised by FH staff.
8:00 p.m. — Event concludes; all students return to the Middle School building for pickup. Parents either pick up in the Middle School carpool line or on foot. We encourage families to attend the boys' basketball game at 8:15 p.m. after pickup, so you may pick up your child and walk back to the Upper School gym together. Please note that Middle School students may not remain for the boys' basketball game without adult supervision.
20th Annual Flint Hill Basketball Tip-Off Tournament — This Friday & Saturday!
The 20th Annual Flint Hill Tip-Off Classic is this weekend! We invite you to come support your Huskies on the court.
Friday, December 6 Schedule
Game 1: 3:00 p.m. (Varsity Girls) South County vs Trinity Episcopal
Game 2: 4:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Sandy Spring vs Friendship Tech
Game 3: 6:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Flint Hill vs Forest Park
Game 4: 8:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Flint Hill vs Springdale
Saturday, December 7 Schedule
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
Volunteer in the Igloo! — Tip-Off Volunteers Needed on Friday and Saturday, December 6-7
There’s always an opportunity to volunteer in the Igloo. The Tip-Off Basketball Tournament is this Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7. It is an exciting event that draws a big crowd, and your help will make a huge difference and keep the Igloo Snack Bar running smoothly. Students can earn service hours too. Join the fun, and invite a friend to join you! Sign up for a shift in the Igloo
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. 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.
Informational Session: Student Travel Opportunity to Costa Rica and Peru, Summer 2026 — Tuesday, December 10
Big news, Flint Hill parents! Your student can travel to Costa Rica and Peru with Ms. Cady in the Summer of 2026 to attend the EF Student Leadership Conference. The theme is "The Power of Environmental Stewardship." This opportunity is open to Flint Hill students who are currently in 7th-10th grades. There will be an in-person informational meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 6:00-7:00 p.m., in the Upper School Learning Commons. Register to attend.
Reminders from Athletics
Hudl Fan: All games held on the Flint Hill Upper School or Lower School campuses will be streamed via Hudl TV. You can also access the livestream by typing fan.hudl.com into your browser or downloading the Hudl Fan app. After downloading the app or navigating to fan.hudl.com, search for “Flint Hill School.” You will now have access to all games that are being streamed. Please check Husky Hub and/or the school website for the Middle School and Upper School athletic schedules.
Hudl Fan: Apple
Hudl Fan: Google Play
Self-Carry Medications: If your child is self-carrying their medications (inhalers and epi-pens), please remind them to carry those with them at all times. This includes when they are on their way to and from all practices/games, regardless of whether they are on or off campus. It must be easily accessible for them during their activity.
Upcoming Events
Parent Walking Group
Friday, December 6
8:15-9:15 a.m.
The location will be shared with the group before each walk.
Register to Attend
20th Annual FH Basketball Tip-Off Tournament
Friday, December 6, 3:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Upper School Gym
Middle School Activity Night
Friday, December 6
Peterson Middle School and Upper School Gym, 3:30-8:00 p.m.
Confirm Your Child's Attendance
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, December 9
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Middle and Upper School Winter Choral Concert
Monday, December 9
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Information Session: Student Travel Opportunity to Costa Rica and Peru, Summer 2026
Tuesday, December 10
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Register to Attend
Middle and Upper School Winter Band Concert
Wednesday, December 11
Lower School Olson Theater, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Webinar: Explore Student Success at Flint Hill
Friday, December 13
12:00-12:45 p.m.
Register to Attend
Middle and Upper School Winter Percussion Concert
Monday, December 16
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
End of Second Quarter/First Semester
Friday, December 20
Winter Break
December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Classes Resume
Monday, January 6
Grades 7-8 Family Spirit Night
Tuesday, January 7
Upper School Commons, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Cheer on the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team
Register to Attend
Alumni Virtual College Panel
Tuesday, January 7
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Google Meet Link
