Upper School Newsletter – April 30, 2025
April 30, 2025
Letter From the Division Director
Good evening, Husky Families,
This Friday, May 2, is Senior Day at the Upper School. On that day, we will run a modified schedule for grades 9 through 11. They will meet with each class on that day for approximately 20 minutes, with a short break between periods 3 and 4. After those classes, the students will enjoy a pizza lunch while the Class of 2025 gives speeches to the student body about the lessons they have learned over their years as a Husky. In between speeches, we will also hold the much-loved Open Mic sets where the seniors have that last chance to take the stage in the Commons and entertain us all.
Seniors will receive direct communication about their schedule for the day.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preparing for the 2025-26 School Year
Several resources are now available to help your family prepare for the 2025-26 school year. Preparing for the 2025-26 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 Sunday, June 15, 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.
Senior Day Breakfast — Sign Up by Thursday, May 1
Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up to contribute to the Senior Day Breakfast! We're almost there — we specifically need Anita’s breakfast burritos, and gluten-free items are particularly needed. If you’d like to contribute, please sign up by Thursday, May 1.
RSVP! Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Thursday, May 15
Join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Parents' Association President Rejera Arnold P’33 for the Volunteer Appreciation Reception on Thursday, May 15, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the Middle School on the John M. Thomas Terrace, to honor your volunteer service to Flint Hill. RSVP by Friday, May 9, and contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.
Serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador for 2025-26 — Sign Up by Friday, May 16
You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year. The sign-up form is open through Friday, May 16. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Divisional Ambassador role, contact Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum or reach out to one of this year’s Divisional Ambassadors to hear about their experience. Please see below for more information:
Save the Date: Class of 2025 Parent Celebration — Wednesday, June 4
Senior parents are invited to celebrate your Flint Hill journey together! Join fellow senior parents for dinner and cocktails on Wednesday, June 4, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the International Country Club. Registration includes a dinner buffet, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP by Tuesday, May 27, and contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.
Host Families for Exchange with Cataluña, Spain
We are excited to welcome back our friends from our exchange school, Instituto Josep Vallverdú in Cataluña, Spain. They will be visiting Boston and New York before arriving in Washington, D.C., and will be at Flint Hill from September 15 to 25. We are looking for host families to provide lodging, meals, and transportation to school during this time. This is a great opportunity for Flint Hill students to practice their Spanish, but families do not have to speak any Spanish, as they are here to practice their English. The group will include 16 students. Please contact Kristin Piazza with any questions, and please fill out this form if you are interested in hosting.
Spring Athletics Wrap Up
Spring Uniform Return
As the spring season comes to an end, please have students return their uniforms to Mr. Alex Walker. Make sure the uniforms are washed, dried, and placed in a plastic bag with their name on it. Place the bagged uniform in the bin by the athletic closet.
Conference Tournaments
The most up-to-date information on conference tournaments will be available on the FH Athletics Program webpage and on Husky Hub team pages.
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.
Senior Nights
Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Senior Night — Friday, May 2, 5:30 p.m., Peterson Family Field
Varsity Baseball Senior Night — Saturday, May 3, 1:00 p.m., Upper School Baseball Field
REMINDERS
Virtual PCW Event: 'Digital Well-Being' — Wednesday, April 30
Register for the Parents Council of Washington (PCW) Virtual Speaker Series Webinar on Wednesday, April 30, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World," will present on "Digital Well-Being: How Can We Help Kids Navigate a World Where Everything is Shared and Compared?" Dr. Heitner will share insights on helping kids with boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation on social media (Roblox, Instagram, TikTok). A Q&A will follow. Submit questions to administration@parentscouncil.org.
Flint Hill is a PCW member. The PCW fosters communication within the D.C. independent school community.
Upper School Musical, 'She Loves Me' — Friday-Sunday, May 2-4
Considered by many to be the most charming musical ever written, “She Loves Me” is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old-world elegance. The Mikos Lazlos play “Parfuemerie,” on which it is based, has inspired many adaptations, including the beloved film “You've Got Mail” starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Set in a 1930s European perfumery, we meet shop clerks Amalia and Georg, who, more often than not, don't see eye to eye. After both respond to a "lonely hearts advertisement" in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true loves ... and all the twists and turns along the way!
Please note: This performance has been rated PG by Music Theatre International. Lower School families are encouraged to use their discretion, as the production includes some mature themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
The Upper School cast will perform in three shows in the Olson Theater located in the Hazel Lower School. Reserve your tickets!
- Friday, May 2, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 3, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Parent Walking Group — Friday, May 9
Meet up with fellow parents for one last walk through different trails and neighborhoods near the School on Friday, May 9, 8:15-9:15 a.m. Middle School Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29 will share location details with the group before the walk. Register and contact Molisa Meholic with any questions.
End-of-Year Exam Details
The end-of-year exams will begin five weeks from today. Here is useful information for our families to help students prepare for the large assessments. The exam schedule is at the bottom of this page, under “Upcoming Events.”
- There will be no new homework assignments given to students, starting Tuesday, May 13, for periods 1-3 and periods 6-7. For periods 4 and 5, that cutoff date will be Wednesday, May 14. This is done in recognition of the research indicating that studying the material in small chunks over a longer period of time yields far better results than trying to study in a large chunk right before the exam.
- Because the Modern Language Department includes speaking and listening as part of their final exam, some of those assessments will occur earlier. Please note: The earlier portion of the Modern Languages exam is the week of May 12.
- Wednesday, May 21, is called Upper School Reading Day. It is a required day for all Grade 9 students, but it is optional for Grade 10 and 11 students. The day is designed so that students can prepare for their exams while also having teachers available to respond to questions. We will run a schedule where all classes meet that day. Please note: Grade 10 and 11 students may not come and go from campus multiple times on that day. Once they have left campus, they should not return to campus.
- In the rare circumstance where a student has two exams scheduled at the same time, the student should report this to their teacher, who will work with their department chair to create a makeup schedule for the exam conflict.
- Exams are worth 20% of the students’ second-semester grade. The exam is based upon material from the second semester, but will often require skills and proficiencies developed in the first semester.
- Students are not permitted to take exams early. The exam makeup day is Friday, May 30.
Each student’s advisor is a great resource for strategies to prepare for the exam period. A great step at this point would be for a student to sit with their advisor and plan out a preparation schedule based on their own particular needs.
Don’t Miss Out! Golf Invitational & Skills Social — Thursday, May 22
Whether swinging for birdies in the 18-hole Scramble or just practicing in the Skills Social, there’s a spot for everyone at the Flint Hill Golf Invitational and Skills Social!
This year, we’ve added a literal blast: fire a golf ball air cannon at one of the 18 holes, and send that ball soaring like never before! If you’re still on the fence, watch this very serious training video from Head of School Patrick McHonett and his wife, Jessica, as they practice their putting skills using some incredible mini golf courses made by our very own 6th grade students. Only a few spots left, so register today!
Concessions Volunteers Needed!
Help finish the year strong by volunteering in the Den or Igloo! Bring a friend, sign up for as many shifts as you'd like, and get a glimpse into the student experience. Upper School students may earn service hours!
Upcoming Events
Virtual PCW Speaker Series: 'Digital Well-Being'
Wednesday, April 30
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Register
Fall Athletics Schedules and Tryout Information on Husky Hub
Thursday, May 1
Senior Day
Friday, May 2
Upper School Musical, 'She Loves Me'
Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Hazel Lower School Olson Theater
Reserve Tickets
SAT
Saturday, May 3
Local National Test Centers
AP Exams
Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 16
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, May 5
Peterson Middle School, Room 204, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
June ACT Registration Deadline
Friday, May 9
Parent Walking Group
Friday, May 9
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Register
ACT
Wednesday, May 14
Local National Test Centers
Volunteer Appreciation Reception
Thursday, May 15
Peterson Middle School Terrace, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Rain location: Peterson Middle School, Mitchell Commons
RSVP
Classics Banquet
Friday, May 16
Peterson Middle School, Mitchell Commons, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Upper School Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony
Monday, May 19
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Upper School Exam Schedule
Wednesday, May 21 — Reading Day
Thursday, May 22 — History and Social Sciences Exams
Friday, May 23 — Language Exams
Tuesday, May 27 — English Exams
Wednesday, May 28 — Math Exams
Thursday, May 29 — Science Exams
Flint Hill Golf Invitational & Skills Social
Thursday, May 22
Register
Memorial Day
Monday, May 26
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Administrative Offices Closed
Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop-off
Tuesday, May 27 - Friday, May 30
Lower School Campus, Miller House Front Porch
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
End of Second Semester
Thursday, May 29
Lower, Middle, and Upper School Last Day of School
Thursday, May 29
Exam Makeup Day
Friday, May 30
Upper School Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 30
Upper School Gym, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
