Upper School Newsletter – December 13, 2023
December 13, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
I hope that everyone has a restful but adventurous winter break. As a reminder, our first semester goes through Thursday, January 11. We do not hold semester exams in January, but it is very likely that there will be a variety of assessments and project deadlines to close the semester. Students taking a new course for the spring semester will start meeting with those teachers on Friday, January 12.
Semester grades are reported on the student’s transcript. If they need to speak to a teacher about an incorrect grade or an extension due to an excused absence, please encourage them to do so before the end of the semester on Thursday, January 11.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Sophomore Class Service Project: Collecting Fleece — Donate by Tuesday, January 2
The Sophomore Class is collecting fleece (blankets, jackets, pants ... anything made of fleece!) for a service project they are participating in on January 3. They will be using the fleece to make snuffle mats to donate to the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation located in Falls Church. Please bring donations to school by Tuesday, January 2. There will be a collection box set up by the staircase nearest the school office.
Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget — Monday, January 8
Current families are invited to join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Associate Head of School for Finance & Operations Anne Peterson for our annual budget coffee on Monday, January 8, at 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Upper School Multipurpose Room to learn more about your investment in a one-of-a-kind Flint Hill experience for your student(s).
Mark Your Calendars: Alumni College Virtual Panel — Tuesday, January 9
Join the Flint Hill College Counseling Office on Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00-8:00 p.m., as it welcomes — virtually — recent alumni who will share their experiences and respond to questions about how Flint Hill prepared them for the expectations of college. Our panelists are first-year and second-year college students with a range of experiences and perspectives. You may access the Alumni College Virtual Panel program using this Google Meet link. No registration is required.
Mark Your Calendars & Help Plan — Community Festival on Saturday, March 2
On Saturday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m, we will host our annual Community Festival in the Upper School. If you attended this event last year, you’ll remember that the morning was dedicated to our Community of Care forum and the afternoon involved a cultural celebration sharing foods and traditions from the various countries represented throughout our Flint Hill community. This year, we’re calling the whole event Community Festival! If you and your family would like to represent a country, please fill out this form and join us for a brief planning meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
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.
Inclement Weather Classwork 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.
We also want to make you aware of our classwork policy on inclement weather days. Teachers may choose to assign work by sending an email to students alerting them of assignments by 10:00 a.m. Work should be made available on the teacher course page or through another electronic form. Individual or additional considerations will be made in the event of:
- excessive consecutive inclement weather days
- a high number of individual inclement weather days, or
- extended time periods without power.
Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony Pictures
Photos from this year's Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony are available to view and download.
Tell Your Friends: Get to Know Flint Hill
Events are a great way for families to learn about Flint Hill — and it helps us get to know them, too! If you know someone who would make a great Husky, submit the Refer a Husky form and consider inviting them to these upcoming admission events:
Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12 — Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. Current families are welcome to attend.
Lower School Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 9:00 a.m.
Middle School Virtual Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.
Reminders
Middle and Upper School Orchestra Concert — Tonight!
Join us tonight, Wednesday, December 13, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Olson Theater on the Lower School Campus. Watch the livestream!
Watch Upper School Sports Via Livestream
All games held on the Flint Hill Upper School campus will be streamed via Hudl TV. You can also access the livestream by typing fan.hudl.com into your browser and then searching for “Flint Hill.”
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 (Hudl Fan: Apple or Hudl Fan: Google Play). 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.
Volunteer in the Igloo
There’s always an opportunity to sign up for a shift in the Igloo, and we need many volunteers! It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents while strengthening our community. Upper School students can volunteer for basketball games, too! Sign up for as many shifts as you'd like and invite a friend to join you! With more volunteers, we can open for more games and activities! Sign up to volunteer in the Igloo.
Last Call: Driving Spirit Award Nominations
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill employees who lead by example through their dedication to students, faculty, or the Flint Hill community at large, as evidenced by their ability to energize and inspire the Husky community. Their embodiment of the Driving Spirit makes our School the special and unique place we all value, a place that respects and values all equally, leads and supports with compassion, acts with integrity to imagine what’s possible and where all are inspired to blaze their own trail. Please think about the exceptional employees of Flint Hill who you believe fit this description. Complete the nomination form by Thursday, January 4.
2024-25 School Year Calendar Highlights Now Available
We have shared our 2024-25 Calendar Highlights 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.
Upcoming Events
Middle and Upper School Winter Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, December 13
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream
Winter Break
Monday, December 18 - Monday, January 1
Classes Resume
Tuesday, January 2
Sophomore Class Service Project: Fleece Donation
Deadline: Tuesday, January 2
Admission Event: Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12
Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m.
Current families are welcome to attend.
Sign up to attend
Grades JK-12 Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget
Monday, January 8
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Community Festival Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 9
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Flint Hill Alumni Virtual College Panel
Tuesday, January 9
Virtual, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
End of the Second Quarter and First Semester
Thursday, January 11
