Upper School Newsletter – December 18, 2024
December 18, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Good evening Husky families,
I have so much gratitude for our incredible Student Council Association (SCA). This week they put together an amazing set of winter week activities for students. In the midst of this busy week to end the semester, their effort to provide a bit of cheer has been impactful. On Monday, they provided a hot chocolate break for the students. Also, they set up a program where any student could send any other student a free candy cane gram message. On Tuesday, they organized a winter movie after school and encouraged students to wear their best ugly sweaters.
Today and tomorrow, the advisories are holding secret snowflake celebrations. Lastly, the students will hold the last Open Mic of the year on Friday, December 20, to celebrate the end of 2024!
I hope that everyone has a winter break full of adventure and relaxation.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parent Virtual Workshop About Substance Abuse — TONIGHT
The Counseling team offers this last-minute heads up for a virtual workshop happening shortly. Are you comfortable talking with your child about substance use and the risks? Can you recognize the warning signs of substance use? Join Caron Education Alliance for a virtual prevention and education program for parents, tonight, Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This presentation provides parents and caregivers of middle and upper school students with information that research shows can help reduce the chances their teen will engage in substance use. Register to attend this virtual presentation.
Save the Date for Community Festival Weekend - February 21-22
Our annual Community Festival is set for Friday, February 21 and Saturday, 22, with activities planned for everyone to enjoy. Detailed schedules will be shared after the break, but we’re already gearing up for Saturday’s Cultural Festival on Saturday, February 22. If your family or student club would like to host a table and share your culture with the community, we’d love to hear from you — sign up today! If you have any questions, please email All School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson at mchenderson@flinthill.org.
Fall Athletic Awards and Winter Individual & Team Portraits
The Upper School Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony was held earlier this week. We'll post photos from the event later this week on our Flickr page. You can find a recording of the event on the Flint Hill Hudl page.
Winter Upper School athletic individual portraits & team portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! Parents of Winter athletes should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information (it may have gone to spam). If you have not received this, please contact Freed Photography directly at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452.
Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event — Thursday, January 8
Current families are invited to join us for this virtual event on Thursday, January 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m. to learn more about Flint Hill’s approach to fine arts and innovation in the Middle and Upper School. You'll hear directly from our passionate Fine Arts and Innovation faculty members, students, and parents. While this event is designed with prospective families in mind, current families will gain some insights into what’s ahead for their children’s fine arts and innovation classes. Register today.
Head of School Budget Coffee — Tuesday, January 14
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 Tuesday, January 14, 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).
Reserve Your Seat for our January 15 Parent Education Series
Join us for another installment of Flint Hill's Parent Education Series with an eye-opening seminar on parenting in today’s high-anxiety world, featuring a presentation and Q&A with Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts With Worry).” The seminar is on Wednesday, January 15, in the Peterson Middle School with two opportunities to attend: 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m. Seating is limited! Reserve your spot now!
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! Please consider inviting your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to these upcoming admission events. Thank you for helping to expand our Husky community!
- Family Discovery Workshop on Thursday, January 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m., in the Hazel Lower School. Attendees can choose two subjects, such as percussion (music), computer science, or Spanish, and attend interactive workshops led by our wonderful Lower School specialist teachers. Forward this signup link to those who may be interested in learning more about our Lower School.
- Middle School Virtual Info Session on Thursday, January 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. They’ll hear from school leaders, parents, and students about what makes Flint Hill's Middle School program exceptional. Forward this signup link to those who may be interested in learning more about our Middle School.
REMINDERS
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.
Lock in Discounts to Costa Rica and Peru, Summer 2026: Enroll by Friday, December 20
Lock in one of the limited spots available with a $95 Enrollment Fee by Friday, December 20. By enrolling now, you will also receive a $200 tour scholarship and qualify for your risk-free enrollment period! Enroll now with this link. **Space is limited and is first-come, first-served!
Please view the Parent Guide to Travel from EF Educational Tours, our travel partner. This guide covers all the details about EF, including options for academic credit, payment plans, and what to expect on tour. Additionally, once you enroll, you will have access to your individual fundraising page and will be able to apply for EF's Global Citizen Scholarship.
Still have questions? EF's Traveler Support team can help through their online chat at the ET Tour website or by phone at 800-665-5364. You can also email the faculty sponsor, Upper School History Teacher Virginia Cady.
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.
Learn About Senior Projects — Wednesday, January 8
Senior Project Coordinator Stephanie Batbouta will go over the senior project program and its various requirements during the Upper School Division Coffee on Wednesday, January 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. This coffee is open to all parents but is primarily for senior parents.
Driving Spirit Award Nominations — Submit by Thursday, January 9
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.
Parents: Share Your Professional Knowledge with Our Students!
Occasionally, teachers invite presenters into the classroom to enhance the curriculum. Given the extensive levels of expertise within the parent and alumni community, we’d like to make these opportunities more broadly accessible. In the previous newsletter, we shared some “wish list” topics and nearly all have been fulfilled! Thank you! We have one remaining need for current or retired NASA astronauts and engineers.
If you are willing to present or know someone who would be interested, please contact Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne to learn more (no obligations). Note that these presenting opportunities are not compensated. As additional topics are requested we’ll share them here. Thank you for helping students and teachers make these real-world connections!
Parent Walking Group — Friday, January 17
Meetup with fellow parents for a walk through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The next walk is on Friday, January 17, 8:15-9:15 a.m. 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. Upcoming Walk: Friday, February 7.
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.
Athletics Reminder: 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.
Volunteer in the Igloo — Help Us Prepare for the New Year!
There’s always an opportunity to sign up for a shift in the Igloo, and we need many volunteers to open each day. It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents while supporting our community. Upper School students can volunteer for basketball games, too! Invite a friend to join you and sign up for as many shifts as you'd like so we’re prepared when we return from winter break. Sign Up to Volunteer in the Igloo
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.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Substance Abuse Workshop hosted by Caron Education Alliance
Wednesday, December 18
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Register to Attend
End of First Semester
Friday, December 20
Winter Break
December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
February ACT Registration Deadline
Friday, January 3
Classes Resume
Monday, January 6, 2025
Alumni Virtual College Panel
Tuesday, January 7
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Google Meet Link
Upper School Division Coffee: Senior Projects
Wednesday, January 8
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Admission Virtual Event: Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation at Flint Hill
Thursday, January 8
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Register
Head of School Budget Coffee
Tuesday, January 14
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Parent Education Series: Empowering, Not Overprotecting: Building Independence and Raising Resilient Kids
Wednesday, January 15
Peterson Middle School
8:30-9:30 a.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Reserve Your Spot Now!
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Friday, January 17
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Register to Attend
