Upper School Newsletter – December 4, 2024
December 4, 2024
Letter From the Division Director
Good evening Husky families,
I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving break that was a mixture of rest and adventure. The faculty were here completing professional development, on November 25-26, before they headed off for their vacation. At the same time, the faculty sent the second round of academic concern notes for any student at a C- or below thus far in the semester. Those notes would have arrived anytime on those two days (or slightly earlier).
Unlike previous years, the calendar is aligned in a way where the semester finishes before the winter holidays. This is a departure from previous years when the semester ended in early January. For your student, this means final projects and assessments will take place over the next couple of weeks, with the week of December 16-20 being particularly busy. Now is a great time to sit down with your student and plan the next couple of weeks to make sure they can maximize their preparation time.
Teachers will complete their submissions of grades and comments in mid-January, with semester report cards coming out shortly thereafter.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper 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.
Upper School Fall Athletics Awards Ceremony — Tuesday, December 17
The Upper School Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 1:15-2:15 p.m. in the Upper School Gym. Please join us in celebrating our fall athletes. Coaches will award their athletes with MVP and Husky Awards. We look forward to seeing you there. For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be streamed via our Hudl Fan account.
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.
Upper School Division Coffee: 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.
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.
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.
Tip-Off will begin on Friday, December 6, and conclude on Saturday, December 7.
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.
Upper School Coffee: Community Service — Wednesday, December 11
Parents are invited to hear from our Upper School Community Service Coordinators on Wednesday, December 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. They will discuss the philosophy and approach of the community service program as well as the resources and support that are available to students/families.
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
SAT
Saturday, December 7
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.
Learning Center and College Admission Virtual Workshop for Junior Parents
Tuesday, December 10
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Join the Google Meet
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
Upper School Division Coffee: Community Service
Wednesday, December 11
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Middle and Upper School Winter Band Concert
Wednesday, December 11
Lower School Olson Theater, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
CyberPatriot Competition
Friday, December 13
Upper School Learning Commons, 8:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Webinar: Explore Student Success at Flint Hill
Friday, December 13
12:00-12:45 p.m.
Register to Attend
Science Olympiad
Saturday, December 14
Upper School Building, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
ACT
Saturday, December 14
Middle and Upper School Winter Percussion Concert
Monday, December 16
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Upper School Fall Athletics Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, December 17
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
End of First Semester
Friday, December 20
Winter Break
December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Classes Resume
Monday, January 6
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.
