Upper School Newsletter – February 28, 2024
February 28, 2024
Letter From The Division Director
Hello Husky families!
We have begun the course selection process for the 2024-2025 school year. Academic Dean Debbie Ayers is holding 10 different student and family presentations during February and March to help prepare our students, including today’s Parent Coffees. We recognize that many of our families aren’t able to attend these Parent Coffees so I am including the slides from the presentation. Also, you can read the entire timeline of the process shown in this Course Selection Timeline, 2024-2025. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s advisor as the initial contact.
As parents, here are some best practices you could be doing right now to support your student.
- Review the Upper School Program Guide and the Upper School Academic Handbook so you know the course options, graduation requirements, and other various policies.
- Make sure your student considers not just their first-choice courses but possible backup courses, particularly for electives. Sometimes their first-choice course fills up with upperclass students or is held during a period that doesn’t work with their other schedule choices.
- If your student is considering requesting an honors or advanced placement course, they should check in with their current teacher. Though recommendations will be released after Spring Break, now is the time for students to talk to their teachers about any skill development that they need to demonstrate to show they are prepared for the particular course.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Calling All Culinary Creators: Submit Your Family’s Recipe for Our Community Cookbook!
Food has a unique way of bringing people together, creating memories, and telling stories. We believe that within our community lies a treasure trove of delicious family recipes, each with its own history and significance. Whether it's your grandma's secret lasagna, your uncle's famous barbecue sauce, or a cherished dessert passed down through generations, we want to celebrate the diverse and delectable tastes that make our community unique.
Here's how you can contribute:
- Submit Your Recipe: Share your favorite family recipe with us. From appetizers to main courses, desserts, and everything in between, we want to feature the best that our community has to offer.
- Tell Your Story: Along with your recipe, feel free to include a short story or memory associated with it. Whether it's a holiday tradition, a family gathering, or a special occasion, let's weave the fabric of our community through these culinary tales.
- Include a Photo: If you have a picture of the dish or a family gathering around it, we'd love to include it in the cookbook. It adds a personal touch and helps others envision the deliciousness!
- Submission Deadline: Please submit your recipes by Monday, April 1, to ensure we have ample time to compile and organize our community cookbook.
Save the Date: Night on the Hill — Friday, April 26, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Join fellow parents, alumni parents, faculty, and staff for this all-adult evening of community building and fun at the Upper School. Look for an electronic invitation with more details after Spring Break!
Student Leadership Application — Due Wednesday, March 27
The student leadership application process began on Monday, February 26, with the publication of the student leadership application, which has a due date of Wednesday, March 27.
Any students interested in the following leadership groups for the 2024-25 academic year must apply:
- Academic Honor Council
- Ambassadors
- Athletic Advisory Council
- Inclusive Leadership Council
- Peer Counselors
- Student Council Association
Questions? Please contact Mr. Howard Chang, the Upper School dean of students, directly.
Winter Uniform Return
As the winter 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. If there is no one in the Athletics Department to take the items, the bagged uniforms should be placed in the bin by the athletic closet.
Individual and Team Athletic Photos by Freed Photography
To purchase photos taken during the Winter Athletic Season, please check your respective Husky Hub team page for a link or use the following:
- For Individual Athlete Photos, use the password: FLINT23WINSPUS
- For Team Game Photos / Action Shots
Reminders
Special Schedule and Programming — Friday, March 8
This year, we aligned the bell schedules for the Middle School and Upper School to create more flexibility for scheduling our classes which would allow us to meet more student course requests. This has been a substantial improvement for the Upper School which has benefitted many students. However, this creates a conflict on Friday, March 8. Because the Middle School will be holding parent conferences on that day, some of our Upper School faculty will have obligations in that building.
We decided to use March 8 to hold two annual events that often require us to take students out of their classes anyway. First, we'll offer the Pre-ACT to our 10th grade students in the morning. Second, we will give the afternoon to our Performing Arts department to hold rehearsals for Arts Jam.
With that in mind, Friday, March 8, is only a required school day for sophomores and students in the Performing Arts. Other students are not required to come to campus that day but are welcome to do so. All faculty will be on campus on that day if they would like to meet with a particular teacher. We will offer regular bus service and lunch, and there are a variety of athletic competitions that evening.
RSVP for Community Festival Weekend — Friday, March 1 & Saturday, March 2
On Friday, March 1, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., join us for our Communities of Color Collective (3C) Launch and Reception in the Peterson Middle School. During the reception, we will welcome guest speaker Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, Chief Diversity Officer at the U.S. House of Representatives. RSVP
On Saturday, March 2, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., you’re invited to engage in thoughtful discussions about what makes a community. Open to parents, faculty/staff, alumni, and students in grades 7-12, the event is designed to engage in dialogue that will foster relationships and strengthen connections. This gathering of perspectives and experiences provides the perfect opportunity to “Imagine What’s Possible” for our Husky community. RSVP
Also on Saturday, March 2, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., we will celebrate and honor our community’s diverse background with a festival to recognize the many cultures represented at Flint Hill. The entertainment lineup includes a performance by K-pop dance crew 1PICK and Indian dance lessons. We'll also enjoy a culinary sampling representing over a dozen cultures and countries! RSVP
Spring Uniform Exchange Drop-Off — Now Through Monday, March 4
Parents may drop off gently-used and clean uniforms, PE/athletic wear, and spirit wear on the Miller House front porch now through Monday, March 4, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Lower, Middle, and Upper School parents are welcome to donate.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, March 4
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. We will meet to discuss “Sold” by Patricia McCormick. Our book club provides a safe and engaging space for parents to read, discuss, and reflect on thought-provoking narratives that have been deemed too controversial. We've curated a diverse selection of banned books from various genres and eras that have sparked debates and provoked change. RSVP to attend by completing this form. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Spring Uniform Exchange — Friday, March 8
Time for some spring cleaning! Mark your calendars for the Spring Uniform Exchange on Friday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., in Room 101 of the Hazel Lower School. There is no cost for this event, and you do not have to donate to participate. Item availability is based on donations and will be first come, first served. Lower, Middle, and Upper School parents are welcome to shop for uniforms, PE/athletic wear, and spirit items.
School Store Open During Uniform Exchange — Friday, March 8
The School Store will be open during the Spring Uniform Exchange — Friday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by the School Store and check out the new spirit wear. Plus, shoppers will receive a $5 coupon for any school store purchase! Please email schoolstore@flinthill.org with any Store questions.
Parent Meetup: Food for Others Monthly Volunteering — Next Date: Thursday, March 28
Want to continue giving back to those in need in our area? Join Lower School Divisional Ambassador Julia Blizzard and spend time with fellow parents while volunteering together at Food for Others each month. Food for Others is an organization that distributes food to those in need in Northern Virginia. Parents will sort food donations, pack food for distribution, and assist with warehouse tasks. Volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes. Space is limited to 20 volunteers for each date, but you can sign up for as many as you can attend! Questions? Contact Olivia Landrum '11, in the Advancement Office.
Location: Food for Others, 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA, 22031
Monthly Volunteer Dates:
- Thursday, March 28: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 18: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 14: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Parents’ Association Pickleball Social — Join the Waitlist
Registration is now full for the Pickleball Social on Friday, March 1. Join the waitlist, and we’ll contact you if space becomes available.
Volunteers Needed! Sign Up for a Shift in the Igloo
Help us finish the winter season strong by covering a shift in the Igloo! It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, and all divisions are welcome. Sign up for as many shifts as you'd like, and invite a friend to join you. Upper School students can earn service hours for basketball games, too! Volunteer Sign Up
Upcoming Events
Spring Uniform Exchange Drop-Off
Now through Monday, March 4
Miller House Front Porch, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lower, Middle, and Upper School parents are welcome to donate.
Parents’ Association Pickleball Social
Friday, March 1
International Country Club, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Sign up to attend
Communities of Color Collective Reception
Friday, March 1
Peterson Middle School, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Community Festival
Saturday, March 2
Upper School School, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, March 4
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Upper School Winter Athletics Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, March 6
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Parent Volunteers Needed: Spring Uniform Exchange
Wednesday, March 6
Sign Up to Volunteer
Upper School Spring Sports Picture Day
Thursday, March 7
Upper School Gym, 2:45 p.m.
Spring Uniform Exchange
Friday, March 8
Hazel Lower School, Room 101, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
School Store Open During Uniform Exchange
Friday, March 8
Hazel Lower School, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Spring Break
Saturday, March 9 - Sunday, March 24
Classes Resume
Monday, March 25
Student Leadership Application Due Date
Wednesday, March 27
Parent Meetup: Food for Others
Thursday, March 28
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Food for Others, 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA
Sign Up to Attend
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, April 1
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
College Conference For Juniors
Wednesday, April 3
Upper School Campus, 8:25 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
College Conference Virtual Panel For Junior Parents
Wednesday, April 3
Virtual, 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/htz-kscp-atf
Parents' Association Spring Tennis Social
Friday, April 5
Middle and Upper School Tennis Courts, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Upper School Spring Semi-Formal Dance
Saturday, April 6
Upper School Commons, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
