Upper School Newsletter – February 5, 2025
February 5, 2025
Letter From the Division Director
Greetings Husky families!
Today’s letter has a few short notes about upcoming events. First, we have scheduled our annual Senior Skip Day for Friday, February 7. Seniors are not expected to attend school on that day, but a normal schedule and classes will be held for all other grades.
When the entire student body returns to school after the long weekend (Monday, February 10, is a professional development day) they will notice the uniform phone cubbies in each classroom and advisory space. During our town meeting on Thursday, January 30, I explained the new phone policy to the student body so we can be prepared for the adjustments moving forward.
On Thursday, February 13, we will have our annual Flint Hill Day celebration. On this day, we have a modified set of dress guidelines. Grades 9-11 should come to school in “business dress.” Grade 12 students should come to school in “Senior Dress.” Specific information for those guidelines can be found on the Upper School Dress Expectations tile of the Resource Board on Husky Hub.
Lastly, the Upper School uses a special schedule on Friday, March 14, which is the last day before Spring Break. We use that day to administer the pre-ACT to the 10th grade students. We don’t hold classes for the other three grade levels on that day so they are excused from attending school.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, don’t forget to finish those enrollment contracts!
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Completed 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts Due Tomorrow
Your completed and signed 2025-26 enrollment contract and non-refundable deposit are due by Thursday, February 6, in order to secure your child’s placement for next year. Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 with any questions.
Guatemala Service Trip Virtual Interest Meeting — Wednesday, February 12
Flint Hill is partnering with the Highland Support Project to offer a service learning experience in Guatemala. There will be a Virtual Interest Meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. To join the meeting, use this Google Meet link: meet.google.com/sau-aygn-qjb
The service project focuses on building stoves in the homes of rural Mayan families and providing art education at a local school. While service is the primary focus of the trip, students have the opportunity to zipline at Lake Atitlán and tour Mayan ruins, Antigua, and Quetzaltenango. Students will receive 30 hours of community service hours for the 2025-26 school year. Learn more about the trip on the Guatemala Service Trip 2025 website.
- This trip is open to: Flint Hill students in grades 9-12, Flint Hill parents, and non-Flint Hill high school students!
- Trip Dates: Sunday, July 27 to Sunday, August 3
- Cost: Approximately $2,700, including airfare, all meals, activities, accommodations, and in-country transportation.
To register for the trip: visit the Summer on the Hill website.
Support our Middle School Play - "Murder in the Knife Room"
It’s a mystery! One murder, a closed room, and 16 suspects. Who killed Mysterious Host? Could it be the Respected General? What about Wealthy Dowager? Or maybe it was Santa Claus. The mystery unfolds as Inexplicably Omniscient Inspector takes on the most thrilling and baffling murder case in the history of thrilling and baffling murder cases.
Support our Middle School cast and crew and reserve your tickets here. The show will be presented on Thursday, February 20, 7:00-9:00 p.m., and Friday, February 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Parent Education Series: Essential Conversations — Tuesday, February 25
Join us in the Middle School on Tuesday, February 25, 7:00-8:30 p.m., for an essential conversation with the founders of I Have The Right To on how to support children and teens in navigating consent, healthy relationships, and personal safety. Alex and Susan Prout will share their powerful story and the critical lessons they wish they had known as parents. The presentation will also provide insight into what Upper School students have been learning in school workshops, including recognizing red flags, setting boundaries, and understanding the neurobiology of trauma. Reserve your seat!
Upper School Student Leadership Application Information
The student leadership application process will begin on Tuesday, February 24, with the publication of the student leadership application and a due date of Wednesday, April 2.
All students in Grades 9-11 who wish to serve in the following leadership groups next year must apply, including those who are already serving in one of the formal leadership groups this year:
- Academic Honor Council
- Ambassadors
- Athletic Advisory Council
- Inclusive Leadership Council
- Peer Counselors
- Student Council Association
Questions? Contact Upper School Dean of Students Howard Chang directly.
Winter Athletic Pictures Available for Purchase
To purchase candid photographs and team pictures taken by Freed Photography during the fall/winter athletic seasons, please check your respective Husky Hub team page for a link. You may also use the link and passwords below to access the photo libraries.
Link: https://photosbyfreed.com/
Candid Photos Password: FHILL2425SPC
Team Photos Password: FLINT2425SPTEAMS
Share with Family & Friends: Upcoming Admission Coffee Event
Do you know a family who might be interested in Flint Hill? Ask them to join us at 29th Parallel Coffee in Vienna for Coffee Chat: Ask a Flint Hill Parent on Wednesday, February 19, 8:30-10:00 a.m. Prospective parents are invited to join us for informal conversations with current parents to learn more about academics, athletics, or student life in a relaxed setting — and have a coffee or tea on us! If you’re interested in helping with Admission events like this one, email admission@flinthill.org and let us know!
REMINDERS
Conference Tournaments
As we approach the end of regular seasons, stay tuned to FlintHill.org/athletics for the most up-to-date information on conference tournaments. This information will be available on the school website and on Husky Hub team pages.
Game Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
With the winter season comes the possibility of snow and ice, leading to the potential for cancellations. In the case of inclement weather, the Athletics Department will determine by 1:30 p.m. whether a home game/meet will be canceled. If there is an away game/meet, the decision to play lies with the opposing school. Once a home game/meet is canceled, Flint Hill coaches will notify parents and students. Husky Hub will also be updated and be the source for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Last Call for 'Kind Mom' Donations — Ends Friday, February 7
11th grade advisories are coordinating donations for Kind Mom through the end of this week.
Members of the Upper School community are invited to donate the items listed below by dropping them off in the box at Ms. Lynn's desk in the College Counseling office. We are collecting the following items. Must be NEW.
Parent Walking Group — Friday, February 7
Bundle up and walk with fellow parents on Friday, February 7, 8:15-9:15 a.m., through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The location will be shared with the group before the walk. Register here. If you have any questions, please contact Middle School Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29.
Dads Meetup at Topgolf — Tuesday, February 18
Connect with fellow dads while enjoying some friendly competition at Topgolf Loudoun on Tuesday, February 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m. While this event is an opportunity for dads to form and maintain connections, truly all are welcome. Parent meetups are open to all JK-12 parents and guardians. Special thanks to Divisional Ambassador Mani Qazi P’29 for hosting and Lion Federal for sponsoring this meetup! Location Details: Topgolf Loudoun: 20356 Commonwealth Center Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147.
Register here and contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.
Major Minors Concert — Wednesday, February 19
Join the Major Minors, Flint Hill’s award-winning a cappella group, for their annual concert on Wednesday, February 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m., in the Upper School Commons. The concert is free, and your attendance is a great way to show support to our wonderfully talented student singers!
FH Community Weekend: One School, Many Stories — February 21-22
Celebrate the experiences that help us grow as individuals and as a school! The schedule for One School, Many Stories includes the Communities of Color Reception (co-sponsored by the Kaleidoscope Book Club) on Friday, February 21, and the Community Conversations: Morning of Dialogue and the following Community Festival events on Saturday, February 22.
RSVP to let us know you’re coming! Interested in volunteering? Please contact Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion Mia Burton or All-School Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Parent Meetup: What Is Your Story? Workshop — Thursday, February 27
Join Inspire founder, author, community-builder, and alumni parent Alysia Dempsey P’20, ’23 for this special workshop for parents on Thursday, February 27, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Oakton Starbucks, 2930 Chain Bridge Rd.
According to Alysia, What Is Your Story? is an inspiring workshop enabling participants of all ages to share their story and discover the story of others in their own community and communities around the world. Let’s inspire everyone regardless of race, gender, religion, age, or orientation to have a voice and to be authentically themselves and write their own stories. We must plant seeds of love, peace, empathy, kindness, and compassion today that will inspire a celebration of diverse stories in our community and around the world for future generations. We are part of one human race. Our stories can inspire each other.
Alysia will also be hosting a workshop at the Community Festival on Saturday, February 22, so there are two opportunities to participate!
Register here and contact Olivia Landrum with questions.
Reminders for 12th Grade Families
RSVP for 12th Grade Parent Dinner: As the seniors begin their 100 days countdown to graduation, parents will enjoy a celebratory dinner on Wednesday, February 26, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Upper School Commons. Don Paige and others will share important information about how to help your senior finish strong with a chance for parents’ questions. Please RSVP to the invite sent by email on January 13.
Graduation Announcements: Herff Jones offers personalized graduation announcements that showcase Flint Hill's crest and detailed ceremony information, including your student’s name, and can serve as treasured keepsakes of this memorable event. Announcement orders are shipped directly to your home. Place your order here. Contact Herff Jones directly with any questions, 804.598.0971.
Cheer on Our Huskies: Upcoming Senior Nights
We have two more senior nights scheduled for this winter season. Come out and support our hardworking and dedicated winter sports athletes!
- NEW DATE — Boys’ Basketball Senior Night — Thursday, February 6, 6:00 p.m., Upper School Gym
- Girls’ Basketball Senior Night — Friday, February 14, 5:30 p.m., Upper School Gym
Make a Difference! Volunteer in the Igloo
Help keep the Igloo running by signing up for a shift! We need volunteers to open each day. 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. Volunteer in the Igloo
Upcoming Events
2025-26 Enrollment Contracts Due
Thursday, February 6
Senior Skip Day
Friday, February 7
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Friday, February 7
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Register to Attend
ACT
Saturday, February 8
Location: Local National Test Centers
Grades JK-12 No Classes: Professional Development Day
Monday, February 10
Learning Center Parent Coffee
Tuesday, February 11
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Guatemala Service Trip Virtual Interest Meeting
Wednesday, February 12
7:00 p.m.
Google Meet Link
Flint Hill Day
Thursday, February 13
Business Dress / Senior Dress Day
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Grades JK-12 No Classes: Presidents’ Day
Monday, February 17
Dads Meetup at Topgolf
Tuesday, February 18
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Topgolf Loudoun: 20356 Commonwealth Center Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147
Register to Attend
Major Minors Concert
Wednesday, February 19
Upper School Commons, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Middle School Play, “Murder in the Knife Room”
Thursday, February 20, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Friday, February 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Hazel Lower School Olson Theater
Reserve Tickets
March SAT Registration Deadline
Friday, February 21
FH Community Festival Weekend: One School, Many Stories
Friday, February 21 - Saturday, February 22
Communities of Color Reception (co-sponsored by the Kaleidoscope Book Club)
Friday, February 21
Peterson Middle School Lobby, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Reserve Your Seat
Community Conversations: Morning of Dialogue
Saturday, February 22
Upper School Learning Commons, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Reserve Your Seat
Community Festival
Saturday, February 22
Upper School Commons, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Reserve Your Seat
Upper School Spring Athletics Begin
Monday, February 24
Parent Education Series: Essential Conversations
Tuesday, February 25
Peterson Middle School Mitchell Commons, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Reserve Your Seat
Parent Meetup: What Is Your Story? Workshop
Thursday, February 27
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: The workshop will be held at Starbucks in Oakton, 2930 Chain Bridge Rd.
Register to Attend
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, March 3
Peterson Middle School Room 204, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop Off
Monday, March 3 - Friday, March 7
