Upper School Newsletter – March 5, 2025
March 5, 2025
Letter From the Division Director
Good evening Husky Families,
It is the time of year to share information regarding course selection for the 2025-26 school year. Over the past couple of weeks, Academic Dean Debbie Ayers has held parent coffees and grade level meetings to discuss the instructions and guidelines of course selection with parents and students. If you were unable to attend the parent coffees, I have included the link to the slide deck from that presentation below. Also, I have included a short schedule of major events in course selection as well as a “Who do I contact?” guide for any questions you might have.
Course Selection Instructions and Guidelines for Rising Grade 10-12
Schedule
- Wednesday, April 9: The course registration portal opens. This allows students to see their course recommendations for next year. All returning students enroll in classes with their advisor’s support during flex block on this day. The course selection portal will remain open for another week to accommodate possible changes.
- Wednesday, April 16: The course selection portal on Husky Hub closes. All changes after this point are done by communicating with School Registrar Maha Morse.
- Monday, May 5 – Friday, June 9: Students may request a probationary enrollment. Information regarding Probationary Enrollment can be found on the slide deck linked above.
Who Do I Contact?
- Your student’s current teacher(s)
- Questions about a specific course recommendation for next year.
- Your student’s advisor
- Questions about your student’s activity credits or overall academic planning.
- Academic Dean Debbie Ayers
- Questions about probationary enrollment, graduation requirements, or course prerequisites.
- School Registrar Maha Morse
- Questions regarding schedule request changes after the enrollment period closes on Wednesday, April 16.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Course Registration Information
Please be sure you read Mr. Paige’s letter above with important information about course registration and click here to review the 2025-26 Course Selection Instructions and Guidelines.
Informational Session: Student Travel Opportunity to Costa Rica and Peru, Summer 2026 — Thursday, March 6
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 Thursday, March 6, 6:00-7:00 p.m., in the Upper School Learning Commons. Register to attend or request information.
Parent Meetup: Mini Golf at Oakmont — Wednesday, April 2
Tee up for some fun with fellow Flint Hill parents on Wednesday, April 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.! Join Karen and John Landwehr P'22, '27 and Susan and Jim Murphy P'22, ’24, '26, '31 for a casual evening of mini golf at Oakmont Rec Center. Parents will be randomly paired up to get to know someone new while competing in a friendly mini-golf tournament. Plus, this is the perfect warmup for the Flint Hill Golf Invitational and Skills Social on Thursday, May 22!
This is an adult-only event and registration is free, though we ask you to register in advance. Register to attend and contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.
College Conference for Juniors — Friday, April 4
On Friday, April 4, Flint Hill juniors will take the next step in the college search process by participating in the College Counseling Office’s annual College Conference for Juniors program. Through a series of workshops during the school day, juniors will create their Common App accounts, learn strategies for managing the application process, and hear advice from both college admission professionals and current seniors.
College Conference Virtual Panel For Junior Parents — Friday, April 4
Our junior parents are invited to participate in a virtual Q&A session with experienced college admissions officers on Friday, April 4, 8:15-9:00 a.m., to ask questions and hear several perspectives on this important family experience, particularly as the landscape of college admissions continues to change.
Volunteer/Employee Summer Opportunities for Students
Check out our new Summer Opportunities tile on Husky Hub! On this tile you can view opportunities this summer to engage in programs either as a participant or as a volunteer/employee. Check out our options here and read more about program highlights below.
Guatemala Service Learning Experience: Join our service trip to Guatemala from July 27 - August 3. The trip will be focused on service, building stoves in the homes of rural Mayan families, but students will also have the opportunity to zipline at Lake Atitlán, tour Mayan ruins, and explore the local culture! Learn more.
seedLab Film Academy: Join us for this intensive and fun film camp from June 23 - 27. In just 5 days, you’ll develop, write, produce, shoot and edit a short film that you and your team get to dream up (and act in!) We'll cover casting, rehearsals, lighting and sound too. Register here.
Celebrate Fred Atwood’s Retirement
“You have done a great service by sharing your knowledge and passion for our natural world with generations to come. They will carry the torch and make this planet a better place because of you. There is no greater gift.” — Current Flint Hill family
This quote captures how many people feel about the impact Fred Atwood has had on their Flint Hill experience. We are celebrating Fred and the 35-year legacy he will leave after he retires in June. Honoring him in just one way wouldn’t be enough, here are some of the many ways you and the community are celebrating his dedication to Flint Hill:
- Contribute to the establishment of the Fred Atwood Endowed Fund for Science. Make a gift or pledge payable by December 31, 2026.
- Make a special Flint Hill Fund gift in his honor by June 30, 2025.
- Contribute to Fred’s digital scrapbook.
- Fred’s classroom was renamed in his honor. See the special plaque at room 207 the next time you are in the Upper School.
- Alumni are invited to a Reunion reception on Saturday, April 26.
Learn more about celebrating Fred at: flinthill.org/fredatwood.
Parent Request - Senior Class Video Submissions
Parents: Do You Know a Retired Astronaut or Space Engineer?
From time to time, teachers 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.
We have a current need for retired NASA astronauts and space engineers to speak with the 7th grade after their Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center field trip on Friday, April 11. If you have a connection you might be willing to facilitate, 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!
REMINDERS
Parents’ Association Pickleball Social — Join the Waitlist!
Registration is full for the Pickleball Social on Wednesday, March 12. Email Olivia Landrum if you’d like to join the waitlist, and she will contact you if space becomes available!
Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange and Drop-Off
Mark your calendars for the Spring Uniform Exchange on Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in room 101 of Hazel Lower School. The Exchange is intentionally scheduled to coincide with Lower School Parent Conferences. 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. For questions about the Exchange, please contact Melissa Riley in the Advancement Office.
Donation Drop-off: Parents may drop off gently used, clean uniforms and spirit wear on the Miller House front porch from now until Friday, March 7, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Kindly launder items before donating. Middle and Upper School parents are welcome to donate and/or shop for spirit wear.
School Store Open — Friday, March 14
The School Store will be open on Friday, March 14, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Hazel Lower School in Room 112. You can also shop early online and pick up your items on Friday, March 14. For questions about the School Store, contact Store Manager Marina Matthes.
Athletics: Photos, Uniform Return, Game Cancellations
Winter Athletic Pictures by Freed Photography
To purchase candid photographs and team pictures taken 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
Winter Uniform Return
Please have students return their winter uniforms to Mr. Alex Walker. Make sure the uniforms are washed, dried, and placed in a plastic bag. Return all bagged uniforms to the bin labeled “uniform return,” located in the Athletics Office by the athletic closet.
Spring Game Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
With the spring season comes the possibility of rain, leading to the potential for cancellations or delays. 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 and their field conditions. 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.
Volunteers Needed! Sign Up for a Shift in the Igloo
We need your help to open the Igloo each day! Bring a friend and sign up for as many shifts as you'd like — your support makes a difference and gives you a glimpse into Upper School life. Volunteer in the Igloo.
Parent Walking Group: Spring Dates Added!
Meetup with fellow parents for rejuvenating walks through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The location will vary each week and Middle School Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’28 will share location details with the group before each walk. Register for each date you can attend and contact Molisa Meholic with any questions.
Spring Dates: Thursday, March 13; Friday, April 4; Thursday, April 24; Friday, May 9; Tuesday, May 27 at 8:15 a.m.
Upcoming Events
Upper School Spring Athletics Picture Day
Thursday, March 6
Upper School Gym, 2:45-5:45 p.m.
Informational Session: Student Travel Opportunity to Costa Rica and Peru
Thursday, March 6
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Register to Attend
SAT
Saturday, March 8
Local area test centers
Parents’ Association Pickleball Social
Wednesday, March 12
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Country Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA
Upper School Winter Athletics Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, March 12
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Parent Walking Group
Thursday, March 13
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Register
School Store Open
Friday, March 14
Hazel Lower School, Room 112, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
You can also shop early online and pick up your items on Friday, March 14.
Grade 10 PreACT
Friday, March 14
Sophomores will sit for the PreACT. The School registers all students and pays associated fees.
Upper School Special Schedule, (Non-Letter Day)
Friday, March 14
*We use this day to administer the pre-ACT to the 10th grade students. Students from the other three grade levels are excused from attending school.
Spring Break
Monday, March 17 - Friday, March 28
Classes Resume
Monday, March 31
Third Quarter Progress Report
Wednesday, April 2
Parent Meetup: Mini Golf at Oakmont
Wednesday, April 2
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oakmont Rec Center
Register to Attend
College Conference For Juniors
Friday, April 4
Upper School Campus
College Conference Virtual Panel For Junior Parents
Friday, April 4
8:15-9:00 a.m.
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/htz-kscp-atf
Parent Walking Group
Friday, April 4
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Register
ACT
Saturday, April 5
Local National Test Centers
Upper School Spring Semiformal Dance
Saturday, April 5
Upper School Commons, 8:30-10:00 p.m.
Guest forms are due by Tuesday, April 1
