Upper School Newsletter – November 1, 2023
November 1, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
The end of the first quarter is a time where I always guide students to evaluate their study techniques and habits. Over the course of my career, I have worked with countless students who have reached a point in their education where they need to rethink their approach to learning. Often, this is difficult because the students have developed study preferences that have served them admirably through lower school and middle school, but now those same preferences do not yield the same understanding and comprehension. Sometimes this happens when a student attempts their first honors or AP class. For other students, it happens as soon as they come to the Upper School. Regardless of when it happens, it is a rite of passage for all students to assess and adapt their classroom behaviors and study habits when needed.
For many students, the first thing that they often try is to simply use the same study habits, but for a much longer duration. I often have students tell me that they “studied for many hours” but still did not fully comprehend the information or receive the grade they hoped they would. This can create serious frustration for students because they feel unrewarded after dedicating so much time to preparation. If you start to sense that your student is trying this method, it is a good time to tell them that it is far more important “how” you study, as opposed to “how long” you study. Also, nudge your student to see a teacher or advisor for guidance on how to assess their study habits and techniques.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Parent Teacher Conference Days — Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
Our annual Flint Hill School conference days will be held on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3. At the Upper School, we offer 10-minute conference slots throughout those two days. If you have any issues scheduling your conferences, please contact Maha Morse, School Registrar.
School Store Open on Conference Days — Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
The School Store will be open in room 112 of the Hazel Lower School on Parent Teacher Conference Days, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, November 2, or Friday, November 3.
Financial Aid Application Opens Today
Our financial aid process officially opened today. Remember to fill out your financial aid application, and note our due dates and notification dates, below. Contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 with any questions.
- Monday, January 8, 2024 — Deadline to submit your financial aid application.
- Wednesday, January 31, 2024 — 2024-25 Enrollment Contracts are issued to current students, including financial aid decisions.
- Friday, March 1, 2024 — 2024-25 Enrollment Contracts are issued to new students, including financial aid decisions.
Your Support of Flint Hill Makes a Difference
Over the past month, you’ve received a series of emails about the Flint Hill Fund to explain what your support does for students, where your support takes our alumni, and why you are asked to give each year. If you have any questions about participating in the Flint Hill Fund or want more information, please contact Chris Kitzmiller, director of the Flint Hill Fund.
Ready to make your gift? Give securely online or see other ways you can give.
Want to know even more about the impact your gift makes here at Flint Hill? Here’s the 2022-23 Annual Report on Philanthropy that was released earlier this fall. You’ll discover how philanthropy creates opportunities for the Flint Hill experience to be always curious and always innovating. And, you’ll see the gratitude for the Flint Hill community who are always connecting and always supportive.
Parent Morning Mixer: Tuesday, November 7
Join us for our next Parent Morning Mixer on Tuesday, November 7, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. All JK-12 parents are invited to this informal social after morning drop-off to get together and visit with other parents.
Upper School Fall Dance Production — Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11
Kaleidoscope: A Celebration of Dance showcases the talented dancers and film students in the Upper School. This year’s show uses live performance and film to display the fluidity and grace of classical ballet, the sharp edges of Horton, and the smooth flow of jazz dance technique. Performances are on Friday, November 10, 7:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m., in the Olson Theater. Tickets can be reserved here.
The Week of Thankful Giving Food Collection — November 13-17
We will hold our annual Week of Thankful Giving during the week of November 13-17 and look forward to celebrating with our community. In the Upper School, each advisory will have a choice to participate by either collecting canned goods for Food for Others or collecting items needed for a Thanksgiving box for Cornerstones. If your student’s advisory is collecting for Food for Others, the greatest needs are canned meat, canned tomato products, spaghetti sauce, Chef Boyardee products, rice, chili or beef stew, peanut butter, and jelly. If your student’s advisory is collecting for the Thanksgiving Family Meal box, each student will be assigned a specific item to donate. Thank you for your participation! If you have any questions, contact Jennifer McKain.
Support Husky Families - Sunshine Team Interest
The Sunshine Team offers support to Flint Hill families in times of difficulty. If you are willing to be contacted to make and deliver a meal, please complete this brief form. We'll reach out to you when there's a need. Please contact Olivia Landrum with any questions - olandrum@flinthill.org.
Dress Guidelines Clarification
Please remind your student that the dress guidelines are still in effect when a school group or club announces a spirit day. Because of the wide variety of clothes available in our dress guidelines, students can still participate while meeting those expectations. Also, we are reminding students that any spirit days will be announced in the Daily Report. If a student group announces a spirit day through social media, they should confirm through the Daily Report that it is sanctioned by the school.
Charles Kenney Memorial Trip for World War II History
We are excited to announce that the school will again be planning a trip to Normandy this summer for four members of the Class of 2025. The History Department will be announcing the steps for this selection process within the next couple of weeks. Families and students are encouraged to look for more information in the Daily Report.
Exchange Trip to Cataluña, Spain — March 8-18, 2024
After hosting students from the Instituto Josep Vallverdú, in September, we are planning our part of the exchange for March 2024. The dates will be March 8-18, 2024 and the cost will be around $3000, including flight, lodging, meals, entrance fees, excursions, insurance, and transportation. For trip details, we are partnering with Forum by Prometour and our host school. If we have more students than we have spots on the trip, we will consider whether or not a family hosted an exchange student, a student’s grade level, and Spanish level. Please reach out, if you have any questions, to Kristin Piazza. The students have met with Sra. Piazza and Dr. Campos about the initial plans for the trip and shared a Google form to indicate interest. Once we have finalized the list of interested students, we can share the enrollment information. The agency is requesting a deposit of $1500 to hold a spot by Wednesday, November 15. There will be a virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 6:30-7:15 p.m., for any families that might have questions. To receive access to that meeting, please email Ms. Piazza.
Sign Up to Bake & Wrap Mini Pies for Teacher Appreciation
Calling all bakers! Show our faculty/staff a slice of our appreciation by baking and assembling a special treat before Thanksgiving break. Sign up to bake your favorite mini pies — tins will be provided. Bakers — your mini pie tins and lids will be available to pick up beginning on Thursday, November 9. Volunteers are also needed on Thursday, November 16, to help organize and wrap pies for delivery. Sign up to help organize and wrap. Contact Olivia Landrum ’11 in the Advancement Office with questions.
Still Time to Buy Senior Yearbook Ads
The Iditarod staff has extended the deadline to purchase personal ads to honor our seniors in the 2024 yearbook! All ads must be submitted by Friday, November 3. Please reach out to yearbook@flinthill.org with any questions.
To design your own ad online:
- Navigate to the Flint Hill portal of the Herff Jones Yearbook Order Center.
- Enter code 5486.
- Click “Buy a Yearbook Ad.”
Reminders
Now Available: Parent Toolkit on the Husky Hub Resource Board
With the new school year now underway, the Preparing for the 2023-24 School Year tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board has been retired until next year. For quick access to resources and information frequently referenced throughout the year, you may now visit the 2023-24 Parent Toolkit.
Reminder: Early Admission Applications for Siblings — Due Today, Wednesday, November 1
If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the early application process for the 2024-25 school year, today — Wednesday, November 1 — is the deadline to submit the application form, recommendations, questionnaires, writing sample (grades 7-11) and transcripts from the last two years. Quarter grades, interview and student visit (grades 3-6) or Gesell and student visit (grades JK-2) must be completed by Thursday, November 30, to receive an admission notification in mid-December. For more information, please schedule an appointment with the admission team member for your division of interest.
If you’re interested in sending a sibling to Flint Hill in a future year, complete this interest form.
Parent Meetup: Honor Flight Volunteer Day — Saturday, November 4
The Honor Flight Club student leaders are partnering with the Parents’ Association to provide a joint volunteer opportunity to honor veterans. Parents and students can make a difference together by welcoming and recognizing WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans, as their Honor Flight arrives to Dulles International Airport. Volunteers will greet veterans outside the main terminal and will not need to pass through TSA security. Honor Flight is a national organization that transports American veterans to Washington, D.C., to celebrate and share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.
Sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact Olivia Landrum.
RSVP to Attend Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, November 6
The first meeting of our upcoming Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club is scheduled for Monday, November 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Peterson Middle School. We will meet to discuss “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. 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. If you have any questions, please contact All School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Junior Family College Night — Wednesday, November 15
On Wednesday, November 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m., juniors and their parents/guardians are asked to join the Flint Hill College Counseling staff in the Upper School Gym for an overview of the college search and application process and our program. Attendance is required/expected for each junior and at least one parent/guardian. We will share our advice and insight for a successful college search process.
Filling Up Fast: Raising a Kid Who Can — Thursday, November 16
Members of the Flint Hill community and prospective parents are invited to join us on Thursday, November 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in in the Lower School’s Olson Theater for a presentation and Q&A with the authors of “Raising a Kid Who Can: Simple Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Adaptability and Emotional Strength” — Dr. Catherine McCarthy, Dr. Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver.
Experts in the field are calling “Raising a Kid Who Can” the "parenting playbook" that we all should have on hand to help us raise resilient kids. Learn from a child psychiatrist, a parent psychologist, and a child therapist who have spent years distilling the latest parenting science and best practices to answer the complex question: Based on all that modern science has to offer, what are the most important things I should try to do in raising my kid? Seating is limited; register now!
Refer a Husky — the Earlier the Better
We value your referrals and love to connect with mission-aligned families. However, we have fewer and fewer spots available each year. Ask your interested colleagues, neighbors, and friends to connect with us as early as possible. If you know someone who would make a great Husky, submit the Refer a Husky form and consider inviting them to these upcoming admission events:
Ask a Parent — Wednesday, November 8, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Upper School Preview — Sunday, November 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Middle School Virtual Info Session — Tuesday, November 14, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Lower School Info Session — Thursday, November 16, 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Volunteer in the Igloo and Den
One of the most frequent and fun volunteer opportunities is selling concessions in the Igloo or Den. It’s a great way to meet other parents while getting a glimpse of life in the Upper School or the best view of a game on the Peterson Family Field.
Sign Up for Shifts:
Upcoming Events
Early Admission Application Deadline for Siblings
Wednesday, November 1
Financial Aid Application Opens
Wednesday, November 1
First Quarter Report Cards Available
Wednesday, November 1, 4:00 p.m.
Parent Teacher Conference Days
No School
Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
School Store Open on Conference Days
Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
Parent Meetup: Honor Flight Volunteer Day
Saturday, November 4
Varsity Football Senior Night
Saturday, November 4
Middle and Upper School Campus - Peterson Family Field, 12:30 p.m.
Parent Meetup: Honor Flight Volunteer Day
Saturday, November 4
Sign up to volunteer
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, November 6
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
RSVP to attend
National Letter of Intent Early Signing Ceremony
Wednesday, November 8
Upper School Learning Commons, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Virtual Interest Meeting: Exchange Trip to Cataluña, Spain
Wednesday, November 8, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
To receive access to that meeting, please email Ms. Piazza.
Upper School Fall Dance Production
Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11
Reserve your seat
Week of Thankful Giving
Monday, November 13 - Friday, November 17
The Upper School will host a canned food drive benefiting Food for Others and meals for Cornerstones.
Deposit Deadline: Exchange Trip to Cataluña, Spain
Wednesday, November 15
Junior Family College Night
Wednesday, November 15
Upper School Gym, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
For Junior Families Only; each junior and at least one parent/guardian is expected to attend.
Raising a Kid Who Can, Parent Education Event
Thursday, November 16
Olson Theater, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Reserve your seat
Faculty Professional Development Days
No School
Monday, November 20 - Tuesday, November 21
Thanksgiving Break
No School
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24
