Upper School Newsletter – October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024
Letter From The Division Director
Hello, Husky families! Though it is listed below in the Reminders section, I want to highlight PSAT Day, on Tuesday, October 15. Due to the size, space, and attention required to administer the PSAT, we will cancel classes for grades 9 and 12. Those students are not required to attend school that day. Specific directions for grades 10 and 11 will come from our College Counseling office and our PSAT test coordinator, Dr. Deanna Tomanelli.
Also, we encourage our seniors to use that long weekend for any extended college visits they need to take.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Learning Center Parent Coffee — Wednesday, October 23
The Learning Center Parent Coffee is on Wednesday, October 23, 8:15-9:30 a.m., in the Miller House Cafeteria on the Lower School Campus. This is an opportunity to connect with other parents of students who use the Learning Center and discuss topics of interest with the Learning Center team.
Under the Lights - Mark Your Calendar for Friday, October 25!
On Friday, October 25, the Flint Hill community is invited to a fun family night filled with Husky spirit. Following regular school dismissal, there will be inflatables, face painting, balloons, games, Spirit Alley activities led by Upper School clubs, concessions, food trucks, spirit and glow-in-the-dark giveaways, bonfire, and a football game under the lights at 6:00 p.m. All events take place on the Middle and Upper School campus. Shuttles to Lower School campus parking will be available.
We'll send more details by email next week. In the meantime, please sign up for a volunteer slot and help make this a fun evening for all.
Webinar: Balancing Student Technology — Friday, October 25
Flint Hill is curious and innovative, and with innovation comes technology. Balancing Student Technology is a virtual event on Friday, October 25, 12:00-12:45 p.m., where our tech experts will share how our students use technology. You’ll learn how to help your student make healthy decisions about their screen time. Sign up to attend Balancing Student Technology.
Coming Soon: Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, November 4
We’re thrilled to announce the theme for the 2024-25 Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club! 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.
Whether you’re a passionate reader or just looking to connect with fellow parents, this book club promises to be an engaging and enriching experience. Join us as we explore meaningful literature, spark lively discussions, and foster a sense of community and inclusivity.
Get ready for an exciting year ahead! Here is the title and date for the first meeting of the 2024-25 school year:
“Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution” by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
*Please note that this is the “young reader” version of this title
Monday, November 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School, Room 204
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.
Refer a Husky to Flint Hill
Do you know a family who’d make a great addition to the Flint Hill community? The Admission Team values referrals from current families. You know Flint Hill best! Encourage your interested colleagues, neighbors, and friends to connect with us as early as possible. Enrollment is most possible at our entry grades (JK-1, 5th, 7th, and 9th). Sometimes, space is open in other grades, and connecting with us early allows us to best plan with prospective families. Fill out this form to refer a potential new Husky.
Have You Heard the Flinstagram Buzz?
Flinstagram is this year’s Annual Report on Your Philanthropy — it showcases the impact of support at Flint Hill and shares information in a way that we hope you will find fun and easy to navigate. No Instagram account is needed. The best part is that it’s interactive, so you can “like” the posts you enjoy most and help us learn what you’d enjoy seeing more of! Happy Scrolling!
Homecoming Photos Are Up!
Thanks to all who came up to support our student-athletes and spread Husky spirit this past weekend! Enjoy the Homecoming photo albums now posted on our Flickr page.
REMINDERS
College Financial Aid Virtual Workshop — Monday, October 7
On Monday, October 7, 7:00-8:15 p.m., join a local financial aid officer to learn about the need-based financial aid process (as opposed to merit scholarship opportunities). This program is open to families of any grade level, however junior and senior families may find it most helpful. Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/xhq-ipbp-tep
Parent Meetup: Walking Group — Friday, October 11, and Thursday, October 24
Meetup with fellow parents for walks through different trails and neighborhoods near the School. The location varies weekly 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 P'29.
October Dates: Friday, October 11, 8:15-9:15 a.m., and Thursday, October 24, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
PSAT Day — Tuesday, October 15
The PSAT is a national test that is used as a preparation tool for the SAT and also to determine the recipients for the various National Merit programs. All 10th and 11th graders are required to take the test on Tuesday, October 15, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Because of the amount of students missing throughout the day during the administration of the test, we have canceled classes for 9th and 12th grades on that day. Please note that this day is after the long three-day weekend of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We planned this elongated weekend to help any 12th graders who want to visit colleges. Specific testing information for 10th and 11th graders will be coming soon from Dr. Deanna Tomanelli, our PSAT coordinator.
Upper School Division Coffee: Meet Director of the Upper School Don Paige — Wednesday, October 16
Parents are invited to an Upper School Division Coffee on Wednesday, October 16, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room, for an informal conversation with Director of the Upper School Don Paige. This is an annual open forum opportunity for parents to discuss any topic.
Photo Day Portraits Now Available Online
Flint Hill student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering. Parents should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received that email (check your spam too), please contact Freed at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452. Grades 9-11 Picture Makeup Day is scheduled for Friday, October 18.
Important for Student-Athletes: 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 if they are on or off campus. It must be easily accessible for them during their activity.
Watching Livestreamed Athletics
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.
Discover Uruguay! A Spring Break 2025 Travel Opportunity
Explore one of the "hidden gems" of South America over Spring Break.
- Practice Spanish through interactions with local students.
- Visit the city of Colonia del Sacramento, founded in 1680 and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Enter the stadium where the first match of the first FIFA world cup took place in 1830.
- Enjoy a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch in the Mercado del Puerto, one of Montevideos most iconic places.
- Explore one of Uruguay's national parks and discover a remote beach village through sand dunes.
- Attend a traditional Tango Show in Montevideo.
- Learn about the gaucho (South American cowboy) lifestyle while visiting an estancia (ranch).
- Relax with a day trip to Punta del Este and visit the iconic La Mano sculpture on Brava Beach and its famous lighthouse.
Led by expert tour guides and Flint Hill’s Lower School Spanish teacher, students will enjoy these sights and more during our visit to Uruguay. The trip is open to all Upper School students. The trip is expected to take place during Spring Break 2025. Those interested should fill out this form.
2025-26 Financial Aid Application Now Open with New Deadline
Flint Hill’s need-based financial aid application is now open. Sunday, December 1, is the new deadline for financial aid applications. Here’s the updated timeline:
- Sunday, December 1 — Deadline to submit your financial aid application
- Wednesday, January 29 — 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts are issued to current students, including financial aid decisions.
- Thursday, February 6 — Deadline for current families to submit 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts.
- Friday, March 7 — 2025-26 Enrollment Contracts are issued to new students, including financial aid decisions.
Please email admission@flinthill.org or call 703.584.2314 with any questions.
Upcoming Deadlines for Early Admission Process for Siblings
As a reminder, we are offering members of our Husky community an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2025-26 school year.
If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the application process for the 2025-26 school year, please submit the application form, recommendations, questionnaires, writing sample (grades 7-11), and last two year’s transcripts by Friday, November 8.
Saturday, November 30: Quarter grades, interviews, and student visits (grades 3-6) must also be completed.
Monday, December 2 - Thursday, December 5: Gesell and Parent Interviews due for grades JK-2.
Saturday, December 14: JK-2 Student Visit.
Applications to grades 3 to 11 fully completed by Saturday, November 30, will receive an admission indication by mid-December. Applicants to JK-2 must be complete by November 30 with the exception of the Gesell and Parent interview and Student visit scheduled in December to receive an admission indication by mid-December.
For more information, please schedule an appointment with the Admission team member for your division of interest. Your admission officer will provide you with an application fee waiver code.
Calling All Concessions Volunteers! Sign Up for a Shift in the Igloo or Den
We’re always looking for more volunteers to open the concession stands. Make a difference by signing up for a shift below, and invite a friend to join you!
Sign Up for Shifts:
- Volunteer in the Igloo (inside the Upper School)
- Volunteer in the Den (outside the Middle School on the John M. Thomas Terrace)
Upcoming Events
SAT
Saturday, October 5
College Financial Aid Virtual Workshop
Monday, October 7
7:00-8:15 p.m.
Google Meet Link
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Friday, October 11
8:15-9:15 a.m.
The location will be shared with the group before the walk.
Register
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Grades JK-12 No Classes; Administrative Offices Closed
Monday, October 14
Winter Tryouts
Monday, October 14
Locations Posted on Husky Hub
PSAT Day
Tuesday, October 15
Upper School Building, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
All 10th and 11th graders are required to take the PSAT. Classes canceled classes for 9th and 12th grades on this day.
Grades 9 and 12 No Classes
Tuesday, October 15
Classes canceled classes for 9th and 12th grades on this day while students in 10th and 11th grades take the PSAT.
First Quarter Progress Report
Tuesday, October 15
Upper School Division Coffee
Wednesday, October 16
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
November SAT Registration Deadline
Friday, October 18
Grades 9-11 Picture Makeup Day
Friday, October 18
Learning Center Parent Coffee
Wednesday, October 23
Miller House Cafeteria on the Lower School Campus, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Thursday, October 24
8:15-9:15 a.m.
The location will be shared with the group before the walk.
Register
Webinar: Balancing Student Technology
Friday, October 25, 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Sign up for this virtual event
Under the Lights Festivities
Friday, October 25
More details will be sent via email next week!
ACT
Saturday, October 26
Grades JK-12 Parent Conferences - No Classes
Thursday, October 31 - Friday, November 1
