Upper School Newsletter – October 4, 2023
October 4, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
Let me first share a tremendous amount of gratitude to all of the families that volunteered in a myriad of ways for last week’s Homecoming festivities. It is a highlight of the year for so many of our Huskies, from JK to the Class of 2024. It simply can’t happen without the help that so many families provide.
I also want to take a moment to discuss the PSAT administration on Tuesday, October 10. This test is taken by all 10th and 11th grade students. These students are dismissed from school immediately upon completion of the test. Please note that this time will be different for many students based upon whether they take the exam with timing accommodations. Make sure to talk with your student about when they are expected to be completed that day if you are picking them up.
Due to the spaces needed to administer the test throughout the day, we do not hold classes for 9th and 12th graders on that day. We encourage 12th graders to use this long weekend to complete any college visits they might want to take so it will minimize the amount of lost class time.
More specific information regarding the administration of the test will come directly from Suzy Chiarolanzio, our director of college counseling, or Dr. Deanna Tomanelli, our PSAT coordinator. Yet, I will use a little ink here to make a plea that the students get a good night's sleep on Monday night, eat a balanced breakfast with slow burning carbohydrates, and arrive early.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Junior Class Social/Snack Potluck — Wednesday, October 11
Our junior class SCA representatives have organized a Junior Class Social/Snack Potluck for the Flex Block on Wednesday, October 11. Juniors will have the opportunity to sign up to bring in snacks via a SignUp Genius that was shared in Advisory on Monday, October 2. Flint Hill cannot make any guarantees as to the ingredients. Students should act at their discretion when deciding whether to consume any of the food items. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Flex Block on Monday, October 16.
Parent Morning Mixer — Thursday, October 12
All JK-12 parents are invited to join us for an informal social in the deCamp Garden on the Upper School Campus on Thursday, October 12, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Stop by after morning carpool and get to know other parents across divisions. Rain location: Upper School Lobby.
School Photos Now Online and Picture Makeup Day is Monday, October 16
The Flint Hill student portraits, JK to 11th grade, are now online for viewing and purchasing. You should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received this (check your spam too), please contact them at support@freedphoto.com or call 301-652-5452.
Makeup Photo Day will take place on Monday, October 16, on all campuses for any student who missed Photo Day or would like a retake.
Upper School Division Coffee with Don Paige — Wednesday, October 18
Parents are invited to join Upper School Director Don Paige on Wednesday, October 18, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. This coffee is an open session for Don to field questions from parents as the first quarter comes to a close. Subsequent coffees will be centered around particular themes such as community service, course selection, senior projects, and equity and inclusion.
Update Your Information in Husky Hub
In an effort to help everyone in our parenting community get to know each other, we encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities you have to personalize how your information appears in Husky Hub. Please take a moment to upload your headshot and add your name pronunciation. We also invite you to review the formal salutation field, which the school uses when sending printed mailings. If you would like to make a change to that field, please email Sarah Burnett at sburnett@flinthill.org.
Reminders
PSAT Day — Tuesday, October 10
The PSAT is a national test that is used as a preparation tool for the SAT but also to determine the recipients for the various National Merit programs. All 10th and 11th graders are required to take the test. 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 People’s Day. We planned this elongated weekend to help any 12th graders that want to take a visit to colleges. Specific testing information for 10th and 11th graders will be coming soon from our PSAT coordinator, Dr. Deanna Tomanelli.
Parent Meetup: Register for Final Tennis Lesson and Open Play — Wednesday, October 25
There is one more opportunity to join us for some casual matches and tennis drills on the Middle and Upper School Tennis Courts.
Registration is limited to 30 parents for each date. Plan to bring your own balls and racket.
Meetup Date: Wednesday, October 25, 9:00-10:30 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.
We want to open for as many games as possible but rely on volunteers. Contact Olivia Landrum if you’re interested in volunteering at a game not listed on the schedule.
Sign Up for Shifts:
Reminder: Early Admission Applications for Siblings — Due Wednesday, November 1
We are offering members of our Husky family an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2024-25 school year. (For future years, complete this interest form.)
If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the application process for the 2024-25 school year, please submit the application form, recommendations, questionnaires, and last two year’s transcripts by Wednesday, November 1. 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.
Refer Your Friends and Neighbors
Families referred by current Flint Hill families are among the most mission-aligned and strongest partners. We value your referrals! However, we have fewer and fewer spots available with each passing year. Encourage your interested colleagues, neighbors, and friends to connect with us sooner rather than later. Enrollment is most possible at our entry grades: JK, K, 5, 7, and 9.
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:
- Middle School Info Session — Thursday, October 12, 9:00-10:45 a.m.
- Upper School Info Session — Friday, October 13, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
- Lower School Morning Meeting & Tour — Tuesday, November 7, 8:00-9:15 a.m.
Upcoming Events
Indigenous Peoples' Day
No School
Monday, October 9
PSAT Administration for Grades 10 and 11
Tuesday, October 10
Upper School Campus
No Classes for Grades 9 and 12
Tuesday, October 10
Dance Team Open Practice for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 10
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
Junior Class Social/Snack Potluck
Wednesday, October 11
Parent Morning Mixer
Thursday, October 12
Upper School, deCamp Garden, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Winter Tryouts/Locations Posted on Husky Hub
Friday, October 13
Grades 9-11 Student Picture Make-Up Day
Monday, October 16
Dance Team Open Practice for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 17
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
Upper School Division Coffee: Meet Director of the Upper School Don Paige
Wednesday, October 18
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Dance Team Open Practice for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 24
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
New Parent Meetup: Tennis Lessons and Open Play
Wednesday, October 25
Middle and Upper School Tennis Courts, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Register to attend
Grades JK-12 Parent Coffee: Equity and Inclusion
Thursday, October 26
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Senior Yearbook Ad Deadline
Friday, October 27
Upper School Play, “Lend Me A Tenor”
Friday, October 27, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, 2:00-4:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 29, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Lower School Olson Theater
Details will be provided in the next newsletter.
Dance Team Open Practice for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 31
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
Early Admission Application Deadline for Siblings
Wednesday, November 1
Parent Teacher Conference Days
No School
Thursday, November 2 and Friday November 3
Sign-up info will be included in the next newsletter.
National Letter of Intent Early Signing Ceremony
Wednesday, November 8
Upper School Learning Commons, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
