Alumni newsletter - WinTER 2023

From the Head of School

Head of School Patrick McHonett

On February 8, our entire student body, faculty and staff community gathered for our first-ever Flint Hill Day assembly. This is an important reframing of our past “Founders’ Day”, which we celebrated for many years.

For some in our community, celebrating “Founders’ Day” highlights a challenging and painful time in our region’s history. Our school’s founding, like many other private schools that began in the 1950s, is complicated: The desegregation of public schools led to the creation of many “white flight” schools, including, at the time, Flint Hill Preparatory. Resetting this celebration on who we are now after decades of important growth and evolution as Falcons and now as Huskies underscores Flint Hill’s current mission, vision, core values and statement of equity and inclusion. We’re proud to be a part of an innovative community that strives to be better each day, and hope that this work makes all of our alumni – Falcons and Huskies – proud to be a part of Flint Hill.

Flint Hill Day 2023 was an inspirational celebration of many great things in our community, with a particular nod to our outstanding faculty and staff – the winners of our Driving Spirit Awards who are featured in this short video recap and the faculty and staff members marking their 20th year milestone with Flint Hill, featured below. You'll find more photos from the Flint Hill Day here.

Best,

Patrick McHonett

Head of School

Head of School Patrick McHonett

Best,

Patrick McHonett

Head of School

Alumni Events

Winter Break is always a great time to catch up with friends and family and this was certainly the case for Flint Hill Alumni! The annual Thanksgiving Young Alumni Happy Hour for the classes of 2005-2018 was back this year after a 3 year hiatus. A great group of alumni gathered at a new venue - Wilson Hardware.

Just after Winter Break, college-age alumni were invited back to campus for dinner with faculty. The Learning Commons was full of energy as alumni had a chance to catch up with the Faculty host Committee - Fred Atwood, Steph Batbouta, Annie Broche, Howard Chang, Amy Clement, Kristoff Koklhagen, Maha Morse, Patrick McHonett, Tracy Peterson, Rico Reed, Doug Schoemer, and Riki Weeks.

The College Dinners continued this winter with the Boston College Dinner. Nine alumni gathered on a cold winter night for a warm meal and great conversation!

College-Age Alumni Dinner with Faculty

Thanksgiving Happy Hour

Teacher Spotlights

Maha Morse

School Registrar

What has changed about Flint Hill since you first started?

What has changed the most is Flint Hill’s embrace of technology in the classroom and in how we administer the school. Flint Hill has always been on the cutting edge of advancements in teaching methods and faculty engagement, but technology has transformed the way our students learn.

What is inspiring you this year as a teacher/staff?

We have brought in new leadership and new ideas in the upper school in particular. I am looking forward to how this will translate to how our students feel about Flint Hill. There are always new ways to evolve and learn and that challenge is something I find inspiring.

What are you binge-watching?

At the moment, Season 3 of “All Creatures Great and Small.” Finished with “The Crown” and “Borgen,” and looking forward to the next season of “Ted Lasso.”

David Walsh

Upper School Math Teacher

What is inspiring you this year as a teacher/staff?

My students. For me, this relationship has always been paramount. This year in particular I have the most amazing group of young people. They try every day, they are positive in their endeavors, they are willing to change, struggle, push themselves, persevere, and have the courage to fail when they are not certain. My other inspiration comes from my department. I appreciate each of them for their energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to their craft each and every day. They make me want to be better at what I do.

What are you binge-watching?

I’m afraid I am not a binge-watcher. I get bored too easily when I watch the same show repetitively - even shows I like. I'm trying to watch Lost right now, but find I only watch an episode a week.

Jennifer McKain

Lower, Middle and Upper School Technology and Instruction Department Chair and Middle School English Teacher

What has changed about FH the most since when you first started?

We've become a technology leader, with faculty, students, and staff incorporating technology in innovative ways on a daily basis. We've grown! I was here when the US building was first opened - it's been a joy to watch the MS building grow from the ground up and have the chance to teach in it this year. I've also enjoyed the refocus on family and work/life balance for faculty, staff, and students. I think we acknowledge the multitude of things that happen after school ends, and do a much better job allowing for that.

What is inspiring you this year as a teacher/staff?

I have the pleasure of working with the new faculty. Each year, I'm inspired by the new energy, teaching strategies, and ideas they bring.

What are you binge-watching?

British crime dramas are my favorite - I just started season 3 of Unforgotten. But my comfort show is The Office. I tune in anytime I need a laugh or just some mindless entertainment.