From The Head of School – April 10, 2024

April 10, 2024

Flint Hill Community,

This week, once again, I’m sharing the spotlight for my Head of School message with another member of our senior leadership team. Tracie Epes, our Director of Counseling, will share some thoughts about our recent Parent Education Series event, as well as an invitation for all families to engage by divisional conversations on how to best support our Huskies’ social emotional wellbeing. At Flint Hill, this important work to grow the whole child is central to our Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Statement of Institutional Equity & Inclusion. I am proud of our resources and efforts placed toward the social-emotional development of our students, as led by Tracie and our Divisional Counselors, to cultivate happy, healthy, and hardworking Huskies. Take it away, Tracie, and thank you, Flint Hill community.

Go Huskies!

Patrick McHonett
Head of School

Dear Flint Hill Community,

As a new member of the Flint Hill community this year, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know students and adults, observing wellness classes in the lower and middle schools and the human development class in the upper school, as well as co-hosting fun, stress-relief activities for Gratitude Month, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, and National Oreo Day with the counselors and nurses. I am learning so much about what it means to be part of Flint Hill, and I’m excited about all of the possibilities to come.

I am particularly looking forward to working with the Upper School Counselors, Learning Specialists, Director of Health Services, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, and Director of Academics to develop and teach the 9th Grade Seminar. This course is an expansion of the current Human Development course and is designed to help students navigate the physical, emotional, academic, and social aspects of their lives and begin to engage with Flint Hill’s learning, health, counseling, and DEI resources.

Throughout this school year, our counseling team has been working on updating our JK-12 Wellness curriculum, identifying common themes as well as specific topics for each division. We will continue to build upon our current structure, and we will publish information about our wellness offerings along with resources for students and parents on Husky Hub next year.

We were excited to host our second Parent Education Series event on Wednesday, April 3 as we welcomed Amy Killy and Jennifer Weaver, who spoke about helping our children (and ourselves) tolerate difficult feelings. Click here to view the presentation slides. Ms. Killy and Ms. Weaver will be joining us again for parent coffees in each division, during which they will address ways parents can help children and adolescents manage difficult emotions and create a more peaceful and cooperative household. Here is the schedule for the coffees:

Upper School: Wednesday, April 17, 8:30-9:45 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room
Middle School: Thursday, April 18, 8:30-9:45 a.m., in the Middle School Learning Commons
Lower School: Friday, May 3, 8:30-9:45 a.m., in the Lower School, Room 201

I look forward to meeting you all at these upcoming coffees!

Tracie Epes
Director of Counseling