Lower School Newsletter – August 12, 2026

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August 12, 2026

Letter From the Division Director

Welcome to a new school year! Thanks to the incredible work of our dedicated Facilities Team, the Lower School campus, classrooms, and hallways are ready to welcome back the most important piece of our school community puzzle: our Huskies and their families! I could not be more excited to begin another year of learning, growing, and discovering together.

It’s hard not to turn our attention immediately to all that lies ahead, but before we do, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the many ways you may have noticed your Husky in action this summer, not necessarily through an academic lens, but in the everyday moments that reveal so much about who our children are becoming.

Certainly, we see evidence of academic growth throughout the school year, in reading, writing, mathematics, science, inquiry, creativity, and so much more. Yet, during these slower summer months, there is something particularly meaningful about seeing our students shine through the many skills and dispositions we nurture in the Lower School that extend beyond academics. When families have the gift of more time together, you have a unique window into how your children carry their learning into the world: how they solve an unexpected problem, welcome someone new, recover from disappointment, advocate for themselves, contribute to a family or team, or demonstrate kindness simply because it is the right thing to do.

These everyday moments allow us to see our students living Flint Hill’s Core Values: respecting and valuing all equally, leading and supporting with compassion, acting with integrity, imagining what’s possible, and blazing the trail. They remind us that education is about both what our children know and who they are becoming.

As we welcome our Huskies back, I invite you to hold onto those summer memories and, even more importantly, share them with your children. Tell them about a moment when you noticed them lead with compassion, act with integrity, solve a problem, communicate with intention, take a meaningful risk, or blaze a trail of their own. There is something powerful about helping our children recognize these qualities in themselves and understand that their growth happens everywhere, not only within the walls of a classroom.

I cannot wait to welcome everyone back and see all the ways our Huskies continue to grow, contribute, and shine in the year ahead!

Jess Henry
Director of the Lower School

Back-to-School Information

Preparing for the 2026-27 School Year on Husky Hub

A reminder that you may find answers to several of your back-to-school questions on the Preparing for the 2026-27 School Year tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board.

Class Placements Available Tomorrow on Husky Hub

Tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, you will learn who your child(ren)’s homeroom teacher will be for the upcoming school year. Along with your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher, you’ll also be introduced to the other teachers who will work with your child(ren) throughout the year, supporting their growth across all areas of learning.

Our Approach to Class Placement

Creating homeroom and class placements is a thoughtful and comprehensive process. We consider each student’s academic progress, social-emotional development, learning needs, and relationships, as well as the strengths and teaching approaches of our faculty. We also look carefully at the composition of each group as a whole. Our goal is to create balanced learning communities where students are known, supported, appropriately challenged, and able to develop a strong sense of belonging.

We recognize that students may have hopes or expectations regarding their placement. We encourage families to engage in a conversation with their child, approaching it with empathy while also expressing confidence in their child’s ability to navigate a new experience.

A few strategies can help:

Listen first. Give your child space to share what they are thinking and feeling without immediately trying to solve the problem.

Acknowledge their feelings. It is understandable for children to hope to be placed with a specific teacher, and disappointment can be a natural response when expectations are not met.

Communicate confidence. Remind your child that they are capable of building new connections and strengthening existing friendships outside of class, while maintaining friendships and connections with past teachers.

Allow time to process. Children may need time to adjust when something is different from what they hoped or expected. Give your child space to experience those feelings without immediately trying to change the situation.

As always, during the first six weeks of school and throughout the year, our faculty will be intentional about building welcoming classroom communities and helping students establish connections as the school year begins. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child approach their new class with openness, optimism, and curiosity.

Accessing Your Child’s Placement

To view your child’s class placement, log in to Husky Hub, click “Children,” and select your child’s name. Then click the “Schedule” tab to view your child’s schedule.

If you have questions about accessing your child’s schedule, please contact Jess Henry, Director of the Lower School, at 703.584.2361.

Please Review the 2026-27 Flint Hill Family Handbook

All families are required to review the Flint Hill Family Handbook for the 2026-27 school year. The Family Handbook outlines community standards and policies for all Flint Hill students and family members and is organized into three sections: “Respect for Self,” “Respect for Others,” and “Respect for Shared Environment.” The Flint Hill Family Handbook will live on the Resource Board for ease of reference. No other action is required, as enrollment at Flint Hill requires awareness and respect of these policies throughout the school year.

Important Change to Lower School Morning Drop-Off Window

For the 2026-27 school year, the Lower School morning arrival schedule will change. Morning carline will run from 7:30-8:00 a.m. each day. This is a change from past years, as carline previously ended at 8:10 a.m. The academic day will begin at 8:10 a.m., allowing our students a few minutes to settle into the start of the school day.

If your family arrives after 8:00 a.m., please follow these steps:

Park your vehicle.
Walk your child to the front entrance of the Lower School using Door 1.
Use your SchoolPass Quick PIN to check your child in at the iPad.

A member of our Lower School office team will greet your child at the entrance and escort them to their classroom.

Bus Service Sign-Up Deadline — Saturday, August 15

To sign your student up for bus service, please complete the Bus Service Registration Form by Saturday, August 15. Detailed information and a complete list of all morning, afternoon, and evening bus routes is on the Bus Service Information page. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Systems Operations and Systems Training Melissa Turner at bus@flinthill.org or by phone/text at 571.926.7502.

AfterCare Sign-Up Deadline — Saturday, August 15

The AfterCare program is designed to support students through play and enrichment opportunities and is available daily from 3:00-5:30 p.m. See the AfterCare page for details. To sign up your student for AfterCare, please complete the AfterCare Program Registration Form by Saturday, August 15. If you have any questions, please email Director of After School and Summer Programs Matt McCoart or phone/text 571.752.1630.

Optional: Sign Up for Yay Lunch

Those interested in the Lower School lunch program must sign up with Yay Lunch to receive a weekly email every Thursday featuring the following week's lunch menus. Orders can be placed anytime before 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, with the flexibility to choose meals for the entire week or just specific days. Be sure to create a Cafe ID when you register your 5th or 6th grade student to allow them to access the Yay’s Grab n’ Go Cafe.

If you have questions about the ordering process or Yay in general, read the Yay FAQs or email info@theyaycompany.com.

Textbooks and School Supplies

Families are responsible for purchasing all required textbooks/resources. The cost of textbooks/workbooks for all students in grades JK-12 is not included in tuition. Complimentary shipping at the eCampus textbook store continues through Sunday, August 16. Visit the Textbooks & Supplies tile on the Resource Board for more information.

Lower School classroom and student supplies are furnished by the School and are included in tuition. All Lower School students should plan to bring a reusable water bottle to school each day.

Junior Kindergarten Additional Supplies

We ask JK students' families to provide a few additional age-appropriate items to ensure a smooth school day.

A backpack without wheels that is 16 inches high, 13 inches wide, and 7 1/4 inches deep.
A small blanket for rest time (maximum size 40 in x 40 in).
A rain jacket and rain boots to be left at school for Forest Friday adventures.

Uniform Ordering Reminder From Land's End

Land's End uniform order volumes are currently at an all-time high. Orders placed today carry an estimated arrival window between Wednesday, August 26, and Saturday, September 5. If you haven't finalized your student’s uniform order for the new school year, please check out as soon as possible to help ensure your items arrive in time for the start of school! A reminder that Dress Expectations can be reviewed on the Husky Hub Resource Board.

Health Forms — New and Returning Students

Completed health forms must be uploaded to the Magnus Health system and approved by the first day of classes, or your child may not attend school. If you have any questions regarding the health forms, please email Director of Health Services Mary Hart or call 571.926.2818.

Medication Drop-Off — Thursday, August 27

For students requiring medication on campus, medication drop-off day is Thursday, August 27, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Upper School Circle. Pull into the circle, and a health team member will collect the medication and forms directly from your car.

Prescription Medication

Requires a physician's order on the Medication Authorization Form, signed by the prescribing physician. All medication must have the pharmacy label.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication

Requires the Medication Authorization Form completed and signed by a parent/guardian. OTC medication must be in its original packaging and administered according to package instructions (including time and route).

Unable to drop off on August 27?

Please call your division's nurse to schedule an appointment before school starts. For medication refills during the school year, please call to schedule an appointment with your division's nurse: Upper School, 703.584.2396; Middle School, 703.584.2397; Lower School, 703.584.2399

SchoolPass Steps To Complete Before School Starts

Flint Hill School uses SchoolPass, a user-friendly and real-time system that allows parents to easily notify the school of student absences, late arrivals, appointments, or changes to afternoon dismissal.

Returning Families

The only step you need to complete at this time is to review your approved drivers list and update or delete it if needed. Instructions for “Adding, Updating, and Deleting Approved Driver and Car Procedures” for the SchoolPass app are on the Preparing for the 2026-27 School Year tile in Husky Hub.

New Families

On July 1, you should have received an auto-generated “welcome” email from noreply-2300@schoolpass.com with instructions to download the application and create a profile. If you did not receive that email or need SchoolPass assistance in general, please email helpdesk@flinthill.org.

You will receive your car tags during your Hopes and Dreams Conference. During carpool, your tag will be scanned and confirmed by a staff member. This automatically notifies classroom teachers that you are in the carpool line, so they can send your child to the pickup area.

Announcements

Parent Volunteer Fair, Uniform Exchange & School Store

Get ready for the new school year with the Parents’ Association at the Hazel Lower School on Wednesday, August 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.! Here is how you can get involved and gear up for the fall:

Uniform & Spirit Wear Exchange (Room 101): Free and open to all divisions on a first-come, first-served basis. Please drop off gently used, laundered donations at the Lower School entrance from Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21 (8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.).
Parent Volunteer Fair (Outside Room 101): Stop by the table on Wednesday, August 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to learn about the many ways to engage with our community this year. We also need volunteer support from August 24-26 to help staff our events. Click here to sign up to help!
School Store Open (Room 112): Shop for brand-new Husky spirit wear to start the year off right. The store will be open during the Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange: Wednesday, August 26, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Hazel Lower School in Room 112.

For questions about volunteer opportunities or the School Store, please contact Assistant Director of Engagement Olivia Landrum or School Store Manager Marina Matthes.

Lower School Parent-Teacher Hopes and Dreams Conferences

Using the Responsive Classroom approach, homeroom teachers and advisors build their classroom communities with intention and care, so that each child feels safe, respected, and that they belong. To better understand each child and foster strong partnerships with parents for the school year ahead, homeroom teachers and advisors will host a 20-minute in-person Hopes and Dreams Conference for parents on Monday, August 31, and Tuesday, September 1.

These conferences give parents the opportunity to share their hopes, dreams, and goals for their child for the new year. Parents are also encouraged to share any other information that would be helpful for the teacher to know about their child.

Parents will be emailed instructions on Monday, August 17, to sign up for Hopes and Dreams conferences. If you have any questions or need help with the online scheduling system, please email Lower School Office Administrator Donna Holaday or call her at 703.584.2360.

You're Invited! Parent Mixer on Thursday, September 10

Parents are warmly invited to join Flint Hill’s Advancement Office for a relaxed morning social on the Peterson Middle School Terrace on Thursday, September 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Enjoy a cup of coffee, connect with fellow parents, and learn more about how our team supports the school community!

Lower School Student Portrait Day — Thursday, September 10

Lower School students will have yearbook portraits taken on Thursday, September 10, at Hazel Lower School and must follow dress expectations. Details about ordering photos will be emailed to parents when images are ready to view. All students must wear their school uniform on this date, including 5th and 6th graders who could have PE.

Occupational Therapy and Speech Provider

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the whole child, we are pleased to continue offering on-campus speech/language and occupational therapy services for the upcoming school year. For our returning families, this is a quick reminder of these valuable resources, and for our new families, we are excited to introduce you to our trusted therapy partners.

OWLS Therapy will be returning to provide in-school speech and language support. This year, we welcome Emily Davis as our dedicated speech-language pathologist. Emily brings years of experience in treating language, articulation, fluency, pragmatic language, and literacy using the Lindamood-Bell approach. She is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based therapy that is engaging, functional, and tailored to each client's unique strengths and goals.

We are also happy to continue working with Amanda Simmons, co-founder of Simmons Pediatric Therapy, who will continue to serve as our on-campus occupational therapist. Amanda brings over eight years of experience supporting students in private sensory clinics, school-based programs, and private home therapy. Amanda focuses on empowering families to support their child's independence at home, school, and in the community.

If you are interested in learning more about how these services can support your child, please feel free to reach out to Shannon McCarty, Director of the Learning Center.

Lower School Birthday Celebration Policy

To foster an equitable, inclusive, and safe environment for all students, the Lower School will provide all birthday celebration items. Please remember that no outside food, treats, or favors are permitted on campus. We invite you to celebrate your child's special day by sending in photos or a slideshow to be shared with the class. Additionally, when students celebrate their birthday at school, your student will have a "Free Dress Day" (they may wear non-uniform clothing that reflects their personality and style) and will be recognized during our Lower School Morning Meeting.

Welcome from Our New Parents’ Association President

As we kick off the 2026-27 school year, we are thrilled to introduce our new PA President, Stephanie Anderson P’28! Read her full welcome letter to learn more about her story, how our Parents’ Association builds community across all divisions, and how you can get involved — including details on the upcoming Parent Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, August 26.

New Roles, Departures, and New Hires

We're excited to introduce the new faces joining our community this year, as well as admin, staff members, and faculty who have taken on new roles in the Lower School.

New Roles

Lisa Campo, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Erika Caruthers, 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher and Interim LS Science Department Chair
Dan Johnson, Assistant Director of Security
Kyuri Lee, Lower School Math Specialist
Jackie Viteri, Senior Content Specialist

New Hires

Will Plaut ’22 — Facilities Management Associate
Will is a recent business school graduate with over four years of experience working in the facilities management and operations field. He holds a B.S.B.A. in management from Christopher Newport University. He graduated from Flint Hill in 2022. Fun fact: Will has played the drums for over 12 years.

Julie Ryan P’24, P’26, P’29 — 1st Grade Teacher
Julie worked as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Forestville Elementary School in Fairfax County Public School for five years. She earned a B.A. in leadership studies, business, and Spanish from the University of Richmond. Fun fact: Julie is the proud parent of two Flint Hill graduates and a current 10th grader.

Paige Ryan ’16 — Kindergarten Teacher
Paige has worked in education for five years, teaching kindergarten and special education at Marshall Road Elementary School and Westbriar Elementary School. She has a B.A. in elementary education from Elon University and an M.Ed. in early childhood education from Boston University. Fun fact: Paige graduated from Flint Hill in 2016.

Lauren Shaik — 5th Grade Teacher
Lauren has been an educator for seven and a half years. She began her career as a long-term substitute in a 2nd grade classroom at Dogwood Elementary School and spent the past seven years teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades at Cunningham Park Elementary School. She earned a B.S. in liberal arts-special education and a Master of Special Education (General Curriculum K-12) from Longwood University. Fun fact: Lauren has a one-letter middle name, B, and loves all things bees because of it — while her twin sister's middle name is A.

Mikeira Spriggs — Advancement Operations Coordinator
Mikeira brings over seven years of administrative and human resources experience supporting operations in higher education, government, and private sector settings, most recently serving as a clinical coordinator at The Catholic University of America. She earned a B.S. in psychology from Old Dominion University. Fun fact: Mikeira loves to travel, explore new cities and countries, and runs her own floral business creating custom arrangements.

Aremi Tapia-Torres — Associate Director of College Advising
Aremi has worked in education for eight years at small liberal arts colleges and independent schools. She spent five years as a college counselor at the Community School of Naples, guiding students through every step of the college application process. She has a B.A. in global studies from Colby College and studied abroad in Rio de Janeiro. Fun fact: Aremi enjoys recreating macro-friendly sweet treat recipes from TikTok and loves spending time outdoors — whether at parks, hiking trails, beaches, or lakes.

Summer Departures

Carlos Hernández, LS Science Department Chair and 6th Grade Science Teacher
We’re excited to announce that Mr. Hernández has moved to our Middle School to teach science!

Reminders

Lower School New Parent Orientation

The Lower School New Parent Orientation is on Tuesday, September 8, 8:15-10:15 a.m., in the Hazel Lower School Olson Theater. This essential session is designed to set your family up for success. New parents will hear directly from the Lower School leadership team about day-to-day routines, schedules, and what to expect throughout the upcoming school year. It is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with other new families, ask questions, and learn about the many ways you can get involved.

Subscribing to 2026-27 School Calendars

The 2026-27 Calendar Highlights list the first and last days of school, breaks, holidays, Parent-Teacher Conference days, and Faculty Professional Development days. Any changes made to the published dates on this calendar will be announced in the newsletter.

We recommend subscribing to your child’s division calendar and the school-wide calendars below. If you use Google Calendar, click the links to add them directly to your personal Google Calendar.

2026-27 Parent Calendar Highlights
2026-27 All-School Events
2026-27 Lower School
2026-27 Middle School
2026-27 Upper School
2026-27 Letter Days (Helpful for families who want to keep track of which letter day it is.)

Not a Google Calendar user?

If you’re NOT a Google Calendar user, you can subscribe to each calendar using the iCal links below. It may take up to an hour for calendar feeds to sync and be reflected in your external calendars. Events for the past 2 months and the upcoming 12 months will be included in the feed.

iCal Feed Links

Optional: Join the Flint Hill Carpool Network

Families interested in forming a new carpool or adding to an existing one can access the carpool availability feature in the Student Directory on Husky Hub. This resource may be especially helpful to new families who are not served by one of our existing bus routes. From the main toolbar in Husky Hub, select “Directories,” then select “Student.” In the right-hand margin, navigate down to the "Carpool Availability" box and select “Yes.” Use the other available filters (such as "Home City," "Home Postal/Zip," and "Student Grade") to narrow your results, and use the "Map" feature for an additional view.

Lower School Summer Learning Resources

With just a few days of summer left, here is a quick reminder to check out our Lower School resources before school starts! These activities are designed to keep essential skills sharp and help your student step into the new year with confidence.

Lower School Summer Reading
Lower School Summer Learning

Give Us Your Summer Programming Feedback!

Thank you to all the families who joined us for a fantastic season at Summer on the Hill! As we plan for next year, we want to hear from our entire Flint Hill community — whether your child spent the summer on campus or elsewhere. Please take 10 minutes to complete our quick, anonymous survey to help shape and elevate our future programs. We appreciate your time and insight!

Upcoming Events

Click on the plus sign to add the event to your Google Calendar. Important note: changes made to the original calendar event won't populate on your Google calendar, so please be sure to look out for changes announced in the newsletter.

Husky Hub Opens for Families
Thursday, August 13

Bus and AfterCare Registration Deadline
Saturday, August 15

Uniform and Spirit Wear Drop-Off
Monday, August 17 - Friday, August 21
Lower School Campus, Miller House Front Porch

Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange and Parent Volunteer Fair
Wednesday, August 26
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hazel Lower School Room 101

Medication Drop-Off
Thursday, August 27
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Upper School Front Circle

Lower School Parent-Teacher Hopes and Dreams Conferences
Monday, August 31, and Tuesday, September 1
Sign-up link and instructions will be emailed to families on Monday, August 17.

First Day of School for Lower School
Wednesday, September 2
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (NEW: Please note the start time of 8:00 a.m.)

Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Kickoff Meeting
Friday, September 4
8:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Labor Day — Grades JK-12, No Classes
Monday, September 7

Lower School New Parent Orientation
Tuesday, September 8
8:15-10:15 a.m.
Hazel Lower School Olson Theater

Parent Mixer
Thursday, September 10
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Peterson Middle School, John M. Thomas Terrace

Lower School Student Portrait Day
Thursday, September 10
Hazel Lower School

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