Lower School Newsletter – August 26, 2026

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.

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.

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 were 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.

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. Note, they are in the process of setting up the menus for the year. Those will be on the website when the Thursday email is sent.

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.

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.

Tomorrow: Medication Drop-Off

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.

 

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.

Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Kickoff Meeting

Divisional Ambassadors are invited to a kickoff meeting on Friday, September 4, 8:45-11:45 a.m., at the International Country Club, 13200 Lee Jackson Highway in Fairfax. Register Here.

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.

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.

You’re Invited to a Parent Mixer

This Parent Mixer is an informal social for JK-12 parents to get together on campus after morning carpool and is a great way to meet parents across divisions. Join us at Peterson Middle School, on the John M. Thomas Terrace, for coffee and conversation on Thursday, September 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Rain location: Mitchell Commons

Parents: Get Involved and Share Your Volunteer Interest!

Looking for ways to get involved in our school community? Learn about some of the many volunteer opportunities and share your interest by completing this form. We will contact you as opportunities arise, and volunteer sign-up forms will be shared in the newsletter throughout the year.