Lower School Newsletter – November 12, 2025
November 12, 2025
Letter From the Division Director
One of the most powerful parts of a Flint Hill education is that we are a JK-12 institution. This structure gives us a unique opportunity to shape a learning experience that is connected, intentional, and centered on the long-term growth of every child. From their first days in JK through the milestone moments of senior year, our students are supported by educators who see the full journey and work together to shape it.
The moments your children experience in after-school clubs and summer programs may seem simply fun on the surface. What might not always be visible is the deep intention behind those opportunities. Across our school, faculty collaborate to ensure these early experiences reflect a much larger story, one that introduces students to expert teachers, builds foundational skills, and sets the stage for continued exploration and success.
This kind of alignment is particularly visible in the arts. For example, many of our Lower School students have had the chance to work with Upper School Fine Arts Teacher Julia Cardone through our clay club and ceramics summer camp. These hands-on experiences are joyful, yes! And, they are also purposefully designed to connect young learners with a master teacher in the field, one who guides students all the way through advanced study in Upper School.
We’re thrilled that Mrs. Cardone was recently recognized by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) as one of just three recipients across the state to receive a 2025 Innovation in Education Award. She was honored with the Upper School Innovation Award for her tangible impact on students, colleagues, and school communities. This recognition is a beautiful way to celebrate both her professional excellence and her 20 years of service at Flint Hill. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Cardone on this achievement!
Warmly,
Jess Henry
Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Community Festival This Weekend!
Join us this Saturday, 12:00-2:00 p.m., in the Upper School Commons, for an afternoon of connection, learning, and fun as we celebrate the diversity that makes our school community so special! This interactive festival showcases vibrant traditions, delectable foods, and captivating performances from around the world.
Throughout the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and celebrate the spirit of belonging that defines our school. Bring your friends, families, and classmates to explore, engage, and celebrate our world — all right here on campus! RSVP so we can properly prepare!
Walking Group — Winter Dates Added
Enjoy different trails and neighborhoods near campus while connecting with fellow parents. Join us on Friday, November 21, and Tuesday, December 9, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Location will be shared with the group before the walk. Register and contact Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29 with any questions.
Parent Meetup: Food for Others Power Pack
On Sunday, December 7, 2:00-4:00 p.m., families are invited to contribute items and participate in a Power Pack event to benefit Food for Others at the Vienna Moose Lodge, 9616 Courthouse Road. Power Packs are weekend meals for students facing food insecurity. Sign up to volunteer or contribute, and contact Laura Schwartz with any questions.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
This year, we’re highlighting banned books with a twist: every selection is a graphic novel! Our selected texts explore the real-life issues and themes that matter to today’s middle-grade and young adult readers. From healthy relationships to racial identity, religious faith, gender identity, and immigration, these stories open doors to understanding, reflection, and meaningful conversations.
Join us for the next meeting on Monday, December 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. The book is “Hey Kiddo” by Jarrett Krosoczka.
Please complete this interest form or drop in as your schedule permits.
Virtual Event: Unlocking Potential: Student Success at Flint Hill
Discover how Flint Hill nurtures student success across all grade levels at Unlocking Potential: Student Success at Flint Hill on Friday, December 12, 12:00-12:45 p.m. This dynamic virtual event designed for prospective parents, but open to current parents as well, features faculty and staff sharing strategies to extend, challenge, and support students from Lower School foundations to Upper School college preparation and passion-driven learning. Register today.
2026-27 Re-Enrollment Timeline — Important Dates
As we look ahead to the 2026–27 school year, please review the key dates and deadlines that will guide the upcoming enrollment process. From financial aid applications to contract issuance and the regionally adopted binding date, the timeline below outlines everything families need to stay on track. We encourage you to mark your calendars and reach out with any questions as we move through each step together.
- Monday, December 1 — Deadline to submit financial aid applications. To access the financial aid application: navigate to the Resource Board in Husky Hub, click the Financial Aid Application tile, and follow the prompts to begin your application.
- Thursday, January 8 — 2026-27 Tuition Announcement
- Tuesday, January 13 — Parents are invited to attend the Parent Education Series: FH Budget, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, January 28 — 2026-27 Enrollment Contracts are issued to current students, including financial aid decisions
- Thursday, February 5 — Deadline for current families to submit 2026-27 Enrollment Contracts
- Friday, February 27 — 2026-27 Enrollment Contracts are issued to new students, including financial aid decisions.
- Friday, May 1 — Enrollment Contract Binding Date*
* The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW), of which Flint Hill is a member, has made the decision to move its strongly encouraged guideline for the contract binding date from June 1 to May 1 for the 2026-27 school year.
Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 with any questions.
Volunteer in the Igloo this Winter Season!
The winter athletic season is here, and the Igloo is gearing up to serve our school community during both basketball games and daytime hours. We're looking for volunteers to help run the concessions stand each day, and can’t keep it open without you!
Why Volunteer?
- It’s fun: Interact with our wonderful students and community members.
- Bring a Friend: Volunteering is more fun when you do it together! Invite a friend or family member to join you. It’s a great way to meet other parents, too.
- Students Welcome: Upper School students earn service hours as volunteers!
Reminders
The Week of Thankful Giving Food Collection Continues
Our annual Week of Thankful Giving continues through Monday, November 17. In the Lower School, we are collecting baby items to support Cornerstones. Cornerstones works to strengthen families in need living and working along the Dulles Corridor.
Requested Items:
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Baby Wipes
- Formula (Similac)
- Baby Food (all stages)
The Lower School will have collection boxes on the second floor, outside of the school office. Please send in donations with your students.
Classroom Visits and PES: Reading/Math Instruction and Assessment
Parents of students in grades JK-3 are invited to campus Friday, November 14, 8:15-9:30 a.m., for a classroom visit (8:15-8:45 a.m.) and coffee (8:45-9:30 a.m.) to learn more about how the Lower School uses benchmark assessments for reading in grades 1-6 and math in grades 2-6. Parents of students in grades 4-6 are invited back to campus for the same experience on Friday, November 21, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Through this Parent Education Series (PES) presentation and the following Q&A, we hope to describe the tools we use, how they help us understand our students as learners, and how we can use the information they provide to further our students’ learning.
2026-27 School Year Calendar Highlights Now Available
Our 2026-27 Calendar is now available on the Parent Resource Board, including the first and last days of school, breaks, holidays, Conference Days, and Professional Development Days. We will communicate any changes made to the published dates on this calendar in the newsletter.
*Note the email from Flint Hill School sent on October 30 correcting the Winter Break dates for 2026-27 are for the next school year, not this school year. We had some questions about that.
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.
The Week of Thankful Giving
Thursday, November 13 - Monday, November 17
Parent Meetup: Mahjong Lesson and Guided Play
Thursday, November 13
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Collins Residence, 5407 18th Street N, Arlington, Virginia 22205
Join the Waitlist
JK-3rd Grade Classroom Visits
Friday, November 14
Hazel Lower School, 8:15-8:45 a.m.
Parent Education Series: JK-3rd Grade Reading/Math Instruction & Assessment
Friday, November 14
Hazel Lower School Library, 8:50-9:30 a.m.
Community Festival
Saturday, November 15
Upper School Commons, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
RSVP
Parent Volunteer Leadership Fall Mixer
Tuesday, November 18
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Details and RSVP
4th-6th Grade Classroom Visits
Friday, November 21
Hazel Lower School, 8:15-8:45 a.m.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Friday, November 21
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Location will be shared with the group before the walk.
Register
Parent Education Series: Math & Reading Instruction & Assessment Presentation in Grades 4-6
Friday, November 21
Hazel Lower School Olson Theater, 8:50-9:30 a.m.
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 24 - Friday, November 28
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Admission Application Deadline for Sibling Families
Sunday, November 30
Classes Resume
Monday, December 1
Financial Aid Application Deadline for Current Students
Monday, December 1
Flint Hill Fund Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, December 2
Make your gift to the Flint Hill Fund
Parent Meetup: Club Pilates Oakton
Wednesday, December 3
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Location: Club Pilates Oakton, 2946 Chain Bridge Rd, Unit N, Oakton, Virginia 22124
Register
Flint Hill Basketball Tip-Off Tournament
Friday, December 5 - Saturday, December 6
Upper School Gym
Parent Meetup: Food for Others Power Pack
Sunday, December 7
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Vienna Moose Lodge, 9616 Courthouse Road, Virginia, 22181
Sign Up
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, December 8
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Interest Form
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Tuesday, December 9
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Location will be shared with the group before the walk
Register
Grades 5-12 Winter Choral Concert
Wednesday, December 10
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Grades JK-1 Winter Concert
Wednesday, December 17
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 8:30-9:00 a.m.
Grades 2-4 Winter Concert
Wednesday, December 17
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater, 9:15-9:45 a.m.
End of First Semester, Lower School
Friday, December 19
Winter Break
December 20 - January 4
Grades JK-12 No Classes, No Homework
