Lower School Newsletter – October 7, 2026

Save the Dates: Community Fest and Arts Fest

Thank you to everyone who joined us to cheer, laugh, and celebrate during last week's Homecoming Under the Lights festivities — the energy across campus was truly unmatched. As we keep that spirit going, be sure to mark your calendars and save the date for two more schoolwide community events you won't want to miss:

• Community Fest — Saturday, November 14: Join the Husky community for an afternoon of connection, learning, and celebration featuring global cuisines, cultural performances, and collaborative activities that honor our school’s rich diversity.
• Arts Fest — Wednesday, April 14: We are thrilled to introduce our newly announced Arts Fest! This spectacular on-campus event brings together performing arts showcases from Arts Jam and visual arts exhibitions from the Visual Arts Show for one unforgettable celebration of creativity.

We can’t wait to gather and celebrate with our Flint Hill families again soon!

Viewing and Discussion of "Screenagers: Generation AI"

Join the Parents Council of Washington (PCW) for a screening of "Screenagers: Generation AI," a film that explores how artificial intelligence affects young people’s learning, relationships, and mental health. The screening is on Thursday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and will be followed by a live, moderated discussion with the film’s co-director and co-producer, Lisa Tabb. As a member school, all Flint Hill community members are invited to attend. Location: The Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015. Advanced registration is required. View the trailer here.

Morning Coffee Chat: The Science of Reading

Join us for coffee and conversation on Thursday, October 15, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Common Culture (3955 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite #107, Fairfax)! Two of Flint Hill’s early childhood reading experts — Lower School Learning Specialist Kim Dewar and JK-6 Language Arts Chair Christine Dwyer — are hosting an informal morning discussion on how young children learn to read and what the latest science tells us about supporting confident readers at home.

Come grab a warm drink, connect with our experts, and take away practical insights for your family. We love sharing our teachers' expertise with the broader community, so please make an effort to bring a friend, neighbor, or anyone interested in raising a confident reader! Register now.

Grades JK-3 Halloween Parade

On Wednesday, October 28, 8:30-9:30 a.m., families of students in grades JK-3 are invited to the Lower School campus for this joyful tradition. Please park at the top of Husky Drive near the barn or in any of our visitors' spots! It is important to arrive by 8:15 a.m. before our students begin lining up!

Cheer on Flint Hill at the Vienna Halloween Parade!

Flint Hill families are invited to gather along the Vienna Halloween Parade route on Wednesday, October 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m., to cheer on our participating 6th graders. This year’s parade theme is “America’s 250 Years of Haunted History.” 6th graders will march in spirit by dressing as famous inventors and innovators, and Middle School Maker students will also feature creations.

Families are welcome to gather near Maple Avenue East and Glyndon Street SE, on the Giant side of Maple Avenue, where Flint Hill families have watched together in previous years. Plan to arrive by about 6:30 p.m., before Maple Avenue closes to traffic and the parade begins at 7:00 p.m. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their own children throughout the evening.

6th Grade: Sign Up to March in Vienna Halloween Parade

Our 6th graders have the special honor of participating in the Vienna Parade on Wednesday, October 28. All 6th grade families are required to please complete this form by Friday, October 23, to let us know whether you’ll attend. The theme for the parade is “250 Years of Haunted History.” We ask students who sign up to get into the spirit by dressing as famous inventors and innovators. A decorated Flint Hill mini-bus will serve as the Lower School float, with the 6th grade students and parents proudly walking behind it. Parents or a designated adult (another FH parent) are required to attend with students. We encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the festivities, and cheer on our amazing 6th graders as they represent our school in the parade!

Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

Lower School faculty look forward to welcoming parents for a conference to discuss your student’s progress on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30.

• JK-5th grade: 20-minute conferences with the homeroom teacher.
• 6th grade: 10-minute conferences offered by homeroom, math, language arts, and science teachers. 6th grade families do not need to sign up for a conference with every teacher and may choose who they would like to connect with.

Families will receive an email on Thursday, October 15, by 10:00 a.m. that includes a link to sign up for conferences. Note: Childcare will be offered for Flint Hill Lower School students during conference times.

Free Girls’ Lacrosse Clinic, Grades 3-12

Girls in Grade 3 and above, of all experience levels, are invited to register to participate in the Flint Hill Girls’ Lacrosse program for a free lacrosse clinic on Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., on the Peterson Family Field. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their skills, learn more about the game, and work with members of the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team and Flint Hill coaching staff. No prior lacrosse experience is required.

The clinic is open to all girls in Grade 3 and above, whether they are current Huskies or friends or family members of current Huskies. Participants should bring a lacrosse stick, mouthguard, goggles, and water. Since it’s Halloween, costumes are welcome but not required!

Drop-Off & Pickup: Parents/guardians are responsible for dropping off students at Peterson Family Field via the Oakton Road entrance before the clinic begins and for picking them up promptly at 12:00 p.m. Students should arrive ready to participate and dressed appropriately for outdoor activity.

Questions? Email Head Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Coach TJ Finnerty at tjfinnerty@flinthill.org.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club

This year, the Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club invites members to explore the power of storytelling through a selection of anthologies from We Need Diverse Books (WNDB). Featuring short stories by authors of color written for children and young adults, these collections introduce readers to a wide range of characters, identities, experiences, cultures, and perspectives — reminding us that every young person deserves the opportunity to not only see themselves reflected in books but also to discover lives and experiences beyond their own. Our discussions create space for curiosity, reflection, and connection as we explore how literature can help build empathy, broaden perspectives, challenge assumptions, and strengthen our understanding of one another.

Join us monthly, Mondays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. Please complete the Kaleidoscope Interest Form to receive additional information and to indicate your interest in upcoming sessions.

Monday, November 2

Book: Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Spotlight Stories: “Main Street” by Jacqueline Woodson; “Sol Painting, Inc.” by Meg Medina

Monday, December 7

Book: The Hero Next Door
Spotlight Stories: “Minnows and Zombies” by Rita Williams-Garcia; “The Assist” by Linda Sue Park & Anna Dobbin

Monday, February 8

Book: Fresh Ink
Spotlight Stories: “Eraser Tattoo” by Jason Reynolds; “Super Human” by Nicola Yoon

Monday, March 1

Book: A Universe of Wishes
Spotlight Stories: “Dream and Dare” by Nic Stone; “The Takeback Tango” by Rebecca Roanhorse

Monday, April 5

Book: On the Block
Spotlight Stories: “Apt. 3D” — Jasmine Warga; “Apt. 4A” by Erin Entrada Kelly

Monday, May 3

Book: The Reading Adventure: 100 Books to Check Out Before You're 12

Grades JK-3 Classroom Visits

On Friday, November 6, 8:15-8:45 a.m., in the Hazel Lower School, parents are invited to visit homeroom classrooms, where students take the lead in sharing their recent projects and highlights of their learning.

PES: Grades JK-3 Reading/Math Instruction & Assessment

All Lower School parents and guardians are warmly invited to join us on Friday, November 6, from 8:50 to 9:30 a.m. in the Hazel Lower Library. Our Lower School Department Chairs look forward to sharing the essential reading and math tools we use in the classroom, alongside the learning strategies that help nurture and support your child every step of the way.

Financial Aid Application Now Open

Flint Hill’s need-based financial aid application for the 2027-28 school year is open. Families applying for financial aid should submit their application by Tuesday, December 1. Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 with any questions.

Important Dates

• Tuesday, December 1 — Deadline to submit a financial aid application
• Wednesday, January 27 — 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts issued to current students, including financial aid decisions
• Thursday, February 4 — Deadline for current families to submit 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts
• Friday, February 26 — 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts issued to new students, including financial aid decisions

To Access the Application:

1. Log in to Husky Hub and go to the Resource Board.
2. Click the Financial Aid Application tile.
3. Follow the prompts to begin your application.

Bus Drop-In Forms for Guest Riders

If your child plans to ride the bus home with a friend who is a regular bus rider, please complete a Drop-In Bus Form prior to travel. This requirement ensures two critical safety and operational steps:

• Parental Permission: It authorizes your child to ride and exit the bus.
• Driver Notification: It alerts our driver to expect additional passengers on that route.

Adjusted Rate: For guest rides with a regular bus student, the standard $20 drop-in fee is reduced to $10 per ride. Please indicate on the form in the final section that your child is riding as a guest of another student to receive the discounted rate. For Lower and Middle School students, please change their dismissal to bus in SchoolPass.

Need a Babysitter? Babysitting Network Available

The Flint Hill Babysitting Network was designed to build community and is available exclusively for Flint Hill families. The database lists the Upper School students who have indicated an interest in babysitting this school year. Where applicable, students have included notes relating to their experience and any relevant skills and/or certifications they have acquired. This network is provided as an informational resource only. The School does not participate in scheduling, transportation, or fee negotiation. Participating students are engaged members of our school community. Families are encouraged to interview and vet students to ensure they match their individual needs.