Middle School Newsletter – December 3, 2025
December 3, 2025
Letter From the Division Director
I hope that last week felt like a meaningful break for your families — whether or not you traveled or gathered with extended family and friends. In the flow of a school year, it is a great time for students to reflect and recharge for this next short stretch until Winter Break. Please see below for information about our Middle School Activity Night this Friday, December 5. As a reminder:
- It is a great opportunity to have fun with classmates outside of the school day and get a taste of Upper School spirit and pride.
- It is a “whiteout” theme, so students may wear white clothing to school on Friday — shirts, pants, shorts, athletic shorts, skirts — along with regular school sneakers.
- We will keep students after school and supervise them until 8:00 p.m. We will provide pizza; students may also bring money for the Igloo (snack bar) at the Upper School.
- All students will return to the Middle School at 8:00 p.m. to be picked up by an adult. You may pick them up in our regular carpool line or on foot.
You must complete this form by TOMORROW, December 4, at 8:00 a.m. to confirm attendance.
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
Announcements
Basketball Tip-Off Tournament — This Friday and Saturday
The 21st Annual Flint Hill Tip-Off Classic is this weekend! We invite you to come support your Huskies on the court. Tip-Off will begin on Friday, December 5, and conclude on Saturday, December 6.
Friday Schedule
- Game 1: 3:00 p.m. (Varsity Girls) South County HS vs Episcopal HS
- Game 2: 4:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) St. Anne’s-Belfield vs Friendship Tech
- Game 3: 6:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Flint Hill vs John Paul the Great
- Game 4: 8:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Flint Hill vs Ballou
Saturday Schedule
- Game 5: 11:00 a.m. (Varsity Girls) Loser of Game 3 vs Loser of Game 1
- Game 6: 12:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Loser of Game 4 vs Loser of Game 2
- Game 7: 2:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Championship Game Winner 3 vs Winner 1
- Game 8: 4:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Championship Game Winner 4 vs Winner 2
School Store Pop-Up Shop in Upper School
The School Store will host a pop-up shop in the Upper School Multipurpose Room on Friday, December 5, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Upper School students are invited to stop by during the day, and the store will remain open during the Tip-Off Classic that evening.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club - Monday, December 8
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. This graphic novel offers a personal perspective on the opioid crisis through the author’s experience growing up with a mother who struggled with addiction. Written for a young adult audience, each page showcases the transformative power of art, love, and humor in overcoming life's challenges.
Joining us for the discussion is Tracie Epes, Director of Counseling, to provide additional insight on the topic of substance abuse and family systems. You are welcome to join us, regardless of where you are in your reading! Please email Mia Burton, Assistant Head of School for Community, Equity, and Student Success, for more information.
Winter Concert Performance Dates
It’s Winter Concert season, one of the most joyful times of the year! Our students across all divisions are ready to share the skills and passion that remind us why the arts matter deeply here. Join us for these dynamic performances:
- Band Concert (MS/US) — Monday, December 8, 6:30 p.m., Olson Theater: Kick off the season with fresh, innovative arrangements and jazz students discovering the art of improvisation.
- Choir Concert (LS/MS/US) — Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m., Olson Theater: Experience the energy of diverse ensemble pieces showcasing remarkable soloists.
- Percussion Concert (MS/US) — Monday, December 15, 7:00 p.m., Upper School Gym: Don't miss the dynamic, high-voltage rhythm, layered textures, and thrilling ensemble precision.
- Lower School Concerts — Wednesday, December 17, JK-Grade 1 at 8:30 a.m. and Grades 2-4 at 9:30 a.m., Olson Theater: Closing out the series with pure joy and wonder! Students explore movement, percussion, woodwinds, voice, and even ukulele.
Do Your Holiday Shopping and Benefit Flint Hill
Alumni Parent Elise Abt ’13, ’15 is hosting a shopping social at Evereve in Reston (11928 Market Street) on Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mention you are a member of the Flint Hill community, and 15% of your sales will be donated to Flint Hill. Contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.
Tell Your Friends: Student Success at Flint Hill (Virtual)
We are committed to unlocking each student’s potential through individualized learning, robust support systems, and a nurturing community. This virtual event, scheduled for Friday, December 12, at 12:00 p.m., is designed to provide prospective parents with an in-depth look at how we define and nurture student success across all levels of our school. Share this registration link with your friends and neighbors! Register.
Alumni Virtual College Panel — Thursday, January 8
On Thursday, January 8, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Middle and Upper School families are invited to hear directly from recent graduates as they describe their transition to college and respond to questions about what they have learned, how they were prepared, and the challenges they experienced during this pivotal time. We hope you’ll join us to learn about how Flint Hill prepares our students for college life — inside and outside the classroom. Use this Google Meet link to join the Alumni Virtual College Panel.
Parent Education Series (PES) Event: The FH Budget
Current families are invited to join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Associate Head of School for Finance & Operations Anne Peterson for our annual budget coffee on Tuesday, January 13, at 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room to learn more about your investment in a one-of-a-kind Flint Hill experience for your student(s).
Driving Spirit Award Nominations
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill faculty and staff members who lead by example through their dedication to students and ability to energize and inspire the Flint Hill community. Please think about the exceptional current teachers and staff members in the Flint Hill community who you believe fit this description, and complete the nomination form by Friday, January 9.
Gifts to Faculty and Staff
As we approach the Winter Break, we wanted to remind you of the School’s recommendations concerning gifts to faculty and staff. Flint Hill encourages simplicity in the giving of gifts. Please note that holiday gift giving is not an expectation, and individual families should decide what is best for them, keeping in mind that a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” often carries the greatest meaning.
The School discourages the collection of money from parents to provide teachers or coaches with gifts. If, however, you choose to provide a holiday gift to a faculty or staff member, please be sensitive to varying cultural/religious backgrounds and avoid gifts exceeding $100 in value, as outlined in the Family Handbook.
Inclement Weather Policy
Delayed openings and closures will be announced to members of the Flint Hill community by 5:45 a.m. on the day of a severe weather event in the following ways:
- Text/email alerts through our emergency notification system.
- A banner on our website.
- Story posts on Instagram and Facebook.
If a change to the school day is required, we will contact you as stated above. If you do not hear from us, know that the school day is scheduled as normal.
IMPORTANT: If you are new to Flint Hill, you must opt in to receive text messages by texting YES to 79041. Note: the mobile number used must match what we have in our system. You’ll receive a confirmation text that you’ve opted in. We strongly suggest families opt in — these messages will provide the most timely information in the case of an emergency or school closure.
Self-Carry Medications
If your child is self-carrying their medications (inhalers and EPI-Pens), please remind them to carry those with them at all times. This includes when they are on their way to and from all practices/games, regardless of whether they are on or off campus. It must be easily accessible to them during their activity.
Hudl Fan
All games held on the Flint Hill Upper School campus will be streamed via Hudl TV. You can also access the livestream by typing fan.hudl.com into your browser or downloading the Hudl Fan app. After downloading the app or navigating to fan.hudl.com, search for “Flint Hill School.” You will now have access to all games that are being streamed. Please check Husky Hub and/or the school website for the Middle School and Upper School athletic schedules.
Game Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
With the winter season comes the possibility of snow and ice, leading to the potential for cancellations. In the case of inclement weather, the Athletics Department will determine by 1:30 p.m. whether a home game/meet will be canceled. If there is an away game/meet, the decision to play lies with the opposing school. Once a home game/meet is canceled, Flint Hill coaches will notify parents and students. Husky Hub will also be updated and be the source for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Reminders
Middle School Activity Night
All students are encouraged to attend Middle School Activity Night on Friday, December 5, which will begin immediately after school and involve a trip to the Upper School gym to support our Girls’ Varsity Basketball team as part of the FH Basketball Tip-Off Classic. This is a great opportunity to socialize and connect with the Upper School program.
Parents must complete this form by tomorrow, Thursday, December 4, at 8:00 a.m. This confirms your child’s attendance at the event and your 8:00 p.m. pickup plan. You may edit the form later if your plans change.
- 3:30-6:00 p.m. — Activities and pizza in the Middle School building, supervised by FH staff
- 6:00-8:00 p.m. — Basketball game in the Upper School gym, supervised by FH staff
- 8:00 p.m. — Event concludes; all students return to the Middle School building for pickup. Parents either pick up in the Middle School carpool line or on foot. We encourage families to attend the boys' basketball game at 8:15 p.m. after pickup, so you may pick up your child and walk back to the Upper School gym together. Please note that Middle School students may not remain for the boys' basketball game without adult supervision.
RSVP! Middle School Parent Social
Spend time with fellow Middle School parents at Settle Down Easy on Friday, December 5, 6:00-7:45 p.m. while your students enjoy Activity Night! Friendly reminder to RSVP and contact Assistant Director of Engagement Olivia Landrum with any questions.
Parent Meetup: Food for Others Power Pack
There’s still time to sign up to participate on Sunday, December 7, 2:00-4:00 p.m. or contribute items for the Power Pack event at the Vienna Moose Lodge to benefit Food for Others. Sign up to volunteer or contribute, and contact Laura Schwartz with any questions.
Parent Walking Group
Enjoy different trails and neighborhoods near campus while connecting with fellow parents. Join us on Tuesday, December 9, 8:15-9:15 a.m. The location will be shared with the group before the walk. Register and contact Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29 with any questions.
Step Up to Upper School: 8th Grade Parent Website
We’re excited to welcome our 8th graders to the Upper School next year! Get all the information you need on the Step Up to Upper School webpage. The page includes answers to frequently asked questions, short videos related to the Upper School, links to resources, and a calendar of upcoming step-up events.
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.
- 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.
Sign Up for a Shift in the Igloo! Basketball Volunteers Needed
The winter athletic season is here, and the Igloo will open during both basketball games and daytime hours. We can’t open without you and there are many opportunities! It’s a fun way to make new connections, and no experience is needed! Students can volunteer for basketball games and receive service hours, too. More games will be added throughout the season. Sign up to volunteer.
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.
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.
Flint Hill Basketball Tip-Off Tournament
Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 6
Upper School Gym
School Store Pop-Up Shop in Upper School
Friday, December 5
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Upper School Multipurpose Room
Middle School Activity Night
Friday, December 5
3:30-8:00 p.m.
Peterson Middle School
Middle School Parent Social
Friday, December 5
6:00-7:45 p.m.
Settle Down Easy, 2952 Chain Bridge Rd, Oakton
RSVP by Monday, December 1
Parent Meetup: Food for Others Power Pack
Sunday, December 7
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Vienna Moose Lodge, 9616 Courthouse Road
Sign Up
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, December 8
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Peterson Middle School Conference Room
Interest Form
Grades 7-12 Winter Band Concert
Monday, December 8
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Upper School Gym
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Tuesday, December 9
8:15-9:15 a.m.
Location will be shared with the group before the walk
Register
Do Your Holiday Shopping and Benefit Flint Hill
Tuesday, December 9
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Evereve, 11928 Market Street, Reston
Grades 5-12 Winter Choral Concert
Wednesday, December 10
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Hazel Lower School, Olson Theater
Tell Your Friends: Student Success at Flint Hill (Virtual)
Friday, December 12
12:00 p.m.
Register
Parent Education Series: The FH Budget
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Upper School Multipurpose Room
Grades 7-12 Winter Percussion Concert
Monday, December 15
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Upper School Gym
End of Second Quarter/First Semester, Middle School
Friday, December 19
Winter Break
December 20 – January 4
Grades JK-12 No Classes, No Homework
