Upper School Newsletter – April 29, 2026

Senior Day Celebrations & Senior Parent Meetup — May 1

We are so excited to celebrate the Class of 2026! The Senior Day program is a special seniors-only event on Friday, May 1, at the Upper School, that celebrates the relationships between students and faculty/staff. The festivities will kick off with the traditional Senior Breakfast, followed by a morning of fun and "unplugged" connection on the turf, featuring a variety of games and inflatables, including a bounce house, bungee run, jousting ring, and even a mechanical bull! Please note that students must sign a waiver on-site to ride the mechanical bull. If you would prefer that your senior opt out of or not participate in the inflatable activities, please email Ms. Chiarolanzio at schiarolanzio@flinthill.org.

While students are enjoying Senior Day, join Divisional Ambassador Solat Zaidi and fellow senior parents at Compass Coffee in Fairfax on Friday, May 1, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Register and contact Solat Zaidi with any questions.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Final Meeting of the Year! Monday, May 4

By popular request, we’ve updated our final selection to a different graphic novel, “The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World” by Jonathan Haidt. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Learning Commons.

Whether fiction or nonfiction, our selections explore the literary topics and current issues that matter most to today’s young, middle-grade, and young adult readers — and help foster thoughtful, healthy conversations for those parenting them. From relationships and identity to faith and belonging, these stories invite reflection, build understanding, and open the door to meaningful dialogue.

Please complete this interest form or drop in as your schedule permits.

Parent Meetup: Move and Mingle — Tuesday, May 12

Stay active with fellow parents and join Katie Ramsey P'28, '30 and Fatima Latif P'28 for a Zumba class! Katie will lead a 45-minute class that gets your heart pumping and ends with a Pilates-style stretch. The next class will be Tuesday, May 12, 9:00-10:00 a.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Sign up and contact Katie Ramsey with any questions.

RSVP! Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Thursday, May 14

Join Head of School Patrick McHonett and Parents’ Association President Barbara O’Reilly P'27 for a casual reception on Thursday, May 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the Peterson Middle School, John M. Thomas Terrace, to celebrate your service to our community. RSVP and contact Olivia Landrum with any questions.

Parent Meetup: Walking Group — Friday, May 15 and May 29

Walk with fellow parents through different trails and neighborhoods near the School on Friday, May 15, 8:20-9:15 a.m. The location will be shared with the group before each walk. Register here and contact Upper School Divisional Ambassador Molisa Meholic P’29 with any questions.

Classics Banquet — Friday, May 15

A banquet for all students from the Classics department and their families will be on Friday, May 15, 5:30-8:00 p.m., at the Peterson Middle School, Mitchell Commons.

Serve as a PA Divisional Ambassador for 2026-27

You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year. The sign-up form is open through Friday, May 15. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Divisional Ambassador role, please contact Assistant Director of Engagement Olivia Landrum or Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne.
You can also reach out to one of this year’s Divisional Ambassadors to hear about their experience. Please see below for more information:

• Divisional Ambassador Description — Duties and Responsibilities
• Divisional Ambassador FAQs

AI: Hype vs. Reality with Arjun Gupta '08 — Monday, May 18

Join Flint Hill alum Arjun Gupta ’08 for an evening of connection and innovation. Beyond a fascinating look at how technology is shaping our world, this is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Flint Hill parents and experience firsthand how the School’s spirit of curiosity and innovation continues to thrive. Arjun will demystify AI tools like ChatGPT, sharing practical insights on how to stay ahead of the curve while avoiding common pitfalls. Monday, May 18, refreshments at 6:15 p.m., program begins at 6:45 p.m. View more details and register today.

Upper School Dance Team Open Practices and Tryouts — Tuesdays, May 19 and May 26

Students in rising grades 7-12 are invited to join us for open practices on Tuesdays, May 19 and 26, 4:00-5:30 p.m., in the Upper School Gym. These technique clinics are a great way to practice skills and learn more about the team. Tryouts for rising grades 9-12 will take place on June 15-16, 4:00-6:00 p.m., in the Upper School Gym. Interested students should complete this form and contact Head Coach Olivia Landrum with questions.

Limited Edition FH Golf Hat — Available Until Thursday, May 21

Show your Flint Hill pride on or off the course with a custom-embroidered FH hat. Not interested in playing in the golf event, but still want a hat? When registering, select “Golf Hat Only” and continue to the Add-Ons section to complete your order. Visit the Golf Invitational and Skills Social 2026 webpage to register, and reach out to Olivia Landrum with questions.

Limited Spots Available! Golf Invitational & Skills Social — Thursday, May 21

While the 18-hole scramble is sold out, there’s room for you in the beginner-friendly Skills Social. You’ll enjoy casual conversation, skills taught by pros, and lunch in the Clubhouse to connect with golfers arriving for the tourney. Plus, rental clubs are provided! Grab your spot today!

Not able to play? You can still get involved by sponsoring or volunteering.

Host Families Needed for Students from Cataluña, Spain

We are excited to welcome back our friends from our partner school, Instituto Josep Vallverdú in Cataluña, Spain. They will visit New York before arriving in Washington, D.C., and will be at Flint Hill from September 14 to September 24. We are looking for Upper School host families to provide lodging, meals, and transportation to school during this time. The students will visit the major DC landmarks with their teachers, so families don't have to worry about planning special excursions.

The students are interested in experiencing life in the United States and practicing their English. They know our students have sports practice, games, and homework after school, and they are fine waiting at school until the FH students finish. This is a great opportunity for Flint Hill students to practice their Spanish, but families do not have to speak Spanish; they are here to practice English. The group will include 11 students. Please fill out this form if you are interested in hosting, and contact Kristin Piazza with any questions.

Do You Have AI Expertise?

From time to time, teachers look to enrich the classroom experience by connecting students with real-world perspectives. The depth of knowledge within the parent and alumni community makes that possible in meaningful ways.

As interest in artificial intelligence continues to grow across disciplines, the School is beginning to explore ways we might tap into this expertise. If you have experience in AI or a related field and are open to being a resource, we would welcome the opportunity to connect. There is no set format or commitment at this stage.

Please contact Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne if you are willing to be contacted as a potential resource in the future (no obligations).

Den and Igloo Concessions Volunteers Needed!

We need many volunteers to keep both the Igloo and Den concession stands running smoothly. Upper School students can also volunteer in the Den and receive service hours. Grab a friend and sign up for a shift!

• Sign up for a shift in the Igloo
• Sign up for a shift in the Den

Commencement 2026 Details and Website Now Available

Our Commencement webpage is now updated with everything you need to know for the Class of 2026 graduation on Friday, June 12. Visit the site for the full event schedule, parking instructions, and details on the ceremony livestream for those cheering from afar. We are honored to welcome Anjali Singh Code ’02, chief development officer at the Malala Fund, as our distinguished alum Commencement speaker to share her insights with our graduates.

Spring Athletics Notes

Boys’ Lacrosse Senior Night
Thursday, April 30, 4:00 p.m., Peterson Family Field

Spring Awards Ceremony
The Upper School Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 20, at 1:15 p.m. in the Upper School Gym. Please join us in celebrating our spring athletes. Coaches will award their athletes with MVP and Husky Awards. We look forward to seeing you there. For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be streamed via our Hudl Fan account.

Flint Hill Athletics Spring Candids and Team Pictures
Candid Upper School athletic photos from Freed Photography are available for purchase. Enter your email address to access the Upper School Athletics Photos. Photos will regularly be added as the spring season progresses.

Team photos for the Middle School and Upper School Spring 2026 Athletics season are now available. Links for Varsity Athletic Media Day Portraits are emailed directly to the parents. If you are looking for the link to your individual media day photos, email Freed Photography support at support@freedphoto.com.

Conference Tournaments
As we approach the end of regular seasons, use the Flint Hill Athletics webpage to find the most up-to-date information on conference tournaments. This information will be available on the school website and on Husky Hub team pages.

Spring Uniform Return
As the spring season comes to an end, please have students return their uniforms to Mr. Alex Walker. Make sure the uniforms are washed, dried, and placed in a plastic bag with your name on it. Place your bagged uniform in the bin by the athletic closet.