Upper School Newsletter – January 3, 2024
January 3, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
Welcome back Huskies! I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break that contained a great mixture of adventure and relaxation. I decided to have a staycation and spend a lot of time cooking new dishes that I have never made before. I won’t say that everything came out perfectly (who knew that deep dish pizza could be so complicated?) but there were some unexpectedly delicious dishes and pleasing aromas coming from the Paige kitchen this winter break.
I want to take a moment to highlight next week’s Upper School Parent Coffee: Senior Projects on Wednesday, January 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m. This coffee is open to all parents, but it is primarily for senior parents. During this coffee, our Senior Project Coordinator Stephanie Batbouta, will go over the senior project program and its various requirements. The program has some new components this year, so, even if you had an older child go through this process, there will be some information that is new to you. If you can’t attend the coffee, look for Stephanie Batbouta’s upcoming emails to students and families regarding the program. As a reminder, this is a graduation requirement for students, so it is imperative that students are attentive to the details of the program and its requirements.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Community Festival Planning Meeting — Tuesday, January 9
On Saturday, March 2, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m, we will host our annual Community Festival in the Upper School. If you attended this event last year, you’ll remember that the morning was dedicated to our Community of Care forum and the afternoon involved a cultural celebration sharing foods and traditions from the various countries represented throughout our Flint Hill community. This year, we’re calling the whole event Community Festival! If you and your family would like to represent a country, please fill out this form and join us for a brief planning meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Upper School Multipurpose Room. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Senior Projects Parent Coffee — Wednesday, January 10
This coffee will take place in the Upper School Multipurpose room on Wednesday, January 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m. It is open to all parents, but it is primarily for senior parents. During this coffee, our Senior Project Coordinator Stephanie Batbouta, will go over the senior project program and its various requirements. The program has some new components this year, so, even if you had an older child go through this process, there will be some information that is new to you.
Athletics and College Admissions Virtual Workshop — Monday, January 22
Flint Hill families are welcome to join the College Counseling Office and Athletic Department for a virtual workshop on Monday, January 22, 7:00-8:00 p.m., to learn about the college recruiting process. The presenters will include a university compliance officer and current Flint Hill seniors who will respond to questions about their process and share advice based on their experiences. To access the virtual workshop, use this Google Meet Link.
Save the Date – Senior Families Dinner on Monday, January 29
Patrick McHonett looks forward to welcoming seniors and their parents for a celebratory gathering for the Class of 2024 on Monday, January 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Upper School Commons. Senior parents, look out for your email invitation this week and please RSVP by Friday, January 19.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group — January Dates Added
Stay connected in the New Year and meet up with parents for a rejuvenating walk through the trails and neighborhoods behind Oakmont Rec Center. Locations may vary each week, so check the sign-up form for more information. If you have any questions, please contact FH parent Molisa Meholic. Dates: Wednesday, January 10, 8:00 a.m. and Tuesday, January 23, 8:00 a.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club — Monday, February 5
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School. We will meet to discuss “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendon Kiely. Our book club provides a safe and engaging space for parents to read, discuss, and reflect on thought-provoking narratives that have been deemed too controversial. We've curated a diverse selection of banned books from various genres and eras that have sparked debates and provoked change. RSVP to attend by completing this form. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Reminders
Driving Spirit Awards — Nominate by Thursday
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill employees who lead by example through their dedication to students, faculty, or the Flint Hill community at large, as evidenced by their ability to energize and inspire the Husky community. Their embodiment of the Driving Spirit makes our School the special and unique place we all value, a place that respects and values all equally, leads and supports with compassion, acts with integrity to imagine what’s possible and where all are inspired to blaze their own trail. Please think about the exceptional employees of Flint Hill who you believe fit this description. Complete the nomination form by Thursday, January 4.
Financial Aid Deadline — Monday, January 8
If your family is planning to apply for financial aid for next year:
- Monday, January 8: Financial aid application deadline. All supporting documents are also due on this date.
- Wednesday, January 31: Financial aid decisions for current students will be included when 2024-2025 enrollment contracts are issued to current families.
- Thursday, February 8: 2024-25 Enrollment contracts for current students are due.
- Friday, March 1: Financial aid decisions for new students will be included when admission decisions are released.
Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 if you have any questions.
Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget — Monday, January 8
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 Monday, January 8, 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).
Alumni Virtual College Panel — Tuesday, January 9
Join the Flint Hill College Counseling Office on Tuesday, January 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m., as it welcomes — virtually — recent alumni who will share their experiences and respond to questions about how Flint Hill prepared them for the expectations of college. Our panelists are first-year and second-year college students with a range of experiences and perspectives. You may access the Alumni College Virtual Panel program using this Google Meet link. No registration is required.
Tell Your Friends: Get to Know Flint Hill
Events are a great way for families to learn about Flint Hill — and it helps us get to know them, too! If you know someone who would make a great Husky, submit the Refer a Husky form and consider inviting them to these upcoming admission events:
Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12 — Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. Current families are welcome to attend.
Lower School Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 9:00 a.m.
Middle School Virtual Info Session — Thursday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.
Inclement Weather Classwork 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.
We also want to make you aware of our classwork policy on inclement weather days. Teachers may choose to assign work by sending an email to students alerting them of assignments by 10:00 a.m. Work should be made available on the teacher course page or through another electronic form. Individual or additional considerations will be made in the event of:
- excessive consecutive inclement weather days
- a high number of individual inclement weather days, or
- extended time periods without power.
Hudl Fan
All games held on the Flint Hill Upper School or Lower School campuses 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 (Hudl Fan: Apple or Hudl Fan: Google Play). 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.
Volunteer in the Igloo
We need volunteers for the Igloo — no experience needed. It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents while strengthening our community. Upper School students can volunteer and earn service hours for basketball games, too. Sign up for as many shifts as you'd like and invite a friend to join you. With more volunteers, we can open for more games and activities. Sign Up to Volunteer in the Igloo
2024-25 School Year Calendar Highlights Now Available
We have shared our 2024-25 Calendar Highlights 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 this calendar in the newsletter.
Upcoming Events
Driving Spirit Awards Nomination Deadline
Thursday, January 4
Admission Event: Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12
Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m.
Current families are welcome to attend.
Sign up to attend
Financial Aid Application Deadline
Monday, January 8
Grades JK-12 Head of School Meeting: The FH Budget
Monday, January 8
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Community Festival Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 9
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Flint Hill Alumni Virtual College Panel
Tuesday, January 9
Virtual, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/gao-upbo-rnq
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Wednesday, January 10
Oakmont Rec Center, 8:00 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Upper School Parent Coffee: Senior Projects
Wednesday, January 10
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
End of the Second Quarter and First Semester
Thursday, January 11
Swim & Dive Senior Night
Thursday, January 11
The Madeira School, 7:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Grades JK-12 No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed
Monday, January 15
Team Captains’ Leadership Brunch
Wednesday, January 17
Upper School Learning Commons, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Spring Sports Schedules Published
Friday, January 19
Flint Hill Certamen Tournament
Saturday, January 20
Upper School Commons, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Athletics and College Admissions Virtual Workshop
Monday, January 22
Virtual, 7:00 p.m.
Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/msn-frbn-qoz
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Tuesday, January 23
Oakmont Rec Center, 8:00 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Senior Families Dinner
Monday, January 29
Upper School Commons, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Flint Hill Day
Tuesday, January 30
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Enrollment Contracts Issued — Current Students
Wednesday, January 31
Financial Aid Notification — Current Students
Wednesday, January 31
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, February 5
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
RSVP to attend
National Girls and Women in Sports Day Brunch
Wednesday, February 7
Upper School Learning Commons, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
