Upper School Newsletter – November 29, 2023
November 29, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
Each year, I write about the “rhythm” of a school year. I am sure those with more musical training would suggest I am using that word incorrectly, but I am trying to convey the idea that the school year tends to rotate around three-week cycles, with quiet times and busy times. In many situations, these cycles have a three-week duration where the third week tends to be populated by assessments and projects. Never is this more true in the three-week period between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break.
This year, like most years, there are 15 days of school between the return from the Thanksgiving holidays and the closing of school on December 15. Due to the gaps of time, many teachers create modules to fit these 15 days, with an assessment or project held on the days between December 13 and December 15. This helps avoid holding assessments in early January, after a two week break of time between the last practice activities around the material.
Please remember that if your family has made travel arrangements that require you to leave school before the first day of break, your student needs to communicate with their teachers and complete any work before going on break.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Upper School Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony — Wednesday, December 6
The Upper School Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 1:15-2:15 p.m., in the Upper School Gym. Please join us in celebrating our fall athletes. Coaches will be awarding the 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.
Reminders
Reminder for Sibling Early Applicants: Supporting Materials Due Tomorrow — Thursday, November 30
Already turned in the application for your child’s sibling to become a Husky? All supporting materials and steps in your checklist must be completed by tomorrow, Thursday, November 30, to receive an admission indication in mid-December. Email admission@flinthill.org if you have any questions. If you’re interested in applying to Flint Hill for a sibling in a future year, complete this interest form.
FH Basketball Tip-Off Tournament — This Weekend — Friday, December 1, and Saturday, December 2
Tip-Off will begin this Friday, December 1, and conclude on Saturday, December 2.
Make plans to attend and support your Huskies on the court!
Friday, December 1
- Game 1: 3:00 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Jackson Reed vs John Paul the Great
- Game 2: 4:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Friendship Tech vs Archbishop Carroll
- Game 3: 6:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Flint Hill vs Episcopal
- Game 4: 8:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Flint Hill vs Ballou
Saturday, December 2
- Game 5: 12:00 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Loser of Game 1 vs Loser of Game 3
- Game 6: 1:45 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Loser of Game 2 vs Loser of Game 4
- Game 7: 3:30 p.m. (Varsity Girls) Championship Game
- Game 8: 5:15 p.m. (Varsity Boys) Championship Game
Middle and Upper School Winter Concerts in December
Winter concert season kicks off on Monday, December 4, with the Middle and Upper School Winter Choral Concert and continues into the month with the Band Concert on Wednesday, December 6; Percussion Concert on Monday, December 11; and Orchestra Concert on Wednesday, December 13. The Percussion Concert will take place in the Upper School Learning Commons, and the other concerts will take place at the Olson Theater on the Lower School Campus. All four concerts will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. We invite you to attend these performances that our students have worked hard to prepare for your enjoyment.
Watch the livestream!
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Meeting — Monday, December 4
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. We will meet to discuss “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. Our book club provides a safe and engaging space for parents to read, discuss, and reflect on the 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 the meeting, and if you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Parent Meetup: Register for a Cooking Class — Tuesday, December 5
Join other FH parents for a cooking class with personal chef Alison Garen P’32! Learn how to make some easy dinners and other meal-prepping tips for those busy weeks. Alison will demonstrate a sample menu for the week and show how to save time in the kitchen. Registration is limited to 35 people. Many thanks to Tammy and Jim Ilaria P’24 for hosting! Questions? Contact Olivia Landrum.
Location: The Ilaria residence (address to be provided)
Date: Tuesday, December 5, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Sign Up: To attend, please complete this form.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group Sign Up — Wednesdays, December 6 and December 13
Meet up with parents for a rejuvenating walk through the trails and neighborhoods behind Oakmont Rec Center, formerly Oak Marr Rec Center. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the leftmost parking lot of Oakmont and walk for 45-60 minutes together. Sign up to attend. If you have any questions, please contact FH parent Molisa Meholic.
Location: Oakmont Rec Center (formerly Oak Marr Rec Center)
Dates: Wednesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 13, at 8:30 a.m.
Sign Up: To attend, please complete this form.
Upper School Division Coffee: Community Service — Wednesday, December 13
Parents are invited to the Upper School on Wednesday, December 13, 8:30-9:30 a.m., to hear from our Upper School Community Service Coordinators. They will discuss the philosophy and approach of the community service program as well as the resources and support that are available to students/families. Parents can learn how to be a partner in the process! The presentation will be followed by some open time for Q&A.
Volunteer in the Igloo — Basketball Schedule Available
Check out the winter schedule and sign up to volunteer for a shift in the Igloo! It is a great opportunity to connect with other parents while strengthening our community. Plus, Upper School students can volunteer for games, too! Consider signing up for as many shifts as you'd like. Feel free to invite a friend to join you.
Driving Spirit Award Nominations Now Open
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.
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.
Fall Athletic Pictures Available for Purchase
To purchase candid pictures by Freed Photography taken during the Fall Athletic Season, please check your respective Husky Hub team page for a link. You may also click here and use Password: FLINT23SPORTCANDIDS to access the photos.
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:
- Upper School Virtual Info Session — Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 p.m.
- Virtual Fine Arts & Innovation Event: Grades 7-12 — Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. Current families are welcome to attend.
Upcoming Events
Upper School Tip-Off Pep Rally
Friday, December 1
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
FH Basketball Tip-Off Tournament
Friday, December 1, 3:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 12:00-7:00 p.m.
Upper School Gym
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, December 4
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
RSVP to attend
Middle and Upper School Winter Choral Concert
Monday, December 4
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream
Parent Meetup: Cooking Class
Tuesday, December 5
The Ilaria residence (address to be provided), 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Sign up to attend
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Wednesday, December 6
Oakmont Rec Center (formerly Oak Marr Rec Center), 8:30 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Upper School Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, December 6
Upper School Gym, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Middle and Upper School Winter Band Concert
Wednesday, December 6
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream
Middle and Upper School Winter Percussion Concert
Monday, December 11
Upper School Learning Commons, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Parent Meetup: Walking Group
Wednesday, December 13
Oakmont Rec Center (formerly Oak Marr Rec Center), 8:30 a.m.
Sign up to attend
Upper School Division Coffee: Community Service
Wednesday, December 13
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Middle and Upper School Winter Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, December 13
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream
Winter Break
Monday, December 18 - Monday, January 1
Classes Resume
Tuesday, January 2
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
