Upper School Newsletter – October 18, 2023
October 18, 2023
Letter From The Division Director
Good evening, Husky families! Though it might surprise you, we are quickly approaching the end of the first quarter here at the Upper School. The last official day of the first quarter is Tuesday, October 24. Though quarter grades are not printed on our official transcripts, we use them to calculate the final semester grade, which is printed on official transcripts. To see a copy of what those transcripts look like, please refer to the Academic Handbook. The official quarter-grade report will be released the week of October 30, prior to parent conferences on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3. With the ability to see grades in real time on Husky Hub, this extra step might feel superfluous, but it allows us to make sure parents see the final quarter grades being entered into the academic record.
Parent Conferences are held on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3. This year, parents can choose, if they would prefer, to have these conferences in person or via Google Meet. We are hoping that this second option allows some parents to schedule appointments even if their ability to come to campus is limited based on other work and family commitments. Look for more information below regarding our Fall Parent Teacher Conferences.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Now Available: Parent Toolkit on the Husky Hub Resource Board
With the new school year now underway, the Preparing for the 2023-24 School Year tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board has been retired until next year. For quick access to resources and information frequently referenced throughout the year, you may now visit the 2023-24 Parent Toolkit.
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences — Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
Our annual Flint Hill School conference days will be held on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3. At the Upper School, we offer 10-minute conference slots throughout those two days. Parents are encouraged to set up conferences with as few or as many of their student’s teachers as they deem appropriate. Some parents also choose to set up a conference with their student’s advisor. The School will notify families on Friday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m. when registration for time slots becomes available.
Early Signing Day Information Requested — Due Friday, October 20
Early Signing Day is around the corner. An email was sent out last week on Wednesday, October 11, from Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson asking for information. The email contains an Early Signing Ceremony List sheet that is required to be completed. The deadline to fill out the form is this Friday, October 20. Contact Dewayne Robinson with any questions.
Attend and Cheer for Our Husky Teams Under the Lights!
Lights Week is here! Come support your fellow Huskies as they play under the lights on the Peterson Family Field. Boys’ Varsity Soccer will take on GDS on Thursday, October 19, at 4:15 p.m., followed by Varsity Field Hockey at 6:00 p.m. versus Stone Ridge. On Friday, October 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m., our Varsity Football team will be up against the Collegiate School. We hope to see everyone there!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In order to show our support, Thursday, October 19, is a Pink Out at the games. Everyone wear your best pink outfit and help us show support for those fighting breast cancer. We will have a Black Out for the football game under the lights on Friday, October 20. Come to the game wearing black, and cheer your Huskies on!
Conference Tournaments: As we approach the end of regular season, stay tuned to flinthill.org/athletics for the most up-to-date information on conference tournaments. This information will be available on the school website and on Husky Hub team pages.
Senior Nights
Boys’ Varsity Soccer
Thursday, October 19
Middle and Upper School Campus - Peterson Family Field, 4:15 p.m.
Girls’ Varsity Tennis
Thursday, October 19
Upper School Tennis Court, 4:15 p.m.
Cross Country
Saturday, October 21
Baseball Outfield, 11:00 a.m.
Girls’ Varsity Soccer
Tuesday, October 24
Middle and Upper School Campus - Peterson Family Field, 4:15 p.m.
Girls’ Varsity Volleyball
Tuesday, October 24
Upper School Gym, 5:30 p.m.
Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey
Friday, October 27
Location 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Football
Saturday, November 4
Middle and Upper School Campus - Peterson Family Field, 12:30 p.m.
Parents Council of Washington Speaker Series Event — October 26
The Parents Council of Washington will host an interactive virtual webinar with Jennifer Wallace, author of the New York Times bestselling book "Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — And What We Can Do About It" on Thursday, October 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Kicking off the year of PCW programming centered on the theme of Balance, Ms. Wallace will discuss her investigation into the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and what parents can do to protect their children's mental health. While the event's discussion format will include a Q&A period, questions are welcomed in advance for the speaker, which may be submitted to administration@parentscouncil.org. Register to attend.
Upper School Play, “Lend Me a Tenor” — Friday, October 27 - Sunday, October 29
Reserve your free tickets for the Upper School play, “Lend Me a Tenor!” We have two amazing casts of Upper School performers who are ready to bring this amazingly hilarious story to life next weekend. Note: the play contains PG-13 themes. If you have any questions, please reach out to the play’s director, Jackie McLoughlin.
All shows will be performed at the Olson Theater on these dates:
- Friday, October 27, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 28, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 28, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 29, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Parent Meetup: Honor Flight Volunteer Day — Saturday, November 4
The Honor Flight Club student leaders are partnering with the Parents’ Association to provide a joint volunteer opportunity to honor Veterans Day. Parents and students can make a difference together by welcoming and recognizing WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans as their Honor Flight arrives at Dulles International Airport. Volunteers will greet veterans outside the main terminal and will not need to pass through TSA security. Honor Flight is a national organization that transports American veterans to Washington, D.C., to celebrate and share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.
Sign up to volunteer. Questions? Contact Olivia Landrum.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Debut — Monday, November 6
We are thrilled to announce the debut of our Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club, where we will embark on a literary journey into the world of banned books! Our first meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. We will meet to discuss “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. Our book club provides a safe and engaging space for parents to read, discuss, and reflect on these 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. If you have any questions, please contact All-School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson.
Junior Family College Night — Wednesday, November 15
On Wednesday, November 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m., juniors and their parents/guardians are asked to join the Flint Hill College Counseling staff in the Upper School Gym for an overview of the college search and application process and our program. Attendance is required/expected for each junior and at least one parent/guardian. We will share our advice and insight for a successful college search process.
Parent Education Series: Raising a Kid Who Can — Thursday, November 16
Members of the Flint Hill community and prospective parents are invited to join us on Thursday, November 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Lower School’s Olson Theater for a presentation and Q&A with the authors of “Raising a Kid Who Can: Simple Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Adaptability and Emotional Strength” — Dr. Catherine McCarthy, Dr. Heather Tedesco, and Jennifer Weaver.
Experts in the field are calling Raising A Kid Who Can the "parenting playbook" that we all should have on hand to help us raise resilient kids. Learn from a child psychiatrist, a parent psychologist, and a child therapist who have spent years distilling the latest parenting science and best practices to answer the complex question: Based on all that modern science has to offer, what are the most important things I should try to do in raising my kid? Click here to register.
School Store Restocks - Buy Online or In Person!
The School Store has restocked several items since Homecoming. Under Armour and Bella & Canvas adult hoodies are available in all sizes. Under Armour Sackpack bags are back in stock in navy and now available in gray too! There are new Under Armour cotton t-shirts available in youth and adult sizes. Visit the School Store online or in person!
Dance Team Open Practices for Grades 7-12 — Tuesdays: October 24 and October 31
Calling all dancers! Students in grades 7-12 are invited to join the Upper School Dance Team for open practices on Tuesday, 3:45-5:45 p.m., October 24 and 31. Students will participate in team practices where they learn and enhance their dance technical skills in jazz and pom techniques in addition to strength and conditioning. Please register for each open practice date, and submit a form for each participating student. Location and Pickup: Upper School Dance Studio. Students should be picked up from the Upper School front circle.
Parent Meetup: Tennis Open Play — Wednesday, October 25
Last chance this fall to join fellow parents on the courts! The courts will be available for open play on Wednesday, October 25, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Please note there will be no lesson offered, but parents are welcome to practice their skills and play some mixed-doubles together. Plan to bring your own balls and racket. Registration is limited to 30 parents, so grab your spot!
Reminder: Early Admission Applications for Siblings Due Wednesday, November 1
We are offering members of our Husky family an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2024-25 school year. (For future years, complete this interest form.)
There was an error in the earlier email today that said, "There are just three more days to get an early start on the process." The correction is that families seeking early admission notification have until Wednesday, November 1, to submit the application form, recommendations, questionnaires, and transcripts from the last two years. Quarter grades, interview and student visit (grades 3-6) or Gesell and student visit (grades JK-2) must be completed by Thursday, November 30, to receive an admission notification in mid-December. For more information, please schedule an appointment with the admission team member for your division of interest.
Tell Your Friends: Visit Our Campus
On-campus 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:
Lower School Day of Play Workshop — Saturday, October 21, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Understanding the Process of Lower School (Virtual) — Thursday, October 26, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Ask a Parent — Wednesday, November 8, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Upper School Preview — Sunday, November 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Update Your Information in Husky Hub
In an effort to help everyone in our parenting community get to know each other, we encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities you have to personalize how your information appears in Husky Hub. Please take a moment to upload your headshot and add your name pronunciation. We also invite you to review the formal salutation field, which the school uses when sending printed mailings. If you would like to make a change to that field, please email Sarah Burnett.
Volunteer in the Igloo and Den
One of the most frequent and fun volunteer opportunities is selling concessions in the Igloo or Den. It’s a great way to meet other parents while getting a glimpse of life in the Upper School or the best view of a game on the Peterson Family Field.
Sign Up for Shifts:
Upcoming Events
Under the Lights Week
Boys’ Varsity Soccer: Thursday, October 19, 4:15 p.m.
Varsity Field Hockey: Thursday, October 19, 6:00 p.m.
Varsity Football: Friday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.
All at the Middle and Upper School Campus - Peterson Family Field
We ask that fans not linger on campus once all games are over.
Early Signing Day Information Requested Deadline
Friday, October 20
Registration Link Sent for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, October 20, 10:00 a.m.
End of First Quarter
Tuesday, October 24
Dance Team Open Practices for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 24
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
Parent Meetup: Tennis Lessons and Open Play
Wednesday, October 25
Middle and Upper School Tennis Courts, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Register to attend
Grades JK-12 Parent Coffee: Equity and Inclusion
Thursday, October 26
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Senior Yearbook Ad Deadline
Friday, October 27
Upper School Play, “Lend Me A Tenor”
Friday, October 27
Lower School Olson Theater, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Reserve your ticket
Upper School Play, “Lend Me A Tenor”
Saturday, October 28
Lower School Olson Theater, 2:00-4:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Reserve your ticket
Upper School Play, “Lend Me A Tenor”
Sunday, October 29
Lower School Olson Theater, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Reserve your ticket
Dance Team Open Practices for Grades 7-12
Tuesday, October 31
Upper School Dance Studio, 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Register for this open practice
Early Admission Application Deadline for Siblings
Wednesday, November 1
First Quarter Report Cards Available
Wednesday, November 1, 4:00 p.m.
Parent Teacher Conference Days
No School
Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3
Parent Meetup: Honor Flight Volunteer Day
Saturday, November 4
Dulles International Airport, 8:30-11:00 a.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Debut
Monday, November 6
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Parent Morning Mixer
Tuesday, November 7
Upper School Multipurpose Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
National Letter of Intent Early Signing Ceremony
Wednesday, November 8
Upper School Learning Commons, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Junior Family College Night
Wednesday, November 15
Upper School Gym, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
For Junior Families Only
Raising a Kid Who Can, Parent Education Event
Thursday, November 16
Olson Theater, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Register to attend
