Upper School Newsletter – October 7, 2026

Save the Dates: Community Fest and Arts Fest

Thank you to everyone who joined us to cheer, laugh, and celebrate during last week's Homecoming Under the Lights festivities — the energy across campus was truly unmatched. As we keep that spirit going, be sure to mark your calendars and save the date for two more schoolwide community events you won't want to miss:

• Community Fest — Saturday, November 14: Join the Husky community for an afternoon of connection, learning, and celebration featuring global cuisines, cultural performances, and collaborative activities that honor our school’s rich diversity.
• Arts Fest — Wednesday, April 14: We are thrilled to introduce our newly announced Arts Fest! This spectacular on-campus event brings together performing arts showcases from Arts Jam and visual arts exhibitions from the Visual Arts Show for one unforgettable celebration of creativity.

We can’t wait to gather and celebrate with our Flint Hill families again soon!

Viewing and Discussion of "Screenagers: Generation AI"

Join the Parents Council of Washington (PCW) for a screening of "Screenagers: Generation AI," a film that explores how artificial intelligence affects young people’s learning, relationships, and mental health. The screening is on Thursday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and will be followed by a live, moderated discussion with the film’s co-director and co-producer, Lisa Tabb. As a member school, all Flint Hill community members are invited to attend. Location: The Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015. Advanced registration is required. View the trailer here.

Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

Our annual Flint Hill School conference days will be held on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30. At the Upper School, we offer 8-minute conference slots with 2-minute passing time throughout those two days. Parents are encouraged to set up conferences with as few or as many of their students' 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 Thursday, October 15 by 10:00 a.m. when registration for time slots becomes available. These conferences can be held in-person or virtually, and you will be able to select your preferred option when signing up via Calendly.

Free Girls’ Lacrosse Clinic

Girls in Grade 3 and above, of all experience levels, are invited to register to participate in the Flint Hill Girls’ Lacrosse program for a free lacrosse clinic on Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., on the Peterson Family Field. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their skills, learn more about the game, and work with members of the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team and Flint Hill coaching staff. No prior lacrosse experience is required.

The clinic is open to all girls in Grade 3 and above, whether they are current Huskies or friends or family members of current Huskies. Participants should bring a lacrosse stick, mouthguard, goggles, and water. Since it’s Halloween, costumes are welcome but not required!

Drop-Off & Pickup: Parents/guardians are responsible for dropping off students at Peterson Family Field via the Oakton Road entrance before the clinic begins and for picking them up promptly at 12:00 p.m. Students should arrive ready to participate and dressed appropriately for outdoor activity.

Questions? Email Head Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Coach TJ Finnerty at tjfinnerty@flinthill.org.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club

This year, the Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club invites members to explore the power of storytelling through a selection of anthologies from We Need Diverse Books (WNDB). Featuring short stories by authors of color written for children and young adults, these collections introduce readers to a wide range of characters, identities, experiences, cultures, and perspectives — reminding us that every young person deserves the opportunity to not only see themselves reflected in books but also to discover lives and experiences beyond their own. Our discussions create space for curiosity, reflection, and connection as we explore how literature can help build empathy, broaden perspectives, challenge assumptions, and strengthen our understanding of one another.

Join us monthly, Mondays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. Please complete the Kaleidoscope Interest Form to receive additional information and to indicate your interest in upcoming sessions.

Monday, November 2

Book: Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Spotlight Stories: “Main Street” by Jacqueline Woodson; “Sol Painting, Inc.” by Meg Medina

Monday, December 7

Book: The Hero Next Door
Spotlight Stories: “Minnows and Zombies” by Rita Williams-Garcia; “The Assist” by Linda Sue Park & Anna Dobbin

Monday, February 8

Book: Fresh Ink
Spotlight Stories: “Eraser Tattoo” by Jason Reynolds; “Super Human” by Nicola Yoon

Monday, March 1

Book: A Universe of Wishes
Spotlight Stories: “Dream and Dare” by Nic Stone; “The Takeback Tango” by Rebecca Roanhorse

Monday, April 5

Book: On the Block
Spotlight Stories: “Apt. 3D” — Jasmine Warga; “Apt. 4A” by Erin Entrada Kelly

Monday, May 3

Book: The Reading Adventure: 100 Books to Check Out Before You're 12

Taming the Imposter Within Workshop

Imposter Syndrome isn’t just a workplace issue — it shows up in parenting and in our kids’ daily lives. We invite Middle and Upper School parents and students to join us on Wednesday, November 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Oakton Library, for a 60‑minute interactive workshop to help parents and students understand why capable children (and adults) sometimes feel “not good enough,” how to spot the signs, and what actually works to build real confidence. The workshop will be presented by Middle School Divisional Ambassador Payal Aggarwal P'32. Register to attend.

Financial Aid Application Now Open

Flint Hill’s need-based financial aid application for the 2027-28 school year is open. Families applying for financial aid should submit their application by Tuesday, December 1.

Important Dates

• Tuesday, December 1 — Deadline to submit a financial aid application
• Wednesday, January 27 — 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts issued to current students, including financial aid decisions
• Thursday, February 4 — Deadline for current families to submit 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts
• Friday, February 26 — 2027-28 Enrollment Contracts issued to new students, including financial aid decisions

To Access the Application:

1. Log in to Husky Hub and go to the Resource Board.
2. Click the Financial Aid Application tile.
3. Follow the prompts to begin your application.

Please contact admission@flinthill.org or 703.584.2314 with any questions.

Bus Drop-In Forms for Guest Riders

If your child plans to ride the bus home with a friend who is a regular bus rider, please complete a Drop-In Bus Form prior to travel. This requirement ensures two critical safety and operational steps:

• Parental Permission: It authorizes your child to ride and exit the bus.
• Driver Notification: It alerts our driver to expect additional passengers on that route.

Adjusted Rate: For guest rides with a regular bus student, the standard $20 drop-in fee is reduced to $10 per ride. Please indicate on the form in the final section that your child is riding as a guest of another student to receive the discounted rate. For Lower and Middle School students, please change their dismissal to bus in SchoolPass.