Dear Flint Hill School Families,

I am certain that we are all beginning to feel the pace pick up as we charge into the middle of February. It is hard to believe that in the next few weeks winter sports will come to an end and spring sports will begin. There is a constant flow of positive energy, excitement and healthy tension underway. Add to that the ever-present flow of events that are going to hit us all soon as well.

This Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Olson Theater, there is a Major Minors Winter Concert. The Major Minors is our nationally recognized a capella singing group, and often, we only hear them at special events. Many of those students also sing in the Upper School Choir, while others focus solely on this group. It is going to be a tremendous concert, and I hope to see everybody there.

On Saturday, February 10, 3:00-5:00 p.m., we will host our International Festival in the Upper School Campus Commons. A number of parents have been hard at work to bring this wonderful event to fruition. It will be a chance to showcase the international flavor of our school families. Numerous countries will be showcased, and I hope you and your families can attend.

Looking ahead, and as part of our focus on relationships and learning about and with each other, our Kaleidoscope Book Club will have its next gathering on March 1, at 8:15 a.m., in the Lower and Middle School Multipurpose Room. The Kaleidoscope Book Club is a parent group that focuses on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. In fact, last week, it held a session with 25 parents in attendance. Not everyone has to have read the book; you can always join us if you want just to engage in the discussion that is taking place. During the March 1 meeting, Debby Irving, the author of “Waking up White,” the book that the group is currently reading, will Skype in to help guide some of the discussion. After the conference with the author, the group will continue to talk about the book and their mutual reflections. It is a very positive initiative and a chance for our school family to gather on a critically important theme of togetherness and inclusion.

As we continue through the rest of February, using the theme of parenting, I am going to allow others to use my section of the Weekly Newsletter to speak to you.  For example, next week on Valentine’s Day, we are going to talk about the importance of scheduling a “date night” with your family — how to take time to focus on our families, and how important those moments can truly be for our loved ones. On Wednesday, February 21, our technology integration specialists will write about “parenting hacks” and technology resources that can help us along in the parenting journey. Finally, on Wednesday, February 28, our college counselors will write about college and preparing for that transition. The post will be a fitting introduction to the “Grade 12 Community of Concern: Transition to College” program that evening for Seniors and their families. That meeting will be the precursor to the Grades JK-12 Headmaster’s Parent Discussion Series: The College Counseling Process on Monday, March 5, at 8:15 a.m. Our Director of College Counseling Suzy Chiarolanzio will join me to make certain that all parents are aware and comfortable with the ongoing program we have in place, to help your families get ready, for the next critical steps in our children’s lives.

Hang on to your hats! We are on a “slide” now as we charge to the end of another school year. The weather may or may not work with us, and they say we will have six more weeks of winter. We will just have to wait and see. But regardless, we are Huskies, and we know how to pull the sled together in all that we are working to accomplish.

Best wishes to you!  I look forward to seeing you at many of our upcoming events.

Sincerely,

John M. Thomas
Headmaster