Dear Flint Hill School Family,
The weather continues to be a challenge for all of us, though I hope we are all beginning to come to terms with the fact that we are truly having a winter.
It’s time for us to have a talk soon. Didn’t you always fear that phrase, when your parents said, “We need to talk”? As we raised our kids, we always did our family talks around the breakfast table. Here at school, we offer a variety of opportunities for home and school to talk. Division directors have held divisional coffees throughout the year, and I held a Parent Discussion Series in the fall. Now, I am ready for my second series to start next week. Below is the schedule for my upcoming Parent Discussion Series, and I hope you will be able to join me:
Wednesday, February 5
8:15 a.m. – Upper School Cafeteria
Grades 9-12 Parent Discussion Series
Wednesday, February 12
8:15 a.m. – Middle School Library
Grades 5-8 Parent Discussion Series
Wednesday, March 5
8:15 a.m. – Middle School Library
Grades TK-4 Parent Discussion Series.
This is a change from what was originally scheduled on our school calendar (2/19), due to the fact that I have received a Jury Summons for that day.
While all of the meetings that I held in the fall were focused around the big picture of the social and emotional development of our children, and how school and home need to work together, I would like to use our time together this winter to share and reflect on whatever may be important to you and our partnership of home and school. In the professional world now, we refer to such meetings as an “unconference.” It is a more of a Q&A session of an open discussion.
To that end, I have some things to mention and would love to get some feedback from you regarding rewards and recognition at various divisions. We also need to talk a bit about our marketing and brand. I would like to touch base with you about the academic program for each division, and what the “rigor” looks like today as we focus on so many different aspects of learning. Each discussion will be focused on the particular division at hand and your input, thoughts, questions, and suggestions, will be appreciated and valued.
I am sure some of you would love to hear more about our Winter Weather Policy and school days. At the same time, please feel free to send me a note if there is a specific question that you would like to discuss with me.
Please know, that these are opportunities for us to openly communicate with each other. As always, I will have a few handouts and some additional information. Meanwhile, you will have my full attention as we talk and share together some topics of interest.
One of the hallmarks of our community is the open, accessible, and honest communication that we share. I must admit, there are times I do hear wild rumors about things that often stun me because they are not true. This may be a time to dispel some of those rumors.
I look forward to seeing you at the coffees! If you can’t make it, but would like to come in and talk personally, please don’t ever hesitate to contact my assistant, Mrs. Yarbrough (ayarbrough@flinthill.org or 703-854-2301) to make an appointment at your earliest convenience.
Stay warm, stay safe, and stay dry! Who would have thought that those words would have become the common refrain here in Northern Virginia?
Best wishes to you!