Lower School Newsletter – April 15, 2026

Stepping Up to the Next Grade Level

• Rising Grades K-3: Those who were not able to attend last week’s webinar are invited to view the recording and slides of the presentation.
• Rising Grades 4-6: Parents are invited to attend this virtual event on Wednesday, April 23, 12:00-12:45 p.m., and learn more about what to expect as their student steps up to the next grade level. Join via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ywr-czkt-jgd or join by phone: ‪(US) +1 650-466-0224‬ PIN: ‪530 534 239‬#
• Rising 7th Grade: Those who were not able to attend last week’s orientation session for rising 7th grade parents are invited to view a recording and slides of the presentation.

RSVP for Lower School Spirit Nights — April 20 and 21

During Lower School Spirit Week, our youngest Huskies will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of varsity athletics firsthand! Lower School students are invited to attend select varsity contests on Monday, April 20, and Tuesday, April 21, where they will join our teams for portions of warm-ups, be recognized during player introductions, and cheer alongside teammates, families, and fans.

This special tradition helps build connections across divisions, allows our Lower School students to envision their future as Flint Hill student-athletes, and brings the entire Husky community together in support of our spring varsity teams. We encourage all Lower School families to attend, wear Husky spirit gear, and help create an energetic game-day atmosphere for our athletes!

A parent or guardian must attend with their child.

RSVP for Lower School Spirit Nights.

Playground Party to Welcome New Husky Families — Sunday, April 26

On Sunday, April 26, 3:00-4:00 p.m., we hope our current JK-2 families will help us give a warm Husky welcome! Join us on the Lower School playgrounds to meet our newly enrolled families in rising grades JK-3 for a fun, relaxed afternoon of connection and play. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 23. Questions? Reach out to Dawn Hopke.

Grades 5-8 Spring Concerts

Join our 5th-8th graders for their spring musical performances: choir, band, and percussion.

• Choral — Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Olson Theater, Hazel Lower School.
• Band — Thursday, May 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Olson Theater, Hazel Lower School.
• Percussion — Tuesday, May 19, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Upper School Gym.

Early Dismissal on Grandparents and Special Friends Day — Friday, May 8

Grandparents and Special Friends Day is on Friday, May 8, at the Lower School. Invitations were recently mailed directly to grandparents and special friends. Please contact Olivia Landrum to invite a new guest or to update the contact information of a grandparent or special friend.

Important Information for Parents

• To help with limited parking, please plan to drop off your guests during regular morning carpool.
• Guests who need to drive separately may begin arriving at 7:45 a.m. It’s helpful if all guests have arrived by 8:15 a.m.
• The school day will end at 11:00 a.m., and pickup will begin at 11:15 a.m. Students must leave with their guest or be picked up by a parent at this time.
• Aftercare will not be provided, and there is no afternoon bus service for Lower School. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent your child from being picked up at 11:15 a.m., please contact Donna Holaday in advance of the event.
• This is not a required school day for Lower School students. If your child will be absent, please notify the school in SchoolPass.

Parent Meetup: Move and Mingle — Tuesday, May 12

Stay active with fellow parents and join Katie Ramsey P'28, '30 and Fatima Latif P'28 for a Zumba class! Katie will lead a 45-minute class that gets your heart pumping and ends with a Pilates-style stretch. The next class will be Tuesday, May 12, 9:00-10:00 a.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Sign up and contact Katie Ramsey with any questions.

Lower School Field Day Parent Volunteer Sign-up — By Friday, May 15

Field Day continues to be a success year after year thanks to the time and enthusiasm of our wonderful parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for Field Day on Thursday, June 4, please complete this form by Friday, May 15. Spots tend to fill quickly, and registration will close once 40 volunteers have signed up. Lunch will be provided for parent volunteers. We look forward to celebrating the end of the school year together with a fun field day!

Field Day Schedule:

• JK-3rd Grade — 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
• 4th-6th Grade — 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
• Pizza Lunch — 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Thursday, May 14

Head of School Patrick McHonett invites parent volunteers to a reception celebrating your service to Flint Hill on Thursday, May 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the Peterson Middle School, John M. Thomas Terrace. RSVP here.

5th Grade Class Trip to Terrapin Adventure Ropes Course — Friday, May 15

Celebrating their achievements and final novel study of "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds, 5th Grade will embark on an exciting trip on Friday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., to Terrapin Adventures with zip-lining, a giant swing, and team-building challenges!

For your child's participation, please complete this waiver by Friday, April 17. This waiver is required for participation in all activities at Terrapin Adventures.

Serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador for 2026-27 — Sign Up by Friday, May 15

You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year. The sign-up form is open through Friday, May 15. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Divisional Ambassador role, please contact Assistant Director of Engagement Olivia Landrum or Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne.

You can also reach out to one of this year’s Divisional Ambassadors to hear about their experience. Please see below for more information:

• Divisional Ambassador Description — Duties and Responsibilities
• Divisional Ambassador FAQs

AI: Hype vs. Reality with Arjun Gupta '08 — Monday, May 18

Join Flint Hill alum Arjun Gupta ’08 for an evening of connection and innovation. Beyond a fascinating look at how technology is shaping our world, this is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Flint Hill parents and experience firsthand how the School’s spirit of curiosity and innovation continues to thrive.Arjun will demystify AI tools like ChatGPT and share practical insights on how to stay ahead of the curve while avoiding common pitfalls.We’ll gather for refreshments at 6:15 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Peterson Middle School.

View more details and register today.

Limited Edition FH Golf Hat — Available Until Thursday, May 21

Show your Flint Hill pride on or off the course with a custom-embroidered FH hat. Not interested in playing in the golf event, but still want a hat? When registering, select “Golf Hat Only” and continue to the Add-Ons section to complete your order. Visit the Golf Invitational and Skills Social 2026 webpage to register, and reach out to Olivia Landrum with questions.

Recording of Our PES on Postponing Alcohol and Drug Use

Thanks to those who were able to attend our Virtual PES on Postponing Alcohol and Drug Use. Prevention specialist Brenda Conlan provided practical tips for guiding preteens and teens toward healthy, substance-free decisions to help pave the way for an emotionally healthy adulthood. Those who missed it are invited to view the recording. For additional resources, please go to the Wellness tile in Husky Hub.

Do You Have Artificial Intelligence Expertise?

From time to time, teachers look to enrich the classroom experience by connecting students with real-world perspectives. The depth of knowledge within the parent and alumni community makes that possible in meaningful ways.

As interest in artificial intelligence continues to grow across disciplines, the School is beginning to explore ways we might tap into this expertise. If you have experience in AI or a related field and are open to being a resource, we would welcome the opportunity to connect. There is no set format or commitment at this stage.

Please contact Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne if you are willing to be contacted as a potential resource in the future (no obligations).

Summer on the Hill Highlights: Theatre & Outdoor Adventures

The Hobbit: An Adventure Play
Grades 4-6; June 15-26 (closed Friday, June 19)
Register here.

Outdoor Adventures
Grades 5-6; July 6-10
Register here.