Middle School Newsletter - May 24, 2023

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Message From Division Director

As we enter the final stretch, here is another rundown of the remaining days of school.

Friday, May 26 — Last day of regular classes, and we will have Huskyfest (like Field Day) in the afternoon, 1:00-3:00 p.m., and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal.
Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day, no school.
Tuesday, May 30 — Science and language exams in the morning, flexible time in the afternoon and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal. Please note that students may be picked up early (with SchoolPass notification) but are welcome to stay for the entire afternoon.
Wednesday, May 31 — History and English exams in the morning, flexible time in the afternoon and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal. Please note that students may be picked up early (with SchoolPass notification) but are welcome to stay for the entire afternoon.
Thursday, June 1 — Math exam and a final town meeting in the morning, makeup exams and flexible time in the afternoon, and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal. This is the last day of school. Please note that students may be picked up early (with SchoolPass notification) but are welcome to stay for the entire afternoon.
Grade 8 Dance — Thursday, June 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Middle School Commons
We will celebrate this important milestone with a festive evening in our building, and we hope that all members of the Class of 2027 will attend and enjoy the evening as a group. Parents are welcome to take pictures on the terrace until 6:45 p.m. Recommended Dress — a dress; or a suit jacket, dress pants and a tie. Please keep it simple and avoid homecoming and prom-style attire and transportation.
Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony — Friday, June 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Upper School Gym
Students should be dropped off at the Middle School by 10:00 a.m., and parents should park in the Upper School lot and proceed to the main Upper School entrance. Family members and relatives are invited to attend; no R.S.V.P. required. Seventh graders may attend as audience members, but their attendance is not required. There will be a brief reception for families in the Upper School Commons immediately following the ceremony. Recommended Dress — a collared shirt or blouse with khaki-style or dress pants; skirt with a blouse or sundress.

Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School

Announcements

Enrollment Contract Binding Date — Thursday, June 1

Thursday, June 1, is the date on which your 2023-24 Flint Hill Enrollment Contract becomes legally binding. As stipulated in the contract, if a student is withdrawn for the 2023-24 school year after Thursday, June 1, those who are financially responsible for that student are liable for payment of the full tuition. If your child(ren) will not be attending Flint Hill School next year, please contact Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations Anne Peterson prior to Thursday, June 1. If you have specific billing questions, please contact Student Billing Specialist Sammy Nelson.

Preparing for the 2023-2024 School Year — Parent Action Items and Resources

Several resources are now available to help families prepare for the 2023-24 school year. To access the Resource Board, visit www.flinthill.org/app, then enter your username and password. After you log in, click on the Preparing for the 2023-2024 School Year tile.

Back-to-School Forms — Online back-to-school forms are now available on Husky Hub and are required for students to attend school and any school activity prior to the start of school. The deadline for submission is Saturday, June 17.
Health Forms — Starting Friday, June 9, parents are asked to log into the Health Portal to submit required health forms, which are due Tuesday, August 1.
Calendar — Access the 2023-2024 Calendar Highlights for your convenience in planning for next year.

Middle School Exams

Students will have exams in English (an in-class revision of an essay), history, math, language and science, and each exam counts as 10% of the semester grade in a particular course. Each exam will be one hour with extended time as needed, and the remainder of the school day will consist of games and activities. Like with everything else in middle school, we are trying to hit the sweet spot with exams — helping students engage in what will be an increasingly important academic process while still treating it as a low-stakes learning opportunity. Our focus is more on the review process and long-term study skills than the results. We want them to prepare thoughtfully, strive for their best and feel the “good stress” that can motivate, focus energy and enhance performance. We hope the students come away from the experience with the realization that exams don’t have to be scary and with an understanding of how they may adjust their preparation in the future based on what worked well for them and what didn’t.

Rising 8th Grade — Independent Community Service Project

The Middle School Community Services tile on our Resource Board includes information about the 8th Grade Independent Community Service Project. This involves at least 10 hours of service and a presentation during our Service Share in the spring. We encourage rising 8th graders to begin planning or even completing hours this summer. Please follow the link for complete details, suggested service sites, and a Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact our Middle School Community Service Coordinator Ann Bazzarone with any questions.

Medication Pickup

Any medication sent to the School Clinic this year (including emergency medication like eEpiPens, inhalers and diabetic supplies) must be picked up on or before Monday, June 5, at 2:30 p.m. Medications are not stored at the School over the summer. All medication not picked up by that date will be discarded.

Please call the division clinic to schedule a time for you to pick up your child’s medication.

Lower School Clinic - 703.584.2399
Middle School Clinic - 703.584.2397
Upper School Clinic - 703.584.2396

2023 Summer Tutors List

A few Flint Hill faculty and staff will be available for tutoring this summer. Please note that FH employees may only tutor FH students between June 14 and August 18. All arrangements for times, rates and payments are solely between the faculty member and the family, and tutoring sessions may not take place on campus. This information is also available on the Preparing for the 2023-24 School Year tile on the Resource Board.

Summer Basketball Camp for Girls Going into Grades 3-9

Families of girls going into grades 3-9 are invited to register now for Girls Basketball Camp, June 20 - 23, and take $100 off with the discount code: SUMMER. Staffed by knowledgeable high school and college players and coaches, this camp offers players of all levels the opportunity to improve basketball skills and make new friends. Age-appropriate drills will teach players dribbling, shooting, passing, as well as offensive and defensive strategies. The camp emphasizes individual skills, teamwork and sportsmanship and ends with multiple competitive tournaments for those who wish to showcase their new skills.

Upcoming Events

Friday, May 26
Middle School Huskyfest
Peterson Middle School, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Memorial Day, No School
Monday, May 29

Grades JK-12 Last Day of School
Thursday, June 1

Grade 8 Dance
Thursday, June 1
Peterson Middle School, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Enrollment Contract Binding Date
Thursday, June 1

Medication Pickup Deadline
On or before Monday, June 5 by 2:30 p.m.
Please call the division clinic to schedule a pick up time.

Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony
Friday, June 2
Upper School Gym, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Commencement
Friday, June 9, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Watch the livestream beginning at 9:45 a.m.

Summer Programs Begin
Monday, June 12

Final Grade Reports Available Online
Wednesday, June 14, 4:00 p.m.

Required Online Back-to-School Forms Deadline
Saturday, June 17

Required Health Forms Due
Tuesday, August 1

Parents’ Association

Volunteer in the Igloo During Exam Week: May 25 - 26 and May 30 - June 1

There are a few more opportunities left to volunteer in the Igloo before the end of the year! The Igloo will open from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during Upper School exam days, and volunteers are needed to serve hungry Huskies.

Uniform Donation Drop-Off: May 30 - June 9

Parents can drop off gently-used uniform and spirit wear items on the Miller House front porch from Tuesday, May 30, to Friday, June 2, and Monday, June 5, to Friday, June 9. Middle and Upper School parents are welcome to donate too! Please be sure items have been laundered. Reach out to Melissa Riley with any questions.

Reminder to R.S.V.P.: Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Wednesday, May 31

Check your email for the invitation that was sent on May 5 to join us for a reception to celebrate your volunteer service to Flint Hill! R.S.V.P. by May 26 via Paperless Post, and contact Olivia Landrum with questions.