Lower School Newsletter - December 7, 2022
Message From Division Director
The importance of play is necessary for our younger Huskies, which is reflective in their grade-level classroom schedules and activities. There are benefits of incorporating play opportunities throughout the day that go well beyond a school setting. It’s an important teaching tool and, through play, students learn how to interact with others and develop critical lifelong skills.
The 6 benefits (below) play a role in developing and nurturing the whole child:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Cognitive
- Creative
- Communication
Play also goes beyond early childhood development and is imperative for older students too.
From an outside perspective, it may simply look like ‘kids being kids.’ However, play is needed in order for them to build connections with other students, learn about the world and themselves. Similar to our younger Huskies, play for our older Huskies improves their cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being. In this article, “Play is Crucial for Middle Schoolers Too,” focuses on how play helps students learn to cooperate, accept failure when it happens, and solve problems. Although the article centers on seventh and eighth grade students, there is mention of the positive impact of play for fifth and sixth graders.
Articles:
Three Fun Ways to Get Your Children Back to Screen-Free Play
Playing and Learning is a Family Adventure
All Work and No Play: The Importance of Balancing School and Play
In partnership,
Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School
Announcements
Gifts to Faculty and Staff
As we approach the Winter Break, I wanted to remind you of the School’s recommendations concerning gifts to faculty and staff. Flint Hill encourages simplicity in the giving of gifts. The School discourages the collection of money from parents to provide teachers or coaches with gifts. Please note that holiday gift giving is not an expectation, and individual families should decide what is best for them, keeping in mind that a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” often carries the greatest meaning.
Lower School Winter Club Registration — Thursday, December 15
The winter session of AfterSchool Clubs is fast approaching. Our club lineup and registration date will be sent on Thursday, December 15. Registration for these clubs is on a first-come, first-served basis. We are excited to have returning favorites such as Chess, Ukulele and Mixed-Media Exploration, as well as new programs, including Journalism, Mock Trial and Dance! Please email Matt McCoart with any questions.
Registration for the Fifth and Sixth Grade Play is Coming Soon!
Attention all actors. Registration for the Fifth and Sixth Grade play will take place next week. Look for an email from the Director of Fine Arts, James Venhaus with more details. Rehearsals will be from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays January 4 – March 7 with a performance on Wednesday, March 8 in Olson Theater. Some additional rehearsals may be added leading up to the production date. Please email James Venhaus with any questions.
Winter Break Classroom Celebration — December 16
On Friday, December 16, each Lower School classroom will have its own celebration as we head into winter break. Each student will be provided a sweet treat (donuts from Dunkin') to go along with any in-class activities prepared by our teachers. We hope this fun celebration helps send everyone into break with bright spirits!
Inclement Weather Classwork Policy
Delayed openings and closures will be announced to members of the Flint Hill community by 5:45 a.m. on the day of a severe weather event in the following ways:
- Text/email alerts through our emergency notification system
- A banner on our website
- Story posts on Instagram and Facebook
We also want to make you aware of our snow day classwork policy:
For students in Grades JK-2 – Starting with the second snow day of the season, teachers will provide optional home learning to be done via Seesaw or email. This work will neither be graded nor collected and is solely for the purpose of review, practice or enrichment.
For students in Grades 3-4 – Starting with the second snow day of the season and including all others, teachers may choose to assign home learning available on Seesaw or by email by 10:00 a.m.
For students in Grades 5-12 – Starting with the second snow day of the season and including all others, teachers may choose to assign work by sending an email to students alerting them of assignments by 10:00 a.m. Work should be made available on the teacher course page or through another electronic form.
Individual or additional considerations will be made in the event of:
- excessive consecutive snow days,
- a high number of individual snow days; or
- extended time periods without power.
Driving Spirit Award Nominations Deadline — December 30
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill faculty and staff members who lead by example through their dedication to students and ability to energize and inspire the Flint Hill community. Please think about the exceptional current teachers and staff members in the Flint Hill community who you believe fit this description and complete the nomination form by Friday, December 30.
Financial Aid Application Deadline — January 9
The financial aid application deadline for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, January 9, 2023. Current families can expect their financial aid notifications on February 1. New student financial aid notifications will go out on March 3. Please email admission@flinthill.org or call 703.584.2314 with questions.
School Store — New Items Coming Soon
New apparel items have been ordered and are on the way to the School Store. Stop by the School Store page to check it out.
Upcoming Events
Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Information Session
Friday, December 9, 8:15 - 9:00 a.m., Lower School, Room 201
Parent Meet-Up: Orangetheory
Tuesday, December 13, 1:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Register to Attend
Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Information Session
Wednesday, December 14, 7:30 - 8:00 p.m., Virtual via Google Meet
Winter Break
Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2
Classes Resume
Tuesday, January 3
Reminder: Self-Nominations for Divisional Ambassadors due December 16
Interested parents should complete this form to submit their self-nomination by Friday, December 16, at 3:00 p.m.
In reimagining the Parents’ Association, we are striving to create a volunteer structure that supports an even wider range of participation, has a time commitment more flexible and manageable for the busy lives of today’s parents and better reflects the diverse identities of our student body. Please refer to the email sent Monday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. for all of the details.
Parents’ Association President KayAnn Schoeneman and Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne are hosting two information sessions to answer your questions.
Friday, December 9, 8:15 - 9:00 a.m., Hazel Lower School (Room 201)
Wednesday, December 14, 7:30 - 8:00 p.m., Virtual via Google Meet
If you have any questions about the divisional ambassador role please contact KayAnn Schoeneman or Meredith VanDuyne (703.584.2351).
Parent Meet-Up: Orangetheory Class — Run, Row and Lift with Fellow FH Parents
There’s still time to sign up for a private Orangetheory class with your Flint Hill community at the Vienna studio.
Orangetheory is a group fitness, full-body workout class that focuses on either endurance, strength and/or power. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome for this hour-long class. There is no cost to attend, but registration is limited to the first 39 participants.
Tuesday, December 13, 1:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Location: 127 Maple Ave W., Vienna, Virginia
- 1:00 p.m. — Check-in and demo
- 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. — Class
- 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. — Refreshments and mingling
Register to Attend — Spaces are limited.
Questions? Contact Olivia Landrum (703.584.2315) in the Advancement Office.
Concessions Volunteers Needed – Winter Schedule
Many volunteers are needed to sell concessions during the day, after school and during basketball games. It’s a great way to meet other parents and get a special glimpse into the Flint Hill experience. Check out the schedule, and sign up for as many shifts as you'd like. Feel free to invite a friend to sign up with you too!
December
9—Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Information Session
13—Parent Meet-Up: Orangetheory, Tuesday, December 13, 1:00 - 3:15 p.m. Register to Attend
14—Parents' Association Divisional Ambassador Information Session
March
2—Parent Morning Mixer
10—Lower School Spring Uniform Exchange
April
15—Parents’ Association Spring Tennis Social
May
25—Flint Hill Golf Invitational
June
1—Volunteer Appreciation Reception
