Lower School Newsletter - April 6, 2022
Message From Division Director
It is always a pleasure to connect with you during afternoon carpool. Whether I am wearing an oversized rain suit in preparation for a storm that never happened until the evening hours or wearing my winter boots in spring because I cannot stand my feet being cold, my goal is to get your attention. Based on your smiles and unique facial expressions, it seems to be working! Making connections and building relationships are valuable and cherished now more than ever before.
Now that we are getting back into the swing of things, Megan and I would like to hear suggestions on how you would like to become more involved. I am so appreciative of the fourth grade families who are available to chaperone during field trips. There are a few sixth grade parents who are brainstorming ways to celebrate our oldest Huskies before they transition to Middle School. Other parents have asked to read a book to our littlest Huskies. Some connection is better than no connection, so please feel free to call or email Megan or me and share your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School
The Latest
March Reading Madness Results Are In!
Congratulations to our Huskies, as they blew past our goal and read a total of 2,906 books!
Dress Guidelines for 2022-2023 School Year
As we prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, please review the Lower School Dress Guidelines. In summary, there are no changes.
As the oldest Huskies begin to learn more about their transition, it would be helpful for rising seventh grade families to review the Middle School Dress Guidelines to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have any questions, please free free to contact Brian Lamont, director of the Middle School.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Play Practice
On Monday, March 28, the fifth and sixth-graders started rehearsals for the Fifth and Sixth Grade play. Also, note that some students will rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays only, and others rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. These rehearsals will continue until the performance on May 19. If you have additional questions, please reach out to the Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus.
Fifth Grade Transition Information
Math Placement — Virtual
Math Department Chair Jess Henry will host our next virtual math placement meeting, “The Student-Centered Approach,” for Rising Sixth Grade parents on Wednesday, April 13, 9-9:30 a.m.
Sixth Grade Transition Information
Course Selection Reminder from Brian Lamont — Monday, April 11
Mr. Lamont, director of the Middle School, will share math, English, and language placement recommendations directly to sixth grade students and parents on Monday, April 11, to begin the course selection process.
Middle School Course Selection / Q and A Session — Tuesday, April 12
Sixth graders will have the opportunity to hear from Brian Lamont about the 2022-2023 courses and ask current seventh graders questions about Middle School life and what to expect on Tuesday, April 12, 8:05-8:40 a.m.
Local Field Trips Are Back!
Please refer to the upcoming events for Grade 4:
Wednesday, April 13: National Colonial Farm Tour, 8:25 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26: Chesapeake Bay Field, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
MAKING THE LEARNING VISIBLE
Although the Lower School did not attend the All-School Founder’s Day Gathering, our Huskies watched the event in their classrooms. Having them remain in their class communities is another example of how we keep the students at the center of every decision. They were comfortable, moved around when needed, and we provided our youngest Huskies the opportunity to color or draw during the live stream.
During our Tuesday Lower School Morning Meeting, students created a video, “What is a Founder?” They had a great time learning about our special day and how important the gathering is within the Flint Hill School community.
Springfest Updates
Join us for Springfest — our annual weekend featuring spring season athletic contests and alumni reunion on April 21 - 22. Everyone is invited to come together to cheer our Huskies on to victory! Some games will feature recognition of alumni athletes who have returned to celebrate milestone reunions.
Stay and Play, Husky Clinics:
Location: Upper School Grass Field (near the baseball field) and Peterson Family Turf Field
Time: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
All JK-6 Flint Hill students and children of alumni are invited to join our Upper School baseball, softball and lacrosse student-athletes and coaches for an exciting clinic filled with fun drills, group activities and structured games. This clinic is free and will conclude with a pizza social for all participants.
Register your child for this fun opportunity. You will need to submit a form for each participating student. The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 20.
For questions about Springfest activities, contact Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson.
Arts Jam Is Next Week — Wednesday, April 13!
Join us for the most exciting performing arts event of the year — the annual Arts Jam concert, featuring Upper School band, choir, orchestra, percussion, dance, and musical theater! The concert will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University. Details are on the Arts Jam webpage.
George Mason University Center for the Arts COVID policy: All attendees regardless of age who attend an indoor event or performance at the Center for the Arts must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of their visit and present proof of vaccination or show a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry. More information about GMU’s policy can be found here.
Save the Date! Grandparents and Special Friends Day
May 6, 2022
We are excited to welcome grandparents and special friends to spend the morning with their Husky! This special morning is devoted to experiencing Flint Hill through the eyes of their grandchild or special friend. Guests will follow the student’s regular schedule throughout the morning including classes, specials and recess. This event is for grandparents and special friends of Lower School students in grades JK-6. We politely request parents visit during open classroom days, throughout the school year, in order to accommodate grandparents and special friends on May 6.
Invitations have been mailed to grandparents and special friends. Visit flinthill.org/grandparents for registration and more information about the day. To help us provide a special surprise for grandparents and special friends, please complete this form by April 15.
FRIENDly REMINDERS
- Use this form to request additional RFID tags for carpool.
- Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to them.
PARENT TO-DO'S
Please Complete the Annual Parent Survey
On Tuesday, every Flint Hill parent should have received an email from Measuring Success, the company that administers our annual parent survey, with a personalized link to this year’s survey. Please take a moment now to open that email and take the survey. Your feedback is very important to the school. If you did not receive an email from Measuring Success, please reach out to them at schools@measuring-success.com for help or to have the link resent.
Upcoming Events
To help protect the integrity and privacy of virtual events, we have placed all the links to Google Meet virtual events in Husky Hub via the All-School Calendar.
Grades 5 and 6 Play Practice
Mondays/Tuesdays (Group 1) and Wednesdays/Thursdays (Group 2)
Rising Grade 7 Course Selection with Mr. Lamont / Q&A Session
Tuesday, April 12, 8:05-8:45 a.m.
Grade 4 National Colonial Farm Tour
Wednesday, April 13, 8:25 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Rising Grade 6 Parent Virtual Meeting: Math Placement:
Part II — The Student-Centered Approach
Wednesday, April 13, 9-9:30 a.m.
Arts Jam
Wednesday, April 13, 7 p.m., Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University
Grades JK-12 Two-Hour Delayed Opening
Wednesday, April 20
A Toast to John (Thomas)
Friday, April 22, 8 p.m., Peterson Middle School
Classroom Visits 2.0
Fridays, April 22 and April 29, 8:15-8:45 a.m.
Stay tuned for additional details!
Grade 4 Chesapeake Bay Field Field Trip
Tuesday, April 26, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Friday, May 6
Health Services
Helpful Links
Flint Hill Positive Case and Close Contact Exposure Protocols
COVID-19 Vaccination Status Dashboard
All of these links can be found on the COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board.
Reminder: Keep Everyone Healthy by Staying Home if Sick
If your student has fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea you should keep them home to recover. They must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Parents' Association
There’s Still Time to Join Us for a Fun Day on the Links!
Spend the day with fellow Huskies, enjoy lunch and try your luck at our opening MegaPutter contest. This is all luck, and no skill required! All players putt at the same time, and the first one to land a hole in one wins. Whether you want to play in the tournament or learn the basics at the skills clinic, it’s a fun day of community building for all.
Very few foursomes remain for the tournament, but there are still some individual spaces open and plenty of spots available for the clinic. All abilities are welcome, so invite a friend and join us on the links.
Grab your spot here!
Golf for All!
As you may imagine, I am not a golfer. I am not even that good at miniature golf, but I love the Flint Hill Golf Invitational! Every year, I volunteer to help greet golfers, set up raffle tables and assemble gift baskets. It is such a fun day to be outside. Read more.
NEWS ON THE HILL
