Lower School Newsletter - December 1, 2021
Message From Division Director
I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! With so much change and unpredictability, spending time with family and friends is needed now more than ever. During my seven-hour drive to Ohio last week, I had much time to reflect on the school year so far. It’s been full of beautiful moments with the students, connecting with parents, showcasing our amazing Lower School program to prospective families, and working alongside a talented group of educators who give it their all daily for our Huskies. Lastly, I’m thankful for YOU! Between restrictions to accessing the building and some families asking to pivot to our Remote Learning Plan, I appreciate your transparency and patience during these challenging times. Please know the School is doing everything possible to provide the best for the students while taking every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of our Lower School community. I can’t thank you enough.
Do you or someone in your family have a career, passion or story you would like to bring to our Lower School Huskies? The Brown Bag Lunch Program is a long-standing tradition in the Lower School that was created to enrich our students’ learning and exploration. Parents, alums, faculty and current Upper School students have hosted presentations to share about their career, passion or personal story. Historically, students signed up for sessions of high interest to them, and the lunch presentations were limited to space availability for an in-person presentation. As we operate under the current COVID guidelines, we look forward to opening these sessions virtually for as many students who would like to participate on a voluntary basis. If you would be interested in sharing with our Lower School Huskies and leading a virtual presentation, please email Interim Assistant Director of the Lower School Megan Dhar.
With the fluctuation in temperatures, students are frequently misplacing jackets, sweatshirts and accessories. The Lower School office has compiled Lost and Found slides that will be regularly updated. If your child has lost an item, and you notice it on the slides, please inform their teacher or email Megan Dhar so that it may be returned to them. Your student may also make a visit to the rack of items, which is in Room 309A.
Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School
The Latest
Dressing for Cold Weather
In cold weather, a hat, gloves and a winter-weight coat are required attire to go outside. Barring a medical condition, all children will participate in outdoor recesses. If wind chill conditions cause temperatures to feel 20 degrees or less, students will remain inside for recess. Children who do not have the required outerwear will not be allowed to go outside. It would be appreciated if parents could ensure that their child/children have the appropriate clothing for break and recess.
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.
Refer-a-Husky Today
Nearly every family who enrolls at Flint Hill was either referred by or talked with a current family during the admission process. Your perspective is critically important. You are in the best position to identify potential Huskies who are a great fit for our school.
Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to invite them to learn more about Flint Hill.
PARENT RESOURCES
Parents Council of Washington Event: Speaker Series — Connectedness, A Discussion with Drs. Chris Thurber and Hendrie Weisinger
The Parents Council of Washington (PCW) invites you to attend its upcoming virtual event on Tuesday, December 7, at 7 p.m. Psychologists and Co-Authors Drs. Thurber and Weisinger will discuss their new book, “The Unlikely Art of Parental Pressure: A Positive Approach to Pushing Your Child to Be Their Best Self.” This PCW Speaker Series event will address the biggest parenting dilemma of all time: how to push kids to succeed and find happiness in a challenging world without pushing them too far. Parents will learn how to transform unhealthy pressure into a powerful force that guides, encourages, motivates and inspires their children to be their best selves and will ultimately build a deeper connection with their child.
The discussion will be followed by a Q&A period. Please submit any questions you may have in advance to administration@parentscouncil.org. All parents, administrators, faculty and staff are invited. Register here.
Making the Learning Visible
Wednesday Walk with Junior Kindergarten
The Junior Kindergarten class has been taking a weekly Wednesday walk. They looked for and collected (from the ground) some signs of fall. Students returned to the classroom and used those pieces of nature to practice the math skills of sorting, looking for the same and different attributes, and making AB patterns.
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.
Husky Pride Dress Day
Every Friday
Week of Thankful Giving
Monday, November 29-Wednesday, December 1
We will be collecting items for donation to Food For Others.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening
Wednesday, December 8
Lower School drop-off will begin at 9:20 a.m.
Lower School Information Session
Saturday, December 11, 8:30-10 a.m.
Health Services
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.
Stay Up To Date: Review This Year’s COVID-19 Protocols and Procedures
The COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board has this year’s protocols and procedures.
The COVID-19 Case Dashboard has been updated.
Parents' Association
Thanksgiving Reflections and Looking Ahead
Arriving from Istanbul, Turkey, to Santa Ana, California, in the fall of 1958, my father did not speak English nor did he know anything about the American holiday of Thanksgiving. What he did know was: he had the day off from his English class, everywhere was closed, and he didn’t have a kitchen. Read more.
School Store
Tip-Off Tournament
Need spirit wear for the white-out? To receive your items for Friday, place your order no later than noon on Thursday, December 2. Select “Local Pickup” to have your order dropped off to your student’s division.
Pick up some great accessories and stocking stuffers at the School Store Accessory pop-up at the FH Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, December 3, from 2:30 to 7 p.m. We will have some of your favorite accessories including hats, tote bags, car stickers and more!
Stadium Seats
We have a few stadium seats left from Homecoming. Place your order today for Tip-Off!
Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is upon us. To ensure you or your loved ones receive Flint Hill spirit wear before winter break, please place your orders by Wednesday, December 15.
The School Store uses priority shipping, but please allow a week for local packages to be delivered and up to two weeks for packages mailed outside the DMV area.
How Do I Make an Exchange or Return?
Please email Adrienne Robinson within 30 days of your original purchase. Include your order number, the item(s) that didn’t work, and if you would like to return your items or exchange them. Exchanges may be made for the same item in a different size or for an item of equal value. We are happy to issue a refund for items that did not work for you.
