Lower School Newsletter - March 1, 2023

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Message From Division Director

As we approach the Lower School Conferences on Friday, March 10, the teacher, your child and you have important roles to play:

Grades JK-4: Student-Involved Conferences:

Your child will lead the conversation, supported by the teacher, and will share their reflections and goals.
The parents’ role is to listen carefully, ask clarifying questions and participate in identifying strengths, areas for growth and goals.
The role of the teacher is to help prepare the student for the conference, host and facilitate the conference and assist your child with answering questions when necessary. The conference should end with a summary of the student’s strengths and goals.

Grades 5-6: Student-Led Conferences:

Your child will lead the conference and will share their reflections and goals.
The parents' role is to listen carefully, ask clarifying questions and participate in identifying strengths, areas for growth and goals.
The role of the teacher is to help prepare your child for the conference. The conference should end with a summary of the student’s strengths and goals.

The hope is that your experience will be a meaningful one, layered with celebration, reflection and that you will receive a clear picture of your child’s yearlong journey. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

There is a lot of information in this newsletter! Please be sure to review all sections.

In partnership,

Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School

Announcements

Student-Involved / Student-Led Conferences – Friday, March 10

We invite you to meet in-person on Friday, March 10, with each of your child’s teachers for 20 minutes. Please note that, while no Lower or Middle School classes will meet, the Upper School will still be in session. The sign-up link was sent by email on Tuesday, February 21. Please email Donna Holaday if you did not receive that email.

Sign Up for Spring Break Camp (March 20-24) — Registration closes Monday, March 6

It's time to sign up for Spring Break Camp! Operating from Monday, March 20 through Friday, March 24, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Spring Break Camp will be an engaging, fun and enriching experience for all campers! Activities will include art, science and music projects as well as athletics, tie-dye and a chance for campers to spend time together on the playground.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Discussion, "Dress Coded" — Monday, March 6

The Kaleidoscope Book Club provides an opportunity for parents to connect and discuss a variety of topics through books. The group will discuss the book "Dress Coded" by Carrie Firestone on Monday, March 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. You are welcome to attend even if you haven't read the book. We look forward to building and deepening relationships through this shared learning opportunity. Please contact Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.

Attend the 5th and 6th Grade Play, "Ace Diamond: Fairy Tale Detective” — Wednesday, March 8

The 5th and 6th grade play, "Ace Diamond: Fairy Tale Detective,” is inspired by the film noir style and follows Ace Diamond on a journey of self discovery through a fractured fairy-tale world. Along the way, he encounters dangerous villains like Red Riding Hood and Goldie, a cunning family of bears and many would-be actors — finally leading him to meet … the writers.

The play is on Wednesday, March 8, at 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Olson Theater on the Lower School Campus. When arriving for the performance, please enter through the Activity Center. Seating is general admission and no reservations are required.

After School Clubs Spring Registration — Opens Friday, March 10

Registration for Spring After School Clubs will open on Friday, March 10. A registration link will be emailed to families. Clubs will operate Monday, April 3 through Friday, May 12, 3:00-4:00 p.m. For questions, please contact Matt McCoart.

Rising Grades 5 and 6 Virtual Parent Meeting: Math Placement — Wednesday, March 29

In preparation for the upcoming school year, Lower School Math Department Chair Jess Henry will give a virtual presentation to provide an overview of the Math 5 and 6 course offerings. Parents will learn more about each course description and get an overview of possible course options for the 2023-24 school year and beyond. On Wednesday, March 29, 9:00-9:45 a.m. join via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 440-772-1830‬ PIN: ‪319 165 846‬#

Free Girls’ Soccer Clinic, Grades K-6 — Saturday, April 1

The Flint Hill Girls’ Soccer program is offering a FREE soccer clinic for all interested Flint Hill Grades K-6 girls and extended friends on Saturday, April 1, 9:00-10:15 a.m., at the Peterson Family Field between the Flint Hill Middle and Upper School. Join Upper School Head Varsity Girls' Soccer Coach Erica Klein and members of the FH Girls’ Varsity Soccer program for a fun morning of drills and fun games. All experience levels are welcome. Email Coach Erica Klein with any questions. Register to Attend the Soccer Clinic.

Summer on the Hill — Limited Space Available

Spaces are still available to register for Summer on the Hill!

Headfirst Summer Camps: Ages 3-5
Athletic Camps: Grades 3-9
Enrichment Camps: Grades 5-9
For-Credit and Academic Prep Courses: Grades 9-12
D.C. United Soccer Camp and Washington Nationals Baseball and Softball Camps: Ages 5-13

Contact Director of After School and Summer Programs Matt McCoart with any questions.

A Message From the Yearbook Staff

Hello, Flint Hill parents! We are doing a flashback section in the yearbook this year and are offering the opportunity for you to submit old photos of your Flint Hill Husky. The pictures can be from Flint Hill or outside of Flint Hill. There is no age specification; any picture from before high school works!

If you’d like to participate, please email your photo to yearbook@flinthill.org and be sure to include the following information:

Your student’s full name.
Your relationship with them as the submitter (i.e. mom/dad).
Their current grade.

Upcoming Events

Parent Morning Mixer
Thursday, March 2
Miller House, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Lower School Uniform Exchange Drop Off
Thursday, March 2 - Friday, March 3 & Monday, March 6
Miller House Front Porch, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Spring Break Camp Registration Closes
Monday, March 6

Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, March 6
Peterson Middle School - Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Grade 5 & 6 Play
Wednesday, March 8
Lower School Campus - Olson Theater, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Please enter through the Activity Center.

Lower School / Middle School Parent Conferences
No Lower School / Middle School Classes
Friday, March 10

After School Clubs Spring Registration Opens
Friday, March 10

Lower School Uniform Exchange
Friday, March 10
Hazel Lower School - Room 101, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

School Store Open
Friday, March 10
Hazel Lower School - Room 112, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Spring Break, No School
Monday, March 13 - Friday, March 24

Spring Break Camp
Monday, March 20 - Friday, March 24, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Rising Grades 5 and 6 Virtual Parent Meeting: Math Placement
Wednesday, March 29, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Join via Google Meet or dial: ‪(US) +1 440-772-1830‬ PIN: ‪319 165 846‬#

Free Girls’ Soccer Clinic, Grades K-6
Saturday, April 1, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Peterson Family Field between the Flint Hill Middle and Upper School

Parents’ Association

Last Parent Morning Mixer — Tomorrow: Thursday, March 2

Join us tomorrow — Thursday, March 2, 8:15-9:15 a.m. on the Miller House front porch at the Lower School campus — for our last Parent Morning Mixer of the 2022-2023 school year. All JK-12 parents are invited to this informal social, after morning drop-off, to get together and visit with other parents. Rain location: Miller House cafeteria.

Spring Uniform Drop-Off — Thursday, March 2 - Friday, March 3 & Monday, March 6

Parents may drop off gently-used, clean uniforms, P.E./athletic and spirit wear on the Miller House front porch: Thursday, March 2, Friday, March 3 and Monday, March 6, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Middle and Upper School parents are also welcome to donate.

Spring Uniform Exchange Next Week — Friday, March 10

Mark your calendars for the Spring Uniform Exchange on Friday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., in Room 101 of the Hazel Lower School. Enter the Lower School through the front entrance (Door 1) to check in with Security, and head down the stairs to Room 101. There is no cost for this event, and you do not have to donate uniforms in order to participate. Item availability is based on donations and will be first-come, first-served.

School Store Open During the Uniform Exchange — Friday, March 10

Great news – the School Store will be open during the Uniform Exchange! Stop by for in-person shopping on Friday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The School Store is located in the Hazel Lower School in Room 112, just down the hall from the Uniform Exchange (Room 101). Be sure to stop by the School Store and check out the new spirit wear. Please email schoolstore@flinthill.org with any questions.

Parent Social hosted by Divisional Ambassadors — Tuesday, April 11

The Divisional Ambassadors are here to help you connect! They are actively involved in our community and will be encouraging you to get involved, too, by sharing information about volunteer opportunities and Parents’ Association events. Read about them on our website (click the “Divisional Ambassadors” tab).

Join the Divisional Ambassadors for an informal social on Tuesday, April 11, 10:00-10:30 a.m., at the Peterson Middle School, immediately following the Learning Center Coffee (JK-12), 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Save the Date for A Night on the Hill — Friday, April 14

All JK-12 parents, alumni parents and alumni are invited to A Night on the Hill for an all-adult, social evening at the Peterson Middle School – Friday, April 14, 7:30-10:00 p.m. An electronic invitation and more details will be sent soon.

Parents Council of Washington Speaker Series (Zoom): Ana Homayoun — Thursday, April 20

Flint Hill is a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW), a nonprofit organization that hosts programming for member schools throughout the school year. On Thursday, April 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m., FH parents are invited to a PCW webinar presentation — “Social Media Wellness: Helping Children and Adults Build Buoyancy in an Unbalanced Digital World.”

Noted author, speaker and educator Ana Homayoun will discuss modern parenting dilemmas in the age of smartphones and speak about the framework of the three Ss – healthy socialization, effective self-regulation, and overall safety – from her book, “Social Media Wellness: Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World.” Ana will offer practical solutions for parents, educators, and students of all ages as they navigate the ever-changing issues involving social networking and healthy child and teen development. Time for Q&A will be provided after the presentation. Please submit advance questions by Friday, April 14, to administration@parentscouncil.org.

It’s Tee Time at FH’s Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic — Thursday, May 25

Whether you're a once-a-week or a once-a-year golfer, join the Flint Hill community for a casual golf scramble that brings together our Huskies for a fun day on the links! Form your own team, or we can place you on one. This annual tradition has a history of selling out, so make plans early and register soon to play in the Invitational. And if you prefer to not play 18, sign up for our skills clinic and get some great tips from a pro!

Proceeds benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel. Visit the Flint Hill Golf Invitational website to register, sign up to volunteer, or learn more about sponsorships opportunities. Contact Engagement and Stewardship Director Tiffany Parry with questions.

Concessions Volunteers Needed: Spring Schedule Available!

The spring schedule is now available for concessions volunteers at The Den, when it reopens for the spring athletics season. The Den is located on the John M. Thomas Terrace, the premiere spot to watch games. Additionally, The Igloo will remain open during the day for Upper School students until the end of the school year, so you can still sign up for a shift there as well. Volunteering in concessions is a fun way to make new connections with other parents across divisions. Check out the schedules and invite a friend to join you!