Lower School Newsletter - March 29, 2023

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MESSAGE FROM DIVISION DIRECTOR

Welcome Back! I hope that you and your family had a memorable Spring Break. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership during the Student-Involved and Student-Led Conferences, which took place March 6-10. I connected with some of you and was excited to hear how you found it to be a valuable component of the Lower School experience. Providing an opportunity for our Huskies to reflect with their families and take ownership of their learning makes the journey memorable and priceless. As always, thank you.

Earlier today, we held our Rising Grades 5 and 6 Virtual Parent Meeting: Math Placement. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to our Lower School Math Department Chair Jess Henry.

Please be sure to view the Upcoming Events below as we’d love to see you!

In partnership,

Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School

Announcements

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.

Arts Jam at George Mason University — Wednesday, April 12

Arts Jam is around the corner, and this year's theme is “Celebration!” The concert will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University. The concert features the Upper School band, choir, orchestra, percussion, dance, and musical theater ensembles. The performance is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Admission is free and no reservations are necessary. More information about the venue, including a map and parking instructions, is available on the Arts Jam website.

For 6th Grade Parents: Rising 7th Grade Parent Orientation and Course Selection — Wednesday, April 12

Director of the Middle School Brian Lamont will send complete information about course selection, including the Middle School Program Guide and placement recommendations for English and math.

On Wednesday, April 12, 6th grade parents are invited to the Peterson Middle School for an in-person session on course selection.

8:15-9:00 a.m. — Rising 7th Grade Parent Orientation. A video presentation will be shared with parents who are unable to attend.
9:00-9:45 a.m. — Q&A about course selection. Parents with questions who are unable to attend may contact Brian Lamont.

Grade Transition Coffees — Friday, April 14 & Friday, April 21

Informational sessions will be offered in April for Lower School parents to learn more about what's in store for your child's next school year. The program will include a Divisional presentation as well as a visit to a rising grade level classroom for a teacher presentation.

Rising Grades K-3 Transition Coffee — Friday, April 14, 8:15-9:00 a.m. Parents of current students in Grades JK-2 are invited to attend.

Rising Grades 4-6 Transition Coffee — Friday, April 21, 8:15-9:00 a.m. Parents of current students in Grades 3-5 are invited to attend.

A Night on the Hill: What to Wear — Friday, April 14

Join current parents, alumni parents, trustees, employees and alumni for an all-adult evening of community building and fun at the Peterson Middle School – Friday, April 14, 7:30-10:00 p.m. Email invitations were sent in early March via Paperless Post, and we’ve received questions about what to wear. Who better to answer than the one-and-only Klondike! See Klondike’s advice and R.S.V.P. by April 5. Contact Olivia Landrum ’11 with any questions.

An Evening with Alum Author Caralena Peterson ’10 — Wednesday, April 26

The Flint Hill Parents’ Association and Alumni Office are proud to co-host a special evening with our very own Caralena Peterson ’10, author of “The Effortless Perfection Myth” on Wednesday, April 26, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Upper School Learning Commons. Caralena informs parents of the red flags to look out for and the not-so-obvious strategies their children may be using to hide all that is going on beneath the surface, while providing pointers for engaging them in conversation about how it’s okay to not always be okay.

Register to Attend — The first 50 people to R.S.V.P. will receive a complimentary copy of Caralena’s book. Visit our website or contact Tiffany Parry in the Advancement Office for more information. This event is open to the public. Please feel free to share this information with friends, neighbors and book clubs.

Upcoming Events

Grade 5 Poetry Share
Friday, March 31
Olson Theater, 8:30-9:45 a.m.
5th Grade families are invited to attend a student Poetry Share performance in the Olson Theater, followed by light refreshments in the Commons.

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

Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, April 3
Peterson Middle School, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Parent Social following Learning Center Coffee
Tuesday, April 11
Peterson Middle School, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Rising Grade 7 Division Coffee: Parent Orientation & Course Selection
Wednesday, April 12
Peterson Middle School, 8:15-9:45 a.m.

Parent Social following Divisional Coffee
Wednesday, April 12
Peterson Middle School, 9:45-10:15 a.m.

Arts Jam
Wednesday, April 12
George Mason University, 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Transition Coffee for Parents of JK-2
Friday, April 14
Hazel Lower School, 8:15-9:00 a.m.

A Night on the Hill
Friday, April 14
Peterson Middle School, 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Transition Coffee for Parents of Grades 3-5
Friday, April 21
Hazel Lower School, 8:15-9:00 a.m.

An Evening with Alum Author Caralena Peterson ’10
Wednesday, April 26
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Parents’ Association

Upcoming Parent Socials

The Divisional Ambassadors are here to help you connect! They are actively involved in our community and encourage you to get involved too. Read about the Divisional Ambassadors on our website as well as volunteer opportunities and Parents’ Association events.

You're invited to join us for these upcoming events:

Tuesday, April 11: 10:00-10:30 a.m., Peterson Middle School
Wednesday, April 12: Middle School Division Coffee, 8:30-9:45 a.m., and Parent Social, 9:45-10:15 a.m. at Peterson Middle School
Wednesday, April 19: Upper School Division Coffee (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), 8:30-9:30 a.m., and Parent Social, 9:30-10:00 a.m. at the Upper School Building
Friday, May 19: Lower School Division Coffee (Open Forum), 8:15-9:15 a.m., and DA Parent Social, 9:15-9:45 a.m. at Hazel Lower School

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. Register for the webinar.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day — Friday, May 12

We look forward to welcoming Grandparents and Special Friends on Friday, May 12, to spend the morning with their Husky and get a glimpse into their educational experience! 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 12.

Invitations will be mailed to grandparents and special friends soon. They can R.S.V.P. by returning the reply card, registering online or contacting Olivia Landrum at rsvp@flinthill.org.

To help us provide a special surprise for grandparents and special friends, please complete this form by April 19.

Below is preliminary information for your convenience.

Event Schedule
7:45 - 8:15 a.m. – Arrival and Check-In (If possible, guests are asked to travel to school with their Husky and be dropped off in morning carpool.)
8:20 a.m. – Welcome from Head of School Patrick McHonett
9:00 a.m. – Classroom Visits Begin
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Event Concludes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How will I know my students’ grandparents will be invited?

A: If you shared grandparent contact information with the school at the beginning of the school year, they will receive an invitation in the mail. If you would like to provide or update contact information, please email grandparents or special friends’ names, addresses, emails and phone numbers to Olivia Landrum.

Q: Where can I find more information?

A: Visit the Grandparents and Special Friends Day website for more details. We will continue to update parents in the newsletter.

Q: Are students allowed to leave school early with their grandparent or special friend that day?

A: Yes, with parent permission. Parents, please use the SchoolPass system to notify the school if your student will be leaving early that day.

Q: What if my student won’t have a visitor that day?

A: Not to worry, students will attend their classes that day as usual with or without guests.

Join Us for a Fun Day on the Links — Thursday, May 25

The Golf Tournament and Skills Clinic is for everyone! It’s not about skill or just playing a great round of golf; it’s about the people and building community. Connect with parents, alumni and friends to benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel.

While there’s plenty of fun to be had in the tourney, the Skills Clinic is as much or perhaps even more fun. The Skills Clinic is for the once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime golfer, and it’s for the golfer who’s just not up for a full round. Enjoy an hour-and-a-half of skills taught by pros and casual conversation with other “students.” Then, connect with the golfers arriving for the 18-hole round and for lunch in the Clubhouse!

All abilities are welcome, so sign up at flinthill.org/golf.

Spring Concessions Volunteers Needed

The spring schedule is now available for concessions volunteers at The Den. Students are welcome to volunteer as well and will receive service hours. 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!