Lower School Newsletter - September 14, 2022

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Message From Division Director

The first six weeks of school is a time for laughter and connections, to solidify expectations and help students understand what it means to be a Husky — not only by their words but in their actions. The first six weeks of school are a distinct period, a time of many introductions. We introduce students to the people of the classroom and school community, to the school environment and to the expectations we hold about learning. We also introduce and establish expectations for behavior, the limits we will set and the ways we will enforce those limits. We introduce the routines that help students learn while taking care of each other and the environment.

We carefully structure the first six weeks so that students will participate actively in all of these introductions. They practice the expected skills and behaviors — at first with very close teacher guidance and structure and then, as their familiarity and competence grow, with increasing amounts of independence. During this time, we aim to:

Create a climate and tone of warmth and safety. Students will come to know each other and develop a sense of belonging through activities that help them define their commonality and their differences.
Teach the schedule and routines of the school day and our expectations for behavior in each of them. A sense of order and predictability in daily school life is important. It enables children to relax, to focus their energy on learning and to feel competent.
Introduce students to the physical environment and the materials of the classroom and the school, and teach students how to use and care for them.
Establish expectations about ways we will learn together in the year ahead. We want to generate excitement and enthusiasm about the curricula we will engage in this year.

I hope that each afternoon, you’re greeted with a smile and a burst of excitement as your child shares the details of their school day. Hazel Lower School is a wonderful place full of love, support, guidance and educators who give it their all. There is no place I would rather be!

In partnership,
Robyn

Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School

Announcements

Back-to-School Night — Learn the Classroom ABCs

The beginning of the school year is such a pivotal time for families. We kicked off with our Hopes and Dreams Conferences, and now you will have the opportunity to learn more about your child’s daily classroom learning experience. Your child’s teacher will share the ABCs of their grade level, communication expectations, home learning, Seesaw and much more! To prepare for the evening, please review the 2022-2023 Lower School Program Guide. Grades JK-3 Back-to-School Night will take place on Thursday, September 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., and Grades 4-6 on Thursday, September 29, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Donna Holaday.

Important Campus Driving/Parking Reminders

In order to keep safety as our highest priority, please follow all traffic directions and signage including the following:

Flint Hill community members are never permitted to park in the local neighborhoods. If you arrive for an event and the campus lots are full, please check in with a traffic officer on duty for alternative parking options.
When driving to the Middle School, remember that the Oakton Road entrance may only be accessed from the right-hand turn lane on Oakton Road. Left-hand turns are not permitted from Oakton Road into the Peterson Middle School parking lot.

Student Absence: Classwork Policy

Informed by the experiences of the previous years working within the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the learning outcomes and impact on our students, faculty, and staff of hybrid and asynchronous learning during that time, the following represent guidelines for continued learning when a student is absent from school.

The goals of this policy are two-fold:

to support individual and community health and wellbeing, and
to maintain the integrity of a one-of-a-kind Flint Hill educational experience.

To that end, students and families should treat absences for illness as a necessary time to recuperate, and academic work is NOT an expectation during this time.

Read More

Early Admission Process for Siblings

As members of our Husky family, we are offering an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year.

If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the application process for the 2023-24 school year, please complete this interest form by Saturday, October 1. Alternatively, you can simply complete the admission application. You must complete the application by November 1 to receive an admission notification in mid-December. For more information, please schedule an appointment with the admission team member for your division of interest.

School Store — Temporary Closure for Improvements

The School Store will be closed from Wednesday, September 14, through Wednesday, September 28, to move to a new platform. During this time, the store will not be taking any orders online or in person. We are excited to provide an improved shopping experience for everyone when we relaunch on Thursday, September 29. Please get your returns in by Wednesday, September 21. To contact School Store Manager Kaleena Buckwalter, please call 703.584.2413 or email schoolstore@flinthill.org.

Resources

Self-Awareness Quotes That Help Kids Explore Their Inner Selves

Digital Health and Wellness for the 21 Century Families

Screen Time for Kids

Upcoming Events

All-School Gathering
Wednesday, September 21
Upper School Gym, 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

Grades JK-3 In-Person Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 22
Olson Theater, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Parents' Association Pickleball Social
Thursday, September 29
Country Club of Fairfax, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Grades 4-6 In-Person Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 29
Olson Theater, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Parents’ Association

Parents’ Association Pickleball Social — Waitlist Available

The Parents’ Association Pickleball Social registration filled up fast and is full, but you can join the waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available. Questions? Contact Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum ’11.

Calling All Concessions Volunteers!

Parent volunteers are needed to help sell concessions in both The Igloo and The Den during the day and after school. More opportunities will be added throughout the year for each athletic season. Please sign up for as many shifts as you'd like, and feel free to invite a friend to sign up with you too.