Lower School Newsletter - September 15, 2021
Message From Division Director
The Lower School Ice Cream Socials were a huge success! Students, teachers, Ms. Dhar and I walked to John Thomas’ garden. In typical Flint Hill School fashion, he provided them with the opportunity to explore and inquire. The Lower School is all about inquiry-based learning, and I can not think of a better way for our Huskies to spend time with the Headmaster while doing their very best to listen while visions of Klondike bars and popsicles danced in their heads. Also, to say that those moments were adorable and fun for them is an understatement. It was an exciting way to start the school year at the Lower School.
Last week, you received an email from John Thomas regarding Lower School adjustments that were implemented on September 13. It was our hope to begin the year with activities that were halted due to COVID last year, however, the well-being of our students and teachers is of the utmost importance. As I mentioned to the faculty and staff, we are in a “not right now” moment in time, and we will continue to do everything we can to keep our Huskies safe. Also, the school-parent partnership is valuable, especially during this time of uncertainty. As always, I thank you for your support. Please be sure to refer to the article in the Parent Resources section, “Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19,” on ways to best support your child.
Robyn M. Nichols
Interim Director of the Lower School
The Latest
SchoolPass Carpool Placard Request
Thank you for your patience as we work together to acclimate to the new afternoon carpool procedure using SchoolPass. Please have your carpool placard visible, preferably on the passenger side window, to ensure that the carline moves as quickly as possible. If you did not receive a placard in the mail, please email Interim Director of the Lower School Robyn Nichols.
Head of School Candidate #1 Visiting Next Week
Our three campus finalists will each be spending two busy days on campus. Candidate #1 is visiting September 19-21. During the visit, we are hosting a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 5-5:45 p.m., so parents and alumni can hear from each finalist. This will be a webinar-style virtual presentation where the host, Liza Renner, chair of the Search Committee and member of the Board of Trustees, will present predetermined questions to the candidate. Participants will have an opportunity to share feedback with the Search Committee via a survey, available for 24 hours following each webinar. Thank you for your participation and support of this important process.
Click on the Head of School Candidate Visits tile on the Resource Board for links to the candidate’s bio, webinar and feedback survey.
Technology for Remote Learning
The Flint Hill School Remote Learning Guidelines are now available. Students are finalizing their Digital Citizenship classes to ensure the appropriate use of their School-issued iPad, as documented in the Lower School Digital Husky Promise.
Students will bring their school-issued devices home on a daily basis. Thank you for your partnership and support to ensure that your child keeps the Digital Husky Promise in mind while the iPad is in use. Please refer to the article in the Parent Resources section, “Common Sense Media: Screen Time,” to explore questions based on your child’s age.
Seesaw/Google Classroom/Husky Hub
Our priority is to provide various forms of communication with families throughout the school year regarding your child’s classroom assignments, projects and Home Learning. Teachers in Grades JK-6 will use Seesaw to make your child’s learning visible in the Lower School. Along with Seesaw, students in Grade 5 will use Google Classroom to retrieve and submit classroom assignments. Although parents do not have direct access, please check your child’s page weekly. Lastly, Grade 6 will use Seesaw, Google Classroom and Husky Hub (direct parent access). You may notice a gradual progression of platform exposure and level of responsibility that aligns with what is developmentally appropriate.
Tech Reminder
Our student technology program works very hard to provide quick help desk assistance while also maintaining strong internet security. To meet those goals, we ask that only Flint Hill issued devices be used by teachers and students on campus. This is a reminder for families: students may not use personal devices on campus; they should use their Flint Hill issued devices.
Middle and Upper School Athletic Games
As one school with two campuses and three divisions, we value the times we are able to come together as a community. Typically, families across divisions enjoy attending Middle and Upper School athletic games.
If Lower School families plan to attend events on the Middle and Upper School campus, here is some important information to consider:
- For the health of our Lower School students, our outdoor mask policy is different on our campuses. They are required on the Lower School campus and encouraged, but optional, on the Middle and Upper School campus.
- Lower School students must be actively supervised by parents or guardians. Students may not be dropped off on the Middle and Upper School campus to attend games or events unsupervised.
- For games on the Peterson Family Field, Lower School families whose students are using the playground are encouraged to sit in the stands near the playground, so you can actively supervise them.
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 2022-23 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 2022-23 school year, please complete this interest form no later than October 1. Alternatively, you can simply begin by completing the admission application. The application deadline is November 1 for completed applications, to receive an admission notification at the end of January. For more information, please schedule a 15-minute admission consultation with Jennifer Webb, director of enrollment management and financial aid, here, or Dawn Hopke, associate director of admission, here.
Parent Resources
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.
Lower School Virtual Back to School Night
Thursday, September 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
Health Services
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
Join Us for Miller House Monday Next Week!
An informal social for JK-12 parents hosted by the Advancement office and Parents' Association President.
Join Parents’ Association President Sibel Unsal P ’22 at the next Miller House Monday, taking place on Monday, September 20, 8:30-10 a.m. After carpool dropoff, come by the Lower School and meet on the porch of the Miller House — the historic home located on the left upon entering the Lower School Campus. Please park in any of the visitor spaces next to Miller House or Hazel Lower School. If those are filled, use the empty spaces in the parking lot behind the Activity Center or by the basketball courts. Please don’t park in the Miller House circle. All JK-12 parents and guardians are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!
One House. Many Functions.
Read more about Miller House Mondays.
Looking to Volunteer?
The Den, our newest concession stand, located on the Peterson Middle School terrace, is opening soon. Come join us!
Making the learning visible
What Does It Mean to Be a Husky?
First graders have been building community by sharing about themselves and reflecting on what it means to be a Husky. Students spent the first week of school drawing their self-portraits to share with their teachers and classmates. During Daily 5 Time, students took time to learn what good readers do to build reading stamina. Each class set a goal daily to increase their reading stamina and worked to improve each day. Students also began writing with a “Talk (As You Draw)” writing activity, where they reflected upon what it means to be a Husky in the Lower School.
School Store
Order Pick Up
Beginning Monday, September 20, free shipping will end. To avoid shipping costs, there will be an option to pick up your order. This year, if you select the pick-up option, your order will be delivered to your student’s division office and will be sent home with them.
Restocking and New Inventory
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we continue working with our vendors to stock and restock the School Store. More inventory has been ordered and is on the way. Please continue to check the New Stock and Restock Alert tabs on the website.
Not sure what size to purchase? Purchase the size your student currently wears. If these items do not work for your student, please contact Adrienne Robinson to start the return/exchange process.
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.
