Lower School Newsletter - September 16, 2020

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

 

New Role Announcement

This week, we want to extend our congratulations to Dr. Michelle Odell, who has been named assistant head of school for signature and special programs. She was previously director of signature and special programs. She will continue to work closely with members of the leadership team to provide the overall leadership, vision, and strategic planning direction for Athletics, Fine Arts, Counseling, the Learning Center, and student trips.

 

Virtual Lower School Morning Meeting/Inspiration

Lower School students and teachers will meet for their first virtual Lower School Morning Meeting/Inspiration of the year, on Monday, September 21. The Lower School Morning Meeting extends the Morning Meeting experience to include the entire Lower School community. Students and teachers will come together, every Monday, to share traditions and special events being celebrated within the community, discuss topics from the academic and specialist areas represented in the Lower School and nurture students’ capacities for leadership. Each class will be responsible for hosting at least one Lower School Morning Meeting this year and, depending on the projects they are currently working on, may or may not share at the Morning Meeting they are hosting. The parents of the hosting and/or sharing class will be invited to join us virtually at this special Lower School event.

 

Parent Toolkit Resource Board Tile

Next week, the Preparing for the 2020-21 School Year tile on the Resource Board in Husky Hub will be retired for the year, and we will launch a new tile — the Parent Toolkit. The Parent Toolkit will serve as a year-long resource with valuable information to help Flint Hill parents through the remainder of the school year. A pushpage with a link to the new tile will be sent to all parents next week.

 

Library Books

A number of students have library books at home that they were unable to return before the end of the school year. If your student has library books at home from last year, please return them — in a sealed plastic bag — to the book drop outside the Lower School Library.

 

Two-Hour Delayed Openings

As a reminder, there are no two-hour delayed openings this school year.

 

Articles

Managing Uncertainty in COVID Times

Curiosity: The Metaskill to Thrive in the 21st Century

 

 

UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER

 

Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal

Please note the change to early pick-up from school. Children should be picked up by 2:30 p.m., to avoid disruption during the start of carpool. 

Detailed information about arrival and dismissal is available on the Preparing for the 2020-2021 School Year Resource Board tile here. You can also watch a detailed video about carpool here. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant to the Director of the Lower School Donna Holaday at 703.584.2360. In addition, every family was mailed carpool signs. Families with multiple households were mailed signs to each address. Signs should be displayed, on the passenger side of the car, for the duration of pick-up.

 

Back-to-School Night, Tuesday, September 22

We are looking forward to welcoming parents to our virtual Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 22. The evening will start at 7:00 p.m., with a brief video welcome from Headmaster John Thomas and me, and then parents will meet with teachers, via Google Meet, who will be presenting as grade-level teams in grades JK-5. Parents with students in grade 6 will first meet with advisors and then with the Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Math Department Chairs. To familiarize yourself with the curriculum in advance, please read the information in the Lower School Program Guide that pertains to your child(ren). While faculty will be prepared to answer questions about the curriculum, the focus of the time will be: building the partnership between home and School; communication, including how teachers will share your child’s growth and progress; and how to support your child at home so he/she is ready and available to learn. Our hope is to continue the conversation we began at our Hopes and Dreams Conferences this week.

 

Labeling Clothing/Personal Items

Each quarter of the school year, a remarkable amount of clothing and other personal items are left unclaimed in our lost and found bins, despite our best efforts to reunite them with their owners. We are asking for your help to ensure that all personal items or articles of clothing brought to school are clearly labeled with your child’s name, either by writing it on the label or by sewing a nametag into the back of the item. We would also appreciate your help in encouraging your child(ren) to take responsibility for their belongings and to check the Lost and Found regularly if something they own is missing.

 

School Portrait Information for Lower School Students

Picture day will look a bit different this year but will be offered for both on-campus and virtual learners. Students will be photographed outdoors at the Lower School Campus. Our photographers will be in masks and will observe physical distancing.

On-campus learners in the Lower School will have their portraits taken on Friday, October 2. A make-up day is scheduled for Thursday, October 29. The Husky Pride Day for the week of September 28 will be moved to Thursday, October 1, so on-campus students can wear their uniforms for portraits.

Portraits for virtual learners in JK-11th grade are available by appointment on Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 28. To make an appointment, visit https://flinthill.timetap.com and follow the prompts. Select “Flint Hill Virtual Learners” and then choose your preferred date and time.

All ordering for school portraits will occur online. You will receive an email alert with a link to your student’s gallery, when it becomes available.

 

Homework and Home Learning Policy for Special Circumstances and Religious Observances

Flint Hill School’s core values guide the behaviors and decisions of all members of the Flint Hill community. The School's Homework and Home Learning Policy for Special Circumstances and Religious Observances was created with this in mind.

Over the course of each year, there are a variety of circumstances and events outside of our published calendar that can prevent students from completing evening assignments. When these circumstances or events arise, the School will make every effort to be flexible and support students in completing their work in a timely manner.

Special Circumstances

In the event of a family obligation, illness or unforeseen emergency, Upper School students may request extra help or extensions for work missed during the student’s absence.

In the Lower and Middle Schools, teachers and division directors will work with families, to develop a plan for completing work missed during a student absence, on a case-by-case basis.

In all three divisions, families are encouraged to communicate with your child’s teacher, advisor or division director to inform them of what to expect from your child, so we can work with your family accordingly.

Religious Observances

Flint Hill deeply respects and celebrates the customary rituals, observances and family gatherings associated with religious holidays and those of differing faiths at School. Upper School students who miss school due to a religious observance or celebration can work with their teachers or advisors to make up academic work.

In the Lower and Middle Schools, teachers and division directors will work with families, to develop a plan for completing work missed during a student absence, on a case-by-case basis.

Students are also excused from school, games and practices for religious commitments.