Lower School Newsletter - October 28, 2020
NEW AND UPDATED INFORMATION
Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 11
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a great opportunity for us to further our partnership with you, celebrate your children's successes and discuss strategies for enhancing their progress. Parent-Teacher Conferences in the Lower School will be held on Friday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 11. To facilitate scheduling conferences, we will use an electronic system, called Calendly, that allows you to schedule all of your meeting times in advance. The link to Calendly was emailed to families this morning.
As we prepare for our Parent-Teacher Conferences next week, here are some tips for parents from an article published by Independent School Management:
- Prepare. Write down topics you would like to discuss and specific questions you would like to have answered.
- Number the questions based on importance and ask your most important questions first, just in case time runs out before you have a chance to discuss them all.
- Ask your child if there are topics he or she would like to have discussed. If so, remember that the “facts” about the situation relayed to you by your child are coming from a child's perspective.
- Be on time and respect time limits. Teachers have tight schedules; plan to arrive five minutes early so you can collect your thoughts and begin the conference on time.
- Don’t bring the student or other children to the conference unless this is a special request made by the teacher.
- Try to be open-minded to comments or suggestions that the teacher makes. Listen first, reflect and then act.
- Keep your emotions under control. It’s okay to feel defensive on behalf of your child, but act as an advocate.
- Ask for specific suggestions. Take notes so you can share the information with your child.
- Remember that you and the teacher are on the same team!
- Express appreciation for the teacher’s time and energy. Saying “thank you” can go a long way! Show your appreciation by asking what you can do to help continue the learning process at home.
Also, here is an excellent article written by well-known psychologist, parent, author and presenter Michael Thompson. In "The Fear Equation," Thompson talks candidly about the latent fear that exists in a parent-school partnership and offers some great advice and reminders.
Halloween
Instead of Husky Pride, to celebrate Halloween on Friday, October 30, students may wear Halloween colors to school. They should wear sneakers. Students may also wear Flint Hill spirit wear or uniforms if they prefer.
Articles
Techniques for helping children navigate anxiety related to COVID-19
How to Talk to Children About Politics
Prepping for Parent-Teacher Conferences
UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER
Candy Bar Election
During the next two weeks, Lower School students will be studying the election process by participating in a Candy Bar Election, organized and led by sixth grade students. Each grade level nominated a “bar,” and our primary election was held on Thursday, October, 22. Twix, Kit Kat and Hershey's Chocolate Bar were the three winning candy bars. This week is campaign week. The general election for the top three winners, with our virtual friends voting by mail, will be on November 4 and 5. Each student will be required to fill out a voter registration card in order to vote. The goals for this mini unit are for students:
- To understand that all citizens of a community have civic responsibilities.
- To understand that voting is both a freedom and a right.
- To participate in a community decision-making process.
We are looking forward to the many “sweet” learning experiences this simulation is going to provide for our students!
Online Ordering for Student Portraits and a NEW DATE for On-Campus Make-up Day
Flint Hill student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! If your child had a school portrait taken, you should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received this (check your spam folder too), please contact them at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452. Due to the forecast, the make-up day for on-campus Lower School students previously scheduled Thursday, October 29, has been moved to Thursday, November 12.
UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM THE LAST NEWSLETTER
The first meeting of the virtual Kaleidoscope Book Club is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 9-9:45 a.m. We will discuss “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult. We look forward to building and deepening relationships through this shared learning opportunity. All parents are welcome to attend regardless of your familiarity with the book selection. Please submit your name and email address, in this form, to RSVP for the first meeting and/or be added to our email list. Please contact All-School Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.
Driving Spirit Award Nominations Due December 11
Send your nominations to Ana Yarbrough.
The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill teachers and staff who have demonstrated ethical leadership, diligent intellectual scholarship and a commitment to teaching, coaching and mentoring students. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to the “Driving Spirit,” which makes our School the special and unique place we all value — a place that honors excellence while emphasizing the importance of our core values: respect and value all equally, lead and support with compassion, act with integrity, imagine what’s possible and blaze the trail. These teachers and staff members lead by example through their dedication and ability to energize and inspire Flint Hill’s community to new heights of learning and leadership, both inside and outside the classroom.
Please think about the great current teachers and staff members in the Flint Hill community whom you believe fit this description. Emails and letters should be sent to Ana Yarbrough by Friday, December 11.
Upcoming Events
Halloween Colors
Friday, October 30
Add to Calendar
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Sunday, November 1
Kaleidoscope Book Club Virtual Meeting
Monday, November 2, 9-9:45 a.m
Election Day
Administrative Offices Closed
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Tuesday, November 3
Add to Calendar
Parent Conferences JK-12
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Friday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 11, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Add to Calendar
Fall All-Husky School Spirit Day
Tuesday, November 10
NEW DATE - JK-6 On-Campus Learner Picture Make-Up Day
Thursday, November 12
Add to Calendar