Lower School Newsletter - September 23, 2020

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

Now Live! Parent Toolkit Resource Board Tile

Parents and guardians received the link to the Parent Toolkit on Monday afternoon. As of Tuesday, September 22, the Preparing for the 2020-21 School Year tile on the Resource Board has been retired. As noted in Monday’s email, 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.

Helpful Links for Parenting in a 1:1 Home

Navigating life with children and technology can be a challenge, but we’re here to help! Visit our Parent Technology Resources website for tips and ideas for parenting in a 1:1 home. As a reminder, you can access the Parent Technology Resources site at any time from the Resource Board in Husky Hub under “Technology Resources.”

Homework vs. Home Learning

For a number of years, guided by research on homework, our previous homework policy was based on time (e.g.,10 minutes for first grade students, 20 minutes for second grade students, etc.). Three years ago, in addition to reviewing the current research on homework, we surveyed Lower School students, parents and teachers to request their feedback on our approach to homework. After reviewing all of the feedback we received, and after a great deal of consideration, we crafted this policy for home learning.

2019-20 Yearbook Supplements

The 2019-20 Yearbook Supplements are here! These will be sent home from advisory to returning students. They will be mailed to returning virtual students.

Free Dress on Friday, September 25

Lower School students are welcome to wear free dress on Friday, September 25. They also have the option to wear their school uniform.

An Update Regarding Links in Old Pushpages (Emails sent through the School email system)

Due to an update that was recently made by the software vendor for our email system, links shared in emails sent before July 21 will no longer be available after October 20. If you attempt to access a link in an old pushpage sent before July 21, after October 20, you will receive an error. Fortunately, the most up to date information regarding School operations is available in the Weekly Newsletter and on the Resource Board in Husky Hub.

This update does not affect links sent through Gmail.

Learning Location Selection for the Second Quarter Launches September 28

The Learning Location Form for the second quarter will launch in Husky Hub on September 28. Parents and guardians will receive an email notification when the link becomes live. Parents who chose to select their student’s learning location on a quarterly basis are required to complete the form by Monday, October 5. Parents who chose their student’s learning location for the year will not need to resubmit the form.

School Store Update

With more frequent Husky Pride days in the Lower School this year, spirit wear is in hot demand! Orders have been placed to restock the store and future newsletters will highlight when new stock has arrived (including Flint Hill masks).

Articles

9 Tips to Help Your Child Wear a Mask

Kids Regressing? Help Them Cope with Stress During Coronavirus

What’s the Right Amount of Homework

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.

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.