Middle School Newsletter - February 16, 2022
Message From Division Director
Like most schools in the country, we are still spending many hours each week discussing health and safety protocols and considering adjustments at school. Since we made the leap to start the last school year on-campus, we have thoughtfully assessed risk and modified restrictions to allow students to enjoy the social, academic and athletic aspects of our program that are so important to their experience. Thankfully, we are a long way from the early days of that school year, when students were masked outdoors and unable to even pass a ball back and forth. We also know that, as we move toward making masks optional, we are moving too quickly for some and too slowly for others. We are clear on the arguments for taking that step immediately. We are paying close attention to data and recommendations from local, state and national health agencies, calling for organizations to remove layered strategies when cases and transmissions hit low/moderate rates for an extended period of time.
Overall, we have returned to all of our previous practices and programs in our Middle School. Students may gather in small or large groups without distance restrictions. We have assembled the entire Middle School together in the Commons. During lunch, students are unmasked while eating and may sit with whomever they wish, either inside or outside. Masks are optional outside during break and lunch every day. We have returned to off-campus trips this year — athletic games since the start of the year and upcoming grade level trips in the spring. Lastly, we look forward to ending the year with our traditional in-person Closing Ceremony, Eighth Grade Promotion and the Eighth Grade Dance.
We are encouraged by our high vaccination rates and currently very low case rates. We will continue to assess our protocols and update you in the next few weeks.
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
THE LATEST
Spring Athletics Information
Our winter athletic season ends next Friday, February 25, and we begin the spring season on Monday, February 28, with an organizational meeting. Please see this letter for information about each sport option — practice location, team breakdowns and equipment needs.
Major Minors, Tuesday, February 22, at 7 p.m. In the Upper School Commons
Fresh from their tours of Virginia Commonwealth University and William & Mary, Flint Hill’s award-winning a capella group, Major Minors, will take the audience on a journey that covers multiple decades and genres of music — performing classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes — completely a cappella. The concert will take place in the Upper School Commons and admission is free!
Parent Toolkit Resource Board Tile
The Parent Toolkit tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board is available. It is a resource with valuable information to help Flint Hill parents throughout the rest of the school year.
Friendly Reminders
- Use this form to request additional RFID tags for carpool.
- Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to them.
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.
Presidents' Day — Grades JK-12 No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed
Monday, February 21
Major Minors Winter Concert
Tuesday, February 22, 7-8:30 p.m.
Uniform and Spirit Wear Donation Drop-Off
Thursday and Friday, February 24 and 25
Location: Porch, Miller House, Lower School Campus
Rising Grade 9 Virtual Division Coffee: Upper School Academic Planning
Friday, February 25, 8:45 a.m.
Last Day of Middle School Winter Athletics
Friday, February 25
End of Third Quarter
Wednesday, March 9
Grade reports will be available online on Thursday, March 10, at 4 p.m.
Friday, March 11
Middle School conferences will be on-campus in the morning and virtual in the afternoon. We will send a signup link on February 25. Please note Upper School is in session for a regular day of classes.
Spring Break
March 12-27
Classes Resume
Monday, March 28
Health Services
Helpful Links
Flint Hill Positive Case and Close Contact Exposure Protocols
COVID-19 Vaccination Status Dashboard
All of these links can be found on the COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board.
Reminder: Keep Everyone Healthy by Staying Home if Sick
If your student has fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should keep them home to recover. They must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Parents' Association
Spring Donation Opportunity
Spring cleaning? Donate your student’s outgrown uniforms.
If you have Flint Hill polos, navy or khaki bottoms, spirit wear or P.E./athletic wear that your child has outgrown, please drop them off, at your convenience, on the Miller House front porch — on the Lower School campus — on Thursday, February 24, and Friday, February 25. Thank you for contributing items that are either new or in good, used condition and have been recently laundered. Questions? Please contact Adrienne Robinson in the Advancement Office.
The Flint Hill Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic Is Back!
The Flint Hill Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic is back! We can’t wait to spend a day on the course with fellow Huskies, parents and alumni — on May 26 at the Westfields Golf Club. This casual golf scramble brings together our community like no other, and all levels of golf ability are welcome. Registration and sponsorships are now open, so start creating your foursome or sign up on your own to make new connections! Not ready for a full 18? Play in the skills clinic or volunteer throughout the day. Visit flinthill.org/golf to register, sponsor, volunteer or learn more!
Opportunity: Host a Grade Level Parent Dinner!
The Parents’ Association is looking forward to hosting grade-level parent dinners at people’s homes. Contact Sibel Unsal necatismom@gmail.com if you are interested in hosting!
Love
One of the biggest reasons I love Flint Hill so much is because it loves me back. Every time I ask the school to give me more, it somehow manages to do so. Read more.
School Store
School Store Updates
Layer for the day with our youth and adult outerwear. We have some great ¼ zips and jackets for those cold mornings and warm afternoons.
Check out our Last Chance Spirit Wear and our Sale items. With extremely limited quantities left, these sale items won’t last long.
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.
NEWS ON THE HILL
