Middle School Newsletter - March 1, 2023

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Message From Division Director

Part of our growth-focused approach with students involves providing feedback on their work and giving direction on areas for improvement. As a School and a Middle School division, we try to model a similar growth mindset and use of feedback. Here are a few formal ways we are gathering and using data from students and from you.

Lunch Survey: As previously noted, we surveyed our students in December and made some menu adjustments based on their preferences. If they have specific opinions and feedback moving forward, please direct them to me.

Course/Teacher Survey: Prior to Spring Break, students will fill out anonymous surveys for each of their classes. Through a combination of rating scales and open-ended questions, the survey focuses on the teacher’s learning environment, clarity of expectations, helpfulness, things to keep and things to change. The results inform my responsibility to ensure quality and consistency throughout our program. I also share responses directly with each teacher and department chair as they consider ways to refine and improve the classroom experience.

Parent Satisfaction Survey: Each spring, as Patrick noted in the previous newsletter, we give parents the opportunity to give feedback on all aspects of our program and their experience. Stay tuned for more details after Spring Break.

Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School

Announcements

Lower School and Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences – Friday, March 10

We invite you to meet in-person on Friday, March 10, with each of your child’s teachers for 10 minutes. Please note that, while no Lower or Middle School classes will meet, the Upper School will still be in session. The sign-up link was sent by email on Tuesday, February 21. Please email Brian Lamont if you did not receive that email.

8th Grade Human Sexuality Programming — Thursday, March 2

As noted in the previous newsletter, Lottie Walker, an AASECT-certified sexuality educator, will teach this unit during science classes, March 3-9. The material will include a brief review of the physiological changes of puberty and the human reproductive system; an overview of sexually transmitted diseases; an in-depth discussion of consent and healthy communication; an examination of terminology used to differentiate sexuality from gender; and an introduction to the topic of abstinence and pregnancy prevention. There will also be an emphasis on exploring family and individual values and relating them to healthy interpersonal relationships and decision making. For additional information on the topics covered, please refer to this unit overview. On Thursday, March 2, at 9:30 a.m., Lottie will host a virtual parent session to preview the unit and discuss strategies for parents to engage in these conversations with their child.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Discussion, "Dress Coded" — Monday, March 6

The Kaleidoscope Book Club provides an opportunity for parents to connect and discuss a variety of topics through books. The group will discuss the book "Dress Coded" by Carrie Firestone on Monday, March 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. You are welcome to attend even if you haven't read the book. We look forward to building and deepening relationships through this shared learning opportunity. Please contact Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.

Course Selection for 2023-2024 (Students in 8th Grade) — Opens Monday, March 27

The timeline for current 8th graders will follow the Upper School process. The online course selection module will officially open on Monday, March 27. Here are the slides about Rising Grade 9 Course Selection from Assistant Director of the Upper School and Academic Dean Debbie Ayers’ presentation at this morning’s Rising Grade 9 Division Coffee: Upper School Academic Planning. We will share information and speak with students the week of March 27, using this pared-down version of Debbie's presentation to highlight typical 9th grade schedules and requirements.

Course Selection for 2023-2024 (Students in 6th and 7th Grades)

In the second week of April, we will begin the process of course selection for those who will be middle schoolers next year — providing information about our Program Guide, options for students by grade level, guidance about selecting the appropriate courses and load, and Q&A sessions for students and parents.

8th Grade Community Service Reminder — Saturday, April 1 Deadline

As part of their Independent Community Service Project, 8th graders need to have their 10 service hours completed by Saturday, April 1. Students have been receiving reminders, and complete details are available on our Middle School Community Service tile.

Summer on the Hill — Limited Space Available

Spaces are still available to register for Summer on the Hill!

Headfirst Summer Camps: Ages 3-5
Athletic Camps: Grades 3-9
Enrichment Camps: Grades 5-9
For-Credit and Academic Prep Courses: Grades 9-12
D.C. United Soccer Camp and Washington Nationals Baseball and Softball Camps: Ages 5-13

Contact Director of After School and Summer Programs Matt McCoart with any questions.

A Message From the Yearbook Staff

Hello, Flint Hill parents! We are doing a flashback section in the yearbook this year and are offering the opportunity for you to submit old photos of your Flint Hill Husky. The pictures can be from Flint Hill or outside of Flint Hill. There is no age specification; any picture from before high school works!

If you’d like to participate, please email your photo to yearbook@flinthill.org and be sure to include the following information:

Your student’s full name.
Your relationship with them as the submitter (i.e. mom/dad).
Their current grade.

Upcoming Events

Parent Morning Mixer
Thursday, March 2
Miller House, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Grade 8 Virtual Parent Coffee: Human Sexuality
Thursday, March 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Google Meet link: meet.google.com/ian-orub-jen

Lower School Uniform Exchange Drop-off
Thursday, March 2 - Friday, March 3 & Monday, March 6
Miller House Front Porch, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, March 6
Peterson Middle School - Conference Room, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

End of Third Quarter
Wednesday, March 8
Grade reports viewable on Husky Hub.

Lower School / Middle School Parent Conferences, No Lower School / Middle School Classes
Friday, March 10

School Store Open
Friday, March 10
Hazel Lower School - Room 112, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Spring Break, No School
Monday, March 13 - Friday, March 24

Course Selection for 2023-2024 (Students in 8th Grade) Opens
Monday, March 27

8th Grade Community Service Deadline
Saturday, April 1

Parents’ Association

Last Parent Morning Mixer — Tomorrow: Thursday, March 2

Join us tomorrow — Thursday, March 2, 8:15-9:15 a.m. on the Miller House front porch at the Lower School campus — for our last Parent Morning Mixer of the 2022-2023 school year. All JK-12 parents are invited to this informal social, after morning drop-off, to get together and visit with other parents. Rain location: Miller House cafeteria.

Spring Uniform Drop-Off — Thursday, March 2 - Friday, March 3 & Monday, March 6

Parents may drop off gently-used, clean uniforms, P.E./athletic and spirit wear on the Miller House front porch: Thursday, March 2, Friday, March 3 and Monday, March 6, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Middle and Upper School parents are also welcome to donate.

Spring Uniform Exchange Next Week — Friday, March 10

Mark your calendars for the Spring Uniform Exchange on Friday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., in Room 101 of the Hazel Lower School. Enter the Lower School through the front entrance (Door 1) to check in with Security, and head down the stairs to Room 101. There is no cost for this event, and you do not have to donate uniforms in order to participate. Item availability is based on donations and will be first-come, first-served.

School Store Open During the Uniform Exchange — Friday, March 10

Great news – the School Store will be open during the Uniform Exchange! Stop by for in-person shopping on Friday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The School Store is located in the Hazel Lower School in Room 112, just down the hall from the Uniform Exchange (Room 101). Be sure to stop by the School Store and check out the new spirit wear. Please email schoolstore@flinthill.org with any questions.

Parent Social hosted by Divisional Ambassadors — Tuesday, April 11

The Divisional Ambassadors are here to help you connect! They are actively involved in our community and will be encouraging you to get involved, too, by sharing information about volunteer opportunities and Parents’ Association events. Read about them on our website (click the “Divisional Ambassadors” tab).

Join the Divisional Ambassadors for an informal social on Tuesday, April 11, 10:00-10:30 a.m., at the Peterson Middle School, immediately following the Learning Center Coffee (JK-12), 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Save the Date for A Night on the Hill — Friday, April 14

All JK-12 parents, alumni parents and alumni are invited to A Night on the Hill for an all-adult, social evening at the Peterson Middle School – Friday, April 14, 7:30-10:00 p.m. An electronic invitation and more details will be sent soon.

Parents Council of Washington Speaker Series (Zoom): Ana Homayoun — Thursday, April 20

Flint Hill is a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW), a nonprofit organization that hosts programming for member schools throughout the school year. On Thursday, April 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m., FH parents are invited to a PCW webinar presentation — “Social Media Wellness: Helping Children and Adults Build Buoyancy in an Unbalanced Digital World.”

Noted author, speaker and educator Ana Homayoun will discuss modern parenting dilemmas in the age of smartphones and speak about the framework of the three Ss – healthy socialization, effective self-regulation, and overall safety – from her book, “Social Media Wellness: Helping Teens and Tweens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World.” Ana will offer practical solutions for parents, educators, and students of all ages as they navigate the ever-changing issues involving social networking and healthy child and teen development. Time for Q&A will be provided after the presentation. Please submit advance questions by Friday, April 14, to administration@parentscouncil.org.

It’s Tee Time at FH’s Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic — Thursday, May 25

Whether you're a once-a-week or a once-a-year golfer, join the Flint Hill community for a casual golf scramble that brings together our Huskies for a fun day on the links! Form your own team, or we can place you on one. This annual tradition has a history of selling out, so make plans early and register soon to play in the Invitational. And if you prefer to not play 18, sign up for our skills clinic and get some great tips from a pro!

Proceeds benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel. Visit the Flint Hill Golf Invitational website to register, sign up to volunteer, or learn more about sponsorships opportunities. Contact Engagement and Stewardship Director Tiffany Parry with questions.

Concessions Volunteers Needed: Spring Schedule Available!

The spring schedule is now available for concessions volunteers at The Den, when it reopens for the spring athletics season. The Den is located on the John M. Thomas Terrace, the premiere spot to watch games. Additionally, The Igloo will remain open during the day for Upper School students until the end of the school year, so you can still sign up for a shift there as well. Volunteering in concessions is a fun way to make new connections with other parents across divisions. Check out the schedules and invite a friend to join you!