Middle School Newsletter - March 29, 2023

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Message From Division Director

I hope that everyone is feeling well-rested after the break — though it’s possible that some of your rest started this Monday when your kids returned to school! In the flow of a school year, I find Spring Break to be particularly important as we gear up for the final 10 weeks of the school year, while simultaneously planning for the next year. The fourth quarter can feel like a sprint, and, as the summer approaches and the temperatures rise, it can be a challenge to keep middle schoolers focused on doing their best and being their best selves. My hope for all of us is that we finish this final stretch in a way that leaves us proud of our engagement, progress, and impact. With that in mind, I created two video presentations for students to view and discuss as advisory groups this week, reminding them of our community expectations and of the role each of them play in ensuring a positive experience: FH Core Values and Behavior and Accountability. Both videos were based on the messages I shared during orientation back in August and ranged from our Core Values to more serious behaviors, some of which we've struggled with during the year.

I appreciate your partnership as we head into an exciting fourth quarter!

Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School

Announcements

8th Grade Community Service Deadline — Saturday, April 1

As part of their Independent Community Service Project, eighth 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.

8th Grade Alcohol and Drug Awareness — Wednesday, April 5

Drug and Alcohol Educator Brenda Conlan returns to Flint Hill next week to teach 8th Grade Alcohol and Drug Awareness during history classes. The lessons will be delivered in a developmentally appropriate manner. We invite parents to join Brenda for a virtual presentation about the adolescent brain, vaping, and the importance of delaying drug and alcohol usage. To access the virtual presentation on Wednesday, April 5, at 1:45 p.m., use this Google Meet link meet.google.com/ian-orub-jen.

Rising Grade 9 Course Selection for 2023-2024 Is Open

The online course selection module is officially open for current 8th grade students to log on to Husky Hub and make their selections this week. Here are the slides about Rising Grade 9 Course Selection from a recent presentation by Assistant Director of the Upper School and Academic Dean Debbie Ayers. We will share information and speak with students this week, using this pared-down version of Debbie's presentation to highlight typical 9th grade schedules and requirements.

Rising Grades 7 and 8 Course Selection for 2023-2024 — Process Begins April 10

We will soon 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. Please note that for current 7th graders, the options for next year are very similar to this year.

Monday, April 10 — Parents receive complete information about course selection, including the Middle School Program Guide and placement recommendations for English, math and language.
Wednesday, April 12 — In-person Q&A session about course selection; parents with questions who are unable to attend may contact Brian Lamont.
Monday, April 17 — Completed course selection forms due by the end of the day.

Arts Jam at George Mason University — Wednesday, April 12

Arts Jam is around the corner, and this year's theme is “Celebration!” The concert will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University. The concert features the Upper School band, choir, orchestra, percussion, dance, and musical theater ensembles. The performance is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Admission is free and no reservations are necessary. More information about the venue, including a map and parking instructions, is available on the Arts Jam website.

A Night on the Hill: What to Wear — Friday, April 14

Join current parents, alumni parents, trustees, employees and alumni for an all-adult evening of community building and fun at the Peterson Middle School – Friday, April 14, 7:30-10:00 p.m. Email invitations were sent in early March via Paperless Post, and we’ve received questions about what to wear. Who better to answer than the one-and-only Klondike! See Klondike’s advice and R.S.V.P. by April 5. Contact Olivia Landrum ’11 with any questions.

An Evening with Alum Author Caralena Peterson ’10 — Wednesday, April 26

The Flint Hill Parents’ Association and Alumni Office are proud to co-host a special evening with our very own Caralena Peterson ’10, author of “The Effortless Perfection Myth” on Wednesday, April 26, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Upper School Learning Commons. Caralena informs parents of the red flags to look out for and the not-so-obvious strategies their children may be using to hide all that is going on beneath the surface, while providing pointers for engaging them in conversation about how it’s okay to not always be okay.

Register to Attend — The first 50 people to R.S.V.P. will receive a complimentary copy of Caralena’s book. Visit our website or contact Tiffany Parry in the Advancement Office for more information. This event is open to the public. Please feel free to share this information with friends, neighbors and book clubs.

Upcoming Events

8th Grade Community Service Deadline
Saturday, April 1

Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, April 3
Peterson Middle School, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

8th Grade Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Wednesday, April 5
1:45-2:45 p.m., Google Meet link meet.google.com/ian-orub-jen

Parent Social Following Learning Center Coffee
Tuesday, April 11
Peterson Middle School, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

Rising Grade 7 & 8 Division Coffee: Course Selection
Wednesday, April 12
Peterson Middle School, 9:00-9:45 a.m.

Parent Social Following Divisional Coffee
Wednesday, April 12
Peterson Middle School, 9:45-10:15 a.m.

Arts Jam
Wednesday, April 12
George Mason University, 7:00-10:00 p.m.

A Night on the Hill
Friday, April 14
Peterson Middle School, 7:30-10:00 p.m.

An Evening with Alum Author Caralena Peterson ’10
Wednesday, April 26
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Parents’ Association

Upcoming Parent Socials

The Divisional Ambassadors are here to help you connect! They are actively involved in our community and encourage you to get involved too. Read about the Divisional Ambassadors on our website as well as volunteer opportunities and Parents’ Association events.

You're invited to join us for these upcoming events:

Tuesday, April 11: 10:00-10:30 a.m., Peterson Middle School
Wednesday, April 12: Middle School Division Coffee, 8:30-9:45 a.m., and Parent Social, 9:45-10:15 a.m. at Peterson Middle School
Wednesday, April 19: Upper School Division Coffee (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), 8:30-9:30 a.m., and Parent Social, 9:30-10:00 a.m. at the Upper School Building
Friday, May 19: Lower School Division Coffee (Open Forum), 8:15-9:15 a.m., and DA Parent Social, 9:15-9:45 a.m. at Hazel Lower School

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. Register for the webinar.

Join Us for a Fun Day on the Links — Thursday, May 25

The Golf Tournament and Skills Clinic is for everyone! It’s not about skill or just playing a great round of golf; it’s about the people and building community. Connect with parents, alumni and friends to benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel.

While there’s plenty of fun to be had in the tourney, the Skills Clinic is as much or perhaps even more fun. The Skills Clinic is for the once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime golfer, and it’s for the golfer who’s just not up for a full round. Enjoy an hour-and-a-half of skills taught by pros and casual conversation with other “students.” Then, connect with the golfers arriving for the 18-hole round and for lunch in the Clubhouse!

All abilities are welcome, so sign up at flinthill.org/golf.

Spring Concessions Volunteers Needed

The spring schedule is now available for concessions volunteers at The Den. Students are welcome to volunteer as well and will receive service hours. 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!