Middle School Newsletter - March 30, 2022
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! While the fourth quarter can feel like a sprint to the end of the year, the warmer temperatures and increased daylight are a welcome change, and we are excited to have everyone back for a busy spring.
It was great to see many of you for conferences prior to the break. As we look ahead to next year and plan the calendar, I’d love your feedback on our conference model, particularly in terms of the format (in-person versus virtual) and the time allocation. Please use this form to answer the two questions below:
- What conference format do you prefer? (virtual, in-person, or both)
- Given that we can’t accommodate all parents with one day of conferences in March, would you like to see us add a second conference day?
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
THE LATEST
Grade 8 Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week
During the week of April 4-8, Drug and Alcohol Educator Brenda Conlan will be meeting with our eighth grade students during their history classes to discuss topics related to drug and alcohol awareness. These lessons will be delivered in a developmentally appropriate manner.
On Friday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m., eighth grade parents are invited to join Brenda for a virtual presentation on the adolescent brain, vaping, and the importance of delaying drug and alcohol usage. Brenda’s parent presentation will be recorded for parents who are unable to attend live. For more information on Brenda Conlan, please go to her website. Please contact John Magner if you have questions.
Special Olympics Track and Field Event — Volunteer!
We are thrilled to again be hosting the Special Olympics on Saturday, April 2, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Eighth graders may volunteer with a parent/guardian present. If your child would like to participate, please have them fill out this form to sign up for available shifts. Special Olympics requires that all volunteers be vaccinated and fill out an additional paper form that will be provided later.
Springfest Updates
It’s almost time for Springfest — our annual weekend featuring spring season athletic contests and alumni reunion. Everyone is invited to come together to cheer our Huskies on to victory! Some games will feature recognition of alumni athletes who have returned to celebrate milestone reunions.
As we gear up for another great Springfest event, please take a moment to note the following.
Springfest Store
Want to show your Husky spirit for Springfest 2022? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your very own 2022 Springfest shirt! This year’s shirts can be ordered in white or blue. The deadline to order is tomorrow, Thursday, March 31.
Stay and Play, Husky Clinics:
Location: Upper School Grass Field (near the baseball field) and Peterson Family Turf Field
Time: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
All JK-6 Flint Hill students and children of alumni are invited to join our Upper School baseball, softball and lacrosse student-athletes and coaches for an exciting clinic filled with fun drills, group activities and structured games. This clinic is free and will conclude with a pizza social for all participants.
Register your child for this fun opportunity. You will need to submit a form for each participating student. The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 20.
Please contact Christel Brooks at the Athletic Shop if you have any Springfest Store questions. For questions about Springfest activities, contact Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson.
The next meeting of the Kaleidoscope Book Club is scheduled for Monday, April 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Peterson Middle School Conference Room. We will discuss "Fast Forward to Hope: Choosing to Build the Power of Self" by Flint Hill Parent Indira Ahluwalia. 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. Contact All-School Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.
Save the Date, April 13! Arts Jam Is Back
Mark your calendars for the most exciting performing arts event of the year. Join us for the annual Arts Jam concert featuring Upper School band, choir, orchestra, percussion, dance, and musical theater. The concert will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University. Visit the webpage here.
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.
Founder’s Day
Thursday, March 31, Upper School Gym
Middle and Upper School students will gather in the gym for this traditional program to celebrate the founding members of Flint Hill School and Driving Spirit Award recipients.
Special Olympics Track and Field Event
Saturday, April 2, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, April 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Grade 8 Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week
Monday-Friday, April 4-8
Grade 8 Virtual Division Coffee: Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Friday, April 8, 9:30 a.m.
Eighth grade parents are invited to join drug and alcohol educator Brenda Conlan for a presentation on the adolescent brain, vaping, and the importance of delaying drug and alcohol usage. This presentation will be recorded.
Course Selection for 2022-2023 (students in sixth and seventh grades)
Monday, April 11-Monday, April 18
I will be sharing complete details via email and will have Q&A sessions with students. You are welcome to review the Middle School Program Guide in advance.
Rising Grade 7 Virtual Division Coffee: Parent Orientation
Wednesday, April 13, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Please join me to discuss the transition to Middle School. This session will be recorded.
Rising Grades 7 and 8 Virtual Division Coffee: Course Selection
Wednesday, April 13, 10:15-11 a.m.
As a continuation of the Parent Orientation, I will focus on Q&A for course selection.
Arts Jam
April 13, 7 p.m., Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University.
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
There’s Still Time to Join Us for a Fun Day on the Links!
The 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, perhaps what’s even more fun is the Clinic. It’s for the once-a-year, once-in-a-lifetime golfer, or those just not up for a full round. Enjoy an hour-and-a-half of casual conversation and skills taught by pros, and then join us for lunch in the Clubhouse to connect with golfers arriving for the tourney!
There are very limited foursomes open for the tournament, but there are still some individual spaces available. Register as an individual, and we will pair you with fellow parents!
All abilities are welcome, so sign up at flinthill.org/golf.
Volunteer Opportunity: The Den Is Reopening for the Spring!
Spring athletic games are here, and concessions will return in the Den, located on the Terrace of the Peterson Middle School. Starting this week, the Den will also be open for Middle School break on Fridays, from 10:20 to 10:35 a.m. There are multiple concession opportunities available!
Parent volunteers are needed to help sell concessions during Middle School breaks, during athletic games, and also during Springfest.
Sign up for a shift in the Den during Middle School break or one of the athletic games.
Founder's Day
I have been lucky to attend almost every Founder’s Day since my son began at Flint Hill. At first, I didn’t really understand what it was or even think that I could attend, but, one year, I decided to take a chance and go. The entire school comes together to celebrate our founders, acknowledge our faculty and staff for milestone years at Flint Hill and to surprise the year’s Driving Spirit Award winners. Read more.
NEWS ON THE HILL
