Middle School Newsletter - May 4, 2022
Message From Division Director
It is hard to believe that we have entered the month of May and that our Middle School Closing Ceremony and Grade 8 Promotion is just four weeks from tomorrow. I am a firm believer that how we finish — a school year or any activity — is at least as important as how we begin, and school provides us an annual opportunity to practice doing it well. Our students have worked hard throughout the year on their own personal development and on making the experience positive for everyone in the community. At this point in the school year, many of us are running on reserves, and it can be easy to let up, settle for less than our best, and allow our thoughts to drift to the summer months. For our students, it is important that they maintain their focus and positive energy to ensure they finish the year in a manner that leaves them proud and without regret. As adults, it is critical that we maintain our enthusiasm, commitment to excellence and sense of humor. I emphasize to teachers that our interactions with students over the next few weeks will be the ones that they will think about this summer as they reflect on the school year. We all owe it to each other to lift each other up and maximize the opportunities presented each day. Here’s to a strong final push!
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
THE LATEST
Middle School Closing Ceremony and Grade 8 Promotion
Thursday, June 2, 1-2 p.m., Upper School Gym
- All middle school students should arrive at the Middle School by 12:30 p.m. Parents should park in the Upper School lot and head directly to the gym.
- Middle School students and faculty will walk over to the Upper School gym.
- Our closing program will showcase reflections on the year and a musical performance before turning our focus to the eighth graders for some awards and the promotion certificates.
- Parents and relatives are invited to attend.
- Recommended Dress for students — a collared shirt or blouse with khaki-style or dress pants; skirt with a blouse; or sundress.
- Students may go home with their parents immediately after the ceremony.
Grade 8 Dance
Thursday, June 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Middle School Commons
- We will celebrate this important milestone with a festive evening in our building, and we hope that all members of the Class of 2026 will attend and enjoy the evening as a group.
- Recommended Dress — a dress or a suit jacket, dress pants and a tie.
- Please keep it simple and avoid homecoming and prom-style attire and transportation.
- Parents are welcome to take pictures on the John M. Thomas Terrace at 6:30 p.m.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
The next meeting of the Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club is scheduled for Monday, May 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Peterson Middle School. We will meet to discuss the book "Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways to Build a More Inclusive World" by Rohit Bhargava and Jennifer Brown. 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. Please use this form to RSVP. Contact All-School Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions
You’re Invited: Class of 2027 Parent Virtual Upper School Preview
RSVP today for the Class of 2027 Parent Virtual Upper School Preview on Thursday, May 19, at 9 a.m. You will have an opportunity to hear from Upper School leaders and participate in a Q&A session with current Upper School parents. Don’t miss this important event!
Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year
Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year is a tile on the Husky Hub Resource Board with checklists for each division containing important information for parents and students. This tile will remain active through the start of the school year, with a limited number of items to be updated over the summer.
Coming Soon: The Community of Care
The Community of Care is an event designed for our community to engage in dialogue, create connections and build community. This year’s community conversation will focus on the Flint Hill Core Values. We invite you to join us as we connect across constituencies and build a more inclusive community, one conversation at a time. Our discussion will also inform our upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming.
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.-noon in the Peterson Middle School. We invite students in Grades 7-12, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and leadership to join us for this important community event. Please save the date. Registration details will be provided in the upcoming weeks.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
- Use this form to request additional RFID tags for carpool.
- Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to them.
PARENT RESOURCES
Articles for Middle School Parents
In the interest of sharing issues and perspectives relevant to the challenges of parenting young adolescents, here are a few articles that you might find helpful.
Teens Need Summer Jobs, Especially This Year — The Washington Post
7 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Persist at Tasks They Resist — The Washington Post
The Emotional Whiplash of Parenting a Teenager — The New York Times
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.
Grades 5-8 Spring Band Concert
Thursday, May 5, 7-8:30 p.m.
Olson Theater — Lower School Campus
Grades JK-12 Parent Education Series: Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, May 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Grades 5-8 Spring Percussion Concert
Tuesday, May 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
Olson Theater — Lower School Campus
Grades 5-8 Spring Choral Concert
Thursday, May 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
Olson Theater — Lower School Campus
Grade 7 Parent Dinner Sponsored by Parents’ Association
Saturday, May 14, 6-9 p.m.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening, Faculty/Staff In-Service
Tuesday, May 17
Grade 7 Parents Virtual Upper School Preview
Thursday, May 19, 9 a.m.
Community Care
Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.-noon
Grades 5-8 Spring Orchestra Concert — rescheduled from May 3
Tuesday, May 24, 4:30 p.m.
Olson Theater — Lower School Campus
End-of-Year Schedule — Exams and Closings
- Friday, May 27
- Language exam, 8-9 a.m. (extra time as needed).
- Modified schedule with regular Friday classes meeting.
- Regular 3:30 dismissal.
- Monday, May 30 — Memorial Day; no classes.
- Tuesday, May 31
- History exam, 8-9 a.m. (extra time as needed).
- Math exam, 10:15-11:15 a.m. (extra time as needed).
- Lunch and flexible time in the afternoon.
- Regular 3:30 dismissal.
- Wednesday, June 1
- English exam, 8-9 a.m. (extra time as needed).
- Science exam, 10:15-11:15 a.m. (extra time as needed).
- Lunch and Huskyfest in the afternoon.
- Regular 3:30 dismissal.
- Thursday, June 2
- Makeup exams — 10 a.m.
- Middle School Closing Ceremony and Grade 8 Promotion — 1-2 p.m.
- No classes; students may arrive before the closing program and may leave immediately after.
- Friday, June 4 — no classes.
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
Volunteer Opportunities in the Den and Igloo
Parent volunteers are needed to help sell concessions during Middle School breaks in the Den and in the Igloo throughout the week. Sign up for a shift in the Den during Middle School break or during a morning or afternoon shift in the Igloo.
Don’t Miss Your Chance To Join Us on the Links!
The Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic is right around the corner. Registration is filling up with very limited spots available for the tournament. Contact Tiffany Parry to sign up as an individual or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.
There’s still space available in the Skills Clinic sponsored by AutoScandia, so grab a friend and sign up together to learn from the pros. All abilities are welcome, so grab your spot here!
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.
An 8-Year Overdue Library Book and All the Emotions This Week!
There are very few things that make me as emotional as Flint Hill. These last few days weren’t any different. On Friday, the Lower School welcomed fourth and sixth grade parents to Open Classroom. These visits give a first-hand glimpse into the adventures of learning. I heard from parents that got to tour a student-created animal museum, attend art class, and listen to their child’s personal narrative in language arts. Read more.
School Store
New Youth Husky Logo Tee
Get ready for summer in this new dry-fit tee, designed just for our youngest huskies! Available in three bright summer shades, these t-shirts are lightweight, roomy, highly breathable and moisture-wicking.
How Do I Make an Exchange or Return?
Please email schoolstore@flinthill.org 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
