Middle School Newsletter - NOVEMBER 3, 2021
Message From Division Director
As we reflect on academic progress during the first quarter, in advance of conferences tomorrow and Friday, we are presented with an opportunity to practice how to keep this performance feedback in perspective. As a reminder, I encourage all of us to focus on the journey, recognizing what this current performance feedback can provide and avoiding the type of disproportionate fixation on grades that can limit growth. The middle school years are about “figuring things out” during a low-risk period and emphasizing process and progress over the bottom-line outcomes. We believe that the students who will be the best prepared at the end of their middle school experience are those with a growth mindset, who have focused on figuring out how to manage time and responsibilities, what approaches and study strategies work well for them, how to advocate for themselves, and how to recover from stumbles. These students (and parents) understand that an emphasis on grades or “perfection” tends to limit risk-taking, creativity, deep learning and resilience.
You now have access to your child’s First Quarter Grade Report, which may be helpful in guiding the discussion during your conferences. As always, our open gradebook provides more detailed information than just the letter grade. Though it will now default to the Second Quarter, you can toggle back to a view of the First Quarter using the dropdown menu as shown below.
The beginning of a new quarter is a great opportunity for reflection and goal setting, particularly in the developing areas of independence and self-advocacy. We recommend that students focus on questions such as:
- What is working well? What isn’t?
- How are my work habits impacting my performance?
- What adjustments will I make in the second quarter — at school? at home?
- How can my teachers/parents help me in these areas?
Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School
THE LATEST
RFID Tags for Afternoon Carpool
As a reminder, we will begin to use RFID scanning this Monday, November 8.
We have mailed RFID tags to every family with instructions for mounting on your car's headlight. This will replace our walkie system and enable us to quickly scan your tags during our dismissal process and sync information you have entered into SchoolPass. Thanks in advance for having your tag installed and ready by this Monday!
Winter Athletics Information
Our fall athletic season ends next Thursday, November 11, and we begin the winter season on Friday, November 12, with an organizational meeting. Please see this letter for information about each sport option — practice location, team breakdowns, and equipment needs.
Middle School Makers
Our Middle School Makers class went above and beyond in every way to transform Nathan’s wheelchair for Halloween! Their teacher, Chris Cook, said, “For me as a teacher, there is no better feeling than when my kids use what they have learned to make for others. For the last five weeks, they worked so well together, with such persistence and with such desire to bring joy to another person; it warmed my heart every single day. Friday, Nathan's gigantic grin and fist pumps showed the kids just how deeply impactful their work was.” Thank you, Magic Wheelchair and Washington Nationals!
Login to Facebook and click here to see the video.
Refer-a-Husky Today
Nearly every family who enrolls at Flint Hill was either referred by or talked with a current family during the admission process. Your perspective is critically important. You are in the best position to identify potential Huskies who are a great fit for our school.
Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to invite them to learn more about Flint Hill.
Parent Resources
Parents Council of Washington Event: Speaker Series — Connectedness, A Discussion with Rosetta Lee
The Parents Council of Washington (PCW) invites you to attend its upcoming virtual event on Tuesday, November 9, at 7 p.m. Rosetta Lee is the outreach specialist at Seattle Girls' School and a highly regarded expert on diversity, equity and inclusion issues. She will provide insight into developing connections to self and with others and creating inclusive communities for the benefit of all.
The discussion will be followed by a Q&A period. Please submit in advance any questions you may have to administration@parentscouncil.org by Friday, October 29. All parents, administrators, faculty and staff are invited. Register here.
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 JK-12 Virtual Parent Conferences
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Thursday, November 4, and Friday, November 5
Use this link to access the Resource Board for information and to sign up.
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Sunday, November 7
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour!
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Meeting
Monday, November 8, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Upper School deCamp Garden
Please email Miles Henderson at mchenderson@flinthill.org for more information and to RSVP.
Parents Council of Washington Speaker Series
Tuesday, November 9, 7 p.m.
All parents, administrators, faculty and staff are invited to attend this virtual event. Register here.
Middle School Winter Athletics Begin
Friday, November 12
The Nutcracker
Friday, November 12, 7 p.m., and Saturday, November 13, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Olson Theater
Tickets for The Nutcracker are available now. Tickets are free, but the best seats are going fast, so make your reservation today. Click here to reserve your tickets.
Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 22-Friday, November 26
Classes Resume
Monday, November 29
Week of Thankful Giving
Monday, November 29-Wednesday, December 1
We will be collecting items for donation to Food For Others.
Health Services
Stay Up To Date: Review This Year’s COVID-19 Protocols and Procedures
The COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board has this year’s protocols and procedures.
Flint Hill strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
The COVID-19 Case Dashboard has been updated.
Parents' Association
Parent Tracks
A weekly round-up from parent gatherings and campus happenings.
The Igloo Snack Bar Is Now Open!
The hours are Monday-Friday, 2:45–3:45 p.m., and Tuesday-Friday, 10:30–10:55 a.m. In order to keep the Igloo open, parent volunteers are critical. Please sign up here.
School Store
Click here to shop items from the Pop-up Shop. We have some great hoodies, outerwear, long-sleeve shirts and more!
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.
