Middle School Newsletter - October 26, 2022

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Message From Division Director

As we reflect on academic progress during the first quarter — in advance of parent conferences on November 3 and 4 — 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.

By 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, you will 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

Announcements

Parent Conferences — Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4

You will have the opportunity to meet in person with each teacher for a 10-minute conference about your child’s progress. Please refer to my email from Thursday, October 20, for information and links to sign up.

Tickets Still Available for "Clue" This Weekend

The hilarious whodunit, “Clue,” based on the cult-classic 1985 film and the iconic Hasbro board game will be live on stage this weekend! We have two amazing casts of Upper School performers who bring this silly murder mystery to life. Note to parents: “Clue” contains cartoon/slapstick violence and is recommended for grades 4 and up.

All performances take place in the Olson Theater, in the Activity Center of the Hazel Lower School. Tickets are free, but reservations are recommended. Use the links below to reserve your tickets.

Blue Cast
Friday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 29, 2:00 p.m.

Green Cast
Saturday, October 29, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2:00 p.m.

Early Admission Process for Siblings — November 1 Deadline

As a reminder, we are offering members of our Husky family an early start to the admission process for siblings who do not currently attend Flint Hill and are interested in applying for the 2023-24 school year.

If you have a child who is not currently enrolled at Flint Hill and you are interested in the application process for the 2023-24 school year, please complete the admission process by the Tuesday, November 1 deadline. Applications completed by November 1 will receive an admission notification by mid-December. For more information, please schedule an appointment with the admission team member for your division of interest.

School Store Open on Parent Conference Days — November 3 and 4

The School Store will be open for shopping on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., in Room 112 of Hazel Lower School. Please enter through the main entrance and check in with security before visiting the store.

Kaleidoscope Book Club Kickoff Meeting — Monday, November 7

The Kaleidoscope Book Club provides an opportunity for parents to discuss a variety of topics through books. Our monthly meetings allow us to share, connect and learn from different perspectives and experiences. We look forward to building and deepening relationships through this shared learning opportunity.

This year, our focus is on Middle Reader/Young Adult literature. The reading schedule for 2022-2023 is:

November 7 — Book Club Kickoff Meeting
December 5 — “When Stars Are Scattered” by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
January 9 — “Tornado Brian” by Cat Patrick
February 6 — “Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
March 6 — “Dress Coded” by Carrie Firestone
April 3 — “I Can Make this Promise” by Christine Day
May 1 — “Words We Don’t Say” by K.J. Reilly

All meetings are scheduled for 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of Peterson Middle School. Please contact All-School Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson to join our email list.

Community of Care and International Festival 2022 — November 12

Please join us on Saturday, November 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the Peterson Middle School to engage in thoughtful and constructive dialogue about how well our core values and commitment to equity and inclusion are integrated into the Flint Hill experience. At 12:00 p.m., we will celebrate and honor our community’s diverse background with the return of our International Festival. Attendees will enjoy a culinary sampling representing over a dozen countries and join an interactive Indian Dance workshop with Rhythmaya’s Director Nirathi Rao. The workshop will cater to people of all dance levels with upbeat music, story telling, footwork along with some fitness fun. The event will also feature a West African drumming circle led by former FH music teacher Alecia Cardell. RSVP to Attend.

New Lunch Menu Link to Bookmark

Fairfax Foods has shared a new, quick link for parents and students looking for lunch menu information.

Upcoming Events

Class of 2027 Parent Event: Upper School Preview
Thursday, October 27, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Register by October 20 and select the sessions you are most interested in joining at this event.

Upper School Fall Play — "Clue"
Friday, October 28 - Sunday, October 30

First Quarter Report Cards Available in Husky Hub
Wednesday, November 2, 4:00 p.m.

Grades JK-12 Parent Conferences
Grades JK-12 No Classes
Thursday, November 3, and Friday, November 4

Daylight Savings Time Ends
Sunday, November 6
Remember to set your clocks back one hour!

Kaleidoscope Book Club Kickoff Meeting
Monday, November 7
Peterson Middle School Conference Room, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Middle School Fall Athletics Ends
Monday, November 7

Middle School Winter Athletics Begins
Thursday, November 10

Parent Morning Mixer
Thursday, November 10
Miller House, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.

Community of Care and International Festival
Saturday, November 12
Peterson Middle School, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
RSVP

Middle School Division Coffee
Wednesday, November 16
Peterson Middle School, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.

Parents’ Association

November Parent Morning Mixer — November 10

Join us for our next Parent Morning Mixer on Thursday, November 10, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m, at the Lower School campus in the Miller House cafeteria. All JK-12 parents are invited to this informal social after morning drop-off to get together and visit with other parents. Throughout the year, the location of the Parent Morning Mixers varies to include the Upper, Middle and Lower Schools; parents from all divisions are welcome to attend regardless of where it takes place.

Volunteers Needed: Baking and Organizing Mini Pies for Teacher Appreciation

Calling all bakers, the Parents’ Association Teacher Appreciation efforts need you! Bake and assemble a special treat for faculty and staff before Thanksgiving break. Sign up to bake your favorite mini pies (tins provided)!

Volunteers are also needed to help organize and wrap on Thursday, November 17. Pies will be delivered on Friday, November 18. Sign up to help or contact Olivia Landrum ’11 in the Advancement Office.

Calling All Concessions Volunteers!

Parent volunteers are needed to sell concessions in The Igloo and The Den during the day and after school. It’s a great way to meet other parents and get a special glimpse into the Flint Hill experience. Please sign up for as many shifts as you'd like, and feel free to invite a friend to sign up with you too.

Programs for Independent School Parents

Flint Hill is a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW) — a nonprofit organization that fosters communication within the greater Washington, D.C., independent school community. Their goal is to promote excellence in education by building a network among independent schools and their parent communities. Each year they host programs that are open to parents and staff at member schools. Thank you to Jennifer Butler P’24 who serves as Flint Hill’s representative.

Thursday, November 3, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Lower School Forum (in person at Norwood School)

Parents, administrators, faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend this program focusing on the value of play in a learning environment based on the latest research. Lower School administrators will speak on balancing wellness with learning, structured versus unstructured time in the classroom, and using play as a teaching and learning strategy while managing parental expectations. REGISTER to attend. Location: Norwood School, 8821 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland

Speakers: Associate Head of School and Head of Lower School Mike Risen, Norwood School; Head of Lower School Dr. Donnette Echols, Potomac School; Lower School Principal Cami Okubo, Georgetown Day School.