Middle School Newsletter - September 9, 2020

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

Technology Tools for Students

In addition to focusing on our Health Pledge and Core Values with students this week, we are also reviewing the technology tools, resources, and guidelines they will need.

• Husky Hub — this is the main resource for students to view their schedule, keep track of daily assignments, and monitor their progress. You have the same access as students, using your Husky Hub login. Navigating the Husky Hub

• Google Classroom — this tool is utilized by teachers and students to share assignment specifics, streamline paperless transmission/submission, and organize documents for a particular class. Parents do not have the same access as students, but please note that all homework assignments are posted in Husky Hub even if the more detailed specifics of the assignment are in Google Classroom. Google Classroom Tour

• Responsible Use — from the specifics of ownership and repair to expectations of behavior, the Student Technology Responsible Use Policy serves as a comprehensive policy document. As a reminder, you can access the Parent Technology Resources site, at any time, from the Resource Board in Husky Hub under Technology Resources.

 

Student Portrait Information for Middle School Students

Picture day will look a bit different this year but will be offered for both on-campus and virtual learners. Students will be photographed outdoors at the Peterson Middle School. Our photographers will be in masks and observing physical distancing.

On-campus learners in the Middle School will have their portraits taken on Tuesday, September 22. A make-up day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.

Portraits for virtual learners in JK-11th grade are available by appointment on Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 28. To make an appointment, visit https://flinthill.timetap.com and follow the prompts. Select “Flint Hill Virtual Learners” and then choose your preferred date and time.

All ordering for school portraits will occur online. You will receive an email alert with a link to your student’s gallery when it becomes available.

 

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.

The 2020 Back-to-School List for Teens’ Emotional Well-Being

Managing Your Own Anxiety During School Reopening

Four Ways We Are Getting In Our Kid’s Way

 

Taking a Physically-Distanced Break

Here is the view from our first morning break of the year. We are grateful for the large terrace and access to the turf field and look forward to developing a range of fun activities that work within our spacing guidelines.

 

Lunch Reminder

As we start full days next week, please remember to pack lunch and snacks every day, keeping in mind that students will not have access to a refrigerator or a microwave. Lunches will be kept in advisory rooms during the day. Unlike previous years, we cannot provide/share food with any student who may have forgotten to pack lunch and snacks. A student will have to contact their parent and request that you deliver it to school. Please remember that we cannot accept outside deliveries (e.g. Uber Eats). We recommend that you send extra food to school with your child each day just in case — they are growing rapidly!

 

Homework and Home Learning Policy for Special Circumstances and Religious Observances

Flint Hill School’s core values guide the behaviors and decisions of all members of the Flint Hill community. The School's Homework and Home Learning Policy for Special Circumstances and Religious Observances was created with this in mind.

Over the course of each year, there are a variety of circumstances and events outside of our school calendar that can prevent students from completing evening assignments. When these circumstances or events arise, the School will make every effort to be flexible and support students in completing their work in a timely manner.

Special Circumstances

In the event of a family obligation, illness or unforeseen emergency, Upper School students may request extra help or extensions for work missed during the student’s absence.

In the Lower and Middle Schools, teachers and division directors will work with families to develop a plan for completing work missed during a student absence on a case-by-case basis.

In all three divisions, families are encouraged to communicate with your child’s teacher, advisor or division director to inform them of what to expect from your child, so we can work with your family accordingly.

Religious Observances

Flint Hill deeply respects and celebrates the customary rituals, observances and family gatherings associated with religious holidays and those of differing faiths at School. Upper School students who miss school due to a religious observance or celebration can work with their teachers or advisors to make up academic work.

In the Lower and Middle Schools, teachers and division directors will work with families to develop a plan for completing work missed during a student absence on a case-by-case basis.

Students are also excused from school, games and practices for religious commitments.

UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK

 

Carpool Logistics — morning arrival and afternoon dismissal

Please review this Carpool Video and the campus map and reminders, sent via email, for a look at how you will drop off and pick up your child each day. Here are a few highlights:

• All cars must enter via a right turn from Oakton Road.
• When you enter the campus, you will turn left to loop around the parking area and approach the building.
• In the morning, cars must pull forward as far as possible (the first car will stop at the Peterson Middle School sign), and Middle School students should exit cars from the driver’s side onto the sidewalk, without waiting to be prompted by an adult.
• In the afternoon (starting at 12:10 p.m. next week and 3:10 p.m. thereafter), please display your carpool sign on the driver’s side dashboard and pull forward as far as the bus lane. Students will be sent outside from advisories when their names are called.
• All cars must exit the campus by continuing past the Middle and Upper School buildings to turn onto Jermantown Road.

 

Guidelines for Face Masks

As noted in the Campus Reopening Plan, face masks are required to be worn on campus. In addition to the face masks provided by the School, Middle School students may wear their own personal face masks to school. No references to political affiliations, drugs, alcohol, weapons, sexually explicit or offensive content will be permitted on face masks. Please note that gaiters, bandanas and masks with vents or exhalation valves are also not permitted.

 

Email Communication Information for New Families

We’d like to share some information regarding school email communications with new families, who may be accustomed to different processes from their previous schools.

• As a Flint Hill parent, you are automatically opted in to receive school emails; there is no specific action to take to receive emails from the School. However, unsubscribing from a single school email will unsubscribe you from all school communications, so please do not unsubscribe!
• Over time we’ve observed that some businesses have a higher tendency than others to mark bulk emails as spam and/or block access to Google documents. If you have a business email address on file with us, please also make sure we have a personal email address on file so there are no interruptions to your ability to receive communications from the School.
• If you received tonight's newsletter, great news! That means you are subscribed to receive communications from Flint Hill.

 

Web Filtering at Home

Our Resource Board on Husky Hub contains various technology resources for parents. Among the helpful links for parenting in a 1:1 home is information on web filtering at home. This gives you the ability to filter or block content, similar to the way we do at school, through your internet provider or supplemental device. Please email our Help Desk if you would like one of our staff members to walk you through it directly.