Middle School Newsletter - April 14, 2021
NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION
Expanded Athletics and Clubs
As we continue to explore ways to add more fun, active, and social opportunities for students during the regular school day, we have expanded our options for athletics (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and clubs (Fridays) based on feasibility and student input. For each activity, whether indoor or outdoor, students will wear masks, be physically distanced, and sanitize any shared equipment and hands every 15 minutes. Students signed up for clubs last week and athletics this week.
Athletics — Fitness & Conditioning, Handball, Soccer, Study Hall, Tennis
Clubs — Art Club, Book Club, Certamen, Football, Gaming, Mountain Biking, SCA, Tennis
Please note that our plan for next year involves returning to our regular athletic practices. Students will select a sport for the fall, winter, and spring seasons and have practices four times per week during the school day. At this point, we do not know if we will be able to compete against other schools.
Major Minors "Drive-In Concert"
Thursday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., Upper School parking lot
Enjoy the music of Flint Hill's a cappella group, the Major Minors, from the comfort and safety of your car! This live musical performance will be transmitted by FM radio to attendees enjoying the show from their vehicles in the Upper School faculty parking lot.
Join the fun! JK-12 Virtual Parent Trivia Night
Tuesday, April 27, 7:30-9 p.m.
Flint Hill is hosting a Virtual Parent Trivia Night!
Both newly-enrolled and current parents of students in grades JK-12 are invited to a night of fun and community-building! Whether you are a tough competitor who could compete in a Jeopardy championship or you’ve never won a Trivial Pursuit game in your life, all skill levels are welcome! The goal is to have fun and make connections with other Flint Hill families.
Sign up here to participate. The event will be hosted by Trivia Hub and will feature a live host. You have the option to sign up with a team or be randomly assigned to a grade level team. Teams will be in breakout rooms as they huddle up to determine their answers, so the evening will be a combination of time with all participants and small group fun.
And did we mention prizes? In addition to bragging rights, there will also be Flint Hill swag for the winners!
Sign up today! The deadline is Wednesday, April 21, at 8 p.m.
School Store Update
Have questions about items in the store? Click here to schedule a 15-minute virtual meeting with Adrienne Robinsn. Don’t have time to make an appointment? Feel free to email me with any questions, and I will be happy to make suggestions for your next purchase.
Need outerwear for the spring weather? Check out the links below for some great options.
- Holloway Girls Aerial Jacket
- Pennant Youth Split Shooter Hoodie
- Pennant Youth Conquest 1/4 Zip
- Augusta Ladies Breaker Jacket
- Champion Women’s Fleece Bomber
- Under Armour Ladies Bi-Blend Full-Zip Hood
Restock Alert!
We are working with our vendors to restock boys’ shorts. Inventory should arrive in the next two weeks. Check out the Restock Alert tab for items that have been recently restocked.
How do I make an exchange or return?
Please contact Adrienne Robinson within 30 days of your original purchase.
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.
UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK
Middle Schoolers Participate in WFP FreeRice Challenge
Prior to the break, our students participated in the FreeRice academic trivia contest. Organized by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger, the contest raises 10 grains of rice for every correct answer. Our SCA issued a challenge to each grade level, with students ultimately raising nearly 155,000 grains of rice (almost evenly split between seventh and eighth grades) — aided by five students raising more than 9,000 each on their own. Please watch this short video for more information about the WFP and the FreeRice contest.
Recording from Grade 8 Alcohol and Drug Awareness Presentation
For those of you who were unable to attend yesterday’s parent coffee with drug and alcohol educator Brenda Conlan, you can watch the recording here.
Middle School Play — Now Online
The Middle School Play, “Comedy Tonight,” is now online. “Comedy Tonight” is a collection of hilarious one-act plays featuring a cast of seventh and eighth grade actors and a special surprise appearance by a Middle School teacher!
Parent Education Webinar — Social Media, Tech, and Social-Emotional Health
All parents in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools are welcome to attend this webinar on Thursday, April 15, noon-1:15 p.m. Please register using this link and contact Director of Counseling Ilana Reyes with any questions.
Join us for a refreshing, practical, and eye-opening presentation about parenting in the digital age — featuring The Social Institute’s founder and CEO, Laura Tierney.
Laura will share the latest updates and best practices to:
- Strengthen communications with your children through student-respected conversation starters about social media and technology.
- Empower students to navigate social-emotional health, social media, and technology during this uncertain time.
- Discuss concerns related to the pandemic, while learning insights shared by students and researchers.
- Develop shared family standards for balancing technology in healthy ways.
- Inspire everyday use of important lessons that seventh-eighth grade students will learn during advisory.
We look forward to you joining us for this dynamic and informative session!
About The Social Institute
The Social Institute partners with schools nationwide to empower students, parents and educators to navigate social-emotional health, social media, and technology positively through comprehensive, gamified lessons that meet students on their level. By reinforcing character strengths like empathy, integrity, and teamwork and by showcasing their role models (from parents to U.S. Olympians), we help students be their best selves to “win at social” — social interactions and social media. As digital natives and parents ourselves, we bridge the needs of students and parents. Our partners include Ravenscroft School, Gaston Day School, Gilman School, Woodward Academy, U.S. Olympic athletes, Duke Men’s Basketball, ESPN, and other forward-thinking institutions around the nation.
Upcoming Events
Parent Education Webinar — Social Media, Tech, and Social-Emotional Health
Thursday, April 15, noon-1:15 p.m.
All parents in Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools are welcome to attend this webinar. Please register using this link, and contact Director of Counseling Ilana Reyes with any questions.
Add to Calendar
Course Selection for 2021-2022 (students in sixth and seventh grades)
Monday, April 19-Monday, April 26
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.
Virtual Arts Jam, 7-10 p.m.
Wednesday, April 21
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Rising Grade 7 Virtual Division Coffee: Parent Orientation
Thursday, April 22, 9-9:45 a.m. Google Meet link
Please join me to discuss the transition to Middle School. This session will be recorded.
Add to Calendar
Rising Grades 7 and 8 Virtual Division Coffee: Course Selection
Thursday, April 22, 9:45-10:30 a.m. Google Meet link
As a continuation of the Parent Orientation (and using the same Meet link), I will focus on Q&A for course selection.
Add to Calendar
JK-12 Virtual Parent Trivia Night
Tuesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
Add to Calendar