Middle School Newsletter - December 2, 2020

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

 

A Reminder from the COVID Response Team Regarding Case Notifications

As noted in our Campus Reopening Plan, the School notifies all employees, all parents and all students in grades 7-12 when an on-campus learner or employee tests positive for COVID-19. This is because of the potential for direct exposure within the community. Notifications will not be sent for virtual learners who test positive for COVID-19 unless we determine through our interview and contact tracing processes that exposure to another Flint Hill student or employee has occurred off campus.

If you have any questions, please email huskyhelp@flinthill.org.

Week of Thankful Giving — postponed to the week of December 7

Let’s try again! When we return to school next week, we will do our collection for Food for Others. As previously noted, we encourage students to bring a maximum of two canned items, from the list below, to a no-touch collection box in their advisory.

• Canned chili
• Canned chicken
• Canned fruit
• Canned spaghetti sauce
• Canned gravy
• Canned sweet potatoes
• Canned vegetables
• Canned pie filling

In addition to the efforts through school, we encourage families to consider supporting Food for Others as well as Fairfax County Animal Shelter, another partner organization in particular need.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact DeShauna Curry at dcurry@flinthill.org.

 

Dressing for Cold Weather and Preparing for Cancellations

As the temperatures drop, please be aware that we will generally have students go outside for break and lunch unless the real-feel temperature drops below 30 degrees. While early adolescents believe that a sweatshirt is all they need to fend off the elements, please send your child to school with appropriate clothing (jacket, hat, gloves).

As noted in previous newsletters, Flint Hill’s Inclement Weather Policy provides details on how we make decisions and notify the community about delays and school closures.

Gifts to Faculty and Staff

As we approach the Winter Break, I wanted to remind you of the School’s recommendations concerning gifts to faculty and staff. Flint Hill encourages simplicity in the giving of gifts. Please note that holiday gift giving is not an expectation, and individual families should decide what is best for them, keeping in mind that a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” often carries the greatest meaning. The School discourages the collection of money from parents to provide teachers or coaches with gifts, and for safety reasons, students may not bring gifts from home to distribute at school.

School Store Winter Preview

Holiday shopping made easy! Click here to view the School Store Winter Preview.
To receive your items in time for the holidays, please place your order no later than noon on Thursday, December 17.
Please contact Adrienne Robinson with any questions regarding sizing and returns/exchanges.

 

UPDATES AND REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK

 

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.

Holidays During the Pandemic

Signs of Depression During the Pandemic

 

 

The second meeting of the virtual Kaleidoscope Book Club is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 9-9:45 a.m. We will discuss “All We Ever Wanted” by Emily Giffin. 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 submit your name and email address, in this form, to RSVP for the first meeting and/or be added to our email list. Please contact All-School Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.

 

Academic Planning Day for Faculty on December 9 — No Classes

On Wednesday, December 9, faculty will participate in an academic planning day. School will be closed to students that day, and no classes will be held.

Driving Spirit Award Nominations Due December 11

Send your nominations to Ana Yarbrough.

The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill teachers and staff who have demonstrated ethical leadership, diligent intellectual scholarship and a commitment to teaching, coaching and mentoring students. Recipients are recognized for their contributions to the “Driving Spirit,” which makes our School the special and unique place we all value — a place that honors excellence while emphasizing the importance of our core values: respect and value all equally, lead and support with compassion, act with integrity, imagine what’s possible and blaze the trail. These teachers and staff members lead by example through their dedication and ability to energize and inspire Flint Hill’s community to new heights of learning and leadership, both inside and outside the classroom.

Please think about the great current teachers and staff members in the Flint Hill community whom you believe fit this description. Emails and letters should be sent to Ana Yarbrough by Friday, December 11.