Middle School Newsletter - October 21, 2020

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

 

Headmaster’s Virtual Parent Discussion Series — Tuesday, October 27

Each year, Headmaster John Thomas offers sessions for parents in each division, sharing his insights as a parent, veteran educator, and former school counselor. Middle School parents can join John, this Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., for a presentation and discussion about adolescent development. Please use the following Google Meet code for access: meet.google.com/qib-novk-fyp

 

Upcoming Virtual Parent Conferences — Friday, November 6, and Wednesday, November 11

As previously noted, there will be no classes on these two days, in order to maximize parent conference slots. Next week, we will send you details on how to sign up for your eight-minute virtual conferences with each of your child’s teachers.

 

Optional Math Contest on November 11

During the parent conference day on Wednesday, November 11, students who sign up in advance may participate in the AMC 8. Sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America, “The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.

The material covered on the AMC 8 includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Possible topics include but are not limited to: counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, everyday applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition some of the later questions may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics traditionally covered in a beginning algebra course.”

Students who wish to participate in this online math contest must email me and Mathematics Department Chair Riki Weeks by the end of the day this Friday, October 23. They have each received an email from me with this information.

 

Follow @flinthillfinearts on Instagram!

The Fine Arts department is now on Instagram! Be sure to give them a follow for exclusive content from our Fine Arts program.

 

Online Ordering for Student Portraits

Flint Hill student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! If your child had a school portrait taken, you should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received this (check your spam folder too), please contact them at support@freedphoto.com or call 301.652.5452. A make-up day for on-campus Middle School students is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 27. Virtual learners may still have their pictures taken on Wednesday, October 28.

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.

When Do Teens Feel Loved by Their Parents?

Children and mental health: How parents shape their kids' well-being

How to Guide Your Kid Through Election Season

 

Upcoming Deadline: 2020 Flint Hill Spirit T-shirts

Show your school spirit and order your fall spirit shirt today! Remember, we are stronger together!! The shirts come in adult and youth sizes.

Click here to place your order. The online store will close at midnight on Thursday, October 22. After this date, no late orders will be accepted, to make sure that all orders are delivered on time. Due to COVID-19 and safety protocols, each individual order will be delivered directly to your home.

We have decided to designate Tuesday, November 10, as our Fall All-Husky School Spirit Day. All three divisions will participate by wearing their t-shirts on this day. Go Huskies!!

 

Middle School Athletics

A few of you have asked if/when we will resume some form of athletics. At this point, any formal sport-specific activities continue to be on hold. We are offering conditioning as a club option once per week during our flex block. Middle School students are also now on the email distribution lists for varsity coaches and will be receiving information about any optional individual workouts.

 

The first meeting of the virtual Kaleidoscope Book Club is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 9-9:45 a.m. We will discuss “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult. 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.

 

School Store Updates … New Inventory and tips and tricks for online ordering

We are having a lot of fun stocking the store with NEW INVENTORY. Click here to shop now!

Returns and exchanges are quick and easy, but returned items must sit in quarantine before they are returned to inventory. So, please order only the size you think you need, so we can keep as much inventory in stock as possible. We are happy to change out the size quickly if it doesn’t fit.

Pro tip: Miller House front porch pick up is available now, instead of shipping, for your convenience! If you have questions about the School Store, contact Adrienne Robinson at arobinson@flinthill.org.

 

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.