Upper School Newsletter - August 17, 2022
Message From Division Director
As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I am highlighting one Upper School policy change in each of the three newsletters published before school starts. Last week’s newsletter covered the changes in attendance and the daily schedule. This week, I will highlight the new Upper School phone policy.
There is little disagreement about how distracting phones can be, particularly for adolescents. News stories and academic studies abound with details regarding how the applications on these devices are designed to keep the users continually re-engaging, even when the user would choose to stay focused. There is some great literature about how even having the phone in your pocket can distract your attention and/or cause anxiety.
This was a problem before the pandemic, but the faculty and staff observed that the online learning structure of the 2020-2021 school year dramatically exacerbated the problem. The students deeply struggled last year with keeping the phone away during class activities. Also, we often saw students wandering around with their phones on what were supposed to be restroom breaks. In short, we feel strongly that the presence of phones on the student during class was markedly inhibiting learning.
This year, we will be adopting the common practice of having students place their cell phones in wall hangers upon entering the classroom. Students can still have their phones on their person during breaks, lunch and free periods. However, upon entering the classroom, we will ask that all students remove the distraction from their pockets so they can maximize their learning.
For those with hesitancy, I want to share that I have been part of two other schools that made this change. With all sincerity, the most common piece of feedback from the students was “we wish you had done this much sooner.” The Upper School faculty and staff sincerely believe that this will yield great results in the classroom, and the students will be thankful to not have the constant distraction pulling at their attention.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Back to School
Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year
How often is Lower School Husky Pride Day? What’s the traffic pattern for dropping off Middle School students? What’s the earliest I can drive onto campus to pick up an Upper School student? The answers to these questions and many more can be found in the content on the Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year tile on the Resource Board of Husky Hub.
To access the Resource Board, visit www.flinthill.org/app, and log in with your username and password. Once logged in, click Resources on the top navigation bar, and then click on the Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year tile. The tile will remain accessible through the start of the new school year. We recommend bookmarking it!
Dress Guidelines
Please review the dress guidelines with your student prior to the school year. This is available under the heading “Dress Guidelines” on the Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year page on Husky Hub. Please reach out to Upper School Dean of Students Howard Chang with any questions.
Fall Athletics
Our Upper School fall sports are scheduled to start on Monday, August 22, with the exception of Varsity Football which starts on Monday, August 15. If you signed up to participate in a fall sport, please visit Husky Hub to gather the latest information on tryouts, preseason practices, and seasonal logistics. You can find all Upper School and Middle School fall game schedules by visiting the athletics page of our website. IF YOU DIDN’T SIGN UP FOR A FALL SPORT, IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
Read more details about our falls sports from Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson.
SchoolPass Steps To Complete Before School Starts
Flint Hill School uses SchoolPass, a user-friendly and real-time system that allows parents to easily notify the school of student absences, late arrivals or appointments, and helps students and teachers with daily attendance.
Returning Families
The only step you need to complete is to review the “Attendance, Late Arrival and Early Dismissal Notification Procedures for SchoolPass,” listed under the Preparing for the 2022-2023 School Year tile on the Resource Board in Husky Hub.
New Families
Tomorrow you will receive an auto-generated “welcome” email from noreply-2300@schoolpass.com with instructions to download the application and create a profile. If you do not receive that email from SchoolPass by the end of the day or need SchoolPass assistance in general, please email helpdesk@flinthill.org.
Senior Portrait Sign-ups
Senior portraits will be taken by appointment on campus Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23. Schedule an appointment.
Students will be photographed in a formal cap and gown, provided by the studio. Wearing a dress shirt, scoop or v-neck is recommended. The top of any collared or crewneck shirt will be visible, so please be mindful not to wear colors that may clash with the Flint Hill blue gown or clothing featuring prominent logos, text, or artwork that could be visible above the neckline of the blue gown.
Our photographer, FREED Spirit Photography, offers session packages with several different poses and outfits if you choose. A make-up day is scheduled for Friday, September 9. If none of these pre-scheduled dates work for your family, contact Freed at support@freedphoto.com or (301) 652-5452 to schedule a session in their studio.
Health Information
Updated Health Information Tile
Please review the new Health Information tile on the Resource Board. This is where you’ll find information about protocols for general illness, flu, seasonal allergies and COVID, as well as contact information for all three health clinics.
Medication Drop-Off
For students who will need to keep medication on campus during the school year, we will have a medication drop-off day on Thursday, August 25, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Upper School circle.
Families will pull into the circle, and a nurse will come to your car to collect the medication and the appropriate forms. As a reminder, all prescription medication must be accompanied by the physician's order on the Medication Authorization Form, which must be completed and signed by the prescribing physician.
All medication must have the pharmacy label on it. You can access the forms from your Magnus account /Husky Hub resource board under the Preparing for the School Year tile. All over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by the Medication Authorization Form and must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian. The medication must be in the original packaging and must be administered according to the package instructions, including the time and route to be administered.
If you are unable to come to the School on the medication drop-off day, please call to schedule an appointment with your division’s nurse prior to the start of school.
Upper School 703.584.2396
Middle School 703.584.2397
Lower School 703.584.2399
To drop off medication refills throughout the school year, please call and schedule an appointment with your division’s nurse.
Health Forms — New and Returning Students
Completed health forms must be uploaded to the Magnus Health system and approved by the first day of classes, or your child may not attend school. If you have any questions regarding the health forms, please contact Director of Health Services Mary Hart at 571.926.2818.
Upcoming Events
Senior Portraits
Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23
Click here to schedule an appointment.
Medication Drop-Off
Thursday, August 25
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Upper School circle
Upper School First Day of School
Monday, August 29
Upper School Picture Day (9th-11th grade)
Tuesday, August 30
Labor Day — Grades JK-12, No Classes
Monday, September 5
Upper School Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 8
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Parents’ Association
Dear Flint Hill Families,
Hopefully, your family is enjoying these last two weeks of summer and feeling increasingly ready for school to begin. Last week I introduced myself and shared information about the Parents’ Association.
Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make yesterday and today’s Lower School Uniform Exchange and School Store Pop-Up Shop such a success! As we all look ahead to the Parents’ Association events that build community throughout the year, I hope you’ll take a minute and mark your calendar (look for the dates below).
During the year, I’ll share specific volunteer opportunities in this section. In the meantime, please use this link to indicate your potential interest and willingness to be contacted directly.
Go Huskies!
Warmly,
KayAnn Schoeneman
Parent ’28
September
12—Parent Morning Mixer
23—Senior Breakfast
October
3— Parent Morning Mixer
14-15—Homecoming Weekend
November
7—Parent Morning Mixer
March
6—Morning Mixer
10—Lower School Spring Uniform Exchange
April
3—Parent Morning Mixer
15—Parents’ Association Spring Tennis Social
May
1—Parent Morning Mixer
25—Flint Hill Golf Invitational
June
1—Volunteer Appreciation Reception
