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Upper School Newsletter - August 17, 2022

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    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.

    Read More

    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.

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    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

    Parents' Association Events

    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

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      Archives

      Upper School Newsletter – January 18, 2023

      Upper School Newsletter – January 4, 2023

      Upper School Newsletter – December 14, 2022

      FLINT HILL SCHOOL

      Hazel Lower School: 10409 Academic Drive • Oakton, VA 22124

      Upper School Campus: 3320 Jermantown Road • Oakton, VA 22124

      Peterson Middle School: 10900 Oakton Road • Oakton, VA 22124

      703.584.2300

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