Upper School Newsletter - December 8, 2021
Message From Division Director
Last week I referenced the new dress guidelines that will be released after the winter holidays. This week, I want to take some time to announce another change to our program that will start in the second semester. Should all go to plan, we will start a new leadership body at the Upper School named the “Conduct Council” (though the name is still in Beta testing!)
During my time learning about Flint Hill, both during the interview process and in my initial few months on campus, I have had many teachers and students tell me that the discipline process is opaque and confusing. Because teachers and students are not part of the process, they must trust that other members of the community can adequately speak from their perspective and experience.
To alleviate this concern, many schools utilize a “Discipline Committee” that includes voices from teachers and students. At previous schools, I have both served on and sponsored discipline committees so I have seen firsthand how they can yield positive trust and consensus in the community. Also, our outside consultant that assisted us with our culture and climate work recommended that we reflect upon creating a similar group. After that reflection, the school has decided to move forward with creating a committee that meets the needs and fits the culture of Flint Hill.
We are in the process of creating a body of five teachers and four students that will deliberate upon consequences for students that seriously violate our Core Values. The purpose of this body will be to make recommendations on possible consequences to the Director of the Upper School. This group will be very similar to our Honor Council, which hears cases of academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
We hope that this group will not only provide another leadership and growth opportunity to our students, but also create an enhanced culture of trust around the discipline process at Flint Hill. Here is a short fact sheet that I am releasing to students which you might find helpful if you have other questions. It also has a deeper link to the by-laws of the group if you really like to get into the nitty gritty.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
THE LATEST
The Giving Tree Event Begins December 13!
We will celebrate the Giving Tree event December 13-17. We will be collecting coats in each division for the Cornerstones Coat Drive, as part of their north county hypothermia prevention program and their maxim that “no one should go without a coat.”
As part of this season of giving, we encourage families to look for opportunities to serve those in particular need in our community. We are sharing some service opportunities and donation requests for Flint Hill families to consider over the break. These include:
- Women Giving Back (WGB)—clean out your closets and help our community by donating freshly laundered women’s and children’s clothing and accessories in excellent, used and ready-to-wear condition. This organization specifically helps women and children in crisis by distributing clothing at no cost. WGB also has a holiday toy drive; for details about this, volunteering and donating, visit their website.
- Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA)—collect much-needed supplies, volunteer, adopt, and/or attend an event to support this no-kill haven for homeless cats and dogs in Loudoun County. You can also shop or donate to the Treasure Hound Resale Shop located in Chantilly, VA, which supports FOHA.
- Bringing Resources and Aid to Women in Shelters (BRAWS)—purchase/donate in person or online women's sanitary supplies and undergarments to BRAWS, which provides menstrual supplies and undergarments to women and children in crisis who do not have access to these basic needs.
- The Lamb Center—sign up to prepare a meal for this religiously affiliated day shelter in Fairfax.
Please send photos to FHService@flinthill.org of your family adventure in community service!
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. The School discourages the collection of money from parents to provide teachers or coaches with 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.
Nominations for Driving Spirit Award Are Open!
Do you know a faculty or staff who has demonstrated the Driving Spirit qualities and who helps make our school special? Please take a moment to nominate them for the Driving Spirit Award by December 31, 2021. Read more about the award and how to submit your nomination.
Don’t Miss The Winter Orchestra Concert!
Winter Concert Season concludes with grades 7-12 performing in the Winter Orchestra Concert. This uplifting and inspiring concert features The Upper School Orchestra and the Middle School Advanced Orchestra playing together for the first time in two years! The concert will be held in the Olson Theater on December 9 at 7 p.m.
Teacher Appreciation Surprise: What’s Your Word?
Please use this form to share one word describing Flint Hill teachers. Responses will be used for a special project that we look forward to sharing with you in 2022!
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Meeting
Join us on December 13, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for a discussion of the book "Somebody's Daughter" by Ashley Ford, led by Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, Mia Burton. The meeting will be held in the Peterson Middle School. Please email Miles Henderson for more information and to RSVP.
Refer-a-Husky Today
Nearly every family who enrolls at Flint Hill was either referred by or talked with a current family during the admission process. Your perspective is critically important. You are in the best position to identify potential Huskies who are a great fit for our school.
Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to invite them to learn more about Flint Hill.
PARENT TO-DO'S
Teacher Appreciation Surprise: What’s Your Word?
Please use this form to share one word describing Flint Hill teachers. Responses will be used for a special project that we look forward to sharing with you in 2022!
Upcoming events
To help protect the integrity and privacy of virtual events, we have placed all the links to Google Meet virtual events in Husky Hub via the All-School Calendar.
Grades 7-12 Winter Orchestra Concert
Thursday, December 9, 7 p.m., Olson Theater — Lower School Campus
The Giving Tree
December 13-17. Students may bring in new or gently used coats for Cornerstones Coat Drive.
Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Meeting
Monday, December 13, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Conference Room 204 — Peterson Middle School
Winter Break
December 18-January 2
Classes Resume
Monday, January 3
End of Second Quarter and First Semester
Friday, January 13
Health Services
Reminder: Keep Everyone Healthy by Staying Home If Sick
If your student has fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea you should keep them home to recover. They must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
The COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board has this year’s protocols and procedures.
Flint Hill strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
The COVID-19 Case Dashboard has been updated.
Parents' Association
We Are The Huskies!
Recently I have been contacted by quite a few Husky parents that joined our pack over the past couple of years. Covid has made it harder to connect and I am slowly catching up. My feelings about Flint Hill families have been re-affirmed, our school attracts the best people! Read More.
School Store
Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is upon us. To ensure you or your loved ones receive Flint Hill spirit wear before winter break, please place your orders by Wednesday, December 15.
The School Store uses priority shipping, but please allow a week for local packages to be delivered and up to two weeks for packages mailed outside the DMV area.
Hoodies and Outerwear
We have a great selection of hoodies and outerwear for youth and adults. Click the links below to view our inventory.
How Do I Make an Exchange or Return?
Please email Adrienne Robinson within 30 days of your original purchase. Include your order number, the item(s) that didn’t work, and if you would like to return your items or exchange them. 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.
