Upper School Newsletter - January 18, 2023

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Message From Division Director

I imagine that many of you have read the bounty of articles about the emergence of effective artificial intelligence with software like ChatGPT. Many families in our community have forwarded me a wealth of fascinating and thought-provoking articles beyond what I read over the winter break. A cursory look through the articles would give you the impression that this is either the best or worst thing to ever happen to education.

To address the issue, our technology staff and instructional coaching staff gave a general presentation to our faculty about the current tools available, what those tools are able to accomplish and which artificial intelligence detectors currently exist. Like many new technologies, the ethical use of these tools is still being defined in a nuanced and thoughtful way. We still expect students to submit work that is their own so we can accurately measure their skill development, but we also recognize that the continued improvement of these technologies will open doors in education that we don’t want to ignore. We are going to continue to monitor developments with these artificial intelligence technologies but also work with our student body to talk about acceptable and unacceptable uses of them.

As someone who loves to read anything about education and pedagogy, please keep the articles coming!

Don Paige
Director of the Upper School

Announcements

Summer on the Hill Registration Opens Tomorrow

Registration for the 2023 Summer on the Hill lineup opens tomorrow, Thursday, January 19 at 12:00 p.m. We are proud to offer programs in the following categories:

Headfirst Summer Camps: Ages 3-5
Athletic Camps: Grades 3-9
Enrichment Camps: Grades 5-9
For-Credit & Academic Prep Courses: Grades 9-12
D.C. United Soccer Camp & Washington Nationals Baseball and Softball Camps: Ages 5-13

We look forward to campers and students joining us on campus for new and returning programs and to a safe, enriching and fun summer ahead! Contact Director of After School and Summer Programs Matt McCoart with any questions.

Athletics and College Admissions Virtual Workshop

On Monday, January 23, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., Middle and Upper School families are invited to join us virtually for an athletics and college admission workshop. During our program, families will have the opportunity to hear directly from experts in the field of college athletics as well as current Flint Hill students who plan to continue their athletic journey on the college level. You will have the opportunity to hear about the athletic recruitment process, get insight into what life as a collegiate student-athlete is like, and ask questions of our panelists. If you are interested in potentially competing on the college level, we hope you’ll join us to learn about all aspects of the process.

10-Minute Play Festival — Friday, February 3

Join us for the world premiere of eight short plays written, directed, acted and designed entirely by students — Friday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Olson Theater. Tickets are free and can be reserved at our online box office.

Major Minors Concert — Wednesday, February 15

Love is in the air! Join the Major Minors, Flint Hill’s award winning a cappella group, for their annual concert, featuring songs of love for Valentine’s Day. Bring a date. It’s sure to be a heart warming experience. The concert is free and will be held in the Upper School Commons on Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Parent Meetup: Women Giving Back
Thursday, January 19
Women Giving Back, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Summer on the Hill Registration Opens
Thursday, January 19
12:00 p.m., registration link

Athletics and College Admissions Virtual Workshop
Monday, January 23
Virtual, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Semester Report Cards Available on Husky Hub
Wednesday, January 25, 4:00 p.m.

Head of School Senior Families Dinner
Monday, January 30
The Commons in the Upper School Building, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Enrollment Contracts Issued
Wednesday, February 1

10-Minute Play Festival
Friday, February 3
Olson Theatre (Lower School Campus), 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club
Monday, February 6
Peterson Middle School Conference Room 204, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Enrollment Contracts Due
Thursday, February 9

Parent Meetup: Pickleball
Friday, February 10
Country Club of Fairfax, 11:00-2:00 p.m.

Professional Development Day, No Classes
Monday, February 13

Major Minors Concert
Wednesday, February 15
Upper School Commons, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Parents’ Association

Tomorrow Thursday, January 19 — Join FH Parents at Women Giving Back

There’s still time to join us at Women Giving Back, an organization that supports women and children in crisis by providing quality clothing at no cost. Join other FH parents to help sort donations at the Sterling warehouse. Sign up to participate.

Next Parent Meetup — Pickleball is BACK!

Friday, February 10, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Country Club of Fairfax

Whether you have played pickleball or not, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families and enjoy some friendly competition. Players of all levels are welcome — including first-timers! The event is free, but advanced registration is required. Contact Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum ’11 with any questions. Read more about this event and register to attend.

Volunteers Needed: Concessions

Volunteers are needed to sell concessions during the day, after school and during basketball games. Check out the schedule and sign up for as many shifts as you'd like. Feel free to invite a friend to sign up with you too, or come ready to make a new connection!

Parents Council of Washington — Mental Health Panel
Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, The Field School

Are you wondering how to talk with your child/student about worries in a helpful and reassuring way?
Do you know what resources your school can provide to support the mental health of your child/student?
How can you tell if therapy is "working" and how do you find a right-fit therapist?

Flint Hill is a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW), a nonprofit organization that hosts programming for member schools throughout the school year. On Wednesday, January 25, FH parents are invited to attend a PCW event where a panel of expert psychologists and counselors will share first-hand observations and insights and explore the value of school-based student support systems as well as ways that parents/guardians can partner with schools to enhance a culture of wellness. Learn about the difference between anxiety and stress, social exclusion versus bullying, and the skills that need to be developed from interrupted schooling during the pandemic.

The panel includes: Lower and Middle School Counselor Adam Diaz from Landon School; School Psychologist and Upper School Counselor Dr. Holly Hinderlie from Holton-Arms School; and Upper School Counselor and Director of Student Support Josie Woods from The Potomac School. Dr. Heather Tedesco, psychologist, will be the moderator, and an audience Q&A will follow the panel discussion.

Register to attend this event, which will be held in person on January 25, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., at the Field School, 2301 Foxhall Road NW, Washington, DC 20007.