Upper School Newsletter - March 9, 2022
Note: Newsletter will resume on March 30
Message From Division Director
At Town Meeting on Tuesday, I spoke to the students about some of my own personal experiences over the last couple of years during the pandemic. The purpose of those comments was to make an explanation of why I would often still be wearing a mask after we return from Spring Break. In a larger sense, I wanted to remind the student body that everyone has a different set of circumstances around their health, as well as their families. As we move away from a system where everyone is masked to a system where masking is optional, I wanted to deliberately establish the culture that we as a community accept each other’s choices when it comes to wearing masks after Spring Break. No member of the community should be maligned for choosing to stop wearing a mask, just as no member of the community should be maligned for choosing to continue wearing a mask. I find that this situation falls squarely into our core value of respect. The response I received from the students gives me great confidence that we will see that respect when we return from Spring Break and students begin to make their choices about whether or not to wear a mask.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
THE LATEST
3rd Quarter Grades and Comments
Friday, March 11 is the end of the 3rd Quarter. At the Upper School, teachers attach comments to the 3rd Quarter grades as well. Those grades and comments will be released shortly after returning from Spring Break.
Upper School — No Conferences on Friday
Just as a reminder, the Upper School does not host parent-teacher conferences on the spring conference date (Friday, March 11). Upper School students have a regular school day on Friday. Please note, any parent is always welcome to reach out to an Upper School teacher or advisor if they have a question or would like to talk about their student.
Stay In the Know! Link the All-School Calendar to Your Calendar
Did you know that you can have the electronic All-School Calendar feed directly into your iCal or Google calendars? As we head into a busy time in the school year, with many events on both campuses, linking the All-School Calendar to your calendar can be a great way to stay in the know.
Save the Date, April 13! Arts Jam is Back
Mark your calendars for the most exciting performing arts event of the year. Join us for the annual Arts Jam concert featuring Upper School band, choir, orchestra, percussion, dance, and musical theater. The concert will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event.
Friendly Reminders
- Refer a Husky and the Admission team will reach out to them.
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.
Winter Athletic Awards Ceremony
March 11, 8:25 a.m.
Spring Break
March 12-27
Classes Resume
Monday, March 28
Founder’s Day
Thursday, March 31, Upper School Campus Gym
Middle and Upper School students will gather in the gym for this traditional program to celebrate the founding members of Flint Hill School and Driving Spirit Award recipients. Parents are welcome to attend.
Arts Jam
April 13, 7 p.m.
Mask Update
Masks Optional Starting March 28
Masks are currently optional outdoors on both campuses. Effective Monday, March 28, the day we return from Spring Break, masks will be optional for students and visitors, indoors and outdoors. Currently, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Permanent COVID-19 Standard requires employers to mandate masks for employees. It is anticipated this may change or may not become applicable to independent schools within the coming weeks. When it does, masks will also become optional for employees indoors.
Health Services
Helpful Links
Flint Hill Positive Case and Close Contact Exposure Protocols
COVID-19 Vaccination Status Dashboard
All of these links can be found on the COVID-19 Health Information tile on the Resource Board.
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.
Parents' Association
Join Us for a Fun Day on the Links!
The Flint Hill Golf Invitational is more than playing a great round of golf, it’s about building community and school spirit. This beloved event connects parents, alumni and friends and benefits the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in honor of Sally Hazel. Want to join the fun but not quite ready for a full 18 holes? Sign up for the Skills Clinic where you’ll learn the basics and sharpen your putting skills with the help of a golf professional. All abilities are welcome, so sign up at flinthill.org/golf.
Volunteer Opportunity: The Den Is Reopening for the Spring!
Spring athletic games are here and concessions will return in the Den located on the Terrace of the Peterson Middle School. Parent volunteers are needed for weekday and weekend games. Sign up for a shift here.
56 T-Shirts
I have been collecting Flint Hill t-shirts since my son began at the school in kindergarten. From husky pride, Homecoming, band trips, Latin conventions, color games, you name, we have it! Read more.
NEWS ON THE HILL
