Upper School Newsletter - May 10, 2023

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Message From Division Director

For the last seven years, I have sent essentially the same reminder message to families regarding how to help your student prepare for end-of-year exams. One of the most solidified findings of educational neuroscience in recent decades involves “spaced practice.” Spaced practice refers to the increased efficacy observed in people who study in small chunks over many days, rather than one huge chunk on one day. In other words, retention and comprehension increase when someone studies for one hour a day for ten days, as opposed to a ten hour study session on one day. To use the colloquial term, “late night cramming” is not a successful study method.

Unfortunately, we also know that adolescents need structures that encourage them to think deeper into the future, as opposed to the immediate. Though “spaced practice” is the best method, we often do not see it utilized by high school students because it requires forethought and a willingness to experience delayed gratification.

Though we will have these conversations with students in advisory and class, we encourage parents to reinforce these concepts with your student at home. The general message is that success on final exams comes more from what you do far in advance of the exam, as opposed to the night before the exam.

Go Huskies,

Don Paige
Director of the Upper School

Announcements

Preparing for the 2023-24 School Year — Parent Action Items

Several resources are now available to help families prepare for the 2023-24 school year. To access the Resource Board, visit www.flinthill.org/app, then enter your username and password. After you log in, click on the Preparing for the 2023-2024 School Year tile. Online back-to-school forms are now available on Husky Hub and are required for students to attend school and any school activity prior to the start of school. The deadline for submission is Friday, June 16.

Starting Friday, June 9, parents are asked to log into the Health Portal to submit required health forms, which are due Tuesday, August 1. Click here to access a link to our 2023-24 calendar highlights.

New Husky Hub Features:
We understand the value of putting a name with a face so we have made it possible for parents to add their profile photo to Husky Hub. To add a profile photo: when logged in, click on your name in the top right corner and select Profile. In the About section, click edit photo and upload your photo. Click save.

We've also added a name pronunciation field recognizing how important it is that members of the Flint Hill community know how to correctly pronounce each other's names. To add pronunciation to your profile, click on your name in the top right corner and select Profile. In the General Information section, click edit and enter your pronunciation into the fields. Click save.

LAST CHANCE to Join Us on the Links! Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic — Thursday, May 25

The Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic is right around the corner. Registration is filling up with very limited spots available for the tournament, but there’s still space in the Skills Clinic. Grab a friend and sign up together to learn from the pros.

All abilities are welcome, so register here!

What do marshmallows and golf have in common? Volunteer and find out! No experience necessary, and it’s a fun way to support the community and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Tickets for Junior/Senior Prom — Purchase by Tuesday, May 30

Juniors and Seniors have been invited to purchase their tickets for Prom 2023. Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, May 30.

Who: Juniors and Seniors and guests
Date: Tuesday, June 6
Time: 8:30-11:00 p.m.
Where: Sweeney Barn, Manassas, VA

Any student who is bringing a non-Flint Hill guest must submit the Prom Guest Form to Mr. Chang by Tuesday, May 30, at 3:30 p.m. Guests will not be permitted to attend the prom if a form has not been submitted.

A Reminder Regarding Modern Language Exams

This year, the Modern Language Department Exam will be on Friday, May 26. Students from levels I to IV Honors will be tested in the four language competencies that they have studied throughout the academic year: listening, speaking, reading and writing. To ensure there is enough time to complete the exam, the Modern Language Department has divided it into two parts. Beginning the week of May 15, they will assess the listening and speaking portions in class. This approach will give the students ample time to focus on the reading and writing portions during the June Exam day. Please reach out to your student’s language teacher if you have any questions.

Host Families Needed for Spanish Exchange Students

We are excited to welcome back our friends from our exchange school Instituto Josep Vallverdú in Cataluña, Spain. They will be visiting NYC prior to arriving in DC and will be at Flint Hill from September 11-21. We are looking for host families to provide lodging, meals and transportation to school during this time. The students will visit the major DC landmarks with their teachers, so families don't have to worry about planning special excursions. The students are interested in experiencing life in the United States and practicing their English. They know that our students have sports practice, games and homework after school, and they are fine waiting at school until the FH students are finished. This is a great opportunity for Flint Hill students to practice their Spanish, but families do not have to speak any Spanish, as they are here to practice English. The group will include 8 boys and 7 girls. We are hoping to line up our families by the end of the year. Please fill out this form to sign up to host or support the program. Please contact Kristin Piazza (kpiazza@flinthill.org) with any questions.

Upcoming Events

AP Exams
Thursday, May 11-Friday, May 12

Upper School Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, May 23
Upper School Gym, 8:25-9:25 a.m.

Reading Day
Wednesday, May 24

Upper School End-of-Year Exams
Thursday, May 25 – Science
Friday, May 26 – Modern and Classical Languages
Tuesday, May 30 – English
Wednesday, May 31 – Math
Thursday, June 1 – History
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Daily

Memorial Day, No School
Monday, May 29

Grades JK-12 Last Day of School
Thursday, June 1

Upper School Awards Ceremony
Friday, June 2
Upper School Gym, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Senior Alumni Move-Up Day
Monday, June 5
Upper School Campus, 2:30-5:45 p.m.

Head of School Senior Dinner
Monday, June 5
Upper School Commons, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Junior Senior Prom
Tuesday, June 6
Sweeney Barn, Manassas, VA, 8:30-11:00 p.m.

Grade 12 Commencement Rehearsal and Lunch
Thursday, June 8
Upper School Campus, 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Commencement
Friday, June 9
Upper School Gym, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Parents’ Association

Sign-Up Form Closes TONIGHT! Serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador for 2023-2024

You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year, and there’s still time to sign up if you’re interested. Complete the Sign-up form by tonight! If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Divisional Ambassador role, please see below for more information:

Divisional Ambassador Description — Duties and Responsibilities
Divisional Ambassador FAQ

Uniform Donation Drop-Off: May 30 - June 9

Start cleaning out your closets because we will have another uniform donation drop-off at the end of the school year. Parents may drop off gently-used uniforms and spirit wear items on the Miller House front porch on these dates: Tuesday, May 30 - Friday, June 2 and Monday, June 5 - Friday, June 9.

Save the Date: Volunteer Appreciation Reception — Wednesday, May 31

Check your email for an invitation to join us for a reception to celebrate your volunteer service to Flint Hill! R.S.V.P. by Friday, May 26 via Paperless Post and contact Olivia Landrum with questions.

Spring Concessions Volunteers Needed

Volunteering in concessions is a fun way to make new connections with other parents across divisions. Check out the schedules and invite a friend to join you! Students are welcome to volunteer as well and will receive service hours.