Upper School Newsletter - May 11, 2022
Message From Division Director
For my message this week, I want to pass along some advice for parents who are helping their student create a preparation system for the exams. Today, teachers will be posting study guides to their exams today on Husky Hub. Though there is still homework and other learning taking place, the last assessments that require overnight preparation end on Friday, May 20. The academic leaders created these early deadlines after extensive contemplation. We purposefully want these materials available to students in advance of the exam. 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.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
THE LATEST
Covid and APs
Like many parts of the country, we have seen a sharp uptick of Covid cases recently. We recognize that students with APs might feel the pressure to attend school even when they feel the onset of symptoms. Please know that the College Board has makeup exam periods to accomodate students that are ill. If students feel any symptoms, please encourage them to stay home to avoid spread. Any students with questions about makeup exams can reach out to our AP coordinators, Andrew Kane (akane@flinthill.org) or Jeremiah Shepherd (jshepherd@flinthill.org).
Prom 2022: Under the Stars
Prom will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 8-11 p.m, at The River View at Occoquan in Lorton, Virginia. This is a private event; the venue will be alcohol-free, and only approved ticket holders will be permitted to attend. In addition, no smoking (cigars, e-cigarettes, cigarettes, vapes/Juuls, etc.) will be permitted at this event. All students must arrive no later than 9 p.m. and must stay until at least 10:30 p.m. The event will be chaperoned by Flint Hill staff and security.
Prom Ticket Sales Information:
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.flinthill.org/prom, from Monday, April 25, until Friday, May 27. Tickets are $45 per person for seniors and $50 per person for juniors and guests.
Prom Guest Information:
Here is a link to the Prom Guest Form for students who would like to bring a guest from outside of Flint Hill. Forms are due to either Ms. Melissa Turner or Mr. Howard Chang before purchasing a guest ticket, by Friday, May 27. All guests must have a completed form on file to attend the prom by this date.
If your guest must leave the prom before 10:30 p.m., his or her parent/guardian must email both Ms. Melissa Turner and Mr. Howard Chang. In order to receive permission to leave early, you must also inform both Ms. Turner and Mr. Chang of your individual transportation arrangements from the prom. Entire groups will not be excused to leave prom early because one person within the group has an early curfew. Please contact Ms. Turner and Mr. Chang with any questions.
Reading Day Attendance Policies
Reading Day is a unique school day from the rest of the year. On that day, we create open periods of time for students to review material with their teachers in advance of their semester exams. We require ninth graders to attend school that day to make sure they take advantage of this great opportunity. Tenth graders and eleventh graders have optional attendance on that day.
However, we do not allow students to leave and return to campus that day. To make sure that we have accurate attendance on that open day, we require students to stay on campus until the end of the day once they arrive. Tenth and eleventh graders may show up at any time that day (making sure they sign in through SchoolPass), but once on campus they must stay until 2:45 p.m.
Spring Exam Schedule
Here is the Upper School exam schedule. A more precise schedule with times will be released as we get closer to exams.
- May 25: Reading Day (required for Grade 9) — students from other grades can attend optionally.
- May 26: Language Exams
- May 27: English Exams
- May 31: Math Exams
- June 1: History Exams
- June 2: Science Exams
- June 3: Upper School Closing Ceremony
Daily Bell Schedule for Exam Days (May 26-June 2)
- 9 a.m.-noon: Standard exam time
- Noon-3 p.m.: Extra time for students with accommodations
The Community of Care
The Community of Care is an event designed for our community to engage in dialogue, create connections and build community. This year’s community conversation will focus on the Flint Hill Core Values. We invite you to join us as we connect across constituencies and build a more inclusive community, one conversation at a time. Our discussion will also inform our upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming.
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.-noon in the Peterson Middle School. We invite students in Grades 7-12, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and leadership to join us for this important community event. Please save the date. Registration details will be provided in the upcoming weeks.
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.
AP Exams
May 2-13
Classics Department Celebration
Friday, May 13, 5 p.m.
Two-Hour Delayed Opening, Faculty/Staff In-Service
Tuesday, May 17
Spring Athletic Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 20, 8:25 a.m.
Community of Care: The Flint Hill Mission
Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.
Reading Day (required for Grade 9) — students from other grades can attend optionally.
Wednesday, May 25
Language Exams
May 26
English Exams
May 27
Memorial Day — Flint Hill Offices Closed
Monday, May 30
Math Exams
May 31
History Exams
June 1
Science Exams
June 2
Upper School Closing Ceremony
June 3
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
Volunteer at the Igloo Snack Bar!
In order to keep the Igloo open, parent volunteers are critical. Sign up for a morning or afternoon shift here.
Don’t Miss Your Chance To Join Us on the Links!
The Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic is right around the corner. Registration is filling up with very limited spots available for the tournament. Contact Tiffany Parry to sign up as an individual or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.
There’s still space available in the Skills Clinic sponsored by AutoScandia, so grab a friend and sign up together to learn from the pros. All abilities are welcome, so grab your spot here!
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.
New Excitement
Last Wednesday, we hosted more than 100 new families at the New Parent Information Night in the Peterson Middle School. These families have been accepted and have made their decision to come to Flint Hill. It was a fantastic evening to meet other new families and begin to get acquainted with all things Flint Hill. Read more.
School Store
New Youth Husky Logo Tee
Get ready for summer in this new dry-fit tee, designed just for our youngest huskies! Available in three bright summer shades, these t-shirts are lightweight, roomy, highly breathable and moisture-wicking.
How Do I Make an Exchange or Return?
Please email schoolstore@flinthill.org 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.
NEWS ON THE HILL
