Upper School Newsletter - September 7, 2022
Message From Division Director
Though we are just one week into school, it is pretty clear that the energy and atmosphere of this year differs starkly from the September energy of the last two school years. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, I nudged our community to find summer plans that had a mixture of rejuvenation and adventure. Members of our community, including staff and students, have recounted great stories about how they spent the last three months, and that certainly gives me confidence that we are ready to tackle the school year ahead.
I will be wandering the building during Back-to-School Night tomorrow. If I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet, I hope I get an opportunity to introduce myself tomorrow. Though the program starts at 7:05 p.m., arriving in advance of that time will ensure that the teachers have a chance to give the full advisory program. Make sure that you know the name of your child’s advisor so you can proceed straight to the classroom and expedite the arrival process. If you have any questions about the evening, don’t hesitate to email your child’s advisor.
Don Paige
Director of the Upper School
Announcements
Back-to-School Night on September 8
We will hold our annual Back-to-School Night this week on Thursday evening. There will be programming for families who use the Learning Center, starting at 6:15 p.m. The general program begins at 7:05 p.m. in your student’s advisory. We will distribute personalized schedules for the evening in that advisory. More details can be found in this Back-to-School Guide.
Student Absence: Classwork Policy
Informed by the experiences of the previous years working within the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the learning outcomes and impact on our students, faculty, and staff of hybrid and asynchronous learning during that time, the following represent guidelines for continued learning when a student is absent from school.
The goals of this policy are two-fold:
- to support individual and community health and wellbeing, and
- to maintain the integrity of a one-of-a-kind Flint Hill educational experience.
To that end, students and families should treat absences for illness as a necessary time to recuperate, and academic work is NOT an expectation during this time.
Senior Portraits Now Available Online / Schedule Reshoot
Senior portraits are now online for viewing and ordering. Senior families should have received an email from Freed Photography with their student's private gallery information. If you are a senior who has not had your portrait taken or would like a reshoot, please plan to do that when they return on Friday, September 9. Questions? Contact Freed at support@freedphoto.com or 301.652.5452.
Head of School Freshman Dinner — September 19
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Parents and Students of the Class of 2026 are invited back to to campus on Monday, September 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for a welcome dinner with Head of School Patrick McHonett. Freshman families will receive an email invitation today. For planning purposes, please RSVP to Ana Yarbrough at 703-584-2301 or Ayarbrough@flinthill.org. |
Senior Parents — Sign Up to Support Senior Breakfast
The first senior breakfast will take place on Friday, September 23, 7:45 - 8:20 a.m. in the deCamp Garden. Senior parents: please sign up if you are interested in contributing food or helping to set up and serve breakfast. We appreciate your help with continuing this tradition and providing a special treat for our seniors!
School Store — New Items and Shop by Appointment
The School Store is now open at the Hazel Lower School in Room 112 for in-person shopping by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Take a look at the new items that have recently been stocked! More will be added through the fall. To contact School Store Manager Kaleena Buckwalter, please call 703.584.2413 or email schoolstore@flinthill.org.
Upcoming Events
Upper School Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 8
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Senior Portrait Makeup Day
Friday, September 9
Schedule an appointment.
Parent Morning Mixer
Monday, September 12
Peterson Middle School, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
Head of School Freshman Family Dinner
Monday, September 19
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Senior Breakfast
Friday, September 23
7:45 - 8:20 a.m.
Parents' Association Pickleball Social
Thursday, September 29
Country Club of Fairfax, 9:30 - 12:00 p.m.
Parents’ Association
MESSAGE FROM PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
The school year is in full swing, and this can be both exciting and stressful! The best years we’ve had at Flint Hill are the ones when we connect with the community – fellow parents, teachers, students and beyond. September presents several opportunities to connect and engage with the Flint Hill community.
Parent Morning Mixer Next Monday
Join us on Monday, September 12, for our first Morning Mixer on The John M. Thomas Terrace, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. The Advancement Office will host monthly, informal socials for JK-12 parents to get together on campus after morning drop-off and visit with other parents. Parent Morning Mixers will rotate between locations at the Upper, Middle and Lower Schools but all divisions are welcome to attend regardless of the location.
You’re Invited — Parents’ Association Pickleball Social
Thursday, September 29, Country Club of Fairfax, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join us for a new community-building event at the beautiful 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 skill levels are welcome. The event is free, but we do ask that you register in advance. Registration is limited to the first 30 registrants so grab your spot! Questions? Contact Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum ’11
Calling All Concessions Volunteers!
Parent volunteers are needed to help sell concessions in both The Igloo and The Den during the day and after school. More opportunities will be added throughout the year for each athletic season. Please sign up for as many shifts as you'd like, and feel free to invite a friend to sign up with you too.
September
12—Parent Morning Mixer
23—Senior Breakfast
29—Parent Pickleball Social
October
3— Parent Morning Mixer
14-15—Homecoming Weekend
November
7—Parent Morning Mixer
March
6—Morning Mixer
10—Lower School Spring Uniform Exchange
April
3—Parent Morning Mixer
15—Parents’ Association Spring Tennis Social
May
1—Parent Morning Mixer
25—Flint Hill Golf Invitational
June
1—Volunteer Appreciation Reception
