Flint Hill School - Fall/Winter Magazine 2021

Dear Flint Hill School Family,

Last year was an adventure that none of us could’ve imagined. We had to balance the dynamics of having students on campus all year long and, at the same time, allowing students to attend virtually if the family chose that option. In the end, we are proud that Flint Hill was the only JK-12 school in Northern Virginia to open on campus at the beginning of the 2020–21 school year.

The thing that has always stood out about Flint Hill is that everything we do is intentional, deliberate, strategic and, now more than ever, safe. The protocols we put in place: monitoring the health of our students, faculty and staff daily; keeping adequate distances; maintaining small class sizes; wiping down furniture hourly — made sure we did our best to keep everyone safe and healthy. Our guiding goal was to continue to learn together.

So much took place last year that challenged everyone’s sense of well-being, both emotionally and physically. Despite these challenges, our students had the grit, resilience and determination to engage in ways that we found truly remarkable. Our outstanding faculty also rose to the occasion in ways that were not just impressive but also awe-inspiring. They make me proud every day and continue to be our students’ strongest advocates. We awarded the entire faculty and staff the 2020–21 Driving Spirit Award as a fitting tribute to their commitment and sense of passion.

Looking ahead, our athletics have resumed, and our arts and musical groups are practicing for concerts. Our school plays are back on stage, and students are performing in front of live audiences, with performers and audience members fully masked.

As we maneuver through vaccination requirements, we have had to do some events virtually. Although our students are on campus, virtual events are still needed to address health concerns and capacity constraints when people gather. For instance, we shared a beautiful video of the All-School Gathering with the entire school, where you could witness our Lifers lighting the lantern, which now sits in the front window of the Upper School. The Headmaster’s Freshman Families Fiesta Dinner was also virtual, and we shared a video with our Class of 2025 families. The Lower School Halloween Parade was another great success, though it had to be virtual. Our Upper and Middle School Parent Coffees follow a hybrid model, with a mix of parents attending in-person and others remotely. Lower School Coffees are still virtual since those children are not vaccinated yet. Every effort has been made to keep the Lower School Campus as isolated but as normal as possible. Homecoming, complete with the traditional bonfire, was the only event thus far we held in person for everyone! We followed the appropriate health guidelines and mask mandates. This event had an enormous turnout, showing all of us that people are desperate to be together — as one school family.

Bottom line, it is an exciting time to be at Flint Hill. We have a unique school community and an active, engaging and personal approach to education. We have clearly seen how the relationships we forged over years of working together, in the best interest of our children, truly have a lasting impact.

Enjoy this issue of our magazine! Please know how important every step is in our journey together as we continue to make Flint Hill a part of our lives. I would like us all to take a mindful moment to appreciate the unique culture we have. While I was standing at the Homecoming Bonfire looking around at all the people who had come together, I was reminded of how strong and beautiful this school family is and how much it truly means to all of us.

Best wishes to you!Sincerely,

John M. Thomas Headmaster