2023-24 FLINT HILL
ANNUAL REPORT
Sharing Husky Gratitude
Patrick McHonett
Head of School
patrickmchonett Welcome to Flinstagram - our Annual Report on Your Philanthropy! Whether you showed up by giving to the Flint Hill Fund, welcoming a new family, volunteering at concessions or a school event, organizing a parent meet-up to build community, or helping to plan an event or reunion, YOU made a difference. Thank you.
Meredith VanDuyne
Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement
meredithvanduyne THANK YOU! Overall, our community contributed over $1.8 million to Flint Hill last year through the Flint Hill Fund, Momentum, restricted giving, and the support of the Parents' Association activities. We would not be able to do all that we do without our incredible community.
Christine Dwyer
LS Language Arts Department Chair and 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher
christinedwyer Looking for a good book? Check out these recommendations from our Huskies! Our students have the opportunity to explore a diverse selection of books in the classroom that not only help them learn about other people's experiences and cultures, but also about life skills such as perseverance, bravery, and sustainability. This kind of cross-disciplinary learning and teaching to the whole child is at the heart of the Flint Hill experience.
Melissa Bradian
US History and Social Sciences Teacher
melissabradian Thanks to a generous donor, four students and two chaperones had an amazing experience on the Charles Kenney Legacy Trip this summer in Normandy. They explored the beaches and sites of this historic area and learned about the sacrifice of the brave men and women who fought there for freedom. It is this kind of experience that can happen when a donor's vision is brought to life.
Deanna Sarpong
6th Grade Teacher
deannasarpong Not all learning takes place in the classroom as our 6th graders learned when they visited the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. These students experienced active democracy as a form of government by analyzing an issue and voting as members of Congress. It's these kinds of real life experiences that make this school special and are made possible by the support of our community.
Dewayne Robinson
Director of Athletics
dewaynerobinson Did you know that Flint Hill has an award-winning climbing team? In addition to more traditional sports, our Athletics Department strives to provide additional opportunities for fitness and strength as well as team building. We are excited to able to offer these kinds of unique athletic opportunities to our students.
Meredith VanDuyne
Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement
meredithvanduyne THANK YOU! You made this a record-breaking year through your generous support of the Flint Hill Fund!
Erika Caruthers
5th Grade Teacher
erikacaruthers Our students are able to explore many different genres of writing and reading because of the expertise of our teachers. At the annual 5th Grade Poetry Cafe, students celebrated National Poetry Month by reciting their own poems in front of an audience. Enjoy this recitation of "Ode to Mac n Cheese" by Ryan Farahani '31.
Andrew Tran
MS and US Technology and Instruction Specialist
andrewtran Have you ever wondered what enzymes are and how your organs actually help to keep you alive? It's not just reading about it in a book, but being able to engage in a hands-on experiment to understand it. Because our students had access to the necessary equipment, 8th graders investigated how the liver is responsible for neutralizing excess hydrogen peroxide produced by the body to combat foreign microbes, an enzymatic process marked by an increase in temperature, oxygen gas, and water production. Here is a reflection on this experiment when students pushed through a slight ick factor to observe a daily process that takes place in their own bodies.
Patrick McHonett
Head of School
patrickmchonett Whether they started with us at age 4 or 14, the members of the Class of 2024, along with their families and our faculty and staff, have been on a journey during their time at Flint Hill. This is the group that entered high school at an uncertain time – the fall of 2020. These students have weathered uncertainty, pivots, and changes, and have emerged stronger, smarter, and – perhaps – more steeled than any 18-year-old should be. They've shown grit and determination, while also pressing us to define a new normal that prioritizes health and wellbeing, creativity and connections, and an ongoing commitment to our Husky community. We are so proud of the Class of 2024 and are excited to see what they do next!
Michele Scadron
Kindergarten Teacher
michelescadron Experiential learning is all part of the Flint Hill experience. Because our teachers have access to all of the necessary resources, our students have been able to explore hands-on activities not just inside the classroom, but throughout the surrounding community. Check out the trip our Kindergarten classes took last year to Frying Pan Farm Park to enhance their study of plant and animal needs.
Gary Smilowitz
MS Science Teacher and US Innovation Teacher
garysmilowitz How many 7th graders do you know who have built satellites? Well, our Flint Hill students did! Our 7th grade Earth and Space Science students designed, imagined, and built satellites, and successfully placed them in "orbit" in our Middle School project spaces. For each satellite, they created a sensor, each representing one of the six major systems that keep the satellites in orbit and focused on the Earth — power, communication, attitude control, thermal control, data handling, and propulsion. The sensors also represented units of study in their science class this year: earth’s structure; minerals and rocks; weathering, erosion, and deposition; plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes; atmosphere and weather.
Olivia Landrum '11
Advancement Officer and Head Dance Team Coach
olandrum Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who make Flint Hill the special community it is. From hosting parent meet-ups to selling concessions to celebrating our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and so much more, our school benefits from the active involvement of parents who show up for our students, teachers, and each other.
Nikki Brugnoli
US Art Teacher
nikkibrugnoli Visit the Upper School Art Show with Hannah Reeder '24 whose artwork shaped her Flint Hill experience. Hannah is a storyteller. Her two and three-dimensional, mixed-media work reveals her deep connection to and respect for nature. She has worked tirelessly to tell a story about her concerns within the natural world and humanity's contribution to its decline. At the same time, she has used her various mediums to explore her own evolving identity, discovering strengths, perhaps unknown, and giving them form and shape. Our students are able to fully explore their passions because they have access to rigorous art classes and the necessary materials because of the resources at Flint Hill.
Jen Fiske
5th Grade Teacher
jenfiske Here's another recitation from our 5th Grade creative writers, this time from Gabriel Doll '31 who shares his original poem, "The Gifts of Nature." Students went through the writing process by first planning, then drafting, revising, and finally publishing their original works. Poetry is often deeply personal and can leave authors feeling vulnerable.
Maria Taylor
Director of Alumni Relations
mariataylor Once a Husky, always a Husky - and many of the connections that started when students attended Flint Hill last well into their futures. Friendship among Flint Hill alums is strong - and it can be seen as they celebrate major life events, from weddings to celebrating babies and more.
Klondike
Flint Hill Mascot
klondike Lead the Pack Challenge - we asked, and YOU answered! In April, I challenged parents in each division to increase participation in this year's Flint Hill Fund with a celebration if they reached the goal that was set. After Lower School families reached their goal, our youngest Huskies LOVED the opportunity to wear their comfiest and coziest PJs to school. Thank you to all who participated!
Teena Hahn
LS Computer Science Teacher
teenahahn What's more fun than coding? Coding robots to compete in a jousting session! We guided students on creating their own algorithms and robots for the Ultimate Joust challenge in 4th grade. Our access to technology, materials, and programs for our youngest Huskies primes them to take on any tech challenge they may face. Who won the battle?