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.
Scott McCandless
23.24 Parents' Association President
scottmccandless 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?
Tiffany Parry
Director of Engagement and Stewardship
tiffanyparry Your support matters. The Grateful Huskies Club was established last year to thank donors and share the impact giving has on the Flint Hill community. Hear from one of our student club members about what the club has done and the impact that they and YOU have on our students and school.
Tanisha Ingram
MS History Teacher
tanishaingram Want to see how serious our 7th graders can be? Give them a Supreme Court case and ask them to argue for or against the application of an amendment in the Bill of Rights. These debates truly brought learning to life in the classroom – giving them the opportunity not only to learn about these amendments but also to how to defend their interpretation of these cases.
Dewayne Robinson
Director of Athletics
dewaynerobinson Flint Hill's athletes benefit from over 15 acres of competition space. Athletics are an important part of the Flint Hill experience whether you are an athlete or a spectator - these spaces bond us together as a community. Your support ensures that we can continue to offer a top notch program, maintain facilities for all of our athletes, and continue the spirit of our community!
Julia Cardone
US Ceramics Teacher
juliacardone It's not every day that students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of techniques in the world of creating their own ceramics pieces. Here in Flint Hill's Upper School, one exciting technique our potters learn about is Raku - a traditional Japanese method using a low fire process. Ceramics students work together to achieve unique results including flashes of copper, a myriad of color flashes, carbonized clay, and crazing of glazes with unpredictable beauty.
Fred Atwood
US Science Teacher
fredatwood Hands-on learning is an important part of the educational experience at every level. The Upper School Field Natural History and Ornithology class went on a Geology of Virginia field trip to the Shenandoah Valley to see various landforms and learn how they were formed. This kind of firsthand experience is made possible when our teachers have access to the necessary resources.
Julie Thomas
Junior Kindergarten Teacher
juliethomas Relationships are at the heart of all we do at Flint Hill – and in the Lower School, we're helping to foster those friendships among students of different ages. Last year, our 4th graders were given the opportunity to bond with younger Huskies in Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten throughout the year. Hear directly from two sets of our buddies about what this meant to them!
Meredith VanDuyne
Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement
meredithvanduyne Six years ago, our community came together to contribute more than $19 million in less than 100 days to construct a state-of-the-art middle school and renovate the Hazel Lower School. Since the opening of the Peterson Middle School and the completion of the renovations in the Hazel Lower School in the fall of 2020, students, teachers, and the community have benefited in innumerable ways. Did you know that we had 71 families who made and honored a gift to Momentum that they paid over several years? This kind of dedication is what makes more possible for our students and teachers. Thank you.
Nikki Brugnoli
US Art Teacher
nikkibrugnoli Visit with another Portfolio Art student, Clara Stevens '24 whose artwork was an important piece of her Flint Hill experience. Clara's drawings and paintings aim to examine the beauty and bond of human relationships and are deeply rooted in her family ties. While some works seek to explore the relationship between community members outside of her family, the majority of her works demonstrate the loving and nurturing nature of her mother and siblings she is a caregiver for. She spent many hours researching the Impressionist artists, both style and various applications are alive in her works, as is her total embrace of vibrant and vibrating color palettes that draws the viewer in from any distance to look closer.
Mia Burton
Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion
miaburton In March, we gathered to celebrate Flint Hill's diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities with our annual Community Festival Weekend. One component of the weekend was a Cultural Festival highlighting the many cultures represented within our school. We came away with new friends and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the Flint Hill community. This celebration reinforces our commitment to respecting and valuing all equally.
Carolyn Pitches
LS Math Specialist
carolynpitches Watch as community service and a math lesson about fractions go hand in hand as our 4th graders make blueberry muffins for a local shelter. Teachers use interdisciplinary lessons to show how students can use these skills in real life and make a difference outside of Flint Hill.
Chris Kitzmiller
Director of the Flint Hill Fund
chriskitzmiller There are many members of our community who inspire people to give back to Flint Hill. Thanks to those of you who have celebrated and recognized the impact of teachers, coaches, staff, classmates, children, and grandchildren through your gifts.
Caitlin DeNure
5th Grade Teacher
caitlindenure Yet another memorable recitation from our 5th Grade poets. Enjoy "Dancing to the Spirit" by Siena Starr '31. The poems these 5th graders have shared truly reflected the genuine and diverse personalities of our students, and the authenticity made possible by the nurturing guidance provided by our 5th grade teachers.
Maria Taylor
Director of Alumni Relations
mariataylor We're always excited to welcome alumni back to campus. It's even more incredible to have them share their talents and experiences with our students! Just this past year, we had visits from a former professional NFL player, a college coach, an investment advisor, and a blossoming young musician. They showed our students that there are many ways to blaze their trail in their lives after Flint Hill. These connections to Flint Hill remain strong even after graduation!
Dereck Scott
LS, MS, and US Band Teacher
dereckscott Every spring, the Flint Hill community looks forward to Arts Jam! It's a celebration of the many passions that our students have, and it gives them the chance to express their creativity and talent on an incredible stage. The evening showcases the many programs that support our students in the performing arts.
Chris Kitzmiller
Director of the Flint Hill Fund
chriskitzmiller Did you know that many companies offer the opportunity to double or triple the impact of your gift to Flint Hill? It can be as simple as filling out a form!
Want to know if your company will provide a match? Search here or ask your Human Resources Department for more information.
Jess Henry
Interim Director of the Lower School and LS Math Department Chair
jesshenry Learning through play is an important part of the Lower School experience to encourage life-long learning in our students. Watch these Kindergarteners learn complex mathematical concepts through play and joyful lessons! Our teachers are also life-long learners as they continually hone their craft and explore exciting ways to share new material with their students. They have access to professional development opportunities throughout the entire year. Thank you for helping teachers make learning even more fun because of your support!