Upper School Blast Sep 5, 2025
Key Dates
Monday, Sept. 8 — B1
Tuesday, Sept. 9 — A2. Coffee with a College Counselor, 9-10 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 — B2
Thursday, Sept. 11 — A3
Friday, Sept. 12 — B3
Monday, Sept. 15 — A4.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 — B4.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 — Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 19 — A1. Homecoming and All Family Cookout, 5-9 p.m. The Cookout ends at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 — Homecoming Dance
Photos of the Week
Freshmen work on drawing the various settings in Ernest Hemingway’s “Big Two-Hearted River.”
What to Know Now
Coffee with a College Counselor — Tuesday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m., Zoom
All Upper School parents and guardians are invited to grab a cup of coffee and join the College Counseling team for an informal morning conversation, whether from home or the office via Zoom on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 9 a.m. We will begin with a few insights on how students can make the most of the fall semester, then open the floor for your questions about the world of college admissions and life in the Upper School.
The Zoom link will be shared on all College Counseling Canvas courses, and a recording will also be posted there in the days following the meeting.
Canvas for Parents — Trainings on Sept. 8, 9, and 10
Parents are invited to attend either an in-person or Zoom meeting, giving a brief overview of the system and how to utilize its functionality. Please bring a personal device such as a laptop or tablet to make it easier to create your account.
- In-Person Options in Founders Hall
Monday, Sept. 8, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Zoom Option
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7-8 p.m
See below for how to set up an account and gain observer status. Here is a PDF version of the instructions.
Important Attendance Reminder
We would like to take a moment to remind you of the Upper School’s tardy policy. Advisory check-in happens between 8 and 8:10 a.m. (anything after 8:10 a.m. counts as tardy). Arriving on time ensures that students are physically settled, mentally ready, and prepared to learn. Even a few minutes late can cause a rushed, distracted start for the student and disrupt the learning environment for others.
Tardy Policy and Consequences:
- Fifth unexcused tardy: Lunchtime detention
- Each additional unexcused tardy: Additional lunchtime detention
- Eighth unexcused tardy and beyond: Before-school detentions
Our goal is to help students avoid detentions by encouraging consistent, on-time arrival. Families can support this by setting earlier alarms, adjusting transportation routines, or preparing school materials the night before.
Please note that traffic delays — except in extreme circumstances such as weather, major accidents, or closures — are not considered an excused reason for tardiness. We strongly encourage you to plan for extra time in the morning routine to account for unexpected delays.
If you have any questions about this policy or would like to discuss ways we can support your child’s success, please feel free to reach out to Dean of Students Dan Polifka directly.
Thank you for your partnership in helping all students begin each day ready to learn.
Homecoming Spirit Week
Show us your spirit the week of Sept. 15-19! Here are our themed days for Homecoming:
Homecoming — Sept. 19-20
Homecoming is Friday, Sept. 19 to Saturday, Sept. 20. Check out the full schedule of Homecoming events. We hope to see you to celebrate this joyous occasion! Go Stingers!
Note Regarding Dismissal
Parent Community News
Parent Walking Group: Step into the Conversation — Monday, Sept. 8
This group consists of Seven Hills parents from all divisions with the occasional faculty visitor. This is a casual and welcoming group. We get our steps in while meeting new people and learning more about what is happening at school. Our next meetup will be on Monday, Sept. 8, after morning drop off on the lower soccer field on the Hillsdale Campus. Very casual. Very fun. Please use this link to join the WhatsApp Chat for the meeting schedule and details.
First-of-its-Kind: Parent and Faculty Social — Sept. 14
Join us at MadTree Brewing on Sunday, Sept. 14, for the first unified parent and faculty social. Come join the fun while we welcome in new families, connect with old friends, and build strong partnerships. Parents chose this unified event through the Upper School parent survey. We look forward to seeing you there. For planning purposes, RSVP today.
Educational Program: Fueling Futures with Renee Mattson, Ph.D. — Oct. 22
RSVP to join an interactive evening with Dr. Renee Mattson on Oct. 22, 6:30-8 p.m. During this discussion, we will explore the importance of empowering parents to help propel their children successfully from high school and prepare them for the real world by focusing on the NOW. The parent role evolves as our children grow and this dynamic discussion will help parents on their journey while helping their children. This program was chosen by the majority in the US parent survey.
Join SHARE, Our LGBTQIA+ Parent and Ally Events List!
Are you a parent who is LGBTQIA+, has an LGBTQIA+ child, or is an ally looking to support and connect with others in our Seven Hills community? We’re putting together and updating our contact list for families interested in LGBTQIA+ events, meetups, and resources throughout the year. If you’d like to stay in the loop, we’d love to include you! Fill out the contact form. Let’s build a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community — together.
Hi! Please Drop Us a Line
Please reach out to the Parent Committee anytime. We would love to hear from you, especially if you are writing about good things. LOL. Warm regards, Carolyn, Katy, Karen, and Stephanie.
Announcements
Reporting an Extended Absence
If you have a student that will be absent for longer than three consecutive school days, please contact your student’s guidance counselor with this information. They will be able to inform your student’s teachers of the absence and ensure your student is prepared and up to date on material when they return. If your student is absent due to illness for more than three consecutive days, the school requires a doctor’s note on their first day back.
Ninth-10th Grade — Counselor Vicky Hausberger
11th-12th Grade — Counselor Christine Stier
Upper Picture Day — Sept. 22 and 23
Picture Day for Upper students will take place on Sept. 22 and 23. Students celebrating Rosh Hashanah will be able to get their picture taken on Monday, not Tuesday. It is important for your student to be present, if possible. Re-takes will be offered on Oct. 15. This date is held for students who were absent due to illness or reasons out of their control. Please remind your student(s) of this date to ensure they are dressed accordingly and are prepared for the photo.