Middle School Blast Oct 17, 2025

Real Talk Series: “Seen and Unseen Challenges” — Today, Friday, Oct. 17

As part of our school’s commitment to building a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and included, we’re preparing the next installment of our Real Talk Series. This series is all about hearing powerful stories and perspectives from people with different experiences. These conversations are designed just for your Middle Schooler — to spark curiosity, open minds, and help us all better understand and celebrate the diversity that makes our Seven Hills community so special.

The first of two panel discussions this year, “Seen and Unseen Challenges,” will give students the chance to look beyond the obvious and learn about chronic challenges their peers and teachers face daily, including hearing impairments, mobility difficulties, food allergies, and medical conditions, such as respiratory issues and severe migraines.

Restorative Cares Discipline Plan Conversation — Friday, Oct. 24

As part of our ongoing effort to strengthen community and belonging in the Middle School, we are preparing our new Restorative Cares Discipline Plan. This plan reflects months of thoughtful work aimed at supporting students in ways that are restorative, developmentally appropriate, and grounded in our school’s values.

You are invited to a parent coffee and conversation on Friday, Oct. 24, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in our Sixth Grade Commons, where Mr. Jessup will share an overview of the plan, answer questions, and gather feedback. Our goal is to ensure that families understand how this new framework will guide our approach to student care and discipline and how it aligns with our shared commitment to fairness, empathy, and accountability.

Your partnership is essential to the success of this work, and we hope you’ll be able to join us for this conversation. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

Middle School One Act Plays — Oct. 24 and 25

The Middle School Fall One-Act Plays are coming soon! Both plays, “The Adventures of Rocky & Skye” by Kelly DuMar and Herby Alice and “Counts Down to Yesterday” by Nicole B. Adkins, will be performed together in The Schiff Center on Oct. 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased through TicketLeap or at the door. Students who would like the attend the Pizza and a Play event that the Parent’s Association is running are encouraged to do so. Come out and support the Middle School cast and crew!

Middle School Pizza and Play — Oct. 24

Students are invited to meet with friends to hang out and have pizza (Italianette Pizza Kitchen) before watching their Middle School friends in two fabulous one-act plays performed together “The Adventures of Rocky & Skye” and “Herby Alice Counts Down to Yesterday.” Drop your kids off (or they can come from Encore) at Stoehr Gym at 6 p.m. After dinner, kids will walk over to The Schiff Center and watch their friends perform in the play from 7-8:30 p.m. Pick up at The Schiff Center by 8:45 p.m. Cost is $10 which covers the ticket price and dinner. The actors have been working hard on their play — let’s show our support! PLUS it’s a fun way to get together! Please note, if your child is in the play, you do not need to buy this ticket. See event details and reserve your child’s ticket through Square.

A few chaperones are needed. If you can help, please sign up! Thank you in advance!

Seven Hills Unplugged — Every Tuesday

Back by popular demand, Seven Hills Unplugged returns to the Hillsdale Campus this fall every Tuesday! Families from pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds through eighth grade are welcome to enjoy some after-school open play and screen-free fun! The ECC playground space is available for ECC families to connect! See the flyer for details. Rain-out locations will be shared each week, as needed.

Seventh Grade Movie — Oct. 31

On Friday, Oct. 31, the seventh grade students will have the chance to watch the hit movie “The Martian” to continue their current study of astronomy. See a review of this movie from the website Common Sense Media. The movie is rated PG-13. If you prefer that your child not see this film, please let Mrs. Suer know so that other arrangements can be made.

Save the Date — Sixth Grade Creepy Critters, Friday, Oct. 31

The sixth grade will be celebrating our annual Creepy Critters Day the morning of Friday, Oct. 31, and parents will be invited in to spend some time with their child(ren) that morning. We will be working to schedule the activities to accommodate those parents who will also be attending the Lower School Halloween parades. More details to come!

Pumpkins and Popsicles with S.H.A.R.E. — Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m.

All are welcome to S.H.A.R.E.’s fun family event on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m. at the Pavilion on the Hillsdale Campus. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with family activities, including decorating pumpkins with words of kindness in honor of World Kindness Day. S.H.A.R.E. stands for Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events. We are an affinity group for anyone with a family member or who is an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Let us know you are coming by emailing SHARE@7hills.org.

LEAD Together — “Setting Kids up for Success” Webinar

Thank you to all the parents, faculty and administrators who came to learn from Psychologist Lisa Damour about “Setting Kids up for Success.”  

A parent said “It was wonderful to learn about the value of stress and to notice how it strengthens both skills and our kid’s resilience. On the flipside, it was helpful to hear her focus on the importance of rest and recovery as we search for that balance.”

An Upper faculty member said, “The idea of adaptability as one of the key attributes or long term transferable skills that we’re hoping to develop in our students was a powerful focus for me.” 

If you weren’t able to make it, we highly encourage you to listen to the webinar (about 55 minutes). Please access the webinar. It will be available until Jan. 31. 

Join us for Books for Lunch!

Purchase your tickets for the Seven Hills 39th Annual Books for Lunch on Feb. 6 at The Lightwell in Hotel Covington! Join us for an engaging afternoon featuring New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon as our keynote speaker. The cash bar opens at 11 a.m., followed by a delightful luncheon and Lawhon’s talk at 12 p.m. Don’t forget to snag your copy of “The Frozen River,” a Good Morning America book club pick, for a special signing after the event. Hurry, tickets are selling fast. Secure your ticket and book now. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please consider supporting this important event. Questions? Email us at booksforlunch@7hills.org.

ParentSquare — New Communication App for Seven Hills Parents

We’re excited to introduce ParentSquare, a two-way communication platform that will allow Lower, Middle, and Upper School athletics coaches, as well as Parent Community board members, to connect with you directly. Last Wednesday, all parents received an email invitation to activate their ParentSquare account. For more info, including FAQs and community guidelines, please visit 7hills.org/parentsquare.

Note: You must set up an account to change your notification preferences. If you do not set up an account, you will automatically receive the daily digest from ParentSquare via email.