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Upper School Blast Nov 21, 2025

  • Key Dates
  • What to Know Now
  • Parent Association News
  • Announcements

Key Dates

Friday, Nov. 21 — Upper Play “Mean Girls,” 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22 — Upper Play “Mean Girls,” 2 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 24 — A5
Tuesday, Nov. 25 — B5
Wednesday, Nov. 26-Friday, Nov. 28 — Thanksgiving Break. No School
Wednesday, Dec. 3 —  LEAD Together: Jonathan Haidt Webinar and Discussion, 8:45 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 — Instrumental Concert, 2 p.m., The Schiff Center
Monday-Friday, Dec. 15-19 — Final Exams (see schedule below)

Photos of the Week

  • Upper Schoolers attend the microaggressions lunch and learn put on by the Equity & Inclusion Council.
  • Students in Amaris White's African American Studies take part in guided meditation in a sound bath as part of their study of wellness in Black culture.
  • In honor of the Upper School musical “Mean Girls,” Upper faculty and staff wore pink on Wednesday. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s “Mean Girls” show. Get tickets!
  • Sports Business Club hosted a Zoom meeting during lunch with Cleveland Cavaliers Vice President Mike Conely.
  • More than 70 Upper School parents attended the “Cultivating Your Leadership Story” sessions with Upper School faculty in the Young Family Library.

What to Know Now

Get Your Tickets to “Mean Girls” — Nov. 22

Tickets for the Upper theater department’s fall musical “Mean Girls” are now on sale. Friday night’s show is sold out but tickets are still available for Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. Simply go to Ticketleap to buy your advanced reserved seats. The show is recommended for ages 12+.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

From the Student leaders of the Service club: “This is the last weekend to shop for food to support the Thanksgiving food drive, sponsored by the Service Club. We’re partnering with La Soupe, which is a nonprofit that helps to fight food insecurity in Cincinnati. We are collecting rice, pasta, dried beans, lentils, tomato paste/sauce, and ketchup. We’re collecting the donations in bins near the front office of the upper school and we would so appreciate any contributions you could make! Please bring donations to the main office no later than  Monday morning, Nov. 24.

DEI Culture Fair Survey

On behalf of the Equity and Inclusion Council we would like to gather feedback from last year’s Culture Fair. Please take a moment to fill out the survey. It should only take a few minutes. We would like responses by Monday, Dec. 1. Thank you in advance!

LEAD Together: Jonathan Haidt Webinar and Discussion — Dec. 3, Founders Hall

Please join us on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 8:45-10:45 a.m., for a webinar featuring social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt. We’ll watch the webinar together in Founders Hall and then break up into discussion groups. This webinar is meant for families in Lower, Middle, and Upper. Coffee and breakfast treats included. RSVP here. 

Upcoming Instrumental Concert

The Upper School instrumental performance is quickly approaching! The first performance is on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. in The Schiff Center. This will be a formal event. If you have questions, please email Mr. Rising.

Lanyard Check

We’re making a renewed push to be sure every student has, and wears, a lanyard each day. Lanyards are an important part of campus safety. They help students access buildings and ensure everyone on campus is easily recognized as part of our community. Any student who doesn’t currently have a working lanyard can now charge a replacement directly to their family account (no cash needed) at the tech office. If they only need a plastic sleeve, these are available for free from the dean of students. Please take a moment to check that your student’s lanyard is working and ready to go.

Cultivating Your Leadership Story Visuals

Many thanks to the over 70 Upper School parents that joined us at “Cultivating your Leadership Story” on Nov. 18. Please see the visuals from that session.  Please feel free to reach out to Director of Experiential Learning Karen Glum or Dean of Students Dan Polifka with any follow-up questions

Parent Association News

Grateful for You

“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”~Brian Solis. Together, we are doing great things that make us all better. Happy Thanksgiving. May your hearts (and bellies) be full.

New Program Alert: A Roadmap to College — Jan. 7

  • Who For: Adults for current eighth, ninth, and 10th grade students
  • What: This interactive discussion with delve into the strategic roadmap to college through a year-by-year approach. The discussion will include current trends in college acceptances, important focal points, and setting expectations.
  • Led By: Rick Tate, Julie DiRoma, Alex Catalan, and Cheryl Dixon
  • When: There are two offerings. When you RSVP let us know which you will be joining.
  • RSVP Today.

“You Never Write, You Never Call” — Blondie

We are better with your insights! Please reach out to the Upper PC (Carolyn, Katy, Karen, and Stephanie) at us.pa@7hills.org anytime. We would love to hear from you!

Don’t Have Fomo! You Are Invited!

Do you want to know what is happening with Uppers School community programming? Check it out.

Announcements

Winter Choral Concert — Dec. 10

Come join us for the Upper School winter choral concert on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and it’s going to be a fantastic night!

First Semester Final Exams

At the end of each semester, students take comprehensive final exams in most courses. To preserve testing integrity, students are required to take the tests at the assigned times. Please see the schedule below to assist you with planning. There is a makeup exam slot on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6 a.m. for students with conflicts. Please contact Rick Tate if you need to attend that makeup session.

Monday, Dec. 15

  • 8:30 a.m. – History
  • 12:30 p.m. – Computer Science

Tuesday, Dec. 16

  • 8:30 a.m. — Science
  • 12:30 p.m. — Double Science

Wednesday, Dec. 17

  • 8:30 a.m. — English
  • 12:30 p.m. — Double Computer Science

Thursday, Dec. 18

  • 8:30 a.m. — Math

Friday, Dec. 19

  • 8:30 a.m. — World Language

In case of inclement weather, the exam will be moved to the afternoon slot on the next day.

Frederick Hauck Scholarship — Recommendation Deadline Dec. 17

Dr. Frederick A. Hauck, honored in 1979 as Cincinnati’s Greatest Living Citizen, was a world-renowned nuclear scientist and philanthropist. He served on the Atomic Energy Commission and worked closely with Albert Einstein. In addition, he was a businessman, explorer, historian, industrialist, metallurgist, nature lover and humanitarian.

Thanks to his generosity, The Seven Hills School has established the Frederick Hauck Scholarship to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in the fields of mathematics and/or science. The school rewards Frederick Hauck Scholars currently in grades eight through 11 with a one-year prize scholarship to be applied toward tuition of the Seven Hills Upper School. 

A committee of faculty from the Seven Hills Upper and Middle Schools will evaluate applicants. Qualifications that the committee will examine include interest and ability in science and mathematics and related activities. In addition to academic achievement, the selection committee considers activities outside of the classroom that demonstrate a special interest in science and/or mathematics.

Students in eighth through 11th grade who wish to apply must submit their applications via this online form. Only digital applications submitted via this form will be accepted. Applications are due by 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.  

In addition to the application, students must request recommendations from two math and/or science teachers. At least one of the teachers must currently teach the applicant. Requests for recommendations must be made no later than 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17.  

Winners of the Hauck Scholarship competition will be announced in February. 

Please contact Ms. Sarah Mullan, mathematics department, with any questions.

Revolution Prep Tutoring and Test Prep Discount

In the spirit of the holiday season, the college counselors are excited to offer all Seven Hills families a gift card of up to $600 for personalized academic support from Revolution Prep.

Families may use this gift card for:

  • Private tutoring in academic subjects or test preparation (SAT, ACT, PSAT)
  • Executive function coaching to build organization, time management, and study skills
  • Small-group SAT/ACT/PSAT prep courses (24 hours of instruction)

Claim your gift card up to $600. This special offer is available through Dec. 19.

Take Part in the Experiential Learning Fair — Jan. 21

Each winter, the Upper School hosts an Experiential Learning Fair to connect students with community opportunities, including service projects, part-time jobs, career exploration, experiential learning opportunities, and more. 

This year’s Experiential Learning Fair is on Wednesday, Jan. 21. We’d love for parents with opportunities to share to participate! Alternatively, if you know of an organization you think we should include, please let Karen Glum know.

Event Timeline:

  • Set up begins: 10:40 a.m.
  • Fair open to students: 11:05 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Peak attendance: 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
  • Tear down: 12:15 p.m.

Please register early using this form so we can reserve a table for you. 

Second Semester LEAD Together Events

Save the dates for our second semester LEAD Together programming! Come to one or come to many and learn alongside other parents, faculty, and administration.

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  • National Association of Independent Schools
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