Middle School Blast Jan 16, 2026

Visitor Kiosk in Middle School Office

MLK Day of Service – Monday, Jan. 19

The entire Seven Hills community is warmly invited to join us for our 13th Annual MLK Day On, Not Off. We’re excited to offer two service sites where volunteers can participate in meaningful, hands-on projects that honor Dr. King’s vision of service, unity, and community responsibility. 

Please use the Google Form links below to let Seven Hills organizers know who and how many people will be attending and to fill out the registration forms for each organization.

We look forward to making this day of service a meaningful experience for members of our Seven Hills community.

Matthew 25: Ministries
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages: Open to participants of all ages
Address: 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
Forms: Please register using the Matthew 25: Ministries Google Form. Returning volunteers can bring their MM25 ID card with them.

Freestore Foodbank
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ages: Open to volunteers 12 years and older
Address: Community Resource Distribution Center, 3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, OH 45204
Forms: Please register using the Freestore Foodbank Google Form.

Join Us for a Fireside Book Discussion: Ariel Lawhon’s “The Frozen River”

Please RSVP to attend the Seven Hills Books For Lunch Fireside Book Discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Upper School library. 

In this cozy, intimate setting, our Head of Upper School Rick Tate will be joined by English teacher Nate Gleiner for a lively discussion of Ariel Lawhon’s award-winning novel, “The Frozen River.”

Enjoy an evening discussing Lawson’s gripping historical mystery novel, inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community.

The best part? You don’t have to have read the book to join the conversation! This is your shortcut to an engaging night full of ideas, insights, and lively conversation. Whether you’ve read “The Frozen River” or just enjoy exploring thought-provoking literature, you’ll find something valuable in the discussion.

RSVP today. The last day to RSVP is Jan. 19.

Parent Community Presentation: Roadmap to College

See the slides presented last week by Head of Upper School Rick Tate.

Re-enrollment Contracts Reminder

Re-enrollment contracts for the 2026-27 school are now available via your Veracross Parent Portal. To secure your student’s space for next fall, please submit the re-enrollment contract and deposit by Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Thank you.

Real Talk Series “Rainbow Voices”

As part of our school’s commitment to building a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and included, we’re preparing the next panel 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 the Middle School student body — to spark curiosity, open minds, and help us all better understand and celebrate the diversity that makes our Seven Hills community so special.

The last panel discussion this year, “Rainbow Voices,” will focus on gender identity and sexuality and how individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community experience and express this aspect of themselves. Panelists will discuss challenges and stereotypes they may encounter in school, the workplace, and society more broadly. All content is carefully planned and age-appropriate to ensure a respectful and supportive environment for students. The goal of this panel is not to promote a particular viewpoint, but to help students listen, ask thoughtful questions, and better understand the diverse experiences represented by Rainbow Voices — both within our broader community and among people they may already know, including family members, friends, neighbors, or public figures they see in media and culture.

We believe this is an important step in helping our students develop empathy and respect for one another. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to James Jessup, Madame Kalubi, or Kristin Suer. Please print, sign, and return the Real Talk Series Opt Out Form to your child’s advisor if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the Rainbow Voices Program. It will include advisory activities around this topic and the Real Talk panel presentation on the morning of Friday, March 6.

Heart and Sole — Self Esteem and Running Program for Girls

We are so excited to introduce Heart and Sole to our lineup of enrichment opportunities for Middle School girls in grades six to eight! This is an elevated version of Girls on the Run, specifically targeted for middle school girls, and will run twice weekly beginning in March and ending with a cumulative 5K in May! The season runs from March 3 to May 13!

We would love your girl to join us on Mondays and Wednesdays after school.  

Registration begins Feb. 9 and runs through Feb. 22

If your child is interested in partaking, please reach out to Angie Bielecki so we know who to reach out to when registration begins. We would love to have your child join us!

Reserve your Ticket to Books for Lunch!

Join us for the Seven Hills 39th Annual Books for Lunch on Feb. 6 at The Lightwell in Covington! Enjoy 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.

Second Semester LEAD Together Events

Thanks to all who joined us for one or more of the LEAD Together events during the first semester. We are looking forward to learning alongside you with a new lineup of speakers and local experts who can support our journey in parenting and educating. Save the dates for our second semester LEAD Together programming!

Global Ed Day Volunteer Presenters Needed … Middle School Needs Your Help!

On Friday, March 6, Middle School will celebrate our 17th Annual Global Education Day and we could use your help! As part of our morning activities, students will attend small group sessions. We are looking for members of the Seven Hills community (and beyond) to conduct these sessions. Students will attend three 40-minute sessions during the morning, between 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 

In the past, sessions have included topics such as travel, cuisine, or other elements of culture from around the world, conducting business in a global world, technological advances and their impact on the world, science and conservation, etc.  The ideas are limitless! Facilities could be available to prepare foods. The number of students in a session can be limited if necessary due to space or recommendations from the presenter.  

If you are interested in being a presenter or know someone who you think would be a good fit for this day, please contact Jennifer Licata by no later than Friday, Feb. 13.

Save the Date: Seventh Grade Washington, D.C. Trip — May 18-21

Please mark your calendars for Monday, May 18, through Thursday, May 21, for the annual seventh grade overnight trip to Washington, D.C.! More details will be sent home as the trip gets closer!