Middle School Blast Sep 4, 2026
Key Dates
Friday, Sept. 4 — B4. MSPA First Meeting, 8:30 a.m. Grades 6 & 7 Retreats
Monday, Sept. 7 — Labor Day. No School
Tuesday, Sept 8 — A5. Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 9 — B5. Picture Day. Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10. — A1
Friday, Sept. 11 — B1. Orientation Follow-Up Coffee with James Jessup, 8:30-9 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Middle School Parent Social, 7-10 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14-Friday, Sept. 18 — Spirit Week!
Monday, Sept 14 — A2. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Tuesday, Sept. 15 — B2. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Wednesday, Sept 16 — A3. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Thursday, Sept. 17 — B3. Eighth Grade Returns from Adventure Trek
Friday, Sept. 18 — No School for Eighth Grade. Homecoming. Family Grill Out, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming
Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) Parent Forum, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — New Parent Cocktail Social, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Photos of the Week
Eighth grade Latin students showcase the catapults they made from wood, rubber bands, and bottle caps while learning about the Roman army.
NEW! Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Middle School Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Sixth Grade Off-Campus Class Retreat — TODAY
The sixth grade will hold our annual retreat TODAY. The primary focus of our retreat is to get to know each other better! We will spend a bit of time in the morning doing a variety of activities on campus and then head to Main Event in West Chester. We will return to school in time for dismissal. The retreat is a fun and relaxed time for your child to get to know their new classmates and teachers. We will have pizza for lunch provided by Main Event. If you have questions/concerns, please contact Jennifer Licata, sixth grade team leader.
Seventh Grade Class Retreat — TODAY
Today, the seventh grade will have an on-campus retreat, a day for us to do fun activities and bond. The school will provide snacks and Papa John’s pizza for lunch. If you have any questions, please get in touch with seventh grade team leader Carri Haskins.
Picture Day — Tuesday, Sept. 8, and Wednesday, Sept. 9
Picture day is Sept. 8 and 9. Please refer to the flyer below for more details. Bring your smiles!
Sixth Grade iPads
Sixth graders will begin bringing their iPads home for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Please help your child(ren) establish a good routine of charging it each evening.
Parents will receive information about Canvas and parent login in the coming week.
Important Attendance Reminder
All changes of attendance must be entered into the Veracross Parent Portal. Look for the blue bar on the left side of your home page that says “Report Attendance/Dismissal or After the Bell Changes.” Once you are on the page to add the change, make sure you “Request a change to” … “Attendance.” Do not choose “Transportation.” That transportation information is for Lower School, and the updates will not transfer to the Middle School office and faculty as attendance updates.
If you need to make a change to how your student is getting home (for instance, taking the shuttle versus Encore), email your student and then email Melissa Morelli. Please remember that changes after 2 p.m. are very difficult to communicate to your student, and we ask that you carefully consider your plans before school starts and make your child(ren) aware. Early dismissals and absences can be entered in Veracross and require no further email communication.
Parent Association News
Kick Off the School Year with the MSPA — TODAY
*Please note that this meeting has been moved from the sixth grade commons to the seventh grade commons.
Join us for our first Middle School Parent Association (MSPA) meeting of the year! We’re gathering on Friday, Sept. 4, at 8:30 a.m. in the seventh grade commons with Middle School Head James Jessup — and yes, the coffee is on us!
Drop in for a cup of coffee, connect with other Middle School parents, and hear about this year’s MSPA programming. Whether you want to help plan an event, volunteer to supervise an activity or field trip, or connect with other Middle School families, there’s a place for you here. MSPA is entirely parent-powered, and every level of involvement makes a huge difference. We can’t wait to see you!
Orientation Follow-Up Coffee with James Jessup — Friday, Sept. 11, 8:30-9 a.m.
We’ve all been there: you sit through orientation, nod along, and then lie awake at 11 p.m. realizing all the questions you forgot to ask. We’ve got you covered!
On Friday, Sept. 11, join us in the sixth grade commons for an informal, agenda-free morning coffee with Middle School Head James Jessup. From 8:30-9 a.m., grab a cup, connect with other parents navigating the exact same transition, and get answers to whatever is still on your mind (coffee’s on us — no formality required!). Check out the morning coffee event flyer for more information.
The Seven Hills Network of African-American Parents (SNAAP) Back-to-School Cookout — Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-5 p.m.
SNAAP is kicking off the new school year with a Back-to-School Cookout on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2-5 p.m. at the Winton Woods – Cherry Hill Shelter.
The event will bring together Seven Hills families from Early, Lower, Middle, and Upper School for an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship, and plenty of Stinger spirit! It will be a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, build community, and celebrate the start of another great school year.
Middle School Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 12, 7-10 p.m.
Join us in a private outdoor cabana at Oakley Greens for light bites, mini golf, raffle prizes, and the FC Cincinnati game (look for the blue and yellow balloons!).
Tickets to join are $10 per person; please make your payment here to RSVP. If you have questions about the event, please contact Laxmi Shah, Middle School Parent Social Chair.
Walking Group — Upcoming Walk on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Start your morning with good conversation and great company! Our next walk is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Whether you stay for the whole loop or just pop in for 20 minutes, all fitness levels and schedules are welcome. We walk, talk, and cover topics ranging from the everyday to the extraordinary — and if the weather turns sour, we skip the walk and head straight for coffee!
Stay in the Loop: Join the WhatsApp Group to get route updates and weather calls.
Seventh Grade Parents: Save the Date for the Seventh Grade Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 26
Your seventh grade parent reps, Vivian Bastos and Sara Ramprasad, invite all seventh grade parents to celebrate the new school year!
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 7-10 p.m. for an evening outdoors by the pool and back patio at the home of Ashwin and Sara Ramprasad. The address is 8231 Margaret Lane, Montgomery, OH 45242. RSVP for the event via Parent Square.
We’ll have light bites and drinks ready for you. Dress comfortably for the weather, and feel free to bring your favorite beverage along!
Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) — Parent Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
All Seven Hills parents, caregivers, and staff are welcome to attend our kickoff event for the new school year. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ parent/caregiver, raising an LGBTQ+ child, or an ally, come join us in the Upper School library for a relaxed evening of meaningful conversation and light refreshments.
Register for the event and connect with fellow families, share experiences, ask questions, and build community.
Can’t make it to the parent forum but want to stay informed? Join the SHARE mailing list.
You Belong Here
If you attended parent night, you likely heard from your Parent Association (PA) divisional chairs. But if you’re still scratching your head about what PA actually is — or you’re curious to learn more — we’ve got you covered! One of the things that makes Seven Hills special is its strong sense of community, and the Parent Association helps bring that community to life. The best part? You’re already a member. There’s nothing to join and no dues to pay — simply by being part of Seven Hills, you belong!
View the Parent Association brochure to meet your PA leaders, see what the PA looks like in each of our divisions as your family moves through the School, and find ways to get involved.
Socials & Such — What Sounds Fun to You?
We’re shaping the 2026-27 year right now, and your input directly influences what we build. Take two minutes, fill out the PA survey, and help us make this the best year yet for Middle School families at Seven Hills.
Interested in Getting Involved?
There is no better way to feel connected to Middle School than to get involved — reach out to Lindsay Cassady and let’s find the right fit for you.
Announcements
Spirit Week Dress Up Days — Sept. 14-18
The week leading up to Homecoming is a Spirit Week across divisions. Help your student(s) get involved. Here are the themes:
- Monday, Sept. 14: Movie Night Monday (dress as your favorite movie character)
- Tuesday, Sept. 15: Tired Tuesday (PJ day)
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: Wild Kingdom Wednesday (e.g., animal prints, animal costumes)
- Thursday, Sept. 17: Team Spirit Thursday (jerseys or team spirit wear)
- Friday, Sept. 18: Seven Hills Day (show your school spirit)
Eighth Grade Adventure Trek — Sept. 14-17
The eighth grade trip to North Carolina is coming soon. We will leave at 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, and return around 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Mark Your Calendars — Winter Sports Registration Opens Sept. 16
Registration for winter sports will open on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and close on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Be on the lookout for an email from the athletic department with a direct link to register. To find out more about the Seven Hills athletic program and our winter teams, visit gostingers.com.
If you’re already looking ahead to spring and fall 2027 sports, please note the registration dates below:
- Spring sports registration: Opens Dec. 2 and closes Dec. 16.
- Fall 2027 sports registration: Opens April 14 and closes April 28.
Homecoming — Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19
Save the date for Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, for a fun weekend of homecoming festivities.
Introducing our LEAD Together Lineup for First Semester
We are excited to Learn, Educate, and Discuss (LEAD) Together with new programming for this year. Through these collaborative sessions, we hope to foster strong partnerships among families and educators to support student learning, belonging, and success.
As we get closer to each event, we will share more detailed information in the Blast. Please see this semester’s lineup on the flyer below, and RSVP for all events through this Google form.
Deck by the Hillsdale Commons is Temporarily Closed
The deck situated between the Upper and Middle School buildings is temporarily closed while it undergoes maintenance. It is currently blocked off, and students have been notified.
Field House Lot Closed Remainder of School Year
As construction progresses on the new Lower School building, the Field House parking lot (Lot H) will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The drop-off and pick-up area and accessible parking spots are still available. A new parking lot recently opened off of Ellmarie Drive and is available for use while the Field House lot is closed.