Doherty Blast Sep 15, 2023
Dear Doherty Families,
This week, we celebrate International Dot Day at Doherty. This global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration is based on Peter H. Reynolds’ book “The Dot.” “The Dot” is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.” What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing. The Doherty students have been encouraged to “make their mark” in art class; examples can be seen throughout the school.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, we welcomed all our kindergarten and new students to their Hives with a Hive celebration. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are placed into multiage Hives with representation from every grade in each. These Hive groups create a sense of community and a caring culture. This year, each Hive will engage in a service learning project that is meaningful to that Hive.
Seven Hills’ Homecoming is on Sept. 22. This year is unique as we celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary! Homecoming is a fun-filled event with a family picnic, student sports clinics, and spirit week. The evening is concluded with our own Seven Hills fireworks display. The dress themes for Spirit Week are:
- Monday — Pajama Day
- Tuesday — Dress Like a Teacher Day
- Wednesday — Sports/Jersey Day
- Thursday — Blockbuster Movie Character Day
- Friday — Spirit Wear
Believe it or not, we are already beginning our admissions season for next year! If you have friends considering Seven Hills, please tell them about two admissions events in September and have them contact our Admissions Department for more information about two upcoming events. The first is a “Walk and Talk” at Doherty on Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.. The next is a Zoom meeting, “Questions and Conversations: Early Childhood,” on Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Our PC is currently planning our Halloween Spooktackular! They are always looking for volunteers. There are many ways to help with this event. If you would be interested in getting involved, reach out to Meg or Lindsay via email.
Last week we sent out information about AmazeWorks. We are in the process of setting up a parent informational meeting allowing you the opportunity to learn more, ask questions and see samples of the books. Please share your questions here ahead of the meeting so that we can be certain to answer as many questions as possible. We will share the date and the time of the meeting once it has been finalized.
We need your help with the car pick up and drop off lines. If you come down the right side of the driveway, you may NOT park or exit your car. This is meant to be a rolling car line. If you need to walk into the building you should park in the parking lot. If your children need assistance getting in or out of the car, you should park in the parking lot and assist them there.
In the morning, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten parents are allowed to park on the left side of the driveway or the parking lot when walking their students in. In the afternoon, no parents who are in the driveway in the afternoon should get out of the car with the exception of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten parents to quickly fasten seatbelts.
If you are planning on going in the building for an extended time, please use the parking lot and allow those who enter and exit quickly to use the driveway. You may not park on Johnstone Place next to the playground on either side of the road or on the corner of the driveway. Please have your sign with your last name on it in the front window. This helps us to move the carline more quickly. Make sure to share this information with anyone who picks up your child. If we all work together, it will make drop off and pick up more pleasant for everyone!
Have a great weekend.
Tracy
Key Dates & Events
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 22-23 — Homecoming
Friday, Sept. 22 — Family Picnic, 5-7 p.m., Hillsdale Campus
Announcements
Spirit Week — Sept. 18-22
The week of Sept. 18-22 will be a Spirit Week in celebration of Homecoming. Check out the flyer for each day’s theme and prepare to show your Stinger pride!
Homecoming Schedule
Please see the flyer for the detailed schedule of the Homecoming events on Friday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 23. We hope to see you all there!
Veracross Tips and Training
There have been many changes this year with the transition to Veracross. Below are some valuable resources to assist you with becoming proficient in our new system:
- For a quick introduction to some of the basic features (My Children, My Calendar, Directories, and Updating Family Profile), watch this short video. Here are the slides from the video.
- To efficiently navigate teacher websites and locate teacher newsletters, watch this short video. Here are the slides seen in the video.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please contact techsupport@7hills.org.
- These resources will also be posted in the Parent Portal.
After the Bell Updates
Encore Club
Encore Club is in full swing! We are now launching a weekly sign up, with options to pick up at 4:15 p.m. or stay until 6 p.m. This is all available in your parent portal the Friday prior to the month starting. If you need a drop in, please fill out a request under the Student Logistics request, and we can approve if space is available. If you are signed up annually, there is no need for you to select an option each week, as you registered for the full year.
Enrichment
Enrichment options (after school classes) are now available to register. Check out the program offerings. Programs will begin the week of Sept. 18. There are options at both campuses, and students in first through fifth grade may ride the shuttle for programs after school. We are working out some kinks with registration, so if you receive an error, let Jill or Christina know.
Holiday Care
We are pleased to offer Holiday Care for Fall Break, Oct. 5-6, and for the Teacher Inservice Day on Oct. 9. Please note, in order for us to offer the care, we need at least 20 children to register.
Programs are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and take place on the Hillsdale Campus. The cost is $76 per day. Your children will enjoy fun filled days lead by our own ATB staff. More information to come upon registration. The registration link is now live in your parent portal.
Message from Athletic Director Scott Willard
I wanted to provide some helpful information and resources as it relates to following our Stinger Athletic Program.
Athletics Website
To access The Seven Hills School’s athletic website, go to Gostingers.org. From the athletic website you can find athletic announcements, athletic news, current season schedules with the most up-to-date information, team web pages, and directions to all athletic events. You will also be able to download athlete forms that include the current athletic handbook, campus maps, Lower and Middle School registration information and OHSAA physical forms.
Athletics Gostingers App
Download our Gostingers App to receive personalized notifications, watch live streamed events, view team schedules and rosters, and read articles featuring our amazing student athletes and coaches. Click the following links to get rolling:
Social Media
Please visit and follow our Instagram social media accounts using the tag @7hillsStingers. Our Facebook page is Seven Hills Athletics.
If you have any questions about the aforementioned information, please do not hesitate to reach out. Go Stingers!
PC Corner
Parents Euchre Night
This is a new initiative intended to give both Doherty and Lotspeich parents an opportunity to meet each other and socialize while playing a much-beloved and very social card game (which also is easy to learn). The hope is that we’ll garner enough interest to meet monthly, so come on out to MadTree on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. Look for the blue and yellow balloons. Sign up here by 5 p.m. on Sept. 28. Don’t play euchre but still want to hang? Come on out. MadTree serves food and drinks — you’re on your own for those.
The Seven Hills Homecoming All School Family Picnic
The Seven Hills Homecoming All School Family Picnic will be Friday, Sept. 22, 5-7 p.m. at the Hillsdale Campus. Signs will designate a seating area during the picnic for each division to make it easier for families to find familiar faces. Afterward, there are sports clinics and then fireworks on the lower field from 8:45-9 p.m. Concessions will be open and all families are encouraged to join!
Doherty’s Halloween Spooktacular
The Halloween Spooktacular will be on Oct. 29, 3-5 p.m! We are currently looking for volunteers to help! Please use this SignUpGenuis to volunteer for the Spooktacular (and for other events throughout the year as well).
Fall Parent Social
Mark your calendars and book your sitters for the Fall Doherty Parent Social on Oct.14 from 7-10 p.m. (location TBD)!
Walking Club — New meet up location
We are a group of parents that get together bi-weekly on Wednesdays after morning drop off to talk and walk the lower soccer field on the Hillsdale Campus. All divisions are welcome and no RSVP required. This group provides you a great opportunity to connect with other community members all while getting your steps in! Please park in the lower field parking area. Campus guest passes will be passed out to ensure visibility, for security purposes. When inclement weather occurs, we gather at Element Eatery to chat.
Our next meet up is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 27, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 8 and 29, Dec. 13, and Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (Mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)