Doherty Blast Dec 1, 2023
Dear Doherty Families,
What a Grandparents and Special Persons’ Day we had! It was a delight to see our students with their guests, sharing their classrooms, presentations, and many smiles. I am curious to know who had the most fun, the students or the grandparents!
It is hard to believe that preparations for next year are already well underway. This Saturday is our annual admissions testing day, and we look forward to welcoming prospective families to campus. Additionally, this is an important time of year for our fifth graders. They will join their Lotspeich peers in a visit to the Middle School. This is a highly anticipated event for our fifth graders and marks the beginning of their transition out of Lower School. The students will visit classrooms and attend a Q&A hosted by Middle School students.
Practice is underway for our annual Winter Program for pre-kindergarten to fifth grade students. You should have received information about the program’s logistics. Please be sure to read through the information.
Our updated camera system now allows our Early Care and After the Bell staff to monitor the camera and allow entrance into the building for our Early Care and After the Bell families. If you are dropping off students for Early Care or picking them up from After the Bell, you will now use the main door of Haile Hall. Simply ring the bell, and the staff will allow you to access the building. If you have questions, please feel free to ask.
Have a great weekend.
Tracy
Key Dates & Events
Wednesday, Dec. 13 — Winter Program for Pre-kindergarten Parents at 9 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 15 — Winter Program for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Parents. Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16-Monday, Jan. 1 — Winter Break
Tuesday, Jan. 2 — Faculty Professional Development Day. No School.
Wednesday, Jan. 3 — School Resumes
Announcements
Doherty Winter Programs
The Winter Program performance for pre-k parents to attend will be Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. in the Doherty cafeteria. This will include all students in pre-k through fifth grades.
The Winter Program performance for parents of grades kindergarten through grade five will be Friday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 a.m. in The Schiff Center on the Hillsdale Campus. Please look for a packet of FAQs and a dismissal form in your child’s folder.
View this flyer for more information about both programs.
After the Bell Updates
Encore Club
We now have 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.
Winter Holiday Care
We are having care for four dates. There will be a half day program held at both campuses on Dec. 15. There will be full day programs on Dec. 18, 19, and Jan. 2 on the Hillsdale Campus, when school is still closed. Register soon!
Save the Date — Books for Lunch 2024!
The 2024 Books for Lunch committee, chaired by Seven Hills parents Lisa Briquet and Lalitha Chunduri, is honored to present this year’s guest author, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer! Please join us in the Madisonville Ballroom at The Summit Hotel on Feb. 2 for lunch, community, and an engaging address from Greer. Please visit 7hills.org/BFL to purchase tickets and learn more about the events, Greer, and his work.
PC Corner
Music and Mingle Family Reception — Dec. 2, 3:15 p.m.
Join us to support Stinger performing arts at the Middle and Upper School instrumental performances and the Music and Mingle Family Reception on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Meet up to mingle with fellow Stinger music lovers in The Schiff Center lobby directly following the Middle School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 2:30 p.m., and before the Upper School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 4:30 p.m. This reception is open to all attendees of the instrumental performances. Afternoon snacks and drinks provided by the Arts Boosters Parent Community.
Parent Coffee/Holiday Social — Dec. 8
Please join your Doherty PC after drop off in the basement of Bean & Barley on Friday, Dec. 8, for coffee and socializing ahead of the holiday break! See you there!
Save the Date(s) — February Events
We have two February events for you to put on your calendar: Books for Lunch on Friday, Feb. 2, at the Summit Hotel (this is an adults-only lunch event) and the Winter Family Social on Friday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Urban Air (bring the whole fam!). More details to come.
Parent Walking Club
We are a group of parents who 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 is 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, Nov. 29, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are 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)