Doherty Blast Mar 1, 2024
Dear Doherty Families,
We are still having some vastly different weather day to day. Please ensure you send your child appropriate outdoor clothes, as we want them to be comfortable outside.
Seven Hills has robust specialist classes for our students, known as MAPELL (music, art, physical education, Spanish, library, and drama) classes at Doherty. I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of arts education in the development of our students. The arts play a crucial role in fostering creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills, contributing to a well-rounded education. We are fortunate to have so many arts opportunities in Cincinnati.
Our first grade students recently went on a trip to the Taft Center to see “Cinderella.” The magic of live theater captivated their imaginations and allowed them to explore different forms of expression. Experiencing a classic fairy tale come to life on stage not only enhances literacy skills but also introduces young minds to the world of performing arts.
Our Units II and III students visited the Aronoff Center for the Arts to see “Frindle.” This play brought the children’s novel to life, showcasing the power of language and creativity. Engaging with literature through live performances can ignite a passion for reading and writing, encouraging students to express themselves in unique and meaningful ways.
Our Unit III students are excited to announce the upcoming Unit III musical, “Seussical KIDS,” a culmination of weeks of hard work, creativity, and collaboration. The students continue to rehearse diligently, and we can’t wait to see them shine on stage. Participating in a school play not only builds confidence and public speaking skills but also fosters teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. Please mark your calendars for the performance on March 14 at 1 p.m. in The Schiff Center at the Hillsdale Campus, and join us in celebrating the talents of our Unit III students.
Encourage your children to share their thoughts and feelings about the performances they have attended, and consider exploring artistic activities outside of school. Whether it’s a family visit to a museum, a local theater production, or engaging in creative projects at home, these experiences have a lasting impact on your child. Make sure to add our Arts Alive event to your calendars on April 26. Watch The Blast for more information.
Have a great weekend,
Tracy
Key Dates & Events
Sunday, March 10 — Daylight Saving Time Begins. Move clocks ahead one hour.
March 11-15 — Cultural Connections Week
Thursday, March 14 — Unit III Musical
March 18-29 — Spring Break. No School
Announcements
Give a Gift … Get a Bee!
Our annual week-long community giving event Stinger Madness will be all the buzzzzz March 4 through 8. And we need you to help fill the hills! For every contribution you make to the Annual Fund, we’ll place a stinger bee on the hill of the campus your oldest child attends. If you’ve already made your Annual Fund gift this school year, thank you! No need to make another gift, your bee is already headed to the hill.
The Stinger Madness Trophy Competition
Each division — the Lower Schools, Middle School, and Upper School — will compete for the Stinger Madness trophy which will be awarded to the division that gives 50 new gifts to the Annual Fund! Don’t miss out — make your gift before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and help us #FillTheHills! Visit www.7hills.org/StingerMadness to learn more and make your gift.
Stinger Madness Spirt Week
In honor of Stinger Madness and Seven Hills’ 50th anniversary, the week of March 4-8 will be Stinger Madness Spirit Week. It’s time to get in the spirit and celebrate the school’s history through all the decades. Students are encouraged to wear Seven Hills gear if they cannot find clothes for a specific day.
- Monday — Dig it: Dust off your bell bottoms, tie-dye shirts, and peace signs to kick off Spirit Week.
- Tuesday — Put on your shoulder pads and leg warmers, and style your hair for this totally tubular Tuesday.
- Wednesday — Flannel shirts or leopard print, channel Nirvana or the Spice Girls, and show off your 90s trends.
- Thursday — Bust out the low-rise jeans and iPod, or dress as your favorite reality TV star for the era of the new millennium.
- Friday — Dress in your most futuristic attire, whether it’s inspired by your dream career, college goals, or your own imagination. What does the future hold? Show us your vision!
Unit III Musical
Don’t miss our Unit III students bringing “Horton the Elephant,” “The Cat in the Hat,” and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life onstage in “Seussical KIDS,” a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Lucky Stiff,” “My Favorite Year,” “Once on This Island,” “Ragtime”) on Thursday, March 14 at The Schiff Center on the Hillsdale Campus. Look for a packet of information to come home soon.
Units I-III Recitals
Students in Units I-III are invited to participate in a recital on April 5. You must be taking lessons for your musical instrument, voice, dance, etc. Please sign up by Friday, March 8.
Spring Break Holiday Care
Care will be offered during our first week of Spring Break, March 18-22, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Care will not be offered the second week of Spring Break, March 25-29. Register for Spring Break Holiday Care.
Book Sale for Lower School Visiting Author
We are excited to announce that The Bookshelf bookstore is hosting a book sale featuring the works of this year’s visiting author, Nancy Churnin. Nancy will be visiting our campuses on April 8 and 9, and her books will be available for purchase at a discount. The Bookshelf will deliver any books ordered directly to the schools, and Nancy will personalize and autograph them when she visits.
Nancy Churnin is a talented author known for her captivating children’s books. With a knack for storytelling, she effortlessly weaves together engaging narratives that inspire young readers. Through her work she celebrates diverse voices and important historical figures, leaving a lasting impact on readers of all ages.
The book sale starts immediately and will run through Friday, March 15. Order Nancy Churnin books here. Lotspeich librarian Lori Suffield and Doherty librarian Jo Schnirring thank you for your continued support.
Volunteers Needed for Culture Week, April 15-19
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEI) is currently planning a culture week for April 15-19! This week-long event will be organized by continent, with one or two continents on an assigned day with distinct booths. These booths can represent anything from a country or region to a religion, race, or ethnicity. This culture fair is a great opportunity to represent Seven Hills’ diverse student body and to do that DEI is asking for parent volunteers to host booths!
Some booths may have culturally significant foods, traditional clothing, or anything else that represents your identity. If you have any questions, please contact Aleesha Adhami or Nathan Walker. If you are interested in hosting a booth, fill out the Culture Week booth application for parents and families.
PC Corner
Carnival Volunteers Needed
Carnival will be here before we know it! It’s Friday, May 10, 5-8 p.m. Many hands make light work. Please reach out to this year’s carnival chair, Aloha Duke, to see how you can help!
LGBTQIA+ Parent Group and Spring Social
Last year, we inaugurated a Parent Community space for LGBTQIA+ families, making strides toward our inclusive school commitment. As we embark on a new year, we aim to reunite existing families and extend a warm welcome to new families joining our community. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, please express your interest with this LGBTQIA+ PC Group interest form.
Additionally, we cordially invite all Seven Hills LGBTQIA+ families to our Spring Social on March 9, from 12-2 p.m. in The Schiff Center lobby. Kindly RSVP using the above interest form and bring your family to partake in the festivities.