Doherty Blast Jan 9, 2026
Key Dates
Tuesday, Jan. 13 — Wonder and Connection in the Early Childhood and Lower School, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 14 — Re-enrollment Contracts Issued. Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 15 — Flexible Tuition Forms Due
Friday, Jan. 16 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day
Monday, Jan. 19 — No School. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thursday, Jan. 22 — Fifth Grade Parent Looking Ahead to Middle School Zoom, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24 — Winter Family Dance, 5-7 p.m.
Photos of the Week
Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-old students made birdseed feeders out of pretzels to put around the garden as part of their outdoor learning session with the Civic Garden Center of Cincinnati.
What to Know Now
Wonder and Connection in the Early Childhood and Lower School
Come and explore what is on the horizon for Seven Hills in 2026 and beyond for our Early Childhood and Lower School divisions. Connect with other families, speak with students, and help us think about the future of our school.
Please join us at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in The Schiff Center to mix and mingle with other families as well as some fourth and fifth grade students. The main event will take place from 6-7 p.m., with breakout stations from 7-7:30 p.m.
In our breakout stations, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more directly from our Seven Hills faculty, as well as an opportunity to put on your student hat and try out some challenges.
Childcare is available, free of charge. Sign up via the flyer.
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.
Fifth Grade Parent Looking Ahead to Middle School — New Date, Jan. 22
The Looking Ahead to Middle School Zoom session for current fifth grade parents has been rescheduled. The session will now take place on Thursday, Jan. 22, 7-8:30 p.m.
Note from Nurses: Respiratory Virus Prevention
We are seeing an increase in flu and other respiratory illnesses in the community. To help reduce the spread of illness at school, please keep children home if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, or vomiting. Students should be fever-free and free from vomiting for at least 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. Thank you for reinforcing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette at home as we work together to keep our community healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your campus nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
Parent Community News
Happy New Year Doherty!
Doherty students (ages 12 and under) and family members are all invited to attend the Winter Family Dance on Jan. 24, 5-7 p.m. in the gym. Family friendly music provided by DJ Big Juicy Ham! $10 per family. Please pay and reserve your spot!
Early Childhood Parent Community “Think Tank” Meeting
Please join us for the first meeting of the Early Childhood Parent Community “Think Tank.” We will discuss how to make the Early Childhood Parent Community a success in 2027!
- Where? Doherty Campus, Jones Hall
- When? Tuesday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m.
- How much of a commitment is this? Attending one meeting does not require attendance at future meetings. Even if you can only come once, we would love to have you and hear your ideas.
- Can’t make it? We will offer at least one more meeting date in the afternoon or evening this semester.
- Question? Contact Lauren Burns
PC Meeting — Feb. 6
The next PC meeting will take place on Friday, Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m., location TBD. We’ll preview the Urban Air event and kick off our Carnival planning!
Urban Air Event — Feb. 13
Mark your calendars! Doherty families are taking over Urban Air on Feb. 13 from 10-12 p.m. Since it’s Records Day and school is out, we’ll have exclusive use of the entire facility. Keep an eye out—the ticket link is coming your way soon!
Announcements
Enrichment
After School Enrichment begins the week of Jan. 20! We have so many fun programs on BOTH campuses. We still have space a in a few programs including:
- Hip Hop
- Songs and Stories
- Crochet
- Trivia
Remember these occur on both campuses and the shuttle is available for transportation. The link for registration is in your Parent Portal!
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!
Holiday Care for January and February
We will have Holiday Care on Friday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Feb. 13 from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Please register via Veracross.
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.
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.
2026 Summer Program — Priority Registration opens at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10!
Excitement is in the air as we gear up for another fantastic summer filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable experiences! We’re thrilled to announce that priority registration for our Summer Program will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, for Seven Hills families only. Use the priority registration code from the email sent on Dec. 3.
The Seven Hills School Summer Program uses Ultracamp to streamline registration.
- New Ultracamp users: We recommend creating an Ultracamp account prior to registration if you don’t have one already. Here is the Ultracamp account registration link.
- Returning Ultracamp users: Returning Ultracamp users will need their username and password to log in.
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.