Doherty Blast Aug 21, 2026
Key Dates
Monday, Aug. 24 — Meet the Teacher, 12:15-1 p.m. Summer Social, 1-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25 — First Day of School
Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Parent Association (PA) Coffee, 8:30 a.m. Grades 4-12 Opening Assembly, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 28 — Show Your Spirit! Spirit Wear Day with Mr. Snowie at lunch
Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3 — PA Parent Social, 5:30 p.m. Parent Night, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7 — Labor Day. No School
Wednesday, Sept. 9 — PA Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10 — Pre-k and Kindergarten Picture Day
Friday, Sept. 11 — Grades 1-5 Picture Day
Week of Sept. 14 — Spirit Week!
Thursday, Sept. 17 — Book Fair Begins
Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming
Friday, Sept. 18 — Family Grill-Out, 5-7 p.m.
Photos of the Week
Doherty teachers Julie Guminey, Amy Kulhavik, and Sherri Linville are ready to welcome students into their classrooms.
What to Know Now
Note for Pre-kindergarten/Kindergarten Families
This year, pre-kindergarten is in its own division, the Early School, and kindergarten is a part of the Lower School (kindergarten through grade 5).
Because many of our announcements are campus-based, you will continue to click on Doherty to find Early School information. Announcements are labeled as follows:
Announcement Labels:
ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade families
LS: Homeroom Placement
As of today, grades 1-5 should be able to see who your student’s homeroom teacher is for the year in your Parent Portal in Veracross. If you cannot find it, please contact the office, and we will be happy to assist you.
ES/LS: Meet the Teacher — Monday, Aug. 24
Monday, Aug. 24, is Meet the Teacher. You may drop into your classroom anytime between 12:15-1 p.m. to meet your teacher and see where you will begin the school year.
ES/LS: New Year, New Gear — Spirit Day on Friday, Aug. 28
The first week of school is always buzzing with excitement — and this year, we’re adding more spirit to the mix! Next week, every student will receive a new piece of Seven Hills spirit wear as a gift from the school to kick off the 2026-27 year.
We hope they’ll wear their new Seven Hills shirt on Friday, Aug. 28, for our first Spirit Day of the year. Cool down and show your school spirit! Mr. Snowie will be at lunch with frosty snow cones for all the students.
ES/LS: After the Bell
We are excited to welcome both new and returning families to our After the Bell (ATB) program! As detailed in our welcome back email, all After the Bell registration options are available in your Parent Portal under Parent Links.
ATB Annual Plan
- Available for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds through fifth grade
- Limited availability for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
ATB Daily Plan
- Available for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds through fifth grade
- Limited availability for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
- Daily registration closes each Monday at 9 a.m.
Music Lessons
Piano and violin lessons are available for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
- Lessons are offered based on instructor availability.
- To inquire about lessons, please email Jill Romerill, and she will connect you with an instructor.
Enrichment Offerings
We offer four enrichment sessions throughout the school year. Fall I offerings will be announced soon!
Stinger Staycation Days
Formerly known as Holiday Care, Stinger Staycation provides care on select days when school is closed. Check out the 2026-2027 Stinger Staycation dates.
We look forward to a wonderful school year and to seeing you and your children in After the Bell!
— Jill and Christina
ES/LS: Parent Night — Thursday, Sept. 3
Please join us Thursday, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m. for Parent Night. This will be an introduction to your child’s day-to-day classroom activities, rules, and expectations.
LS: Seven Hills String Ensemble
- Open to grades 3-5, no experience necessary
- Violin, viola, or cello
- Instruments not provided; we highly recommend Baroque Violin Shop (when ordering, ask for “Strictly Strings, Book 1”)
- Tuesday and Thursday, 7:35-8:05 a.m. (arrival 7:30-7:33 a.m.)
- Contact Michaela Hibbard with questions or to sign up
- When emailing, please provide the child’s name, grade, and Lotspeich or Doherty Campus
- Start date is to be determined, but it will be around the middle of September
Parent Association News
ES/LS: PA Summer Social — Monday, Aug. 24, 1-2:30 p.m.
Join us on the Kemper (Big Kids’) Playground for KONA Ice — a wonderful opportunity to ease back into the school year and connect with familiar faces before the first bell rings. The Seven Hills Spirit Shop will be hosting a pop-up for back to school, and we’ll bring out gently used items from the “uniform closet.” Bring in your old clothing/gear! Help us exchange gently used spirit wear and soccer gear at the event. Check out the event flyer below.
ES/LS: PA Coffee in the Courtyard — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m.
Drop off your kiddos and then come join us! The Doherty Parent Association is hosting a coffee gathering in the courtyard at 8:30 a.m. on the very first day of school. It’s a great chance to meet other parents, chat with familiar faces, and take a breath together after the big morning rush. We’d love to see you there — no RSVP needed, just show up! View the Parent Association Coffee event flyer for more information.
ES/LS: Pre-Parent Night Social: Cornhole & Coolers, Doherty Courtyard — Thursday, Sept. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Before Parent Night gets underway at 6:30 p.m., come early and unwind with us for a little cornhole and a chance to connect with fellow Doherty parents.
ES/LS: Doherty PA Kickoff, Doherty Library — Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.
Join us for the Parent Association Kickoff — your go-to event for everything you need to know about the year ahead! We’ll share an overview of all the exciting events and initiatives planned, highlight the many ways to get involved, and give you a chance to connect with other parents. Everyone is welcome!
ES/LS: The Seven Hills Spirit Shop Is Back!
Get ready to show your Stinger pride — the Spirit Shop is opening its doors before the school year even begins! We’re hosting three special back-to-school shopping sessions so you can stock up on all your favorite Seven Hills gear before the first bell rings.
Back-to-School Opening Dates
- Friday, Aug. 21, 9-10:30 a.m. — In the Spirit Shop
- Monday, Aug. 24, 1-3 p.m. — Pop-up at Lotspeich Event/Spirit Shop
- Monday, Aug. 24, 1-2:30 p.m. — Pop-up at Doherty Event
Where to Find Us
The Spirit Shop is located in the lobby of the Kalnow Gym on the Hillsdale Campus. During the school year, we’re open most school days from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Can’t make it in person? Shop anytime at our online store.
Want to Get Involved?
The Spirit Shop runs on the enthusiasm of our community — and we’d love your help! We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to a once-a-month shift during regular shop hours as well as folks who’d enjoy helping out at our occasional pop-up events throughout the year. If you’re interested in either opportunity, sign up to volunteer here!
Email us if you have Spirit Shop questions. We’d love to have you on the team. Go Stingers!
— Leesa Pruett Ceron & Lindsay Cassady
Announcements
ES: Picture Day — Thursday, Sept. 10
Picture Day for pre-kindergarten is Thursday, Sept. 10. Be sure your student brings their best smile! View the Doherty picture day flyer for more information.
LS: Picture Day — Thursday, Sept. 10 & Friday, Sept. 11
Picture Day for kindergarten is Thursday, Sept. 10. Picture Day for grades 1-5 is Friday, Sept. 11. Be sure your student brings their best smile! View the Doherty picture day flyer for more information.
Athletics
LS: Homecoming and Youth Recognition Night — Friday, Sept. 18
Save the date for Friday, Sept. 18, for a fun evening of homecoming festivities. Our youth teams will be recognized after the varsity girls soccer game on the upper field around 6:45 p.m.