Doherty Blast Sep 18, 2026
Key Dates
Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 27 — Book Fair
Friday, Sept. 18 — Homecoming and Final Day of Spirit Week. Family Grill Out, 5-7 p.m. Youth Recognition Night, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming. Cross Country Invitational, 9-11 a.m. Boys Varsity Soccer Game, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24 — No School for Students. Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, Sept. 25 — No School for Students. Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) Parent Forum, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — New Parent Cocktail Social, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8 & Friday, Oct. 9 — Fall Break
Monday, Oct. 12 — No School. Records Day
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day
Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15 — Picture Day for PK2 and Picture Retake Day
Saturday, Oct. 24 – Doherty Lotspeich Combined Trunk or Treat
Photos of the Week
NEW! Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Doherty Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Announcement Labels:
ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS: Final Day of Spirit Week — TODAY
Today is the final day for your student(s) to get involved in Spirit Week! Today is a spirit day, so students can show their school pride by wearing Seven Hills colors.
ES/LS: Homecoming — TODAY & Saturday, Sept. 19
Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate our Seven Hills community, and we want to make sure even our youngest Stingers can join in the fun! The grill out will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, and starting at 5:30 p.m., all pre-k and kindergarten students from both campuses will have access to the Early School playground until 7 p.m., giving our youngest Stingers a safe and fun way to be part of the Homecoming festivities.
For the full lineup of events, check out the flyer below.

ES/LS: Parent Teacher Conferences — Sign-ups Close on Monday, Sept. 21
We are excited to welcome families to Doherty next Thursday and Friday for conferences. If you haven’t had the opportunity to sign up to speak to your child’s teachers, please visit the Veracross Parent Portal and sign up today. Sign-ups will close on Monday, Sept. 21, to allow the teachers to prepare for parent meetings. Please note that the Early School, Doherty, and Lotspeich do not have school on Thursday or Friday during conferences.
As you prepare for parent teacher conferences, we look forward to welcoming you to campus for this dedicated time to connect with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress, goals, and growth. To help create a focused and comfortable setting for these conversations, we encourage families to make childcare arrangements whenever possible. We understand that coordinating schedules can be challenging and appreciate your efforts to plan ahead. Please note that supervision will not be available during conferences, with the exception of students who are pre-registered for Stinger Staycation. Thank you for partnering with us to make these conversations meaningful and productive.
ES/LS: The Lower School Book Fair Is Now Open!
We’re thrilled to announce that the Bookshelf in Madeira and the Lower School libraries are teaming up to bring the Book Fair back to our school. Here are all the important details:
- Online Orders: To place an online order or see what’s available, browse the Lower School Book Fair website.
- Dates: September 17-27
- For Students: During their library class, students will have the opportunity to preview the books available at the Book Fair right in the Lotspeich and Doherty libraries.
- For Families: For added convenience, we’ll also have book browsing available during conferences on Sept. 24 & 25.
- Delivery: Most books ordered from the Book Fair will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom by early November.
- Questions? If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lotspeich Librarian Lori Suffield or Doherty Librarian Jo Schnirring.
ES/LS: After the Bell
ATB Drop In
We are currently full for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds and pre-kindergarten at the Early School and Doherty.
Fall Enrichment Programs
If you registered for the Annual After The Bell (ATB) Plan, please use the code Annual26-27 at checkout to receive your 50% discount.
Stinger Staycation (Formerly Known as Holiday Care)
Doherty and Lotspeich will join together at Lotspeich.
Registration is now open for:
- Oct. 12 & 13
View the 2026-27 Stinger Staycation dates.
Both Fall Enrichment and Stinger Staycation links can be found in your Veracross Parent Portal. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to access them.
Reach out to Jill Romerill if you have any questions.
ES/LS: Welcoming a New Counseling Intern to Seven Hills
This school year, the Seven Hills Counseling Department is working with the University of Cincinnati to host a graduate student intern. Taye Ogundipe will be working with Angie Bielecki, the Seven Hills counseling department chair, as well as his supervisor at UC to complete his internship for his Master’s of School Counseling program.
“Mr. Taye” will be gaining direct student hours through observation, student counseling opportunities, and teaching opportunities at all divisions while at Seven Hills.
We are excited to use this opportunity to enhance our counseling program and provide mentorship opportunities through partnerships with our local universities.
ES: Updates to Early School Lunches
One of our primary objectives this year is to enhance the culinary program for students, faculty, and staff. As we wrap up the fourth week of school, the culinary team continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication and change. We are transitioning away from pre-prepared foods to making meals in-house. Additionally, we are now only offering fresh fruit, instead of pre-packaged fruit.
LS: Updates to Campus Dining
One of our primary objectives this year is to enhance the culinary program for students, faculty, and staff. As we wrap up the fourth week of school, the culinary team continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication and change. Culinary Specialist Tracy Hendricks is dedicated to the Doherty Campus and is in the process of renewing her school nutrition membership. As we sell our current stock of beverages, we will eventually provide only white milk, chocolate milk, and water. Additionally, we are now only offering fresh fruit, instead of pre-packaged fruit.
Parent Association News
ES/LS: NEW Stinger Strolls Walking Group — Step Into Community TODAY at 8:30 a.m.
The Seven Hills Doherty Parent Association is excited to launch Stinger Strolls this school year, and we’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re looking for a little exercise, a chance to meet other parents, or simply some time to chat and unwind, we will host two walks each month through the end of 2026 (see dates below). Come walk with us, make some new connections, and shake off a little school-year stress. The group will meet in front of Jones Hall — we hope to see you there!
Future 2026 Stinger Strolls dates:
- Wednesday, Sept. 30
- Friday, Oct. 16
- Wednesday, Oct. 28
- Friday, Nov. 6
- Wednesday, Nov. 18
- Wednesday, Dec. 2
- Friday, Dec. 11
Please text or call Shireen Desai (pre-k and kindergarten mom) at 513.560.2248 with questions or for day-of coordination if needed.
ES/LS: Parent Association Tables at Homecoming — TONIGHT
At Homecoming this evening, stop by the Parent Association tables in the main Lotspeich area next to the Spirit Shop pop-up shop table. All families are welcome — come say hello, find out what the Parent Association has coming up this fall, and learn more about ways to get involved. Representatives from The Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) and The Seven Hills Network of African-American Parents (SNAAP) will also be available to share information and answer questions. No sign-up needed, just come by.
ES/LS: Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) — Parent Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
All Seven Hills parents, caregivers, and staff are welcome to attend our kickoff event for the new school year. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ parent/caregiver, raising an LGBTQ+ child, or an ally, come join us in the Upper School library for a relaxed evening of meaningful conversation and light refreshments.
Register for the event and connect with fellow families, share experiences, ask questions, and build community.
Can’t make it to the parent forum but want to stay informed? Join the SHARE mailing list.
ES/LS: Doherty PA Meeting — Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8:30 a.m.
Stay in the loop and help shape the Doherty experience — our Parent Association Meeting is a great place to do both! Join us to hear the latest updates, connect with fellow parents, and have a voice in the events and initiatives that make our school so special.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a long-time regular, there’s always a seat at the table, and we’d love to see you there! The meeting will take place Upstairs Jones Hall in Room 12.
Missed the kickoff meeting? It’s not too late to jump in!
Building a strong school community takes all of us. If you’d like to lend a hand, share an idea, or support an upcoming event, please reach out to Natalie Martin or Stephanie Helmer, or drop a note in our Community Connection form.
ES/LS: Trunk or Treat — Saturday, Oct. 24, on the Doherty Campus
This is a joint Doherty and Lotspeich event, and this year it is hosted at Doherty. Families decorate the trunks of their vehicles with Halloween decor and hand out candy or other goodies from a campus parking lot, so kids can trick-or-treat safely and families can get to know each other. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Time, flyer, sign-up, and parking details to follow.
Announcements
ES/LS: Priority Admission Deadlines
- Pre-kindergarten-Grade 5: Nov. 15
- Grades 6-12: Dec. 1
Because we have limited space in several grades and our application pool is quite competitive, we recommend completing the application process as early as possible. Sibling admission applications are given priority status within the applicant pool as long as we receive the admission application by Nov. 15 for pre-kindergarten-grade 5 and Dec. 1 for grades 6-12.
To submit an admission application for another child, please log in to your Veracross Parent Portal. Using the column icon at the top of the page, select “Admission,” then “Manage Candidate Applications.” You will then be able to select the box with a plus (+) sign, “Add a New Candidate/Applicant.” The application fee is waived for current families using the waiver code ABC.
Re-enrollment for the 2027-28 School Year for Currently Enrolled Students
Families of currently enrolled Seven Hills students do not need to submit an admission application for their children. You will receive detailed re–enrollment information in January.
ES: Pre-kindergarten 11:30 a.m. Pick-up Reminder
For the 11:30 a.m. pick-up, please remember that there is no parking on either side of Johnstone Place. There are posted “No Parking” signs along the right-hand side, and parking on the left-hand side while facing the wrong direction is also prohibited.
You may park on either side of the driveway as long as you are not blocking traffic or the driveway. If those spaces are full, there is a parking lot available across the street for your convenience.
Please be sure to share this information with anyone who may be picking up your child, including nannies, grandparents, or other caregivers.
Thank you for helping us keep pick-up safe and moving smoothly!
Athletics
LS: Homecoming and Youth Recognition Night — TONIGHT
Tonight, come join the Seven Hills community 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.
LS: 2026-27 Winter Sports Registration — OPEN NOW
Winter sports registration is officially open for grades 2-5! Please register your student(s) for the upcoming season through Veracross. Registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 30. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact k6athletics@7hills.org. We can’t wait to see your student-athletes out there this winter!




