Doherty Blast Nov 13, 2026

Announcement Labels:

ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade families

ES/LS: Thanksgiving Food Drive — NOW-Nov. 20

The Thanksgiving Food Drive is accepting items now! We encourage families and students to bring in non-perishable, non-expired food items (no glass, please) to benefit the Freestore Foodbank, a local food pantry.

There are boxes in Haile and Jones Halls to drop off your items.

ES/LS: Special Persons Day — Tuesday, Nov. 24

We have set aside Tuesday, Nov. 24, as a special day to celebrate the wonderful people who make our students’ lives brighter! Whether they are grandparents, family members, mentors, or other special people, we look forward to welcoming those who mean so much to our children.

Please note that Special Persons Day is a half-day event, with all students dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Students may leave with their special people following the celebration.

Information regarding Special Persons Day was previously sent home, and the deadline for returning the form has now passed. Please remind your special persons to RSVP by replying to the email invitation they received. We do like to have a good idea of how many guests to expect.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us make this a memorable occasion for our students and their special guests!

ES/LS: Lost and Found — November Update

Last Year’s Lost and Found

Please take a moment to look through the items left behind from last school year. Any unclaimed items will be donated over Thanksgiving Break. You can find them on the Lost and Found bench downstairs in Haile Hall.

View Photos of Last Year’s Items

ES/LS: Screen Smart Seven Hills Resources

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the LEAD Together session Screen Smart at Seven Hills 2.0. It was great to connect with our community on this important topic.

Wondering about when to get your child their first phone, gaming, or social media? Last night, we released guides covering these important topics.

If you weren’t able to make it, please find all Screen Smart Seven Hills resources linked on Veracross (under General Information) or visit the Screen Smart site.

LS: Anxiety: A Guide for Parents — Free Virtual Trainings Hosted by Terrace Metrics on Nov. 17 and 24

We’re excited to share that Terrace Metrics is offering a free parent training focused on understanding and supporting children experiencing anxiety, designed specifically for parents and caregivers of students in grades 5-12.

Anxiety can significantly impact students’ emotional well-being, school experience, and daily lives. This training offers families an opportunity to gain helpful insights, practical strategies, and tools to better support their children.

Training details:

• Cost: Free
• Duration: Remaining sessions: Nov. 17 and 24 from 8-9 p.m. EST
• Audience: Parents and caregivers of students in grades 5-12
• Topic: Understanding and supporting student anxiety

Join the Zoom here: tinyurl.com/terracemetricsanxiety

Have questions? Please reach out to Doherty Lower School counselor Angie Bielecki.

ES/LS: Thanksgiving Lunch — Monday, Nov. 23

Students, faculty, and staff at both campuses can enjoy a special Thanksgiving lunch on Monday, Nov. 23, before kicking off Thanksgiving Break the following day.

This special hot plate lunch option will feature an assortment of typical Thanksgiving favorites, including turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, and more. Students can also look forward to a selection of desserts, including pumpkin, fruit, and pecan pies. This special meal is a wonderful opportunity to bring our Seven Hills community together and celebrate the season of gratitude.

LS: Fifth Grade Looking Ahead to Middle School

The three years in the Middle School are designed to encourage students to explore new ideas and experiences, take responsible risks, and acquire the academic and social-emotional skills to help them realize their full potential.

In order to share a sense of the Middle School’s program, we are offering the following events designed for both fifth graders and their parents.

Looking Ahead to Middle School for Parents — Wednesday, Dec. 2

All parents of current Seven Hills fifth grade students are invited to attend one of two in-person meetings with James Jessup in the sixth grade commons. These sessions will take place between 9-10:30 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

James will introduce life in the Middle School and share information about the exciting and unique Middle School years and how we support growth and development during this time.

Fifth Grade “Middle School Preview Day” — Thursday, Dec. 3

When we planned our “Middle School Preview Day,” we had no idea a great many fifth graders would be getting a real life preview every day! As much as we love hosting our Lotspeich friends, being a part of Middle School is about much more than taking classes in our building.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, the Middle School will host all of our fifth graders from Doherty and Lotspeich. The day is designed to give fifth grade students the chance to experience a day in the life of the Middle School. Look for an email from James Jessup with more details.

ES/LS: Save the Date! Growing Together: Building Community in Nature — Saturday, Dec. 5

As our community takes root, join families on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9:15-11 a.m. to spend time in nature with activities led by faculty and upperclassmen. Activities include building bug hotels, a winter walk to the Lower School construction site, and other teacher-led activities.

Check out the flyer below for more information.

ES/LS: Save the Date for a Fireside Book Discussion: Susan Choi’s “Flashlight” — Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027

Please save the date for the Seven Hills Books For Lunch Fireside Book Discussion on Thursday, 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 Susan Choi’s award-winning novel, “Flashlight.”

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 “Flashlight” or just enjoy exploring thought-provoking literature, you’ll find something valuable in the discussion.

More information, including how to RSVP, is coming soon.

ES/LS: Join Us for Books for Lunch — Friday, Feb. 5, 2027

Please join us for the 40th anniversary of Books for Lunch on Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, at Hotel Covington in The Lightwell. Enjoy an afternoon with National Book Award-winning author Susan Choi, featuring her novel, “Flashlight.”

The cash bar opens at 11 a.m., followed by an engaging luncheon at 12 p.m. Tickets are on sale now — purchase your seat today.

Questions? Email us at booksforlunch@7hills.org.

ES/LS: After The Bell (ATB)

Enrichment

After the Bell has new enrichment programs beginning the week of Nov. 30 and running through Feb. 5.

Please note: We will have several no-class dates, which will be reflected in your confirmation after program selection. These programs all have two weeks off for Winter Break. We have programs like “Dance for Beginners” for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten and even “Artistic Expressions” for grades 1-5! Grades 1-5 can also switch between campuses for programs, so look out for our chess program as well.

Register for Enrichment

Stinger Staycation

There is NO Stinger Staycation or After the Bell for Special Persons Day on Nov. 24. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

We will offer Stinger Staycation on:

• Friday, Dec. 18 (half day, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.) at the Early School, Doherty, and Lotspeich
• Monday, Dec. 21 (full day, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at the Early School and Lotspeich
• Tuesday, Dec. 22. (full day, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at the Early School and Lotspeich

We need 20 children registered to run the programs.

Register for December Stinger Staycation

Piano Lessons at Doherty

We are identifying who may be interested in piano lessons at Doherty beginning in January. Please fill out the form below to let us know your interest.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, we will have a piano showcase with our new instructor if your child would like to attend. If so, please put in a drop-in request for that day when December dates have opened.

Lessons will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.

Fill out the Piano Lesson Interest Form