Lotspeich Blast Sep 1, 2023
Dear Parents,
It’s hard to believe that we’re at the end of our second week of school! When I think about the beginning of a new school year, it ranks up there as one of the most celebrated and important times of the year. There is such great anticipation of what a new grade is going to be like — Am I going to like my new teacher? (Yes! They are ALL amazing!) When do I get to start doing homework? (It all depends.) Will there be cool new kids in my class? (Yes! We have welcomed some incredible new students to Lotspeich.) We know this is a time when lasting memories will be made, and we are grateful to be a part of that for your child.
We launched our weekly Monday morning assemblies this week with a warm welcome to all of our new teachers and students. We talked about our value of focus for this year: respect for others and appreciation for diversity. Throughout the year we will touch upon these values — as well as the other six we, at Seven Hills, espouse — always with a focus on how we can choose to live them out daily.
The beginning of the year always includes so much information; I highlight a few key pieces here:
- Names of our buildings, divisions, and campuses can be quite confusing! A quick rundown to help:
- ECC = Our Early Childhood Center (PK-K)
- Grades 1-5 are in the Lotspeich Building
- Lotspeich is BOTH the ECC and Grades 1-5; when we talk about Lotspeich, it will include everyone in grades PK2 through grade 5
- Hillsdale Campus = the campus on Red Bank Road that consists of Lotspeich, the Middle School, and the Upper School
- Doherty = the Lower School campus in East Walnut Hills serving PK2 through grade 5
- Early Morning Care begins at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop off your child until you know the door is unlocked and Mrs. Wilson is there to welcome your child. Supervision of students at all times is important as we ensure the safety of everyone.
- Smartwatches are the way of today and many of our students have them. While we have not prohibited them from being at school, they are NOT to be connected to a phone or Bluetooth while students are at school. Should your child need to contact you, we will make sure they have access to a school phone. Please read the announcement below.
We are grateful to have this opportunity to guide your child through the journey of this school year and are dedicated to making it an experience filled with making memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Warmly,
Susan
Be sure to scroll down for key dates and announcements.
Key Dates & Events
Monday, Sept. 4 — Labor Day. No School
Friday, Sept. 8 — Lotspeich Parent Community Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Lotspeich ATB Room
Friday, Sept. 22-23 — Homecoming
Friday, Sept. 22 — Family Picnic, 5-7 p.m., Hillsdale Campus
Announcements
Smartwatches
According to our policy, students may wear smartwatches though they cannot be connected to bluetooth or a phone while in school. If we find a student communicating via their watch, we will remind them of this policy. If it happens a second time, the teacher will call the parent to let them know it has happened again. If there is a third infraction, the parent will have to come in to pick up the student’s watch, and it is no longer allowed to be worn at school.
AMAZE Program
Last week parents of kindergarteners through fifth graders received an email about our AMAZE Program as a way we live out our core values of respect for others and appreciation of diversity. In addition to the information sent home, we thought it might be helpful to gather together to share a bit more as well as answer questions that may still be lingering. Thus, we will have a Parent Meeting on Friday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 a.m. in the Lotspeich Library. Please submit your questions in advance to help us ensure we get to your specific questions.
After the Bell Updates
Encore
Encore Club is in full swing! We are now launching a weekly sign up, with options to pick up at 4:15 p.m. or stay until 6 p.m. This is all available in your parent portal the Friday prior to the month starting. If you need a drop in, please fill out a request using the Daily ATB Registration link under the parents links section. Parents will receive a confirmation email if registered.
If you are signed up annually, there is no need for you to select an option each week, as you registered for the full year.
Enrichment
Enrichment options (after school classes) will be live on your parent portal the week of Sept. 4. Programs will begin the week of Sept. 18. There are options at both campuses, and students in first through fifth grade may ride the shuttle for programs after school.
Music Lessons
If your child is interested in music lessons, we have violin and piano lessons available. For violin, we have space available for several days. Piano lesson spaces are more limited. Email Jill and Christina to find out more.
Questions?
Email Jill and Christina.
Best Point Counseling Services
Seven Hills is proud to continue its partnership with Best Point this school year. Through this partnership, Best Point will be able to offer individual and group counseling services on campus to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade by a licensed mental health therapist. Best Point has two school-based therapists available to Seven Hills families, Haley Muth and Emily Daugherty, who are both currently accepting new clients.
You can access these services for your student by contacting your school counselor or by submitting a referral on the Best Point website. Call 513.272.2800 if you need further assistance!
Lotspeich Parent Community News and Announcements
We’re loving the enthusiasm so far! Our first two activities of the school year have been great. Thanks to all the families who stopped by the Back-to-School Meetup at the Pavilion. Whew, it was a hot one this year, but we had a great turnout, and it was nice that the parents and kids got to see each other before classes resumed. Our first Stock the Lounge was a huge success! We had amazing participation from our families, and we were able to welcome back the teachers with a fully stocked teachers lounges on the first day of school! We have three more that we’ll host throughout the year, so please be on the lookout.
What in the world is Parent Community?
Seven Hills’ parent group is called the Parent Community, possibly better known as the Parent Association or PTA at other schools. Seven Hills parents are automatically enrolled, and there is no fee or sign up process to join, and all parents and families are eligible to participate in any capacity you desire. Parent Community is fueled 100% by parent volunteers. If you missed Parent Night or want to learn more about Parent Community, click here for the Lotspeich Parent Community Overview.
Upcoming Events — Mark your calendars!!
First Parent Community Meeting — Friday, Sept. 8, 8:30 a.m.
- Right after drop off at 8:30 a.m. in the After the Bell Room in Lotspeich. Coffee will be available.
- Remember, we only have four total meetings per year, so block your calendars. Based on parent feedback, we’ll also be piloting at least one evening meeting this year. Stay tuned for details.
- The meetings are a great opportunity to meet other parents, hear about upcoming events and most importantly, to share your feedback and ideas for future Parent Community activities. We hope to see you all there, and if you miss a meeting, come to the next!
Halloween Trunk or Treat — Fieldhouse Parking Lot, Saturday, Oct. 28, 3-5 p.m.
- This daytime Halloween event is held in an on-campus parking lot to give families a chance to get to know each other and safely celebrate Halloween. Families decorate the trunks of their vehicles in Halloween-themed decor and pass out candy or other goodies. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Halloween Parade Parent Coffee — Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8:30-9:15 a.m.
- Mingle with other parents in between school drop-off and the annual Lotspeich Halloween Parade. Parent Community will provide coffee.
Parent Basketball Group
- All parents are invited to join the Seven Hills Parent Basketball Group (PBG). The PBG is a weekly standing pickup basketball game at the Hillsdale Campus for parents of students in all divisions of the school. The court will be open to parents starting at 7:45 p.m., and the pickup game(s) will begin at 8 p.m. Day-of sign-up via SignUpGenius is required.
Fall Parent Socials
- Parent Socials are a long-standing tradition at Seven Hills. They are adult-only events aimed to give parents an opportunity to meet and get to know each other in a fun, kids-free environment.
- The Fall Parent Socials are organized by grade level. Each grade will have their own event to mingle in a smaller group setting.
- The goal is to have these events in September or October to give parents a chance to meet early in the school year. Be on the lookout for an invitation from your grade’s parent volunteer soon (via Evite). Thank you to all the parents that have volunteered to coordinate!
Lotspeich Parent Community Volunteer Signup
Thank you to all of the families who’ve already completed the survey and signed up to volunteer this year! The link is still live, so if you haven’t completed it yet, hop in there. We have volunteer opportunities for all interests and levels of commitment. And remember, the #1 way you can support the Parent Community this year is by coming for fun and attending the events/activities!
For any questions, please reach out to the Lotspeich Parent Community co-chairs Alisa Pitocco and Kelly Carrier.