Lotspeich Blast Oct 27, 2023
Please join me in congratulating our fifth grade students on their incredible “The Lion King” performance. It was a beautiful production led by our music teacher, Robin Wilson, and our drama teacher, Natalie Bird, with the help of fifth grade teachers, Danielle Levine and Laura OGrady.
Watching our students take the stage with confidence, excitement, and palpable joy was a sweet experience. As they performed, we witnessed a demonstration of their mastery of song, choreography, and expression and working as a team to entertain an audience. In times like these, we have the opportunity to see our students discover and hone their talents in new ways. Most importantly, they shared with us the important messages of:
- Hakuna Matata – no need to spend our lives worrying, and enjoy the simple things in life.
- Running away doesn’t solve our problems.
- We can all find our place in this world.
Bravo, fifth graders! I couldn’t be more proud of all you accomplished, and I hope you are proud of yourselves!
Next week, we have the privilege of connecting with you to discuss one of our favorite topics … your children! We look forward to hosting our first parent-teacher conferences of the school year. It is always good to take the time to sit down face-to-face to discuss your child’s progress since the school year began. We look forward to sharing their strengths and anecdotal stories of how they navigate school life each day and hearing how the year is going from your perspective. Thank you for prioritizing this as we seek to partner in your child(ren)’s education. Please remember that all conferences will be held in-person. Please contact the teacher directly if you need to make any changes to your scheduled time with your child’s teacher.
Enjoy your weekend,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Oct. 23-Nov. 7 — Food Drive, click to view the list of items.
Oct. 31-Nov. 10 — Book Fair
Saturday, Oct. 28 — Trunk or Treat, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 31 — Halloween Parade, 9:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 1 — Parent Conferences, 12-8 p.m. No Classes.
Thursday, Nov. 2 — Parent Conferences, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. No Classes.
Friday, Nov. 3 — Professional Development. No School.
Thursday, Nov. 9 — Playhouse in the Park performs “The Velveteen Rabbit”
Wednesday, Nov. 15 — First Grade Penguin Visit for Science
Monday, Nov. 20 — Third grade field trip to Sunwatch Archaeological Park
Tuesday, Nov. 21 — Thanksgiving Break begins at 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 22 – Friday, Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving Break. No School.
Monday, Nov. 27 — School Resumes
Announcements
Parking Lot Reminder: Numbered Spaces Reserved for Students
Parking spaces with numbers are assigned spaces for students. Please do not park in any numbered space. If you are a visiting parent, please park in the short-term parking spots in Lot A (the main lot adjacent to the Upper School and Lotspeich) or the spaces without numbers near the Resale Shop. Additionally, spots 201-208 across from the Red Barn are unassigned and available for visitors.
Halloween Parade Parking
We are excited about our upcoming Lotspeich Halloween Parade on Oct. 31. We are hopeful to be on the track for our parade, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will be in the Kalnow Gym. We ask that all parents park in the fieldhouse parking lot. Thank you.
Conference Parking
We are excited to welcome families into the Lower School next Wednesday and Thursday for conferences. Please note that the Middle and Upper School still has class these days.
Lost and Found
It’s that time of year when many sweaters, jackets, and coats mysteriously end up in our Lost and Found. Please remember to write your name on all outerwear. This will help us return any lost items. Also, during conferences, please take a peek at our Lost and Found collection to see if anything is yours. Here is a picture of our items in the first through fifth grade building:
The Lotspeich Book Fair is Just Around the Corner!
We’re thrilled to announce that the Bookshelf in Madeira and the Lotspeich Library are teaming up to bring the Book Fair back to our school. From Nov. 1-13, during their library class, students will have the opportunity to preview the exciting books available at the Book Fair right in the Lotspeich Library. We welcome families to drop in and browse the fantastic book selection in the morning during drop-off between 8-8:30 a.m. For added convenience, we’ll also have book browsing available during parent-teacher conferences on Nov. 1 and 2. On Nov. 1, you’ll receive an email with a link to the website for ordering books. It’s a great way to explore even more options and make your selections. Most books ordered from the Book Fair will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom before winter break. Get ready for an exciting literary adventure at the Lotspeich Book Fair. Stay tuned for more updates and happy reading! If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lotspeich librarian, Lori Suffield.
Fifth Grade Ski Club
The Seven Hills Outdoor Program is offering Ski Club at Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for our fifth grade students. The program consists of four once-a-week passes, which include a 1-hour ski lesson and time for free ski. Ski Club will be held on Thursdays in January on Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25. The permission form is available here and was also sent home with your child. Permission forms need to be returned to your child’s fifth grade teacher by Nov. 5.
After the Bell Updates
Encore Club
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 under the Student Logistics request, and we will approve if space is available.
Enrichment Programs
The next session of Enrichment Programs begins Nov. 6 and we have just a few spots left! Check your parent portal under the link Enrichment Programs to see what we have available. Have an idea for an enrichment program that you want to share with us? Send Jill and Christina an email with ideas!
PC Announcements:
We’re excited to see everyone at Trunk or Treat, this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. (see details below) and at the Parent Coffee before the annual Lotspeich Parade on Tuesday morning after dropoff.
If you missed the info last week, we’re also excited to share that our next Parent Community Meeting will be an evening family event for all that includes childcare. Please see the details below.
Halloween Trunk or Treat Event — Field House Parking Lot (Saturday, Oct. 28, from 3-5 p.m.)
- Please RSVP ASAP to help families gauge how much candy/treats to bring. Come in your costumes, decorate your trunks, and bring treats to pass out (not required). See the flyer here for details.
- What’s Trunk or Treat?
- A Lotspeich (PK2-fifth grade) event celebration of Halloween where families decorate the trunks of their vehicles in Halloween-themed decor and pass out candy or other goodies to participating Seven Hills children.
- Parking:
- If you’re passing out candy, please park in the Field House lot. For the safety of the kids, please arrive by 3 p.m., so we have all cars parked by the time kids start trunk-or-treating.
- If you’re attending, but NOT passing out candy, please park in the ECC lot or a side street.
- Other Event Info:
- Decorating trunks or passing out candy is NOT required to attend.
- The practice field and restrooms will be open and available to use.
- Please only bring nut-free candy
- This is a PK2-fifth grade event. Please follow the Lotspeich rules regarding scary costumes and weapons.
Halloween Parade Parent Coffee — Pavilion (Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 8:30-9:15 a.m.)
Drop off the kids, and head directly to the Pavilion to mingle with other parents and enjoy some coffee and breakfast bites while we await the annual Lotspeich Halloween Parade. The event will be held at the Pavilion near the Lotspeich playground. The rainout location is the ATB Room Lotspeich. See the flyer here and no RSVP is required.
Glow in the Dark Movie Night + Parent Community Meeting — Friday, Nov. 17, 6-8 p.m.
We’re excited to pilot our first evening Parent Community meeting! To make it a fun night for all, children are welcome and childcare will be provided. Kids can come in their pajamas (optional) and enjoy a Glow in the Dark movie night with their friends, while parents attend the Parent Community Meeting. Here are some details:
- 6-6:30 p.m. Pizza and salad in the Lotspeich ATB Room (parents + kids all together)
- 6:30-8 p.m.
- Glow in the Dark Movie Night (G-rated movie) in the Lotspeich Library (childcare provided by Seven Hills staff)
- Parent Community Meeting & “Meet & Greet” with Dr. Matt Bolton, Head of School Elect, in the Lotspeich ATB Room
- Childcare space is limited; RSVP here ASAP to secure your spot!
Fall Parent Socials — Thank you, Volunteers!
A huge thank you to our parent volunteers for hosting our Fall Socials! If you see any of the following parents, please shout out a big “thanks” — Andrea Pomeranz (pre-kindergarten), Tiffany Evans and Trent Emeneker (kindergarten), Amy Gilligan and Pam Hysinger (first), Rubia Goyal (second), Marisa Arquilla (third), Manisha Patel (fourth), Meredith Ficks, Chrissy Heubi, and Mike Hazenfield (fifth).
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
Did someone go above and beyond? Say thanks with a Staff Appreciation Note! Make someone smile — click here!
Yearbook Photos — Please submit!
The yearbook needs YOUR pictures! Please send photos to lotspeichyearbook@7hills.org to be added to the yearbook!
Walking Club — New meet-up location
We are a group of parents that get together bi-weekly on Wednesdays after morning drop off to talk and walk the lower soccer field. All divisions are welcome and no RSVP required. This group provides you a great opportunity to connect with other community members all while getting your steps in! Please park in the lower field parking area, campus guest passes will be passed out to ensure visibility, for security purposes. When inclement weather occurs, we gather at Element Eatery to chat. Our next meet-up is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are Nov. 29, Dec. 13, and Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)
October Parent Connext — brought to you by the Counseling Department
Seven Hills values partnering with parents to address the development of the whole child. Parent Connext allows us to explore some of today’s most relevant topics in your child’s social/emotional development while offering practical tools for parenting. View a Parent Connext Powerpoint Presentation here and a Parent Hub October Tips sheet here about bullying and resiliency factors. Please feel free to connect with your student’s building counselor if you would like more conversation or support around this topic.
Resale Shop
It’s time to clean out closets, cabinets, drawers, etc., and bring what you don’t need any more to the Resale Shop! We are in need of household items, clothing, artwork, furniture, linens, etc. We are open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and we are located across the street from the main entrance on the Hillsdale Campus.
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 this SignUpGenius is required.