Lotspeich Blast Nov 3, 2023
Dear Parents,
It’s been a fun, energy-filled week here at Lotspeich! On Tuesday, the students’ creativity and ingenuity shone brightly as they donned their costumes for our annual Halloween parade. It was wonderful to see so many of you here that day; it means so much to your children to see your smiling faces in the crowd.
Our annual Book Fair began this week. This is always one of my most favorite events of the year — finding several new titles that will take me to a faraway place or teach me a new skill. I encourage you to take advantage of what has been curated for our students … it’s a wonderful way to help your child connect with high-interest books, and you might even find something special for the quickly approaching holidays. Thank you, in advance, to Mrs. Suffield and all of our volunteers who make this important event possible!
Our Thanksgiving Food Drive continues through Tuesday, Nov. 7. Thank you for your generous donations already! We’re collecting canned yams, mini marshmallows, and hot chocolate through the end of the school day on Tuesday.
Tomorrow, our faculty will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for the annual ISACS conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Learn Forward: Creating Paths to Excellence.” There are always new, energizing, and innovative ideas to support the learning of all of our students.
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back on Saturday night and enjoy the extra hour.
Warmly,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Friday, Nov. 3 — Faculty Professional Development Day. 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
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 child’s 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:
Lower School Book Fair is happening now!
Students will be able to preview physical copies of the Book Fair books in the Lotspeich Library during library class this upcoming week. Families are also welcome to stop in and browse the books in the morning during dropoff between 8-8:30 a.m. The last day to order online is Nov. 13. Everything you need to know about Book Fair and the link to order books can be found here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lotspeich librarian Lori Suffield.
Lotspeich In-School Book Fair Preview Dates:
- Monday, Nov. 6 — DelVecchio (Pre-K), Koester (Pre-K), Mcllwraith (Pre-K), Lyons (Pre-K), Johnson (Pre-K), Knecht (Grade 2), Levine (Grade 5), OGrady (Grade 5)
- Tuesday, Nov. 7 — Newman (Grade 3), Tiller (Grade 2), Schulties(Kindergarten), Swain (Kindergarten), Schneider (Kindergarten)
- Wednesday, Nov. 8 — O’Rourke(PK2)
- Thursday, Nov. 9 — Gaunt (Grade 3), Kohn (Grade 1)
- Friday, Nov. 10 — Burton(Grade 1), Marsan (Grade 4), Snyder (Grade 4)
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 one-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.
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.
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!
Parent Community
We had a great turnout, and we hope everyone had an enjoyable time at Trunk or Treat and the Halloween Parent Coffee. And next year, we’ll be sure to have WAY more coffee. Our backup Keurig got quite the workout! It was so fun to see everyone! Thanks to all the families who attended.
Next up is our Parent Community Meeting evening family event for all that includes childcare. Please see the details below.
Glow in the Dark Movie Night and Parent Community Meeting — RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 9
We’re excited to pilot our first evening Parent Community meeting on Friday, Nov. 17, 6-8 p.m.! 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 altogether)
- 6:30-8 p.m.
- Glow in the Dark Movie Night (G-rated movie) in the Lotspeich Library for kids with 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, so we need a final headcount by Nov. 9. Please RSVP ASAP to secure your spot!
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
Did someone go above and beyond? Say thanks with a staff appreciation note!
Yearbook Photos – Please Submit!
The yearbook needs your pictures! Please send photos to lotspeichyearbook@7hills.org to be added to the yearbook!
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.
Parent Euchre Night Is Back!
Doherty and Lotspeich parents: join us for a night of parental socializing (and cards) at MadTree on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.! If you’re new to the glorious game of euchre, don’t fret — it’s (relatively) easy to learn, and you’ll be among patient Midwesterners. The hardest part is not getting wing sauce on the cards. Let us know you’re coming by grabbing a “Euchre Player” slot in the sign ups here. See you at the table with the blue and yellow balloons! No interest in cards but still want to hang? Come on out!
Parent Walking Club
We are a group of parents who 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 is 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)