Lotspeich Blast Nov 17, 2023
Dear Parents,
Just as your children are constantly learning and growing, so are our teachers!
This week, our teachers have engaged in conversations regarding the teaching of literacy. We know that strong literacy skills are the foundation of academic success and lifelong learning. With this in mind, we have been reviewing current research to ensure we are equipped with the latest pedagogical techniques, research-based strategies, and effective tools to foster literacy development in students across all grade levels. Lotspeich and Doherty have been working together with a literacy consultant as we review our curriculum and literacy practices to share best practices and innovative ideas to elevate the literacy learning experience for your children.
In addition, we had a teacher participate in an ISACS Accreditation team, traveling to another independent school to help them take a look at all they say they do. And we had three teachers attend the National Council of Teachers of English Conference in Columbus. This commitment our faculty has to their own growth and development so they can bring their very best to your children is admirable.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving, wherever you might be. This is one of my favorite holidays as the pace slows for a few days, and we take time with friends and family to reflect on all of which we are grateful. I wish you the most blessed Thanksgiving!
Warmly,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
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
Monday, Nov. 27 — Grades 1-8 Spring Sports Registration Begins
Thursday, Nov. 30 — School House Symphony visits Grades 2 and 3
Friday, Dec. 1 — Grade 5 Visits the Middle School
Monday, Dec. 4 — Upper School Chorus Tour Visits Lotspeich
Thursday, Dec. 7 — School House Symphony Visits Grades 4 and 5
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.
Save the Date — Books for Lunch 2024!
The 2024 Books for Lunch committee, chaired by Seven Hills parents Lisa Briquet and Lalitha Chunduri, is honored to present this year’s guest author, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer! Please join us in the Madisonville Ballroom at The Summit Hotel on Feb. 2 for lunch, community, and an engaging address from Greer. Please visit 7hills.org/BFL to purchase tickets and learn more about the events, Greer, and his work.
After the Bell Updates
Encore Club
We now have 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 can approve if space is available.
Winter Holiday Care
We are having care for four dates when school is still closed: a half-day program held at both campuses on Dec. 15., and full day programs on Dec. 18, 19, and Jan. 2 on the Hillsdale Campus. Register today!
Parent Community News
We hope all the kiddos had a fun time at the Glow-in-the-Dark Movie Night, and we appreciate all the parents who attended the Lotspeich Parent Community meeting and Meet and Greet with Dr. Matt Bolton. There are a lot of exciting activities planned for the second half of the year, so if you’re interested in volunteering, please let us know via this volunteer survey.
The Official Start of Grade-Level Meetups — Turn on Schoology Notifications!
The Lotspeich Parent Community serves students ranging from pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds all the way up through fifth grade. As you can imagine, it’s a very wide range of ages to consider when planning activities. Our hope is that these new grade-level meetups can serve as a supplement to other Parent Community activities and give families an opportunity to enjoy some quality time with just their grade. Our volunteers already have some fun ideas brewing!
All announcements and updates about grade-level meetups will be shared via Schoology in the grade-level group of your child(ren). We don’t want anyone to miss out, so please be sure to have Schoology downloaded and go into settings to turn on email notifications and push notifications. If you have any Schoology questions, please reach out to Alisa or Kelly.
Lotspeich Community Service — Halloween Costume Donation due Tuesday, Nov. 21
New this year, we’re hoping to integrate community service activities into our Lotspeich Parent Community calendar. Our theme is in line with “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and so our fall activity is to give a second life to all of our Halloween costumes by organizing a Halloween Costume Donation. Bins are at the inside entrance of the ECC and Lotspeich building through Tuesday, Nov. 21, last day of school before Thanksgiving break.
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
It’s officially THANKSgiving month! Take two minutes to show your gratitude and make someone smile with a Staff Appreciation Note!
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. 29, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are 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)
Music and Mingle Family Reception — Dec. 2, 3:15 p.m
Join us to support Stinger performing arts at the instrumental performances and the Music and Mingle Family Reception on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Meet up to mingle with fellow Stinger music lovers in The Schiff Center lobby directly following the Middle School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 2:30 p.m., and before the Upper School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 4:30 p.m. This reception is open to all attendees of the instrumental performances. Afternoon snacks and drinks provided by the Arts Boosters Parent Community.
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.