Lotspeich Blast Dec 1, 2023
Dear Parents,
This week, two of our Lotspeich teachers, Mrs. Abbey Sir Louis and Mrs. Seraphine Schomber, are in St. Louis for the annual NAIS People of Color Conference. This year’s theme is Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power, which “calls us to converge from different paths to a common journey of truth, knowledge, joy, and power.” The conference aims to provide space and opportunities for educators, leaders, and even Upper School students to learn, discuss, grow, and be together.
Isn’t this what we want for all of our children? We want our children to engage in healthy and respectful discourse with those who may have a different perspective or experience. We want our children to display personal courage and to stand up for what is important to them, doing so in such a way that invites others to join in whatever work they choose to do. We want our children to find their truth, knowledge, joy, and power. This is our important work: to lead, guide, teach, and model all of these things for our children.
We are in the thick of the admissions season, and applications for Lotspeich continue to come in for all grade levels. Tomorrow morning, we will welcome our applicants for our annual playgroups and assessments. We often hear from our prospective families that they are here because of what they have heard from their friends who are already a part of our community. Thank you for sharing the exciting things that are happening here at Seven Hills with your friends and neighbors!
Enjoy your weekend,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Monday, Dec. 4 — Upper School Chorus Tour Visits Lotspeich
Thursday, Dec. 7 — School House Symphony Visits Grades 4 and 5
Wednesday, Dec. 13 — Second Grade Bridges Day at 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 15 — Winter Break begins at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16 — Monday, Jan. 1 — Winter Break
Tuesday, Jan. 2 — Faculty Professional Development Day. No School
Wednesday, Jan. 3 — School Resumes
Announcements
Robotics Competition Volunteers Wanted
After a successful event last year, Seven Hills’ fifth grade will once again be hosting a robotics competition. One thing that made it so successful was the many volunteers who helped out. We are looking for volunteers for this year’s event. Please see all the details and sign up via SignUpGenius.
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.yi
Winter Holiday Care
We are having care for four dates. There will be a half day program held at both campuses on Dec. 15. There will be full day programs on Dec. 18, 19, and Jan. 2 on the Hillsdale Campus, when school is still closed. Register soon!
Parent Community News
We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! With the holiday season in full force now, our Parent Community activities will slow down as we near Winter Break, but we have a lot of exciting activities coming in the new year, including the STEAM Fair (Jan. 28) and Teacher Appreciation Week (Valentine’s Day week). We’re also seeking volunteers for the Robotics Club Lego League Championship on Jan. 6. As always, if you’re interested in volunteering, please reach out to us or fill out the volunteer survey and we’ll pass along your information to the committee chairperson.
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 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.
The Official Start of Grade Level Meetups — Turn on Schoology Notifications!
Please be sure to turn on your email and text notifications for Schoology. All announcements and updates about grade level meetups will be shared via Schoology in the grade level group of your child. We don’t want anyone to miss out, so please download Schoology and adjust your settings. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alisa Pitocco or Kelly Carrier.
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.
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
Thanksgiving may be over, but showing your gratitude doesn’t have to be. Take two minutes to says “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 on 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 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, Dec. 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Our subsequent date is Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (Mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)