Lotspeich Blast Feb 2, 2024
Dear Parents,
Welcome to February! This month, we celebrate Black History Month by highlighting a number of African Americans who have made a significant contribution to life as we know it today. Please take a moment to ask your child who they are learning about as we celebrate the gifts, talents, and passions they have demonstrated.
Celebrating diversity is something that we do here at Seven Hills all year long. Whether reading authors of different ethnicities or writing about our own families’ stories, students are engaged in learning that encourages them to recognize, understand, and respect the distinct identity, dignity, and individuality of others. As Maya Angelou stated so eloquently, “It is time to teach young people early on that in diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.”
In addition, parent teacher conferences are just around the corner. On Feb. 12, you will receive a push page inviting you to sign up for your child’s parent teacher conference. I often refer to the importance of partnership between home and school in the success of our students’ education. In three weeks, on Feb. 22 and 23, we have the opportunity to come together for teachers to share your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth this year. Although never long enough, this time together strengthens our partnership, ultimately benefiting our students’ learning.
Enjoy your weekend,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
February — Black History Month
Friday, Feb. 16 — Faculty Professional Development Day. No Classes.
Monday, Feb. 19 — Presidents Day. No School. All buildings and offices are closed.
Thursday, Feb. 22 — Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. for Grades 1-5. Full Day for Pre-K and Kindergarten
Thursday, Feb. 22 — Parent Teacher Conferences, 12-8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 23 — No School
Announcements
Lost and Found
Do any of these lost items look familiar? We will be donating our most recent stash of items to the Resale Shop in the next couple of weeks. Please stop by if any of these items belong to your family. Also, if items do have a name in them, we will return them to the owner, so please be sure to put your child’s name in any outerwear.
Delay The Phone! Parent Meeting — Thursday, Feb. 8
All fourth and fifth grade parents are invited to a community meeting, along with Middle School parents, on Feb. 8, starting at 7 p.m. in The Schiff Center on the Hillsdale Campus, to understand the serious and detrimental effects that smartphones and social media have on our children’s social and emotional development. As a part of understanding this important issue, Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz will also be introducing the Wait Until 8th parent program to help reduce the pressure felt by both students and parents over kids having smartphones. No need to RSVP; just show up for this important meeting that is focused on what is best for our children.
Summer Program 2024 — Mark Your Calendars
Make 2024 the best summer ever! Make friends, discover new passions, and create memories that last a lifetime! With eight weeks of action packed camps, beginning June 17 through Aug. 9, there are all kinds of adventures and opportunities for your child to explore to make this the best summer ever. Priority registration for Seven Hills families opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.
New Summer Program: Middle School Expeditions: Caves
Dates: June 24-28
Grades: 6-8
Instructor: Shane Marsan
Camp Snapshot: Embark on a dynamic, five-day, four-night Middle School summer course, departing from Cincinnati for an adventure-filled journey to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. This well-rounded itinerary seamlessly blends educational exploration and outdoor excitement, offering students a mix of guided cave tours, zip-lining adventures, and interactive outdoor activities. The week culminates with a return journey to Cincinnati, marked by a farewell dinner that encapsulates the camaraderie and memories forged during this enriching and unforgettable summer experience. This program is exclusively offered for Seven Hills students and will be released with the brochure. Please contact Shane Marsan with any questions and info about registration.
Academic Kick Start — New Summer Enrichment Program
Elevate your child’s learning experience this summer with our specialized program designed for academic excellence called Academic Kick Start. The program will run from July 15 to Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be classes for first and second graders, third and fourth graders, and fifth and sixth graders. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention, fostering a focused and supportive environment throughout the entire camp. Dive deep into core subjects, including reading, writing, and math, with an emphasis on individualized instruction. Unlike traditional camps, Academic Kick Start maintains small class sizes for the entire duration, allowing for continuous engagement and targeted academic growth. Prepare your child for the upcoming school year with a curriculum tailored to their needs and led by experienced educators. Join us for a unique educational journey that goes beyond the ordinary camp experience.
This program is run by Shane Marsan and will have a separate registration from the Summer Program, but is offered simultaneously with other Summer Programs. Contact Shane Marsan about registration. These class sizes are limited and for Seven Hills families only.
Planning for Solar Eclipse on April 8
As you no doubt already know, Cincinnati will experience a total solar eclipse on April 8. Particularly since the eclipse’s totality will coincide with afternoon dismissal, the school’s administration is discussing various options, including schedule modifications, to make sure that students are safe throughout the event. We’ll include in an upcoming Blast a detailed plan for April 8.
Parent Community
We hope everyone enjoyed the stations at the STEAM Fair last weekend! We’d like to thank all of our volunteers who gave their time to help make the event a success, including Lotspeich Chairperson Trent Emeneker! Special thanks to Middle School science teacher Mr. Ken Revell for spearheading this engaging, hands-on, and fun event!
Save the Date — More details below!
- Stock the Lounge — Due Date Extended Feb. 12
- Teacher Appreciation Week — Valentine’s Day Week Feb. 12-15
- Winter Conference Dinner — Thursday, Feb. 22
Stock the (Teachers’ Lounge) — Due Date Extended to Monday, Feb. 12
We still have a bunch of items to fill in the lounges. Please consider ordering from this Amazon Wishlist. FYI, all items will be delivered to a central location (Kelly Carrier’s house) and volunteers will assist in transporting them to the lounges in the ECC and Lotspeich buildings.
Teacher Appreciation Week — Valentine’s Day Week Feb. 12-15 (students are off Feb. 16)
Special “surprise” envelopes came home with your child last week or early this week, and we’d love to have the contents returned by Wednesday, Feb. 7. There are trays at the entrance of ECC and Lotspeich to place your completed envelopes. Additional hearts are available in the trays if your child would like more, or feel free to create your own. The signup list to cover teachers’ recess, lunch, and clerical duties still has available slots for the weeks spanning Feb. 12-22. Please sign up here to secure a slot. Thank you for your support!
Winter Conference Dinner — Thursday, Feb. 22
In appreciation for all of the hard work and long days leading up to parent teacher conferences, the Parent Community is providing a catered dinner to teachers on the first evening of conferences. If you’re interested in assisting with set up or clean up, please reach out to our chairperson, Cynthia Fischer.