Lotspeich Blast Feb 9, 2024
Dear Parents,
What a busy week we’ve had, and today marks the 100th day of school! Our students, especially those in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, have been faithfully counting, tallying, and recording the number of days of school we have had since Aug. 22. We’ve reached this milestone, which is always commemorated with a number of fun activities.
In Project Math this week, under the direction of Ms. Berting, our fourth graders embarked on a new challenge with Lego Robotics. Using the LEGO Essential SPIKE Kits, students worked in pairs to build carnival games (i.e., mini-golf, pinball machines, bowling) and then program the games to “play.”
While programming these games, our students engage with the abstract concepts of energy, force, and motion in a hands-on way that fosters a deeper comprehension of fundamental scientific principles. They are simultaneously developing problem-solving skills (what adjustments do we need to make if the ball goes too far or not far enough?) and communication skills as they work together and share ideas for achieving a goal, all while learning coding and programming skills. Whether they realize it or not, our students are developing complex scientific skills and understandings in fun and engaging ways.
Tomorrow officially marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year celebration. In kindergarten, three families came this week to share how they celebrate this important holiday. Yuke Qiu (mom to Sistine Qiu), Yuyai Zhang (mom to Nolyn Liu), Li Yang, and Jingjing Shen (parents to Eric Yang) talked about the Year of the Dragon, traditions such as children receiving red envelopes called hongbao, and the special clothing that is associated with the new year.
Be on the lookout for parent teacher conference sign-ups, which will come out on Monday, Feb. 12.
Enjoy your weekend!
Susan
Key Dates & Events
February — Black History Month
Feb. 12-15 — Teacher Appreciation Week at Lotspeich Lower School
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-kindergarten and Kindergarten.
Thursday, Feb. 22 — Parent Teacher Conferences, 12-8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 23 — No School. Parent Teacher Conferences, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Announcements
Arts Alive — Call for Performers
Are you interested in having your group perform at Arts Alive? We are looking for acts to perform on the outdoor stages and in the DAC Blackbox. Last year, we had some wonderful performances by student organized groups, and we would love to have that continue this year. Arts Alive is intended to celebrate all of the artistry within our community. Please note that this is not a talent show and that groups should have a couple of pieces, totaling approximately 10-25 minutes, performed as a set. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Arts Alive performers Google form and upload a video of your act. We will be accepting submissions from now through Feb. 20 and will let acts know if they are accepted by Spring Break. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Hauser.
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.
- Honeybees (for ages 3-4)
- Stingerbees (for rising kindergartners, ages 5-6)
- Hive Flyers (for rising first and second graders)
- Create Your Summer (for rising second through sixth graders)
- Middle and Upper Experience (for rising sixth through 11th graders)
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. Please contact Shane Marsan with any questions and info about registration. In order to register for this program, you must receive the Caves specific registration code from Mr. Marsan. This code is different from the one families received in the priority registration email.
Leave a Review of Seven Hills on Niche!
Help the school and prospective families — at the same time — by leaving a review on Niche! Niche is a website that parents and students can use to research schools (from primary schools to universities) based on student and parent reviews and data from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics. Sharing your perspective as a Seven Hills parent on the page helps in two ways: 1) Families who are researching schools can learn about the Seven Hills’ experience directly from current families, and 2) Reviews from parents contribute to the school’s ranking on Niche. To write a review, visit https://www.niche.com/k12/survey/, search for The Seven Hills School in the search bar, and click “Start survey.”
Delay the Phone Event Presentation Available
Thanks so much to everyone who attended last night’s Delay The Phone event! Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz will be making the presentation available as both a PDF and a video. Please email Mr. Waskowitz if you would like either of these versions to the event.
LGBTQIA+ Parent Group and Spring Social
Last year, we inaugurated a Parent Community space for LGBTQIA+ families, making strides toward our inclusive school commitment. As we embark on a new year, we aim to reunite existing families and extend a warm welcome to new families joining our community. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, please express your interest with this LGBTQIA+ PC Group interest form.
Additionally, we cordially invite all Seven Hills LGBTQIA+ families to our Spring Social on March 9 from 12-2 p.m. in The Schiff Center lobby. Kindly RSVP using the above interest form, and bring your family to partake in the festivities.
Parent Community News
The next two weeks are jammed with activities showing “love” for all the hard work and dedication our teachers demonstrate year-round. Thank you for your support in these efforts showing just how appreciative we are to have the best!
Save the Date — More details below!
- Teacher Appreciation Week – Valentine’s Day Week Feb. 12-15
- Winter Conference Dinner — Thursday, Feb. 22
Teacher Appreciation Week — Valentine’s Day Week Feb. 12-15, students off Feb. 16 Teacher Appreciation Week starts on Monday and there will be special activities each day. Please be sure to show your teachers some love! There are still a couple of slots to cover teachers’ recess, lunch, and clerical duties. Please sign up here to secure a slot.
Stock the (Teachers’) Lounge
If you’d still like to contribute to stocking the teachers’ lounge, please order 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.
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
Take two minutes to 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 SignUp Genius is required.