Lotspeich Blast Feb 23, 2024
Dear Parents,
Communicating effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills. Here at Seven Hills, it is a skill that we intentionally develop, whether it is a pre-kindergarten “Student of the Week” who is answering questions and sharing with their class what is important to them or second graders presenting project work to students, faculty, and parents or our fifth graders participating in our school-wide morning announcements. Providing both direct instruction and numerous opportunities to practice communication skills is something our teachers are committed to doing.
In the last 24 hours, you have had the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss — and communicate about — the progress of your child so far this school year. Thank you for taking the time to engage in these conversations, as we believe they are so important as we partner in helping your child realize their strengths and potential. I love that our mutual goal is to help your child experience great success in school and life!
All my best,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Friday, March 8— Grades 3-5 Instrumental Concert, 1:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 9 — LGBTQIA+ Family Social, 12-2 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 — Daylight Saving Time Begins. Move clocks ahead one hour.
March 18-29 — Spring Break. No School.
Announcements
Give a Gift … Get a Bee!
Our annual week-long community giving event Stinger Madness will be all the buzzzzz March 4 through 8. And we need you to help fill the hills! For every contribution you make to the Annual Fund, we’ll place a stinger bee on the hill of the campus your oldest child attends. If you’ve already made your Annual Fund gift this school year, thank you! No need to make another gift, your bee is already headed to the hill.
The Stinger Madness Trophy Competition
Each division — the Lower Schools, Middle School, and Upper School — will compete for the Stinger Madness trophy which will be awarded to the division that gives 50 new gifts to the Annual Fund! Don’t miss out — make your gift before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and help us #FillTheHills! Visit www.7hills.org/StingerMadness to learn more and make your gift.
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.
February Parent Connext — A Message from the Counseling Department
Seven Hills values partnering with parents to address the development of the whole child. Parent Connext allows us to explore some of today’s most relevant topics in your child’s social/emotional development, while offering practical tools for parenting. Please feel free to connect with your student’s building counselor if you would like more conversation or support around this month’s topic, emotional regulation.
Spring Break Holiday Care
Care will be offered during our first week of Spring Break, March 18-22 from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Care will not be offered the second week of Spring Break, March 25-29. Register for Spring Break Holiday Care.
Be Great With Us!
As part of the Upper School “Give, Grow, and Be Great” service-learning May Term, Upper students will work with an organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children without one. The need for beds in the Greater Cincinnati area is startlingly high, and while building the beds is an enormous help, beds without pillows, mattress pads, sheets, and blankets don’t solve the problem. That’s where you come in! Please consider donating new bedding to help our efforts make a difference. You can purchase items directly from this Amazon wishlist or send donations to the Upper Office. Please make checks payable to The Seven Hills School with “bedding drive” in the memo line. Donations will be accepted from now until the end of May — but why wait? Be great today! We appreciate your support! Questions? Contact Karen Glum.
Regular Schedule on April 8 for the Eclipse
School will be in regular operation during the eclipse on April 8, and dismissal will be at the regular time. If you prefer, you are welcome to pick up your children early on that day. Please contact your children’s division with questions. The eclipse will begin at 1:50 p.m., be nearly total at 3:10 p.m., and will end at 4:27 p.m. Ample lighting will allow for regular dismissal, and lighting on athletic fields will be used for after school practices and/or games.
As an additional safety protocol, we have purchased safety glasses for all our students and employees, and we will likely run modified schedules to allow some time for students to witness this historical event.
Parent Community News
Save the Date — More details below!
- VIP Day (Formerly Grandpersons’ Day) — Friday, April 19
- May Fete — Friday, May 3
- Fifth Grade Closing Ceremony — Monday, June 3
Spring is right around the corner and with it, a lot of planning for our end of year activities. Some of you completed the volunteer survey earlier in the year indicating you’d like to help with planning or day of support — thank you! We also wanted to put at a general “call for volunteers” now for the remaining events we have planned, so anyone interested may be added to the respective committee chair’s email list. Thanks in advance!
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.
VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons’ Day) — Morning of Friday, April 19, Call for Volunteers
The ECC and Lotspeich children’s VIPs are invited to visit campus for a morning of special programming and a glimpse into their classrooms. The Parent Community assists the school with coordinating volunteers for the day. If you’re interested in helping, please email Cristina Castaneda.
May Fete — Evening of Friday, May 3, Call for Volunteers
May Fete is a fun-filled evening of carnival-style activities for the whole family to celebrate the end of the school year. It’s open to pre-kindergarten through fifth grade families and typically includes games, raffles, inflatables, and food. It takes place on the Hillsdale Campus. If you’re interested in helping, please email Priya Shahani.
Fifth Grade Closing Ceremony — Monday, June 3, Call for Volunteers
The Fifth Grade Closing Ceremony is an annual event celebrating and recognizing fifth graders before they move up to Middle School. There is a formal ceremony and reception on campus, as well as an off-site celebration for the students that is being held at the JCC. If you’re interested in helping, please email Meredith Ficks.
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 SignUpGenius is required.