Lotspeich Blast Mar 1, 2024
Dear Parents,
Under the leadership of Mrs. Suffield, our fourth graders have launched a new project, the Good News Crew. The Good News Crew is a dedicated group of students who meet on Wednesday mornings from 7:45 until 8:15 a.m. Their mission is to research and report on the positive happenings
around The Seven Hills School. These students will play a crucial role in sharing good news during our Monday morning assemblies and in spreading positivity and enthusiasm throughout the school. To date, students have interviewed Mr. Garten, both boys and girls varsity basketball coaches, Mrs. Knoop, Mrs. O’Rourke, Middle School students, members of the fourth grade volleyball team, and the list goes on!
I am having a hard time believing that we are already in March. As we prepare for our upcoming spring break, I do want to remind you of several important dates as spring here at Seven Hills is quite full:
- Friday, March 8, 1:45 p.m. — Third through Fifth Grade Instrumental Concert in Founders’ Hall
- Friday, March 15, 3:10 p.m. — Spring Break Begins
- Monday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. — School Resumes
- Monday, April 8 — Solar Eclipse (full day of school)
- Friday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. — VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons Day)
- Friday April 19, 11:30 a.m. — Early Dismissal for all Lotspeich Students (PK2-5th)
- Friday, April 26 — Arts Alive (Times to be announced soon.)
- Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. — May Fete in Kalnow Gym (More info coming soon.)
Also, please check the Lost and Found; we have accumulated quite a large number of jackets, sweatshirts, etc. All items will be donated at Spring Break.
Enjoy your weekend!
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Friday, March 8, 1:45 p.m. — Third through Fifth Grade Instrumental Concert in Founders Hall
Friday, March 15, 3:10 p.m. — Spring Break Begins
Monday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. — School Resumes
Monday, April 8 — Solar Eclipse (full day of school)
Friday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. — VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons Day)
Friday April 19, 11:30 a.m. — Early Dismissal for all Lotspeich Students (PK2 to Grade 5)
Friday, April 26 — Arts Alive (Times to be announced soon.)
Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. — May Fete in Kalnow Gym (More info coming soon.)
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.
Stinger Madness Spirt Week
In honor of Stinger Madness and Seven Hills’ 50th anniversary, the week of March 4-8 will be Stinger Madness Spirit Week. It’s time to get in the spirit and celebrate the school’s history through all the decades. Students are encouraged to wear Seven Hills gear if they cannot find clothes for a specific day.
- Monday — Dig it: Dust off your bell bottoms, tie-dye shirts, and peace signs to kick off Spirit Week.
- Tuesday — Put on your shoulder pads and leg warmers, and style your hair for this totally tubular Tuesday.
- Wednesday — Flannel shirts or leopard print, channel Nirvana or the Spice Girls, and show off your 90s trends.
- Thursday — Bust out the low-rise jeans and iPod, or dress as your favorite reality TV star for the era of the new millennium.
- Friday — Dress in your most futuristic attire, whether it’s inspired by your dream career, college goals, or your own imagination. What does the future hold? Show us your vision!
Spring Break Holiday Care
Care will be offered during our first week of Spring Break, March 18-22 from 7:30 a.m. until 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.
Volunteers Needed for Culture Week, April 15-19
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (DEI) is currently planning a culture week for April 15-19! This week-long event will be organized by continent, with one or two continents on an assigned day with distinct booths. These booths can represent anything from a country or region to a religion, race, or ethnicity. This culture fair is a great opportunity to represent Seven Hills’ diverse student body and to do that DEI is asking for parent volunteers to host booths!
Some booths may have culturally significant foods, traditional clothing, or anything else that represents your identity. If you have any questions, please contact Aleesha Adhami or Nathan Walker. If you are interested in hosting a booth, fill out the Culture Week booth application for parents and families.
Book Sale for Lower School Visiting Author
We are excited to announce that The Bookshelf bookstore is hosting a book sale featuring the works of this year’s visiting author, Nancy Churnin. Nancy will be visiting our campuses on April 8 and 9, and her books will be available for purchase at a discount. The Bookshelf will deliver any books ordered directly to the schools, and Nancy will personalize and autograph them when she visits.
Nancy Churnin is a talented author known for her captivating children’s books. With a knack for storytelling, she effortlessly weaves together engaging narratives that inspire young readers. Through her work she celebrates diverse voices and important historical figures, leaving a lasting impact on readers of all ages.
The book sale starts immediately and will run through Friday, March 15. Order Nancy Churnin books here. Lotspeich librarian Lori Suffield and Doherty librarian Jo Schnirring thank you for your continued support.
Parent Community News
Special thanks to Cynthia Fischer who coordinated last week’s delicious conference dinner for our teachers. Thanks, Cynthia! It’s hard to believe March has arrived! After we return from Spring Break, our planning committees will be cruising full steam ahead prepping for the remaining activities. If you’d like to help, we’ve included the committee chairperson’s contact information below.
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
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.
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.
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.