Lotspeich Blast Apr 12, 2024
Dear Parents,
We started this week with one of the most amazing experiences … the solar eclipse! Students gathered outside to watch the changes in the shadows, notice the drop in temperature and the dusk-like atmosphere created, and watch the moon cover the sun. It truly was a memorable experience that I hope you, too, were able to enjoy.
Other notable happenings this week include:
- Nancy Churnin, an author of many children’s books, joined us for a series of assemblies on Tuesday. All students had the opportunity to hear her share what inspires her as a writer.
- Our families who observe Ramadan celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. “Eid Mubarak” or “Happy Eid” to all who celebrate.
- Our fourth graders went to Camp Kern for a two-day field trip. While this trip reinforces many social studies topics in a hands-on, experiential way, it is also about building a stronger sense of community amongst our students.
- We will participate in the Lower School Spirit Night, and our spring athletes will be recognized on Wednesday, April 17. Join us for dinner (four food trucks will be on campus) and stay to watch a game. Come watch our softball, boys tennis, baseball, and girls lacrosse teams; the events will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Tomorrow evening, the Seven Hills community will come together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our school. I hope to see many of you there!
Warmly,
Susan
Key Dates & Events
Saturday, April 13 — 50th Anniversary Celebration, 7-10 p.m. RSVP required.
Wednesday, April 17 — NOTE DATE CHANGE — Family Food Truck Night, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hillsdale Campus Pavilion
Thursday, April 18-Friday April 19 — All School Culture Fair
Friday, April 19 — VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons’ Day), 8:30 a.m.
Friday April 19 — Early Dismissal for all Lotspeich Students (PK2 to Grade 5), 11:30 a.m.
Friday, April 26 — Arts Alive, 3:30-8:40 p.m.
Friday, May 3-Friday, May 10 — Drama Showcases
- Kindergarten Schulteis — Wednesday, May 8, 12:50 p.m.
- Kindergarten Swain — Wednesday, May 8, 1:20 p.m.
- Kindergarten Schneider — Wednesday, May 8, 1:50 p.m.
- First Grade Burton — Thursday, May 9, 1:30 p.m.
- First Grade Kohn/Staiger — Friday, May 10, 10:15 a.m.
- Second Grade Tiller — Thursday, May 9, 2:35 p.m.
- Second Grade Knecht — Wednesday, May 8, 2:35 p.m.
- Third Grade Newman — Friday, May 3, 11 a.m.
- Third Grade Gaunt — Friday, May 3, 12:45 p.m.
- Fourth Grade Marsan — Thursday, May 9, 8:30 a.m.
- Fourth Grade Snyder — Friday, May 10, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, May 3 — May Fete in Kalnow Gym, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8 — First Grade Plant Sale 8-10 a.m.
Thursday, May 9-Friday, May 10 — Grade 5 to Dearborn, Michigan
Friday, May 24 — Grades 1-4 Spring Concert, The Schiff Center, 1:45 pm.
Monday, May 27 — No School- Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30 — Field Day
Friday, May 31— Kindergarten Breakfast, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 31— PK Family Picnic, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Friday, May 31— Last Day of School for Pre-Kindergarten to Fourth Grade
Monday, June 3 — Fifth Grade Closing Exercises, 10:15 a.m.
Announcements
Rescheduled — Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night — Wednesday, April 17
All Seven Hills families are welcome to come celebrate our spring athletes and have some fun! Cheer on Upper School baseball, softball, and tennis teams and the JV and Middle School girls’ lacrosse teams. Youth spring athletes in kindergarten through sixth grade will be recognized at 5:45 p.m. on the upper field. Food will be available for purchase from four delicious food trucks: Big Dogs Pizza, Maya Indian Food, Kona Ice (at the Pavilion) and Quite Frankly (at the baseball field). Check out the Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night flyer for more details. See you there!
Mamma Mia! — Upper School Musical, April 19 and 20
Advance reserved tickets for Mamma Mia! are now on sale! Tickets are going fast — the center section of seats is already sold out for both nights and we’ve already sold over 550 seats! So, act fast! Get your advance reserved tickets today through Ticketleap.
Once on Ticketleap, choose the date of the show, then select “choose your own seats.” Performances are Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $10. Come join the Seven Hills Upper School theater department for one of the most popular high school musicals of 2024 —Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA! Join us on April 19 and 20. We look forward to seeing you there!
Spring Enrichment Programs — April 15 to May 23
We are in the final session of our Spring Enrichment classes and we have an awesome line-up of after school activities for all ages! Register for Spring Enrichment Sessions.
VIP Day — April 19
One of our Lotspeich traditions is in one week — VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons’ Day)! We will welcome many very important people to campus to see our students in action. Families, please see and share our invitation to special visitors that you invite on behalf of your children. If your family hasn’t RSVPed, please do to allow us to get final preparation numbers.
Also, note that we will have an early dismissal for all students pre-kindergarten through fifth grade at 11:30 a.m. to allow visitors to continue their day with the children. We will not have the Middle School steps, the Shuttle, or school district busses at 11:30 a.m. We will run the carline from the Red Barn and ECC only. We look forward to welcoming our visitors on April 19 to campus!
Holiday Care for VIP Day
Holiday care is available from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In order to stay after 11:30 a.m. that day, all Lotspeich students must be registered for Holiday Care.
Arts Alive Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars for the third annual Arts Alive celebration. On Friday, April 26, from 3:30-8:40 p.m., first through 12th grade students will showcase their artistic talents throughout the Hillsdale Campus. There will be games, arts and crafts, live performances, food trucks, and much more! Join us for an evening of festivities for the entire family. Food trucks and desserts will be available from 3:30-8 p.m. Stay tuned for more details. View the schedule.
Call for Volunteers for Arts Alive
We would love your help making Arts Alive a fantastic day! Several volunteer shifts and activities are available from set-up on Thursday afternoon to tear-down on Friday evening and so much in between. Check the sign-ups available on SignUpGenuis for ways you can help, or feel free to reach out to Anne Luecke if you have any questions. Thank you
Summer Program Updates!
Academic Kickstart, led by Mr. Marsan, Lotspeich fourth grade teacher, still has a few spaces in his summer tutoring program for rising third and fourth graders! If your student is ready for a fun summer brush up of their academic skills, this program is perfect for them. Email Mr. Marsan with questions and register for Academic Kickstart. Spaces are limited!
April Parent Connext: Getting Kids Outdoors — 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, Getting Kids Outdoors.
Parent Community News
Thanks to all who were able to attend this morning’s annual joint Parent Community meeting at BonBonerie with our friends from the Doherty Campus.
Save the Date
- VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons’ Day) — Friday, April 19
- Spring Joint Parent Social – Saturday, April 20 — CANCELED
- May Fete — Friday, May 3
- Fifth Grade Closing Ceremony–-Monday, June 3
Stock the (Teachers’) Lounge – Final of the Year! Order by Friday, April 12
Let’s end the year strong showing our teachers some love. Our final Stock the Lounge items can be purchased 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.
Call for Volunteers on VIP Day (formerly Grandpersons’ Day) ‚— Friday, April 19, Morning
The ECC and Lotspeich children’s “VIPs” (very important persons) have been 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 to help set up breakfast, register VIPs, and guide them to their locations. If you can help on this special day please signup using the VIP volunteers SignUpGenuis.
Joint Parent Social with Doherty — CANCELED
We previously mentioned to “save the date” for a Joint Parent Social on the evening of Saturday, April 20. Due to an abundance of school centered activities in April, we’ve opted to cancel the event this year. We look forward to organizing more combined activities like our joint meeting and other social events in the future!
Call for Volunteers during May Fete — Friday, May 3, Evening
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 a free event open to pre-kindergarten through fifth grade families and typically includes games, raffles, inflatables and food. It takes place on the Hillsdale Campus. We’ll need everyone’s help working at the game stations. New this year, each grade will be hosting a station. Please signup up here using the May Fete volunteers SignUpGenuis.
Staff Appreciation Notes — Spread the Love!
The end of the year is upon us. Let’s keep up the energy and spread some love and “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.