Lotspeich Blast Jan 9, 2026

Wonder and Connection in the Early Childhood and Lower School

Come and explore what is on the horizon for Seven Hills in 2026 and beyond for our Early Childhood and Lower School divisions. Connect with other families, speak with students, and help us think about the future of our school. 

Please join us at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in The Schiff Center to mix and mingle with other families as well as some fourth and fifth-grade students. The main event will take place from 6-7 p.m., with breakout stations from 7-7:30 p.m. 

In our breakout stations, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more directly from our Seven Hills faculty, as well as an opportunity to put on your student hat and try out some challenges. 

Childcare is available, free of charge. Sign up via the flyer.

Temporary Changs to the ECC Carline

To make room for construction of new sidewalks as part of the Early Childhood Center expansion, there will be two changes to the carline beginning Thursday, Jan. 15:

• The carline lanes around the half circle will be narrowed. Please do not load and unload near the crosswalk or lamp post, because this space will be the narrowest.
• The lane exiting the parking lot onto Ellmarie Drive will be reduced to one lane (where the half circle ends and you turn right to exit the lot). There will be a staff member directing you to zipper merge.

Feel free to continue to use any available parking spaces. We expect full use of the lot to be restored after Spring Break.

MLK Day of Service – Monday, Jan. 19

The entire Seven Hills community is warmly invited to join us for our 13th Annual MLK Day On, Not Off. We’re excited to offer two service sites where volunteers can participate in meaningful, hands-on projects that honor Dr. King’s vision of service, unity, and community responsibility. 

Please use the Google Form links below to let Seven Hills organizers know who and how many people will be attending and to fill out the registration forms for each organization.

We look forward to making this day of service a meaningful experience for members of our Seven Hills community.

Matthew 25: Ministries
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages: Open to participants of all ages
Address: 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242
Forms: Please register using the Matthew 25: Ministries Google Form. Returning volunteers can bring their MM25 ID card with them.

Freestore Foodbank
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ages: Open to volunteers 12 years and older
Address: Community Resource Distribution Center, 3401 Rosenthal Way, Cincinnati, OH 45204
Forms: Please register using the Freestore Foodbank Google Form.

Fifth Grade Parent Looking Ahead to Middle School — New Date, Jan. 22

The Looking Ahead to Middle School Zoom session for current fifth grade parents has been rescheduled. The session will now take place on Thursday, Jan. 22, 7-8:30 p.m.

Note from Nurses: Respiratory Virus Prevention

We are seeing an increase in flu and other respiratory illnesses in the community. To help reduce the spread of illness at school, please keep children home if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, or vomiting. Students should be fever-free and free from vomiting for at least 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. Thank you for reinforcing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette at home as we work together to keep our community healthy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your campus nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

Enrichment

After School Enrichment begins the week of Jan. 20! We have so many fun programs on BOTH campuses. We still have space a in a few programs including:

• Hip Hop
• Songs and Stories
• Crochet
• Trivia

Remember these occur on both campuses and the shuttle is available for transportation. The link for registration is in your parent portal!

Holiday Care for January and February

We will have Holiday Care on Friday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Feb. 13 from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Please register via Veracross.

Second Semester LEAD Together Events

Thanks to all who joined us for one or more of the LEAD Together events during the first semester. We are looking forward to learning alongside you with a new lineup of speakers and local experts who can support our journey in parenting and educating. Save the dates for our second semester LEAD Together programming! 

Join Us for a Fireside Book Discussion: Ariel Lawhon’s “The Frozen River”

Please RSVP to attend the Seven Hills Books For Lunch Fireside Book Discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Upper School library. 

In this cozy, intimate setting, our Head of Upper School Rick Tate will be joined by English teacher Nate Gleiner for a lively discussion of Ariel Lawhon’s award-winning novel, “The Frozen River.”

Enjoy an evening discussing Lawson’s gripping historical mystery novel, inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community.

The best part? You don’t have to have read the book to join the conversation! This is your shortcut to an engaging night full of ideas, insights, and lively conversation. Whether you’ve read “The Frozen River” or just enjoy exploring thought-provoking literature, you’ll find something valuable in the discussion.

RSVP today. The last day to RSVP is Jan. 19.

Reserve your Ticket to Books for Lunch!

Join us for the Seven Hills 39th Annual Books for Lunch on Feb. 6 at The Lightwell in Covington! Enjoy an engaging afternoon featuring New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon as our keynote speaker. The cash bar opens at 11 a.m., followed by a delightful luncheon and Lawhon’s talk at 12 p.m. 

Don’t forget to snag your copy of “The Frozen River,” a Good Morning America book club pick, for a special signing after the event. Hurry, tickets are selling fast. Secure your ticket and book now. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please consider supporting this important event. 

Questions? Email us at booksforlunch@7hills.org.

Girls on the Run

We are SO excited to have another season of Girls on the Run for third to fifth graders on the Hillsdale Campus! Registration will begin on Feb. 9 and run through Feb. 22. Remember, this is a lottery run through GOTR and not run through the school!

Practices will begin the first week of March and the season is eight weeks long. We will practice right after school on Mondays and Wednesdays.  

If your child is interested in this life changing program, please email Miss Teeny. 

2026 Summer Program — Priority Registration opens at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10!

Excitement is in the air as we gear up for another fantastic summer filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable experiences! We’re thrilled to announce that priority registration for our Summer Program will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, for Seven Hills families only. Use the priority registration code from the email sent on Dec. 3. 

The Seven Hills School Summer Program uses Ultracamp to streamline registration. 

• New Ultracamp users: We recommend creating an Ultracamp account prior to registration if you don’t have one already. Here is the Ultracamp account registration link.
• Returning Ultracamp users: Returning Ultracamp users will need their username and password to log in.

Global Ed Day Volunteer Presenters Needed … Middle School Needs Your Help!

On Friday, March 6, Middle School will celebrate our 17th Annual Global Education Day and we could use your help! As part of our morning activities, students will attend small group sessions. We are looking for members of the Seven Hills community (and beyond) to conduct these sessions. Students will attend three 40-minute sessions during the morning, between 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 

In the past, sessions have included topics such as travel, cuisine, or other elements of culture from around the world, conducting business in a global world, technological advances and their impact on the world, science and conservation, etc. The ideas are limitless! Facilities could be available to prepare foods. The number of students in a session can be limited if necessary due to space or recommendations from the presenter.  

If you are interested in being a presenter or know someone who you think would be a good fit for this day, please contact Jennifer Licata by no later than Friday, Feb. 13.