Lotspeich Blast Jan 16, 2026
Key Dates
Friday, Jan. 16 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day
Monday, Jan. 19 — No School. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, Jan. 20 — Day 3
Wednesday. Jan. 21 — Day 4. LEAD Together: Cincinnati Renewed Wellness: Big Thoughts, Big Feelings, 9 a.m., Doherty Library
Thursday, Jan. 22 — Day 5. Grade 1 Field Trip to the Drake Planetarium. Fifth Grade Parent Looking Ahead to Middle School Zoom, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 — Day 1
Monday, Jan. 26 — Day 2. Kindergarten Field Trip to Green Acres
Tuesday, Jan. 27 — Day 3
Wednesday, Jan. 28 — Day 4. Re-enrollment Contracts Expire
Thursday, Jan. 29 — Day 5
Friday, Jan. 30 — Day 1. Grade 3 Field Trip to The Sign Museum
Wednesday, Feb. 4 — Parent Community Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Photos of the Week
Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-old students explored stamping paint to create snowballs in Sarah Hyland’s art class.
What to Know Now
Attendance Reminders
As we move into the second half of the school year, we’d like to gently remind families of our daily schedule. The school day officially begins at 8:15 a.m., and students arriving at 8:16 a.m. are marked tardy. Classrooms open at 8 a.m. so students have time to unpack, connect with classmates, and ease into the day.
At 8:15 a.m., classes begin their morning meeting, an important time for building community and setting a calm, positive tone for learning. Being present and ready at the start of the day helps children feel settled and supported. Regular, on-time attendance plays an important role in students’ success, and we appreciate your partnership in helping children arrive ready to learn by 8:15 each morning.
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.
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.
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.
Re-enrollment Contracts Reminder
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2026-27 school are now available via your Veracross Parent Portal. To secure your student’s space for next fall, please submit the re-enrollment contract and deposit by Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. Thank you.
Parent Association News
Quarterly PC Meeting
Join us, next week on Friday, Jan. 23, in the After the Bell room from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for our quarterly PC Meeting. Featuring:
- Kristina O’Connor discussing her new role as director of curriculum and instruction, with time for Q&A
- An update on February’s Teacher Appreciation Week efforts
Stock the Lounge
Help us stock the teachers’ lounge with treats for the new year! Check out the Amazon Wishlist to see what we still need. All items will be shipped to Laura Hardy and distributed to the lounge by the PC Stock the Lounge committee.
Early Childhood Parent Community “Think Tank” Meeting
Please join us for the first meeting of the Early Childhood Parent Community “Think Tank.” We will discuss how to make the Early Childhood Parent Community a success in 2027!
- Where? Doherty Campus, Jones Hall
- When? Tuesday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m.
- How much of a commitment is this? Attending one meeting does not require attendance at future meetings. Even if you can only come once, we would love to have you and hear your ideas.
- Can’t make it? We will offer at least one more meeting date in the afternoon or evening this semester.
- Question? Contact Lauren Burns.
PC Meeting — Jan. 23
Our next PC meeting will be on Friday, Jan. 23
Walking Group
Join this WhatsApp group for dates and information! This is an ongoing, casual walking group that meets (weather permitting) on certain days after dropoff.
Call for Yearbook Photos
Yearbook pictures are collected all school year! If you are volunteering at an event, chaperoning a field trip or watching a sporting event, don’t forget to send your best photos to lotspeichyearbook@7hills.org.
Parent Community Leadership — Please reach out to us with any questions 🙂
Mona Desai, co-chair
Lindsey O’Connell, co-chair
Lauren Bonaminio, communications chair
Nancy Kingkeo, treasurer
Announcements
New Visitor Kiosk Will Be Introduced in All Divisions Later in the Spring
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!
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.
Holiday Care for February
We will have Holiday Care on Friday, Feb. 13 from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Hillsdale Campus. Please register via Veracross.
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.
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!
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.