Lotspeich Blast Sep 4, 2026

Note for Pre-kindergarten/Kindergarten Families

This year, pre-kindergarten is in its own division, the Early School, and kindergarten is a part of the Lower School (kindergarten through grade 5).

Because many of our announcements are campus-based, you will continue to click on Lotspeich to find Early School information. Announcements are labeled as follows:

Announcement Labels:

ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade families

ES/LS: Calling All Parents — Family Interview Interest Form

Are you interested in being interviewed as part of our schedule redesign process?

This year, we are redesigning our schedule across all divisions for the 2027-28 school year when we come together as a unified campus. As part of this process, we are shadowing students and interviewing faculty members, students, and parents. In these interviews, we are hoping to learn more about your experiences with how we use time at Seven Hills.

These 30-minute interviews are conducted one-on-one by a faculty member. If you’re interested in participating, please fill out a family interview interest form by the end of the day TODAY.

Questions? Reach out to Laura Leonard.

ES/LS: First LEAD Together Event, “Beyond the ABCs: Is Your Child Truly School-Ready?” — Wednesday, Sept. 9, and Thursday, Sept. 10

Coming up soon is our very first LEAD Together event, “Beyond the ABCs: Is Your Child Truly School-Ready?” We are thrilled to share this wonderful learning opportunity for our families from Beginnings through first grade. For more details about this event and how to RSVP, check out the event flyer.

ES/LS: Authorized Pick-up Contacts

Do you have a new caregiver this school year? Do you want to give a family member or neighbor pick-up privileges for your children? To add a new person, follow the directions below in your Veracross Parent Portal:

1. Log in to your Parent Portal.
2. Under General Information, click Household Information.
3. Under Household Contacts, you can click Add New.
4. Enter new contact information, and you can grant them pick-up permission after you add the new contact.
5. Once that contact is listed in your child’s profile, they have permission to pick them up in the future.

ES/LS: Alternate Routes During Dismissal

During dismissal from the Hillsdale Campus, Red Bank Road can become quite backed up as cars head toward the Red Bank Expressway. Did you know there are alternate routes to reach main roads like I-71 and Montgomery Road? Check out the Hillsdale campus map showcasing alternate routes to ease your commute and reduce traffic congestion as you leave campus.

ES/LS: Spirit Week Dress Up Days — Sept. 14-18

The week leading up to Homecoming is a Spirit Week across divisions. Help your student(s) get involved. Check out the flyer below to see the daily themes.

ES/LS: Homecoming — Friday, Sept. 18

Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate our Seven Hills community, and we want to make sure even our youngest Stingers can join in the fun! While the full timeline of events is still being finalized, the grill out will begin at 5 p.m. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., all pre-k and kindergarten students from both campuses will have access to the Early School playground until 7 p.m., giving our youngest Stingers a safe and fun way to be part of the Homecoming festivities.

LS: New Year Reminders

The beginning of the year always includes so much information! A few key pieces are highlighted below.

Car Line Clarification

• Kindergarten is in the Early School car line.
• Grades 1-5 are in the Red Barn car line.
• If you have children in both Early School and Lower School, please pick all children up at the Early School.

Early Morning Care

Early Morning Care begins at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before 7:30 a.m., so we can ensure they are supervised.

LS: Programming Update

• This year, instead of students going to a specific Project Math class, we will bring project-based learning into the math classrooms. Math teachers in grades 1-5 will work in conjunction with Jacquie Berting, math specialist, and Lauren Fisher, science teacher, to continue many familiar cross-curricular projects, including the first grade plant sale, second grade bridges, third grade playground, fourth grade marble olympics, and fifth grade mini golf, and engage students in some new ones as well.
• Our fourth and fifth grade students will enjoy counseling classes with one of our Upper School counselors, Christine Stier. Seraphine Schomber will continue to be their school counselor, and Seraphine and Christine will work closely together throughout the year to support our students.

ES/LS: Introducing our LEAD Together Lineup for First Semester

We are excited to Learn, Educate, and Discuss (LEAD) Together with new programming for this year. Through these collaborative sessions, we hope to foster strong partnerships among families and educators to support student learning, belonging, and success.

As we get closer to each event, we will share more detailed information in the Blast. Please see this semester’s lineup on the flyer below, and RSVP for all events through this Google form.

ES/LS: Field House Lot Closed Remainder of School Year

As construction progresses on the new Lower School building, the Field House parking lot (Lot H) will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The drop-off and pick-up area and accessible parking spots are still available. A new parking lot recently opened off of Ellmarie Drive and is available for use while the Field House lot is closed.

ES/LS: After the Bell

We are excited to welcome both new and returning families to our After the Bell (ATB) program! As detailed in our welcome back email, all After the Bell registration options are available in your Parent Portal under “My Children” on the left side of the homepage.

ATB Annual Plan

• Waitlist for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
• Limited availability for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade

ATB Daily Plan

• Waitlist for pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
• Limited availability for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade
• Daily registration closes each Monday at 9 a.m.

Music Lessons

Piano and violin lessons are available for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

• Lessons are offered based on instructor availability.
• To inquire about lessons, please email Jill Romerill, and she will connect you with an instructor.

Enrichment Offerings

We offer four enrichment sessions throughout the school year. Fall I offerings will be announced soon!

Stinger Staycation Days

Formerly known as Holiday Care, Stinger Staycation provides care on select days when school is closed. Check out the 2026-27 Stinger Staycation dates.

We look forward to a wonderful school year and to seeing you and your children in After the Bell!

— Jill and Christina