Lotspeich Blast Sep 11, 2026
Key Dates
Monday, Sept. 14-Friday, Sept. 18 — Spirit Week!
Thursday, Sept. 17 — Book Fair Begins
Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming
Friday, Sept. 18 — Family Grill Out, 5-7 p.m. Youth Recognition Night, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24 — No school for students. Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, Sept. 25 — No School for students. Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) Parent Forum, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — New Parent Cocktail Social, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8 & Friday, Oct. 9 — Fall Break
Monday, Oct. 12 — No School. Records Day
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day
Photos of the Week
The Lower School strings teacher, Michaela Hibbard, teaches Lotspeich fourth graders about the cello, violin, and viola.
NEW! Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Lotspeich Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Announcement Labels:
ES – Pre-kindergarten families
LS – Kindergarten through fifth-grade families
ES/LS – Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade families
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: The Lower School Book Fair Is Just Around the Corner
We’re thrilled to announce that the Bookshelf in Madeira and the Lower School libraries are teaming up to bring the Book Fair back to our school. Here are all the important details:
- Dates: Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 27
- Location: Lotspeich and Doherty libraries
- For Students: During their library class, students will have the opportunity to preview the books available at the Book Fair right in the Lotspeich and Doherty libraries.
- For Families: For added convenience, we’ll also have book browsing available during conferences on Sept. 24-25.
- Online Orders: On Sept. 17, you’ll receive an email with a link to the website for ordering books. It’s a great way to explore even more options and make your selections.
- Delivery: Most books ordered from the Book Fair will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom in mid-to-late October.
- Questions? If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Lotspeich Librarian Lori Suffield or Doherty Librarian Jo Schnirring.
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! The grill out will begin at 5 p.m., and starting 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.
For the full lineup of events, check out the flyer below.
ES/LS: After the Bell
Registration is now open for the following programs:
Fall Enrichment Programs
If you registered for the Annual After The Bell (ATB) Plan, please use the code Annual26-27 at checkout to receive your 50% discount.
Stinger Staycation (formerly known as Holiday Care. Doherty and Lotspeich will join together at Lotspeich)
Registration is now open for:
- Sept. 24 & 25
- Oct. 12 & 13
View the 2026-27 Stinger Staycation dates.
Both registration links can be found in your Veracross Parent Portal. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to access them.
Reach out to Jill Romerill if you have any questions. I’m happy to help!
ES/LS: Attendance Reminders for K-5
Since we have had a couple of weeks under our belt, here are some reminders for families regarding attendance/transportation.
- Every day starts with a morning meeting. In pre-k and kindergarten, the day starts at 8:30 a.m. In grades 1-5, the day starts at 8:15 a.m. Any child who arrives after these times will be marked tardy.
- If your child is absent, please let us know through the Veracross Parent Portal by 9 a.m.
- If your child has a dismissal change or needs an early dismissal, please let us know through the Veracross Parent Portal by 2 p.m.
- If your child has an early dismissal, please be sure that 2:30 p.m. is the latest time. This helps the teachers and office transition and have enough time for the end-of-the-day procedures.
LS: Car Line Reminders
We have new faculty and staff who are learning cars and names, so please remember to have your white car line sign with your child’s name on your dashboard or visor during pick-up. We also remind you to stay off cell phones when car lines are running and children are present.
Parent Association News
ES/LS: What’s Coming Up
Early School Parent Coffee — TODAY
Today, on Friday, Sept. 11, stay after drop-off for coffee and conversation with other Early School parents from 8-9 a.m in the Early School commons. No sign-up, just come as you are.
The Seven Hills Network of African-American Parents (SNAAP) Back-to-School Cookout — Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-5 p.m.
SNAAP is kicking off the new school year with a Back-to-School Cookout on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2-5 p.m. at the Winton Woods — Cherry Hill Shelter.
The event will bring together Seven Hills families from Early, Lower, Middle, and Upper School for an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship, and plenty of Stinger spirit! It will be a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, build community, and celebrate the start of another great school year.
Walking Group — Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Start your morning with good conversation, great company, and a seamless connection to our school community! Whether you stay for the whole loop or just pop in for 20 minutes, all fitness levels and schedules are welcome.
Plus, we’ll wrap up our loop in time for anyone who wants to head over together for the Upper School PA Meeting right after.
- Next walk: Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
- Stay in the loop: Join our WhatsApp Group for route updates, weather calls, and meeting details.
Come for the steps, stay for the connection!
Teacher Conference Dinner — Helpers Needed on Thursday, Sept. 24
The Parent Association feeds the Lotspeich faculty during conference evenings so teachers can stay put between appointments. It only takes two or three people, and it is an easy thing to tack on before or after your own evening conference. If you can help, email Lauren Bonaminio and Emily Emeneker.
All approved expenses incurred are reimbursable by the Parent Association. Please contact Nancy Kingkeo for reimbursement. Sales tax is not reimbursable; contact the Treasurer for tax-exempt ID information before making purchases.
Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) — Parent Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
All Seven Hills parents, caregivers, and staff are welcome to attend our kickoff event for the new school year. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ parent/caregiver, raising an LGBTQ+ child, or an ally, come join us in the Upper School library for a relaxed evening of meaningful conversation and light refreshments.
Register for the event and connect with fellow families, share experiences, ask questions, and build community.
Can’t make it to the parent forum but want to stay informed? Join the SHARE mailing list.
Early School Parent Coffee — Friday, Oct. 2
Our next Early School Parent Coffee is Friday, Oct. 2, from 8-9 a.m. in the Early School commons.
ES/LS: Save the Date
Trunk or Treat — Saturday, Oct. 24, on the Doherty campus
Please note the location: this is a joint Doherty and Lotspeich event, and this year it is hosted at Doherty, not at Lotspeich. Families decorate the trunks of their vehicles with Halloween decor and hand out candy or other goodies from a campus parking lot, so kids can trick-or-treat safely and families can get to know each other. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Time, flyer, sign-up, and parking details to follow.
Halloween Parade, Parent Coffee, and Time with Kerryn Hinds — Friday, Oct. 30
On Friday, Oct. 30, meet and greet with Kerryn Hinds, Head of Lotspeich Lower School, from 8-8:30 a.m., then enjoy Parent Association coffee from 8:30-9 a.m. before the annual Lotspeich Halloween Parade.
ES/LS: All Year
Where We Could Use a Hand
Three specific spots are open right now: the fall Teacher Conference Dinners, the Family Winter Dance, and a co-chair for May Fete. None of them require a year-long commitment. If one sounds like your thing, email Lauren Bonaminio and Emily Emeneker.
Time with Kerryn Hinds
Kerryn Hinds, our new Head of Lower School, is holding casual meet and greets throughout the year alongside parent coffees and walk-throughs of the building. Watch this space for dates. No agenda needed, just come by.
What Is the Parent Association?
Every Seven Hills parent is automatically a member. No fee, no sign-up, no fundraising. The school funds the budget. Come to a quarterly meeting, volunteer for one event, or just read the Blast. It all counts.
Announcements
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.
Thank you to everyone who came out this week to hear Heidi Tringali speak about school readiness! Looking forward to more learning together at future LEAD Together events. Please check out the flyer and mark your calendars!
Athletics
LS: Mark Your Calendars — Winter Sports Registration Opens Wednesday, Sept. 16
Registration for winter sports will open on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and close on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Be on the lookout for an email from the athletic department with a direct link to register. To find out more about the Seven Hills athletic program and our winter teams, visit gostingers.com.
If you’re already looking ahead to spring and fall 2027 sports, please note the registration dates below:
- Spring sports registration: Opens Dec. 2 and closes Dec. 16
- Fall 2027 sports registration: Opens April 14 and closes April 28
LS: Homecoming and Youth Recognition Night — Friday, Sept. 18
Save the date for Friday, Sept. 18, for a fun evening of homecoming festivities. Our youth teams will be recognized after the varsity girls’ soccer game on the upper field around 6:45 p.m.