Lotspeich Blast Oct 30, 2026
Key Dates
Friday, Oct. 30 — Parent Coffee, 8:30 a.m., Pavilion. Halloween Parade, 9:15 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 2 — Thanksgiving Service Drive Begins. Pathways for Prevention Week for Fifth Grade
Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5 — LEAD Together: Talking About School Safety, Doherty Library, 9 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 6 — Report Cards Available Online
Thursday, Nov. 12 — LEAD Together: Screen Smart at Seven Hills 2.0, Lotspeich Library, 5:30-7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13 — Lotspeich Parent Association Quarterly Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20 — Thanksgiving Service Drive Ends
Tuesday, Nov. 24 — Thanksgiving Break Begins, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 25-Friday, Nov. 27 — No School. Thanksgiving Break
Monday, Nov. 30 — School Resumes
Saturday, Dec. 5 — Growing Together: Building Community in Nature, 9:15-11 a.m.
Photos of the Week
Pre-kindergarten students enjoy the beautiful fall weather on the playground.
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: Halloween Costume Parade at Lotspeich — TODAY, Oct. 30, at 9:15 a.m.
One of our fall traditions here at Seven Hills is our Halloween costume parade. Each class will parade around the track with their class to show off their Halloween costumes. We hope to see you there!
ES/LS: Thanksgiving Food Drive — Nov. 2-20
The Thanksgiving Food Drive kicks off next week! We encourage families and students to bring in non-perishable, non-expired food items (no glass, please) to benefit the Madisonville Education and Assistance Center (MEAC) Marketplace, a local food pantry.
Lotspeich students can drop off items in the lobby by the office or in their homerooms, while Early School students can bring their donations to the stage in the Commons.
LS: Pathways for Prevention — Nov. 2-6
Seven Hills students in grades 5 and 7, along with all Upper School students, will participate in scheduled visits and lessons from our Pathways for Prevention specialist, Glenn Hall. “Mr. G,” as he is known to the kids, will deliver an evidence-based curriculum of developmentally appropriate education on substance misuse trends, healthy coping skills, peer pressure, and addiction.
Mr. G has a keen ability to build rapport and maintain elevated levels of student engagement. His sessions are filled with his personal recovery story as well as current information and trends to make this a relevant and informative experience for our Seven Hills students.
If you have questions or would like to know more, please visit Pathways for Prevention’s website for more information or reach out to Seraphine Schomber, Lotspeich school counselor.
ES/LS: Little Big Talks: Talking About School Safety — Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m.
In a continuation of our LEAD Together series, join us in the Doherty library for a community conversation about how to talk with students about school safety. Presented in partnership with our director of safety & security (Sheriff Jun Cho), counseling department, and office of DEI, this conversation will offer helpful books, resources, and guidance for discussing school safety with children.
While the conversation will be geared toward Early and Lower School families, parents and caregivers from all divisions may find it beneficial.
RSVP for the event to let us know you’ll be attending.
ES/LS: Volunteers Needed for Lotspeich Book Fair Distribution — Friday, Nov. 6
We’re looking for parent volunteers to help Lori Suffield, Lotspeich librarian, organize book fair orders and distribute books on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 6. Sign up to volunteer!
ES/LS: After The Bell (ATB)
ATB Drop-in
We are currently at capacity for ATB drop-in for:
- Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds
Stinger Staycation
- View all 2026-27 Stinger Staycation dates.
Enrichment
- Fall enrichment ends on Thursday, Nov. 12.
- We will be offering winter enrichment sessions from Nov. 30-Feb. 5, and registration will begin next week.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jill Romerill and Christina O’Donnell.
ES/LS: Speed Limit Change on Red Bank Road
This week, the city of Cincinnati lowered the speed limit on Red Bank Road to 25 mph around campus. During drop-off and pick-up, the speed limit remains 20 mph.
ES/LS: Remembering Todd Benzinger
Many of you may have heard the difficult news of the passing of Todd Benzinger, a longtime Seven Hills parent and coach. We’d like to share the beautiful memories and stories we’ve been hearing over the last few days with Todd’s family.
If you’re interested in writing a note or capturing a favorite story, please submit a response to this Google Form. We will then compile the submissions and send them to Todd’s wife and children. Thank you for the outpouring of love for our community.
Parent Association News
Thank you for Trunk or Treat
To everyone who decorated a trunk, helped host, or came out to Doherty last Saturday: thank you for making Trunk or Treat such a fun evening.
Today
ES/LS: Halloween Parade, Parent Coffee, and Time with Kerryn Hinds — TODAY, Oct. 30
Come have coffee with Kerryn Hinds, Head of Lower School, outside at the pavilion before the Halloween parade (rain location: the After the Bell room). She will be there for a meet and greet from 8:15-8:30 a.m., which is followed by Parent Association coffee from 8:30-9 a.m. The Spirit Shop will have a pop-up on site.
Then, find your spot for the annual Lotspeich Halloween Parade. All Lotspeich and Early School parents are welcome.
What’s Coming Up
ES: Monthly Coffee in the Commons — Friday, Nov. 6
After your morning classroom drop-off, join parents in the commons area on Friday, Nov. 6, for coffee and conversation.
Save the Date
ES/LS: Literacy at Seven Hills: Lotspeich Parent Association Quarterly Meeting — Friday, Nov. 13
Join us for the Lotspeich Parent Association Quarterly Meeting on Friday, Nov. 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the After the Bell room. This meeting is all about reading. Lori Suffield, Lotspeich librarian, will share what is happening in the Lotspeich library, and Katie Leezer, reading specialist, will walk us through the reading curriculum. All Lotspeich parents are welcome, and coffee will be available.
All Year
ES/LS: Where We Could Use a Hand
Two co-chair spots are open: the Family Winter Dance, which works alongside the Doherty team, and May Fete. Neither requires a year-long commitment. If one sounds like your thing, email Lauren Bonaminio and Emily Emeneker.
Announcements
LS: Doherty Lotspeich Lower School: Final Beam Signing — Thursday, Nov. 12, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hillsdale Campus Field House
As construction progresses on the new Doherty Lotspeich Lower School, we invite all Lower School parents to sign the final beam before it is installed in our new building. Your signature will become part of a lasting legacy in a building that will inspire generations of students to learn, grow, and thrive.
Our Lower School students will also have the opportunity to sign the beam as part of this event. Students will join with their teachers at staggered times.
Please join us and leave your mark on this exciting new chapter for Seven Hills! Questions? Call Margo Kirstein at 513.728.2437 or email development@7hills.org.
ES/LS: Save the Date: Screen Smart at Seven Hills 2.0 — Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-7 p.m.
Join us in the Lotspeich Library to learn more about growing healthy technology habits from the early years. At this event, you’ll hear from administrators, counselors, and Upper School students as we discuss how to set your family up for success. We’ll have stations where you can learn about the Family Media Plan, our recommendations for technology use, chat with Upper School students, and learn some tech tips and tricks. Light bites provided.
Free childcare and pizza offered for Early and Lower School students. Make sure to RSVP ASAP if you’re interested in childcare with our ATB providers.
ES/LS: Save the Date! Growing Together: Building Community in Nature — Saturday, Dec. 5
As our community takes root, join families on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9:15-11 a.m. to spend time in nature with activities led by faculty and upperclassmen. Activities include building bug hotels, a winter walk to the Lower School construction site, and other teacher-led activities.
Check out the flyer below for more information.
