Lotspeich Blast Nov 13, 2026

Announcement Labels:

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

LS: Lotspeich Building Updates Doc

All email updates regarding the Lotspeich building are saved in this document with the latest updates at the top. This document is also saved in the Veracross Parent Portal.

LS: New Drop-Off Procedures

The new morning drop-off procedure has gone well. While we are all still learning and adapting to the process, it is going smoother each day.

The procedure is outlined below, and we want to emphasize the fourth bullet. Seven Hills staff members are wearing vests and directing with traffic wands. Please follow their direction to pull up as far as possible to allow other cars to pull in behind you.

New Procedure

For Parents Who Plan to Drop Off Only

• When you enter Lot A, stay to the left of the cones.
• Once past the cones, pull right to safely drop off your child(ren) next to Lotspeich or the old Briggs building.
• Seven Hills staff members will be wearing vests to direct traffic and guide your children into the school building.
• Please pull up as far as you can and follow the direction of Seven Hills staff.
• Please do not drop off in the bus zone.

Please do not drop off your children on the left side of the drive. This is a thru lane, and we want to ensure your children are not crossing traffic to enter the building. See the map below.

For Parents Who Plan to Park and Walk Your Children In

• When you enter Lot A, stay to the left of the cones and turn into the Lot A parking lot.
• The first row of parking spaces is now all visitor or handicap accessible parking. Here you can park, safely cross at the crosswalk with your child(ren), and enter the Lotspeich building.
• If there are no visitor parking spaces available, you can park next to the Red Barn temporarily as well.

See the map below.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the new procedure, please contact Director of Safety & Security Jun Cho.

ES/LS: Thanksgiving Food Drive — NOW-Nov. 20

The Thanksgiving Food Drive is accepting items now! We encourage families and students to bring in non-perishable, non-expired food items (no glass, please) to benefit the Freestore Foodbank, a local food pantry.
Lotspeich students can drop off items to Founders upon arrival, while Early School students can bring their donations to the stage in the commons.

ES/LS: After the Bell Announcement from Lotspeich — Seeking Board Game Donations

We are looking for donated board games for After the Bell kiddos to use due to the fire. If you have age-appropriate board games (ages 7-12) that you are looking to donate, we would happily take them! Please drop off at the Andress Art Gallery in the Upper School.

ES: Early School is Collecting Lids for an Upcoming Art Project

Two of our Early School classes are working to collect as many lids as we can for an upcoming art project. Before you send them to the trash/recycling, we’d love any you have to spare — lids from pickle jars, cottage cheese containers, milk caps, etc. We’ll take any and all sizes and colors. You can drop them off to Christina Del Vecchio in the Early School.

ES/LS: Screen Smart Seven Hills Resources

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the LEAD Together session Screen Smart at Seven Hills 2.0. It was great to connect with our community on this important topic.

Wondering about when to get your child their first phone, gaming, or social media? Last night, we released guides covering these important topics.

If you weren’t able to make it, please find all Screen Smart Seven Hills resources linked on Veracross (under General Information) or visit the Screen Smart site.

LS: Anxiety: A Guide for Parents — Free Virtual Trainings Hosted by Terrace Metrics on Nov. 17 and 24

We’re excited to share that Terrace Metrics is offering a free parent training focused on understanding and supporting children experiencing anxiety, designed specifically for parents and caregivers of students in grades 5-12.

Anxiety can significantly impact students’ emotional well-being, school experience, and daily lives. This training offers families an opportunity to gain helpful insights, practical strategies, and tools to better support their children.

Training details:

• Cost: Free
• Duration: Remaining sessions: Nov. 17 and 24 from 8-9 p.m. EST
• Audience: Parents and caregivers of students in grades 5-12
• Topic: Understanding and supporting student anxiety

Join the Zoom here: tinyurl.com/terracemetricsanxiety

Have questions? Please reach out to Lotspeich Lower School counselor Seraphine Schomber.

ES/LS: Thanksgiving Lunch — Monday, Nov. 23

Students, faculty, and staff at both campuses can enjoy a special Thanksgiving lunch on Monday, Nov. 23, before kicking off Thanksgiving Break the following day.

This special hot plate lunch option will feature an assortment of typical Thanksgiving favorites, including turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, and more. Students can also look forward to a selection of desserts, including pumpkin, fruit, and pecan pies. This special meal is a wonderful opportunity to bring our Seven Hills community together and celebrate the season of gratitude.

ES/LS: Pre-k and Kindergarten Friendsgiving: Celebrating Friendship & Community — Tuesday, Nov. 24

One of the sweetest parts of being at school is the friendships and connections we make along the way! Friendsgiving is a special opportunity for our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children to come together, gather around one big table, and celebrate the joy of friendship and being part of our school family.

While children spend their days building relationships within their own classrooms, this gathering gives them a chance to connect with friends and teachers across our Early School. It is a time to share smiles, create happy memories, and celebrate the wonderful community we are growing together.

This year’s Friendsgiving is especially meaningful as we look forward to an exciting new chapter for our kindergarten students, who will transition to the Lower School after construction is complete this summer. We will treasure this opportunity to bring our Early School community together for one more special tradition with kindergarten as part of our gathering.

Event Details:

• When: Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
• Who: Friendsgiving is a special celebration for our pre-k and kindergarten students to enjoy together with their classmates and teachers.
• Lunch will be provided.

Dismissal Information:

Students who are typically dismissed at 11:30 a.m. are welcome to stay and participate in Friendsgiving until 12:15 p.m. If you would like your child to stay, please let your child’s teacher know in advance. These students should be picked up at 12:15 p.m. rather than their usual 11:30 a.m. dismissal.

All other students will follow their regular school-day schedules and dismissal times. No changes to their usual pick-up arrangements are necessary.

LS: Fifth Grade Looking Ahead to Middle School

The three years in the Middle School are designed to encourage students to explore new ideas and experiences, take responsible risks, and acquire the academic and social-emotional skills to help them realize their full potential.
In order to share a sense of the Middle School’s program, we are offering the following events designed for both fifth graders and their parents.

Looking Ahead to Middle School for Parents — Wednesday, Dec. 2

All parents of current Seven Hills fifth grade students are invited to attend one of two in-person meetings with James Jessup in the sixth grade commons. These sessions will take place between 9-10:30 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

James will introduce life in the Middle School and share information about the exciting and unique Middle School years and how we support growth and development during this time.

Fifth Grade “Middle School Preview Day” — Thursday, Dec. 3

When we planned our “Middle School Preview Day,” we had no idea a great many fifth graders would be getting a real life preview every day! As much as we love hosting our Lotspeich friends, being a part of Middle School is about much more than taking classes in our building.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, the Middle School will host all of our fifth graders from Doherty and Lotspeich. The day is designed to give fifth grade students the chance to experience a day in the life of the Middle School. Look for an email from James Jessup with more details.

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.

ES/LS: Save the Date for a Fireside Book Discussion: Susan Choi’s “Flashlight” — Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027

Please save the date for the Seven Hills Books For Lunch Fireside Book Discussion on Thursday, 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 Susan Choi’s award-winning novel, “Flashlight.”

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 “Flashlight” or just enjoy exploring thought-provoking literature, you’ll find something valuable in the discussion.

More information, including how to RSVP, is coming soon.

ES/LS: Join Us for Books for Lunch — Friday, Feb. 5, 2027

Please join us for the 40th anniversary of Books for Lunch on Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, at Hotel Covington in The Lightwell. Enjoy an afternoon with National Book Award-winning author Susan Choi, featuring her novel, “Flashlight.”

The cash bar opens at 11 a.m., followed by an engaging luncheon at 12 p.m. Tickets are on sale now — purchase your seat today.

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

ES/LS: After The Bell (ATB)

Enrichment

After the Bell has new enrichment programs beginning the week of Nov. 30 and running through Feb. 5.

Please note: We will have several no-class dates, which will be reflected in your confirmation after program selection. These programs all have two weeks off for Winter Break. We have programs like “Winter Twirls” and “Whirls Dance Programs” for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten and chess for grades 1-5. Click the link below to see all the options for your kiddo!

Register for Enrichment

Stinger Staycation

We will offer Stinger Staycation on:

• Friday, Dec. 18 (half day, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.) at the Early School and Lotspeich
• Monday, Dec. 21 (full day, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at the Early School and Lotspeich
• Tuesday, Dec. 22. (full day, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at the Early School and Lotspeich

We need 20 children registered to run the programs.

Register for December Stinger Staycation