Middle School Blast Sep 1, 2023
Note from Bill…
A heartfelt welcome to our Middle School community as we are off and running into the new school year! Whether your child is a returning Middle Schooler, a sixth grader from either Doherty or Lotspeich, or brand new to the Seven Hills community, we are so glad to have everyone back in school! This has been a busy opening of school and, more than anything else, please reach out to the Middle School Office should you have any questions at all. It was great to see many of our parents at this past Tuesday night’s Parent Night; I hope that you were able to get a sense of what life is like “in the Middle.”
As August turns to September, there will be many events that our Middle School students will experience. While our sixth and seventh graders had their respective retreats today, our eighth graders are preparing for the annual Adventure Treks to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. This annual trip has become a hallowed tradition for our most senior members of the Middle School. Along with the eighth grade teachers, our students will spend a week taking part in outdoor activities that are fun, a bit challenging, and ultimately a uniting experience for the grade.
Please be sure to read each and every Friday Blast carefully, as there is much information that is both helpful and timely.
Be sure to scroll down for key dates and announcements.
Key Dates & Events
Monday, Sept. 4 — Labor Day. No School
Thursday, Sept. 7-Friday, Sept. 8 — Picture Day
Friday, Sept. 8 — Middle School Parent Community Meeting, 8:15-9 a.m., Sixth Grade Commons
Monday, Sept. 11 — Eighth Graders leave for Adventure Trek
Thursday, Sept. 14 — Eighth Graders return from Adventure Trek
Friday, Sept. 15 — No School for Eighth Grade
Announcements
Smartwatch Policy for Students
As we go about understanding the expected behaviors for students, we need to be clear about expected behaviors when it comes to the student use of smartwatches at school:
Smartwatches are allowed in school, but are to be used only as a normal timepiece. All communication applications (texting/email/voice/etc.) must be disabled on the smartwatch during school hours. All video and picture-capturing applications must also be disabled on smartwatches during school hours.
If a student is observed violating these expected behaviors by an adult, they will be asked to remove their smartwatch and give it to this adult, who will then turn it into the Middle School Office. The student can then pick up their smartwatch at the end of the day at the Middle School Office.
Thanks for helping your child abide by these expectations when it comes to the use of smartwatches in school.
Music Lessons
Did you know what we offer after school violin lessons? If your child wants to learn or would like to take lessons on campus after school, please email Jill and Christina.
Best Point Counseling Services
Seven Hills is proud to continue its partnership with Best Point this school year. Through this partnership, Best Point will be able to offer individual and group counseling services on campus to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade by a licensed mental health therapist. Best Point has two school-based therapists available to Seven Hills families, Haley Muth and Emily Daugherty, who are both currently accepting new clients.
You can access these services for your student by contacting your school counselor or by submitting a referral on the Best Point website. Call 513.272.2800 if you need further assistance!
Middle School Parent Community (MSPC)
Welcome back to school! We hope the first couple of weeks have been filled with the opportunity to reconnect, enjoying new experiences, and excitement for you and your families. We wish all the students a wonderful year and look forward to seeing you all very soon!
MSPC Upcoming Events and Happenings
MS Parent Community Meeting — Sept. 8
The first parent community meeting of this year will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, at 8:15 a.m. in the Sixth Grade Commons. Bill Waskowitz will share some opening remarks for the school year and offer an open forum for questions. We will also hear from some of the grade specific advisers. We will have the very unique opportunity to peek into classrooms and observe!
Middle School Fall Parent Socials
Please save the date for your Fall Parent Social! You won’t want to miss! More details and evites to follow.
- Sixth Grade Fall Parent Social — Sunday, Oct. 1, from 4-7 p.m.
- Seventh Grade Fall Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m.
- Eighth Grade Fall Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 30 (time TBD)
MSPC Volunteer Sign-up
If you are looking for ways to volunteer and meet other Middle School parents/caregivers, please consider completing this survey. You’ll find a variety of events and volunteer opportunities to suit your interests and availability. We’d love to meet you!
Spirit Shop Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to help in the Seven Hills Spirit Shop. All are welcome to join the fun and spread Stinger pride! Make lifelong friends in the Spirit Shop. Work one shift per month from 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. That’s all there is to it! No experience needed. The Spirit Shop is located just outside Kalnow Gym on the Hillsdale Campus.