Middle School Blast Sep 29, 2023
Note from Bill…
It was great seeing so many families at last Friday’s Homecoming celebration! I truly enjoyed watching our Middle School athletes compete in soccer, tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Empowering Middle Schoolers to be a part of a team, no matter their level of competency in a particular sport, intentionally creates a sense of community that is so vital to a young adolescent’s sense of self and belonging. Because we have a no-cut policy that allows all students to participate in interscholastic sports, this approach to participation engenders a sense of respect, support, and empathy for all who play on a field, court, pool, or track.
Another way we intentionally create connections for students is enabling them to understand the rich diversity that exists in how they, as learners, understand and process information. Yesterday, students participated in advisory activities that are beginning to explore the topic of neurodiversity; the fact that brains differ in how they understand and process ideas and information. Helping students understand that there isn’t just “one way” to learn and that people perceive and respond to the world in a wide range of ways is vital to creating a similar sense of respect, support, and empathy for all who “play” in the classroom. These advisory activities will culminate in our first in a series of Real Talks on Oct. 13, that will focus on the topic of neurodiversity. Our Middle School community will hear from a panel of students and faculty who possess learning differences (e.g. ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, processing speed deficits, etc.) and how they handle these learning differences in the classroom.
Whether it is through athletics, academics, or the performing arts, we intentionally design our Middle School program to celebrate and embrace all members of our community who contribute to the rich and beautiful diversity that is a part of Seven Hills.
Key Dates & Events
Thursday-Friday, Oct. 5-6 — Fall Break. No School
Monday, Oct. 9 — Faculty Professional Development Day. No School
Sunday-Wednesday, Oct. 15-18 — ISACS Accreditation Team Visit at Seven Hills
Announcements
Winter Sports Registration — Last Call
Friday, Sept. 29 is the last day to register for winter sports. Please log in to your Veracross Parent Portal to complete registration forms.
Middle Chorus Concert — Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Students should be seated in the chorus room by 6:50 p.m., wearing black on bottom, white on top, boys in a tie. For this concert, we are combined with the Upper Choruses. Please plan to stay for the entire concert, which should finish around 8:15 p.m.
Neurodiversity Real Talk — Oct. 13
As part of the school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and equity, the Middle School is continuing the Real Talk Series to create ongoing opportunities for students to hear directly from people of different backgrounds and points of view. We hope these conversations will give our students a chance to attain a certain level of understanding and acceptance of the diversity at Seven Hills. Neurodiversity is the first of three panelist discussions we will host this year. Advisory activities precede this presentation to familiarize our students with this topic. During this Real Talk discussion, panelists will share how they overcome their challenges and the stereotypes they face and celebrate their successes as learners.
Please print, sign, and return this form to your child’s adviser if you DO NOT want your child to participate in Neurodiversity, which includes advisory activities around this topic and the Real Talk panel presentation on the morning of Oct. 13.
We need your help
We encourage you to tell your friends, family members, and co-workers about upcoming admission events for prospective parents. Please refer interested families to 7hills.org/explore for details and to register. Thank you in advance!
Donate Blood on Oct. 26 in the Upper School Library — Save a Life!
According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. The Upper School Red Cross Club and HOSA are partnering to host a blood drive on Oct. 26 in the Upper School library, 10:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Parents are encouraged to sign up (and bring a friend!). Students 16 and older are also able to donate (16 year olds must bring a parent consent form signed by a parent).
Resale Shop
It’s time to clean out closets, cabinets, drawers, etc., and bring what you don’t need any more to the Resale Shop! We are in need of household items, clothing, artwork, furniture, linens, etc. We are open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and we are located across the street from the main entrance on the Hillsdale Campus.
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
Middle School Fall Parent Socials
Please save the date for your Fall Parent Social. You won’t want to miss out on this fun event.
- Sixth Grade Fall Parent Social — Sunday, Oct. 1, 4-7 p.m. RSVP and see more evite details.
- Eighth Grade Fall Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 30, 7-9 p.m. RSVP and see more event details.
The Sixth Grade Dance Party — Friday, Oct. 13, 6:15-8:15 p.m.
Your sixth grader will have a blast! RSVP, make payment, and view more event details.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Dance — Friday, Oct. 27, 7-9:30 p.m.
More details to come. Interested in chaperoning? Sign up via the SignUpGenuis.
Walking Club — New meet up location
We are a group of parents that get together bi-weekly on Wednesdays after morning drop off to talk and walk the lower soccer field. All divisions are welcome and no RSVP required. This group provides you a great opportunity to connect with other community members all while getting your steps in! Please park in the lower field parking area, campus guest passes will be passed out to ensure visibility, for security purposes. When inclement weather occurs, we gather at Element Eatery to chat.
Our next meet up is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are Oct. 25, Nov. 8 and 29, Dec. 13, and Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (Mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)
Volunteers for Diwali Celebrations
Interested in helping plan Diwali celebrations and activities for our students across Seven Hills? Our student planning committee would welcome your ideas, talents, and collaboration. Please fill out this volunteer form to be part of the 2023 Diwali planning team!
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, 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. If interested, please contact Lindsay Cassady.
For any MSPC related questions or to volunteer, please contact Lauren Boymel or Katya Trevino.