Middle School Blast Dec 1, 2023
Note from Bill…
The weeks between the Thanksgiving and Winter Break are always frenetic, joyful, and stocked with activity that defines life “in the Middle.” Tomorrow, Dec. 2, is the Middle School Instrumental Concert, starting at 2:30 p.m. This is always a wonderful event that features the developing and amazing talents of our students! We are also in the midst of our annual The Caring Place toy drive (see below), collecting items for many of the less-fortunate members of this area of Cincinnati. Please help us by donating new and/or gently used toys, books, puzzles, etc. The drive ends on Dec. 11. Please read each Friday Blast carefully, as there is much going on at this point in the year.
This past Wednesday, Dayna Sargent, Middle School counselor, and I presented information and details about our social-emotional learning program during the Middle School Parent Community gathering in The Schiff Center. Over the past several years, we have designed a program that strives to develop the important social and emotional competencies in our students to empower them to successfully confront and navigate the many challenges that are a part of growing up in this day and age.
Whether it is through our advisory program, the CARES behavioral program, the REAL Talks series, or weaving these competencies into our classroom activities and lessons, we are proud of our ongoing work in this regard. It was reassuring for us to share with our parents that these efforts are actually paying off in terms of the quantitative data that we have been able to collect through the administration of the Terrace Metrics assessments. These assessments measure the important levels of the resiliency and risk indicators that are a part of being a Middle Schooler (e.g. grit, hope, resiliency, anxiety, depression, bullying, etc.). In particular, when compared to national averages of the Terrace Metrics Middle School national averages for these indicators, our students’ scores are extremely healthy and refreshing. Our students show much lower rates of depression and anxiety than their national norm groups and display much higher indicator ratings in areas such as global satisfaction, positive school experiences, resiliency, and hope. While we will continue to develop these important social and emotional competencies, it is always important to realize that we are on the right path!
Key Dates & Events
Saturday, Dec. 2 — Middle School Instrumental Concert, The Schiff Center at 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2 — Middle-Upper Mingle & Music Family Reception, The Schiff Center at 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8 — Middle School Spirit Night, Kalnow Gym
Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Middle Choral Concert, The Schiff Center at 7:30 p.m
Friday, Dec. 15 – Winter Break Begins at 11:30 a.m
Wednesday, Jan. 3 – School Resumes
Announcements
The Caring Place Toy Drive Has Begun!
Our annual toy drive to benefit those in need who are served by The Caring Place has begun. We are hoping to collect toys, books, puzzles, and games (new or gently used). Between now and Dec. 11, students should bring in their donated items to the main entrance of the Middle School building in the morning before school starts, between 7:45-8:15 a.m. Student Council members will be there to collect items and to keep track of these donations. Please note the following:
- Students who donate at least four items (with at least one toy) will receive credit toward their advisory’s participation.
- The advisory with the highest participation in each grade will earn a party during an upcoming homeroom.
- Students will receive candy for every four items they donate.
Let’s make this year’s Caring Place Toy Drive the best yet!
Middle School Instrumental Concert
The Middle School Instrumental Ensembles will be performing on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2:30 p.m. on The Schiff Center stage! Musicians should be ready to go by 2:10 p.m. This is a dress up event for students and those details will be posted on Schoology. Looking good, smelling neutral! If you have any questions, please email Mr. Rising.
Music and Mingle Family Reception — Dec. 2, 3:15 p.m
Join us to support Stinger performing arts at the instrumental performances and the Music and Mingle Family Reception on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Meet up to mingle with fellow Stinger music lovers in The Schiff Center lobby directly following the Middle School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 2:30 p.m., and before the Upper School Instrumental Concert, which starts at 4:30 p.m. This reception is open to all attendees of the instrumental performances. Afternoon snacks and drinks provided by the Arts Boosters Parent Community.
Eighth Grade Service Learning Project Information
On Thursday morning, Dec. 14, the eighth grade will participate in a service learning project for the residents of Tender Mercies. Tender Mercies is an organization that provides housing and a wide range of other support services to help people with mental illness overcome homelessness to lead safe and healthy lives. Originally inspired by a short story in the eighth grade English textbook, our students have been baking individual loaves of apple spice bread, carefully packaged and adorned with a greeting, for the 147 residents of Tender Mercies for more than 15 years. We would like to continue this tradition this year.
To that end, we are seeking your help in offsetting our costs by purchasing an ingredient which your child has been assigned to bring. We would like this contribution no later than Tuesday, Dec. 12, and are happy to take it any time before then. Please consult your child for details. Thank you for supporting our students as they reach out to serve their community at Tender Mercies. For further information about this organization, we invite you to visit Tender Mercies website. Thank you from the members of the eighth grade team.
Seventh Grade Two-Day Field Trip — Wednesday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 14
On Wednesday, Dec. 13, half the class will be at iSpace, where “students will be immersed into the role of scientist/astronauts. Students are put into various roles of living and working on a lunar research base where they must rely on their fellow crew members to ensure the mission’s success. Students may be tasked with operating a robotic arm, conducting experiments in a glove box, facilitating mission timeline activities, recording and transferring data, navigating, and much more!” Students will need to pack a lunch for this day. They will not have access to a microwave or utensils.
The other half of the class will go to the Reds stadium, where the students will use their math skills to build a championship baseball team. Using budgets and statistics from Major League Baseball, the students will compare players’ strengths, weaknesses, and salaries to assemble a nine-man team. We will also take a tour of the stadium and the Reds Hall of Fame. Along with the Reds, the students will take a guided walking tour of Over-the-Rhine (A release form is needed). Students have two options for lunch this day: turn in $10 for lunch at City Bird or they can pack a lunch. Money must be turned in by Tuesday, Dec. 12.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, the groups will switch. If they were at iSpace on Wednesday, they will do the Reds and Over-the-Rhine tour and vice versa for the other group. Students will be told by their adviser which day they are going to iSpace and which day they are going downtown.
All money for City Bird lunch and OTR Release forms go to the seventh grade team leader, Carri Haskins. If you have any questions about the field trip, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Carri Haskins.
Now Accepting Frederick Hauck Scholarship Applications
Dr. Frederick A. Hauck, honored in 1979 as Cincinnati’s Greatest Living Citizen, was a world-renowned nuclear scientist and philanthropist. He served on the Atomic Energy Commission and worked closely with Albert Einstein. In addition, he was a businessman, explorer, historian, industrialist, metallurgist, nature lover, and humanitarian.
Thanks to his generosity, The Seven Hills School has established the Frederick Hauck Scholarship to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in the fields of mathematics and/or science. The school awards Frederick Hauck Scholars currently in eighth through 11th grade with a one-year prize scholarship to be applied toward tuition of the Seven Hills Upper School.
A committee of faculty from the Seven Hills Upper and Middle Schools will evaluate applicants. Qualifications that the committee will examine include interest and ability in science and mathematics and related activities. In addition to academic achievement, the selection committee considers activities outside of the classroom that demonstrate a special interest in science and/or mathematics.
Students in eighth through 11th grade who wish to apply must submit their applications via this online form. Only digital applications submitted via this form will be accepted. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.
In addition to the application, students must request letters of recommendation from two math and/or science teachers. At least one of the teachers must currently teach the applicant. Requests for letters of recommendation must be made no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
Winners of the Hauck Scholarship Competition will be announced in February. Please contact Ms. Sarah Mullan in the mathematics department with any questions.
Robotics Competition Volunteers Wanted
After a successful event last year, Seven Hills’ fifth grade will once again be hosting a robotics competition. One thing that made it so successful was the many volunteers who helped out. We are looking for volunteers for this year’s event. Please see all the details and sign up via SignUpGenius.
Middle School Choral Concert
The Middle School Winter Choral Concert is Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in The Schiff Center auditorium. Students should report to the chorus room by 7 p.m. for attendance and warm-up. They are to wear black on the bottom, and white on top, with boys in a tie. It’s going to be a great concert, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Parking Lot Reminder: Numbered Spaces Reserved for Students
Parking spaces with numbers are assigned spaces for students. Please do not park in any numbered space. If you are a visiting parent, please park in the short-term parking spots in Lot A (the main lot adjacent to the Upper School and Lotspeich) or the spaces without numbers near the Resale Shop. Additionally, spots 201-208 across from the Red Barn are unassigned and available for visitors.
Save the Date — Books for Lunch 2024!
The 2024 Books for Lunch committee, chaired by Seven Hills parents Lisa Briquet and Lalitha Chunduri, is honored to present this year’s guest author, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer! Please join us in the Madisonville Ballroom at The Summit Hotel on Feb. 2 for lunch, community, and an engaging address from Greer. Please visit 7hills.org/BFL to purchase tickets and learn more about the events, Greer, and his work.
Lost and Found
Please ask your child to check the Lost and Found (located in the sixth grade stairwell). The cold weather appears here to stay, and our rack is overflowing with coats and jackets and there are dozens of lunch pails as well. When we leave for Winter Break, all of the unclaimed treasures will be sent to The Resale Shop.
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
Middle School Movie Night
With Winter Break excitement in the air, please join fellow Middle Schoolers for a fun-filled Winter Social: Movie Night on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in The Schiff Center. Your student won’t want to miss a showing of this classic and funny favorite! RSVP and see more event details. Questions? Contact Lauren Boymel or Katya Trevino.
MS Parent Community Meetings
Thank you to all those who attended our November parent meeting this week. Future MSPC meeting dates are as follows in the Sixth Grade Commons:
- Feb. 23 — 8:30 a.m.
- April 5 — 8:30 a.m.
- May 3 — 8:30 a.m.
Parent Basketball Group
All parents are invited to join the Seven Hills Parent Basketball Group (PBG). The PBG is a weekly standing pickup basketball game at the Hillsdale Campus for parents of students in all divisions of the school. The court will be open to parents starting at 7:45 p.m. and the pickup game(s) will begin at 8 p.m. Day-of sign-up via SignUpGenius is required.
Parent Walking Club
We are a group of parents who 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 is 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, Dec. 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Our subsequent date is Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (Mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)