Middle School Blast Dec 8, 2023
As we creep closer and closer to the upcoming Winter Break, life “in the Middle” remains busy and joyful! The run-up to Winter Break is always a mix of keeping an eye on academic expectations while celebrating this special time of year. Upcoming projects, papers, tests, and quizzes are scattered throughout the remaining several days, reminding us all that the development of foundational academic skills is an ongoing process. In a similar manner, our faculty continue to learn more about the vital importance of differentiation, understanding what students learn (i.e. content), how they learn it (i.e. process), and how they show what they learn (i.e. product). Each Tuesday after school, our faculty meet from 3:30-5 p.m. to focus on this foundational pedagogical tenet.
Along with the academic activities that continue to occur within our Middle School, you will also notice that there are many non-academic events occurring that focus on the importance of community. The Caring Place toy drive is in its final days, as the donated items will benefit scores of children who would otherwise go through the holiday season with few (if any) gifts. The return of the eighth grade bread baking tradition for Tender Mercies provides a special gift for many Cincinnati residents experiencing homelessness who are also struggling with mental illnesses. The seventh grade will have two fun-filled days off campus on Dec. 13 and 14, traveling to OTR as well as a visit to iSpace to experience what life would be like living as a research scientist on a lunar base. Sprinkle in the final round of our annual Spelling Bee on Dec. 12, our Winter Choral Concert on Dec. 13, and a special Middle School Movie Night on Dec. 14, one can quickly see that life “in the Middle” focuses on what is most important: our strong sense of community.
Key Dates & Events
Monday, Dec. 11 — The Caring Place Toy Drive Ends
Tuesday, Dec. 12 — Middle Choral Concert, The Schiff Center, at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13-Thursday, Dec. 14 – Seventh Grade Field Trip
Friday, Dec. 15 — Winter Break Begins at 11:30 a.m. The shuttle will run from Hillsdale to Doherty at approximately 11:35 a.m. and there will be no Encore Club.
Wednesday, Jan. 3 — School Resumes
Announcements
The Caring Place Toy Drive ends on Monday. Dec. 11!
Our annual toy drive to benefit those in need who are served by The Caring Place ends on Monday, Dec. 11! We are hoping to collect toys, books, puzzles, and games (new or gently used). Monday, Dec. 11 is the final chance for students to 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 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 6:50 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!
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. For many years prior to the pandemic of 2020, eighth grade students have been baking individual loaves of apple spice bread for the residents of this organization. This year, we want to restart this tradition. Your child received a note with a request for a particular recipe ingredient (flour, eggs, etc.) in advisory on Nov. 30. We ask that all ingredients be brought to school by Tuesday, Dec. 12. Questions? Please contact Judith Neidlein-Dial or Elissa Donovan.
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.
Spring Sports Registration
The athletics department is excited to announce that registration is still open for the 2024 spring sports programs. Parents of students in kindergarten through grade 12 can log into the Veracross parent portal and follow the appropriate link (located in the parent links section) to register and complete payment by the deadline of Friday, Dec.15. If you had already registered for kindergarten through sixth grade please log back in and register again and complete payment. Veracross had a glitch that has now been fixed. Thank you!
2024 Baseball (Grades 1-6): Team practices are scheduled to start tentatively the week of March 4, with sessions taking place twice per week at the Hillsdale Campus. Games will be held during the week and on weekends.
2024 Lacrosse (Grades 3-6): Team practices are set to begin tentatively the week of March 4, taking place twice per week at the Hillsdale Campus, with games scheduled on weekends.
2024 Softball (Grades 1-6): Practices will be held twice per week starting tentatively the week of March 4 at the Hillsdale Campus, with games during the week and on weekends.
2023 Track and Field (Grades K-6): New this year! We’re thrilled to extend our track and field program to kindergartners this year. Practices are generally once per week, starting around the week of March 4 at the Hillsdale Campus, with meets scheduled on Saturdays throughout April and May.
We look forward to an exciting and active spring season. Your participation and support make these programs a success. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process, please don’t hesitate to contact Amy Ilg. Thank you for your attention to these deadlines and for encouraging your children to participate in our spring sports.
Last Chance Lost and Found!
Please ask your child to check the Lost and Found (located in the sixth grade stairwell). When we leave for Winter Break, all of the unclaimed treasures will be sent to The Resale Shop.
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.
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.
December Parent Connext — Brought to You by the Counseling Department
Seven Hills values partnering with parents to address the development of the whole child. Parent Connext allows us to explore some of today’s most relevant topics in your child’s social/emotional development, while offering practical tools for parenting. Please feel free to connect with your student’s building counselor if you would like more conversation or support around this topic.
Seventh Grade Exploring Engineering Presentations on Jan. 9 and 11
Mr. Keagan O’Mara, our Middle School Innovation Lab director, is thrilled to invite our community to see the culmination of our seventh grade exploring engineering class’ semester-long journey into student directed projects, guided by problem based learning principles. Parents are invited to attend any of these presentations on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 11:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 11, from 11:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Innovation Lab, Middle School room 301. Please RSVP by emailing Keagan O’Mara. Feel free to reach out to Keagan if you have any questions or requests. Thanks for your interest and support!
Girls Circle Group
We have moved the weekly Girls Circle Group to Thursdays (it was originally scheduled for Wednesdays). The group will begin on Jan. 11 and take place from 3:30-4:15 p.m. The cost for the group will be $320 for the eight sessions payable to Best Point Behavioral Health. If your daughter is interested in joining please complete this interest form. If you have any questions, please contact Dayna Sargent.
Real Talk Series
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. “Family Ties” is the second 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 discuss their family dynamics, sharing the joys and traditions that make their experiences special. They’ll also address any misconceptions about their family structures.
Please print, sign, and return the opt-out form to your child’s adviser if you DO NOT want your child to participate in “Family Ties,” which includes Advisory activities around this topic and the Real Talk panel presentation on the morning of Jan. 26, 2024.
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.
Summer Program 2024 — Mark Your Calendars
Make 2024 the best summer ever! Make friends, discover new passions, and create memories that last a lifetime! With eight weeks of action packed camps, beginning June 17 through Aug. 9, there are all kinds of adventures and opportunities for your child to explore to make this the best summer ever. Priority registration for Seven Hills families opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.
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: Middle School Movie Night on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in The Schiff Center. Your student won’t want to miss a showing of the classic and funny favorite, “Home Alone.” RSVP and see more event details.
MS Parent Community Meetings
Future MSPC meeting dates are as follows in the 6th 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)