Middle School Blast Jan 19, 2024
Note from Bill…
A heartfelt thanks to the over 90 individuals who showed up at Matthew: 25 Ministries this past Monday morning to celebrate and participate in the spirit of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, in serving those less fortunate. Adults, Middle Schoolers, younger siblings, and friends joined together for two and a half hours to assist Matthew: 25 Ministries’ mission to help “the poorest of the poor and disaster victims throughout the United States and around the world.”
As we start the third quarter/second semester of the school year, many students are in new elective classes. This is a welcomed change at this mid-point in the school year, as our Middle School is designed to introduce new skills and experiences for students as they grow and mature during this time of rapid social, emotional, and cognitive growth. In this spirit, our seventh grade students have been working this past week with Healthy Visions, an independent organization that seeks “to provide quality youth educational programs and content that inspire, educate, assist, and empower youth to make decisions toward optimal health (social, emotional, mental, intellectual & physical) for a happier, healthier, and more hopeful future.” More than anything else, we want to take the time to help our students understand the importance of developing healthy and positive relationships within our Middle School community.
All in all, it is a wonderful time to be a Middle School student at Seven Hills!
Key Dates & Events
Wednesday, Jan. 24 — Sixth and Seventh Grade Parents Looking Ahead to Seventh and Eighth Grade Zoom Meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 25 — Middle School Basketball Bash, Kalnow Gym, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 30 — Eighth Grade Parents and Student Registration for Ninth Grade, 7 p.m.
Announcements
Re-enrollment Contracts Reminder
Re-enrollment contracts for the 2024-25 school year are available via your Veracross Parent Portal. To secure your student’s space for next fall, please submit the re-enrollment contract and deposit by Monday, Jan. 22. Thank you.
Middle School Basketball Bash — Thursday, Jan. 25
To promote spirit and a sense of community, the Middle School Student Council is planning special activities for Middle School students after school on Thursday, Jan. 25, before and during the Middle School basketball games. Families are encouraged to join us for the games! Please view the flyer.
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.
Delay The Phone! Parent Meeting — Feb. 8, 2024
All Middle School parents are invited to a community meeting on Feb. 8, starting at 7 p.m. in The Schiff Center, to understand the serious and detrimental effects that smartphones and social media have on our children’s social and emotional development. As a part of understanding this important issue, Bill Waskowitz will also be introducing the Wait Until 8th parent program to help reduce the pressure felt by both students and parents over kids having smartphones. No need to RSVP; just show up for this important meeting that is focused on what is best for our children.
Annual Dumpling Party — Volunteers Needed!
With the Lunar New Year approaching on Feb. 10, 2024, the Chinese class is organizing their annual dumpling party! We are looking for one or two parent volunteers to help us with the dumplings for each class on Feb. 8 and 9. You do not have to be skilled in making dumplings; just plan to be there to help out and have fun. If you know how to make dumpling wrappers, please let us know! We can show the students your skills! To sign up for dumpling day, please fill in your name next to the sessions on the sign-up form. If you have any questions, please email Wu Laoshi.
Global Education Day — Call for Volunteers
On Friday, March 8, the Middle School will celebrate our Annual Global Education Day. Students will attend three 40-minute sessions during the morning, between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., to increase information and awareness of our global community. In the past, sessions have included topics such as: travel, cuisine or other elements of culture from around the world (facilities could be available to prepare foods), conducting business in a global world, technological advances and their impact on the world, science and conservation, etc. The ideas are limitless! We are looking for members of the Seven Hills community (and beyond) to conduct these sessions. If you are interested in being a presenter or know someone who would like to present, please contact Jennifer Licata at your earliest convenience.
Seventh Grade Washington, D.C., Trip — Save The Date!
The seventh grade will be traveling to Washington, D.C., May 20-24. More details will be shared with all families later this quarter in upcoming Blasts, but if you have any immediate questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Carri Haskins, seventh grade team leader.
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.
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
Stay tuned for more event updates coming soon!
MS Parent Community Meetings
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.