Middle School Blast Feb 23, 2024
Note from Bill…
Tonight will be a special night for our seventh and eighth grade students as they will be attending our second official dance of the year. The theme of tonight’s dance, “Winter Wonderland,” doesn’t feel all that seasonally appropriate, but I can assure you that it will be another different type of “wonderland” in Founders Hall as awkward Middle Schoolers try to navigate their way through this event. I don’t know if you recall middle school (or high school) dances, but my memories aren’t all that glorious or comfortable. For a laugh, watch this video, “If Adults Dated Like Middle Schoolers.” NOTE: I am not be responsible for any painful flashbacks this video might bring to mind.
Completely unrelated to dancing Middle Schoolers, we are getting ready for next week’s Student Reflection and Goal Setting (SRGS) activity that comes at the midpoint of the third quarter. During the week of Feb. 26, all Middle School students will be receiving comments from all of their teachers as to their current performance at this point in the school year. Students will then be asked to use special SRGS document to highlight their overall strengths, challenges, and the resulting action plan that they will create to best set them up for success for the remainder of the school year. On Friday, March 1, students will then bring home their teacher comments and SRGS document and are asked to schedule a time to “conference” with their parents about their strengths, challenges, and action plan. After you and your child have met in this regard, parents are asked to sign the SRGS document and have their child return it to school on Monday, March 4. This process of reflection and goal setting is such an important part for Middle Schoolers, as they are beginning to learn that they, ultimately, are the ones who control their destiny. Thanks, in advance, for your time, efforts, and support of this important activity.
Key Dates & Events
Friday, Feb. 23 — Seventh and Eighth Grade Party, 7 p.m., Founders Hall
Sunday, March 3 — “Matilda Junior,” 2 p.m.
Monday, March 4 -Thursday, March 7 — ERB Testing
Friday, March 8 — Global Education Day
Friday, March 15 — Middle School Talent Show
Announcements
Seventh and Eighth Grade Winter Party — Friday, Feb. 23
Student Council is hosting a Seventh and Eighth Grade Winter Party from 7-9:30 p.m. in Founders Hall. Admission is $5 at the door. This will be the only dance where students are permitted to bring a guest who is not a Seven Hills student. The guest must also be a seventh or eighth grader, and a guest pass must be turned in to Mrs. Licata by 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. Guest passes and other details are available on Schoology and were emailed to students. This dance is a dress-up event.
Come See “Matilda Junior” on March 3
Come out and enjoy the Middle School production of “Matilda Junior” on Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased via ticketleap.
Middle School Talent Show — March 15
On Friday, March 15, the Middle School will be having our annual Talent Show in The Schiff Center. We do not know the exact start time of the show quite yet, but it will be in the afternoon and will end around dismissal for Spring Break. WE NEED YOUR HELP! The only way we can have a talent show is if we have people who are willing to perform in the show! Please consider talking to your child about signing up for the show using this Talent Show Sign-Up Form. If they have a friend that has a talent or a unique way to entertain us all, convince them to be in the show. We will accept video submissions for performances that would be impossible to do on our stage! Please sign up by Friday, March 1!
Give a Gift … Get a Bee!
Our annual week-long community giving event Stinger Madness will be all the buzzzzz March 4 through 8. And we need you to help fill the hills! For every contribution you make to the Annual Fund, we’ll place a stinger bee on the hill of the campus your oldest child attends. If you’ve already made your Annual Fund gift this school year, thank you! No need to make another gift, your bee is already headed to the hill.
The Stinger Madness Trophy Competition
Each division — the Lower Schools, Middle School, and Upper School — will compete for the Stinger Madness trophy which will be awarded to the division that gives 50 new gifts to the Annual Fund! Don’t miss out — make your gift before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and help us #FillTheHills! Visit www.7hills.org/StingerMadness to learn more and make your gift.
Arts Alive — Call for Performers
Are you interested in having your group perform at Arts Alive? We are looking for acts to perform on the outdoor stages and in the DAC Blackbox. Last year, we had some wonderful performances by student organized groups and we would love to have that continue this year. Arts Alive is intended to celebrate all of the artistry within our community. Please note that this is not a talent show, and that groups should have a couple of pieces, totaling approximately 10-25 minutes, performed as a set. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Arts Alive performers Google form and upload a video of your act. We will be accepting submissions from now through Feb. 20 and will let acts know if they are accepted by Spring Break. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Hauser.
Summer Girls and Boys Middle School Groups Provided by Best Point
Stay tuned as you are planning your summer activities. Best Point Behavioral Health is collaborating with Seven Hills to provide Middle School groups during the summer for both boys and girls. Groups are expected to be offered in July at the end of the summer camp day. Be on the lookout as summer approaches for more details. Learn more about the girls and boys options below:
The Girls Circle
The Girls Circle model, a structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development from 9-18 years, integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase positive connection, personal and collective strengths, and competence. It aims to counteract social and interpersonal forces that impede the growth and development of girls and young women by promoting an emotionally safe setting and structure within which they can develop caring relationships and use authentic voices. Girls Circle does not aim to provide advice, but encourages youth to share experiences that are helpful to one another. To participate, they need only have the desire, make a commitment to attend the meetings, and agree to follow the circle guidelines, i.e., respect, no put-downs or interruptions, offer experiences — not advice, keep the focus on oneself, and keep what’s said in the group private. They are free to share at their own pace.
The Council for Boys and Young Men
The Council for Boys and Young Men is working toward a future where boys and youth who identify with male development develop healthy and diverse masculine identities which allow them to grow as respectful leaders and connected allies in their communities. The Council is a time for boys of similar ages to share activities as well as participate in discussions created to develop self-awareness and encourage friendships with each other. The council groups are not sex education, therapy groups, or formal instruction. Instead, these groups are designed to get the boys thinking, interacting, and expressing themselves. The Council for Boys and Young Men meets a male gender-specific need by addressing and challenging harmful masculinity beliefs and norms and supporting boys in developing safe, healthy identities, and behaviors.
For more information as details become available, please reach out to Dayna Sargent.
Be Great With Us!
As part of the Upper School “Give, Grow, and Be Great” service-learning May Term, Upper students will work with an organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children without one. The need for beds in the Greater Cincinnati area is startlingly high, and while building the beds is an enormous help, beds without pillows, mattress pads, sheets, and blankets don’t solve the problem. That’s where you come in! Please consider donating new bedding to help our efforts make a difference. You can purchase items directly from this Amazon wishlist or send donations to the Upper Office. Please make checks payable to The Seven Hills School with “bedding drive” in the memo line. Donations will be accepted from now until the end of May — but why wait? Be great today! We appreciate your support! Questions? Contact Karen Glum.
February Parent Connext — A Message from 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 month’s topic, emotional regulation.
Regular Schedule on April 8 for the Eclipse
School will be in regular operation during the eclipse on April 8, and dismissal will be at the regular time. If you prefer, you are welcome to pick up your children early on that day. Please contact your children’s division with questions. The eclipse will begin at 1:50 p.m., be nearly total at 3:10 p.m., and will end at 4:27 p.m. Ample lighting will allow for regular dismissal, and lighting on athletic fields will be used for after school practices and/or games.
As an additional safety protocol, we have purchased safety glasses for all our students and employees, and we will likely run modified schedules to allow some time for students to witness this historical event.
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
We hope everyone enjoyed the extended weekend!
Spring Social Event
Our spring social event will be on March 10 from 3-5:30 p.m. at Sky Zone. It will be a fun and relaxed event where the kids can let loose and hang with their friends. RSVP and see event details here.
MS Parent Community Meetings
Future MSPC meeting dates are as follows in the Sixth Grade Commons:
- March 1 — 8:30 a.m. Note: This is a date change.
- 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.
LGBTQIA+ Parent Group and Spring Social
Last year, we inaugurated a Parent Community space for LGBTQIA+ families, making strides toward our inclusive school commitment. As we embark on a new year, we aim to reunite existing families and extend a warm welcome to new families joining our community. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, please express your interest with this LGBTQIA+ PC Group interest form.
Additionally, we cordially invite all Seven Hills LGBTQIA+ families to our Spring Social on March 9, from 12-2 p.m. in The Schiff Center lobby. Kindly RSVP using the above interest form and bring your family to partake in the festivities.