Middle School Blast Apr 12, 2024
Note from Bill…
My faith in humanity was somewhat restored as I watched our Middle School community gather on the Upper Field this past Monday to watch the solar eclipse. At 3:08 p.m., I heard audible shouts of glee and joy as our community paused to experience this rare celestial event. At 3:09 p.m., many of our students then returned to conversing with friends, eyes averted from the heavens and focused on their friends. This is what Middle School is often about; flittering from moment-to-moment and being with friends.
This upcoming weekend is the 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Seven Hills School! I am looking forward to Saturday evening’s gala and seeing current Middle School parents, along with previous Middle School families, in the Field House. On Wednesday, April 17, I hope that many of you will join us after school to celebrate our sixth grade athletes and to partake in the many food trucks that will be on campus.
Looking ahead, our sixth graders will be off campus on April 18 and 19, journeying to Indianapolis. Other trips and events are just around the corner; please be sure to carefully read this Blast, as there are many important details that require your attention.
Key Dates & Events
Wednesday, April 17 — NOTE DATE CHANGE — Family Food Truck Night, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hillsdale Campus Pavilion
Thursday, April 18-Friday, April 19 — Sixth Grade Trip to Indianapolis
Friday, April 26 — Arts Alive
Saturday, May 4 — Instrumental Concert, The Schiff Center, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15 — Choral Concert, The Schiff Center, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 20-Friday, May 24 — Seventh Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
Monday, May 27 — Memorial Day. No School
Monday, June 3 — Last Day of Classes
Monday, June 3 — Seventh and Eighth Grade Dance, 7-9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 4 — Eighth Grade Closing Program and Reception, 9-10:30 a.m
Announcements
Rescheduled — Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night — Wednesday, April 17
All Seven Hills families are welcome to come celebrate our spring athletes and have some fun! Cheer on Upper School baseball, softball, and tennis teams and the JV and Middle School girls’ lacrosse teams. Youth spring athletes in kindergarten through sixth grade will be recognized at 5:45 p.m. on the upper field. Food will be available for purchase from four delicious food trucks: Big Dogs Pizza, Maya Indian Food, Kona Ice (at the Pavilion) and Quite Frankly (at the baseball field). Check out the Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night flyer for more details. See you there!
Sixth Grade Indy Trip
The sixth grade overnight to Indy is next week. Please see email sent on Wednesday, April 10 for reminders. Email Jennifer Licata with questions.
Seven Hills Middle School Fourth Annual Walk-a-Thon
Reminder that pledge sheets for the Walk-a-Thon are due on Wednesday, April 17. Extra pledge sheets are available in the Middle School office.
Mamma Mia! — Upper School Musical, April 19 and 20
Advance reserved tickets for Mamma Mia! are now on sale! Tickets are going fast — the center section of seats is already sold out for both nights and we’ve already sold over 550 seats! So, act fast! Get your advance reserved tickets today through Ticketleap.
Once on Ticketleap, choose the date of the show, then select “choose your own seats.” Performances are Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $10. Come join the Seven Hills Upper School theater department for one of the most popular high school musicals of 2024 —Mamma Mia!, featuring the music of ABBA! Join us on April 19 and 20. We look forward to seeing you there!
Eighth Grade Science Exam
To help students manage preparations with less stress, the eighth grade will take the science exam ahead of the May exam week on April 26. The exam will take place during the regular school day (8:20 a.m.-3:15 p.m.). We will spend the next few weeks discussing time management and study skills during advisory time and in classes to help all students feel adequately prepared for this important experience. Please contact J. Neidlein-Dial with any questions.
Arts Alive Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars for the third annual Arts Alive celebration. On Friday, April 26, from 3:30-8:40 p.m., first through 12th grade students will showcase their artistic talents throughout the Hillsdale Campus. There will be games, arts and crafts, live performances, food trucks, and much more! Join us for an evening of festivities for the entire family. Food trucks and desserts will be available from 3:30-8 p.m. Stay tuned for more details. View the schedule.
Note for Chorus Students for Arts Alive
Seventh and eighth grade chorus students should report to the chorus room at 6:10 p.m. in nicer school clothes. Sixth grade chorus students should report to the chorus room at 7:45 p.m. in nicer school clothes.
Call for Volunteers for Arts Alive
We would love your help making Arts Alive a fantastic day! Several volunteer shifts and activities are available from set-up on Thursday afternoon to tear-down on Friday evening and so much in between. Check the sign-ups available on SignUpGenuis for ways you can help, or feel free to reach out to Anne Luecke if you have any questions. Thank you!
Notes from the Middle School Office
Key Dates for the 2024-25 school year are available on your Veracross parent portal. The document can be found under the gray “Files” on the lower, right side of the portal.
Eighth Grade Field Trip
The eighth grade will visit the Holocaust Museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center on April 29. We will be off campus from approximately 9:40 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Lunch will be on campus. Please contact J. Neidlein-Dial with any questions.
Eighth Grade Picture Request
Please submit a baby/toddler picture and a current picture of your eighth grader to Hannah Hanley. These will be compiled into a slideshow to view during the Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony at the end of the year. Pictures are due by May 3.
Instrumental Concert
The big spring instrumental concert is in The Schiff Center Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Performers should aim to arrive by 1:40 p.m., looking good and smelling neutral. More details will follow and will also be on Schoology. If you have questions/concerns, please contact Mr. Rising.
Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony — June 4
Planning is well underway for our traditional end of the year Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony. Please note the following:
- Students will be allowed to have six guests attend this event.
- Students should be in The Schiff Center at 8:15 a.m. on June 4 for their class photograph.
- The Closing Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and usually lasts between 60-90 minutes.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, there is a reception for our eighth graders and their families in the lobby of The Schiff Center. In the past, we have served finger-food and drinks.
- Listed below are the specific dress suggestions for the Closing Ceremony that have served as a guideline for previous Middle School Closing Ceremonies:
- Dresses/outfits that are mid-thigh in length and are white, off-white, or pastel in color (this can include subtle patterns, etc.), no spaghetti straps or strapless tops, appropriate shoes/sandals.
- Khaki pants, dark/blue blazer, or an appropriately colored/styled suit, white or off-white dress shirt, tie (or bow-tie!), dark dress socks, shoes (i.e. no sneakers, tennis shoes, sandals, etc.).
Following the graduation ceremony and reception, eighth graders are invited to an end of the year celebration from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. hosted by the MSPC. Details are in the works. Stay tuned!
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
Happy Spring! We are looking forward to closing out this year with some fun events to come!
MS Parent Social
Please save the date on Saturday, May 11, 6-10 p.m. for our Middle School Parent Social at The Pitch. This will be a fun event for all Middle School parents to mingle and enjoy the company of our amazing community. More details and invites to come.
MS Parent Community Meetings
Future MSPC meeting dates are as follows in the Sixth Grade Commons:
- 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.
April Parent Connext: Getting Kids Outdoors — 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, Getting Kids Outdoors.
Spring Chorus Concert — May 15
The spring chorus concert will be on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. All Middle School chorus students should report to the chorus room at 6:50 p.m. dressed up.