Middle School Blast Apr 19, 2024
Note from Bill…
Having just returned with the sixth graders from their annual overnight trip to Indianapolis, I can report that everyone had a great time. Visits to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the NCAA Hall of Fame, and the Indianapolis Zoo gave our students the chance to experience venues that are quite different from what takes place on our own campus.
One of the main reasons we take each grade level for overnight trips away from campus (sixth grade to Indianapolis, seventh grade to Washington, D.C., and eighth grade to Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina) is to give them the chance to socialize and experience challenging and unfamiliar settings that serve to stretch their comfort zones and challenge them to adapt to new situations. I appreciate the ways in which we have designed these grade level trips, moving from the nearby Indianapolis overnight trip, to a four day journey to see the many historical sites in Washington, D.C., and culminating with a challenging four day journey of rustic camping and whitewater rafting in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Free of smartphones and surrounded by friends and fun activities, these trips are an integral part of our Middle School program.
Life continues to be extremely busy as we inch closer and closer to the end of the school year. Please read this and every weekly Blast with careful scrutiny.
Key Dates & Events
Friday, April 26 – All School Arts Alive
Saturday, May 4 – Instrumental Concert, 2 p.m., The Schiff Center
Wednesday, May 15 – Choral Concert, 7:30 p.m., The Schiff Center
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
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.
“Mamma Mia!” is here! — April 19 and 20
Tickets for the Upper School spring musical “Mamma Mia!” are going fast! Get your advance reserved tickets now 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 theater department for one of the most popular high school musicals of 2024 — “Mamma Mia!”
Washington, D.C., Trip Coming Up!
Parents, this is a reminder to check your emails to fill out the forms needed for your child to go on the Washington, D.C., trip in May, and a reminder that our parent Zoom meeting is on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m.
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 is Next Friday!
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, desserts, and spirit wear will be available from 3:30-8 p.m. Stay tuned for more details. View the schedule and map.
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.
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.
Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night has moved to Thursday, May 2
All Seven Hills families are welcome to come celebrate our spring athletes and have some fun! Cheer on the boys tennis, boys Middle School lacrosse, and girls JV and varsity lacrosse teams. Youth spring athletes in kindergarten through sixth grade will be recognized after the girls JV lacrosse game. Food will be available for purchase from four delicious food trucks: Big Dogs Pizza and Kona Ice (at the Pavilion). During the varsity baseball game at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, Quite Frankly will be available for purchase at the baseball field. Check out the Family Food Truck and Youth Spirit Night flyer for more details.
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.).
Middle School Parent Community Upcoming Events and Happenings
We are looking forward to closing out this year with some fun events to come!
MS Parent Social
Please join us Saturday, May 11, from 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. RSVP and see event details via rsvpify.
Middle School End of Year Celebrations
Please save the date for grade level end of year celebrations. Your Middle Schooler won’t want to miss!
- Saturday, May 18, 12-2 p.m. — Sixth and Seventh Grade End of Year Celebration. More event details and invitation to follow.
- Tuesday, June 4 — Eighth Grade Graduation Party (following graduation ceremonies). More event details and invitation to follow.
MS Parent Community Meetings
Future MSPC meeting dates are as follows in the 6th 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.