Middle School Blast Apr 26, 2024
Note from Bill…
It’s a busy day in the Middle School today. Our eighth graders took their first final exam for science, following a thorough review process, helping them to feel confident and ready for this experience. While only our eighth graders take end-of-year final exams, the process of gathering information, reviewing for salient themes and concepts, and then applying this knowledge to challenging and doable questions is an important part of the learning process. Along with this, taking a final exam several weeks before the rest of their exams in late May gives our students a preview of what a final exam actually is. While these are low-stakes assessments, they are an important part of the learning process and one that will be a big part of their Upper School years.
Even though we don’t do any type of final exam assessments in sixth and seventh grade, we still work with these younger students in helping them learn the process and value of pulling big ideas together and applying this knowledge to other challenges and problems. In many ways, this is what they will be asked to do when they inherit a world that values the ability to understand problems and challenges that we can’t even begin to imagine right now.
Tonight, we will gather for the Arts Alive event, our annual school-wide celebration of the arts. There will be dozens of stage performances as well as extensive art exhibitions in the lobbies of The Schiff Center and the Donovan Arts Center. Please plan on attending, as this event will showcase the impressive and wide range and scope of our visual and performing arts programs.
Key Dates & Events
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
Arts Alive is Tonight!
We hope to see you all tonight for the third annual Arts Alive celebration. 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. View the schedule and map.
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 is Thursday, May 2
All Seven Hills families are welcome to come celebrate our spring athletes and have some fun on Thursday, May 2! 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 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.).
Eighth Grade Graduation Party
The Eighth Grade Graduation Party is immediately following graduation and reception. Encourage your child to attend this final hurrah before summer! See details and RSVP for the Eighth Grade Graduation Party.
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.
Best Point Behavioral Health Summer Enrichment Groups
Best Point Behavioral Health will be conducting a series of enrichment groups called Boys Council and Girls Circle at the Seven Hills School this summer. These groups are led by a trained mental health provider that guides weekly themes using a strengths-based group approach to promote safe and healthy development through pre-teen and adolescent years. Please see Boys Council and Girls Circle for more information and to register. Please reach out to Dayna Sargent with any questions.
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 join us 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.