Middle School Blast Feb 6, 2026

Heart and Sole — Registration Opens Feb. 9

We are so excited to have Heart and Sole for sixth to eighth grade girls as part of our Middle School offerings this spring! Registration will begin on Feb. 9 and run through Feb. 22. Remember, this is a lottery run through GOTR and not run through the school! Practices will begin the first week of March and the season is eight weeks long. We will practice right after school on Mondays and Wednesdays.  

Use the Pinwheel link on Monday, Feb. 9 to join the lottery!  

Upcoming Eighth Grade Field Trip — Feb. 10

The eighth graders will visit the exhibit “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” at the Cincinnati Museum Center on Feb. 10. We will first hear from Steve Coppel, whose father, Werner, was an Auschwitz survivor, here at school, and leave campus at 9:30 a.m. to travel to Union Terminal. We will return to campus by lunchtime (12:40 p.m.), and no special provisions for lunch have to be made. Please contact Judith Neidlein-Dial for questions.

Summer Program Important Dates

• Feb. 10 — Registration will open at 9 a.m. Use code: prioritysevenhills2026

Summer Program Caves Trip — June 15-19

Embark on a dynamic summer course, departing from Cincinnati for an adventure-filled journey to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. This well-rounded itinerary seamlessly blends educational exploration and outdoor excitement, offering students a mix of guided cave tours, zip-lining adventures, and interactive outdoor activities. The week culminates with a return journey to Cincinnati, marked by a farewell dinner that encapsulates the camaraderie and memories forged during this enriching and unforgettable summer experience. This Summer Program course is for Seven Hills students only. Please see the Caves Trip flyer for more information.

Change for Pizza Delivery Days

Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, the choice of pizza in the Stingers Cafe will be LaRosa’s hand tossed cheese or pepperoni every Wednesday on pizza delivery day. The Early Childhood Center will serve LaRosa’s cheese pizza. For allergy and ingredient information, please check Nurtislice.

Global Ed Day Volunteer Presenters Needed … Middle School Needs Your Help!

On Friday, March 6, Middle School will celebrate our 17th Annual Global Education Day, and we could use your help! As part of our morning activities, students will attend small group sessions. We are looking for members of the Seven Hills community (and beyond) to conduct these sessions. Students will attend three 40-minute sessions during the morning, between 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 

In the past, sessions have included topics such as travel, cuisine, or other elements of culture from around the world, conducting business in a global world, technological advances and their impact on the world, science and conservation, etc.  The ideas are limitless! Facilities could be available to prepare foods. The number of students in a session can be limited if necessary due to space or recommendations from the presenter.  

If you are interested in being a presenter or know someone who you think would be a good fit for this day, please contact Jennifer Licata by no later than Friday, Feb. 13.

Seventh and Eighth Electives

Keep an eye out for upcoming seventh and eighth grade electives information. More information will be coming soon.

Visitor Kiosk in Middle School Office

There is a new visitor check-in system in the Middle School office. Middle School visitors will now need to present a driver’s license or government-issued ID when visiting campus. We are currently piloting this new system in the Middle School before rolling it out to all divisions later this spring. Thank you for your patience as we test this new security feature.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Winter Dance — Friday, Feb. 20, 7-9:30 p.m.

Student Council is planning a winter dance for seventh and eighth grade students on Friday, Feb. 20. The dance will take place in Founder’s Hall from 7-9:30 p.m. More details will be announced to students soon and included in future blasts. 

LEAD Together Sessions for Second Semester

Please join other parents, faculty members and administrators to discuss topics around parenting. These are great opportunities to learn together. Please note that we are offering free childcare for the ISACS webinars with experts on Feb. 26 and April 22. Please register now!

Join Students for a Special Ramadan Iftar — March 4

Our Upper School Muslim Student Association has expressed a heartfelt desire to share a meal with their school community during Ramadan, and we are honored to provide a space for that gathering. On March 4 from 6-8 p.m., Muslim families are invited to come together from across the school community to connect and share in the traditions and spirit of Ramadan. This is an opportunity for students and families to see and support one another, voice their experiences, and feel a sense of belonging. If you would like to attend or support, RSVP now.

Real Talk Series “Rainbow Voices”

As part of our school’s commitment to building a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and included, we’re preparing the next panel of our Real Talk Series. This series is all about hearing powerful stories and perspectives from people with different experiences. These conversations are designed just for the Middle School student body — to spark curiosity, open minds, and help us all better understand and celebrate the diversity that makes our Seven Hills community so special.

The last panel discussion this year, “Rainbow Voices,” will focus on gender identity and sexuality and how individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community experience and express this aspect of themselves. Panelists will openly share about their day-to-day lived experiences, including the challenges and celebrations of being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, the courage and resilience they’ve demonstrated, and any insights that may help address common misconceptions. All content is carefully planned and age-appropriate to ensure a respectful and supportive environment for students. The goal of this panel is not to promote a particular viewpoint, but to help students listen, ask thoughtful questions, and better understand the diverse experiences represented by Rainbow Voices — both within our broader community and among people they may already know, including family members, friends, neighbors, or public figures they see in media and culture.

We believe this is an important step in helping our students develop empathy and respect for one another. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to James Jessup, Madame Kalubi, or Kristin Suer. Please print, sign, and return Opt Out Form to your child’s advisor if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the “Rainbow Voices” Program. It will include advisory activities around this topic and the Real Talk panel presentation on the morning of Friday, March 6.

Save the Date: Seventh Grade Washington, D.C., Trip — May 18-21

Please mark your calendars for Monday, May 18, through Thursday, May 21, for the annual seventh grade overnight trip to Washington, D.C.! More details will be sent home as the trip gets closer!

Want to Learn More About Discipline with the Brain in Mind?

Thanks to our partnership with ISACS (Independent Schools of Central States), we have access to a webinar with Tina Payne Bryson. Bryson is a pediatric psychotherapist and wrote “No Drama Discipline” and “The Whole Brain Child,” to name a few. Please view the webinar. This recording will remain available through June 30.