Middle School Blast Feb 27, 2026

Soul Food Lunch — Today, Feb. 27

Today, the Upper School Black Student Union is sponsoring a Soul Food Lunch in honor of Black History Month. Soul food has been a way for African Americans to celebrate their cultural heritage by expressing their pride in their identity through food. It also promotes community, culture, and is tied to the social and political lives of Black people. The food for this event will be donated by families in our Seven Hills community and catered. The cost of the lunch is $11 and can be paid for with the student lanyard, a credit card, or cash. It will be held in the cafeteria during normal lunch hours. With the food coming from multiple sources, if your student has food allergies, it is not recommended that they purchase this meal.

Mid-Third Quarter Student Reflections

Your students will bring home today the reflections sheets they worked on this week.  We strongly suggest you discuss their reflections, efforts, and goal setting for the remainder of the academic year. More than anything, it is our hope that this activity serves to create a growing sense of confidence and independence that is so important for students during their Middle School years.

Come see the Middle School Musical “Into the Woods, JR.” — March 1

The performance is on Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. Tickets available through TicketLeap.

MAP Testing — Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3

Next week, we will be administering the MAP Growth Tests, also known as the Measure of Academic Progress. MAP Growth is a product of the Northwest Evaluation Association and is an assessment for measuring achievement and growth in math and reading:

• MAP Growth reveals growth and projected proficiency a student has attained when based on norm groups.
• More importantly, these tests provide teachers with accurate, actionable evidence to help inform instructional strategies to best assist students and their growth at this point in their educational careers.

These tests will be administered in the mornings on March 2 and 3 and will take roughly 45 minutes to complete. Students should bring a book to read to MAP testing in case they finish early. If parents would like to receive a parent MAP report of their child’s report, please contact James Jessup for this information.

Sixth Graders Working with Healthy Visions Next Week

As part of The Seven Hills School’s counseling program’s ongoing commitment to wellness, our sixth graders will be working with Healthy Visions from March 2-5. Healthy Visions is an organization that works to educate and equip youth with the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy behavioral choices and develop healthy relationships. Our topics this school year will include online safety, communication, and friendships.  

See Healthy Vision’s website for more information. Please reach out to Dayna Sargent if you have any questions.  

Save the Date and Wear Your Spirit Wear for Fill the Hills — Tuesday, March 3

Join us on Tuesday, March 3, as we celebrate Seven Hills with our annual Fill the Hills Day of Giving! Throughout the day, you’ll see Stinger Bees popping up on the Hillsdale and Doherty campuses, each one representing a gift to the 2025-26 Annual Fund. 

Fill the Hills is our biggest parent participation giving day of the year, and our goal is 226 donations in just one day. Every gift counts, no matter the size, and each donor will be recognized with a Stinger Bee proudly displayed on campus. Also, special this year, we have a challenge gift where every donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

To help us celebrate, we’re asking all students to wear Seven Hills spirit wear on March 3 and show their school pride.

Learn more and even make your gift early. Already given this year? Thank you! No need to give a second gift. Your generosity counts toward Fill the Hills, and your bee is on its way to campus. 

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.

Course Electives for 2026-27 School Year

Current Sixth Grade (Rising Seventh Grade) Parents

We are approaching a point in our planning where we need your assistance in determining a program choice for next year. All sixth grade students will be placed in our semester-long visual and theater arts courses, but they will be able to choose their music course. Please see the music course information and the seventh grade registration form. Please look over this information and discuss with your child any preferences they might have regarding these music choices. Once you have made your decision, please fill out the course selection form by Friday, March 6. 

Current Seventh Grade (Rising Eighth Grade) Parents

Students entering the eighth grade will elect courses to fulfill their fine and performing arts requirement. The course electives give students the opportunity to tailor their program of study to their own particular interests. Students will elect courses in visual art, tech art, music, theater, writing, and computer science. We will make every attempt to provide students with their top choices, but it may not be possible due to scheduling and/or staffing constraints.

Current seventh grade students had a class meeting and were given descriptions of the courses and requirements. These students were also given a grade eight electives document to help them with their choices. If you have not yet talked with your child about the eighth grade electives, now is the time to do so. After your child has made their decisions, please complete the eighth grade electives form given to your child and return it to the Middle School Office by Friday, March 6. You may reply in any of the following manners:

• Paper: Please send the paper copy to the office with your child
• Scan: Please send a copy of the eighth grade electives form to andy.mcgarvey@7hills.org
• Mail: please send a copy of the eighth grade electives form to:
  • Seven Hills School, Middle School Office, Attn: Andy McGarvey, 5400 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227

Current Eighth Grade (Rising Ninth Grade) Parents

Registration for ninth grade is done individually with Mrs. Vicky Hausberger, our ninth grade school counselor, beginning Feb. 23. If you have not yet scheduled a meeting with her, please select a time at Mrs. Hausberger’s calendar. The 2026-27 Upper School Program of Studies is now available.

Real Talk Series “Rainbow Voices” — March 6

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 the opt out form to your child’s adviser 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.

Spring Upper School Musical Showcase — March 8

Come join us for an afternoon of music, featuring vocal and instrumental soloists from the Upper School on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. in The Schiff Center. All are welcome!

We’re Hiring: Director of Alumni Engagement

The Seven Hills School is seeking a director of alumni engagement to join the development team. The director of alumni engagement is responsible for developing and executing a strategic plan to deepen the connection between alumni and the school. The director will work to engage alumni through strategic events, regular communications, and meetings. The ideal candidate is connected to the Seven Hills School as an alum or parent. Please see the job posting, if you or someone you know is interested in the position.

LEAD Together with David Yeager Recap — Webinar Available until March 10

Thanks to everyone who came to the LEAD Together David Yeager webinar on Thursday evening. If you weren’t able to come, see below! 

If you’ve ever wondered how to push your child toward their potential without it feeling like pressure, or how to give feedback that actually lands, check out this webinar with David Yeager. Yeager is one of the country’s leading researchers on adolescent motivation. His work centers on a powerful idea: young people thrive when the adults in their lives hold high expectations and communicate genuine belief in their ability to meet them. There’s real science behind what makes it work … and real practices you can bring home.

Watch the webinar. It is available until March 10. 

Middle School Talent Show — Friday, March 13

Does your Middle Schooler have a talent to share with their peers? If so, the Middle School is holding our annual talent show on Friday, March 13, in the afternoon. Students received a Google Form to sign up for auditions a few weeks ago from Mrs. Hanley. If your child hasn’t signed up yet, please encourage them to complete the form right away, as today is the deadline! Once we know how many acts will be in the show, we will have a better sense of the start time, but it is typically around 1:45 p.m. If you have questions, please reach out to Hannah Hanley or Jennifer Licata.   

Seventh Grade Volunteering — Friday, March 13

The seventh grade will be volunteering at Matthew 25: Ministries on Friday, March 13. They will leave school around 9:45 a.m. and return to school around 12:30 p.m. If you have any questions please get in touch with the seventh grade team leader Carri Haskins.

Field House Parking Lot — Temporary Traffic Flow Changes