Middle School Blast Apr 24, 2026

Upper School New Family Welcome Reception — April 24

All newly admitted Upper School students for the 2026-27 school year, including current Seven Hills eighth graders, and their families are invited to the Upper School’s New Family Welcome Reception tonight, April 24, 6:45-7:30 p.m. in the Andress Art Gallery in the Upper School, at the Admissions entrance.

Upper’s Spring Play “You Can’t Take It With You” — April 24 (sold out) and April 25

The Upper School theater department is proud to present its spring comedy “You Can’t Take it with You.” This Pulitzer Prize winning show features Martin Vanderhof and his large extended family of charming eccentrics. The Friday, April 24 show is sold out, but there are still tickets available for the Saturday, April 25 show at 2 p.m. on The Schiff Center. The show is appropriate for all audiences. Tickets are on sale now. Buy your tickets!

Fall Sports Registration is Open

Tech Office Cash Only for Rest of School Year

Beginning May 1, the tech office will only accept cash for badges, pencils, chargers, etc. This is in effect only for the end of the school year as parents and the Business Office work to wrap up the 2025-26 charges. When we return in the fall, the tech office will accept charges again.

Driving Concerns for Carline

Parents, please use caution when driving around the back of The Schiff Center, as it is a relatively blind corner. Many parents circle Schiff for the carline as well as other times of the day. The maintenance building isn’t a shed; it is an active building with people going in and out constantly. A few of our maintenance team have nearly been hit. Thank you for your help as we work to keep our students and employees safe on campus.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is overflowing. Please take a moment to check it the next time you are in the building. All unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the year.

Happier Parenting Webinar with Dr. Laurie Santos

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the LEAD Together event this past week. If you weren’t able to make it on Wednesday, you can access the webinar and the resources. As Dr. Santos noted, more than 40% of college students report being too depressed to function most days. In this webinar, Dr. Santos highlights five evidence-based insights for happier parenting and how to help our kids flourish at all ages and stages of development.

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 on May 29. Pictures are due by May 1

Locks for Leonard Hair Fair

Hair donations collected from the Locks for Leonard Hair Fair will be donated to organizations that create wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment or suffering from autoimmune diseases. The hair fair is being organized by the Middle School but all Seven Hills students can participate. To donate your hair, follow these three steps:

1. Grow your hair out! You must donate at least eight inches.
2. Get a haircut! Go to the stylist of your choice and tell them you want to donate your hair. Send before and after pics to Hannah Hanley.
3. Bring your bagged ponytail to the Middle School office. Include your name on the bag and what grade you are in — we would love to give you a shoutout on our Seven Hills social media.

We will accept hair donations through May 1.

Instrumental Concert Fast Approaching!

The Instrumental Concert is on Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. More information will follow and details will be posted on Canvas. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mr. Rising.

Screen Smart at Seven Hills — May 7

Do you want to set up healthy technology boundaries at home before the summer starts? Do you want to learn recommended practices for technology-use at home?

Please join us on May 7 to:

• meet our new Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Tony DePrato.
• get the first look at our grade-level Screen Smart guides for School and Home technology use.
• bring personal devices to learn how to set up parental controls and get tips about creating age-appropriate guardrails.
• chat with Upper School students, counselors, and others to learn more about student technology-use.

We’ll offer this session at three different times: 8:30 a.m. in the Lotspeich Library, 5:30 p.m. in the Upper School Library, and 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Zoom session will not include the full workshop that the in-person sessions will have; videos and handouts will be sent out in the call. RSVP for Screen Smart.

Science Spectacular — May 9

Please join us on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to celebrate science at Seven Hills. Middle and Upper School students will be leading booths for our Early and Lower School students to take part in science-related activities. Please join us for an hour or the whole event! 

Activities include hands-on stations across multiple science disciplines, interactive demonstrations, a nature walk, and a native species planting project in our creek bed. We’ll also have food to purchase with a variety of food trucks, including coffee, food, and Kona Ice.

Eighth Grade Exam Week

During exam week, May 19-22, eighth graders will be dismissed at 12 p.m.

They will be rehearsing the Closing Ceremony in the time between the end of the daily exam and the 12 p.m. dismissal. 

Remember that, while there is a final exam on the morning of Friday, April 24, this is not part of the shortened schedule. So Friday, April 24, will be a full day, 8:15 a.m.-3:15 pm. Please contact Judith Neidlein-Dial with questions.

Asia Day — Friday, May 22

Every year the sixth grade celebrates our geography study of Asia with a special day of presentations and hands-on activities. The day is Friday, May 22. We ask for your help. If you have something special to share about Asian culture and would like to participate as a parent presenter (small group or full sixth grade) please contact Andy McGarvey.

We will begin scheduling immediately.

Here are some examples of past presentations:

• Japanese Tea
• Life in Korea
• A Taste of India
• Yoga
• Games of Asia
• How to play Cricket

These small group presentations are generally about an hour in length and will probably take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (these times may change). Large group (all sixth grade) times are flexible. Thank you, this is a special day for our sixth graders!

Final Seventh and Eighth Grade Dance — May 28

Let’s wrap up an amazing year together! Join us for the final dance on Thursday, May 28, from 7–9 p.m. in Founders Hall. The cost is $7 (cash only). This is a dress-up event, so come ready to look your best and celebrate in style! Dressy attire may include a button-down shirt, blouse, dress, skirt, or collared shirt, paired with dress pants (no jeans or shorts) and appropriate shoes.  Students who are not dressed according to these guidelines could be asked to find appropriate attire before being admitted to the dance. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

Eighth Grade Closing Ceremony — May 29

Students will be allowed to have six guests attend this event. Students should be in The Schiff Center at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, May 29, for their class photograph.

The Closing Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, we are having a reception for our eighth graders and their families in the lobby of The Schiff Center. We will serve food and drinks.

Dress Expectations for the Closing Ceremony
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.).