Middle School Blast Sep 11, 2026
Key Dates
Friday, Sept. 11 — B1. Orientation Follow-Up Coffee with James Jessup, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12 — Middle School Parent Social, 7-10 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14-Friday, Sept. 18 — Spirit Week!
Monday, Sept 14 — A2. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Tuesday, Sept. 15 — B2. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Wednesday, Sept 16 — A3. Eighth Grade Adventure Trek
Thursday, Sept. 17 — B3. Eighth Grade Returns from Adventure Trek
Friday, Sept. 18 — A4. No School for Eighth Grade. Homecoming. Family Grill Out, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming
Monday, Sept. 21 — B4
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — A5
Wednesday, Sept. 23 — B5
Thursday, Sept. 24 — A1
Friday, Sept. 25 — B1
Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) Parent Forum, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — New Parent Cocktail Social, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Parent Association Board Meeting, 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8 & Friday, Oct. 9 — Fall Break
Monday, Oct. 12 — No School. Records Day
Tuesday, Oct. 13 — No School. Faculty Professional Development Day
Photos of the Week
During the seventh grade retreat on Friday, students give it their all during a dance battle at The Schiff Center.
NEW! Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Middle School Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Spirit Week Dress Up Days — Sept. 14-18
The week leading up to Homecoming is a Spirit Week across divisions. Help your student(s) get involved. Check out the flyer below to see the daily themes.
Eighth Grade Adventure Trek — Sept. 14-17
The eighth grade trip to North Carolina is next week. We will leave at 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, and return around 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Mark Your Calendars — Winter Sports Registration Opens Wednesday, Sept. 16
Registration for winter sports will open on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and close on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Be on the lookout for an email from the athletic department with a direct link to register. To find out more about the Seven Hills athletic program and our winter teams, visit gostingers.com.
If you’re already looking ahead to spring and fall 2027 sports, please note the registration dates below:
- Spring sports registration: Opens Dec. 2 and closes Dec. 16
- Fall 2027 sports registration: Opens April 14 and closes April 28
Homecoming — Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19
Save the date for Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, for a fun weekend of homecoming festivities. Check out the flyer below to see the full lineup of events!
Instructions for Pairing Canvas Accounts
We are now ready for parents and guardians to begin pairing their Canvas accounts with their students. We intentionally waited to begin this process so that faculty members had the opportunity to pair with students first in their roles as advisors.
Canvas pairing codes are valid for six days from the time they are created and can only be used once. Because of this, students should generate a new code for each parent or guardian when they are ready to complete the pairing process.
You must have this six-digit code from your student. These codes are generated by students.
Each observer (parent) needs their own unique pairing code.
To generate a code:
- Have your student log into Canvas
- In Global Navigation in the top left, click Account (by your picture)
- Click Settings
- On the right side, click Pair with Observer
- Copy the six-digit pairing code (this code expires after seven days or its first use)
- Click OK
If you have an issue, please reach out to your student’s advisor/homeroom teacher.
This information — as well as frequently asked questions — can be referenced on the Seven Hills website Canvas page.
Notice About Ear Buds/Headphones
All students were instructed to have ear buds/headphones for their school supplies. Please check with your student and confirm that their ear buds/headphones are compatible with their school-issued iPads.
Parent Association News
Reminder: Morning Coffee with Mr. Jessup — TODAY
Still processing orientation or thought of a few lingering questions? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Please join us this morning in the sixth grade commons from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for an informal, agenda-free chat with Middle School Head James Jessup. Check out the morning coffee event flyer for more information.
The Seven Hills Network of African-American Parents (SNAAP) Back-to-School Cookout — Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-5 p.m.
SNAAP is kicking off the new school year with a Back-to-School Cookout on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2-5 p.m. at the Winton Woods — Cherry Hill Shelter.
The event will bring together Seven Hills families from Early, Lower, Middle, and Upper School for an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship, and plenty of Stinger spirit! It will be a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, build community, and celebrate the start of another great school year.
FINAL CALL: Middle School Parent Social — Saturday, Sept. 12
This is your last chance to grab tickets. Join us this Saturday, Sept. 12, from 7–10 p.m. at Oakley Greens for a fun night out with fellow Middle School parents. Just look for the blue and yellow balloons!
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- Private outdoor cabana: Enjoy light bites, a cash bar, and cheer on FC Cincinnati and Ohio State football with us.
- Free mini golf: Hit the greens or just kick back — no experience needed.
- Raffle & prizes: Win awesome prizes while you mingle.
Tickets are $10 per person. Get your ticket and RSVP before sales close!
Note: Confidential financial assistance is available — please contact James Jessup.
Questions? Contact Laxmi Shah, Lindsay Cassady, or Meg Niederhelman. We can’t wait to see you there!
Walking Group — Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Start your morning with good conversation, great company, and a seamless connection to our school community! Whether you stay for the whole loop or just pop in for 20 minutes, all fitness levels and schedules are welcome.
Plus, we’ll wrap up our loop in time for anyone who wants to head over together for the Upper School PA Meeting right after.
- Next walk: Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
- Stay in the loop: Join our WhatsApp Group for route updates, weather calls, and meeting details.
Come for the steps, stay for the connection!
Seventh Grade Parent Gathering — Saturday, Sept. 26, from 7-10 p.m.
Calling all seventh grade parents! Join us for a fun, casual night to connect with fellow seventh grade families. We’ll have light bites and drinks ready for you. Dress comfortably for the weather, and feel free to BYOB! The event will be held at 8231 Margaret Lane, Montgomery, OH 45242. RSVP via Parent Square.
Seven Hills Association of Rainbow Events (SHARE) — Parent Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
All Seven Hills parents, caregivers, and staff are welcome to attend our kickoff event for the new school year. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ parent/caregiver, raising an LGBTQ+ child, or an ally, come join us in the Upper School library for a relaxed evening of meaningful conversation and light refreshments.
Register for the event and connect with fellow families, share experiences, ask questions, and build community.
Can’t make it to the parent forum but want to stay informed? Join the SHARE mailing list.
Announcements
Important Attendance Reminder
All changes of attendance must be entered into the Veracross Parent Portal. Look for the blue bar on the left side of your home page that says “Report Attendance/Dismissal or After the Bell Changes.” Once you are on the page to add the change, make sure you “Request a change to” … “Attendance.” Do not choose “Transportation.” That transportation information is for Lower School, and the updates will not transfer to the Middle School office and faculty as attendance updates.
If you need to make a change to how your student is getting home (for instance, taking the shuttle versus Encore), email your student and then email Melissa Morelli. Please remember that changes after 2 p.m. are very difficult to communicate to your student, and we ask that you carefully consider your plans before school starts and make your child(ren) aware. Early dismissals and absences can be entered in Veracross and require no further email communication.
Introducing our LEAD Together Lineup for First Semester
We are excited to Learn, Educate, and Discuss (LEAD) Together with new programming for this year. Through these collaborative sessions, we hope to foster strong partnerships among families and educators to support student learning, belonging, and success.
As we get closer to each event, we will share more detailed information in the Blast. Please see this semester’s lineup on the flyer below, and RSVP for all events through this Google form.
