Upper School Blast Nov 3, 2023
Dear Families,
Halloween made for a fun-filled week, and today the Upper Schoolers will be home from school tomorrow while the faculty are attending a conference in Columbus. Next week the Upper Schoolers will again have a short week, so that parents and teachers can meet on Thursday and Friday. This week’s first quarter report cards and comments, which students and their parents can see through the Veracross portal, are a great jumping off point for our conversations. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to the Upper School and to partnering with you as we help the kids to have a great year.
One quick note about report cards: grade point averages are not yet visible on them. We are double-checking our data in Veracross, the new system, to make sure the calculations are accurate. GPAs, as well as Honor Roll and Merit Roll information, will be available early next week.
On Monday, we’ll have a special schedule to host a mid-morning performance of “Label:Less,” a theatrical production that combines music and spoken word to address important issues of our time. As producers Drew and Lea Lachey say, “It has never been easier to connect with others, yet our world has never been more divided … Using popular music, dance and personal stories, this cast of 14- to 24-year-olds draws attention to the struggles facing us while offering hope of a better, more accepting tomorrow.” “Label:Less” ran at Playhouse in the Park this summer and is in the midst of a 20-city tour, so we’re thrilled to host the production here in our very own Schiff Center. Upper Schoolers will also have a chance to ask the actors questions after the show.
I hope to see you in the Upper School for Parent Teacher Conferences next week.
Best,
Matt
Key Dates & Events
Friday, Nov. 3 — Faculty Professional Development Day. No School.
Monday, Nov. 6 — A5. Special Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 7 — B5. Class Meetings
Wednesday, Nov. 8 — A1. Extra Help
Thursday, Nov. 10 — Parent Teacher Conferences, 12-8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 — Parent Teacher Conferences, 8 a.m.-12 p.m
Announcements
AP Exam Registration
Parents, we’ve been running this announcement in the weekly Student Note. We would appreciate your checking in with your children to make sure they have verified their AP Exam enrollment through their College Board accounts:
The deadline for AP exam registration is Nov. 15. If you are planning to take any AP exams, please log in to your College Board Account to be sure you are enrolled in the corresponding courses. If you find you are not enrolled for any exam you are planning to take, please contact Dr. Paull by the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 10.
Student/Family Volunteer Opportunity — Nov. 18
As part of People Working Cooperatively’s “Prepare Affair” event, Stingers, their friends, and families will come together on Saturday, Nov. 18, to rake leaves for people who are elderly or living with physical limitations. We’ll meet in the Resale Shop parking lot across from the school at 10 a.m. Gloves, rakes, and bags will be provided for each volunteer so be sure to register each person separately. Please note — you will need your own transportation between school and the homes where you will rake leaves. Make the following selections when registering:
- Sign up as a “crew member” by Wednesday, Nov. 15
- Crew leader name: Karen Glum
- Volunteer team name: The Seven Hills School
- Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (or when finished)
- Please use this registration link. Be sure to select “next,” then review and hit “submit” on the next page. You should receive an email confirmation of your registration.
Parking Lot Reminder: Numbered Spaces Reserved for Students
Parking spaces with numbers are assigned spaces for students. Please do not park in any numbered space. If you are a visiting parent, please park in the short-term parking spots in Lot A (the main lot adjacent to the Upper School and Lotspeich) or the spaces without numbers near the Resale Shop. Additionally, spots 201-208 across from the Red Barn are unassigned and available for visitors.
Parent Walking Club
We are a group of parents who get together bi-weekly on Wednesdays after morning drop off to talk and walk the lower soccer field. All divisions are welcome, and no RSVP is required. This group provides you a great opportunity to connect with other community members all while getting your steps in! Please park in the lower field parking area; campus guest passes will be passed out to ensure visibility, for security purposes. When inclement weather occurs, we gather at Element Eatery to chat. Our next meet up is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are Nov. 29, Dec. 13, and Jan. 10, 2024. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (Mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade)