Upper School Blast Feb 15, 2024
Dear Families,
Today the students have an early start to Presidents Day weekend, while the teachers are participating in our third professional development in-service day of the year. Our focus this time is on instructional technology. We’re exploring ways that technology can enhance the learning experience and discussing how to foster in our students an informed and healthy relationship to electronic devices and to other forms of technology. For a full overview of Seven Hills’ approach to instructional technology, please see Chris’ note in this issue of the Blast.
In advisory this week, we’re beginning the course request for current Upper Schoolers. Parents play a critical role in helping students to select a challenging but balanced set of courses for the next year, and we look forward to partnering with you in this process. Below you’ll find more information from our Registrar Dr. Caleb Paull about course registration.
Best,
Matt
Key Dates & Events
Monday, Feb. 19 — No Classes. Presidents Day
Tuesday, Feb. 20 — B2. Advisory: Grades Nine to 11 Course Registration
Wednesday, Feb. 21 — A3. Class Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 22 — B3. All School
Friday, Feb. 23 — A4. Extra Help
Announcements
Arts Alive — Call for Performers
Are you interested in having your group perform at Arts Alive? We are looking for acts to perform on the outdoor stages and in the DAC Blackbox. Last year we had some wonderful performances by student organized groups and we would love to have that continue this year. Arts Alive is intended to celebrate all of the artistry within our community. Please note that this is not a talent show, and that groups should have a couple of pieces, totaling approximately 10-25 minutes, performed as a set. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Arts Alive performers Google form and upload a video of your act. We will be accepting submissions from now through Feb. 20 and will let acts know if they are accepted by Spring Break. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Hauser.
February Parent Connext — A Message from the Counseling Department
Seven Hills values partnering with parents to address the development of the whole child. Parent Connext allows us to explore some of today’s most relevant topics in your child’s social/emotional development, while offering practical tools for parenting. Please feel free to connect with your student’s building counselor if you would like more conversation or support around this month’s topic, Emotional Regulation.
Community Service Sampler Summer Camp
The Summer Program will once again include a Community Service Sampler Summer Camp for rising ninth to 11th grade students. This camp does count for service hours in the Upper School. Space is limited. Contact Karen Glum with any questions. See page 24 of the brochure for details.
Course Requests for Next Year
In advisory on Tuesday, students will begin the course request process for next year’s scheduling. We have revised this process and are using new tools to help you, the parent, stay informed and involved.
On Tuesday, your student will be given a printout of any courses they have been approved to take and/or are required to take next year. This will include descriptions of each course. Please ask them to share this with you. Any other courses (such as electives) will be added by the advisor as they meet one-on-one with your student.
As your student’s course requests change, you will be able to see these updates live on your Veracross Portal. You will receive specific instructions next week on how to do this.
The first draft of course requests is due March 4, and the final version is due April 19. Once your student is finished with all course requests, you will receive a document containing all of these courses, their descriptions, and a line for your signature and approval.
Here are links to documents to help you understand and discuss course options with your student:
Thank you for your essential role in helping guide each of our students along their unique path through Seven Hills.
Give a Gift…Get a Bee!
Our annual week-long community giving event Stinger Madness will be all the buzzzzz March 4 through 8. And we need you to help fill the hills! For every contribution you make to the Annual Fund, we’ll place a stinger bee on the hill of the campus your oldest child attends. If you’ve already made your Annual Fund gift this school year, thank you! No need to make another gift, your bee is already headed to the hill.
The Stinger Madness Trophy Competition
Each division — the Lower Schools, Middle School, and Upper School — will compete for the Stinger Madness trophy which will be awarded to the division that gives 50 new gifts to the Annual Fund! Don’t miss out — make your gift before 3:15 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and help us #FillTheHills! Visit www.7hills.org/StingerMadness to learn more and make your gift.
Seven Hills Scholars Society Information for Current Juniors
The Seven Hills Scholars Society is the Upper School’s honor society. Each fall, a group of seniors will be invited to join the society. To be considered for admission to the Scholars Society, an Upper Schooler must meet the follow criteria (which are grounded in the school’s values):
- Pursuit of excellence
- At the end of junior year, have a cumulative unrounded G.P.A. minimum of 3.50 unweighted or 4.00 weighted.
- Personal responsibility and accountability.
- Submitted challenge contract by the deadline of Sept. 22, 2023 for current juniors.
- Completed a May Term each year.
- Commitment to community
- Finished community service requirement and essays by community service deadline of Aug. 31, 2024 for current juniors.
The entire Upper faculty and staff will then give feedback on students who met these criteria. A committee of teachers and administrators will consider this feedback and select approximately one third of the senior class for entrance to the Scholars Society. The committee particularly looks for students who have demonstrated their commitment to Seven Hills’ values:
- Pursuit of excellence (particularly in terms of elevating the classroom experience, helping other students learn, proposing deep question, and contributing to our intellectual community).
- Respect for others and appreciation of diversity.
- Kindness, caring, and compassion.
- Honesty and integrity.
- Fairness and justice.
- Personal responsibility and accountability.
- Commitment to community (including participation in advisory, May Terms, extracurriculars, and other areas of school life).
Senior Graduation Information
Parents, the following information was sent to your senior in their student Blast regarding graduation.
Seniors:
- Cap and Gown: Reminder, your caps and tassels are yours to keep. The gown is rented and will need to be returned the night of graduation. You normally will receive your cap and gown during May Term week. We will keep you posted.
- Diploma: Please fill out the 2024 Seniors Names and Pronoun Preference form to enter in the name you would like on your diploma. The deadline for this is April 1. (Parents, please check this document to ensure your student has filled it out correctly.)
Senior Photos for the showcase are due the last week of April. The criteria for these are as follows
- 4×6
- Black & White or Color
- Vertical
- Printed, since we do not have the capacity to print these in the office.
Graduation announcements: As mentioned previously, we have traditionally ordered five announcements and envelopes per senior. We often end up with a full box of unclaimed announcements and would like to take a vote on if you would like us to order announcements for this year. Please fill out the graduation announcements online poll and vote on whether you would like to receive these announcements or plan on another avenue to announce your senior’s graduation. Majority vote will be used.
Please continue to check your emails daily. As we get closer to graduation you will receive several time-sensitive emails.
French Language Exchange Information Meeting — Whole New Program for this year!
Thank you to all parents who attended our information meeting regarding the French Exchange Program. If you were unable to attend and your student is interested in participating, please contact either Meghan Stevens or Adeline Roux.
LGBTQIA+ Parent Group and Spring Social
Last year, we inaugurated a Parent Community space for LGBTQIA+ families, making strides toward our inclusive school commitment. As we embark on a new year, we aim to reunite existing families and extend a warm welcome to new families joining our community. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, please express your interest with this LGBTQIA+ PC Group interest form.
Additionally, we cordially invite all Seven Hills LGBTQIA+ families to our Spring Social on March 9, from 12-2 p.m. in The Schiff Center lobby. Kindly RSVP using the above interest form and bring your family to partake in the festivities.
Volunteers Needed
The Graduation committee is seeking Upper School parent volunteers to assist with the greenery arches and the sidewalk chalk activities on June 6 and 7. If you are interested in assisting, please reach out to Nupur Anand.
The ABCs of Artificial Intelligence
Join us Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. in The Schiff Center. Director of Instructional Technology Kristina O’Connor will present an informational session for the Middle and Upper School Parent Communities on the integration of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Seven Hills educational framework.
Reminder Walking Club
We are a group of parents that get together bi-weekly on Wednesdays after morning drop off to talk and walk the lower soccer field on the Hillsdale Campus. All divisions are welcome and no RSVP 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. When inclement weather occurs, we gather at Element Eatery to chat.
Our next meet up is scheduled for after Presidents Day weekend on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are: March 6, April 10, and April 24. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade).