Upper School Blast Mar 1, 2024
Dear Families,
As Chris often puts it, we’d like for Seven Hills to be the “best at getting better.” As proud as we are of our Experiential Learning Program and of the work that Upper Schoolers put into their personal challenge projects and service requirements, we see ways to improve the program. Karen Glum and her team have been working behind the scenes this year to make some major changes to what we’re now calling “The Challenge Experience” and to the service program. These changes will provide students with more pathways towards completing these requirements, and hence with a more meaningful and purposeful set of experiences. Please see the messages from Karen (below) for more details.
Best,
Matt
Key Dates & Events
Monday, March 4 — A2. All-School
Tuesday, March 5 — B2. All-School
Wednesday, March 6 — A3. Advisory
Thursday, March 7 — B3. Class Meeting
Friday, March 8 — A3/B3. Extra Help
Announcements
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.
Stinger Madness Spirt Week
In honor of Stinger Madness and Seven Hills’ 50th anniversary, the week of March 4-8 will be Stinger Madness Spirit Week. It’s time to get in the spirit and celebrate the school’s history through all the decades. Students are encouraged to wear Seven Hills gear if they cannot find clothes for a specific day.
Stinger Madness Spirt Week
In honor of Stinger Madness and Seven Hills’ 50th anniversary, the week of March 4-8 will be Stinger Madness Spirit Week. It’s time to get in the spirit and celebrate the school’s history through all the decades. Students are encouraged to wear Seven Hills gear if they cannot find clothes for a specific day.
- Monday — Dig it: Dust off your bell bottoms, tie-dye shirts, and peace signs to kick off Spirit Week.
- Tuesday — Put on your shoulder pads and leg warmers, and style your hair for this totally tubular Tuesday.
- Wednesday — Flannel shirts or leopard print, channel Nirvana or the Spice Girls, and show off your 90s trends.
- Thursday — Bust out the low-rise jeans and iPod, or dress as your favorite reality TV star for the era of the new millennium.
- Friday — Dress in your most futuristic attire, whether it’s inspired by your dream career, college goals, or your own imagination. What does the future hold? Show us your vision!
The ABCs of Artificial Intelligence
Join us Thursday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hillsdale Commons; please note the location change. Director of Instructional Technology Kristina O’Connor and Director of Technology Scott Cagle will lead this interactive session. This event offers a unique opportunity for our community to delve into the potential applications and benefits of AI in education. Participants are encouraged to bring their devices (laptops, tablets, etc.) as this will be a hands-on learning experience.
To enhance your understanding and engagement during the session, we kindly ask that you sign up for an account using ChatGPT prior to the meeting. ChatGPT is an AI-powered platform that will be utilized during the session. Additionally, we would appreciate it if you could take a moment to fill out a brief survey, the AI Survey, which will provide valuable insights for our discussion. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom option will be available. Further details on accessing the Zoom session will be shared closer to the event date.
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.
Big Changes to the Challenge Project!
As part of Seven Hills’ efforts toward more differentiated instruction, the Challenge Advisory Board is excited to announce major changes to the Personal Challenge Project — including a new name! The new “Challenge Experience” offers four unique pathways for students to choose from, each satisfying the Challenge graduation requirement. One pathway, the Independent Project, is a continuation of the current Challenge Project model. The others offer alternative ways to complete the requirement. We hope these changes will give students greater flexibility and freedom to design a personally meaningful and challenging experience. Please see the Seven Hills Upper School Challenge Experience overview for more details. Please note the program documents are live to allow for revision as needed during the Challenge Experience rollout. Contact Karen Glum with any questions.
Revisions to the Community Service Graduation Requirement
As part of Seven Hills’ efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, language guiding students toward acceptable service activities has been updated to be more issue focused. Among other things, this will help students to more clearly identify and reflect on the purpose of their service. Please see the Community Service Graduation Requirement Overview for this and other changes. (Note: Changes will not affect students who have completed their service requirement or service hours already completed.) Contact Karen Glum with any questions.
Reminder For 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 March 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Subsequent dates are April 10 and April 24. I look forward to chatting with you soon. Carolyn Klein (mom of Spencer, 11th grade, and Courtney, seventh grade).
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, 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.