Upper School Blast Sep 4, 2026
Key Dates
Monday, Sept. 7 — Labor Day. No School
Tuesday, Sept. 8 — A5. Senior Family Meeting with College Counselors, 7-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 — B5. Coffee with a College Counselor via Zoom, 9-10 a.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10 — A1.
Friday, Sept. 11 — B1.
Monday, Sept. 14-Friday, Sept. 18 — Spirit Week!
Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Upper Parent Association General Assembly Meeting, 9-10 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19 — Homecoming
Friday, Sept. 18 — Family Grill Out, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Cross Country Senior Meet
Thursday, Sept. 24 — Girls Tennis Senior Night
Monday, Sept. 28 — Girls Soccer Senior Night. College Cost and Financial Aid Presentation, 7-8:30 p.m.
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.
Saturday, October 3 — Boys Soccer Senior Night
Grade-Level Key Dates Docs
Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade
Eleventh Grade
Senior Experience Doc
Photos of the Week
Upper School students show off their Seven Hills pride during the first spirit day of the year.
NEW! Listen to The Blast
Click the play button below to listen to this week’s Upper School Blast, read by an automated reader. Please note that the Key Dates section is not included in this audio.
What to Know Now
Upper Picture Day — TODAY
Day one of Upper picture days took place yesterday, and the rest of the Upper students will take their photo today. Students were assigned a day based upon when their English class meets. A schedule was shared with students on Monday, Aug. 31.
Retakes will only be held for those who miss their photo due to circumstances out of their control. These will take place Oct. 14.
Senior Family College Counseling Presentation — Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. on Zoom
Parents and guardians of seniors are invited to join the college counseling team to discuss the fall application process, the latest news in the world of college admission, student and family expectations, financial aid, and more. A link to the meeting will be shared on the Class of 2027 Canvas page (ensure you’re signed in to Canvas before clicking the link). A recording of the meeting and slide copies will be posted to Canvas by Sept. 10.
Coffee with a College Counselor — Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 9 a.m. on Zoom
All Upper School parents and guardians are invited to grab a cup of coffee and join the college counseling team for an informal morning conversation, whether from home or the office. We will begin with a few insights on how students can make the most of the fall semester, then open the floor for your questions about the world of college admissions and life in the Upper School.
The Zoom link will be shared on all college counseling Canvas courses, and a recording will also be posted there in the days following the meeting.
Add/Drop Deadline — Friday, Sept. 11
This is a gentle reminder that the add/drop deadline for fall courses is Friday, Sept. 11. Students interested in changing or adding classes have a form that parents should sign to confirm the request. For more information on the add/drop process, please review the Schedules and Add/Drop Process document.
Parent Night — Thank You
Thanks for the great turnout to Upper School Parent Night on Wednesday evening. We enjoyed getting to know you and making the connection with your children. To access any of the materials shared by teachers, visit Canvas and check each course’s “announcements” section.
Instructions for accessing your child’s Canvas account — as well as answers to frequently asked questions — are available on the Canvas page of the Seven Hills website.
A Parent’s Guide to the Upper School
A Parent’s Guide to the Upper School lays out programs, policies, and people to know. Keep it bookmarked to learn about attendance, intellectual integrity, and senior privileges. You can also find it on the Veracross Parent Portal. If you have any questions, reach out to Dan Polifka.
Parent Association News
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.
Walking Group — Upcoming Walk on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Start your morning with good conversation and great company! Our next walk is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8:15 a.m.
Whether you stay for the whole loop or just pop in for 20 minutes, all fitness levels and schedules are welcome. We walk, talk, and cover topics ranging from the everyday to the extraordinary — and if the weather turns sour, we skip the walk and head straight for coffee!
Stay in the Loop: Join the WhatsApp Group to get route updates and weather calls.
Upper School Parent Association General Assembly Meeting — Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 9-10 a.m. in the Hillsdale Commons
The general assembly meeting will start after walking group. Get some steps in and join the meeting. We will be joined by special guests Sheriff JC (Director of Safety & Security Jun Cho) and Cruz (our new school therapy dog).
For more information or to RSVP, please visit the e-vite. You can also respond on ParentSquare. If you have any questions or need help finding the Hillsdale Commons, please email the Upper School Parent Association.
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.
Parent and Faculty Social — Sunday, Oct. 4, from 4-7 p.m.
Join us for a Parent and Faculty Social at MadTree Brewery in Oakley. Parent attendance matters! The swarm with the most representation will receive a significant point prize. Help your student win! Go for the points, stay for the conversation.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit the e-vite or respond on ParentSquare.
You Belong Here
One of the things that makes Seven Hills special is its strong sense of community, and the Parent Association helps bring that community to life. The best part? You’re already a member!
- View the Parent Association brochure to meet your PA leaders and see what the PA looks like in each of our divisions.
- Want to volunteer? Sign up to volunteer here.
- Have questions? Reach out to us.
Announcements
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 (and earn Swarm points!). Here are the themes:
- Monday, Sept. 14: Movie Night Monday (dress as your favorite movie character)
- Tuesday, Sept. 15: Tired Tuesday (PJ day)
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: Wild Kingdom Wednesday (e.g., animal prints, animal costumes)
- Thursday, Sept. 17: Team Spirit Thursday (jerseys or team spirit wear)
- Friday, Sept. 18: Grade colors (Ninth grade: yellow, 10th grade: green, 11th grade: white, 12th grade: blue) or Seven Hills spirit wear
Mark Your Calendars — Winter Sports Registration Opens 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.
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.
Deck by the Hillsdale Commons is Temporarily Closed
The deck situated between the Upper and Middle School buildings is temporarily closed while it undergoes maintenance. It is currently blocked off, and students have been notified.
Field House Lot Closed Remainder of School Year
As construction progresses on the new Lower School building, the Field House parking lot (Lot H) will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The drop-off and pick-up area and accessible parking spots are still available. A new parking lot recently opened off of Ellmarie Drive and is available for use while the Field House lot is closed.
Experiential Learning — Student Opportunities
Each week in Upper’s all-school assembly, Director of Experiential Learning Karen Glum shares new opportunities that have become available to students. Beginning this week, a list of these opportunities will be shared in the Parent Blast as well, including links to additional information when possible and appropriate.
The following new opportunities were shared with students this week and are posted on the experiential learning bulletin board:
- Ohio Attorney General’s Teen Ambassador Board: The mission of the Teen Ambassador Board is to provide Ohio’s future leaders with an inside look at Ohio law and government. The Board consists of high school juniors and seniors from around the state. Learn more about the Teen Ambassador Board or submit an online application by Sept. 8.
- Mountainly Storytelling Course: This free online course is geared toward students interested in filmmaking and the environment. Learn more about the Mountainly Storytelling Course or submit an online application by Sept. 10.
- The University of Findlay’s V.I.P.² (Very Important Potential Pharmacist) Day: This free experience on Friday, Oct. 9, will introduce students to the expanding role of pharmacists in clinical, retail, and health promotion settings. Learn more about V.I.P.² Day or register to attend the event.