Upper School Blast Oct 23, 2026

October Report Cards — Available TODAY by 4 p.m.

Semester 1 interim grades will be available on the Veracross Parent Portal by 4 p.m. today, Oct. 23.

Parent Teacher Conferences — Monday, Oct. 26, and Tuesday, Oct. 27

Parent teacher conferences will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, from 12-8 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sign-ups are available on the Veracross Parent Portal, and this is also where parents will locate their conference schedule.

Our school guidance counselors are also available for individual consultations. You can sign up for time with them by clicking on one of the links below:

• Sign up for an individual consultation with Vicky Hausberger, ninth and 10th grade school counselor
• Sign up for an individual consultation with Christine Stier, 11th and 12th grade school counselor

As a reminder, there is no school for students on Monday (and Tuesday for ninth grade students).

PSAT Testing for 10th and 11th Grade Students — Tuesday, Oct. 27

All 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Students should arrive at their assigned location (received via email this week) with their fully charged school-issued iPads at 8 a.m. Testing will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. Students who arrive late to the PSAT will be unable to test and will be sent home, and there is no makeup date. Students will be dismissed based on their testing group at approximately the following times:

• Standard Time: 10:45 a.m.
• 50% Extended Time: 12 p.m.
• 100% Extended Time: 1 p.m.

College Application Work Day — Tuesday, Oct. 27

Tuesday, Oct. 27, is designated as an optional college application work day for seniors. The Hillsdale Commons will be available all day for seniors to work on college applications and essays. College counselors will be available to work with seniors from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Upcoming Experiential Learning Day — Friday, Oct. 30

Next Friday, Oct. 30, the Upper School will hold one of this school year’s two Experiential Learning Days, where students will be immersed in learning by doing. This Experiential Learning Day has a special focus on community, with each grade level exploring the theme in a different way in the morning, and then the whole school participating together in Halloween festivities in the afternoon. In the morning:

• Ninth graders will serve nonprofits around the city with their advisories
• 10th graders will further develop their understanding of poverty in Greater Cincinnati by participating in workshops led by the Poverty Liberation Collective
• 11th graders will explore the Freedom Center to better understand Cincinnati’s role as a hub in the Underground Railroad
• 12th graders will begin the day with college counselors, attend the Lower School parades, then come together at Element Eatery for the first of many gatherings to mark and celebrate their culminating year at Seven Hills

We’re excited to spend this time exploring community while in community with your children. Ninth and 10th grade parents, please be on the lookout for additional details from the school. Contact Director of Experiential Learning Karen Glum with any questions.

We encourage students to bring costumes for the afternoon Halloween events, sponsored by Student Government and 7-Up. There will be time at lunch to change into costumes, which should be appropriate for the school day and respectful of others’ identities. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dan Polifka or Racheal Quinn.

Pathways for Prevention — Nov. 2-6

Seven Hills students in grades 5 and 7, along with all Upper School students, will participate in scheduled visits and lessons from our Pathways for Prevention specialist, Glenn Hall. “Mr. G,” as he is known to the kids, will deliver an evidence-based curriculum of developmentally appropriate education on substance misuse trends, healthy coping skills, peer pressure, and addiction.

Mr. G has a keen ability to build rapport and maintain elevated levels of student engagement. His sessions are filled with his personal recovery story as well as current information and trends to make this a relevant and informative experience for our Seven Hills students.

If you have questions or would like to know more, please access Pathways for Prevention’s website for more information or reach out to Upper School counselors Christine Stier or Vicky McGuinness Hausberger.

Little Big Talks: Talking About School Safety — Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 a.m.

In a continuation of our LEAD Together series, join us in the Doherty library for a community conversation about how to talk with students about school safety. Presented in partnership with our director of safety & security, counseling department, and office of DEI, this conversation will offer helpful books, resources, and guidance for discussing school safety with children.

While the conversation will be geared toward Early and Lower School families, parents and caregivers from all divisions may find it beneficial.

Please RSVP for the event to let us know you’ll be attending.

HBCU Week — Nov. 9-15

HBCU Week 2026, a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Greater Cincinnati, is approaching! Throughout the week, students and families will have opportunities to connect with HBCU alumni, explore college and career pathways, and learn more about the rich history and opportunities these institutions offer.

Check out some upcoming events below.

HBCU Day College Access and Alumni Connection Reception — Monday, Nov. 9, from 6-8 p.m.

This informal gathering, hosted at the Seven Hills Upper School Library, is an opportunity for students and families to meet HBCU alumni, hear about their college experiences, ask questions, and learn more about academic programs, campus life, and the unique opportunities HBCUs offer. Light refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome. To RSVP, please email info@hbcuday.org.

Career Exploration Program at KAO Corporation — Tuesday, Nov. 10

Students in grades 10-12 are invited to explore career opportunities beyond high school through a field trip to KAO Corporation. Participants will tour the workplace, connect with professionals, and learn about potential career paths from high school to the corporate world. Space is limited, so interested students should speak with Racheal Quinn for more information.

Secure the Bag: The Inside Scoop on Scholarships — Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.

This virtual session, hosted on Zoom, allows attendees to hear from current HBCU student panelists, get insider tips on scholarships, ask questions live, and connect with HBCU students and alumni. To RSVP for this event, email info@hbcuday.org.

Learn More

Whether you’re actively considering an HBCU, interested in learning more, or simply looking to connect with the community, we encourage you to explore these opportunities. Visit HBCUDay.org for more information and the full schedule of events.

Save the Date: ScreenSmart at Seven Hills 2.0 — Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Please join us as we connect with other parents and learn from Seven Hills faculty members and Upper School students about building healthy relationships with technology. We’ll have dedicated spaces for different age groups in Lotspeich and Upper School.

Childcare is provided for Early and Lower School students. Please RSVP to let us know you’re attending, and register before Nov. 5 for childcare.

Securly Home for Parents

As shared last week, parents of students in grades 6-12 can use the Securly Home app to gain additional visibility and control over their child’s school-issued device outside of the school day.

Through the app, parents can view their child’s online activity, pause internet access, create schedules for times such as bedtime or family time, and manage additional web rules available through the school’s filtering system. Parents with more than one child can manage their students from the same app.

Getting Started

Parents should have received an email this week from Securly with instructions for signing up. To get started, download the Securly Home app and register using the parent email address on file with Seven Hills. Your student will automatically be associated with your account.

For more information about using the app, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal and look for “How to Use Securly Home” under the General Information menu item at the top of the page. If you have questions, please contact Chief Technology & Innovation Officer Tony DePrato.

New Visitor Check-in System Across All Divisions

A new visitor check-in system is now in place across all divisions. Following a successful pilot at the Middle School earlier this year, we are expanding the process to strengthen campus safety and ensure we can account for visitors in case of an emergency.

As of Monday, Oct. 19, visitors coming to campus during school hours must check in at a designated kiosk in their division’s front office and present a driver’s license or other government-issued ID. This system is also used to conduct background checks for contractors and visitors. After checking in, visitors will receive a red visitor lanyard to be worn throughout their visit.

Visitors should park closest to the school building they are visiting, if space is available. If you are walking to and from buildings and not wearing your visitor lanyard, you may be stopped by a staff member. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but these measures are in place to ensure campus and student safety.

As we implement this new process across our community, we recognize that there may be questions and opportunities to make the experience smoother for everyone. If you would like to share a suggestion or ask a question, please contact Director of Safety & Security Jun Cho.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work together to make this process as effective and seamless as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do parents need to use the new visitor check-in system?

Parents visiting campus during school hours (aside from drop off and pick up) must check in at the kiosk inside their division’s front office, present their ID, and wear a red visitor lanyard for the duration of their visit.

Are there any exceptions?

In the following instances, parents will not be expected to check in or wear lanyards:

• Parents dropping off or picking up their children, or dropping something off at the building entrance
• Parents attending events outside school hours, such as athletic events or parent meetings
• Parents attending large outdoor events during school hours where they remain outside (such as Pumpkin Day)

How does the process apply to Parent Association meetings or walking groups?

If a large turnout is expected for a Parent Association meeting, the administrative assistant(s) for your division will utilize a paper sign-in sheet instead of the kiosk. For smaller meetings, 10 people or fewer, parents will be expected to sign in at the kiosk as usual.

The Hillsdale walking group will meet with an Upper School representative at the track. They will utilize a paper sign-in sheet and be given red lanyards to wear while on campus.

Campus Dining Enhancements & Culinary Updates

School-Wide Nutritional Improvements

We continue to prioritize fresh, nutritious offerings across both the Doherty and Hillsdale campuses. As part of this commitment, we are in the process of phasing out our prepackaged fruit and now provide fresh fruit daily at both campus kitchens. We are also phasing out our current inventory of caffeinated beverages at both locations.

Elevated Hot Plate Lunches

Our hot plate lunch program continues to evolve with an expanded selection of homemade comfort foods designed to offer familiar favorites with a fresh, culinary-focused approach. Current offerings include homemade meatloaf, baked cod, black bean and chicken tinga tacos, Palak paneer, and turkey Manhattan, with additional selections to come as we continue developing and expanding our new recipe database.

Rotating Build-Your-Own Bar

We have introduced a rotating build-your-own bar that gives students more choice and variety throughout the week. Featured options include baked potatoes; chicken wings; gourmet hot dogs, brats, and metts; mac and cheese; and other selections, with a variety of toppings like steamed broccoli, fresh jalapeños, and grilled peppers. The menu rotates weekly, keeping the experience fresh, engaging, and exciting for students.

Fresh and Flavorful Grab-and-Go Options

Our grab-and-go program now features weekly chef-created specials, offering convenient, fresh alternatives for students on the move. Selections include fresh fruit paired with cheese and crackers, freshly prepared cold wraps, and a variety of salads. These options provide greater variety while maintaining our focus on freshness, quality, and convenience.

Freshly Sliced Deli Meats and Weekly Chef Specials

We are pleased to announce that all deli meats will be freshly sliced in-house, further enhancing the freshness and quality of our deli offerings. We are also introducing a rotating selection of weekly chef specials, created to bring new flavors and variety to the menu.

Our Ongoing Commitment

These enhancements reflect our continued commitment to improving campus dining through fresh ingredients, expanded menu variety, chef-driven offerings, and attentive service tailored to the needs of each campus. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to elevate the dining experience for our students and school community.

Lunch Pricing

With all of the new offerings in the kitchen, we would like to clarify lunch pricing. The prices will also be added to the lunch menu on Nutrislice.

Hot plate lunch – $7.75
Build-Your-Own Bar – $7.75
Soup/Salad Bar – $7.75

These items are priced individually and cannot be mixed and matched. For example, if a student gets the hot plate lunch and the BYO item, the cost is $15.50.

Middle and Upper School students can also purchase items from the Grab & Go section a la carte.