SEVEN HILLS The Buzz
A Brief Word from Chris Garten What a celebration these past few weeks have been! I think, particularly, of three wonderful school-wide events, starting with the SAY Spirit Night, which brought a host of our youngest athletes out to the Hillsdale campus to recognize their achievements and to lend support for our varsity teams. It didn’t hurt that it was a beautiful night or that our soccer team pulled off a dramatic upset against a topranked opponent. Then there was the Family Picnic and all the spirit-raising events associated with Homecoming. Again, the campus was teeming with young people: wolfing down hamburgers, climbing on the Big Toy, scampering from station to station as part of our sports clinics, and then lending their voices to the chorus of enthusiastic fans at the Bonfire! This past weekend we played host to scores of returning alumni/ae, who marveled at the continuing evolution of the campus, reconnected with former teachers, and shared their expressions of gratitude for all that this school has meant in their lives. All these events express, in different ways, the unique spirit of this community. Many thanks to all who helped to make them possible! Chris Garten, Head of School
October 13, 2010
Seven Hills continues tradition of top percentages of National Merit semifinalists in senior class
(Front) Justine Cefalu, Elisse Hill, Sydney Larkin, Sasha Alexander, Haleigh Monaco, Peppar Cyr, Mia Perlman; (middle) Stella Warner, Julianne Bain, Alex Wilt, Victoria Huang, Chase Atherton; (back) Jeff Brown, Nathan Markiewitz, Adimu Hunter-Woodard, Gabriel Blanco.
Eleven seniors—16% of the class—have qualified as semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. This continues a tradition for Seven Hills of having top percentages of semifinalists in the senior class, including 2009 when Seven Hills had the highest percentage among area schools. In addition to the 11 semifinalists this year, four seniors were named National Merit Commended students, bringing the percentage of the class to receive recognition to 22%.
Seven Hills’ National Merit semifinalists this year are Chase Atherton, Julianne Bain, Gabriel Blanco, Justine Cefalu, Peppar Cyr, Elisse Hill, Victoria Huang, Sasha Lieberman, Nathan Markiewitz, Haleigh Monaco, and Mia Perlman. Seniors who were named as National Merit Commended students are Jeff Brown, Sydney Larkin, Stella Warner, and Alex Wilt. In the National Hispanic Recognition Program, Gabriel Blanco was named a Scholar. In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, seniors Elisse Hill and Adimu HunterWoodard were named semifinalists.
Fall sports clinics for young athletes, led by varsity players, are a highpoint of Seven Hills’ Homecoming events. Coverage of Homecoming 2010 starts on page 4.
Please help us spread the word!
Seven Hills School Open House
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for prospective students for grades pre-K–12 & their families Sunday, October 17 12:30-2:30 on both campuses rsvp 271-9027
Fall varsity sports update
More news on AP results
Congratulations to our varsity fall teams!
Since the last Buzz, we were notified by the College Board that Jeff Brown earned four 5’s on the AP Exams, not three as the Board previously reported. Congratulations to Jeff, who was previously named an AP Scholar and is now an AP Scholar with Honor.
Varsity golf won the league and sectional championships. Varsity boys soccer won the league. The entire varsity girls tennis team advanced to district. Tournament play begins this Saturday the 16th. Volleyball is the Number 4 seed and boys soccer is the Number 2 seed. Tournament brackets are on the school website under Announcements.
Seven Hills hosts Cincinnati Scholastic Chess Tournmaent The Seven Hills School again hosted the first Cincinnati Scholastic Chess Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 9. This tournament attracts student chess players (K-12) from around the tri-state. TSHS was represented by Doherty fifth grader Jonathan Harsh and Lotspeich fifth grader Nate Rising. Congratulations to Nate, who took second place in his section.
What’s new in the Spirit Shop?
Varsity girls tennis team and Coach Tim Drew at sectionals.
Car magnets are finally available in the Spirit Shop! Choose from the oval black & white SH, the Stinger Bee or the traditional Seven Hills Crest. $2 for any style!
Varsity golf team and Coach Doug Huff.
The Spirit Shop is located on the Hillsdale Campus in the Sports Lobby near the Kalnow Gym. Open school days 11:30–1:00 or by appointment (513-272-5395).
Varsity boys soccer team, Head Coach Terry Nicholl, and Assistant Coaches Scott Cagle and Ted Sidor.
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Joining together to make a difference At left, Racing for the Cure were (front) Mona Scheiber, Kate Harsh; (back) Andrea Scheiber, Barbara Scarr, Barbara VanderLaan, Sasha Lieberman, Chris Clark, Alexandra Scheiber, Alyssa Patel, and Beth Hickenlooper.
Fifth grader Tommy Robinson, eighth grader Grady Voss, fifth grader Will Graeter, fifth grader Jack Schiff, sixth grader Parker Voss, and third grader Kate Graeter.
“As a member of the East Fork Mounted Search and Rescue, I was the ‘tail’ for 65 riders at the annual Ride for the Cure event on October 2,” said Lotspeich art teacher Jody Knoop. “There were over 100 horses and riders decked out in pink. This photo is of my horse Biscotti and me. He is modeling a spiffy pink Duct Tape bridle made especially for the occasion!”
What a beautiful morning it was on October 2 as the Seven Hills team set off on The Memory Walk to support the Greater Cincinnati Alzheimer’s Association. Team “Walk for Memory,” captained by Will Graeter, raised $1,350!
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Below, Seven Hills hosted the Volley for the Cure volleyball match against CCDS on September 27, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. Fans, players, and the Kalnow Gym were decked out in pink, joining teams all over the state who took part in this great event.
The Hills are alive with SPIRIT at Lower School Spirit Night, Homecoming! Perfect early fall weather and the Hillsdale Campus filled with school families made for a wonderful Homecoming 2010 on October 1-2! Sponsored by the Athletic Boosters, the two-day event included pep rallies; an All-School Family Picnic; sports clinics in soccer, volleyball, golf, and cheerleading for young athletes conducted by varsity players; a spirited performance by the Seven Hills Pep Band; the
Boosters concession; the Homecoming bonfire; a pancake breakfast on Saturday by Upper’s Service Club; Upper’s Homecoming Dance; Middle and Upper School soccer games, tennis and volleyball matches, and a cross country invitational. This page features Spirit Night photos, and the following two pages feature photos from Homecoming pep rallies and Friday night activities.
Lower School Spirit Night
What a great Spirit Night! Over 500 fans came together on September 23 to celebrate Seven Hills SAY soccer players in grades 1-6 and to cheer on the Stingers in their games against rival Summit, as the boys won 1-0 and the girls tied their game.
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Homecoming pep rallies
Photos from the Upper School pep rally at the bonfire are on page 9.
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Homecoming Clinics and Bonfire
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More photos from the bonfire and Upper School pep rally are on page 9.
Young storytellers & their scribes
Save the Date! The Seven Hills School’s
25th Annual Books for Lunch Proudly Presents
Michael Cunningham Pulitzer Prize-winning Author of The Hours
“Are you sure you got that all down?”
“Then what did the seal do?” Paper Noise editor George Taliaferro (at right) wanted to know the next plot twist from author and Lotspeich pre-kindergartner Oz Knarr. Our youngest students at Lotspeich and Doherty have great stories to tell, but they need scribes to write them down. Enter the editors of Paper Noise, Upper’s literary publication. The junior and senior editors recorded the oral stories of the young storytellers, some of which will be used in the year-end issue of Paper Noise, which includes creative writing from every grade level.
Lecture Luncheon & Book Signing Friday, Feb. 4, 11:00 AM Cintas Center at Xavier University
Dinner with Michael Cunningham Thursday, Feb. 3, 6:00 PM At the Home of Freidoon & Shiva Ghazi Michael Cunningham gets all the little things right in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Hours. Rarely missing a telling detail or a larger emotional truth, the Cincinnati native masterfully explores the quiet, private moments of a life. Cunningham’s novels include A Home at the End of the World, Flesh and Blood, and The Hours, which received the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Acclaimed films were made of The Hours and A Home at the End of the World. A senior lecturer in the English department at Yale University, he is currently working on a new novel, By Nightfall. “Michael Cunningham’s novel The Hours is that rare combination: a smashing literary tour de force and an utterly invigorating reading experience. If this book does not make you jump up from the sofa, looking at life and literature in new ways, check to see if you have a pulse.” —USA Today Invitations will be mailed in December. For more information, contact Books for Lunch 2011 Committee Chairs Sarah Johnson at sarah.johnson@fuse.net or Rica Ligeralde at ricaligeralde@cinci.rr.com.
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A look at what’s happening at Upper School
See page 10 for Middle School, page 12 for Lotspeich, and page 14 for Doherty
Mrs. Groom’s Speech students began their demonstration speeches on October 8 with demonstrations of self defense by Leah Cromer (above, left), with the assistance of sister Katie, and of how to make cerviche (above) by Ian Grohsgal.
Sidewalk Furniture Sale
Friday, Oct. 15 (9 - 3) (Rain date) Saturday, Oct. 16 (9 - 3)
We’ve had furniture in storage far too long! Please join us with an empty car. Better yet, bring a truck! All furniture will be affordably priced to sell! The Resale Shop will be open on Friday Oct. 22 (Records Day) and Monday, Oct. 25 ( faculty in-service) for shoppers, donations and volunteers. Parents interested in receiving the Resale Shop’s customer newsletter can email their request to resaleshop@fuse.net page 8
“As part of a unit on personal narratives and memoirs, students in English 12 recently read and discussed Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, by Art Spiegelman,” said Mr. Gleiner. “The story follows his father’s experiences during the Holocaust, and the book, which Spiegelman presents in graphic novel format, was seen as groundbreaking when it was published in 1986. In 1992, the text won a Pulitzer Prize Special Award. “On October 1, art teacher Jason Knarr visited the English 12 classes to provide students with the Mr. Gleiner and Mr. Knarr historical and social context leading to the publication of Maus. In addition, he talked in detail about the form of the graphic novel, and the many examples he brought and shared helped to put Maus in dialogue with other works in the genre.” Mrs. Ford described some recent projects in her Environmental Science class: “Students placed arthropod traps in several locations on campus. After one week, they harvested the traps and catalogued the species in order to evaluate the biodiversity of the location.” See page 10 for the students’ visit to the sixth grade math class. Mrs. Ford continued, “Environmental Science students also searched for macroinvertebrates in the small creek that runs through the corner of the Hillsdale campus in order to assess the water quality. The water scored a ‘22’ which means the water is of good quality. “These students spent an entire day at the Thomas More College Biological Station on the Ohio River in California, KY. They electrofished, caught 140 fish of 15 different species. They took chemical and physical data both upstream and downstream of the Beckjord electrical power plant operated by Duke Energy to see if there are any measurable influences in the river due to the plant. They also collected a zooplankton sample at these two sites for later study in the laboratory of the field station. This field trip culminated their study on water quality.”
Using recycled textbooks, Painting students reproduced a painting in the style of their favorite artist on the surface of the open book. The back is painted as a textbook cover with the artist’s name and “History of Art,” along with the student’s name. These art pieces are on display now in the Young Family Library.
More from the Homecoming Bonfire & Pep Rally!
Above, the varsity captains get ready to light the Bonfire.
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A look at what’s happening at Middle School Seventh grader Margaret Cox’s independent inquiry bird report, which she wrote last year as part of the sixth grade bird program, was published in the fall 2010 edition of Classroom Birdscope, a publication that is produced through The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The publication showcases works by students participating in various citizenscience projects from across the country. Mrs. Licata reported, “Sixth graders will soon be able to identify the most common birds that visit the feeders in the Middle School bird garden. Science classes began to conduct ten-minute biweekly bird counts last week, and they submitted the data to eBird, a website run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon. Students will use the data we collect throughout the year, as well as observations made across the country, to further our study of birds.”
The sixth grade science program is excited to continue to work this year with Drs. Dave and Jill Russell, ornithologists and professors at Miami University and College of Mount St. Joseph. Sixth graders Skyped (pictured) with Drs. Dave and Jill on September 28 while they were banding birds at Hueston Woods. The students had the opportunity to see several birds that we wouldn’t see on our campus and to ask Dr. Dave a variety of questions. The sixth graders will get to meet Dave and Jill in person in early November when they come to Seven Hills to band birds. page 10
Mrs. Faber described an exciting project in her Global Explorations class: “We began with a simulation of different regions around the globe and some characteristics that apply to each region (population, energy consumption, pollution, GNI, access to clean water, and percentage of agricultural land.) “After the simulation, each group (based on region) sat down to analyze data about its particular region. We answered questions about pollution rates per capita and population growth, among others. “Then each representative from each region was appointed to a ‘United Nations Committee’ charged with researching and proposing solutions to some of the major problems facing the world (population growth, energy consumption/pollution,
health, and poverty). As a class, we will decide whose proposals we will accept and whose we will not. “The point of this activity was to engage students with some of the terms and concepts we have been discussing in this first unit of geography. ”
Some photos of Mrs. Heinlen’s seventh grade English students using iTouches to conduct the surveys of students and adults about the written and unwritten rules of society. Mrs. Heinlen said, “The skills used were identifying issues with varying opinions that could be based on rules we follow (constitutional and/or personal ethics/morals), asking and formulating questions, the social and scientific skills of conducting surveys, and the technology components of using iTouches, SurveyMonkey, etc. They will be using all of this information to write their first ‘big’ paper for me and hopefully coming to some sort of understanding about the creation of rules, who follows them, and why or why not. This goes well with their study of novels The Outsiders and Nothing But the Truth and their study of American government.”
Donations 2 Dollars is a way for members of the Seven Hills community to donate items to be sold on eBay and receive gift credit for the proceeds. We handle the complexities of eBay for you. When your items sell, you will receive gift credit to Seven Hills in your name for the net tax-deductible value of your items. This is a convenient way to get additional Annual Giving credit. Drop-Off Locations: Doherty Campus - Kemper Bldg., 1st fl.; 8:30 - 2:30, M-F. Hillsdale Campus - The Resale Shop; 9:00 -3:00, M-Sat.
Donations 2 Dollars is a way for members of the Seven Hills community to donate items to be sold on eBay and receive gift credit for the proceeds. We handle the complexities of eBay for you. When your items sell, you will receive gift credit to Seven Hills in your name for the net tax-deductible value of your items. This is a convenient way to get additional Annual Giving credit.
Questions? Call Lynn Cowles at 513-221-1765 or Margo Kirstein at 513-527-1319
The Seven Hills School
Drop-off locations: Doherty Campus Kemper Bldg., first floor 8:30 - 2:30 Monday - Friday
Hillsdale Campus Resale Shop -Saturday Donations 29:00 Dollars- is3:00 a way Monday for members of the Seven Hills community
receive gift credit for the proceeds. We handle the complexities of eBay f receive gift credit to Seven Hills in your name for the net tax-deductible way to get additional Annual Giving credit.
Questions? Call Lynn Cowles at 513-221-1765 Questions? Call Lynn Cowles at 513-221-1765 or Margo Kirstein at 513-527-1319 or Margo Kirstein at 513-527-1319.
Drop-Off Locations: Doherty Campus - Kemper Bldg., 1st fl.; 8:30 - 2:30, M-F. Hillsd
The Seven Hills School
Several Environmental Science students came to the sixth grade math classes on October 11 to share arthropod data they collected around the school. The sixth graders will graph the data and display it on Insect Day. page 11
A look at what’s happening at Lotspeich
Third graders have been studying cave paintings from around the world. The children went on “virtual field trips” to Lascaux, France; Drakensberg, South Africa; the Kimberly region, Australia; and the canyons of the Southwest in the United States. The
styles found in the different regions were compared and contrasted, then the children created their own “cave paintings,” each from the region they most enjoyed. Pre-Kindergartners dictated their stories to Upper’s Paper Noise editors. See page 7. page 12
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Some activities from the science lab: Ms. Wildfong said, “First graders are busy studying the animals in the science lab. Once we have learned about each one, we will classify them.” First grade scientists are pictured above enjoying a close encounter with the bearded dragon. The fifth graders used their scientific thinking skills to figure out how fortune teller fish work (pictured at top right). How many kids fit into a ONE MILLION centimeter cube? Ffifth graders discovered the answer when they explored “How large is ONE MILLION?” Mrs. Riser explained: “We started with the commercial place value blocks—a little place value centimeter cube that represents ONE UNIT, then a TEN UNIT long, a HUNDRED UNIT flat, and a ONE THOUSAND UNIT cube. “We continued by building a TEN THOUSAND long. We tried to build a HUNDRED THOUSAND flat, but ran out of blocks. We used meter sticks to represent a ONE MILLION cube. As you can see, a ONE MILLION cube is HUGE! Then we tried to figure out how big, long, large a million of something was.”
The fifth grade students of Mrs. Balskus and Mrs. Riser spent the morning of September 30 at art teacher Ms. Knoop’s farm, hiking up a challenging creek bed, gathering tinder and kindling to fuel future fifth
Fifth & First Grade BUDDIES!
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grade dyebaths, and collecting natural dyestuffs, including pokeberries, black walnuts and marigolds. The students also enjoyed seeing Ms. Knoop’s horses, nubian goat, Lotsheep and Lana Lamb, and Otto the potbelly pig.
A look at what’s happening at Doherty Third graders are studying insects and enjoyed a visit to campus by the Museum Center’s program on insects. Pre-Kindergartners dictated their stories to Upper’s Paper Noise editors. See page 7.
As part of Unit I ’s study of Scientific Inquiry, some of Mrs. Kulhavik’s students completed an experiment in the science lab to see what happens when
“Students in Unit I are studying about our city,” said Mrs. MacKenzie. “After learning the history and about the many neighborhoods, students enjoyed singing the song ‘Cincinnati Dancing Pig’ by Chappell & Co. and dancing along. The students will also be creating a papier-mâché pig as a symbol of our city.” Unit I readers adapted and performed a reader’s theater for each other, called Wheel Away. It was based on the book by Dayle Ann Dodds. This relates to their study of cities in social studies.
Fifth grader Lorelei Robinson will be performing with the Cincinnati Ballet in a production of Sleeping Beauty Oct 22-24.
“On September 14, Evie Taylor (above, right), Director of Open Door Ministry, spoke to the Unit III students about Open Door and how it helps people,” said Mrs. Burton. “Students learned that Open Door is a drop-in shelter for mentally ill adults. Open Door helps its clients by providing food from their food pantry, toiletries, hot meals, help with budgeting disability checks, and a welcome and caring environment. “Evie also talked to the students about how Doherty helps Open Door through our Share a Sandwich program, winter clothing drive, and our Collect and Give. The students were very surprised to hear just how much our efforts help others. We are all looking forward to working with Open Door this year!” See photos on next page. page 14
a popcorn kernel is heated. The students created an hypothesis and recorded the results. The experiment helped the students determine why things occur when an element is added.
Students in Unit I were challenged to build a solid, sturdy, tall structure out of toothpicks and gumdrops that could withstand a “shake.” The Unit worked in teams and collaborated with each other to come up with the best design.
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In preparation for the Doherty Book Fair, students are enjoying making snakes in the style of Lois Ehlert’s new book Lots of Spots.
“Mrs. Daily’s class kicked off our Share a Sandwich program for the 2010-2011 school year by preparing over 100 bagged lunches for the clients at Open Door,” said
Mrs. Burton. ”After preparing the lunches, Mrs. Daily and her fifth grade students delivered the lunches. All of the clients at Open Door were thrilled to receive a bagged lunch!
In addition to delivering the bagged lunches, the students also delivered a large basket of fruit collected by the Unit II students.”
Unit I students loved their visit with popular children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand.
A highlight of Safety Week at Doherty! “Mr Fitzpatric, a firefighter and Doherty parent, brought an EMS truck from his workplace in Sycamore,” said Mrs. Schroder. “He did an informative presentation using a student as his victim and other students as assistants. He showed the students how they demobilize the victim and secure him with their equipment as he is being transported. At the same time, Mr. Fitzpatric made it very funny, so if a child were observing or involved with an EMS run in some way, they might not be so frightened.” page 15
On Saturday, September 25, fourth graders had their first Outdoor Program trip. “Twenty-seven fourth graders along with 17 parents, Mrs. Hickenlooper, Mrs. Wichman, and Mrs. Dawson, biked 27 miles on the Little Miami Bike Trail,” said Mrs. Burton. “They met in Loveland Saturday morning and biked north to Morrow stopping a couple of times along the way for snacks and to enjoy the scenery and each other’s company. When they arrived in Morrow they had a picnic lunch at a park along the trail. Then they biked back to Loveland and enjoyed a special reward of Hawaiian shaved ice. The participants should all be very proud of this great accomplishment!”
BUDDIES!
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