Lotspeich Closing Ceremony

Lotspeich celebrated its fifth graders during closing exercises on May 31. Fifth graders entered the ceremony to fourth graders playing handbells under the direction of music teacher Robin Wilson. Fifth grade teachers Danielle Levine and Laura OGrady read the kind words and high praise that each of the fifth graders’ former Lotspeich teachers and classmates wrote about the students. Head of School Chris Garten ended the ceremony with closing remarks by congratulating the rising sixth graders and thanking their parents, teachers, and Head of Lotspeich Susan Miller. “They’ve expected your best efforts, they’ve cheered for your successes and provided words of comfort when you’ve experienced setbacks. They’ve inspired you throughout your careers with complex and interesting tasks. They’ve nurtured your growth as learners, your special talents, and your interests. They’ve helped you to become the very best versions of yourselves,” Garten said.

Faculty and administration at Lotspeich also presented awards to fifth grade students based on academic achievement, a love for learning, citizenship, character, and leadership. The following awards were presented during the closing ceremony.

The Joy in Learning Award was presented to Anish Avanigadda. The recipient of this award “exemplifies the Lotspeich philosophy of finding joy in the pursuit of learning; sharing that learning in a selfless, helpful manner with others; and enjoying the quest of learning in all its facets.”

The Theodore C. Wuerfel Merit Award was presented to Kaval Rathod. The award was created “to recognize a Lotspeich student who has demonstrated academic achievement, breadth and scope of interests beyond the classroom, leadership, citizenship, and character.”

The Elisabeth Greenwald Mapes Award was presented to Lila Edmond Shahan for exemplifying “the Seven Values of Seven Hills. This student is a well-rounded individual who is eager to learn, help others, and promote the best values of Seven Hills.”

The Eileen Driscoll Literary Award was presented to Atti Cioffi for “demonstrating a love of literature and joy in the printed word.”

Third grade brings the wonders of Cincinnati to Founders Hall

What makes Cincinnati unique? Third graders in teachers Kim Walden’s and Yael Newman’s classes put the city’s many local treasures on display when they presented their Cincinnati Living History Museum projects to classmates, friends, and family in Founders Hall in late May. Prior to the museum’s opening day, students spent weeks selecting a location, business, or organization to research. Third graders loved reporting on their famous selections, which included the Aronoff Center for the Arts, the University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Observatory.

Lotspeich Play Day

On the last day of school, Lotspeich students enjoyed the annual Play Day complete with a healthy dose of friendly competition! Students played tug of war, relay tic tac toe, raced to fill empty water jugs one glass at a time, and more. Thank you to physical education teachers Abbey Sir Louis and Lindsey Steuer, who organized the day’s events!

Second grader’s learning “flies” to new heights

Lotspeich and Doherty second graders gained first-hand experience observing owls and training falcons when the Ohio School of Falconry visited in mid-May. Students intently asked questions about the different owl species and gasped with surprise to learn the difference between survival rates in the wild versus survival rates at the sanctuary. After befriending their new owl buddies, eight Doherty and Lotspeich students were randomly selected to courageously help train a zone-tailed hawk with its recall skills.

Fifth grade explores Dearborn, Michigan

As part of their final social studies unit, “Liberty and Justice for All,” Lotspeich fifth graders utilized part of their trip to Dearborn, Michigan, to answer the question, “How can we design an interactive museum exhibit to teach others about the expansion of liberty and justice in America?” Fifth grade teachers Laura OGrady’s and Danielle Levine’s classes toured the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Arab American National Museum, and The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. They collected stories about how different people and groups worked to secure their rights and freedoms. Students were also tasked with examining exhibits, through the eye of a museum curator — critically analyzing ways museums can effectively and engagingly share information. “Students used their knowledge to collaborate in small groups to design scale models of their own exhibits based around student-selected topics that fit within our theme,” OGrady said.