Between the Pages

Seven Hills welcomed Pablo Cartaya as this year’s Between the Pages author. During his presentations to Upper and Middle School students, Cartaya discussed his literary journey, answered questions, and signed novels. Later in the day, Cartaya also led a workshop during the seventh grade Spanish class and ate lunch with Middle School students. Cartaya is the author of “The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora,” “Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish,” “Each Tiny Spark,” and the upcoming climate dystopia “The Last Beekeeper.” Cartaya’s rich portfolio includes collaborations with Disney, Apple+, and Sesame Street involving projects adapted from television series and movies, and serving as a judge for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature.

Eigth graders use micro:bits in Innovation Lab

Hispanic Heritage Month

Middle School students are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with specialized lessons and activities throughout September and October. On Sept. 18, students listened to a brief presentation on the history and importance of Hispanic Heritage Month. On Sept. 20, students watched and discussed part of the movie “Chupa!” Students will watch the rest of the film on Oct. 11. On Sept. 22, students learned about different genres of Spanish music, such as flamenco, cumbia, calypso, and reggaeton. On Oct. 4, students participated in a trivia competition during homeroom.

Middle School Pep Rally

The Middle School student council hosted its first pep rally since 2019 on Friday, Sept. 22. The student council began the pep rally by introducing the sixth grade volleyball, soccer, and cross country teams who then competed in a series of minigames. After reviewing the schedule for Homecoming later that evening, seventh and eighth graders participated in another relay competition where team members drank root beer, ate chips and salsa with their eyes closed, fished for pennies and paperclips in an ice bucket, and ate a cream pie with their hands behind their back. It was an incredibly fun time for everyone!

Real Talk: Neurodiversity Part 1

During their advisories on Sept. 28, Middle School students watched a presentation on neurodiversity, the first Real Talk topic for the 2023-24 school year. Students learned the definitions of six neurodiversity terms including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dysgraphia. Each student submitted a question either about a specific term or about neurodiversity in general. On Oct. 13 in The Schiff Center, the Real Talk neurodiversity panelists will answer student questions, share how they overcome challenges and stereotypes, and ways they celebrate their successes as learners.

Middle School science teacher Kristin Suer and world language teacher Jacky Kalubi created the Real Talks program to assist students in developing a certain level of cultural competency, sensitivity, and acceptance of others through discussions. Suer and Kalubi facilitate each panel discussion. Previous Real Talk subjects include rites of passage, race and ethnicity, family structures, and more