Upper
October 29, 2021
Civic Engagement Day Focuses on Sustainability
Throughout the day on Civic Engagement Day, Upper School students learned about the problems associated with consumerism and learned ways to reduce their consumption and live a sustainable lifestyle. “These are some of the biggest issues facing the world, and we felt it was important to dedicate time to addressing them,” said Director of Experiential Learning Nick Francis. Journalist and author Bryon McCauley was the keynote speaker. He taught students about using civil discourse to make people question their understanding of the world. Freshmen and sophomores took part in sustainability activities, such as planting trees, picking up litter, sorting recyclable goods, and conducting a trash audit at the Hillsdale Campus. Juniors and seniors attended three talks from local leaders about sustainability, activism, and green business practices. All students ended the day with a better understanding of their consumption habits and their impacts and ideas for how they could get involved in sustainability policy efforts.
Finding the Way with Social and Emotional Learning
On Oct. 14 via Zoom, Seven Hills welcomed members of the Project Wayfinder team to talk about the social-emotional learning curriculum taught to ninth- and 10th-graders in Upper School as part of the Creating Conversations speaker series. “Students that undergo this social and emotional learning curriculum feel the school provides a supportive and encouraging environment,” said Wayfinder Director of Learning and Engagement Tristian Love. The curriculum is based on research conducted at the Stanford Center for Adolescence. Love explained how the curriculum teaches students to navigate challenges in adolescence and develop skills they can use in their adult lives. Chief Learning Officer Brandy Arnold led participants through an activity about gratitude and self-advocacy. The next Creating Conversations event will be on Feb. 10 via Zoom with Dr. Stuart Slavin about local nonprofits MindPeace and 1n5.
Upper Students Relax with Stinger Day
The Hillsdale Campus was buzzing with activity during Upper School’s lunch as the first student-government-created Stinger Day took place. “We wanted to focus on events that help students relax and destress,” said Upper School student body president Anand Patil, adding the last week of the quarter can be taxing because of exams. Students enjoyed pizza, popcorn, and apple cider while having the option of taking part in activities by Finer Things, Operation Smile, and Jewelry Clubs in the Hillsdale Commons. Outside, D.J. Obvious provided music while students played spikeball and decorated pumpkins. Over on the Lower Field students and teachers battled it out in a kickball game, with the students being victorious. Patil said he and the rest of student government are hoping to make Stinger Day a quarterly occurrence.
Seven Hills Lifers Honored at Lunch
In mid-October, seniors, who have spent their entire education at Seven Hills, gathered for a lunch hosted by the Development Department. The event was new this school year and members of the Development Department thanked the parents for trusting Seven Hills with their children for so long. Laura Hoguet Leonard ’06, a Doherty lifer and current Doherty parent, spoke at the event about how being a Seven Hills lifer is special. “For over 13 years on the Seven Hills campuses, you have been surrounded by teachers and staff members who are looking out for you, who care for you, and are devoted to helping you succeed. It is this familiar and loving community, these deep roots that you’ve grown, that have allowed you to push yourself to be your best,” Leonard said. A second Lifers Lunch will be held in November for students or families who were unable to attend the first one.
World Language Boards Outline Importance of Global Citizenship
World Language Department Chair Teresa Bardon and the rest of the Upper School world language teachers wanted to do something different with their hallway bulletin boards this year. “We wanted to be interactive and take the next step, to show why it’s important to learn a language and be a good citizen of the world,” Bardon said. She wanted all students to benefit, regardless if they are taking a language or not. Bardon wanted to show students how world languages are a part of their everyday lives and communities, whether it is their favorite athletes from the Reds or FC Cincinnati who are native Spanish speakers or music they listen to from artists from other countries. The last board in the hallway ties languages to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. “You don’t have to be fluent to have an understanding of the greater world,” Bardon said.
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