IT’S YOUR WORLD: SIXTH GRADERS CRAFT A G LOBAL PERSPECTIVE

The sixth grade class It’s Your World, first introduced in the 2021-22 school year, aims to expose students each quarter to different global issues, such as migration, climate change, social justice, and global health.

“I really felt the need for students to delve into civic engagement and discuss the issues we’re facing today. We plan to examine these issues, with our students early on, in an apolitical, fact-based learning environment,” Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz said.

themes of geography and how they correlate with push/pull factors for global populations. Whitt facilitated a United Nations simulation as students navigated resource finding and maintaining peaceful international relations while simultaneously attempting to survive a zombie apocalypse.

In It’s Your World, students also take ownership of their role in the global community while discussing ongoing issues.

items overseas to local relief organizations.

“Students are building their perspective on how they believe the world should be one step at a time in this course. Learning about the complex mechanics of

Waskowitz, Head Librarian Megan Whitt, and Dean of Middle School Andy McGarvey are the core trio behind the expansive curriculum who cover the four topics enabling a deeply specialized lesson for every global topic.

After learning about the two massive earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria within 10 hours of each other on Feb. 6, students knew they wanted to send whatever aid they could to help survivors and rescue efforts. Students quickly assembled two main teams, one to work directly with collection efforts and another to promote the drive. Students took charge of creating posters, setting up donation drop-off sites, collecting donations, making announcements, and helping plan social media posts. On March 9, the donations were delivered to Matthew 25: Ministries, who shipped the immigration, the tepid stability of peace, and most importantly, the impact of lending our help and assistance whenever we can creates the foundation for an incredibly rich and empathetic academic community,” Waskowitz said.

The event started last school year to honor students and their families for their dedication to Seven Hills. A lifer is any student who has been at Seven Hills since at least the first grade, though some start in pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds.

Director of Development Margo Kirstein thanked parents for trusting Seven Hills with their children for so long and spending so much time in the Seven Hills community.

“One of the great pleasures of working at a school like this is getting to watch the arc of young people’s lives. We are so proud of how all of you have grown up,” said Head of School Chris Garten, who came to Seven Hills as the head of school when some of the lifers were in pre-kindergarten. “My wish for you is that the connection you feel with one another now is one that will continue throughout your life.”

Laura Leonard ’06, a Doherty lifer, current Doherty parent, member of the Alumni Board, and Upper School history teacher, began her speech by sharing the interactions she had with other Seven Hills alumni and current students about an Instagram post about William Snakespeare, the Doherty pet for more than 30 years.

“It reminded me of just how special it is to be a lifer. Maybe bonding over Doherty’s William Snakespeare feels trivial, but deep down it shows the everyday moments we share with our fellow classmates. Through every moment of your education, you shared those moments together. You provided consistency, comfort, and caring for each other,” Leonard said.

The lifers were given commemorative school photos from when they first started at Doherty or Lotspeich on one side and a class photo with their Lower School classmates taken during their senior year.