SEVEN HILLS
January 13, 2012
The Buzz
A Brief Word from Chris Garten
Seven Hills to launch individual iPad program for Middle, Upper in 2012–13
Dipping into classrooms since our return from break, I’ve been struck anew by the importance of rituals and routines. In our first few days back together, our Division Heads and a great many teachers took pains to reintroduce the protocols of civility and mutual respect on this campus.
Starting in the 2012–2013 school year, Seven Hills will equip every student in grades 6–12 with an iPad 2 to use at home and on campus during the school year.
In morning meetings and assemblies, students practiced greeting their classmates and teachers, listening attentively and respectfully to one another, organizing their lockers, their learning spaces, and their time. It seems like a small thing, I guess, but watching this unfold reminded me that the values of this school don’t emerge spontaneously; they are reinforced each day in a thousand intentional ways. Welcome back! Chris Garten Head of School
Chess Grandmaster returns to Seven Hills Seven Hills will host International Chess Grandmaster Gregory Kaidanov for the 2012 Seven Hills Chess Expo on Friday, February 10. The daylong event will include a Chess Simul in which the Grandmaster will simultaneously play 50-70 students from all grades. This is the Grandmaster’s third Chess Expo at Seven Hills. The Expo is in conjunction with Seven Hills’ hosting a Cincinnati Scholastic Chess Series tournament on Saturday, February 11.
Providing the iPads to every student in Middle and Upper will enable teachers to place even greater emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Students can conduct extensive electronic research and gather live data to answer complex questions. Students will have immediate and portable access to e-textbooks and note-taking software that even more fully develops individual study habits and productivity. During the current school year, a pilot program in grades six and nine and in individual classes school-
wide enabled students and teachers to explore the learning opportunities of the iPad 2. Valuable feedback from participants in the pilot program led the School to expand the individual iPad program. Head of School Chris Garten said, “At Seven Hills we place a great deal of emphasis on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and real-life problem solving. We believe this type of learning not only prepares our students for future academic successes, but also helps them build the leadership and workplace skills they will need throughout their lives. Putting powerful educational tools, coupled with creative and innovative curriculum, in the hands of our teachers and students broadens horizons and truly brings classroom lessons to life.”
It was a great Middle School Spirit Night, Hoops for Hope charity event! Pink was the color of Middle School Spirit Night January 6, as the school community came together in Stinger Spirit to cheer on the girls and boys teams vs. CCD, to celebrate Middle’s winter teams, and to raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The successful Hoops for Hope awarenessand fund-raiser was organized by senior Katie Cirulli and junior Madie Aichholz as their Personal Challenges. The event raised $2000! Continued next page
Inside this Buzz Upper School News
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Middle School News
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Lotspeich News
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Doherty News
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