Indian Hill Middle School Newsletter | March 13, 2026

Braves Rising


In this episode, our student podcasters interview Mr. Abrams one of our Python teachers and former MLB pitcher! They also feature tonight's PARTY IN THE MIDDLE and another segment of Braylen's Bizarre Animals!


Click here to see the latest episode and catch a glimpse of all that is happening at IHMS!

Important Dates

  • March 13: Party in the Middle
  • March 20: World Teen Mental Health Wellness Day Activities
  • March 20-21: IHMS Theatre presents Finding Nemo
  • March 30-April 6: No School, Spring Break

Bulletin Board

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Party in the Middle- Last one of the year is March 13!


PITM is BACK and it’s pure MADNESS-March Madness, that is! 

Friday, March 13 from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at IHMS!

 

This event will be packed with fun for our middle schoolers, including:

 

DJ, photo booth, airbrush tattoos, bingo, card tables, 

candy table, and chill area to hang out with friends.


New additions:  basketball tournament and a claw machine-every student who pre-registers for the event will get a prize with two lucky GRAND PRIZE winners!

To volunteer and purchase tickets, click here!

2025-2026 Yearbook


The window for ordering a Yearbook online has closed, if you didn't order and would still like to, please email Mrs. Klosterman to be put on the waitlist. She will have a limited amount of yearbooks to sell at the end of the year, thanks!


Megan.Klosterman@ihsd.us

Engineering Summer camps at the University of Cincinnati in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 


Please see the information below about Engineering Summer camps at the University of Cincinnati for rising 8th-12th graders in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

The camps offered during the summer provide an immersive, hands-on experience where students work collaboratively to design, build, and test innovative solutions to real-life engineering challenges.  


Key features of the program include: 

 

  • Hands-on Engineering Projects: Students design and prototype solutions using industry-relevant tools and technology. 
  • Team-Based Problem Solving: Campers collaborate in small groups, strengthening leadership and communication skills. 
  • Mentorship from Professionals: Industry professional engineers, UC faculty, and current Bearcat students work with students to improve critical thinking skills and provide insight to new research. 
  • College and Career Exposure: Participants gain insight into engineering pathways, academic preparation, and emerging career opportunities. 
  • Final Showcase Event: Students present their projects to peers, families, and camp partners, building confidence and presentation skills. 

 

Camps range in experience level to accommodate a range of levels, making it ideal for both students who are just beginning to explore engineering and those who have a strong interest in Engineering. There is a fee associated with camps, but scholarships are available if accepted.

  

Applications can be found on our website and will remain open until

March 31, 2026.    

Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep? 



School-aged children (6–12 years) need 9 to 12 hours of sleep, while

teens (13–17 years) require 8 to 10 hours. But with everything competing for their attention, many kids aren't getting nearly enough.


If your child isn't getting enough sleep, you might notice these signs and symptoms:


• Difficulty waking up in the morning

• Low energy and mood swings throughout the day

• Struggles with focus and concentration

• Increased irritability or crankiness

• Poor academic performance or lack of interest in schoolwork


Your support as a parent is key to helping your child develop a healthy sleep routine.


Tips to Help Your Child Sleep Better 

To get started, here are some tips to help your child or teen get the quality sleep they need:

1. Have a regular sleep schedule.

This means going to bed and waking up at the same times every day, even on weekends. It would be helpful to set alarms or reminders on devices to signal when it's time to start their bedtime routine and when to wake up in the morning.


2. Reduce screen time and other stimulating activities.

The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. Engaging activities can also increase alertness.

Instead, have your child do calming activities, such as reading a book, listening to soft music, or practicing gentle stretches to promote sleep.


3. Keep the bed for sleep only.

When kids do homework, watch TV, or play games in bed, their brain starts to associate the bed with being awake and active. Try to make their bed a sleep-only zone so that when they climb in at night, their body knows it's time to wind down.


4. Promote physical activity during the day.

Whether it's after school or during the day on weekends, let them spend time outside, participate in sports, or create family challenges (like a "household chores challenge," bike ride, or scavenger hunt).


5. Help them feel prepared for tomorrow.

Many kids struggle to fall asleep because their minds are busy thinking about the next day. Try having them make a quick list of what they need to do tomorrow. Research shows that writing a to-do list for the next day can actually help people fall asleep faster. They can also pick out their clothes and pack their backpack before bed so they feel organized and ready for the next day.


6. Try sleep-friendly foods and drinks.

What your child eats in the evening can affect how well they sleep. Foods like almonds, walnuts, kiwi, and turkey contain nutrients that may promote better sleep. A cup of chamomile tea (caffeine-free) can also be a calming part of their bedtime routine. On the flip side, avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime. 



Little by little, these strategies will make a difference. Better sleep means a brighter, more energized day for your child. 


Cell Phone Policy Reminder


We believe in cultivating a school environment where all students are physically and emotionally safe while intellectually inspired and challenged. As a part of this, we have a no-phones policy at Indian Hill Middle School.


Students’ cell phones should not be used or seen at school (including classrooms, hallways, lunch, and recess) during school hours unless the student has received direct permission from a staff member. Smart watches with communication features can be worn, but should not be utilized to send messages, access social media, etc. during the school day. Phones can be carried in pencil pouches, kept in lockers, or in backpacks - but should not be carried on the person's body (ie, in pockets) and must remain out of sight at all times. Students can use their communication devices before school, after school, in the main office, or if given specific permission by a staff member. 


Additionally, for the safety of our students, headphones and earbuds (like “Airpods”) may not be used during school unless a teacher has given students permission during a learning activity. 


  • 1st Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and can be picked up by student after 2:45 p.m.
  • 2nd Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and can be picked up by the parent or guardian
  • 3rd Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and a team meeting is scheduled with administrators, parents, and student for support plan


Parents, we need your help! If you need to get your child a message, you can email them at their @ihsd.us email address or call the main office. When parents text their child during school hours our students struggle to maintain the balance between the impulse to check and wanting to stay out of "trouble" at school.


Please remind your child they cannot have their phones out during school hours, and let them know you will email them or contact the main office if you need them to get a message.


Want to support your child’s health, wellbeing and success inside and outside the classroom?


Revisit the basics by helping support a good night’s sleep. 

Check out these resources below.


Video:


How to Encourage Good Sleep Habits in Kids, Child Mind Institute


Articles:



Teenagers and Sleep: How Much Sleep is Enough, Johns Hopkins Medicine

How to Encourage Healthy Sleep Habits, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center


Digital Toolkit:


Sleep ToolKit for Teens, MindPeace



Sleep ToolKit for School-aged Students (ages 6-12), MindPeace


Transportation Update


The safety of our students is our highest priority. Our goal each day is to ensure that every child arrives to school and returns home safely.


Due to unexpected staffing shortages in our Transportation Department, we must suspend our short-term alternative transportation service. At this time, we are unable to accommodate requests for students to ride buses other than their originally assigned route.



We understand that this may create challenges for some families, and we truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility. 


Drop Off and Pick Up Traffic Patterns


Here are the Middle School traffic patterns for morning drop off and afternoon pickup. Thank you for your help with keeping our students safe!


Morning Dropoff

  • Pull into the parking lot and follow the arrows on the image below.
  • Students may only be dropped off on the sidewalk
  • Please pull up along the sidewalk as far as possible so more vehicles have access to it.


Afternoon Pickup

  • Anyone picking up a student must get in the car line. Students will not be permitted to enter the parking lot to enter a vehicle and parents will not be able to walk through the car line to pick up their child.


  • When you arrive at the sidewalk, please pull forward as far as possible so as many students as possible can access their vehicles. Staff members will be on the sidewalk directing vehicles forward and instructing students to look for their vehicle.


  • Some High school students have been assigned spots closest to the gym (you may not see them until later in the year). Any student riding with a high school sibling will need to utilize the sidewalk and crosswalk to access their sibling’s vehicle.


  • The image below shows the traffic pattern:
  • Red arrows show the line entering. You’ll notice there are two red lanes once you get closer to the school. This allows more vehicles in the lot in order to keep vehicles off Drake Road. A staff member will direct traffic near the sidewalk.
  • White arrows show the line leaving after you pick up your child. Please use all three lanes to exit as this helps keep the line moving.


Bravesline


Looking to update your Indian Hill Spirit wear selections? The Bravesline store is open! You can shop all your favorite Braves items Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. You can access the Bravesline store through the foyer of the

Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center.



You can also check out the online store using the link below.



Click Here to shop online!

MySchoolBucks- Fee Increase


The MySchoolBucks program fee will increase to $3.50 for all cafeteria credit/debit card payments beginning on August 1st. You are still able to pay via check in the front office to avoid this fee. Additionally, the maximum meal payment limit will increase to $150 per transaction.

Quick Links

As a reminder, our District website is a great place to find information, such as partner groups, the directory, this year and next year’s academic calendar, and department/program information, such as the District’s gifted identification plan.

Our Team

Dr. Lauren Gentene, Principal

Lauren.Gentene@ihsd.us 

Twitter: @IHMiddle

Instagram: @IHMiddleBraves


My #IHPromise - to learn from and serve our Brave community while keeping our students at the center of everything we do.

Alex Fries, Assistant Principal

Alex.Fries@ihsd.us 

Twitter: @IHMS_AP

 Instagram: @IHMiddleBraves



My #IHPromise is to serve the Indian Hill community by providing an environment that allows all students to be successful.

IHMS Snapshot

Indian Hill Middle School

6845 Drake Road

Cincinnati, OH 45243


Car Rider drop off 7:40 a.m.-8:00 a.m.

Classes Begin at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 2:45 p.m.


Phone: 513-272-4642

Fax: 513-272-4690

Attendance: 513-272-4700

School Safety: 513-272-4701

Transportation: 513-272-4531


We are a campus committed to kindness; click here to report an incident, and administrators will be notified.