Indian Hill Middle School Newsletter | September 12, 2025

Meet Me in the Middle is a weekly blog by our principal, Ms. Gentene, connecting you to our middle school!


This week Ms. Gentene highlights some of the exciting things that happened this week at the Middle School. She interviews some of our Seventh graders on their trip to the Holocaust & Humanity Center, asking what being an "upstander" means to them

CLICK HERE to read this week's post on Substack!

HERE

Important Dates

  • September 16: No STEP after school
  • September 16 & 17: 6th grade Green Acres Field Trip
  • September 23 & 24: 6th grade Green Acres Field Trip
  • September 29: School Fees will be available in PowerSchool
  • October 10-14: No School
  • October 17: Party in the Middle

Bulletin Board

Upstander Education Program


This week our seventh graders experienced the Upstander Education Program through the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust& Humanity Center (HCC) This trip engages students in a unique learning experience, including interactive activities, leadership development sessions, and guided museum tours. 

At the heart of this program is the philosophy of developing upstanders—individuals who take action to support others and stand up for what is right.

How much can it hold?


Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Braves came together Wednesday morning, to learn about buoyancy. The had to build a floating structure using only the tools provided to hold as much weight as possible without sinking. It was a great exercise in collaboration, using resources wisely and time management. It was great to see all of the students enjoying the challenge and bringing STEM to life!


ATTENTION BRAVES NATION!


Get ready—Homecoming 2025 is almost here, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!


We invite all Indian Hill families to join the excitement by lining Drake Road between Indian Hill Primary and Indian Hill High School for our Annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, 9/19, from 5:45–6:10 p.m.!


The parade will bring all the school spirit you love—featuring HS clubs, sports teams, Superintendent Koennecke, our Board of Education, last year’s ES/PS EduHeros, and some of our incredible Indian Hill Youth Athletic Programs. And yes—there will be plenty of candy for everyone cheering along the route!


Heads up! Drake Road will close at 5:30 p.m., so plan to arrive early to catch all the action. For everyone’s safety, please remain off the road during the parade.



After the parade, the celebration continues at Tomahawk Stadium, where our HS Football Game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. as we take on Mariemont HS.

We can’t wait to see you there—let’s make this Homecoming one to remember!


Clubs and Activities


Clubs and activities are now available in Final Forms! You can find descriptions of our clubs on the IHMS website and directions here on how to sign up!

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. 


Final Forms


A new form was recently added to Final Forms, please log into your Final Forms Account and make sure everything is complete, thanks!

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.


2025-2026

IHMS School Supplies


Please use the attached list and send school supplies in with your student on our first day back.



We encourage all families to help us stock the classrooms with tissues and wipes for the school year.


  • Family Size Tissue Boxes (5) - to be given to advisory teacher for the year
  • Clorox Wipes Family Sized (3) - to be given to advisory teacher for the year



Thank you!

IHMS School Fees are changing this year!


Our sixth grade students will have a flat school fee to cover classroom expenses and technology.


The 7th and 8th grade student fees will be determined by the classes they are taking, mirroring how fees are assessed at the high school.



Fees will be available for payment through PowerSchool September 29.

Please reach out to the office with any questions, thanks!

Picture Retake Form

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 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.


IHMS Lunch Information


Our cafeteria is supported by a wonderful team from Aramark Food Services!


Click here to view our lunch menus and daily offerings.

 

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.

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!

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

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.