SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS: 2017-18 $1,959 raised at the Middle School taco sale for Puerto Rico hurricane victims 7,069 Book Checkouts 1,286 eBook Checkouts from the Seven Hills library 20 二 十 years of the Japanese Exchange with Kita City 13 FAMILIES IN NEED received holiday gifts from the PIA Support-a-Family 80 $114,000 raised for new lunch initiative at the SHS Auction 9 after school Middle School sports teams current parents, alumni, and alumni parents attended the first Career Pathways Networking Event in San Francisco 1st place and 3rd place at the Bay Area Robotics Competition 22 grade-level parent roundtables held 399 students at Seven Hills representing 40 ZIP codes 220 classroom visits for mindfulness practice 2
FAMILY SPOTLIGHT “We Want to Go There!” An Interview with the Shirazi/Thorner Families Three years ago, sisters Ameneh and Leyla Khosrovani and their husbands, Shervine Shirazi and Todd Thorner, were looking for a new school to meet the needs of their children and all of their unique personalities. They were searching for a school that would provide not only academics, but a well-rounded education. They knew that in the busy, scheduled world, having their children go to school together would allow the cousins—JJ (4th), Teymour (2nd), Noor (1st) Thorner, and Cami (5th) and Ryan (2nd) Shirazi—to spend more time together. Ameneh and Shervine first heard about Seven Hills through Shervine’s colleagues at Kaiser, who spoke highly about Seven Hills’ nurturing approach and whole child experience. The two families toured the school, and were drawn in by the campus, people, arts, sports, and robust calendar of school events. They remembered how the teachers were warm and the students looked to be engaged and thriving. “It was their approach to children,” says Leyla. “I could tell they weren’t just going to drill them academically, but would support their emotional and artistic needs.” They noticed artwork and quotes around the front office about being grateful for your blessings—a mantra they wanted their children exposed to. The tenets of gratitude, humility, and celebrating each blessing resonated deeply for Ameneh and Leyla, who had to travel through many counties after the Iranian revolution—having educational experiences in Vienna, Rome, South Africa, and England—before arriving in the United States as teens. It was important to them to find a global environment where their children could all experience academics together. As their Seven Hills journey began, both families modeled their value of giving back by quickly getting involved, whether serving lunch in Lower School or chaperoning class field trips. As they got to know the students and other volunteers in the school, they felt part of a family, part of a bigger picture. Now in their third year at Seven Hills, the two families continue to see positive growth in their children. From the way working with new mediums in art class brought out Ryan’s artistic side, to how Cami’s 4th grade teacher, Kirsten Woods, allowed each classmate to shine and build their confidence throughout the year. For Leyla, it’s the daily, special moments on campus, such as the way the students compete, yet cheer each other on, during Jump Rope for Heart. Both sisters reflect on the positive impact of the buddies program, and the way that children build their social interaction skills with a student of a different age and personality. It aligns with their family ethos of mutual respect, no matter one’s differences. Although the five cousins are in 1st-5th grades, their parents are especially excited for the exposure to different cultures during the Middle School international trips and especially the 8th grade Japanese exchange. With Seven Hills now a true family affair, Ameneh, Shervine, Leyla, and Todd are looking forward to even more growth in their children in the years to come. “We come from a tough educational experience, so we’re so grateful that education is a happy experience at Seven Hills. We want to go to school there!” says Ameneh. 3
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