Hallway – 07.21.2023

Greetings Bulldogs,

Thank you for joining us for the 2023-2024 school year. I am thrilled to be your Head of School and look forward to getting to know you in the months ahead. During my 30 years of experience in education, I have always looked forward to the start of school. The sense of opportunity and possibility is palpable in the faces of students, parents, and faculty alike. It is an exciting time.

Our commitment is to provide students with a stimulating educational environment based on Montessori principles – one tailored to the individual and built on step-by-step instruction and hands-on learning. In the classroom, students not only learn academic subjects but develop problem-solving abilities and leadership skills. The faculty and staff at St. Stephen’s hope to live into this commitment to you. We care deeply about your children and their development, and want to cultivate the best possible learning environment for them.

I have found that the key to a positive educational environment is a strong, mutually respectful relationship between all stakeholders – parents, faculty, administrators, students – and that establishing clear expectations is critical for building and sustaining this relationship. In the Student and Family Handbook, we outline these expectations and provide a wide range of other useful information, from carpool to field trips and conferences. I have set forth a few key provisions below for your easy review. 

If there is any way we can help make your St. Stephen’s experience better, please do not hesitate to reach out.

With gratitude, 

Troy P. Roddy, Ph.D.

Head of School

troddy@ssesh.org  

School is in session after Morning Carpool until the Full Day or End of School Day Carpool. Orientation and Primary families may opt for Half Day. Please note that the Half Day option is not available for Kindergarten students. 

Orientation

• Early Care (drop off): starting at 7:30 am
• Morning Carpool (drop off): 8:00 – 8:15 am
• Half Day Carpool (pick up): 11:30 – 11:45 am
• Full Day Carpool (pick up): 2:30 – 2:45 pm
• Gap Care (pick up): no later than 3:30 pm
• After Care (pick up): no later than 5:30 pm

Primary

• Early Care (drop off): starting at 7:30 am
• Morning Carpool (drop off): 8:00 – 8:15 am
• Half Day Carpool (pick up): 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
• Full Day Carpool (pick up): 2:45 – 3:00 pm
• Gap Care (pick up): no later than 3:30 pm
• After Care (pick up): no later than 5:30 pm

Elementary and Middle Years

• Early Care (drop off): starting at 7:30 am
• Morning Carpool (drop off): 8:00 – 8:15 am
• End of School Day Carpool (pick up): 3:30 – 3:45 pm
• After Care (pick up): no later than 5:30 pm

Early Dismissal 

• Orientation Carpool (pick up): 11:30 – 11:45 am
• Primary Carpool (pick up): 11:45 am – 12:00 pm
• Elementary and Middle Years Carpool (pick up): 12:00 – 12:15 pm

**Please adhere to the ending times. Late arrival is subject to a fee in the amount of $20 plus $1 per minute, which fees will be invoiced through FACTS.**

St. Stephen’s strives to cultivate an open, accepting and respectful educational environment to help each student grow as a compassionate, responsible citizen. All members of the School are role models and must conduct themselves as such at all times. Students are expected to show respect for others, themselves and their environment. All disciplinary and behavioral policies reflect this principle. Violation of any of the School’s behavioral norms and expectations described in this Handbook may lead to disciplinary consequences, up to and including separation from the School. Disciplinary decisions are made by faculty, staff, or administration, with the Head of School being the final authority.

Students at St. Stephen’s are expected to attend school appropriately dressed and groomed. St. Stephen’s does not require a daily uniform; however, students must observe the following clothing guidelines for all genders:

• Clothing must cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit, down to the mid-thighs. Tops must have shoulder straps.
• No visible undergarments. Shorts must be worn underneath skirts or dresses. 
• No clothing bearing offensive remarks.
• No flip-flops or open-toe sandals.
• Hats, caps, and sunglasses are worn out of doors only.
• In PE, students must wear close-toed shoes, preferably athletic shoes. No boots or sandals should be worn in PE. 

Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class.  Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code appropriate clothing.

No student will be released to any person other than a parent or legal guardian without written authorization by the student’s parent or guardian. Parents are responsible for providing the contact information of authorized persons during the enrollment process and for keeping the School informed of any changes to the parent or guardian’s custodial rights and/or the persons authorized to pick up the child via the FACTS Family Portal.

St. Stephen’s recognizes that charitable giving is a joyful expression of the donor’s commitment to the mission, program, and future of our organization. Every effort will be made to assist the donor in making a gift that will benefit the School and give satisfaction to our donor. Restricted contributions or gifts of real property such as real estate or furniture will be submitted to the Board or a committee of its designees for a determination of acceptance.

St. Stephen’s is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Gifts are tax-deductible as described by law. To be considered a gift in a specific tax year, the School must receive the gift by midnight on December 31st or, if sent by mail, postmarked no later than that date. Because we respect the privacy of our donors, our mailing list is never given to another party. If a donor wishes to remain anonymous, St. Stephen’s will do everything in its power to respect that wish. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee anonymity.

To avoid a conflict of interest, School employees may not accept an individual gift from a single family/parent, student, or any other person connected to the School that is valued at more than $50. Cash is specifically prohibited.

Students are not permitted to fundraise on behalf of the School. Student-initiated funds raised to benefit other organizations or needs are part of nurturing students’ budding compassion for others and the planet.

The stated purpose of the St. Stephen’s Episcopal School PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) is:

• Supporting the educational experience at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School;
• To build a strong school community;
• Improving the environment at the School through volunteer and financial support.

All parents and guardians of St. Stephen’s students, plus all staff and faculty, are automatically granted membership to the PTO. The Executive Committee of the PTO Board shall consist of the Head of School and the following PTO officers: President, Vice President, Communications Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect and Past President. 

Room Parents foster community at St. Stephen’s. Room Parents…

• Are the teacher’s first points of contact for any classroom needs outside of what the school provides (e.g., items needed in the classroom, volunteers for tasks)
• Help to promote PTO-related events and school events like Teacher Appreciation week
• Coordinate the celebrations of the birthdays of teachers and assistants and encourage parents to give during the holidays in accordance with the Student and Family Handbook
• Provide opportunities for families to get together and connect outside the classroom (e.g., playdates!)
• Reach out to new families and check in on their transition at the school, answer questions or connect the new families with someone who can answer their questions
• May be asked to provide testimonials for the school’s marketing initiatives

Room Parents are not responsible for school curriculum or administration. Room Parents are appointed at the discretion of the Lead Teacher(s) and are subject to the oversight of the Principal and Head of School.

St. Stephen’s is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, dependent upon tuition as its principal source of income. In order to continue offering high-quality experiences in our classrooms, it is critical that student accounts are kept current. While school life is indeed personal, enrollment is contractual. Therefore, re-enrollment contracts will only be issued to students whose accounts are current. For information regarding tuition or financial obligations, please refer to your contract or contact the Business Office at 713-821-9100. If your family is behind on payment, please notify the Business Office immediately to create a payment plan.

Please note, tuition deposits are non-refundable. Written termination of the Enrollment Agreement must be received by the Head of School before June 1st, per the Enrollment Agreement, in order to terminate tuition responsibilities. 

A late fee of 1.5% per month will be assessed on past due payments. If an account is more than 90 days past due, parents may be asked to keep their child out of school until accounts are made current without affecting the full year’s tuition obligation. Please note, transcripts and other school documentation will not be forwarded for students with past due accounts.

Credit card fees assessed via FACTS Tuition and FACTS Payment Forms, will be paid by families.