Hallway 7.12.2024

Welcome to The Hallway, the official newsletter of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Houston!

In the summer months, The Hallway will be published on June 14, June 28, July 12, and July 26.

Greetings,

I hope this message finds you well, safe, and looking forward to the 2024-2025 school year. I also hope your family has not been impacted too much by the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

At St. Stephen’s, Beryl’s fury knocked down two large trees near the front office entrance and one in the playground. The “L” building, which houses the orientation classes and some offices, was damaged by a branch that went through the roof over the music room. Other, more minor damage can be seen around campus. We have begun efforts to remove fallen trees and repair damage, and we do not anticipate any significant impact on school operations.

In addition to post-storm activities, we are working hard to prepare for the opening of the 2024-25 school year. Part of that work is orienting new staff to the community, so I am pleased to welcome the following new staff members to SSESH:

• Cecelia Bellomy, Lower Elementary Teacher Assistant
• Eileen Sweeney, Director of Student Wellness and Co-Curricular Programs/PE Teacher
• Elise Moore, Director of Enrollment Management/Digital Content Creator/Digital Storytelling Teacher
• Liz Newchurch, Director of Community Engagement and Student Enrichment (after serving 10 years as a Lower Elementary Lead Teacher at St. Stephen’s)
• Amber Alaniz Vela, Learning Specialist
• Kirsten Conrad, School Nurse
• Harrison Atlas, Technology Associate
• Rebecca McDonald, Music Teacher
• Sumithra Balasubramanian, Orientation Support Teacher

I also want to share two additional staffing updates. First, Mr. Christopher Giles’ role in Upper Elementary has changed from Teacher Assistant to Co-Lead Teacher. Congratulations to Mr. Chris on this well-deserved change. Second, the search for our new Director of Development is ongoing and should be finalized soon. Once completed, I will share that announcement.

Finally, I bring to your attention a few notable changes in the Student and Family Handbook and School Calendar.

• This year, for safety purposes, we have adjusted the student dress code regarding footwear. The new code requires all students to wear athletic shoes daily. Light-up shoes and shoes with “wheelies” are not allowed. Please ensure your child only wears athletic shoes to school.
• With the hiring of a School Nurse, the email address for medical communication has changed to nurse@ssesh.org (previously the address was covid@…). More information about the Nurse’s Office and how the Clinic will operate will be shared in upcoming Hallway publications.
• The At-A-Glance School Calendar indicates days during the year for after-school faculty meetings. Please note that we will not offer Extended Care on those days.
• Registration for Extended Care is live. Please review the options available.

Familiarize yourself with all school policies and procedures by reading the entire handbook.

I am very excited to begin the 2024-2025 school year. Many things are happening at SSESH to enhance your child’s learning experience, and we cannot wait to be among the students soon. I look forward to seeing you at the Back to School Rally on August 11th. In the meantime, if we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.

With gratitude,

Troy P. Roddy, Ph.D. Head of School

After our July 4th break (and Hurricane Beryl), students are back on campus enjoying the last few weeks of summer camp. It has been an ideal time for students who are new to St. Stephen’s or are moving up to a new grade level to form a community and get better acquainted with our teachers. Primary students learned about physical science through hands-on experiments and animals through observation. They took a mini field trip to the art room to meet some animals in person, including a ball python, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Our Elementary+ students and others from the community have been busy coding away at Creator Camp. Below are photos of these happy campers! 

December 2024

• 12/20 – All-School Chapel; Early Dismissal; No Extended Care
• 12/23 – 1/3 – Winter Break

January 2025

• 12/23 – 1/3 – Winter Break
• 1/6 – No School; Teacher In-Service
• 1/20 – No School; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 2025

• 2/21 – No School; All School Conferences

March 2025

• 3/10 – 3/14 – Spring Break

April 2025

• 4/18 – 4/21 – No School; Good Friday and Easter Monday

May 2025

• 5/23 – Last Day of School; Early Dismissal; No Extended Care
• 5/26 – Memorial Day
• 5/27 – 5/30 – Teacher In-Service and Conferences; Summer Camp Prep

Join us at the Back-to-School Rally on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m.

• Community
• Classroom Visits
• Meet the Parent Teacher Organization
• Head of School Presentation
• And More!

Orientation and Primary families meet in Pecore Hall at 1800 Sul Ross at 3 p.m.

Elementary and Middle Years families meet in the Gathering Area at 1805 W Alabama at 3 p.m.

At St. Stephen’s, we have an easy way for anyone in the St. Stephen’s community to show their appreciation for a faculty, staff, or leadership team member. We call it sending a “Bulldog Compliment.”

Here is how it works. Click the Send A Bulldog Compliment image and follow the prompts. It only takes a few clicks, and you are done.

All compliments are anonymous and will be sent to the person (or persons) you choose to recognize. There is no limit to how many you can send, so be as generous as you wish!