A Letter from Ms. Nahla
Dear Families,
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend our Parent Education Series from September until now. It has truly been a pleasure—for both our teachers and me—to meet with you and share our work, our philosophy, and the learning that takes place each day in our classrooms.
We began the year with Montessori Exploration in September, which kicked off our Parent Education Series, and we concluded with a meaningful session on Social and Positive Discipline, which was led by our school counselor, Ms. Linda, and me. Throughout these sessions, our goal was to give you a deeper understanding of the Montessori approach and the level-specific curriculum that supports your children’s growth academically, socially, and emotionally.
We hope you found these Parent Education sessions informative, helpful, and enriching. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting with you and sharing the magic of Montessori that unfolds daily in our classrooms.
Thank you for your engagement, curiosity, and commitment to your children’s education. We truly value your partnership and appreciate the trust you place in us as we work together to support your children’s growth and development.
With gratitude,
Nahla
The Holiday Giving Fund
There are just a few days left to contribute to the Holiday Giving Fund—a convenient, tax-deductible way to express your gratitude to the St. Stephen’s teachers, assistants, specialists, staff, and maintenance/cleaning crew who care for our children every day.
To ensure your gift is included in staff paychecks before the end of the year, please make your donation by Monday, December 15 at 11:59 PM.
Gifts received after that time will still be shared among the staff, but will be distributed after New Year’s.
All contributions are combined and distributed equally among our faculty and staff.
On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support. Your gift means more than you know.
A Warm Welcome to Reverend Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis
We are delighted to share that Reverend Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis has officially begun her ministry as the Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Carissa brings a deep love for community, a gift for connecting across generations, and a joyful presence that already feels right at home on our campus.
Many of our families had the chance to spend time with Carissa during last weekend’s Weekend in the Woods retreat at Camp Allen, where she jumped right into the spirit of the event—sharing stories, laughter, and meaningful moments with children and adults alike. Her warmth, curiosity, and genuine care for people were felt throughout the retreat.
We are thrilled to welcome Carissa into the St. Stephen’s family and look forward to the many ways her leadership and partnership will enrich both our church and school communities.
Help Us Reach Our Annual Fund Goal by December 31
Your Gift This December Makes a Difference
As we enter this festive season and head into the final two weeks of the semester, we’re feeling an immense sense of gratitude for our St. Stephen’s community—you continue to be the heart of this school.
Your support, kindness, and commitment make every classroom brighter, every performance more joyful, and every student’s experience richer and more meaningful.
The Annual Fund is a big part of how we continue building that magic. It fuels the everyday moments that matter—creative learning spaces, student wellness, outdoor play, faculty support, and the little touches that make St. Stephen’s feel like home.
December is our most important month for giving, and we’re hoping to reach our goal by December 31. If you haven’t made your Annual Fund gift yet, this is a beautiful time to do so as we celebrate the season of generosity and focus on what matters most: our children, their growth, and their joy.
Thank you for being part of everything that makes St. Stephen’s such a special place. We are truly grateful for you.
Upcoming Events
Think Spirit Week… but with extra holiday cheer!
Monday, 12/15 – Merry & Bright Monday
Wear your brightest, most festive colors or light-up accessories to kick off the week! Think neon scarves, glittery hats, or battery-powered string lights.
Tuesday, 12/16 – Tinsel & Tie-Dye Tuesday
Mix holiday sparkle with tie-dye! Pair your favorite tie-dye shirt or outfit with tinsel, garlands, or glittery accessories.
Wednesday, 12/17 – Wacky Winter Wear Wednesday
It’s time for ugly sweaters and over-the-top holiday attire! Show off your funniest or most extravagant winter wear.
Thursday, 12/18 – Tucked-In Thursday
Wrap up the week in comfort—wear your coziest winter pajamas! Slippers and fuzzy robes are optional but encouraged.
Holiday Performance & Chapel Service
Join us at 10:00 am on Friday, December 19th, for A Celebration of Hope, Love, Joy, & Peace, our end-of-semester Holiday Performance and Chapel Service featuring students from Orientation through Middle Years. Children will share music, lessons, and prayers, with reflections from Rev. Ashley and Dr. Troy.
Students are asked to dress nicely in colors that represent the winter holidays: blue, white, green, red, gold, or black. Please avoid jeans, shorts, and tennis shoes.
This is an early dismissal day with NO aftercare:
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Orientation: 11:30 a.m.
- Primary: 11:45 a.m.
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Elementary & Middle Years: 12:00 p.m.
If your child will begin the break early, please let us know.
We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Winter Break
St. Stephen’s will be closed December 22nd – Janurary, 5th. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 6th. Happy Holidays!
2025/2026 At-A-Glance Calendar
Bulldog Compliments
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!