February Schoolwide Service Project
This February, our SSESH community is coming together to support children in our city through a schoolwide service project in partnership with Kids’ Meals Houston.
From February 2–20, families are invited to donate items to help us assemble lunch bags for preschool-aged children across Greater Houston. To keep donations organized, each level is collecting a specific item:
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Orientation & Middle Years: Individually packaged peanut butter crackers
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Primary: Individually packaged SkinnyPop (small bags)
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Lower Elementary: Applesauce pouches only (no cups)
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Upper Elementary: mini water bottles
On Friday, February 20, during all-school conferences, families are welcome to stop by Pecore Hall (9:00 AM–12:00 PM) to help assemble and decorate lunch bags. Students in conference care will also participate in rotating shifts.
Thank you for helping our students live out our IGROW values through service, kindness, and community connection.
Welcome to the Volunteer Corner! This is your go-to spot for ways to get involved and support our teachers, staff, students, and school community as a whole. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and care—your involvement makes a meaningful difference at SSESH!
Help Us Plan the 2026 Gala!
We’re kicking off planning for our 2026 Gala: A Saturday Night at Studio 54—and we’d love your help! There’s something for everyone, whether you enjoy decorating, gathering gala items, helping spread the word, or jumping in wherever needed. No experience required—just enthusiasm and a love for our community.
Volunteer with Monty Meals!
Join us in supporting our students through Monty Meals by helping sort, pack, and label lunches on Fridays from 10:45–11:45 AM. It’s a simple, meaningful way to lend a hand and make a big difference in our students’ day. Click Here to Volunteer!
Front Desk Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for parent volunteers to cover the front desk one day a week, from 12:00–1:00 PM, during Ms. Whitney’s lunch break. It’s a great way to spend time on campus, get to know families and staff, and support our community by answering phone calls and basic questions. Ms. Whitney will provide training, and we’re looking for volunteers who can commit to the same day and time each week. We’re so grateful to the parents who already help with this and would love to welcome a few more!
Da Vinci Lab Volunteers Needed
Lend a hand in the Da Vinci Lab by volunteering alongside Ms. Kim to help organize and sort materials and tools. With so many creative minds buzzing, things can get a little messy—and this support makes a huge difference! It’s a fun, hands-on way to help keep the space ready for imagination and innovation.
Upcoming Events
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black voices, stories, joy, and contributions—past and present. One meaningful way to engage as a family is through reading together. Below are suggested read-alouds and at-home reads by grade level, along with their authors.
Orientation
• I Am Enough by Grace Byers
• Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Primary
• Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
• All Because You Matter by Tami Charles
Lower Elementary
• The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson
• We Are Here by Tami Charles
Upper Elementary
• Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Middle Years
• March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
• Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Re-Enrollment | 2026–2027
Today, families will receive a re-enrollment email from FACTS Management.
Key Dates:
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Jan 30–Feb 13: Priority re-enrollment with a $300 tuition discount per child
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Feb 14–28: Regular re-enrollment (no discount)
Remaining spots will be offered to new applicants beginning March 1. Due to high demand, we strongly encourage current families to re-enroll during the priority window to secure your child’s spot.
Questions? emoore@ssesh.org
Shrove Tuesday
Join us for a community Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 17, at 6:00 PM in Pecore Hall! This festive Shrove Tuesday tradition is a fun, welcoming way to gather before the season of Lent—featuring breakfast-for-dinner, joyful connection, and plenty of toppings. All are welcome, including friends and neighbors. RSVP here: https://app.onechurchsoftware.com/ssec/events/6983
All School Chapel
Join us for All-School Chapel on Ash Wednesday, February 18, at 8:30 am, as our community gathers for a quiet, reflective service marking the beginning of Lent—a season of intention, growth, and renewal. Families are warmly invited to join us as we pause together in this meaningful moment.
A Journey Through Central & South America
Join us on Thursday, February 26, in Pecore Hall from 9:00–11:30 a.m. for the Upper Elementary Cultural Fair! This year, students have focused their studies on Central and South America and are excited to share what they’ve learned through student research, art, music, and more. Stop by to see the meaningful and creative work they’ve put together for this special project.
Saddle Up for Go Texan Day
Go Texan Day is Friday, February 27! Students are invited to come to school dressed in their best rodeo and Western gear—boots, denim, bandanas, and all—as we show off our Texas pride together. Go Texan Day is the unofficial kickoff to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, when communities across Houston celebrate Western heritage and the start of Rodeo season. Y’all ready?
Picture Make-Up & Re-Take Day
Picture make-up and re-take day will take place Thursday, March 5, in the morning. Any student who was absent on picture day will have their photo taken, and students who would like a re-take are also welcome.
Families will receive photo proofs from Provine in the coming weeks before needing to decide about a re-take. If you would like your child to have a re-take, please email lnewchurch@ssesh.org
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!