Back-to-School Checklist

Summer Work for Rising 4th – 6th graders

• Upper El Summer Reading
• OPTIONAL: Rising 4th – 6th graders are invited to engage in weekly English practice on IXL.
• This summer, rising 4th – 6th graders are asked to engage in 100 minutes of weekly math practice on IXL, aiming for a SmartScore of 90 or higher. Students can choose skills from their diagnostic arena, IXL dashboard recommendations, or the teacher recommendations section. To maximize learning, we ask that students complete their work without using a calculator; scratch paper and pencil are encouraged. All students will be guided on how to navigate the platform, and login information will be sent home via email in addition to helpful information for navigating the platform.

Summer Work for Rising 7th and 8th graders

• Middle Years Summer Reading
• This summer, rising 7th and 8th graders are asked to engage in 60 minutes of weekly English practice on IXL.
• This summer, rising 7th and 8th graders are asked to engage in 125 minutes of weekly math practice on IXL, aiming for a SmartScore of 90 or higher. Students can choose skills from their diagnostic arena, IXL dashboard recommendations, or the teacher recommendations section. To maximize learning, we ask that students complete their work without using a calculator; scratch paper and pencil are encouraged. All students will be guided on how to navigate the platform, and login information will be sent home via email in addition to helpful information for navigating the platform.

In partnership with Magnus Health | Online & Electronic Student Medical Record Solution, St. Stephen’s provides an online portal for health forms, such as the Annual Physical Exam Form and current immunization records. Annually, your child must have documented immunization records and receive a comprehensive physical examination. Please be watching for an email from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School – Houston ([email protected]).

Thank you for your cooperation in this essential process.

Questions? Contact the Office of Campus Life at [email protected]

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:

• Attire should include shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, sweaters, and sweatshirts as applicable and seasonally appropriate.
• No visible undergarments or crop tops. Shorts must be worn underneath skirts or dresses. 
• No clothing bearing offensive remarks.
• Athletic shoes are required; no light-up shoes. << NEW!
• Hats, caps, and sunglasses are worn out of doors only.
• Children’s clothing should allow for a child’s freedom of movement. Children who are developing independence and are toilet learning should be dressed in clothing they can put on and take off easily.

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

The Parent Resources webpage contains essential information that will help keep you informed.

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.

Orientation Meet and Greet

• Date: August 9
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Orientation program for Year 2.

Orientation New Student Orientation

• Date: August 12
• Time: 8:00-9:30 am
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• Our goal is that your child’s transition into their new class feels safe and secure. In order to succeed in this, we offer a gradual schedule in addition to working individually with parents regarding the recommended schedule for each child. This allows us to respond to each child’s needs and to respect and follow each child’s lead as much as possible. Please be flexible during your child’s transition phase-in period, as modifications may be recommended.
• Please note that drop-off is via carpool, which operates in the right-hand lane in the Sul Ross lot (1800 Sul Ross).
• New student orientation sessions do not include parents in the classrooms.

Tears & Tissues – Families of New Orientation Students

• Date: August 12
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• This welcome event is for families of new Orientation students. Come and meet other new families and chat with the Principal. This event is for parents only.

Primary Meet and Greet

• Date: August 9
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• Please complete the Primary – Student Goals form and bring it to the conference.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Primary program for Year 2 or Kindergarten.

Primary New Students’ Transition

• Date: August 12
• Time: 8:00 am-11:00 am
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• New students attend school to begin orienting to the classroom and the routine of coming to school.
• Carpool will be in operation on the westbound side of Sul Ross for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
• At 11:00 am, please pick up your child in carpool, park your car, and proceed to the playground for popsicles. This is your opportunity to meet new Primary families.

Conferences

• Date: Week of August 5
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Middle Years)
• Please complete the applicable conference forms (below) and bring them to your conference. 
  • Lower Elementary – Student Goals
  • Lower Elementary – Parent Goals
  • Upper Elementary – Student Inquiry
  • Upper Elementary – Parent Inquiry
  • Middle Years – Student Inquiry
  • Middle Years – Parent Inquiry
• For rising 4th – 8th graders, your summer math and reading work (see above) will be due at this time.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the same level in Year 2 or 3 (as applicable).

New Student Orientation

• Date: August 12
• Time: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Middle Years)
• This event is for students who are:
  • new to St. Stephen’s in any grade (1st – 8th) or
  • rising 1st graders, rising 4th graders, and rising 7th graders.
• Please send with your student a morning snack and a water bottle.
• Carpool will be in operation.

**Morning Carpool will operate from 7:55 am – 8:15 am**

Families seeking to drop off or pick up students during the school day, but not during carpool, should proceed to the Main Reception Desk at 1805 W Alabama.

Carpool Locations

Drop off and pick up via carpool is offered for all students. Please note that all students must be dropped off or picked up from the designated carpool locations. All carpool locations are subject to change, with changes being communicated in advance via email and/or text message.

Orientation

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Orientation families must queue in the right lane (closest to the main building). Please ensure that your child is fully awake and alert at morning carpool. Faculty must assess each child before removing them from the vehicle and cannot do so if your child is asleep.

Primary

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 1

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 2

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Lower El 2 families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Upper Elementary

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Upper El families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Middle Years

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Middle Years families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane. (With advance notice, Middle Years may also conduct carpool at the small parking lot at 1801 Sul Ross; please enter 1801 Sul Ross from Sul Ross and exit via Woodhead.)