Your weekly update with school news, upcoming events, and important reminders to keep our community connected.
Upcoming Events
You’re Invited: Middle Years Discovery Expo
Join us on Tuesday, May 13 at 9:00 AM in CoHo for the Middle Years Discovery Expo, a special end-of-year celebration where our students will present their final research projects.
Each Middle Years student selected a topic from our science curriculum that sparked their curiosity and explored how it might help improve life for people or the planet. Their projects reflect weeks of thoughtful research, creativity, and problem solving.
Come be inspired by their powerful ideas and celebrate their hard work with us!
Baccalaureate & All-School Chapel – A Celebration of Growth
On Wednesday, May 14th at 8:30 AM, we invite all members of the SSESH community to join us in the Church Nave for our final All-School Chapel of the year. This special service will serve as our Baccalaureate for the 8th grade class, honoring their journey at St. Stephen’s and blessing them as they prepare for the exciting transition to high school.
We will also take time to recognize students moving up to the next level, celebrating the personal and academic growth of children across all levels of our school. It’s a joyful and reflective morning filled with tradition, gratitude, and hope for the future.
A reception for Middle Years families will immediately follow the service in the Havens Center. We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful celebration of milestones and new beginnings.
8th Grade Graduation – All Are Welcome!
Join us as we celebrate the remarkable journey of our graduating 8th graders! The Graduation Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, from 6:00–7:00 PM in the Church Nave.
This milestone marks a meaningful transition for our students as they conclude their time at St. Stephen’s and prepare to step into high school with confidence, curiosity, and compassion. We are so proud of all they’ve accomplished—both in and out of the classroom—and look forward to honoring their growth, achievements, and unique contributions to our school community.
We invite the entire SSESH community—families, friends, teachers, and students—to come together in support of our graduates. Let’s send them off with the love, pride, and encouragement they so richly deserve.
Final Conferences – Friday, May 16th
Our final parent-teacher conferences of the year will take place on Friday, May 16th. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and hard work throughout the school year. For students in 1st grade and above, student participation in the conference is expected.
Please note that regular classes will not be held on this day. Conference Care will be available for students currently enrolled in our Extended Care Program.
Celebrate the Colors of the World – May 20 in the Nave!
We’re so excited for our upcoming Color of Nations celebration on Tuesday, May 20th—a joyful collaboration between our Spanish and Music Departments, held in the Nave!
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Primary performance at 4:00 PM
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Elementary performance at 5:00 PM
Students are learning songs and dances that honor the vibrant traditions of cultures around the globe. It will be a beautiful celebration of unity, joy, and the richness of our world community.
Please check the email from Ms. Gi and Ms. Tessa for arrival times, costume details, and more. We can’t wait to see you there!
All School Art Show – May 20 in Pecore Hall
Following the Color of Nations performances, we invite all families to head over to Pecore Hall for our All School Art Show!
This vibrant gallery walk features artwork from students across every level—a joyful celebration of their creativity and hard work throughout the year in Art class, all under the thoughtful guidance of Ms. Margie, our art teacher. Come be inspired by the imagination of our young artists!
Lower Elementary Invention Fair – May 21 in the Havens Center
Join us on Wednesday, May 21st, from 9:00–10:30 AM in the Havens Center for our Lower Elementary Invention Fair!
Our young inventors will be presenting their semester-long projects, each one highlighting creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for problem-solving. From tackling real-world challenges to dreaming up clever solutions, these student-designed inventions are sure to inspire!
Upper Elementary LAUNCH Showcase – May 21 in the Havens Center
Join us on Wednesday, May 21st, from 12:30–2:00 PM in the Havens Center for the Upper Elementary LAUNCH Showcase!
Using the LAUNCH framework by John Spencer, students have explored passion projects, designed science fair exhibits, and engineered original inventions. These student-led presentations are a celebration of creativity, critical thinking, and independent learning in action. Come see what our innovators have been up to!
SSESH Coffee House Opening – Musical Theatre Workshop Performance
Kicking off the Coffee House performance at 4:00 PM in the Nave, our talented students from the SSESH Musical Theatre Workshop will present a special musical medley! Featuring songs sung by children from favorite musicals and a student-created script, this performance is not to be missed. Come early to cheer them on and enjoy the magic they’ve created!
SSESH Coffee House – May 22 in the Nave
Mark your calendars for our beloved SSESH Coffee House on Thursday, May 22nd, from 4:00–6:00 PM in the Nave! This long-standing tradition is a celebration of student voice and talent—open to all ages and all kinds of performances, including music, dance, jokes, poetry, and more. Performers should come prepared with well-rehearsed acts. Singers are encouraged to practice using a karaoke track (YouTube is a great option!).
Field Day – Last Day of School!
We’re closing out the school year with a morning of Field Day fun! Students will rotate through games, relays, and treats as we celebrate the end of an amazing year together.
🧃 Parent volunteers needed! If you’d like to help, email Liz Newchurch at [email protected].
Show Your Love: Support Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is the week of May 5th and the PTO is collecting donations for gift cards for our teachers and support staff to show how thankful we are for all their hard work! This year the PTO has treated the staff to breakfast tacos, Thanksgiving Pies and Flowers, cold brew coffee and croissants, and a Valentine’s Day snack bar with the help of parent donations. Please use the QR code or visit the link to donate. The amount of the gift cards depends on donations. Help the PTO show how much we all appreciate our teachers and support staff!
Spirit Week: May 12–15
We’re celebrating school spirit with a fun and festive Spirit Week from Monday, May 12 through Thursday, May 15! Each day has its own special theme to spark creativity and community. (Reminder: there are no classes on Friday, May 16 due to parent conferences.)
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Monday – Dress Like Your Teacher: Pick a teacher and dress like them for the day! Whether it’s their favorite color, glasses, or signature style, have fun honoring our amazing faculty.
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Tuesday – Super Hero Day: Dress up as your favorite superhero—or someone you see as a real-life hero. From capes to scrubs, let’s fill campus with powerful role models!
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Wednesday – Dapper Day: It’s Baccalaureate and Graduation day, and we’re dressing to impress. Students should come in their most polished, picture-ready outfits to celebrate this special occasion.
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Thursday – Pajama Day: Roll into school in your favorite pajamas! Please leave slippers and stuffies at home—we’ll still be learning, so make sure you’re comfy and ready to go.
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A Speakeasy Soirée to Remember
Thank you to everyone who helped make our 2025 Gala, A Speakeasy Soirée, an unforgettable evening of fun, friendship, and philanthropy. From the jazz tunes and glittering outfits to the spirited auction and joyful dancing, it was truly a night to remember. Most importantly, thanks to your incredible generosity, we exceeded our fundraising goal! Your support directly impacts every student and teacher at St. Stephen’s, helping us continue to grow, enrich, and thrive.
Couldn’t Make It to the Gala? There’s Still Time to Join the Fun!
If you missed A Speakeasy Soirée, we still have a few spots left for two special community events that support our school:
🎨 Paint & Sip with Ms. Margie
☕ Orientation Saturday Morning Off
These limited-ticket experiences are a great way to connect, relax, and continue supporting SSESH.
Click here to purchase your tickets
Support Our Fund-A-Scholar Initiative
One of the most meaningful moments of A Speakeasy Soirée was our Fund-A-Scholar live auction, where guests generously raised their paddles to support financial assistance for students at St. Stephen’s. We were especially moved by the number of faculty and staff who personally contributed, underscoring their deep commitment to our mission and community.
If you weren’t able to attend—or would like to make an additional gift—you can still support this important cause. Every dollar makes a difference in helping a child access the life-changing education offered at SSESH.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your donation, please contact our Development Department at [email protected] or 713-821-9100 ext. 111.
All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Spots Still Available – Register Now for Primary Summer Camp
We still have space available in Primary Summer Camp at St. Stephen’s, open to children who turn 3 before June 1st through rising Kindergarteners.
This summer program is designed especially for our Primary learners, offering a Montessori-based experience in a nurturing and familiar environment. Led by experienced early childhood educators, children will continue to grow socially, emotionally, and academically through engaging, hands-on activities.
Each week features a unique theme—from science and art to geography, practical life, and storytelling—keeping campers excited and curious all summer long.
If your child is ready for a summer full of joy, discovery, and growth, don’t miss this opportunity!
👉 Click here to register
Questions? Reach out to Elsa Greer, our Orientation & Primary Summer Camp Coordinator, at [email protected].
2025/2026 At-A-Glance Calendar
Get a head start on planning for next school year! The 2025–2026 At-a-Glance Calendar is now available and includes key dates such as school holidays, conferences, early dismissals, and important events happening before the school year officially begins.
Please note: Dates are subject to change, and a more detailed calendar will be shared closer to the start of the year.
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!