Please note that The Hallway will go out every other week during the summer.

Happy Summer, Everyone!

We hope you’re soaking up the sunshine, staying safe, and having lots of fun. Below you’ll find information about summer camps happening on campus as well as important health requirements from our school nurse.

As you look ahead to the end of summer, please keep these key dates in mind:

- Friday, August 8 – Back-to-School Conferences and Meet & Greets
- Sunday, August 10 – Back-to-School Rally (a chance to hear from all faculty and support staff, and to get details from your child’s homeroom teacher)
- Monday, August 11 – New Student Orientation for students new to SSESH and students entering a new level (rising Primary students, 1st graders, 4th graders, and 7th graders)
- Tuesday, August 12 – First Day of School (full day, including extended care)

Extended care registration will open at the end of June, and teacher welcome letters and back-to-school event details will also be shared then as well. Bulldog360 enrichment registration will open after the school year begins.

If you have any questions about back-to-school schedules or events, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Liz Newchurch at lnewchurch@ssesh.org.

Wishing you a joyful and restful summer,
Team SSESH

Upcoming Events

SUMMER CAMPS at SSESH

Orientation and Primary Summer Camps run from the week of June 2 through the week of July 21 (please note: there is NO CAMP the week of June 30-July 4).
➡️ IMPORTANT: Orientation and Primary Extended Care ends at 5:00 PM during the summer — not 6:00 PM! ⬅️

Elementary Enrichment Camps run only during the month of June.
🚫 Please note: There is NO EXTENDED CARE available for Elementary Enrichment Camps.

Additionally, several outside vendor camps are being hosted on campus throughout the summer. These camps operate independently and will communicate directly with families regarding their schedules and policies.

Let’s make it a great summer! ☀️

Welcome to Team SSESH

Ms. Slayden (UE2 Lead)

We’re thrilled to welcome Slayden Thomas as the new Lead Teacher in Upper Elementary 2 beginning this August. Slayden brings nearly a decade of experience guiding Upper Elementary students in both public Montessori and charter school settings, most recently at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet here in Houston. She is a certified Montessori educator for both Lower and Upper Elementary and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. In addition to her classroom work, Slayden serves as a Montessori field consultant and instructor, mentoring adult learners in best practices and philosophy. She is passionate about creating equitable, engaging, and student-centered learning environments, and we’re so excited for the knowledge and leadership she will bring to our community.

Ms. India (P3 Lead)

We’re delighted to welcome India Hudson as the new Lead Teacher in Primary 3 starting this August. India is an AMS-certified Montessori Early Childhood Educator with over six years of experience guiding children ages 3–6. She is deeply committed to the Montessori philosophy and brings a warm, intentional approach to classroom leadership, individualized instruction, and family engagement. India has spent the last several years teaching in Houston, where she designed thoughtful learning environments that foster independence, curiosity, and social-emotional growth. She also brings experience as a Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher and is a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. We’re so excited for India to bring her calm presence, passion for early childhood education, and love of science to the Primary team.

Ms. Indigo (UE2 Assistant)

We’re excited to welcome Indigo Ghonima as the Assistant Teacher in Upper Elementary 2 this August. Indigo is a Houston native and graduate of Columbia University, where she earned her degree in Film and Media Studies with honors. She brings a rich and creative background to our school, with experience in emotional intelligence instruction, nonprofit programming, and youth engagement. Indigo currently leads cooking and SEL-based classes for children in transitional living shelters and middle schools, and she has a passion for connecting students with hands-on, meaningful learning experiences. With a background in the performing arts, storytelling, and community organizing, Indigo brings a warm and dynamic presence to the classroom. We’re thrilled to have her join the Upper Elementary team!

Ms. Nicole (O3 Assistant)

We’re happy to welcome Nicole Girth as the new Assistant Teacher in Orientation 3 beginning this August. Nicole brings a warm, nurturing presence and a strong background in early childhood education, most recently serving as a preschool teacher at Cathedral House School. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and holds certifications in Child Safeguarding and as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). Nicole has years of experience supporting young children both in classroom settings and through childcare roles, and she brings strong organizational skills, a love for helping others, and a passion for creating safe, engaging environments for early learners. We’re excited to have her join the Orientation team!

2025-2026 Magnus Health

heart and stethoscope icon. medical icon. isolated on white background.

Magnus Health requirements will be open for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning June 1st. Do not update anything in Magnus before that date, as it will be lost when we move the year forward.

Please make note of the following:

All Magnus requirements must be completed by August 1st.
Texas law requires all students to be vaccine compliant to attend school.
- For age/grade-specific vaccine requirements and exemption details, visit the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
Physicals will only be due once upon enrollment and will no longer be required annually for returning students.
Magnus is now accessible through the SSESH Parent Portal and no longer requires additional login credentials.

I hope everyone has a great summer!

Nurse Christie

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!

Hallway 6.13.2025