The Holiday Giving Fund
Dear St. Stephen’s Families,
As we enter this season of reflection and gratitude, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable faculty and staff who make our school such a vibrant, joyful place for children to learn and grow. Their dedication and care are at the heart of St. Stephen’s, and I am deeply grateful for the ways they support our students each day.
Many families have asked how best to express appreciation during the holidays. For many years, St. Stephen’s has embraced a special tradition—the Holiday Giving Fund—as a collective, meaningful way to honor our team. This tradition has become especially impactful for both our teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring that everyone who contributes to the life of our school feels recognized and supported.
Rather than providing individual monetary gifts, we ask that families who wish to give do so through the Holiday Giving Fund. All donations are evenly distributed among our teachers, specialists, support staff, and maintenance team (excluding the Senior Leadership Team). This shared approach reflects the values of community and equity that define SSESH.
Please note that the monetary gift limits listed in the Family Handbook do not apply to contributions to the Holiday Giving Fund, as this is a pooled community gift divided among many recipients. Families should not feel limited by those guidelines when making a contribution.
If you would like to participate, please visit: ssesh.org/holiday-giving/
Thank you for your generosity and continued partnership. Our community thrives because of the care we show one another, and I am grateful for all you do to help make St. Stephen’s a place where every child—and every adult—can flourish.
Warmly,
Troy P. Roddy, Ph.D.
Bulldog 360 – Spring 2026 Registration
It’s time to gear up for another amazing semester of Bulldog 360! Our Spring 2026 brochure is officially live, and we’re thrilled to offer an exciting lineup of after-school enrichment classes for every interest and age level.
Click here to explore the Spring Bulldog360 Brochure
Registration opens on Monday, December 15, at 12:00 PM (noon), and spots will fill quickly — everything is first-come, first-served. You’ll receive both a text message and an email with the link to register right at noon.
Classes will begin the week of January 26, and we can’t wait to see our students diving into new skills, creative adventures, and tons of after-school fun.
For more information, visit the Bulldog 360 page on our website:
🔗 https://ssesh.org/bulldog-360-after-school-enrichment
Questions? Please reach out to Celia Hughes at chughes@ssesh.org
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
Wrap-Up for Our Wonderful Faculty & Staff
Join the SSESH Community Council (SCC) for our annual Holiday Wrap-Up! After morning drop-off, parents gather to wrap the gifts that our faculty and staff bring in—a small way we help take one task off their busy holiday plates.
Bring your wrapping paper, scissors, tape, bows, and all the festive flair you love. Holiday attire is absolutely welcome!
We hope to see you there!
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:
-
Orientation: 11:30 a.m.
- Primary: 11:45 a.m.
-
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, 6th. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 7th. 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!