Welcome to Our SSESH Team!
We’re excited to welcome three wonderful new members to the St. Stephen’s community!
Please say hello to Mr. Paul, our new full-time security guard. You’ll see him walking our campus and assisting with carline—he’s here to help keep our community safe. We’re also happy to welcome Mr. Zach, our new Technology Associate, who will be working alongside Mr. Miguel to continue supporting our IT needs across campus. And finally, a familiar face in a new role—Ms. Lily! Many of you know her from Aftercare, and we’re thrilled to have her now full-time as the Associate Teacher in Primary 1, working alongside Ms. Elvi.
We’re so glad you’re here—welcome to SSESH!
Lost & Found
A huge thank you to Ms. Emma for taking a special interest in our Lost & Found and creating a beautiful, easy-to-access solution for our community!
Our Lost & Found is now located near the front desk—Ms. Whitney is always happy to show you where it is. During these chilly mornings and warm afternoons, we’re seeing an influx of forgotten jackets, sweatshirts, and water bottles.
Two easy ways you can help:
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Stop by the Lost & Found to see if you recognize anything
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Write your child’s first name inside jackets and on water bottles so items can quickly find their way home
Thank you for helping us keep track of our things!
A Little Gala Sneak Peek
Our students have already begun creating the original artwork that will be featured in the silent auction at our gala, A Saturday Night at Studio 54, on Saturday, April 18 at the C. Baldwin Hotel. We can’t wait to see the finished pieces—and to find out which lucky bidders get to bring these amazing works of art home. The excitement is already building!
February Monty Meals
Monty Meals for February are open!
The ordering window will remain open until Tuesday, February 3, at 10:00 AM. Families are welcome to order all the way through May if you’d like—but no pressure! We’ll reopen sign-ups before each month as well.
Monty Meals are a great way to give yourself a break from packing lunches while knowing your child will enjoy a fun, school-day treat they’re excited about. One less thing on your to-do list and a happy kid at lunchtime = a win-win!
SSESH Summer Camp Registration
SSESH Summer Camp is offered to students 15 months through rising 6th grade, with registration opening Tuesday, January 20, at noon. You will receive a text message and email for the level(s) of camp your child(ren) are eligible for. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to act fast! For more information, visit www.ssesh.org/summercamp. Questions? Contact Celia Hughes at chughes@ssesh.org
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
No School - MLK Day
There will be no school on Monday, January 19th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This day invites us to pause, reflect, and continue conversations about kindness, fairness, courage, and standing up for what is right.
If you’d like to mark the day at home, here are a few age-appropriate book suggestions to explore together:
Orientation / Primary
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The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. – Johnny Ray Moore
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I Am Enough – Grace Byers
Lower Elementary
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Martin’s Big Words – Doreen Rappaport
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Each Kindness – Jacqueline Woodson
Upper Elementary
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March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World – Christine King Farris
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Freedom on the Menu – Carole Boston Weatherford
Middle Years
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March (graphic novel series) – John Lewis
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Stamped (for Kids) – Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi
The State of SSESH with Dr. Troy
Join us in the Church Nave on Thursday, January 22nd, at 5:00 pm for The State of SSESH—an important moment for our community to come together.
This gathering is more than an update. It’s a chance to hear directly from Dr. Troy Roddy, to celebrate the growth, accomplishments, and challenges of this year, and to better understand the vision shaping Fall 2026 and beyond. Being in the room allows for shared reflection, collective energy, and a deeper sense of connection that simply can’t be replicated afterward.
We hope you’ll join us as we reflect, connect, and envision what’s next for SSESH—together.
What’s Next for Your Child? Winter Open House | January 22
All moving-up families (Orientation Year Two, Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Sixth Grade) are invited to our Winter Open House to spend time in the classrooms your children will be moving into and connect with our teachers.
We also welcome you to invite friends, family, or neighbors who may be searching for the just right school for their children.
Thursday, January 22 at 6:00 PM
RSVP: https://ssesh.org/open-house-registration/
A Window Into the Next Level
Parents are invited to observe classrooms at the level their child will enter in Fall 2026. These observations offer an opportunity to see the environment, daily routines, and learning in action as students prepare for the next stage of their Montessori journey. Please be on the lookout for an email from the teachers in the next level with an invitation to schedule a classroom observation.
Re-Enrollment | 2026–2027
On January 30, 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
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!