Gala Tickets Are Now On Sale!
Get ready to step into the sparkle, the music, and the energy of disco because tickets and tables for the 2026 SSESH Gala are officially on sale! Join us for A Saturday Night at Studio 54 on Saturday, April 18th beginning at 6:00 PM at the fabulous C. Baldwin Hotel for an unforgettable evening of celebration, community, and support for St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
This will be Gala the SSESH way—a joyful night filled with great food, music, dancing, and the incredible spirit of our school community. Whether you gather friends to host a table or grab your tickets for a fun night out, this is one of the most exciting events of the year and a chance for our entire community to come together in support of SSESH.
Tickets and tables are available now. Don’t wait—secure your spot on the dance floor and join us for a night of disco, connection, and Bulldog pride.
Gala Auction Sneak Peek
Students across all levels have been hard at work creating special art pieces for this year’s Gala auction! Each project is a unique reflection of their creativity and collaboration.
Take a look at a few sneak peeks below—and be sure to ask your child what they’ve been working on!
Taking Monty Meal Orders for April & May
The Monty Meals ordering link is back open for April and May! Be sure to place your orders by April 31 at 12:00 PM.
Have questions? Reach out to Kate Booth at kbooth@ssesh.org
Announcing the 2026/2027 At-a-Glance Calendar
Please take a moment to review the 2026–2027 At-a-Glance School Calendar below. While all dates remain subject to change, this preview is being shared now to help families begin planning for the year ahead, including start and end dates, holidays, and major breaks.
Upcoming Events
Meet, Play, Belong
Current Elementary families and rising 1st grade families are invited to join the upcoming Kindergarten, Lower & Upper Elementary meet-up! This is not an official SSESH-sponsored event, just a fun, off-campus opportunity to build community and connect before next year.
Please RSVP and indicate pizza/snack participation: HERE.
Questions? Contact Allissa Ward at allissaward12@gmail.com
Iowa Assessments
Students in 2nd–8th grade will take the Iowa Assessments during the week of March 23. This nationally normed assessment provides a helpful snapshot of each student’s academic progress. At SSESH, we use this information thoughtfully—as one of many tools—to better understand student growth and guide instruction.
Please help your child come prepared each day with a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a calm, confident mindset. We are proud of the hard work our students do every day, and this is simply another opportunity for them to show what they know!
All School Chapel
Join us for a special All-School Chapel as we celebrate Easter together as a community on Wednesday, April 1, at 8:30 AM. Students, faculty, and families are invited to gather for this joyful time of reflection and celebration. We hope you can join us.
Whole School Photo – Wednesday, April 1 📸
We will be taking a whole school photo of all students, faculty, and staff on Wednesday, April 1, immediately following All School Chapel. This special photo will be featured in our 2025–2026 yearbook!
Please have your child wear their SSESH tie-dye t-shirt.
Need a shirt or have questions? Email Liz at lnewchurch@ssesh.org 💜🩵
No School: April 3–6
Easter Break is April 3–6. Enjoy the long weekend with your family—we look forward to seeing everyone back soon!
Lower Elementary Camping Trip
Our Lower Elementary students will head to Camp Allen for their annual 3-day camping trip, April 15–17!
Through Camp Allen’s Discovery Program, students will engage in hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. This immersive program supports a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship, human relationships, and real-world science and history—all while building independence, confidence, and community.
Gala 2026
Join us for an unforgettable evening of disco, community, and celebration at this year’s SSESH Gala! Enjoy a night of music, dancing, live and silent auctions, Fund-a-Scholar giving, and our popular wine & whiskey pulls—all in support of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
Saturday, April 18 | 6:00–10:00 PM
The C. Baldwin Hotel
Grab your tickets and tables at ssesh.org/gala-2026. We can’t wait to boogie with you!
Middle Years Trip to Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸
Our Middle Years students will travel to Washington, D.C., April 20–23! Often called one of the most important cities in the world, our nation’s capital is rich in history and filled with meaningful learning opportunities.
Students will actively engage with history and civics as they visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, deepening their understanding through real-world experiences beyond the classroom.
Upper Elementary Outdoor School Trip
Our Upper Elementary students will head to Outdoor School April 22–24 for an exciting, hands-on learning experience beyond the classroom! Through a mix of academic and adventure-based activities, students will deepen their understanding of the natural world while learning in an engaging, real-world setting.
Along the way, they’ll also experience the fun of camp life—choosing bunks, stargazing, and roasting marshmallows—building independence, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.
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!