This Week at a Glance
- 11/11 – Middle Years at the Vietnamese Buddhist Center (8:30-1:45 am)
- 11/12 – Orientation Parent Ed. in O1 (8:30-9:30 am)
- 11/12 – Middle Years Parent Ed in CoHo (8:30-9:30 am)
- 11/13 – Campus Tour (9:00-10:00 am)
- 11/14 – Calmecac Indigenous Organization Performance in the Nave (10:00-10:45)
Need to Know
Welcome Back, Mr. Ian!
Please join us in welcoming Ian McSpadden back to St. Stephen’s as our new Associate Business Manager & Enrichments Coordinator!
Many of you will remember Mr. Ian from his time at St. Stephen’s from 2021–2023, when he served as a Lower Elementary associate teacher and Extended Care Coordinator. Since then, Ian has expanded his experience in school operations, including working in a finance role at another independent school.
We’re excited to have him back on campus and look forward to the experience and perspective he’ll bring to both our business office and enrichment programs. Be sure to say hello and welcome him back!
Leadership Availability This Week
Celia will be participating in professional development Monday through Wednesday. Although she will be on campus, she will not be available for her usual day-to-day responsibilities during this time.
Monday: Nahla will also be out. Barb and Liz will be available to assist as needed.
Tuesday & Wednesday: Nahla and Barb will be available to provide support.
Large Admissions Tour — Friday, November 13
We’re expecting a particularly large group for Friday’s campus tour! 26 families are registered, which could mean nearly 60 visitors if both parents attend.
The tour will focus primarily on Orientation and Primary, with groups also visiting Lower and Upper Elementary.
Planned classroom visits: O1, O2, LE2, LE3, and UE1.
Please be aware that we will have a significant number of visitors moving throughout campus on Friday morning. Thank you to everyone helping us welcome these prospective families!
Calmecac Indigenous Organization Performance — Friday, November 13
To accommodate Friday’s large admissions tour, the Calmecac Indigenous Organization performance has been moved to 10:00 a.m. in the Nave.
The performance is intended for Primary through Middle Years students, but Orientation classes are welcome to join if they’d like!
A few important reminders:
Arrival: Please arrive at the Nave by 9:50 a.m. to allow time for everyone to be seated and ready.
Supervision: Both classroom teachers should remain with their students throughout the entire performance.
Preparation: Please discuss appropriate audience behavior and performance expectations with your students beforehand.
The artists have provided some wonderful resources, including background information, curriculum connections, and materials to help prepare students for the experience.
Explore the Calmecac Performance Resources
Thank you for helping make this a meaningful and engaging experience for our students!
Bulldog Bravos!
A Big Bravo to Ms. Emma!
A special shoutout to Ms. Emma, who presented at the TEAM (Texas Education and Advocacy for Montessori) Conference in San Antonio this past weekend! Her presentation, “Toileting Is Developmental—Potty Training Is a Myth,” shared her knowledge and experience with fellow Montessori educators. We’re so proud to have our faculty representing St. Stephen’s and contributing to the broader Montessori community!
Thank You, Elise!
A huge thank-you to Elise for all the time, thought, and hard work she put into preparing for Saturday’s Open House! From coordinating the many moving pieces to welcoming prospective families, her efforts helped make the event a success. We appreciate everything she does to introduce new families to the St. Stephen’s community!
And a Bravo to Our Entire Faculty & Staff!
Thank you to everyone who helped make Saturday’s Open House such a wonderful reflection of our school! Whether you prepared classrooms, welcomed visitors, answered questions, shared your passion for Montessori education, or helped behind the scenes, your time and effort made a difference. It takes all of us to show prospective families what makes St. Stephen’s special, and we’re so grateful for the care and enthusiasm you brought to the day!
Around Campus
Middle Years: A Thanksgiving Feast in the Making!
Middle Years students are busy preparing to host a special Thanksgiving meal for their families next week! From developing the plan and creating shopping lists to purchasing ingredients, cooking, and hosting, students are taking ownership of every step. It’s a wonderful opportunity to put practical life skills, collaboration, and independence into action!
Celebrating Diwali!
Several Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms have been celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with the help of students and their families! Through shared traditions and hands-on experiences, children are learning about this meaningful celebration while building an appreciation for the cultures and traditions represented in our school community. A special thank-you to the families who helped bring these experiences into our classrooms!
Upper Elementary: Exploring Ancient Civilizations
Upper Elementary students have been sharing their learning through classroom presentations on ancient civilizations! These presentations give students an opportunity to dive deeper into history, share their research, and build confidence in speaking and presenting to their peers. We love seeing students take ownership of their learning and become teachers themselves!
Birthdays & Milestones
Sending birthday wishes to our November Bulldogs!
Elvi Briones — November 5
Tessa Wahing — November 11
Liz Newchurch — November 20
Haley Leonard – November 23
Miguel Zuniga — November 30
Looking Ahead
Next Week: November 16–20
November 16–20: Week of Gratitude & Service
A school-wide week focused on gratitude, kindness, and giving back, culminating in Campus Service Day on Friday!
Tuesday, November 17
Elementary & Middle Years Admissions Tour: 9:00 a.m.
Houston SPCA Presentations: Representatives from the Houston SPCA will be on campus to share age-appropriate presentations with students in 2nd–6th grades.
9:00–9:45 a.m. — Pet Care and Responsibility (2nd Grade)
10:00–10:45 a.m. — Pet Care and Responsibility (3rd & 4th Grades)
11:00–11:45 a.m. — All About Rescue (5th & 6th Grades)
Wednesday, November 18
Primary Student Visitor: We’ll be welcoming a visiting student in Primary.
Thursday, November 19
Parent Education: Primary Parent Ed in Pecore Hall and Upper Elementary Parent Ed in Havens, both at 8:30 a.m.
SCC Staff Appreciation: Our wonderful SCC volunteers will be distributing pies to faculty and staff!
Monty Meals: Monty Meals will take place Thursday instead of Friday due to the half-day schedule. Preparation will be in Pecore Hall rather than the kitchen, as Middle Years will be using the kitchen that day.
Leadership Availability: Celia will be in safeguarding training from 1:00–4:00 p.m., and Nahla will leave at noon. Liz and Barb will be available to assist as needed.
IT Availability: Miguel will be attending a conference.
Friday, November 20
Half-Day: Orientation and Primary dismiss at 11:30 a.m.; Elementary and Middle Years dismiss at noon. There will be no Extended Care.
Leadership Availability: Nahla will be out. Celia and Barb will be available to assist.
Thanksgiving Break & Beyond
November 23–27: Thanksgiving Break — Campus Closed.
Monday, November 30: Faculty Meeting, 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, December 5: Festival of the Holidays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. More details about activities, preparations, and opportunities to help are coming soon!
Looking Ahead to December
Our annual Holiday Performance is scheduled for Friday, December 18, at 10:00 a.m. Rehearsals begin December 8, with the all-school dress rehearsal on December 16. More information and scheduling reminders will be shared as we get closer!
