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Academics
15 months – 2 years
3 years – Kindergarten
1st – 3rd grade
3rd – 6th grade
7th – 8th grade
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Campus Life
After School
Enrichment
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Support SSESH
October 2, 2026
This week, learning stretched far beyond the classroom walls for our Elementary and Middle Years students.
In Montessori education, “going out” is an important part of the learning process, giving students opportunities to take what they are studying in the classroom and encounter it firsthand in the wider world. These experiences build independence, curiosity, responsibility, and a deeper connection to both the community and the natural world.
Our students did plenty of “going out” this week! Lower Elementary traveled to Jesse H. Jones Park on Tuesday, where history and nature came alive through the Red Hill Homestead and Akokisa Village. Upper Elementary headed to Nature’s Classroom Institute Wednesday through Friday for three days of science, ecology, outdoor exploration, and team building. And our Middle Years students had a full week of experiential learning, beginning Monday with a forensic science lab at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and service with Hermann Park Conservancy, continuing Tuesday with service at Montrose Grace Place’s Tracy’s Closet, and finishing Wednesday through Friday at Camp Allen for time in nature, community building, and adventure.
From history and science to ecology, service, teamwork, and time outdoors, this week was a wonderful example of Montessori learning in action: students experiencing the world, not simply learning about it.
SSESH Forward! keeps moving forward! As of October 2, our community has raised $114,194, bringing us to 53% of our $215,000 goal, with 31% overall parent participation.
A special shoutout to Middle Years at 52% participation, and to O1, O3, and LE3, which have all reached 50% participation! O1 made an especially exciting jump this week, climbing to the halfway mark.
Every gift helps support the people, programs, spaces, and experiences that make St. Stephen’s such a special place for our students. Thank you to everyone who has already participated in SSESH Forward! and helped keep the momentum growing.
Could your gift go twice as far? Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double, or sometimes even increase, the impact of your contribution to St. Stephen’s. Some companies also match gifts from retirees or provide charitable funds based on employee volunteer hours. Check with your employer’s HR or Community Relations department to see what may be available.
Employer matches also count toward our Donor Appreciation event giving levels. For example, a $2,500 gift matched by your employer for another $2,500 would qualify as a $5,000 contribution toward our Appreciation Dinner. Matching gifts can also help donors reach the $1,500+ level for our Appreciation Reception. Gifts and matching pledges must be received or pledged by January 31, 2027, to count toward these recognition levels.
Thank you to our current SSESH Forward! Donor Matchers:
The Beveridge Family, Dan and Heather Crowder, Ernesto Fonseca and Carmen Perez, Farzan Parsinejad and Sara Passone, Nupur and Anuj Sharma, The Stewart Family, Tammy and Brian Thigpen, and Esteban and Sara Tirado.
Already requested a match from your employer? Be sure to let us know so we can be on the lookout for it!
Will we channel our inner pop princesses and boy-band heartthrobs, dust off the butterfly clips, crank up the hits from our burned CDs, and party like TRL is still counting down the top ten with Now That’s What I Call a Gala!? Think frosted tips, flip phones, metallic everything, and a dance floor full of songs you somehow still know every word to.
Will we step into an evening of mystery, romance, and old-world glamour with Midnight Masquerade? Picture candlelight, dramatic masks, rich colors, a little sparkle, and the feeling that anything could happen once the clock strikes midnight.
Or will we tease our hair, turn up the synth, pull out the neon, and dance like it’s prom night in 1987 at a Totally ’80s Prom? Think big hair, bold colors, power ballads, iconic dance-floor anthems, and all the wonderfully over-the-top fun of the decade.
Whichever theme wins, we already know it’s going to be an amazing night. But now, the choice is yours!
Monday, October 5 — Match Day
Kick off Spirit Week by matching with someone! Coordinate with a friend, a group of friends, a teacher, or even your whole class and come to school dressed alike.
Tuesday, October 6 — Dress Like a Book Character Day
Bring a favorite story to life! Students are invited to come dressed as a character from a favorite book.
Join us for the SSESH Annual Book Fair on Tuesday, October 6, from 3:00–7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble, 2030 West Gray!
Stock your shelves with new books for home while supporting SSESH at the same time! Families can also shop from teacher wish lists to donate books directly to classroom libraries. Wish lists will be available for every classroom, as well as our specialists and Wellness Team, so there are lots of ways to help grow our school’s book collections.
Plus, a portion of all eligible Book Fair purchases will be donated back to SSESH. Come browse, shop, and help put more great books into the hands of our students and teachers!
Wednesday, October 7 — Purple & Teal Day
Show your Bulldog spirit! Fill the halls with SSESH pride by wearing as much purple and teal as you can.
Thursday, October 8 — Crazy Socks Day
End Spirit Week from the feet up! Wear your craziest, silliest, most colorful socks to school.
Campus will be closed Friday, October 9 and Monday, October 12 for Fall Break. We hope all of our SSESH families enjoy a restful, extra-long weekend!
Tuesday, October 13 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.
See Primary in action during the school day! Join Ms. Nahla to observe our Primary classrooms, learn what changes as children move from Orientation to Primary, and hear what to expect during the transition.
Tuesday, October 13 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.
See Lower Elementary in action during the school day! Join Ms. Celia to observe our classrooms, learn how the Montessori environment changes from Primary to Lower Elementary, and hear what to expect as children enter the elementary years.
Thursday, October 15 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.
See Upper Elementary in action during the school day! Join Ms. Celia to observe our classrooms, learn how the Montessori environment changes from Lower to Upper Elementary, and see how students grow in independence and responsibility.
Thursday, October 15 | 10:00–11:00 a.m.
See Middle Years in action! Join Ms. Celia for a classroom visit to learn more about the transition from Upper Elementary to Middle Years, what to notice as you observe, and how the program supports students academically, socially, and developmentally as they enter adolescence.
On Friday, October 16, flamenco dancer and Upper Elementary parent Alex Simmons will join us on campus along with several fellow dancers for a special presentation for our Lower and Upper Elementary students.
Students will learn about the history and cultural significance of flamenco, explore the music and rhythms that bring it to life, and even participate in introductory rhythm and dance lessons.
It will be a joyful, hands-on way to celebrate music, movement, culture, and community as we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month!
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church & School families are invited to join us October 16–18 at Camp Allen for a weekend of community, connection, and time outdoors.
Come for one night, two nights, or just Saturday. Enjoy camp activities, a hayride, BBQ dinner, a singalong, or simply slow down and relax among the pines.
Registration closes October 8.
Register here!
Questions? Contact Rev. Ashley at adellagiacoma@ststephenshouston.org.
Moving Up Night
Thursday, October 22 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Moving Up Night is for current families whose children will be moving to the next level at St. Stephen’s in the 2027–2028 school year.
Join our teachers in their classrooms for a closer look at what comes next, including curriculum, classroom environment, developmental expectations, and the experiences unique to each level. You’ll also have time to ask questions and hear directly from the teachers who know the program best.
Free childcare will be available for registered families.
Our St. Stephen’s community will gather for All School Chapel on Wednesday, October 28 at 9:00 AM as we observe All Saints’ Day together.
Please note that all All School Chapels will begin at 9:00 AM going forward, giving students and teachers time to settle into their morning before gathering as a community.
Families are always welcome to join us for All School Chapel, and we would love to have you worship with us!
Our All-School Halloween Party is coming up on Friday, October 30! This is a student event, and students are encouraged to come dressed in costume for a fun celebration with their classmates.
Costumes must follow the school dress code, and no weapons or weapon-like props are permitted.
We are also always grateful for extra hands to help make the party a success! Volunteers are needed, so please check Point for available sign-ups.
First Trimester Conferences will take place on Friday, November 6. These conferences are an important opportunity for families, students, and teachers to reflect on the first trimester, celebrate growth, and talk together about goals for the months ahead.
As we get closer to the date, your child’s teacher will send an email with information about scheduling a conference time.
Please note: Beginning in 1st grade, students are expected to attend their conference and take an active role in sharing and reflecting on their learning.
Quick Links
Click here to order Monty Meals for your student.
You’re welcome to order for the entire year, a full month, or just one week at a time—whatever works best for your family. If you forget to place a larger order or simply prefer to decide week by week, you can always come back and order for the following week.
As a reminder, weekly ordering closes every Tuesday at 9:00 AM and reopens Friday at noon for the following week.
Have questions or need help? Email Kate Booth at kbooth@ssesh.org.
Click here to register for morning or aftercare.
Have questions or need help? Email Celia Hughes at chughes@ssesh.org
Click here to order a catered lunch for your student through Simply Fresh.
Questions? Email info@thesimplyfreshkitchen.com
Click here to access the 26/27 detailed parent calendar.
Questions? Email Liz Newchurch at lnewchurch@ssesh.org
Click here to access previous Hallway posts.
Questions? Email Liz Newchurch at lnewchurch@ssesh.org
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!
