Back-to-School Checklist

Summer Work for Rising 4th – 6th graders

• 2025 Summer Reading Upper El
• We encourage students to continue practicing math using IXL over the summer, focusing on the skills from the grade level they just completed. Consistent, short sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones. A goal of 90 minutes per week is ideal to help keep skills sharp and build fluency. Students can log in to their existing IXL accounts and choose from recommended skills or use the “Diagnostic Recommendations” tool for guidance. 
• Students are also welcome to explore IXL Language Arts over the summer. While not required, this can be a helpful way to keep language and grammar skills fresh. They can choose topics from their previous grade or explore new ones based on interest.

Summer Work for Rising 7th and 8th graders

• 2025 MY Summer Reading

• Students should continue using IXL over the summer to practice math skills from the grade level they just completed. Regular, short sessions are most effective—aim for 100 minutes per week. Students can log in to their existing accounts and select skills from their recommended list or use the “Diagnostic Recommendations” tool for targeted practice. If you need your child’s login information, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email.

• For students entering 8th grade, we recommend light preparation for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) over the summer as part of the high school application process. IXL offers targeted ISEE prep tracks that can be used alongside general math review. Please refer to the High School Prep Google Classroom for specific guidance and resources related to ISEE preparation.

Magnus Health requirements will be open for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning June 1st. Do not update anything in Magnus before that date, as it will be lost when we move the year forward.

Please make note of the following:

• All Magnus requirements must be completed by August 1st.
• Texas law requires all students to be vaccine compliant to attend school.
  • For age/grade-specific vaccine requirements and exemption details, visit the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
• Physicals will only be due once upon enrollment and will no longer be required annually for returning students.
• Magnus is now accessible through the SSESH Parent Portal and no longer requires additional login credentials.

Students at St. Stephen’s are expected to attend school appropriately dressed and groomed. St. Stephen’s does not require a daily uniform; however, students must observe the following clothing guidelines for all genders:

• Attire should include shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, sweaters, and sweatshirts as applicable and seasonally appropriate.
• Unless provided for during a special event or Spirit Week, pajamas and costumes are not appropriate for school. 
• Student clothing shall not bear references to alcohol, drugs, sexually explicit, vulgar, offensive, or violent remarks. Clothing should make no reference or to weaponry
• No visible undergarments or crop tops. Shorts must be worn underneath skirts or dresses. Shorts and skirts must be as long as the middle finger when both arms descend straight beside the body.
• No cleavage or breast tissue should be visible outside or through student clothing at any time.
• Jewelry is expected to be safe, preventing harm to the wearer and to all other students.
• Athletic shoes are required; no light-up shoes. No Crocs, flip-flops, or sandals should be worn. Hair must be pulled back with a hair tie or athletic headband during movement or PE.
• Hats, caps, and sunglasses are worn out of doors only. Exceptions shall be made for religious or cultural affiliation.
• Children’s clothing should allow for a child’s freedom of movement. Children who are developing independence and are toilet learning should be dressed in clothing they can put on and take off easily.

Students who do not adhere to these guidelines may not be allowed to attend class.  Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code-appropriate clothing. 

The At-A-Glance Calendar is a helpful resource for the key dates throughout the school year. While it doesn’t include all events, celebrations, and activities, those details will be shared as the year progresses. Use this calendar as a starting point as you plan ahead.

Join us at the Back-to-School Rally on Sunday, August 10, 2025!

• Community
• Classroom Visits
• Meet the Parent Teacher Organization
• Head of School Presentation
• And More!

Orientation and Primary Families: 2:00–3:30 PM

• Begin in Pecore Hall for a brief welcome from Admin and a chance tomeet specialists/support staff
• Head to classrooms between 2:30–2:45 PM

Elementary and Middle Years Families: 3:00–4:30 PM

• Begin in Pecore Hall for a brief welcome from Admin and a chance tomeet specialists/support staff
• Head to classrooms between 3:30-3:45

Orientation Meet and Greet

• Date: August 8
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Orientation program for Year 2.

Orientation New Student Orientation

• Date: August 11
• Time: 8:00-9:30 am
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• Our goal is that your child’s transition into their new class feels safe and secure. In order to succeed in this, we offer a gradual schedule in addition to working individually with parents regarding the recommended schedule for each child. This allows us to respond to each child’s needs and to respect and follow each child’s lead as much as possible. Please be flexible during your child’s transition phase-in period, as modifications may be recommended.
• Please note that drop-off is via carpool, which operates in the right-hand lane in the Sul Ross lot (1800 Sul Ross).
• New student orientation sessions do not include parents in the classrooms.

Tea & Tissues – Families of New Orientation Students

• Date: August 11
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• This welcome event is for families of new Orientation students. Come and meet other new families and chat with the Principal. This event is for parents only.

Primary Meet and Greet

• Date: August 8
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• Please complete the Primary – Student Goals form and bring it to the conference.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Primary program for Year 2 or Kindergarten.

Primary New Students’ Orientation

• Date: August 11
• Time: 8:00 am-11:00 am
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• New students attend school to begin orienting to the classroom and the routine of coming to school.
• Carpool will be in operation on the westbound side of Sul Ross for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
• At 11:00 am, please pick up your child in carpool, park your car, and proceed to the playground for popsicles. This is your opportunity to meet new Primary families.

Conferences

• Date: Week of August 4
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Middle Years)
• Please complete the applicable conference forms (below) and bring them to your conference.
  • Lower Elementary – Student Goals
  • Lower Elementary – Parent Goals
  • Upper Elementary – Student Inquiry
  • Upper Elementary – Parent Inquiry
  • Middle Years – Student Inquiry
  • Middle Years – Parent Inquiry
• For rising 4th – 8th graders, your summer math and reading work (see above) will be due at this time.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the same level in Year 2 or 3 (as applicable).

New Student Orientation

• Date: August 11
• Time: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Middle Years)
• This event is for students who are:
  • new to St. Stephen’s in any grade (1st – 8th) or
  • rising 1st graders, rising 4th graders, and rising 7th graders.
• Please send with your student a morning snack and a water bottle.
• Carpool will be in operation.

**Morning Carpool will operate from 8:00 am – 8:15 am**

Families seeking to drop off or pick up students during the school day, but not during carpool, should proceed to the Main Reception Desk at 1805 W Alabama.

Carpool Locations

Drop off and pick up via carpool is offered for all students. Please note that all students must be dropped off or picked up from the designated carpool locations. All carpool locations are subject to change, with changes being communicated in advance via email and/or text message.

Orientation

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Orientation families must queue in the right lane (closest to the main building). Please ensure that your child is fully awake and alert at morning carpool. Faculty must assess each child before removing them from the vehicle and cannot do so if your child is asleep.

Primary

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 1

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 2

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Lower El 2 families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Upper Elementary

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Upper El families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Middle Years

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Middle Years families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane. (With advance notice, Middle Years may also conduct carpool at the small parking lot at 1801 Sul Ross; please enter 1801 Sul Ross from Sul Ross and exit via Woodhead.)