| Greetings! I hope you are creating big memories with family and friends during these final weeks of summer. Life is not a spectator sport and neither is learning.This applies equally to adults and children. During the summer, our faculty and staff have immersed themselves in a variety of activities to deepen their practice. |
| In May, Dr. Gary Stager spent two days with our faculty sharing creative ways to implement technology. A perfect segue to our theme of the year “Think, Read, Create and Play Outside the Box,” that encompasses our philosophy of learning through play, exploration and hands-on learning. |
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Professional Development Opportunities
- Many faculty members attended conferences and workshops from Rice Early Literacy, Readers and Writers Workshop, Responsive Classroom, Presbyterian Weekday Ministries, Pedagogy of Play, Urban Harvest’s Edible Academy and Rice University’s Applied Math.
- Primary 4 and Kindergarten teachers attended the Staff Development for Educators (SDE) National Conference in Las Vegas.
- Primary and Lower School teacher Loralee Daniels attended a music workshop in Napa Valley.
- Early Childhood teachers completed training in curriculum and best practices for young children with Susan Meriwether, MA.
All these trainings incorporate the common thread that our students play a major role in the learning process. With that in mind, we strive to honor each child’s unique thoughts, words and ideas through creative, open-ended learning experiences. |
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Fun Campus Projects
- We reorganized classrooms to accommodate three new Primary classes.
- We built a shared bathroom, added a sink to the new nurse’s office and tiled floors in three classrooms.
- We repainted the locker-room bathrooms and the Early Childhood and Primary School Chapel.
- We combined the Lower School Makerspace and Science Lab with added laptops to better support the flexible nature of technology use in the classroom.
- We purchased new iPads for Primary 4 through First Grade.
- We relocated The Piano Lab and Middle School Spanish upstairs.
- We moved Primary and Lower School Music to a new room.
- We created a “Reading Garden” that will be located in the courtyard outside the Library with Dr. Palividas “Little Library” donations.
- We redesigned classroom arrangements with consultant Shannon Lewis, Early Childhood specialist at Rice University to develop interactive and stimulating environments for young children.
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Exciting Enhancements
- Kidventure will provide after-school care and also host ENCORE, offering a variety of enrichment after-school classes to replace Beyond the Bell.
- Security upgrades that include new internal locks and ALICE training for school certification.
- New Parent Education offerings based on your feedback such as:
- "Parenting the Positive Discipline Way" with Susan Meriwether, MA.
- "Meditation and Mindfulness" with Dr. Crystal Collier.
- "The Dangers of Alcohol, Drugs and Vaping" with Dr. Crystal Collier.
- Rice University's "The Critical Importance of Play" with Whitney Zisman.
- Positive and Effective Discipline with Deborah Fry, Ph.D.
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Road to Accreditation
Finally, this year we host a Southwest Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) accreditation team in April 2020. This visit occurs every ten years and we are excited to introduce them to our wonderful community! |
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See you soon!
As you can see it is going to be a very busy and exciting year! We look forward to catching up with you at Orientation.
Look for a postcard in the mail soon with details on classroom assignments, teachers and times for class visits. Let us know if you misplaced or didn't receive the information.
Michelle Symonds
Head of School
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| Back to School Orientation |
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On Tuesday, Aug. 20 parents and students of all divisions are invited to pick up orientation packets any time from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall.
Packets will include student schedules, handbook instructions, carpool tags, important dates calendar, locker assignments, etc.
At orientation, you'll also have the opportunity to visit stations for information on various topics such as:
- Nurses table: to complete health records or drop off medications.
- Athletics: for MS students to order or pick up PE uniforms, and sports inquiries.
- Simply Fresh: lunch registration instructions and menus.
- Kidventure: after-school programs and early care.
- PTO: social events, volunteer opportunities and limited used uniform sale.
- Uniforms: sizing samples and ties available for purchase $15 (cash or check).
Classroom visits
- MS students can visit their advisory classroom, drop off or pick up supplies and decorate their assigned locker.
- LS students can visit their classrooms and drop off or pick up supplies.
- PS students can visit their classroom at the time assigned in the postcard.
- EC students can visit their classroom at the time assigned in the postcard.
After Orientation
- Youth Sports meeting at 12:30 p.m. in the Gym.
- MS Fall Sports meeting at 1 p.m. in the Gym.
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| Health Forms Due at Orientation |
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As you prepare for back to school, make sure to complete the required forms by the due date or your student will not be allowed to join on the first day of school.
- Student Health Form – Parents AND physician must sign this form by August 20, 2019. Bring the health form to the physician’s office during the examination or they can complete if a visit occurred recently (physician offices are used to filling out these forms.) You can scan and email the form to the nurses. It is the parent’s responsibility to book a physical before back to school and provide the form by the deadline.
- Current Immunization Records – Provide an updated copy attached to the health form by August 20, 2019. The school nurses will review all health records and report to the Texas State Public Health Department to ensure each student is compliant with state requirements. All students, new or returning, must provide an updated immunization record and health form every year.
- Middle School Athletic Physical Form – Middle School students trying out for a school athletic team must provide a Sports Physical Form that includes an exam conducted after May 15, 2019.
Submit all forms by August 20, 2019 or at orientation. Your child will not be admitted on the first day of school if the health form and current immunization records are not filed in the nurse office.
Contact Nurse Neely, Nurse Carrie or Nurse Larissa for questions. You can send the forms directly to the nurses or drop them off at the main Front Office. |
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School Supplies
You can order school supplies for Primary 3 through Eighth grade through EPI for home delivery or purchase independently from the list.
Students that ordered through EPI before the deadline will receive their supplies during orientation. Students that purchased independently can drop off their supplies in the classroom during class visits. |
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Tommy Hilfiger Uniforms
Review the charts to ensure you have the proper uniform garments for each day of the week.
LS Uniform Updates
MS Uniform Updates
The daily uniform dress code per division explains the items students can wear on chapel and non-chapel days.
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Summer Reading
Every student in Early Childhood, Primary, Lower and Middle School received a Summer Reading folder containing a suggestion of book selections and required reading for each grade level. It also included a reading chart and a mystery reading challenge. |
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New students
Any children that haven't received a folder, pick up a packet in the main front office. Make sure to read the instructions on how to complete the required reading and the challenge. |
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| Important Forms and Information |
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Simply Fresh Lunch Program
The Simply Fresh Kitchen offers fresh, nutritious and well-balanced meals every day. Review the ordering instructions and buffet registration guidelines to set-up or reactivate your account. |
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Important Dates Calendar
View the 2019-2020 at-a-glance calendar to plan ahead for student holidays and other school closures or important events. |
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Pre-Arranged Absence Form
Complete this form for any planned absence except for trips sponsored by the school. The absence will not be “excused” until the form is complete, approved and signed by the Head of division. |
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Parent Portal
To access ParentsWeb for the first time, Click on "Create a New ParentsWeb Account." Our district code is HSE-TX. Use the email address you provided to the school to register or access ParentsWeb. Returning parents can log-in at any time to update or view directory information. |
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Saturday, Aug. 3
* P3 Back to School Social 9-11 a.m. in the school playground
Sunday, Aug. 4
* P4 Back to School Social 4:30-6 p.m. in the school playground
Aug. 5-8
* Volleyball Camp for incoming 4th-8th grade 8-11:15 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11
* MS Back to School Party at the Forest Club 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 15-20
* EC closed
Saturday, Aug. 17
* LS Back to School Movie Night 6-8 p.m. in Palmer Hall
* 8th grade departs to Colorado for Ecolink trip
Monday, Aug. 19
* EC & PS Orientation for parents only from 6 to 8 p.m. in Palmer Hall
Tuesday, Aug. 20
* EC & PS Class visits for parents and students - students will receive a postcard with visit time
* LS & MS Orientation for parents and students from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall
* Youth Sports meeting at 12:30 p.m. in the Gym
* Fall Sports meeting at 1 p.m. in the Gym
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Wednesday, Aug. 21
* First day of school - bell rings at 8 a.m.
* Cheers and Tears parent coffee at 8 a.m. in the Library
* EC Chapel at 10 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22
* P4 Chapel at 9 a.m.
* P3 Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
* LS & MS Eucharist at 10 a.m. with backpack and birthday blessings
* MS soccer and volleyball tryouts 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Gym
Friday, Aug. 23
* HSES spirit shirt with uniform bottoms
* Closing date for soccer
Tuesday, Aug. 27
* LS & MS Chapel at 8:15 a.m.
* P4 Chapel at 9 a.m.
* P3 Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
* EC Chapel at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
* EC Chapel at 10 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 29
* LS & MS Chapel at 8:15 a.m.
* P4 Chapel at 9 a.m.
* P3 Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 30
* HSES spirit shirt with uniform bottoms
Monday, Sept. 2
* No School - EC closed |
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