Happenings on the Hilltop
The Glance - September 4, 2022
LATE START ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Late Start is valuable time for teacher collaboration, planning, and learning to occur across grade levels and departments. On Tuesday, September 6, Lower School and Middle School math teachers will engage in professional development to improve our implementation of the Singapore Math Program. Middle school teachers will have an opportunity to work in departments to review the curriculum for horizontal alignment.
Tuesday, September 6 Drop-Off Information:
Students will report to school at 10:00 a.m.
Carpool will start at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare will be available before school. Early drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m.
2023-2024 ADMISSIONS APPLICATION IS LIVE!
Do you have a younger student you're looking to enroll at SLES? Or a friend who wants to learn more about St. Luke's Episcopal School? The Office of Admissions is now scheduling tours for families interested in enrolling in the Fall of 2023. The application for admission is available online. Visit the Admissions page on the SLES website to view application information and deadline. Contact Ms. Zandra Cook, Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing, at zcook@sles-sa.org or 210.826.0664 with any questions or to schedule a tour.
OPENING CONVOCATION CELEBRATION!
On Wednesday, August 31, we celebrated the new school year with a 1st-8th Grade Opening Convocation. Students, families, and staff gathered to celebrate the commencement of a new school year and our commitment to St. Luke's Episcopal School community. Students led the celebration by defining Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership using symbolism representative of our three pillars.
Scholarship was symbolized as a stack of books. Through books, we excel in scholarship through the discovery and affirmation of our faith, the challenging of ideas, and the collaboration of diverse cultures. A scale of justice represented our commitment to citizenship. We display our citizenship by living a balanced life that promotes justice, equality, and diversity. The scales of justice show us how to analyze our choices to promote positive citizenship attitudes and behaviors. Leadership was beautifully compared to a tree. Leaders are grounded in their faith and values and are as strong as an oak. Whenever great leaders face adversity, challenges, or even successes, we might bend and sway like the limbs, branches, and leaves of a tree, knowing that through our solid roots, we will hold and stand our ground.
The beautiful presentation about our faith in God and these three pillars reminded us of the foundational values we hold at St. Luke's Episcopal School as we celebrate 75 years of shining bright! Thank you to all the parents who could join us for this special celebration and to students, teachers, and anyone who took part in making Opening Convocation a meaningful celebration.
BIRTHDAY LUNCH VISITS AND CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS ON CAMPUS
Birthdays are always a special celebration around here! We are excited to continue welcoming parents on campus to enjoy a birthday lunch with their child. The following are the guidelines for birthday lunch visits and classroom celebrations.
Parents may have lunch with their students on their child’s birthday.
Parents may bring in outside food for their children only.
If a parent chooses to provide birthday treats, they may be store-bought or homemade.
Parents are encouraged to bring treats for the entire grade (not just the class) since treats will usually be shared during lunch or recess.
Please communicate with your child’s homeroom or advisory teacher to coordinate birthday celebrations. If your child’s birthday has passed or is during the summer, please coordinate with your child's teacher to select a date.
CHECK OUT THE NEWMAN LIBRARY!
Hello Readers! Mrs. Hawkins here, or Ms. Hawk, as the students like to call me since I am an avid birder! I am very excited to get to spend time with each and every SLES student this year! Thank you for being a model reader to our students! Tell your children what you are reading and let them see you read! Here is some information regarding our different grade levels:
PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten
Visit the library once per week with their class
Listen to a story
Check out 1-2 books
Learn how to use shelf markers and take care of books
Participate in puppet theater
Play games and do puzzles
Keep track of books and return them each week before library day.
Lower School (1st-4th)
Visit the library once per week with their class
Listen to a story or participate in a project
Check out 1-4 books that they can either read on their own or with a parent
Visit our new library coves: Create/Innovate/Design Cove and the Nature & Games Cove
If you wish to allow your lower school student to check out Young Adult (YA) level novels or nonfiction in our middle school area, please complete this form so that I know you are A-OK with them checking out books that may have teen subjects and characters.
Keep track of books and return them each week before library day.
If the teacher permits, students may use a library pass to visit the library if they have already finished the books they check out on their library day. Or they may come right after school before the library closes at 3:30 p.m.
Middle School
Middle school students now have their very own cove within the library next to their YA section
Teachers will let them visit the library with the class library pass any time they have free time or are in need of research books or just a fun book to read
Visit our new library coves: Create/Innovate/Design Cove and the Nature & Games Cove
May be able to earn community service hours as a library aid if they show me they can be a good helper
Library Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Would you like to volunteer to help me in the library? Here is a Sign-up Genius to find a time that works for you!
CONNECT WITH THE LIBRARIAN
If you have any questions for our librarian, please email at bhawkins@sles-sa.org.
TAKE A PEEK IN THE CLASSROOM
The year has gotten off to a GREAT start! We feel so blessed to see our students learning, making connections, and exploring the world around them. Please enjoy the video below for some fun shots taken during the first two weeks of school. The smiles are contagious!
WELCOME, SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT!
Campus safety and security are a concern across the nation. Early last year, the Board of Trustees committed to improving safety measurements across campus. Since school started, we've adjusted to using RAPTOR as our visitor management system, which conducts instant screenings for all visitors and maintains detailed visitor records. We are also in the process of upgrading classroom doors equipped with safety locks throughout campus and more!
However, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) to provide on-campus monitoring and protect our students, staff, and campus. The officers will be present during carpool, respond to alarms, guide safety concerns, safeguard the campus entrances, ensure visitors sign in at the front desk, and communicate with SAPD radios to stay informed of crime in our area.
We couldn't be happier with their work so far, and we are excited students have an opportunity to see these positive role models that serve our community daily. They are generous with their high-fives and smiles, and we had no doubt they would love our students as much as we do! Welcome, SAPD!
Pictured below are Officer Silveria (left), Sergeant Cavazos (center), and Officer Lopez (right)
ATTENTION 7TH & 8TH GRADE MOMS!
We need 7th & 8th grade moms to volunteer and accompany us to Outdoor School on September 14th & 15th. Outdoor School is a SLES tradition established to strengthen relationships, develop leadership skills and provide hands-on learning amid God’s creation. It allows our students an opportunity to play and truly bond with one another at the start of a new school year. The 7th and 8th grade students will have the privilege of spending two nights at Camp OTX in Bandera, TX. Your student’s advisor and the chaplain will accompany your students as chaperones. Buses will depart campus on September 14 at 7:30 a.m. and return on September 16 by 2:00 p.m. Join us to make some memories for a lifetime! If you would like to sign up please use this link. A big thank you to our dads who have already signed up to help! Please contact Chaplain Kates with any questions at skates@sles-sa.org.
This year, Chaplain Kates makes a special announcement for "Students of the Week" in chapel every Friday. These students receive a shout-out for exemplifying The St. Luke's Way to a friend, a student, or a staff member. The students below are recognized for helping others, eating lunch with new students, and consoling little friends who were having a rough start to the new school year. Students, we see you, and we appreciate you! Thank you for SHINING BRIGHT!
SEPTEMBER 2
WEEK OF AUGUST 26
Turin (6th) & Leo (1st)
WEEK OF AUGUST 19
Jennie (Kinder) & Elise (7th)
MEET FELICIA FRAZEE, 1ST GRADE TEACHER
Tell us about your family. My husband's name is Josh, and we have been married for 15 years!
Where did you graduate from? I graduated from Trinity University here in San Antonio. Go Tigers!
Do you have any favorite hobbies? I love scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and reading.
What is your favorite book? Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Do you have any pets? I have two dogs named Thor and Rebel. I want more, but the husband says no.
What is your favorite thing about working at SLES? The friendly, welcoming staff and all the smiling children!
What would you share if you could pass on any wisdom to our students? Don't be afraid to make mistakes! That is the best way to learn.
How does daily chapel affect our students? Chapel gives the students a sense of belonging within a strong Christian community. It centers them and prepares them for a day of learning.
CHAPEL SONGS FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5-9
-Rise and Shine (Arky Arky)
-Alive and Breathing by Matt Maher
-Holy Holy Holy by Reginald Heber
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email stlukes@sles-sa.org or call 210.826.0664.