We hope the Grinch didn’t swipe any presents this year, but he sure stole the hearts of the door decorating contest judges. Congratulations to Mrs. Michos’ class for taking the win, and a special shoutout to freshman Christina Wang for her artwork!

 Let's make it a toast-worthy success! Please RSVP by January 3 to (772) 231-5192 or msegura@steds.org.

Hanukkah, Hanukkah!

Mrs. Miner's and Mrs. Young's PK4 classes enjoyed a wonderful lesson on Hanukkah traditions. Eli Schwibner's mom, Jenna, visited our class to teach the students about Hanukkah.

She shared a wonderful story that captivated the children and introduced them to the traditions of the holiday. Jenna also brought dreidels for the students to play with, teaching them the rules of the game, and treated everyone to delicious latkes, a traditional Hanukkah food. The students had a great time learning about the menorah, playing dreidel, and enjoying this interactive and festive experience.

Merry Christmas Eve! As we gear up for tomorrow’s gift-opening excitement, let’s take a festive look back at the hilarious Secret Santa exchange in Mr. Rogers' class last week. Laughter filled the room, and the smiles were endless!

All I Want for Christmas Is You (to get out of this boot!) 🎶👢 It's a Christmas miracle, Ms. Wanda was boot-free before the break!

We bet those holiday tunes are on repeat! Before heading off for break, Mr. Fletcher brought the magic of the season to life by teaching middle school students how to properly spin those Christmas classics on his record player. Talk about a festive throwback! 🎄🎶

Reminder! There is no school December 23 - January 3 for Winter Break. We hope you enjoy this special time with family and friends, filled with relaxation and joy. We can't wait to welcome everyone back on Monday, January 6!

Mrs. Michos' sixth grade class had an abundance of holiday spirit before the break. We think they "sleighed" Ugly Sweater Day. 🛷✨

Happy National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! Mrs. Issacson's second graders looked festive and fabulous last week for the All School Ugly Sweater Day. Check out those jolly and joyful looks!

Students from kindergarten to fifth grade had fun playing igloo relays this week. The game involved various skills: tossing to a target, speed, and teamwork.

This week, the kindergarten classes wrapped up their show-and-tell writing unit. Each student chose their favorite writing piece from December and worked on editing and revising their pieces. Once they completed the publishing process, the kindergarteners went upstairs to the second-grade classrooms to share. They were so excited to read their work to the big kids! What a fun way to celebrate a huge success!

In this hands-on activity, Little Pirates explored the senses of touch and taste while creating their very own Gingerbread Houses! As they built, they engaged their sense of touch by handling and decorating the gingerbread pieces and feeling the textures of icing and candy. After they finished their creations, students were able to taste the different candies they used, and discovered how different ingredients combine to make delicious treats!

This fun and interactive experience helped our Little Pirates deepen their understanding of the senses while fostering creativity and teamwork!

This week in math, our kindergarteners measured a variety of tape paths using non-standard units. Before the activity began, the students estimated how many cubes long each path would be. After making their estimations, each student worked with a partner to determine the actual measurement. The students were able to compare their estimation to their findings.

Fourth graders got in the holiday spirit by creating a series of overlapping ornaments using mixed-media.  Happy Holidays!

Our second graders had an exciting time learning about verbs through a high-energy activity called Noun & Verb Freeze Dance! In this game, students danced to music, and when the music stopped, they froze and had to identify if a word was a noun or a verb.

This interactive game helped students practice identifying parts of speech while staying active and engaged. Learning grammar has never been so much fun!

Ms. Borruso's kindergarten class partnered with Mrs. Lawrence's second grade class to share their writing pieces from this quarter. The students phonetically spelled words, wrote complete sentences, used transition words, revised their work, and so much more! Great job, kindergarten! Special thank you to Mrs. Lawrence's class for being such great partners.

Last week, Mr. Mitchell's Aloha Homeroom celebrated the end of the semester with their annual Christmas party. As the new year begins, this group will embark on their final chapter together as a homeroom, capping off four incredible years under Mr. Mitchell's guidance.

This week’s wild downpours came with a silver lining, stunning rainbows painting our skies! Ms. Wanda shines among the pretty colors. 🌧️🌈

This week, the Active Minds Club hosted a slime making event for all upper school students, where members discussed the benefits of using slime as a calming tool. It may have been a little messy, but everyone had a great time laughing and learning together. Talk about "slime" well spent!

Ring in Winter Break by cheering on alums and dads at the mens alumni lacrosse game on Friday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. SES families and friends are invited to come out and watch the men go head-to-head on Michael J. Mersky Field in a 7 v. 7 matchup with fewer face-offs, making for a fast-paced game for all to enjoy. A special thank you to Peter Blake '94, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, and Lazim Chowdhury '12, Managing Partner at GreatFlorida Insurance of Fort Pierce, for underwriting this year's game.

*Please note the women's game has been canceled.

Charge up for midterms at the Active Minds Club's Caffeine and Canines event. With coffee provided by Rio Coco Beans and cuddles provided by cute pups, we can guarantee you will leave recharged and ready for the upcoming exams. Stop by the patio in front of the Waxlax on December 16 during lunch.

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News!

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, December 12: Upcoming events and reminders, Rising Sixth Grade Parents: Let's Leap Together event, Reader's Reef Book Club, Christmas Break Reading Challenge, fifth grade running shoe drawings, rewatch the 2024 LP-K Christmas Concert, Little Pirates build gingerbread men, Book Buddies and Writer's Workshop, Civil War Research and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, December 12: (bi-weekly newsletter) Wrapping up the First Semester, Seventh Graders and the Sea, Diciembre in Spanish class, Peyton Bittle '30 shares fun facts about Christmas, SES eighth grader in Vero Beach Rowing, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

Thank you to all of the upper school boys and male faculty members who grew their facial hair during the month of November to raise awareness for men's health issues. While everyone's growing abilities varied, it was a great way to give back to a worthy cause. During assembly, students voted for the best faculty and student facial hair, and our winners were Dr. LP and senior Rushil Sura. We hope to see "Mo' Staches" next year to raise even "Mo' Awareness."

A group of SES students participated in the Little Mo International Tennis Tournament last weekend. There were almost 700 players from 64 countries! Pictured are Julian Robertson, Alex Shackelton, Emmery Clarkson, Chandler Higdon, Maggie Shackelton, Avery Higdon, Clara Shackelton and Payton Clarkson.

AP Environmental Science and Ecology Honors students teamed up with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) for an impactful oyster reef restoration project. The students placed reef balls in the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon, helping to stabilize the shoreline and revitalize oyster reef habitats. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Nelson and our dedicated students for their meaningful contributions to environmental conservation!

If you missed last evening’s spectacular Christmas Concert featuring our talented lower school students in grades 1-5, don’t worry—you can watch it here! The performances were absolutely incredible, with singing, dancing and even some impressive basketball dribbling. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Sharman for 35 years of unwavering dedication to our School.

*Remember, the theme, "Silent Night," means you stay silent until the 13th point. Once the Pirate's score hits 13, get loud!

Thank you to the elves in the A.L.L. for providing daily emails to our eighth graders and upper school students in preparation for their exams next week. You can check out their first 10 "gifts" with the links below. Students, stay tuned for a couple more tips early next week.

Ten stress relieving techniques,
Nine noteworthy review nuggets,
Eight flashy flashcards (available in the A.L.L.),

The Visual Arts Department is grateful for the opportunity to share a sampling of their students’ artwork in the Eggert Children’s Gallery at the Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA). The exhibit includes work from all three divisions, and it will be on view until January 6, 2025. The VBMA offers free admission on the "Second Saturday" of each month, so be sure to stop by this weekend, December 14, to view all of the SES masterpieces.

*Please click on the headline for a brief sample of the artwork on display. Thumbnail image is from an Art I portrait assignment titled "Someone I'm grateful for..." by Antonio Torres '28.

Leading up to the release of the 2024 SES Christmas Video, we shared the Videos of Christmas Past on our social media accounts. Click on the years below to see some flashback holiday moments.

Videos of Christmas Past: 2016
Videos of Christmas Past: 2018
Videos of Christmas Past: 2020
Videos of Christmas Past: 2021
Videos of Christmas Past: 2022
Videos of Christmas Past: 2023

Thank you to all the upper school students who showcased their incredible talents at Pirates Got Talent, organized by senior Patrick MacMullan. The competition was fierce, with amazing displays of musical, comedic, and extracurricular skills. Congratulations to senior Conor Powell, who wowed the crowd with his extraordinary martial arts presentation and earned the title of Pirates Got Talent champion. Click here to see why the audience was captivated by his remarkable talent.

December has arrived, and students have been diligently developing their language skills. Students worked in groups reviewing structure and vocabulary. Many have decided to improve their learning during study hall sessions by using the time wisely in training their minds to think in Español.

Welcome back!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break filled with eating turkey and shopping. As we count down the days till the end of the semester, I have some fun facts about Christmas! The first-ever Christmas tree wasn’t a tree; it was made of dyed goose feathers and came from Germany. The term ‘Xmas’ comes from Greece, with X being the Greek symbol for Christ. The World’s tallest tree was 221 ft high and was displayed in the Washington shopping mall in 1950. 2.1 billion Christmas cards will be sent out this festive season. Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer was going to be named Rollo or Reginald before the creator Robert L. May settled on the name Rudolph. The famous Rockefeller tree features over 50,000 lights. Last but not least, there are 20 days until Christmas!

Written by Peyton Bittle '30.

The Saint Edward's School Athletics Department opened Early Spring Sports Registration for both middle school and upper school athletes on Monday, December 2. All students in grades 6-12 were emailed an online form, which allows them to register to participate in one of a variety of our early spring sports offerings. 

We ask that ALL middle school and upper school students fill out and submit the emailed form, even if they are not planning on playing a sport this season. The deadline for submitting the registration form is by the end of the school day on Friday, December 13. 

More information regarding the spring sports season will be released in the upcoming weeks. Students are encouraged to fill out this emailed form before the deadline in order to ensure they receive pertinent information regarding the early spring season! 

[Please click on the headline to see a list of potential Spring sports options for middle school and upper school athletes.]

On November 2 and 3, eighth grader Colin Mack competed in the prestigious Head of the Hooch regatta in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Colin rowed in both the Men's High School JV8 and Novice 4 boats against teams from across the country. His boats finished 27th and 28th, respectively, in some very large fields of competition. More recently, Colin (as well as fifth-grade teacher Ms. Wallace) participated in the annual Vero Beach Rowing Ergathon on November 16. The event consisted of teams of 4 rowing the equivalent of a marathon - 42,195 meters - as a relay. The event was not only a significant endurance challenge, but a major fundraiser for the club. Congratulations, Colin!

Ernest Hemingway would have been proud of these expert seventh-grade anglers. Mrs. Wengler's English class harnessed the same patience, luck and skill that Santiago demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea. Several students used just fishing line, like the main character in the novel. Cheers to a beautiful day on the water and to over 30 fish caught!

Thank you to the elves in the A.L.L. for providing daily emails to our eighth graders in preparation for their exams next week. You can check out their first nine "gifts" with the links below. Students, stay tuned for a few more tips tomorrow and early next week.

Nine noteworthy review nuggets,
Eight flashy flashcards (available in the A.L.L.),

It is hard to believe we are already wrapping up the first semester! The semester has been a whirlwind of activities and learning, and I am proud of the work our students have put into their classes and activities. It has been a lot of fun watching the engaging lessons and projects in the classrooms and cheering on our students at after-school athletic events and arts productions. The recent Festival of Lessons and Carols evening showcased our middle school choral singers, who under the direction of Ms. Esposito, did an incredible job and helped to get all of us into the spirit of the season. I am so thankful for the amazing Saint Edward's community, and it is never on greater display than when our students come into the office to drop off their Angel Tree presents. Middle school students and families adopted all of the children on our Angel Tree and are going to help give families in need in our area a very special Christmas.

As we wrap up the semester, it is also important to remember that middle school is a critical time for students to build the skills and habits that they will need for upper school and beyond. One of the reasons students take semester exams in middle school is to help them learn how to study and prepare for them. We also do this during middle school when the stakes are lower. This semester, eighth grade students, and seventh grade students in Algebra, will take exams. Here are a few reminders that can help students as they begin studying for exams or any test during the year.

• Encourage them to start early and not wait until the night before an exam to begin studying. Study Halls can get busy right before a test or exam, so they should plan ahead and see teachers early with specific questions. 
• Help students set up a consistent place to study and avoid having students study in their room alone. An area close to kitchen while you are making dinner, or in a family area, allows you to easily check on them and will help students stay on task.
• Organize old notes, homework assignments, quizzes and tests to use for studying.   
• Break up studying into chunks of 20 - 30 minutes, and schedule time for breaks.  
• Help students by quizzing them on material or letting them quiz you. We know that teaching material to someone else is one of the best ways to learn, so this can be a great technique and is fun for students.  

Finally, a few reminders about upcoming events as we finish the semester. We have our All School Chapel on Friday, December 13, and we have a special schedule. On Monday, we have a 'C' day, but all classes will meet, so the 'G' block will meet during the 9th period Study Hall. On Tuesday, December 17 - Thursday, December 19, eighth graders will take their exams at 9 a.m. each morning. They have English on Tuesday, Math on Wednesday, and Science on Thursday. Students need to be here for their exams, but they should be picked up afterward and not remain on campus. Seventh graders in Algebra will take the math exam on Wednesday, and they do not need to attend school for the remainder of the day on the 20th. Sixth and seventh grade students will have normal class schedules December 17 - 19, but they do not have school on December 20.

I wish you all a very happy and joyful holiday.


Jason Dowdy

Kindergarten and first grade collaborative artworks are on display now until January 7 at the Vero Beach Museum of Art- Eggert Children's Art Gallery.  The museum is located at 3001 Riverside Park Drive and hours of viewing are as follows: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. Please stop by and visit your child's masterpiece.

Students collaborate to create a presentation on the leading generals of the Civil War. They divide tasks to research key figures, such as Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. Each student focuses on specific aspects like their military strategies, key battles, leadership styles, and lasting legacies. By working together, students combine their findings into a cohesive and informative presentation, fostering teamwork and a deeper understanding of how these generals shaped the course of the war.

• Christmas Concert: Join us tonight in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts to enjoy performances by our talented students in first, second, third, fourth and fifth grade.
• Holiday Dress Down Week: Starting December 16, students can participate in fun dress-up days. Please see your class bulletin board flyer.
• Community Giving Project: Thank you for your generous contributions to the Holiday Gift Drive. The gifts were delivered today.

How exciting!!!
My students having fun creando y practicando Christmas’s  vocabulary!
Yo estoy impresionada!!
Señora Arias

During our science unit this week, Little Pirates practiced using their senses to build a gingerbread man. The students were shown a chart of various items and were tasked with sifting through sand to see and find the items in the chart needed to build their gingerbread men!

After participating in the Jingle Jog run, Mrs. DeBenedet's fifth grade class drew their running shoe from observation using pencil & value techniques in order to create the illusion of form.

After 35 years of dedication to SES, Marcy Sharman directed her last Early Childhood concert, leading festive songs including "Santa's Coming," "Gingerbread Cookies," "Canción De La Navidad" and "Hip Hop Elves." If you missed Tuesday's LP-K Christmas Concert (or if you just need another dose of Christmas cuteness), you can click here to watch the recorded performance. Thank you to Mrs. Sharman, the Bakers, our lower school faculty, staff and parents, and of course, our talented Pirate singers.

Rising sixth grade parents, mark your calendars now for a special edition of Java Friday on January 17, 2025. Head of Middle School Mr. Jason Dowdy and other special guests invite all parents of rising sixth graders to learn more about the leap from fifth to sixth grade. You'll learn about the middle school transition and new opportunities for students. We do ask for an RSVP for this event so we're aware of total numbers in case the venue needs to be changed.

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Lulich & Attorneys for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do.

Check out all of our Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. #SESCorporatePartners2024

2024-2025 Admission Visit Days are open to all students in grades six through twelve.
*Parents must complete an application online prior to registering for Admission Days.

• October 25
• November 11
• January 25 & 31
• February 7

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Live Oak Animal Hospital for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do. 

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News!

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, December 5: The LS Holiday Gift Drive, the Lower School's guidelines for Ugly Sweater Day, Reader's Reef Book Club, JRA Pop-Ups this weekend, a Swiftie Birthday Bash, the 2024 Jingle Jog, butter making with Little Pirates, kindergarten's balloon parade, Battleship in PE, paintings in second grade and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, November 14: (bi-weekly newsletter) A Spirit of Thankfulness, a student shares fun facts about Thanksgiving, celebrating the case and crew of the Fall Musical, peer tutoring reminder, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

Saint Edward's School officially kicked off the holiday season last night with the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. The evening featured our incredibly talented musicians on the piano, choral students from the middle and upper schools, Biblical readings from students in every division and a sermon from Father Barrett. The audience was encouraged to participate in the traditional hymns, and the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts was filled with the joyful sounds of the holiday. The XIPS would like to thank Chef Tom and Mr. Stribling's team for the help in preparing the post-event hot chocolate and cookie bar.

Our US acting students delayed the start of their Thanksgiving Break to participate in the one-act play district competition on November 22 and 23, and emerged with all "superiors" and as the alternates for a slot in the state competition. Senior Brody Krieger really stood out and earned the equivalent of best actor for his performance. A big congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Baker and the entire theatre troupe!

We're not making any jokes here, the name of the spring play really is the Play That Goes Wrong. Enjoy a murder mystery performance, that may or may not encounter a few mishaps along the way. The performances aren't until 2025, so click here to check out the Cast & Crew List in the meantime.

This week Kindergarten students read the book Balloons Over Broadway, which taught them about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The students identified the characters, setting, problem, and solution of the informational text, wrote about their favorite part, and created their very own parade balloon. Each student also identified the various things they were thankful for and made a fruit cornucopia.

Students in grades 1 through 5 played a fun version of Battleship this week. Instead of ships, we used bowling pins in the game. This activity incorporates skills such as throwing, catching, offense, and defense.

In the final bend of our reading unit, our kindergarteners practiced their reading skills so they could successfully read stories aloud. The students practiced one-to-one correspondence, making predictions, and using expression. At the end of the week, students used reading buddies to support their learning!

Students in grades LP-5 can also sign up for JRA's Winter Wonderland Camp. This full day adventure will feature winter-themed activities, special surprises and a flexible drop-off option for parents, and it will run again on December 14 for double the fun. Both pop-ups are available for registration at CampBrain.

Questions? Please contact msmith@steds.org.

Little Pirates had a blast learning how to make butter during our Thanksgiving feast! By putting a marble, heavy cream, and salt into a mason jar and shaking vigorously, the students were able to see how the cream turned into a delicious butter!

The All School Ugly Sweater Day is Thursday, December 12. Spread the holiday cheer by wearing your most festive sweaters! Lower school students must follow the guidelines below:

• All lower school boys must wear uniform bottoms
• Lower school girls in grades 2 - 5 must wear uniform bottoms
• Lower school girls in grades LP - 1 should wear comfortable shorts

Calling all Swifties! Next Friday, December 13, Taylor Swift will be celebrating her birthday, and our resident Swiftie, Ms. Brower, is ready to party. Right after school until 5:30 p.m., lower school students can join in on friendship bracelet making, cupcake eating, karaoke singing, photo booth smiling and more! Registration is now available on CampBrain under the camp name 

Questions? Please contact msmith@steds.org.

Click here to see the highlight reel from the 2024 Lower School Jingle Jog. "Cheers rang loud and bright, as Pirates led the way. Oh, what fun it was to see our children race and play!"

Tuesday, December 17:

• English exam at 9 a.m. for eighth grade students only
  • Eighth grade students are expected to leave campus after completing the exam
• Sixth and seventh grade students have a regular schedule

Wednesday, December 18:

• Math exam at 9 a.m. for eighth grade students and any sixth or seventh grade students enrolled in Algebra or Algebra Honors
  • Eighth grade students are expected to leave campus after completing the exam
• Sixth and seventh grade students have a regular schedule

Thursday, December 19:

• Science exam at 9 a.m. for eighth grade students only
  
  • Eighth grade students are expected to leave campus after completing the exam
• Sixth and seventh grade students have a regular schedule

Send us your news! We would love to hear what is going on with you. Recently engaged or married? New job or promotion? New baby or home? We want to know. Please send any news you would like to share and a photo to Maria Segura at msegura@steds.org.

Please join us on the evening of Thursday, December 5, for our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. MS and US students will be ushering in the holiday season with familiar Christmas tunes and biblical readings. This event will be held in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to celebrate with us!

This week in the Science Lab, first-grade students investigated a fun and interactive journey into the science of sound! Through a series of hands-on activities and sound toys, they discovered that all sound starts with a vibration. Using tuning forks, students explored the properties of sound through their five senses. In this fun video, watch as students observe sound waves traveling through water, see sound waves moving salt particles through the air, and even feel sound vibrations traveling from a tuning fork through their arms to their ears. Students felt and heard a buzzing sound. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the classroom.

Check out these Black Friday and Cyber Week savings from Lands' End (school code is 900146002). Shop online from November 28 - December 4 to enjoy 40% off bottoms and 20% off everything else. Use code "CYBERSCHOOL" and pin "1224."

Yo estoy impresionada!
My estudiantes are becoming architects! They are designing una casa using CANVA APP to label the parts of la casa in Spanish. This fun activity helps them learn español while creative and using their imagination.
Excelente trabajo !!
Sí se puede!!
Señora Arias

Our second graders had a wonderful time partnering with kindergarteners for Reading Buddies! They proudly shared their expert writing, reading their stories aloud and helping the younger students engage with the text. It was a heartwarming experience that encouraged confidence, collaboration, and a love of storytelling for both grades. We look forward to more buddy time soon!

Reminder! There is no school Monday through Friday, November 25-29, for Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy a week off with family, friends and lots of feasting. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, December 2.

Second grade just wrapped up our latest math unit all about two dimensional and three dimensional shapes! We had fun creating shapes using a variety of manipulatives and going on a scavenger hunt around the lower school to search and find shapes all around us!

In the fifth-grade science unit, The Earth System, students investigate an engaging problem on the fictional Ferris Island. The cities of East Ferris and West Ferris, located on opposite sides of a mountain, face contrasting water supply issues: East Ferris experiences a water shortage, while West Ferris does not. Through hands-on activities, students explored the formation of condensation, understanding when and how it occurs and the factors that influence it. They also studied the evaporation process, learning that only water evaporates while substances like food coloring and salt remain behind. Students created a mini water cycle in a jar to deepen their understanding of critical processes—accumulation, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. This foundational knowledge will be used in an engineering design project where they devise solutions for East Ferris's water shortage, enhancing their problem-solving skills and practical application of scientific concepts. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the classroom.

Word searches in library classes offer several literacy benefits for young learners. They help strengthen vocabulary skills by exposing students to new words in a fun and engaging way. As children search for words, they also practice letter recognition, spelling, and word patterns, which are essential for reading fluency. Additionally, word searches encourage focus and attention to detail, helping students develop their cognitive skills. Overall, they provide an enjoyable and interactive way for children to enhance their literacy while reinforcing their love of words and books.

The annual Food Drive benefiting The Food Pantry of Indian River County wrapped up last week. Students across all three divisions brought in cans, bags and boxes of various food items to contribute to the high demand of food in the pantry. The director of the pantry, Mr. Scott Turner, instructed during our chapel announcements about the great need now in our county, which had a big impact on the student body and faculty to give. At the lunch hour, many students worked hard to carry boxes to and on the pantry trailer. Loading the donations was a herculean task, as it turned out to be an impressive 16,500 pounds of food! After the food was loaded and the door closed, Father Barrett blessed the food before it was taken to the pantry.

Additionally, all three divisions encouraged friendly competition to boost donations. The Upper School featured sterling performances from the homerooms of Ms. Baker, Mrs. Mohr, Mrs. Stalquist, Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Cooksey - all of whom earned relaxed dress days for their efforts. The Mitchell and Cooksey homerooms, in particular, engaged in a white-knuckle competition worthy of Election Day. After several fruitless recounts of many thousands of items, our auditors declared it a tie – the true winners are the citizens of Indian River County in need of food this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important outreach!

Saint Edward's School conducted a blood drive on Tuesday through OneBlood. The drive yielded 39 pints of blood, donated by students, faculty and staff, building on last year's fall contributions by five pints! OneBlood calculated that over 100 patients could benefit from these lifesaving efforts. Contributing to the planning and execution of the drive were juniors Alice Crean of the Medicine in Action Club and Matthew Barrett of the Community Service Club, along with various members of the two clubs who helped at the hospitality table and watched over donors after they gave. These clubs would like to thank the participants for giving to supply others in need in our area. Mark your calendars now – a second blood drive is scheduled for February 12.

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News!

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, November 14: Dealing with the Hobgoblin of Perfectionism, the 2024 Lower School Holiday Gift Drive, dribbling skills in PE, basketball bowling, fourth grader places at the USA Climbing Bouldering Qualifier, second grade's lesson on text features, partner reading in kindergarten, science class updates, Gobble, Gobble Thanksgiving Week Camp, fifth grade's Civil War play, LP alphabet bingo and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, November 14: (bi-weekly newsletter) A Spirit of Thankfulness, a student shares fun facts about Thanksgiving, celebrating the case and crew of the Fall Musical, peer tutoring reminder, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

In honor of Veterans Day, guest speaker (and girls lacrosse coach) Rick Cassara presented to Mrs. Infanzon's AP US History class, speaking about his experience in the Gulf War. He was stationed on an aircraft carrier and flew multiple missions during the war. He showed students pictures, maps and videos, which helped them gain a better understanding of the armed conflict. Thank you, Mr. Cassara for your service and for sharing with the students.

The Fall Band Concert, featuring middle and upper school musicians, will be held next Thursday, November 21, in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts. Join us at 7 p.m. for a selection of concert band and jazz band pieces in the theme of the Moonlight Concert Festivale. The evening is free of charge and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Four students from the Upper School have recently been selected to perform with talented musicians and vocalists across the state of Florida. Senior Conor Powell was accepted and will be singing with the High School TTBB All-State Chorus in Tampa on January 11, 2025. Sophomores Spencer Taft and Cesar Dato-Slattery and senior Sienna Mallon were also selected to participate in the IRSC Four County Honor Band & Orchestra Festival in January of 2025. We can't wait to see them shine as they continue their journey in the performing arts!

Starting Monday, November 18, through December 13, middle and upper school students can adopt an angel for the Angel Tree Gift Drive. Please read below for instructions.

• One item for personal health (toiletries, etc.)
• One item of clothing
• One personal item such as a toy, puzzles, crayons, etc. 
• No items requiring batteries please!

• Place your unwrapped gift in a gift bag
• Attach your angel tag clearly and firmly to the outside of the gift bag
• Show Mrs. Klotter (MS) or Mrs. Cooksey (US) your gift (we don’t want to miss any angels)
• Place your gift under the division-appropriate Angel Tree in the Peter B. Benedict Library

Parents and student drivers, by now you may have heard that the 17th Street Bridge (also known as the Alma Lee Loy Bridge) will be closed from December 2-6. The Monday closure is also the day that we return from Thanksgiving Break. Out of the four bus routes that we have, two may be affected by the closure. For now, Mr. Gravelle is going to keep the schedule as is, with a plan to make swift adjustments to the schedule if necessary.

We ask that student drivers leave campus promptly when classes are complete. If you have a MS/US car rider, we ask that you do not arrive on campus in the afternoon until 2:45 p.m. If you have a LS student, we ask that you do not arrive on campus for pick-up earlier than 3:15 p.m. These small adjustments will take some of the stress off A1A, and the School should be able to continue to run efficiently. Please contact Mr. Gravelle if you have any questions.

Fun game practicing colors with the colored cones and hiding a frog for students to guess where is the frog. They loved having a turn and asking in Spanish ¿Dónde está la rana? Where is the frog?

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Middle School is working to support and demonstrate a spirit of thankfulness to our community. The 'Canstruction' that wrapped up last week resulted in a donation of over 2000 cans just from middle school students. Students in the Middle School loved trying all of the wonderful soups during our annual Soup Day; we are helping with the schools' Flag the Lawn fundraiser supporting our veterans; and finally, our annual Angel Tree Drive begins next week, helping those less fortunate in our area. These are all wonderful opportunities for students in the Middle School to help lead and recognize the importance of being thankful and helping others.  

This week, our sixth grade students had the opportunity to visit the Vero Beach Museum of Art and experience Roadside Reverie, an exhibit of glass works depicting fast food favorites by John Miller. The sixth grade visited the museum to support their recent projects in art class, and they enjoyed lunch in the park together. Our eighth graders are currently on the annual Washington, D.C., trip, learning about the history of the United States and the inner workings of the United States government. This is a wonderful educational opportunity and a special trip for students.  

With the end of the first semester fast approaching, now is a good time for students to organize themselves and think about their preparation for culminating projects and exams. Eighth graders, as well as any student in Algebra I or higher math, will take exams in the gym with the Upper School. Sixth and seventh graders will wrap up the semester with final assessments for their current unit of study. Teachers will review this information with them when we return from the Thanksgiving Break, as they help them get organized for the end of the semester.


Jason Dowdy

Happy Thanksgiving! As we wait in anticipation of a fun-filled day that includes family, eating a lot of food and the Macy's parade, I thought I would share some fun facts about Thanksgiving. The first Thanksgiving was three days long and was originally celebrated in mid-October. The Macy's Day parade originally had live animals in it until 1927 when the large character balloons replaced them. Snoopy has made the most appearances in the Macy’s Day parade. The first Thanksgiving Day football game was played in 1920. “Jingle Bells” was originally a Thanksgiving Day song and it was called “One Horse Open Sleigh”. Each year, over
46 million turkeys are cooked. For you parents out there, one last fun fact is there are only 41 days until Christmas!

Written by Peyton Bittle '30.

Second-grade students took on an “egg-citing” challenge to demonstrate their modeling skills by designing and building innovative chicken coops with LEGOs. To prepare for the project, students observed a real chicken coop and discussed its essential components. Collaborating in teams, they constructed coops that featured crucial elements such as shelter, food, water, space for roaming, and nesting areas for egg-laying. This engaging, hands-on activity not only encouraged teamwork and problem-solving but also helped students think critically about the needs of chickens. The project concluded with students refining their public speaking skills as they presented their completed coops to the class. We ended this unit with a visit to the chicken coop. You can click this link to get a glimpse into the science lab and chicken coop.

Third, fourth and fifth graders practiced their shots while playing a silly game called basketball bowling. Each team shoots the basketball at a basket. Once the team makes five shots, the player that made the fifth shot rolls the basketball to knock the ball off the pin in the center of the court. The first team to knock the ball off wins.

Bravo to the incredible middle and upper school students for their outstanding performances in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Your talent and dedication shone brightly throughout all three shows, bringing each character and moment to life. Huge thanks to the Bakers, Ms. Esposito, our dedicated volunteers and everyone else who helped make the weekend a success. Click here to explore a photo album celebrating the unforgettable cast and crew.

Last week, students in both fifth-grade classes performed Act 1 of a Civil War play to review the material covered thus far. Students took on several roles, such as King Cotton, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and even Fort Sumter (with a small guest appearance by Yoda!). The students were able to act out how tensions and divisiveness between the North and South increased before the Civil War and how the war began when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter. There are two more Acts to come as we learn about this critical period of American history!

Kindergarteners learned about Vincent van Gogh while looking at photos of his famous sunflower paintings.  The students used tempera to paint sunflowers from observation, focusing on radial balance.

It’s almost time for Turkey Day! Before the festivities start, kids can learn, create and celebrate at Gobble, Gobble with Jolly Roger Adventures. Offered from November 25-27 for Little Pirates - fifth grade, participants will be divided by age group and enjoy themed activities, games and sports. Stay for a day, or join Miss Bruno and Miss Ana for all three days leading up to Thanksgiving. Registration is available online at CampBrain. Questions? Please contact msmith@steds.org.

Alphabet Bingo is a fun, engaging game that can play an important role in promoting literacy for 3 and 4-year-olds. It helps young children develop early literacy skills in a playful and interactive way. Students learn to recognize and memorize the letters of the alphabet, which is the foundation for reading and writing. Recognizing letters quickly and accurately is a critical first step in becoming a reader. The most rewarding aspect of playing bingo is the excitement of calling out 'Bingo!' when your card is full!

Fourth-grade students are sharpening their measurement skills with hands-on practice in the science lab. Using tools that real scientists rely on, they measured length with rulers and meter sticks, determined mass with balance scales and triple beam balances, gauged volume with graduated cylinders, and took temperature readings with thermometers. Throughout their activities, students worked exclusively with the metric system, enhancing their understanding and accuracy in scientific measurement. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the science lab.

This week, we learned about three ways to read with our partners: choral, seesaw and copy reading. Our reading partners had loads of fun reading their decodeables!

Today, kindergarteners teamed up with Mrs. Lawrence's class during writing. The second grade students had the opportunity to share their research books with kindergarten. The older students had to pick a topic they were interested in, organize their findings, and write about that topic. It was great for the younger students to see how writing progresses as they get older. We are looking forward to sharing our books with Mrs. Lawrence's class next time.

Theodore McGregor from fourth grade recently claimed 7th place at the USA Climbing Bouldering Qualifier. This qualified him for the USA Climbing Boulder Regional Championship. Well done, Theo!

In Mrs. Hudson’s Tinkering Class, students showcased their creativity by constructing vending machines out of cardboard. Tinkering is best defined as purposeful play that encourages creativity, exploration, and discovery in children. A tinker is "one who experiments with materials and ideas to fully understand their capabilities and iterates on their learning to develop improved solutions to problems." This hands-on approach emphasizes learning from failures and allows unstructured time for exploration and invention. You can see these inventive creations in action by watching this video.

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Liz & Dan Kosh for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do.

Check out all of our Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. #SESCorporatePartners2024

PK4 students will be transforming the LS courtyard into a Fairy Tale wonderland when they parade around as their favorite characters from the classics. Don't be surprised if you see little pigs and bears and maybe even a goat or two! The parade begins promptly at 8:15 a.m.

The Blood Drive will be held this upcoming Tuesday, November 12, from 8:15 a.m. - 2:35 p.m. at the bus loop. Please sign up HERE as soon as possible. You must be 16 years of age or older to participate, and students must fill out this permission form with their parents. Please contact Alice Crean or Matthew Barrett with any further questions.

The Vero Beach Book Center and Saint Edward's School are once again partnering to welcome two bestselling authors to the Waxlax stage. On Monday, December 2, at 6 p.m., James Patterson and Mike Lupica will chat about two new books, The House of Cross and Hot Property. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets. Doors open at 5 p.m. This is the Monday after we return from Thanksgiving break, so mark your calendars now for what promises to be a very entertaining evening!

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News! (and last week's Halloween newsletters)

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, November 7: PA Meeting for Lower School Parents (November 12), LS Dads & Donuts (November 14), a special Diwali presentation in PK4, Halloween fun in fifth grade, PK4's Halloween celebration, paper sculptures in kindergarten, Reader's Reef Book Club and much more +++

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, October 31: NWEA MAP Growth Test, Halloween-themed PE games, jazz-inspired art in kindergarten, second grade math, book club debates, Reader's Reef Book Club, PA Meeting for Lower School Parents (November 12), LS Dads & Donuts (November 14), a kindergarten Halloween guessing game, pop art in fifth grade and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, October 31: (bi-weekly newsletter) Happy Halloween from the Middle School, Peer Tutoring, Halloween tea lights made by seventh graders, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

Spanish teacher Esthela Rojas and the Spanish Department recently shared a special tradition with the SES community: El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Mrs. Rojas says, "El Día de los Muertos is a celebration of the life of the deceased. On this day, the community joins together to share memories about their loved ones. We celebrate with food, drinks, and visiting the graves of our departed. We recognize death as a natural part of the human experience."

To celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Mrs. Rojas and the Spanish Department displayed an Ofrenda/Altar de Muertos in the library, complete with student artwork and photos of deceased loved ones. Seventh grade students recreated an Ofrenda in a shoe box dedicated to their loved ones (please click the headline for more photos), and Mrs. Rojas' Spanish 3 Honors class also created barriletes (kites) that are traditionally made in Guatemala to celebrate the Day of the Dead. This tradition has been practiced by Maya communities in the Central Highlands of Guatemala over the last two centuries. Smaller kites decorate graves in the cemeteries as a means to communicate with the ancestors; listening to the sound of the wind in the tissue paper of the kites allows the families to maintain peaceful quiet.

Thank you to Mrs. Rojas and the Spanish Department for sharing a beautiful tradition with the SES community.

The Senior Buddies tradition follows holidays throughout the year, this past week being Halloween. The first graders coordinated fun costumes with their senior pals, and the group was the caboose of the annual parade that traversed our campus. Click here for a full album of duo/trio photos from our Senior Buddies Halloween Celebration.

Help us cover the campus' green with red, white and blue! In honor of Veterans Day, join Saint Edward's School in paying tribute to those who have valiantly served and Flag the Lawn. All students may buy flags (cash delivered to your division's front desk or Venmo @patrickmac1) through Monday, November 11. All proceeds collected will go towards supporting Military Moms and their Holidays for Heroes program. Prices are: $1 for a 4x6 flag, $5 for an 8x10 flag and $20 for a 12x18 flag. Flags will be available for pickup at morning carpool on Monday.

Thank you to our incredible Parents Association (big shoutout to "soup"er-star Alicia Maldonado), volunteers and everyone who contributed to this year’s Soup Bowl! Through your efforts, we raised an amazing $4,670 for the Samaritan Center, providing essential support to those in need. With over 100 beautiful ceramic bowls sold and an outpouring of delicious soups, this event showcased the warmth and generosity of our community. We’re so grateful to each of you for making a difference!

First grade students have been enthusiastically exploring mealworms and learning the essentials of scientific investigation! They kicked off with a fun experiment to see if mealworms preferred carrots or spinach, introducing them to how observations can lead to new questions. Recently, they extended their inquiry by predicting whether mealworms would like a wet or dry environment. Each student made a hypothesis, choosing which side of the plate they thought mealworms would favor, and then honed their scientific skills through multiple trials with controlled variables. After gathering their data, students created bar graphs to visualize the results, discovering how data patterns emerge and how graphs aid interpretation. This hands-on investigation emphasized the importance of consistency and accuracy in experiments. Students documented their observations and reflections on Seesaw, providing a meaningful way to share their learning journey. You can check out a glimpse into their classroom activities by clicking on this link and see an example of their Seesaw documentation by clicking on this link.

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Cathy Curley Realtor for DSRE for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do.

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Brown Talley Group at Premier Estate Properties for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do. 

Check out all of our Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. #SESCorporatePartners2024

Lower school parents, join the Parents Association on Tuesday, November 12, for a general meeting. All LS parents are invited to the Peter B. Benedict Library at 8:15 a.m. to learn more about programs in the Lower School. This is a great opportunity to hear from Dr. Dunn, Head of Lower School.

Lower school students enjoyed playing Halloween-themed games this week! Apocalyptic Zombie Tag, Catch the Ghosts, Ghostbuster Tag and Ghostbusters bowling round out the spooky lineup this week.

Last week students identified debatable issues in their fiction novels. Clubs formulated evidence-supported claims and held mini-debates to explore those issues. The resulting discussions enabled students to dive deeper into their novels and practice the art of debating.

Fifth grade students learned about the Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol, graphic design and how to make an ordinary consumer good such as candy into an extraordinary realistic work of art.  The students chose an interesting composition to draw their close-up observational study of a candy.  Later, color pencils, wax crayons and acrylic paints were blended in order to create the colors, values and textures that were needed to make these eye-popping treats.  Happy Halloween!

Kindergarteners are learning Halloween vocabulary, and it was amazing to see how much they have learned when playing the guessing game. They gave clues, "pistas," to the one having to guess in Spanish and they were really good at getting it right. Also we enjoyed the beautiful day outside.

Students are enjoying a busy but exciting week in the Middle School. We started with students hearing from two guest speakers after chapel on Monday, Renee Bireley from the Samaritan Center and Scott Turner from the Food Pantry of Indian River County. Both spoke to students about the power of giving and the impact St. Edward's School has on the people their organizations serve. Our annual Soup Bowl event supports the Samaritan Center, and the 'Canstruction' competition serves to donate much-needed food to the Food Pantry of Indian River County. These speakers demonstrated to students the real-world impact of their participation in these events. 

Later on Monday, our eighth graders shared short skits from Romeo and Juliet for the middle school students. They did a great job and it was fun for the sixth and seventh graders to watch. On Wednesday, we had our fall athletic awards assembly. It is hard to believe we are already starting the winter season, but it was wonderful to recognize the accomplishments of our fall athletes. On Thursday, we had the annual Lower School Halloween Parade, and our middle school students supported them by wearing their Lid Gig decorated hats when they lined the hallways. In the afternoon, we grilled out before students completed their 'Canstruction' creations and then enjoyed an afternoon of games and activities. It was a great way to cap off the week! 

Finally, we have conferences on Friday and then the Met Gala, Middle School Dance, on Saturday, November 2. I want to thank Nalini Singh, Sarah Whitelock, Manuel Santelices and the Middle School Student Council, and all of the parent volunteers for their hard work in making this event happen. We are all looking forward to a fun night! 

I hope you have an enjoyable and safe Halloween night with family and friends. 


Jason Dowdy

The sounds of jazz filled the art room as kindergarteners created collages in the style of Stuart Davis while practicing cutting, gluing and hole punching skills.  The students included numbers, names, geometric and organic shapes on their paper collage.  Davis was a contemporary artist, known for his jazz inspired Pop Art paintings.

Lower school dads, mark your calendars with the new date for Dads & Donuts. On Thursday, November 14, bring your littles to school and enjoy donuts and coffee with other Pirate dads and friends from 7:30 - 8:10 a.m.

Seventh graders used their creative talents to make Halloween tea lights. What a fun way to learn some new art skills and light up the Halloween night!

Last week, the Community Service Club held a bake sale for hurricane relief. Through their efforts and the support of the School, over $400 was raised to benefit members of our community who were affected by Hurricane Milton. Thank you!

In honor of Veterans Day, join Saint Edward's School in paying tribute to those who have valiantly served and Flag the Lawn. All students may buy flags (cash delivered to your division's front desk or Venmo @patrickmac1) from November 7 - 11. All proceeds collected will go towards supporting Military Moms and their Holidays for Heroes program. Prices are: $1 for a 4x6 flag, $5 for an 8x10 flag and $20 for a 12x18 flag.

Can we beat last year's donations of 10,700 pounds of food? Let's use the weekend to gather supplies to support the Food Pantry of Indian River County! Monday, November 4, is the last day to bring in non-perishable food items (no glass) for the All School Food Drive. High-priority items needed by the Food Pantry of Indian River County include: canned goods that are substantial (like SpaghettiOs), mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish, rice in small bags, corn muffin mix, breakfast cereal (fairly healthy like Cheerios) and crackers. Thank you for your support!

Grow your facial hair during the month of November to raise awareness for men's health issues. The "before" picture for Movember is during morning break at the fountain on Monday, November 4. You MUST pay in order to not shave, or you can just donate to the cause! A $10.00 donation must be given to Ethan Ball, Patrick MacMullan or Brody Crookshank or you can Venmo @JacobAngie-Stalquist.

The Saint Edward's Mathletes are again competing in the Math Madness High School tournament hosted by Aretelabs.com. This week, the Math Team was victorious over Lee County HS from Leesburg, GA, by a score of 21-15. The team is now on a two-game win streak and will advance in the tournament bracket next week. Competing this week for the Pirates were Rushil Sura (12th), Sienna Mallon (12th), Conor Powell (12th), Augie Barreirinhas (12th), Noah Hernandez (12th), Jay Sullivan (12th), James Peponis (9th), Nahlia Hebig (9th) and Alexander Wolek (9th).

Reminder! There is no school tomorrow, November 1, for Parent/Teacher Conferences. We will welcome everyone back to campus on Monday.

The Saint Edward's Mathletes are again competing in the Math Madness High School tournament hosted by Aretelabs.com. This week, the Math Team was victorious over Lee County HS from Leesburg, GA, by a score of 21-15. The team is now on a two-game win streak and will advance in the tournament bracket next week. Competing this week for the Pirates were Rushil Sura (12th), Sienna Mallon (12th), Conor Powell (12th), Augie Barreirinhas (12th), Noah Hernandez (12th), Jay Sullivan (12th), James Peponis (9th), Nahlia Hebig (9th) and Alexander Wolek (9th).

The annual Alumni Legacy Breakfast was held on October 2, before the start of the school day. This was one lively get-together with nearly 160 parents and students enjoying this treasured event that highlights family tradition at SES. Between sips of OJ and bites of breakfast, alumni were able to reminisce about their time at school and reflect on how far they have come as forever Pirates! View a glimpse of the early morning fun here.

One of the most tasty events is just around the corner, and the PA needs your help! The Samaritan Center Soup Bowl will be held Thursday, November 7, at SES. In the meantime, parents can signup to volunteer (division specific links below) to serve soup, help cleanup or just drop off their favorite recipe. Stunning ceramic soup bowls are also available for purchase, just click this link.

Lower School Soup Bowl Day Sign-Up
Middle School Soup Bowl Day Sign-Up
Upper School Soup Bowl Day Sign-Up

Last week, the Lower School celebrated a very special day–the chickens officially turned one month old and made the vast migration outside to their comfy chick coop. The birthday celebration was “EGG-tra special,” with a cornmeal cake made with love by Mrs. Hudson and the “Chicken Rap” song performed by our second-grade students. Check out this adorable video of the chickens’ birthday celebration!

Join LS Counselor Kristi Schofield for her first Coffee with the Counselor of the 2024-25 school year on Tuesday, November 5. Enjoy a cup of coffee alongside an introduction of the programs offered at the Lower School. Learn more about social-emotional development and support services available to students, connect with our community and ask any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in the Peter B. Benedict Library at 8:15 a.m.

Little Pirates played a game in which they worked on numbers, colors and the action verb to jump (saltar). They placed the colored circles on the carpet and took turns rolling a dice, counting in Spanish and then jumping (salta) one by one to the number they got, saying the name of the colors as they jumped.

Inspired by Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin art, third graders worked on this collaborative pumpkin dot painting using a stamp technique.

Lower School Parent/Teacher Conferences will be in person* on Wednesday, October 30, from 4-7 p.m. and Friday, November 1, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. There is no school on Friday. Signups began Wednesday, October 23, and close at noon on Tuesday, October 29.
 
*Please note that the LS division conferences are in person. MS & US conferences are all virtual. If you require a virtual conference, please schedule your time online, then contact your teacher for virtual conference instructions before the signup deadline.
 
Also, please be advised that parents are not required to sign up for every teacher and every class. When deciding which teachers to plan a conference with, please refer to your student's most recent progress report or report card and use it as an indicator for the need to schedule a conference. Please check the P/T Conference Resource Board for links to conference directions and signup.

The Little Pirates have been working diligently on their handwriting skills through various fun-filled and engaging activities. One of these activities is working with wood pieces. The students learn how to create our letter of the week using four types of wood pieces. The Little Pirates had so much fun learning which pieces to put together to create uppercase letters!

The PK4 students are learning to play bells for the Christmas Concert. They concentrated on their bells and each did a great job! We think you will enjoy the finished product!

After learning about American artist James Rizzi, first graders created a colorful watercolor artwork inspired by Rizzi's birds and POP ART style.

At the Homecoming night football game on 10/18/24 against Berean Christian School, the varsity cheer squad led Pirate fans in chants and cheers from the sidelines as current Pirate families and alumni alike rooted for a Homecoming victory. The cheerleaders cheered to a packed stadium, which included the bustling Student Section who came out to support their peers on the field. The cheer team also sported pink pompoms and sparkly pink bows at the game in honor of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Always a crowd pleaser, Saint Edward's School's Pirate Mascot, senior Jack Engel, employed a little bit of special help for this game to make the thrilling Homecoming night even more magical for the fans. Captain Jack and his first grade buddy Lachlan Dalili were instrumental in helping the cheerleaders energize the fans throughout the game with their chants, cheers, and energetic dance moves on the sidelines as the football team went on to defeat the Bulldogs in a crushing 41-0 victory.

In Spanish class, we continue to learn opposites. In the pictures you can see, they had fun going "encima" and "debajo" of the table.

No, it's not an actual spelling bee (unless you so willingly volunteer). Tickets are now on sale for the SES Theatre Department's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a heartfelt musical tale of six quirky middle schoolers who compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Click here to purchase your tickets for Friday, October 25, or one of the two showings on Saturday, October 26. You don't want to miss Tay, our maintenance team superstar, making his first SES Theatre debut, among all of the talented cast and crew!

Meet Rosalee DeCosta! With a deep love for the outdoors, Rosalee enjoys fishing, boating, camping, hiking and traveling with her husband and three children. A registered nurse for 16 years, she brings experience in cardiac, neuro, med/surg and home health, and she has been a familiar face at SES as a clinic substitute and JRA camp nurse. Guided by Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," Rosalee is excited to meet the crew and care for our students aboard this Pirate Ship. Welcome aboard, Rosalee!

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News!

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, October 17: Makeup and jewelry expectations in the Lower School, Book Fair, Toe Tokens, Student Council, Blessing of the Animals and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, October 17: (bi-weekly newsletter) 'Canstruction', MS Dance, Peer Tutoring, sculptures in art class, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

The Parents Association invites you to their Annual School-Wide Pirate Picnic on Friday, October 18. This year, SES's own Chianis family, owners of the wildly popular Pepper & Salt BBQ, will be cooking up a great time. Bring family and friends Friday, October 18, at 5:00 p.m., then plan on walking over to Michael J. Mersky Field for the Homecoming Game. The lower school cheerleaders will also be performing in the WAC before the game. Tickets will be available at the door!

The XIPS would like to invite you to their Parents in Prayer Good Tea Informational Gathering on Tuesday, October 22, from 8 - 9:30 a.m. in the Peter B. Benedict Library. Please click here for more information.

Meet Sara Dowdy! One of Sara’s favorite memories from her own school days was making candy in chemistry class—an experience that fueled her love for science. Having grown up in Ohio, Sara is a proud Buckeye fan, and she lives by the motto, "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Most of all, she is excited to officially become a Pirate. Welcome to the crew, Sara!

All this month, students have been busy bee. They had their first quiz. And did ¡Muy bien! Some of them have been receiving tutoring during study hall with Señora to get their best abilities to practice. We continue with our reading book in chapter 2, practicing our "vocabulario de ropa", working on their portfolios in a digital creative way, and playing their particular Kahoot games designed from Señora according to the topics at hand.

Fifth graders drew action figures in the style of pop artist, Keith Haring. The students depicted figures in action such as running, jumping, swimming, dancing or playing a sport. A variety of lines, geometric/organic shapes, patterns, repetition, color and texture were added to the artwork in order to create an eye-popping composition showcasing movement.

Students in Mrs. Michos's art classes had fun being creative when making sculptures for Halloween!

Yo estoy impresionada! The students have been doing amazing in IXL, working in their units. Felicitaciones, sí se puede!

On October 7, during morning drop off, Father Barrett blessed furry family members in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi and his love for animals.

• Acrylic or any fake nails are not permitted at School.  
• Makeup is not allowed.
• Earrings must be a stud and not a drop style.
• Necklaces must be under the collar and not over a student's uniform.

We are learning opposites in Spanish, and we do it with actions that represent the words. Also, the students had fun feeling a weight for "pesado" (heavy) and a balloon for "liviano" light.

CJ Fykes is helping to lead the peer tutoring efforts in the library with Mrs. Cooksey.  Please see more information below: 

Peer tutoring is a great resource if your child is in need of help with a class. Your child and a high school student would meet once a rotation, and the high schooler would help your child in any subject. It is a great opportunity for collaboration between the two students. If you would like your child to have a tutor please fill out this form. 

It has been wonderful to be back on campus this week and get back into the normal routines and daily rhythms of school. I know the storm has impacted our community and has resulted in families who had serious damage to their homes, or who are still waiting for power to return. A letter came out from the School earlier this week, asking for help in identifying families in need, so the school community can help support them. If your family or a family you know is experiencing challenges, please fill out the form so we can offer assistance. Also, if you are still experiencing a lack of power or internet service, please alert your student(s) adviser and teachers, so they are aware.  

This week, we celebrated Homecoming at Saint Edward's, and we have all enjoyed getting into the spirit with our dress-up days. Friday we will have a Pep Rally to get everyone excited for the game against Berean Christian. You are also welcome to join us for the Parents Association Pirate Picnic before the game in the WAC on Friday at 5 p.m.  

The middle school team is also working on a number of upcoming events. The middle school 'Canstruction' and afternoon of service and fun have been rescheduled for Thursday, October 31. This will not be a half day, but we are going to still have our 'Canstruction' competition in the afternoon as well as food and games. The middle school dance is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, from 7 - 9 p.m. The student council came up with the theme 'Met Gala'. This is not a formal event, but we are encouraging students to have fun with their glamorous and sophisticated attire! Girls can wear dresses or pantsuits, and boys are encouraged to wear slacks and collared shirts. More information about the dance will be sent out shortly.

Finally, this week marks the beginning of the second quarter. Students changed their wheel classes and the mid-semester grades and comments will be available on Monday, October 21. Grades at Saint Edward's continue for the semester, but the mid-semester is a great opportunity for students to review their progress and set goals. We also have our virtual conference day on Friday, November 1, please look for an email coming out next week with instructions.

Happy Homecoming and the start of fall!  

Jason Dowdy

This week, the second grade combined grammar lessons with a fun scavenger hunt game called Found It! As we learn about nouns, we’re taking our lesson outdoors. The students hunt for all sorts of objects that fit different noun categories. The students will work to solve clues like, "Can you find something that is heavier than a leaf? Something round? Something that rhymes with "lock"?" By searching for objects that match these descriptions, students will sharpen their understanding of nouns—people, places, things, and ideas—while having a blast exploring their environment.

Second graders celebrated the end of their first reading unit with a Series Book Showcase! After reading different books within a series, each group created posters that featured the story elements. Then they presented their posters to an audience and walked the red carpet to receive a certificate of completion!

On Saturday, October 5, eighth grader Colin Mack competed in the East Coast Classic Regatta in Fellsmere. Colin is a Vero Beach Rowing Club member, and he rows on both the middle and high school level crews. Colin's boats had a strong showing on Saturday. He earned a silver in the Men's Freshman/Novice 8+ and a bronze in the Mixed Middle School 8+. Vero Beach Rowing excelled against several regional crews, including Sebastian River, Melbourne, Southern Orlando, Palm Beach and Halifax (Daytona Beach). Great job, Colin!

Fourth graders drew a still-life pumpkin from observation using charcoal while focusing on shape, values and shading to show form on a two-dimensional surface.

The 2024-25 Lower School Student Council is up and running!

Please join us next week for our Scholastic Book Fair, October 21 - 25, 2024, in the LS Courtyard! The fair will be open for lower and middle school students. Make sure to set up your child's e-Wallet on our website.

Also, please note that Family Night is Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5 - 7 PM. Please join us for a nighttime shopping event including snacks, activities and a visit from our LS Cheerleaders!

Please click here to see your LS child's class shopping time. We still have many volunteer opportunities available on iVolunteer, as well. Can't wait to see you at the fair!

Once a week, PK4 through fifth grade participate in our Toe Token Running Program, an incentive-based program that reinforces the importance of exercise. Students keep track of their laps by scanning their QR codes and earn toe tokens for miles they run throughout the year. They will take their necklaces home at the end of the year.

Our kindergarteners celebrated completing their first writing unit with a publishing party this week! Our outstanding writers have worked hard this quarter to brainstorm, edit, revise and publish their writing pieces. They learned how to create a true story, add details, speech bubbles and punctuation. After publishing their chosen writing piece, the kindergarteners presented their work to their peers and teachers. We are so proud of their hard work and independence in writing!

Meet Esthela Rojas! Esthela brings a spirit of adventure to the classroom—she’s even been skydiving! She lives by the words of Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." She is looking forward to a peaceful, organized and enjoyable school year. Bienvenida, Esthela. We’re thrilled to have you aboard!

Dads and Donuts for lower school families has been postponed. We will provide future communication with the rescheduled date.

Check out the first batch of creations from Mrs. Michos' Ceramics 1 class! The upper school students have been carefully designing these beautiful lanterns and pots, the perfect fall decorations for the patio table.

Check out this year's latest editions of Lower and Middle School News!

- LS Newsletter: Thursday, October 3: Blessing of the Animals, LS PA Meeting, Book Fair, Reader's Reef Book Club, math and science in PK4, singing in chapel, series books in second grade, personal pronouns in Spanish, fourth grade marine biologists, learning about attributes in kindergarten, All About Me with Little Pirates and much more +++

- VFTM: Thursday, October 3: (bi-weekly newsletter) 'Canstruction', class trips, MS homecoming guidelines, book fair, sixth graders visit the Peter B. Benedict Library, eighth graders watch Romeo and Juliet, MS athletics and more +++

*Archives for all SES publications can be accessed by logging into mySTEDS and visiting the Pirate Publications resource board tile.

The Lower School will be celebrating Homecoming this year from October 15-18, so it's time to start thinking about your school spirit fit! Click here for dress code guidelines for the LS dress days, beginning Tuesday, October 15.

Congratulations to seniors Augie Barreirinhas, Noah Hernandez and Conor Powell on being named National Merit Semi-Finalists. These hard-working and academically talented students have an opportunity to continue to compete for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million. About 95% of the Semi-finalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Parents, if you are awaiting Step Up for Students (SUFS) funds to be dispersed to the School, it is very important for you to follow the steps in the image before October 15. After receiving a notification directly from Education Market Assistant (EMA), you must log in to your EMA account to approve your student's payment on the dashboard. Please stay alert for continued email notifications from the EMA Parent Portal.

Dear Parents,

Happy October. October sees the hallways decorated with pumpkins and spiders, adding a sense of fall to the courtyard. We are looking forward to multiple events this month, including Dads & Donuts, the Book Fair, the Parents Association Pirate Picnic and, of course, the Homecoming football game.

As we head into cooler weather, please remember that all outerwear must come from Lands' End or the Pirate Cove. The Pirate Cove has a great selection of sweaters, and new inventory is constantly added. Stop by the Pirate Cove for all things “Pirates.”

Have a wonderful weekend, and stay safe and healthy.

Yours,

Louise Dunn

Meet Jason Dowdy! Jason’s passion for teaching began in an English class when he was tasked with creating his own literary-term lesson. Originally from Washington State, Jason grew up loving the mountains, but after moving to Florida post-college, he traded in snowboarding and backpacking for the beaches and water. He is most excited to meet all the middle school students and faculty and to immerse himself in the incredible work happening at SES. Welcome aboard, Jason!

This week, fifth grade students began their first round of book clubs! Student-led discussions have revolved around predictions and problems faced by the main characters. Over the coming weeks, book clubs will read various fiction novels and convene daily to debate concepts such as character development, author's craft, theme and more.

As we fast approach the mid-semester, it is a great time for students to review grades and set goals. Teachers will be working hard to write comments to help students review areas of success and improvement in their classes. October is also a busy month with a lot of different activities on campus. Here are a few reminders for the month: 

• October 9: half day for students (dismissal at 12:05 p.m.) with 'Canstruction' and other fun activities.
• October 11 - 14: we are off Friday and Monday for the long weekend.  
• October 15 - 18: Homecoming Week
• October 21 - 25: Book Fair
• October 31: LS Halloween Parade and MS Lid Gig

We are very excited about our half day of Service and Fun on October 9. Students will hear from two guest speakers from The United Way and The Indian River Food Pantry about the impact and importance of service.  Students will work with their advisory to build their 'Canstruction' with the cans their advisory has brought into use. Please help with the effort by bringing in cans before Wednesday. All cans used in the 'Canstruction' competition will be donated to the Indian River Food Pantry during the school food drive. After 'Canstruction' is complete, students will head outside for fun activities and a cookout!

Increíble!! Maravilloso!! 
Students now are able to write sentences and create drawings to express their understanding of capítulo#1 Don Quijote de la Mancha!!
Sí se puede!!
Sí se puede!!

Eighth graders traveled to the Vero Beach Theatre Guild to experience a lively performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The production brought the classic tale of love and tragedy to life, engaging the students with its dynamic acting and vibrant staging. After the show, many students expressed their excitement and newfound appreciation for the timeless story and its themes of passion and conflict.

The seventh graders had a great trip to the FAU Challenge Course.  The students participated in team-building activities and a high ropes course.  What a wonderful bonding experience for students and teachers.  Thank you to all of our amazing teachers for chaperoning, and a big thanks to our Mr. Rogers for organizing such a great trip!

The lower school students attend weekly services with Father Barrett. We have added quite a few songs to our Chapel songbook. Our most recent favorite song is "Praise" by Elevation Worship. Click on this link to see our lower school students in action.

Parents, Mrs. Ritchie has completed almost all of the school head shots of students, so if you pre-ordered and haven't heard from her via email, check your spam. If you did not pre-order but want to see proofs to order, please reach out to her via email. Want to learn everything this is to know about school photos? Simply go to the School Photos Resource tile.

Please join us next week for our Scholastic Book Fair, October 21 - 25, 2024, in the LS Courtyard! The fair will be open for lower and middle school students. Make sure to set up your child's e-Wallet on our website.

Please click here to see your child's class shopping time. We still have many volunteer opportunities available on iVolunteer, as well. Can't wait to see you at the fair!

The eighth graders had a fun-filled day at Broward College's Tigertail Lake Recreation Area.  The students enjoyed rock climbing, team-building activities, and the Aqua Challenge course.  The students learned about working together to solve problems and created lasting memories.  The Aqua Challenge was the highlight of the day and made for a fun way to cool off.  Thank you to all of the teachers for chaperoning and Mrs. Wengler for organizing a great trip!

Brandon Quiere un Perro Capítulo #1
Yo estoy impresionada!!! 
Fourth graders started their amazing TPRS readers, first chapter!
Sí se puede!!

We are resharing this photo from our summer #SESMaintenanceMonday series to highlight our incredible Facilities crew (not all pictured) on National Custodian/Facility Department Day. Their hard work keeps Saint Edward’s School shipshape every single day. Thank you for all you do to make our campus sparkle and shine!

After listening to the book, Why Is Blue Dog Blue?, second graders drew a dog inspired by the style of artist, George Rodrigue. The students applied closely related hues on the dog using wax pastels and tempera was applied for an eye-catching background.

Meet Victoria Esposito! Victoria’s love for music was amplified in college when a professor blew the class away with an electric guitar solo. In addition to her musical talents, Victoria is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a varsity athlete in three sports during high school. She lives by the motto, "You'll miss 100% of the shots you don't take," and is eager to connect and build relationships with students and faculty throughout the year. Ahoy, Victoria! Let’s make some music together!

Congratulations to Zoe Shah, Zoey Atkins and Theodore McGregor for receiving Student of the Month for the character trait "Responsibility" in Mr. Antosh's fourth grade class!

Congratulations to Stryker Corr, Riley Ensio and Violet Starr for receiving Student of the Month for the character trait "Responsibility" in Mrs. Turner's fourth grade class!

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Iconic Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do.

The Little Pirates had so much fun sharing their Me projects with their classmates! They were able to tell everyone all about their favorite things, family, hobbies, activities and more.

Lower School families, mark your calendars for the Blessing of the Animals in the LS parking lot on the morning of October 7. Plan to stay in your vehicle while Father Barrett bestows blessings on your furry family member.

During the fifth graders' Comparison Point of View activity, students selected books of their choice and analyzed the perspectives of the main characters alongside another character from the story. They engaged in thoughtful discussions about the differing viewpoints and were tasked with articulating their insights on these perspectives. This encouraged a deeper understanding of how point of view shapes narrative and character development.

First graders are learning Personal Pronouns in Spanish and practicing using them with action verbs. An activity was created in Seesaw where they have to practice the pronouns and then take pictures of themselves or the other students acting out the verbs they were told.

During the month of September, second grade focused on writing and revising personal narratives during Writer's Workshop. We started by identifying small moments from our lives that we wanted to write about and we spent time stretching them out into our first published piece of writing. At the end of the unit, each student had the opportunity to sit in the "author's chair" to read their small moment aloud.

Kindergarten students have been working on the sound for short vowel "i." They have read different texts, practiced sounding out words, and practiced spelling words that use that particular vowel sound. The kindergarten students are becoming more confident with this letter sound, and they are looking forward to learning their other short vowel sounds in the coming weeks!

PK4 recently read the story Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal. This story follows Alma’s journey to learn to love her name and, subsequently, her identity. That evening, the students went home with a very special assignment; they asked their families the stories behind their own names! Each child had the opportunity to share their story with their classmates the following day, and we learned some truly astounding facts about the histories of their names! It was absolutely fantastic to see the children’s excitement to share how they got their names, just like Alma!

Meet Jennifer Binkley! Jennifer’s journey into education began with a teacher who believed in her—Mrs. Wagner—who helped her break a school record for "Q" (quality) papers and inspired her to love learning. Now, Jennifer brings that same passion to her own classroom. A proud University of Florida alumna with a master’s degree earned during the Tim Tebow era, Jennifer embodies the motto, "Attitude is EVERYTHING." She’s excited to be part of the Saint Edward’s family and to inspire her new group of students. Welcome aboard, Jennifer! Go Pirates!

The holidays are quickly approaching and so is our annual Alumni Holiday Party. In one month we will celebrate the School's 60th anniversary and want you to be a part of the festivities at The Moorings Yacht and Country Club on December 19, 2024. Mark your calendars and register today.

***Please send your current mailing address if you have moved in the past six months to msegura@steds.org.

The Lower School chickens are loved. First to fifth-grade students have loved observing, touching, and holding the baby chicks. Everyone is amazed at how fast they are growing. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the science lab. You can watch the chicks on our Nest Camera.

First-grade students are taking on the role of entomologists in science. Students are learning about the life cycle of mealworms. After careful observations and lots of giggles, students learned that mealworms are insects that go through metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Students learned to use tools to make careful observations. The first graders used microscopes to view the eggs and magnifying glasses to view the larvae, pupas, and adults. After making observations, students asked questions about each phase of a mealworm's life cycle. In the next few weeks, students will learn the anatomy of an adult darkling beetle and learn how to conduct a scientific investigation. Students will learn that scientists collect, organize, and analyze data. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the science lab. First-grade parents are encouraged to connect to their child’s Seesaw account to view activities and provide positive feedback. Parents can connect to their child’s Seesaw account by scanning the QR Code sent home last week.

Guided by the musical talents of Mrs. Sharman, lower school students and faculty sing along to the songs prepared for chapel in the Waxlax.

Meet Christine Turner! Christine brings a unique and fun spirit to the classroom, even collecting Pez dispensers in her free time! Guided by the words of Dav Pilkey, "a powerful mind is good for a start, but you also need wisdom and love in your heart," Christine is eager to get to know the children, faculty and staff as she begins this new journey. Anchors aweigh, Christine! Welcome aboard!

Kindergarteners painted a concentric circle dot design after listening to "The Dot," by Peter Reynolds and observing Wassily Kandinsky's painting, "Squares with Concentric Circles."   The artists had fun learning and exploring new watercolor techniques, applying pure colors as well as experimenting by mixing colors to create new colors.

Classical Arts Entertainment is delighted to present the magical holiday tradition of The Nutcracker, performed by the world-renowned State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, on December 30 in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts. But before the show goes on, they need the SES community to fill a few roles. Students between the ages of 5-18 are invited to audition to be a part of the Ukrainian Ballet - Classical Arts' production of the Nutcracker. Students between the ages of 5-18 are invited to Indian River Charter HS's Ballet Dance Studio on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, at 1 p.m. to audition to be a part of the Ukrainian Ballet - Classical Arts' production of the Nutcracker. NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NEEDED, just come to one of the auditions, dressed to move.

If you have any questions or need to schedule audition on a different day, please contact Hedi Khursandi at (772) 770-1898 or email him at hkhursandi@yahoo.com. Stay tuned for more information about this performance, and tickets may be purchased online here.

We are all looking forward to our MS field trips on Monday! Part of the eighth graders' adventure to the Broward College Tigertail Lake Recreation Center will include students participating in the Aqua Challenge Course, which will add a small element to the preparation for the trip. The Aqua Challenge will be active, so it is important students wear bathing suits made for being active. We are asking them to adhere to the following guidelines:

• All students should have close toed shoes for the day and will want to bring sunscreen and a water bottle.
• Boys - Board Shorts or Bathing Suit 
• Girls - One piece bathing suit, or two piece with a rash guard or sun shirt.  

With our first full week under our belt, the Middle School is in full swing. We are excited for our upcoming trips on Monday, September 23. These should be some wonderful team building opportunities for students and teachers. Please be sure and review all of the field trip information prior to departure on Monday.  

This is also a great time to help students develop good homework and study routines. Students should remember to always check mySTEDS during study hall at the end of the day. Study hall is also a great time to complete assignments or get assistance. At home, it is best for students to have a consistent routine for study. We encourage students to put phones away, find a consistent place to work, and set a schedule with planned breaks. Breaking study time up into chunks and getting family members or friends to help with quizzing or reviewing assignments is a great way to help reinforce learning.

Please note for your planning that Wednesday, October 9, is a half day for students. School will end at noon. I wish you all a wonderful end of September, and encourage you to come watch one of our many MS athletic contests and cheer on our incredible Middle School Pirate Athletes!

Jason Dowdy
Head of Middle School

See You at the Pole has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 1, at 7:15 a.m. MS/US students, faculty and staff are invited to gather at the flagpole on the front circle drive to pray. We will lift up our prayers for friends, families, teachers, school and nation to God. Come as you are able, even for a few minutes. Students are encouraged to lead in prayer, and some set prayers will be provided. Prayers in silence are fine, too! Donuts will be provided. Please contact Father John Barrett for more information.

Sixth graders Finn Ensio and Ethan Gatzke represented the Middle School yesterday at the varsity volleyball team's match against John Carroll Catholic High School. Before the first set, Finn and Ethan sang the national anthem for the players and crowd. Click here to rewatch their singing performance. Way to go, Pirates!

Meet Bryan Mays! With a rich musical background, Bryan fondly recalls seeing legendary big bands like Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson in high school, as well as performing with his jazz ensemble for the Kentucky Colonels Basketball Team and marching with his college band for the Cincinnati Bengals. Outside of music, Bryan is a collector of rocks, fossils, stamps and coins, and he’s also an author of children’s books. Guided by his favorite quote, "It can be good and not be ours, but it can't be ours and not be good," Bryan is excited to work with the talented students and staff at SES, fostering a creative and successful school year. Welcome to the rhythm of the Pirate crew, Bryan!

Kindergarteners created an alphabet painting inspired by contemporary American artist, Jasper Johns' ALPHABET painted in 1959. The sequence of letters were colored using oil pastels and watercolors were applied for an oil pastel/watercolor resist painting. The students experimented mixing different colors with watercolors in order to create new colors, tints and shades.

QUÉ FELICIDAD!!!! HOW EXCITED!!!! My students started reading and studying the TPRS readers. Don Quijote De La Mancha Capítulo #1 Sí se puede!!! Sí se puede!!

This week we really immersed ourselves in the exciting world of typing, robotics, engineering, and creativity! From mastering the Home Row to lively clean-up dance parties, blasting off in our UFO Air Fort, and experimenting through trial and error, we had an incredible time learning and exploring. Enjoy this video capturing the fun and enthusiasm of our students!

Fall season is just around the corner! First graders enjoyed creating a colorful fall leaf artwork using oil pastels and watercolors inspired by American artist, Georgia O'Keeffe. The leaves were painted using cool, warm, complementary or analogous colors.

It has been an egg-citing week in the science lab. This video will give you a glimpse into the excitement that surrounds baby chicks being born. Currently, we have 11 chicks. The first chick hatched Monday morning; click this link to see our first born!  Chick #11 needed a lot of encouragement to join our flock. Some fifth-grade girls gave up their recess to offer encouragement. Click this link to watch this adorable video.  Hatching eggs is a wonderful way for our first through third graders to compare and contrast the life cycle of living things. We currently have monarch butterfly life cycles, frog life cycles, mealworm life cycles, Wisconsin Fast Plant life cycles, and chicken life cycles in the lab.  You can watch the action with our two webcams; nest camera #1 and nest camera #2.

LS students had a blast with balloons and paddles in PE class.

In PK4, our young scientists recently conducted an engaging experiment to learn about germs and the importance of washing hands. Using glitter to represent germs, the students observed how easily these "germs" could spread from one person to another with just a touch. By shaking hands, touching objects and moving around the classroom, they quickly saw how glitter (like germs) could travel everywhere! Afterward, they washed their hands and saw how thorough handwashing removed the glitter, reinforcing the lesson about keeping hands clean to prevent the spread of germs. The experiment was a fun and hands-on way to help students understand personal hygiene and health!

Little Pirates had so much fun painting their names Street Art Style. The students were able to practice fine motor skills by painting and peeling off the tape after their names were dry.

• They have been fever-free (without fever-reducing medicine) for 24 hours.
• They have had no repeated episodes of vomiting for 24 hours or diarrhea for the past 24 hours.
• They can function normally in the classroom without severe pain/discomfort (no severe sore throat, excessive cough, unrelieved headache, ear ache, stomach ache.

This week, our kindergarteners have been extending their thinking to sort and compare items in math. In this activity, they had to communicate and describe how the bugs in their think pads were similar and different. The students determined that there were two groups of bugs: ones that fly and ones that do not fly.

We all have been practicing everything we learn to get immersed in the target language. We continue to sing, read, share, and get hands-on with different techniques. From journaling to computers, we use all we can to practice our Español. Señora also celebrated her birthday, and what better present than the gift of sharing knowledge and life with these wonderful students?
¡Gracias Crayolas!

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, Dermatology & Med Spa for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do. 

Check out all of our Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. #SESCorporatePartners2024

Meet Manuel Santelices! Fond memories of making pan con lechon (Cuban pork sandwiches) with friends during his school’s annual Tombola event still bring a smile to Manuel’s face, reflecting his deep-rooted connection to school traditions. A man of many talents, Manuel even taught salsa dancing during high school to "pay the bills." He carries with him a sense of humor and a worldly perspective, as shown by his favorite quote from Mark Twain: "God created war so that Americans would learn geography." All hands on deck, Manuel. Welcome to the Pirate crew!

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Bower Urology for supporting Saint Edward's School!  We appreciate all you do.

Our kindergarteners worked on spelling "short a" words in centers. They were SO excited to write on the table with white board markers!

Class trips for middle and upper school students are right around the corner, and we can't wait to participate in the upcoming fun Florida activities. Click on the grade-specific links below to access forms and submit payments that are due TODAY for US trips and MONDAY for MS trips.

Sixth Grade Class Trip
Seventh Grade Class Trip
Eighth Grade Class Trip
Freshman Grade Class Trip
Sophomore Grade Class Trip
Junior Grade Class Trip
Senior Grade Class Trip

Thank you to all who joined SES faculty, students and alumni at the Raw Space Gallery for the opening reception of Reflections, a Saint Edward's School art exhibition. The exhibit, located downtown at 1795 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32960, will be open until September 27. Please check the mySTEDS calendar for gallery hours.

In case you missed it, please click here for an overview of student artwork and photos from the reception.

Pirate families gathered on campus early this morning to celebrate the School's beloved Senior Buddies tradition. In the Waxlax, the Class of 2025 met their new friends — first graders who will sail through the school year by their side. After each group struck a pose for the camera, the new buddies enjoyed breakfast treats and dove into discussions about their Halloween costumes. It's a pirate's life for these buddies, setting sail on a year of friendship and fun!

For a full album of Meet and Greet photos, please click here.

Meet Marit Rowland! Marit’s memorable Senior Night moment—forgetting a word while singing the National Anthem, only to have her team rally behind her—has shaped her belief in the power of support and perseverance. A Utah Valley University alum, Marit spent her college years snowboarding three times a week and is a huge Michigan Wolverines fan (even if she didn’t attend the school!). With Benjamin Franklin’s words ("Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn") guiding her teaching philosophy, Marit looks forward to becoming part of the SES community and enjoying more time with her family. Hoist the sails, Marit! Welcome aboard!

Monday, September 16, students have a late start at 9:00 a.m. due to faculty meetings. Carpool begins at 8:40 a.m. Buses run their regular morning schedule. Bus riders are supervised in the Wachter Activities Center (WAC) until 8:45 a.m.

During the first few weeks, the LP and PK4 have been learning the rules of PE. They have mastered starting and stopping and are working on moving safely in space. They've been exploring various manipulatives, such as fluffballs, and have had fun playing with hoops. The obstacle course had the students bear crawling, balancing, rolling and hopping.

Dear Parents,

We've had another exciting week of learning and growth here at the Lower School. This week saw the Lower School complete the first session of MAP testing for the year, which the students handled like the scholars they are. As we approach the midpoint of September, I want to take a moment to highlight some important updates and upcoming events. Next week, on September 17 and 19, the Parents Association will be hosting a coffee morning for lower school moms. Please see the flyer in the newsletter below. Also, next week, we have a late start date of September 16. Carpool will begin at 8:40 a.m.

We're proud of our students' hard work each day, and we appreciate your continued support in making our school a wonderful place to learn.

Thank you for being part of our school community!

Stay safe,

Louise Dunn
Lower School Head

The first few weeks of PE is all about teamwork and cooperation! Students have enjoyed playing various games such as Hula Hut relays, Cone flip mixer, parachute, and rock paper, scissors ultimate battle.

In second grade, we are discussing the importance of learning to build our oral reading fluency through partner reading. We practiced how to read smoothly with expression and used strategies to tackle longer words. We also began our introduction to typing on our chrome books through the Keyboarding Without Tears website. For word study, we learned three different ways to sort words based on their spelling patterns- speed sort, ABC sort and buddy sort.

PK4 got their hands dirty by exploring the alphabet in a whole new way! We turned our tables into a fun, sensory-rich, hands-on activity that promotes both letter recognition and fine motor skills! We covered our tables with shaving cream and wrote our letters, as well as our names! This playful activity turned a fundamental skill into a sensory adventure, and ensured that our early learners were engaged and excited about their alphabet journey!

Fifth graders enjoyed the technique of tying knots using rubber bands and a wrapping technique using string to compress the fabric tightly on a PVC pipe for a Japanese inspired Shibori. Mrs. Rogers dyed the fabrics to reveal the beautiful designs that were created by the students' skills.

Kindergarten students have been working on the sound for short vowel "a." They have read different texts, practiced sounding out words, and practiced spelling words that use that particular vowel sound. The kindergarten students are becoming more confident with this letter sound, and they are looking forward to beginning short vowel "i" next week!

Meet Ken Smyrk! Ken’s love for language was first sparked by his sophomore year English teacher, who introduced him to the world of crossword puzzles—an interest that Ken still shares with his students today. Beyond the classroom, Ken is an amateur radio operator who knows Morse code, having even run an amateur radio station at his previous school! An avid reader, music enthusiast, and cyclist, Ken’s varied passions range from vintage audio equipment to reading The Canterbury Tales in Middle English. His favorite quote is from Seneca, Letter LXXVII, "As it is with a play, so it is with life - what matters is not how long the acting lasts, but how good it is. It is not important at what point you stop. Stop wherever you will - only make sure you round it off with a good ending." Anchors aweigh, Ken!

We are so grateful for our 2024-25 Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. Thank you to Kristina & Dan Poydenis ‘99 for supporting Saint Edward's School! We appreciate all you do.

Check out all of our Corporate Partners and Family Patrons. #SESCorporatePartners2024

This past Sunday was International Literacy Day, and on our social channels, we shared a very fun story in conjunction with the celebration of the importance of literacy. The story featured our first graders, who were treated to a special "Book Tasting." Mrs. Puttick and Mrs. Binkley were the hosts and servers at a unique restaurant with nothing but books on the menu. The students transformed into professional book critiques, but be warned, they weren't quick to hand out Michelin Stars. To view more photos from the event, please click on the headline.

Parents from all three divisions gathered today in the Peter B. Benedict Library for an informal conversation with Dr. Hirstein in the first Java Friday of the year. Topics included curriculum, campus events, the Strategic Plan and ideas for new clubs and community enrichment. All parents are invited to attend this informal gathering and there is no agenda. It's a great opportunity to meet other parents, learn more about the School and gain a deeper understanding of the day to day activities on campus. These meetings are every Friday at 8:15 a.m., and there are some occasions where guest speakers will lead the conversation in Dr. Hirstein's absence. You can find all of the details on the school calendar in mySTEDS.

Meet Jonathan B. Sawyer! Jonathan's love for learning was ignited by inspirational teachers during his time at Louisville Collegiate School and St. Xavier High School in Louisville, KY. His academic journey led him to the prestigious honor of being named a Fulbright Scholar, allowing him to live and work in Germany for a year after graduating from Vanderbilt. Guided by Maya Angelou’s wisdom on the lasting impact of how we make others feel, Jonathan is eager to become an integral part of the SES community, his new school home. Ahoy, Jonathan! Welcome to the crew!

Ahoy, Pirates! JRA's Fall Enrichment Camps have started, and it is time to register for some incredible after school opportunities. Hear from Ms. Morgan as she leads her crew towards an unforgettable fall semester. Click here to learn more and sign up today!

Questions? Please contact Director of Auxiliary Programs Morgan.

Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be taking the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Growth test beginning September 9, 2024.
 
This assessment is taken by all students in grades 3 through 8 to measure individual student growth. MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment provides an opportunity for all students to feel successful. The MAPS Growth is not an IQ test and it is not used to determine promotion. This assessment is administered in a calm atmosphere while encouraging the children to do their best.
 
Testing takes place during the morning beginning promptly at 8:15 a.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (September 9, 10 and 11).
 
Please click the headline or read more for tips to ensure your child is ready for MAP testing.

Our kindergarteners learned the importance of partner reading this week in readers workshop. With a partner, they decoded and analyzed each page in various books. They were able to collaborate and share ideas!

No, it's not an actual spelling bee! This year, the SES Theatre Department is presenting The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a heartfelt musical tale of six quirky middle schoolers who compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Check out the cast and crew list here, and mark your calendars now for the performances on October 25 and 26.

Jolly Roger Adventure Enrichment Camps are weekly programs designed to provide campers in grades LP-8 with an opportunity to engage in their favorite educational topics or to spark new interests. Enrichment Camps are hosted by SES faculty/staff and select educational professionals from the Vero Beach community. To view a full catalog of programs, from weekly opportunities like a Taylor Swift-themed camp to weekend pop-ups including an exclusive fishing excursion, click here. If you are ready to register for the fall, please visit CampBrain.

Questions? Please contact Director of Auxiliary Programs Morgan Smith.

Our kindergarteners have started their first writing unit: Narrative Writing. They plan, edit, and write about topics they can teach others. We are very proud of their hard work!

Meet Ilene Ballato! Inspired by a love for reading that began with Judy Blume and a fourth-grade teacher who encouraged her, Ilene brings a passion for learning to our youngest pirates. With extensive travel experience across Europe and a leadership tour in Israel, she embodies the spirit of adventure and growth. Her favorite quote is, "Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today!" Ilene looks forward to nurturing our PK4 students academically, socially and spiritually as they embark on their own journeys. Welcome aboard, Ilene!

This week art students in kindergarten through fifth grade are busy designing and personalizing the cover of their art portfolio.  The students will store a collection of two-dimensional masterpieces that they will be creating throughout the year.  Second graders are shown designing their name in an interesting font while incorporating elements and principles of design.

Third graders created patterned paper tiles using lines, shapes and colors. The individual tiles will be glued together and added to a grade K - 5 mural.

Parents, Back to School Night is a great tool for understanding your student's schedule, their academic work load and overall classroom expectations, and it's coming fast! Mark your calendars for September 4, when all three divisions will host parents and caregivers (we ask that you leave your students at home). Here are a few tips to ensure smooth sailing:

• LS Parents, please begin your evening in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts. The presentation begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. FLIK will be there, offering samples of their fare, so plan to arrive a little early for an afternoon snack.
• MS/US Parents, your evening will also begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts, where you will pick up your student's schedule and hear a few brief words from Mr. Dowdy and Mr. MacMullan. Plan on arriving a little early, both because of traffic and to get a taste of Chef Tom's delights. If you missed the letter that went out earlier today, click here for more information.

We do ask that you remember this night provides an overview only of your child's academic day. Parent Teacher Conferences are on November 1, and there will be information in advance of that date. If you ever need to speak to a teacher prior to that date, never hesitate to reach out. Finally, for US parents, Mrs. Stalquist will be available to answer any in-person questions you may have regarding the upcoming US trips.

Congratulations to first grader Sam Hickman and fifth grader Carolina Dupuis for their exemplary roles in the Lower School's Postcard Challenge. During the summer, all lower school students were challenged to send a postcard to the School, providing an authentic reason to write and giving many students the chance to write, address and mail a letter for the first time. Sam was awarded for being the first student to deliver a postcard to the School, and Carolina was the student who mailed the most postcards. Click on the headline to check out a photo of the Lower School courtyard's postcard display.

Upper school class trips are less than a month away, and it's time to complete important forms and secure payment. Emails specific to each class were sent out to parents and students on Tuesday evening, featuring information about traveling destinations and other important deadlines. To review the material sent out via email, please click the class-specific links below.

Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors

Mrs. Hudson received an order of fertilized eggs in the mail. The eggs went into the incubators on Tuesday, August 27. It takes 21 days for the baby chicks to incubate. If everything goes well, we should have baby chicks on September 17. Stay tuned for more exciting updates.

Fifth-grade students are taking on the role of archeologists and astronomers in science. In our first unit, Patterns of Earth and Sky, an ancient astronomical artifact motivates students to investigate daily and yearly patterns of stars. Students used their observation skills to describe the artifact. You can click on this link to see and hear observations made by Bella, Harper, Noah, and Shane. To better understand Earth, students created 3-D models; this link is a model created by Ella and Tara. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the classroom.

Pirate Parents, please don't forget to keep up with your MyKidsSpending accounts. To keep things simple, we're going cashless, and MyKidsSpending is your one stop shop for both Flik dining and the school store. If you haven't already, just set up an account for your child, and the app keeps track of all expenses (you can even track breakfast potato consumption!). There is a small "grace" amount provided for delinquent accounts, but your child will be told he or she can't purchase food if they exceed it.

Hey Pirates! The Pirate Cove School Store will be open starting Monday for normal business hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m. M-F, 12:45-1:15 p.m. break). Don't forget to activate or add funds to your child's MyKidSpending account before the school year begins! If you have any questions or requests please email rharper@steds.org or call 772-492-2318.

When is a Friday a Sundae? When new families came to campus this week to meet new friends they were greeted with some chilly treats and a warm welcome from their new Pirate family. What a sweet way to kick off the new school year!

On Monday, August 12, our 2024 ASP students presented their projects. These culminating presentations represent months of independent study and weeks of presentation preparation. Congratulations to our 2024 ASP students!  Learn more about their programs of study

As we wrap up our #SESMaintenanceMonday summer series, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every member of our incredible Facilities crew (not all pictured). Their dedication and hard work have ensured our School remains in top shape, ready for the new academic year. This group tirelessly worked behind the scenes throughout the summer, and we couldn't be more grateful for their efforts. Thank you for all that you do!

The Summer Olympic Games have just begun, and we thought we would "ring" in the opening ceremony with a sporty #SESFlashbackFriday. Check out these team photos from the school year of 2002-03. *Click on the headline for more photos.

Starting the week off right with another #SESMaintenanceMonday. Today we would like to thank Rich for being a very valuable member of the Pirate community. His friendliness and hard work does not go unnoticed, and he is a great team player aboard this Ship. Thank you, Rich!

The spotlight is on David this #SESMaintenanceMonday. Thank you, David, for being an outstanding crew member on our Pirate Ship! Your happiness is contagious, and your diligence is always admirable. David is truly a vital part of our School community.

For the upcoming school year, 2024-25, Saint Edward's School will be using FACTS Tuition Management for student billing. To access this improved system, we need every family to create a new account. In order to create your account, please use this FACTS link. Once in the system, you will need to create an account with a username and password. Then, please follow the steps outlined in the system. For step-by-step instructions, please click the headline or read more.

Happy #SESMaintenanceMonday! Today, we'd like to give a big shoutout to Laura. Her hard work and warm spirit make our School a better place every day. From keeping our halls spotless to brightening our days, Laura, you're truly appreciated!

Check out this photo of the Class of 2012 from 24 years ago. We thought this patriotic kindergarten play would go hand in hand with yesterday's Fourth of July celebration. Recognize any of those tiny faces?

*Send us an email with your past school or summer camp photos for your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer.

Happy first day of July and #SESMaintenanceMonday! Today, we would like to thank Dorothy for her hard work and positive attitude. Our Ship shines with her help, and we are grateful to have her as part of our Pirate crew. Thank you, Dorothy, and the entire facilities team!

Our own dean of MS students and soon-to-be school counselor Todd Fletcher joined Cindy Goetz yesterday on her show, "Beauty and the Beach," to talk about the importance of mental health. The radio interview will air multiple times throughout the weekend but it's even more fun to watch the recording. Click here to learn more about Coach Fletcher's "Disney hair!"

December 7 is the last day to register to participate in the SES annual mens alumni lacrosse game on Friday, December 20. Teams will play on a shortened field with fewer face-offs, making for a fast-paced game for all to enjoy.  A special thank you to Peter Blake '94, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones and Lazim Chowdhury '12, Managing Partner at GreatFlorida Insurance of Fort Pierce, for underwriting this year's men's game. All registrations must be completed by December 7. Waivers will be sent once registration is processed.
MENS ALUM LAX REGISTRATION
*Please note the womens game has been canceled.

Help fill our mailbox with postcards! This summer, all lower school students are encouraged to participate in the Summer Postcard Challenge. To join in the fun, send a postcard to the School from any summer destination, whether you are having a staycation or traveling far away. It doesn't matter where you go; this is an opportunity for all children to address, write a message and mail a postcard to the Lower School.

This challenge provides an authentic reason to write this summer, and gives many students the chance to write, address and mail a letter for the first time. Additionally, an excellent byproduct of this endeavor is that we get to see where everybody visited this summer, as postcards are showcased at the beginning of the school year.

Mailing Address:
Saint Edward’s Lower School
1895 Saint Edward’s Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963

This #SESMaintenanceMonday, we wanted to give a big shoutout to Nancy. Not only can you always count on her for finding your lost package, but Nancy is always working hard, lending a helping hand and providing immediate solutions for our problems. Thank you, Nancy, for all that you do!

This #SESFlashbackFriday features a photo of the Class of 2014. These seniors rocked their lower and middle school outfits before graduating from SES. We bet you recognize these well-dressed students!

*Send us an email with your past school or summer camp photos for your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer.

We thought this #SESMaintenanceMonday was the perfect excuse to highlight our Director of Facilities William, who wears many hats around campus. Working year round, he can be found driving the Kubota, manning the shrimp boil on Mardi Gras and doing just about anything else you can think of. He's a true rock star!

This #SESMaintenanceMonday, we are highlighting another member of the SES community who is hardworking in keeping our campus spotless. Thank you, Michael, for always giving it your all! The Pirate Ship truly benefits from your dedication and consistent positive attitude.

We are bringing back #SESMaintenanceMonday this summer! On Mondays, we will be highlighting those who make the Pirate Ship sparkle every day! First up we have Tay. Thank you, and the entire facilities department, for your hard work. Tay, you never fail to put a smile on every face around campus!

The 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame awards were presented by Athletic Director Eileen Pliske at the holiday party last month.  This year's recipients were Maddy Blakeman '12, Collier Proctor '11 and the 1993 Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team.  Family, friends and former coach, Andrew Scheffer, attended and celebrated the athletes' induction.

Do you have someone you would like to nominate for the ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME?  If so, now is the time to submit your candidate.  Criteria, the process for selection and the nomination form can be found here.  Nominations are due August 15.  Recipients will be presented with their awards and inducted one year from now at the 2025 Alumni Holiday Party.

2nd Lieutenant Jackson Jennings '18 stopped by the second grade this week to thank the students for their letters that they wrote to him while he was in the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School last year. He brought the letters back so students could see how far they've come with their writing skills, and he answered questions about what it's like to be a Marine. Thank you, Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Isaacson, for taking time out of the busy end-of-year schedule to allow him to express his gratitude!

Did you know? You can register for JRA camps until 5 p.m. on the Thursday before a session starts (pending availability). Starting May 29, students entering grades 10 - 12 can join SAT Bootcamp to knock out prep for the brand new digital SAT. The week of June 3 starts the official Week 1 of JRA summer, filled with options like ACT Boot Camp, College Essay Writing, Boys Lacrosse Bootcamp, P.L.A.Y. to Grow, Water/Day Camp: Shipwrecked! and more. Click on the headline or read more button to check out some upcoming camp options for this summer.