Homecoming will be celebrated October 15-19 this year, so it's time to start thinking about your school spirit fit! Click here for details on the US dress days, beginning Tuesday, October 15 (please note that the IC will include specific dress code parameters - the idea is to have appropriate fun).
The All School Pep Rally will be Friday, October 18, and the US Homecoming Dance is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 7pm. Ticket information and theme details will be shared in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Join SES faculty, students and alumni on September 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Raw Space Gallery for the opening reception of Reflections, a Saint Edward's School art exhibition. The exhibit will feature artwork from selected SES art faculty and students, both past and present. It will be an evening of community and fine arts, including live music provided by SES music students.
The exhibit will be open September 6-27. Please check the mySTEDS calendar for gallery hours. Raw Space is located downtown at 1795 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
We are thrilled to share that our first days of school have been a great success! The hallways have been buzzing with energy, excitement, and the joy of reconnecting with friends and teachers. It has been a true delight to witness the enthusiasm of our students as they settled into their classrooms, eager to embark on this year’s learning journey.
Throughout the past days, students have been busy establishing new routines, diving into engaging activities, and embracing the joy of learning. From exploring new books to beginning creative writing projects, our students have already shown such dedication and curiosity. We’ve also seen the beginning of friendships forming and classroom communities taking shape.
After our first Lower School Chapel this week, students who completed their summer reading and math were recognized for their hard work over the summer. By completing their assignments and turning in their work these, students earned their first Brag Tags of the year.
We want to thank you, our wonderful families, for your support during these first days. Your encouragement at home makes a world of difference, and we are grateful to partner with you in your child’s education.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! We look forward to sharing many more milestones, achievements, and joyful moments together.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Parent Night on September 4 at 5:00 p.m.
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.
Saint Edward's School is thrilled to invite you to our first Coed Alumni Soccer Game on December 18, bringing together old friends, new faces and a shared love of soccer! Whether you're a seasoned player or looking to relive those high school days, this is a great opportunity to have fun, make new memories, and enjoy some friendly competition. Registration must be completed by November 29. For more information on playing or any questions contact msegura@steds.org
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.
I am thrilled to present our Lower School monthly book club! Each month, Mrs. McAuliffe will choose a book and students have the option to read it outside of school. They are responsible for checking out or purchasing the book, and keeping up with the reading. At the end of the month, we will gather in the LS Library after
school to discuss the book! Check out this document for more information!
September's Book:Wonder by R.J. Palacio (recommended for ages 9+)
Wonder discussion:
September 25 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Lower School Library
*Parents, please let the front office know if your child is staying for Book Club. Pick-up is at 4:30 p.m. at the fountain.
Inviting all alumni working, living, or passing through the New York Metro area to join us on September 19 for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and reminiscing with old friends as we celebrate 60 years! Scroll down for details. Attendance is free, but your RSVP is required. msegura@steds.org or 772.231.5192 by September 9.
We hope you can join us on September 18 for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and an evening of laughter, nostalgia, and catching up with old friends as we celebrate 60 years! Scroll down for details. Attendance is free, but your RSVP is required. msegura@steds.org or 772.231.5192 by September 9.
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.
Once you have created an account in FACTS, the School will update your account with tuition and fees, any variable tuition and any Step Up for Students (SUFS) awards, if applicable. You will then receive a notification with the amount due. As a reminder, the first payment, regardless of the payment plan selected, begins in June. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at studentbilling@steds.org. We look forward to a great year!
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.
Our JRA campers had a blast at last week's "Party in the USA" camp, and we wanted to share these patriotic snapshots. We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday.
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!"
Athletic Director Eileen Pliske announced this week that Gray Ange will be Saint Edward’s School’s varsity baseball coach, effective immediately. Mr. Ange is coming to the Pirate Ship from Lincoln Park Academy Magnet, where he is a science, health and physical education teacher. He previously coached at Sebastian River High School, earning District 6-A-8 Coach of the Year honors, and he is currently with the Cannons Baseball University Organization and the 12U-Major team is enjoying a 30-5 record.
Prior to his term at Lincoln Park Academy, and with the Sharks, Ange served as head coach at Silverdale Baptist Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he enjoyed consecutive winning seasons for four years, culminating with the #3 spot in the state among the DII-A division. Eileen Pliske says, “Gray’s leadership philosophy combines a solid work ethic with dedication to public service, a tenet that we hold for all of our student athletes. His consistent winning record is impressive, but his commitment to building young athletes into adults of strong character and ethics is a perfect fit for Saint Edward’s School.”
Happy #SESFlashbackFriday! Click on the headline to check out these summer camp photos from 2014 and 2015. Do you recognize any of these zinc-covered faces?
*Send us an email with your past school or summer camp photos for your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer.
Calling all SES alumni lacrosse players. Grab your stick and start practicing, it's time to show everyone what you've got! The annual mens and womens lacrosse games will be Friday, December 20. Teams will play on a shortened 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 Great Florida Insurance, for underwriting this year's men's game. All registrations must be completed by November 12 for accurate uniform sizes. Registration is now open and may be completed by clicking below. Waivers will be sent once registration is processed. MENS ALUM LAX REGISTRATION WOMENS ALUM LAX REGISTRATION
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!
Happy #SESFlashbackFriday. Today, we have a couple of submitted photos featuring the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2027. Click on the headline to see both!
*Send us an email with your past school or summer camp photos for your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer.
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.
Happy National Donut Day and #SESFlashbackFriday. To celebrate both, we are featuring the Class of 2024 in some throwback photos from Dads and Donuts of years past. We know you will recognize these cute faces!
*Send us an email with your past school or summer camp photos for your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer.
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.
This summer, we're bringing back #SESFlashbackFriday. To celebrate Saint Edward's while school is out, we will be looking back on the past and posting weekly throwbacks. To kick off Summer 2024, here is a camp photo from 2018. See anyone you know?
*For your chance to be featured on a Friday this summer, send us your past school or summer camp photos, whether from 5 years ago or 50!
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.
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.