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THE GUIDE TO

Whether you’re brand new to Steward or you’re simply moving into Middle or Upper School from Steward’s Lower or Middle Schools, this guide is for you! You’re getting ready to embark on a great adventure in a community filled with friends and teachers who want to help you discover all that Steward has to offer. This Spartan Guide will help you navigate the coming years at Steward. You’ll find helpful information, important things to do, and checklists to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything. So, take some time to discover all that Steward has to offer, and don’t forget that you can always access this information online at www.stewardschool.org. We’re happy that you’re here!

INTRODUCTION

IMPORTANT DATES

August 10 JV and Varsity Practices Begin

CONTACT INFORMATION

11600 Gayton Road

Richmond, Virginia 23238

Main Number: 804.740.3394 Fax: 804.740.1464

Website: www.stewardschool.org

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Dan Frank Head of School

Lisa Dwelle Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations

Becky Groves Director of Lower School

Susan Atkinson Director of Middle School

Bobby Pollicino Director of Upper School

Yaa Agyekum

Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) and Assistant Director of Lower School

Meredith Harris Director of Development

Heather Jeter Director of College Counseling

Lindsay McLaughlin Director of Admissions

Chad Montgomery Director of Plant Operations

Shahwar Qureshi ’90 Director of Technology

Bruce Secrest Director of Athletics

Rachel Williard Director of Marketing and Communications

Faculty/Staff Directory QR

l.ead.me/tss-directory

August 24 MS Athletic Practices Begin

August 31 First Day of School - Early Dismissal LS

Sept. 4-7 Labor Day Break – No School

September 21 No School

October 9-12 Fall Break – No School

November 13 Fall Conferences –No School for Students

November 16 No School for Students

November 23-27 Thanksgiving Break – No School

December 21-

January 1 Winter Break – No School

January 18 No School

February 15 No School

March 8-12 Spring Break – No School

March 26-29 No School

April 16

May 24

Spring Conferences –No School for Students

Upper School Recognition Assembly

May 27 Baccalaureate

May 28

Graduation – No School for Students

May 31 No School

June 4

Grades 5 and 8 Recognition Assemblies

Calendar QR l.ead.me/tss-cal

August

November '26

December '26

January '27

February '27

May

June '27

April '27

July '27

ABOUT THE STEWARD SCHOOL

Steward students are engaged on an individual level by a robust, innovative curriculum that challenges as much as it inspires. Here, students are given the care and respect they need to be critical thinkers who will help shape the future. Programs such as Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and the Center for Engagement immerse students in topics and ideas that encourage the critical thought, empathy, civil discourse, and inspired thinking that will be necessary to continue moving the world forward.

Inspire the Future.

STEWARD’S PURPOSEFUL SIZE

Our size – which is intentional –enables this atmosphere of engagement. Steward is large enough to provide the resources for students to explore their interests and curiosities across academics, athletics, and the arts concurrently. Importantly, Steward is also small enough to give them the personalized attention they need to pursue these areas of interest.

F AST F A C T S

ARTS: 3 mainstage productions annually

STE W A RD A T STE W A RD A T

715

NUMBER OF STUDENTS 12

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE 44 ZIP CODES REPRESENTED 92%

RETENTION RATE

8:1 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO

$3M VARIABLE TUITION

ATHLETICS: 16 total state championships

SCAN ME to

Steward

THE BASICS

DRESS CODE

Students are expected to abide by the dress code at all times while on campus. Good taste and common sense should dictate parental and student choice of school clothes. As a general rule, if a student thinks something may not be appropriate, the student should not wear it. It is impossible to anticipate every situation or fashion trend. Therefore, The Steward School reserves the right to determine if a student is dressed and groomed appropriately. The policy for The Steward School’s dress code will be based on what is understood to be acceptable in a JK-12 academic environment.

Dress Code QR l.ead.me/tss-dress

TECHNOLOGY

Students in JK-8 are assigned iPads to use throughout the school year. The iPads have a variety of apps, including iMovie, Green Screen, and Book Creator. Additionally, all students will have a Google Apps for Education account in which to store their files. All students in grades 9-12 are required to bring a Windows or Apple laptop.

Technology QR

l.ead.me/tss-tech

HEALTH INFORMATION

We have two clinics. The Lower School clinic is staffed by Rebecca Heck, RN, NCSN, CPN, and is located in the Lower School building. The Middle/Upper School clinic is located in the Athletic Center and staffed by Kendall Hrabak, RN. The Steward School uses Magnus Health, an online health portal, to manage your child’s health information. All health forms should be completed by August 1 and uploaded to the Magnus Health portal.

Health Forms & Clinic QR l.ead.me/tss-clinic

SPARTICIPATION

Our parent organizations — Annual Fund Committee, ArtLink, Parents Association, Spartan Club, and Spirit Committee — are always eager for new and returning faces to join in the volunteer effort. To let them know you’re interested in helping, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form, and don’t forget to visit the Sparticipation Fair to find out how you can engage in our community.

Sparticipation QR

l.ead.me/tss-spart

THE SPARTAN SHOP

The school store, located in the Athletic Center, stocks school supplies, spirit wear, snacks, and spirit items ranging from clothing and glassware to stationery and gift items. Items are also available to order online. For hours and information please visit: spartanshop.stewardschool.org.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Lower and Middle School supply lists are available with other back-to-school information on the school’s website starting in May. In the Upper School, school supplies vary by subject. Students will receive specific supply lists from their teachers on the first day of school.

Spartan Shop QR l.ead.me/tss-shop

TEXTBOOK INFORMATION

The Middle and Upper Schools share book lists so that students have the needed texts by the first day of class. Families can choose their preferred seller or can opt to rent textbooks. Please see the division’s summer work section for specific lists.

Booklist QR l.ead.me/tss-books

School Supplies QR l.ead.me/tss-2425

SAFETY AT STEWARD

The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priorities. We want to make sure that the Steward community is well informed at all times and that we are prepared for any type of emergency that may occur. Scan below to find out more information about Raptor, Campus Alert, Ruvna and other safety policies and applications at Steward.

Safety QR l.ead.me/tss-safety

CARPOOL & CAMPUS DRIVING

Carpools are arranged by individual parents. The school’s website can be a valuable tool for finding other students within your zip code. Once you have received your website login information, you can search the online directory by zip code. Carpool maps, procedures, and Lower and Middle School carpool numbers will be provided at orientation in August.

DRIVING ON CAMPUS

• Slow down

• No passing in carpool

• No cell phones

• Follow directions of faculty and staff on carpool duty

Carpool QR

l.ead.me/tss-carpool

TUITION/PAYMENT PLANS

Three Options:

 100% of tuition due on July 31, 2026.

 65% of tuition due on July 31, 2026, with the balance due on January 31, 2027. There is a $75 additional charge for this option (billed in January).

 10 equal payments, with the first payment due April 30, 2026, and the tenth payment due on January 31, 2027. There is a $150 additional charge for this option ($15 billed monthly).

Terms: A late charge of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) is applied to delinquent accounts. A $35 fee will be assessed on all returned checks.

Reenrollment contracts are available in February each year. Accounts must be current to receive reenrollment contracts. A deposit of $1,000 per student is due at the time of reenrollment. The deposit is applied to the student’s account in July.

Tuition QR l.ead.me/tss-tuition

MEAL PLANS

Dining services are provided by Meriwether Godsey. Lunch enrollment was available in the enrollment contract. To add or remove the lunch program or ask questions, email studentbilling@stewardschool.org. Lunch program fees are billed in July and January. Lunch program fees include beverages: milk (2% or skim), water, lemonade, and iced tea.

GRADE JK Costs per year are as follows:

• Pizza Monday – $300

GRADE K-5 STUDENTS Costs per year are as follows:

• Five-day plan – $1,356

• Three-day plan (M/W/F) – $945

• Pizza Monday – $300

GRADE 6-12 STUDENTS Cost per year is as follows:

• Five-day plan – $1,550

Meal Plans QR

AFTERSCHOOL CARE PROGRAM

For Lower School, supervision is provided in the Middle School Dining Commons, Lower School Library, various classrooms, and on the Lower School playground. For Middle School, supervision is provided in the Middle School Café.

The cost is as follows: $10/hour for students who attend daily (four or five days per week), $12/hour for drop-in students. AfterSchool Care charges begin at 3:10 p.m. for Lower School and 3:20 p.m. for Middle School. These charges are billed to the student billing account on a monthly basis.

All Lower and Middle School students are automatically enrolled in the program and may use it as needed, whether daily or sporadically. A minimum 30-minute charge ($5) applies to any time the service is used.

Please note that there is an additional $30 late fee for each 15 minutes (or any part thereof) past the 6 p.m. pick-up time. Other than AfterSchool Care, supervision for children after dismissal is not available. Students not picked up from carpool by 3:25 p.m. for Lower School and 3:45 p.m. for Middle School will be sent to AfterSchool Care.

AfterSchool QR

l.ead.me/tss-acp

STEWARD SPEAK

WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES THE STEWARD EXPERIENCE UNIQUE? THE FOLLOWING GLOSSARY FEATURES DESCRIPTIONS OF HELPFUL STEWARD-RELATED PROGRAMS, PEOPLE, TERMS, AND TIDBITS.

Alumni Association – Alumni group committed to keeping alumni engaged; they host special event and raise funds for student scholarships, special projects, and the Annual Fund.

ArtLink – A group of parents who promote and support the arts.

Artist-In-Residence Program – Visiting professional artists come to Steward to share their expertise as they teach and work directly with Steward student artists.

Annual Fund – The Annual Fund is the backbone of philanthropy at Steward and covers what tuition alone does not. Gifts to the Annual Fund have an immediate impact supporting the arts, athletics, professional development, technology, and more. To support the Annual Fund, please visit: stewardschool.org/support/annual-giving.

Athletic Invitationals – Friendly tournaments during which multiple teams play on the same day. Go Spartans!

Baccalaureate – Baccalaureate features a formal procession of seniors led by the junior marshals, two student speakers, an address by the director of Upper School, and musical performances. Students are each presented with a faculty member’s heartfelt tribute.

Beach Day – A Lower School celebration held on the last day of school to kick off summer vacation.

Bingo Night – A fun night for the whole family sponsored by the Parents Association — dinner, Bingo, and raffle prizes!

BlackBox Theatre – An experimental performance space in the Cramer Center used for classes and more intimate performances, such as grade-level plays.

Blue and Gold Spirit Challenge – All members of each family are assigned to a color team (blue or gold). During the school year, the teams face off in various spirit challenges, and the winning team is announced at the Spartan Spirit Reveal in May. Students are given new spirit shirts each year to wear on designated spirit days to show pride for their teams.

Board of Trustees – The governing body of The Steward School.

Bryan Innovation Lab – In this unique learning space, students grapple with real-world issues, challenging their critical thinking skills and resourcefulness.

Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) –Steward’s hub for coordinating academic support and learning services across divisions. CAL partners with students, families, and teachers to strengthen the skills and strategies that support academic success, including organization, study skills, and subject-specific tutoring. Through collaboration with Deans of Student Engagement and Support, teachers, and the School Counselor, CAL provides a coordinated and proactive approach to meeting students’ learning needs. CAL also helps connect families with trusted outside specialists when additional services are needed.

Center for Engagement – A coordinated faculty team and program that includes health and wellness; community and belonging; service learning; and school counseling.

Class Sponsor – A faculty advisor to a particular class, grades 9-12, who helps the class organize events and projects throughout the year.

College Seminars – Second-semester juniors and firstsemester seniors meet in small groups with college counselors to narrow down their college lists; create extracurricular resumes; and draft, edit, and complete applications.

Community Week (Middle School) – Sixth graders participate in local field trips. Seventh graders typically enjoy a local overnight and grade-level activities on and off campus. Eighth graders spend the week at Wilderness Adventure in southwestern Virginia.

Convocation – At the opening of the school year, Convocation is an opportunity to welcome new students, hear from our Alumni Achievement Award winner, and collectively and ceremonially begin the year together. Parents are invited to attend.

Cramer Center – The Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts is the fine arts facility of The Steward School. It features the 500-seat Lora M. Robins Theatre, the BlackBox Theatre, music classrooms, art studios, and rehearsal space, photography classrooms, and the Carolyn R. Brandt Gallery, among other components.

Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship – The Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship provides four years of full Upper School

tuition to one new rising ninth grader. Recipients are chosen on the basis of academic distinction and extracurricular involvement in areas such as athletics, arts, innovation, or community service.

Declaration Day – Every year on May 1, Steward’s seniors announce which college they will be attending in the fall by wearing T-shirts from their chosen schools. Photos and a celebration lunch make this a momentous day each year.

Entrepreneurship Studies Program – An Upper School program that encorporates academic studies, hands-on learning, and skill building, as well as the possibility of earning a unique credential that will prepare students both for their college applications and their future careers.

Fall and Spring Socials – Sponsored by the Parents Association, these socials offer wonderful opportunities for all Steward families to get to know each other, plus enjoy engaging activities.

Gala – The Parents Association sponsors this festive annual tradition, which includes dinner, dancing, and an auction. The Gala is the Parents Association’s major fundraising event for the school and supports special projects as well as the Annual Fund.

Give Some, Get S’more – An after-school charitable event in early December, when families are asked to contribute specific items for local organizations. The afternoon is complete with s’mores, music, and games.

Giving Games – Steward’s spring participation challenge to support the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund strengthens and sustains the educational experience of a Steward student each and every day by supporting arts, athletics, faculty professional development, technology, and tuition assistance.

Grade-Level Plays – Grades K-5 meet with the Lower School theatre teacher for an intensive five-week period to produce a play in the BlackBox Theatre. Students learn about stage direction, acting techniques, and stage voices. Parents are invited to the final productions.

Grade-Level Meetings (Upper School) – Twice-yearly opportunities for parents and students to learn about the Upper School program and college admissions process. Grade-level meeting dates are noted in the Steward calendar.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day – A program during the school day, held in the spring for Lower School and the fall for Middle and Upper School.

Homecoming – An event held in conjunction with Trucks and Shucks and SpartaFest. Homecoming weekend includes a dance for Upper School students at which homecoming royalty are crowned.

Honor Code Signing – At the beginning of each year, students JK-12 sign a pledge that they will abide by the school’s Honor Code.

Honor Council (Upper School) – A student-run organization with faculty advisors, the Honor Council holds meetings with students accused of lying, cheating, or stealing. The Honor Council then recommends consequences for guilty students.

Impact Scholars Program – The Impact Scholarship recognizes two Steward eighth graders who demonstrate outstanding character and leadership, community service, academic excellence, and involvement in the arts and/or athletics. This $10,000 merit scholarship is applied to Upper School tuition at Steward ($2,500 per year, per student).

JK/K Senior Buddies – JK and kindergarten students are paired with seniors. They escort each other into Convocation in September, get together in classrooms during the year, attend pep rallies together, and conclude the year by celebrating together.

Junior College Tour – In October of the junior year, the entire eleventh grade embarks on an overnight trip to visit six colleges and universities in Virginia with Steward’s college counselors. The purpose of this trip is for students to learn about the different types of colleges available for their consideration.

Leadership Program – A small, highly selective program for students in grades 9-11, providing hands-on leadership education opportunities within the Richmond community.

LEAP – Steward’s Latino Education Advancement Program (LEAP) is a tuition-free summer program for Latino students entering grades 8-12. LEAP empowers Latino youth for high school success, college preparation, and meaningful connections.

Lifer – A student who has been enrolled at Steward from junior kindergarten or kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Lora M. Robins Theatre – The 500-seat mainstage theatre located in the Cramer Center.

Lower School Room Parents – A Lower School room parent acts as a liaison between parents and their gradelevel teachers. They help coordinate parent volunteers, raise funds, organize classroom parties, arrange parent socials, and share communication regarding grade-level and school events. Room parents serve as another point of contact for new families and help facilitate opportunities for social interactions.

Melanie G. Rodriguez Scholarship – A $10,000 yearly merit scholarship for Upper School tuition to a student who attends the LEAP program. Recipients are chosen based on strong character, community service involvement, academics, and potential.

Mainstage Productions – The Theatre Department presents three large-scale productions each year (October, February, and April) for the entire community. Students from all divisions may audition for plays/musicals as appropriate. All set pieces are built by students in the Upper School technical theatre class.

Minimester (Upper School) – A Minimester program is held every March before spring break. Ninth graders participate in a program that includes community service and college campus visits. Tenth and eleventh graders coordinate internships with businesses or organizations in which they are interested. Twelfth graders work on their senior projects. Travel abroad is also an option during this week.

Oratorical Program – An optional program for Lower Schoolers to read a short selection on stage in front of an audience of peers and families.

Order of the Shield – A secret society made up of individuals who embody school enthusiasm, spirit, and pride. This select group of individuals will proudly wear the official costumes of the Steward mascots, Sparty and Spartina, or serve as their handlers at designated school functions throughout the academic year.

Parents Association (PA) – The Parents Association supports the school by carrying out activities and events that foster community building, demonstrate appreciation for the faculty and staff, provide parent education, and create fellowship among the parents of Steward students. All parents are members of the Parents Association, are welcome to attend meetings, and are encouraged to volunteer. To get involved, visit stewardschool.org/ community/sparticipation.

Parent Representative / Division – Each division (Lower, Middle, and Upper School) has a lead parent volunteer. The division coordinator organizes grade-level coordinators, distributes information, answers questions, arranges socials, and assists with the volunteers in the entire division.

Parent Representatives / Grade-Level (Middle and Upper Schools)– Each Middle and Upper School grade has a set of parent volunteers who serve as the grade-level representatives. These parents help distribute information to the class, arrange parent socials, gather volunteers for school events, assist with new families, and support other opportunities that arise during the school year. In addition, Upper School representatives support grade-level sales to raise money for prom, which is hosted by the Junior class annually.

Parent Speaker Series – Interactive programs are held throughout the school year by trained facilitators and/ or professional experts. They highlight core development issues, stimulate parent/teacher dialogue, and teach skills that encourage healthy lifestyle choices and decision making.

Program Committee – The primary committee within the school that oversees the academic program of The Steward School. This includes the head of school, division directors, academic deans, curriculum chairs, and additional faculty as necessary.

Put-In Cups – The decorations in the Gayton Road parking lot fence; a great volunteer opportunity!

Ring Ceremony – The ceremony during which members of the junior class receive their class rings and are welcomed as upperclassmen and school leaders.

Senior Breakfast – Sponsored by the Alumni Association, this breakfast is held every spring for the seniors and their parents to welcome seniors as Steward’s newest alumni.

Senior Egg Hunt – A special senior tradition held in the spring at Deep Run Park. Parents are invited to join their seniors to enjoy a picnic lunch and an afternoon of fun.

Senior Parent Legacy Gift – The Senior Class Parent Gift is a Steward tradition that marks the culmination of the Steward experience. Every family in the senior class is asked to participate with a gift to support a specific project that is identified each year.

Senior Speeches – The culmination of a semester’s worth of work for seniors: Every senior chooses a topic and gives a speech to the entire Upper School. Parents are invited.

Sixth Man – The crowd at home basketball games is known as the sixth man — meaning the sixth “player” on the basketball court. Led by Upper School students, the sixth man creates dress themes for home games and spirit signs for players.

SpartaFest – A fall festival organized by the Parents Association. This Saturday festival includes a bake sale, carnival games, music, and a wide variety of games and activities.

Spartan Buddies – Every new family is assigned to a current family who will welcome them and serve as a point of reference over the summer.

Spartan Club – The Spartan Club is a group of committed parents, volunteers, alumni, and staff who believe in The Steward School’s commitment to student athletics and the lifelong interpersonal and individual values that athletics develop. They raise money for the Athletic Department. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Spartan Club, please visit stewardschool.org/spartanclub

Sparty and Spartina – Steward’s spirited mascots.

Spirit Committee – The Spirit Committee is a group of committed students, parents, faculty, and staff who work together to enhance Spartan spirit and blue/gold pride. To get involved, visit stewardschool.org/community/ sparticipation.

Spirit Weeks – Held periodically throughout the year, these weeks include dress-up days, contests, games, and prizes. Each spirit week ends with a pep rally or pep parade.

Steeber Commons – Named for former Trustee Don Steeber, this is the common area in the Upper School that is used for meetings, receptions, and other gatherings. Students also may use the space for collaborating with classmates.

Summer Experience – Steward’s summer program, the Summer Experience offers academic, innovation, sports, fine arts, and recreational camps for all ages. The Summer Experience brochure typically arrives in November, with registration opening in early December.

Talent Nights – A showcase of student talent, from singing and dancing to live art demonstrations, and gymnastics.

Thanksgiving Chain – Notes of gratitude are written on slips of blue or gold paper, which are used to create a paper chain for the Thanksgiving Program. In the spring, seniors shred the paper chain into confetti, which they bag with a wish for their future and then toss into the air at graduation.

Tiffany Turkey, a kindergarten student dressed as a turkey and serenaded by the student body with a traditional song. Parents are invited to attend.

Transition Day – This day for seniors presents topics of importance as they prepare to transition to college life. While most of these topics are covered in colleges’ freshman orientation programs, we believe it is helpful for our students to encounter these ideas at Steward as part of our mission “to prepare [them] for college and for life.”

Trucks and Shucks – An annual fundraising event hosted by the Steward Alumni Association that brings Steward parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends together for live music, local food and beverage trucks, and freshly roasted oysters. All proceeds benefit The Steward School Alumni Association.

Visiting Innovators Program – The Bryan Innovation Lab Visiting Innovators Program features nationally recognized experts who are leading thinkers and change-makers in their fields. While on campus, these innovators share their expertise in a variety of ways — they speak to our students, work with classes on relevant issues, make presentations that are open to the Richmond community, and conduct workshops for families.

Waddell Terrace – Named for Bill Waddell, alumni parent, Foundation Board member and former Board of Trustees member, this is the patio outside of Wilton Hall, the Middle School, and the Cramer Center, overlooking the athletic fields.

Whirled Peace Day – During September, the Steward community celebrates the International Day of Peace with a thematic celebration that includes a display of pinwheels of peace.

Wilderness Adventure – A highlight of the last year of Middle School, Wilderness Adventure allows eighth-grade students to enjoy a week in the Virginia mountains caving, rock climbing, mountain biking, and bonding as a class.

Winter Program – A festive program put on each December by the Lower School under the direction of the music teachers.

Thanksgiving Program – An annual event, the Thanksgiving Program is a schoolwide opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to stop and give thanks. Part of the program includes the time-honored Steward tradition of Timothy/

Be

a part of Spartan life!

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED in THE STEWARD SCHOOL

Know what makes Steward extra special? YOU! We love when community members are part of campus life. There are so many ways to get involved, and when you do, you enrich your connections to our students, teachers, parents and grandparents, alumni, and more. Experience the magic of blue and gold spirit!

JOIN

FUN WHEN YOU… Be a part of Spartan life!

IN THE

CONNECT!

• at Dinner and a Show before a theatre performance

• at Nature Play School

• at parent and alumni coffees

• at an athletic game

• at SpartaFest, Trucks and Shucks, Spring Social and more

HELP OUT!

• be a PA class, grade-level, or division representative

• provide game-day snacks for athletic teams

• provide snacks for cast and crew during play rehearsals

• help plan Dinner and a Show

• volunteer for Lower School classroom parties and ﬁeld trips

ATTEND!

• spirit nights with professional sports teams

• athletic events on campus

• Parent Speaker Series

• theatre and musical performances

• Parents Association meetings

SHARE!

• your family traditions

• your expertise on a particular topic

• your creative talents

• career tips with Leadership and Entrepreneurship students, at the Future Me Fair, and on Alumni Inspiration Day

SPARTICIPATE!

• in spirit events at restaurants and stores

• with the Parents Association at community events and fundraisers

• in creating spirited messages along the athletic ﬁelds fence

• with ArtLink at shows and performances

• in the Order of the Shield as a mascot

• at the Bryan Innovation Lab

• with the Spartan Club in our concession stand

PHILANTHROPY

PHILANTHROPY AT STEWAR D: A TRADITION OF GENEROSITY

Each year, the Steward community is invited to invest in the school’s mission through a variety of ways. Combined with tuition, the collective generosity from the community supports every student and every teacher, every day. The definition of philanthropy at Steward includes volunteering your time and talent and contributing a gift each year to the school’s Annual Fund, endowment, scholarships, or special capital campaigns as they occur. Support from the Steward community is a critical and tangible investment in people, strengthening our programs and enhancing our campus.

Steward strives for a high level of community participation from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, current families, alumni, alumni families, grandparents, and friends of the school. Our fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, and every parent is encouraged to participate every year.

WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARD

The Annual Fund: All current parents are encouraged to support Steward’s Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the school’s number one fundraising priority, and gifts to this fund are solicited annually. The Annual Fund benefits every student and helps bring Steward’s mission to life.

Your support of the Annual Fund ensures excellence in the programs that attracted your family to Steward. You may choose to designate your Annual Fund gift to one of six areas:

 Area of Greatest Need: With an unrestricted gift, you allow the school to use your gift where it is most needed. These funds will be used to support programs that impact students, faculty, and staff.

 Professional Development: Faculty are the heart of a Steward education. Investing in our teachers offers opportunities for professional growth and advancement, ensuring that faculty continue to learn, explore their intellectual curiosities, and bring new ideas to Steward students.

 Tuition Assistance: This fund provides scholarships and Variable Tuition reductions to students whose families demonstrate need and would otherwise not be able to attend Steward, enabling us to enroll a talented, motivated, and diverse student population.

 Technology: The cutting-edge technology available to students both inside and outside the classroom enriches the learning experience and provides the essential technical skills needed to flourish in the world’s expanding information age. Funding ensures students have tools such as iPads, ViewBoards, and access to interactive classroom technology.

 Athletics: Gifts provide support for the athletic program, including equipment, uniforms, field maintenance, and travel for all athletic teams, promoting opportunities for healthy competition, exercise, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

 Arts: Annual Fund gifts enhance opportunities for students in the visual and performing arts, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography and film, sculpture, theatre productions, costume, set design, music, and voice.

Endowment: A strong endowment is the “story behind the story” at the most successful independent schools and universities across the country. Steward’s ability to provide students with the finest college preparatory experience possible rests on the strength of our faculty, and a strong endowment allows us to recruit and retain the most qualified faculty. It also ensures our ability to enroll academically qualified students regardless of their financial circumstances, helps control tuition increases for our current families, and provides a funding stream to take care of our facilities. Endowment provides a steady, predictable flow of income to support Steward over time because the principal of the fund remains intact while the school may spend a percentage of the interest income. Gifts to our endowment fund are always welcome and help us plan and prepare for the future.

Capital Campaigns: Periodically, the school will embark on a capital campaign to fund progamming, building projects, and endowment. Capital campaigns support priorities identified in the school’s strategic plan and are above and beyond Annual Fund support. Capital campaign gifts are usually large gifts, given from assets, and are typically paid over a multi-year term.

Planned Giving: Including The Steward School in your estate plans helps ensure a Steward education for future generations. The Heritage Society recognizes donors who have made bequests, established trusts, given insurance policies, or utilized other deferred giving vehicles to benefit Steward. Planned gifts are welcome and have the ability to provide transformational support, impacting all areas of school life.

The Founders Society: The Founders Society leadership giving club recognizes donors who support the school at the $1,000 or higher level each year. At the beginning of the year, Founders

Society members are invited to a special celebration honoring them for their leadership support of the school.

Giving FAQ

l.ead.me/tss-give

Special Events: Each year, the school and its supporting organizations (the Alumni Association, ArtLink, Parents Association, Spartan Club, and Spirit Committee) host special events that support Steward’s mission, while also contributing to the growth and vitality of the school in a variety of ways.

These organizations also coordinate raffles, sales, and membership drives each year to raise money and work to strengthen the Steward community.

 Fall Social September 11

 Trucks and Shucks October 16

 SpartaFest & Homecoming October 17

 The Ray Tate Spartan Golf Classic October 26

 Grandparents and Special Friends Day Middle and Upper Schools November 6

Lower School May 7

 Family Bingo Night February 19

 Gala April 2

 Spring Social April 22

 Annual Fund Giving Games Spring 2027

For more information on volunteering opportunities and giving options, please contact the Development Office at 804.565.2327 or visit stewardschool.org/support

LOWER SCHOOL

NAMES TO KNOW

Becky Groves Director of Lower School

Jay Parrish Lower School Division Assistant

Yaa Agyekum

Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) and Assistant Director of Lower School

Lisa Moore Lower School Academic Dean

Cheryl Lafferty CAL Division Assistant

Chuck Robinson Director of Auxiliary Programs

Jessica McKenna Registrar

Rebecca Heck, RN School Nurse

Faculty/Staff Directory QR l.ead.me/tss-directory

IMPORTANT FALL DATES

Class Assignments Emailed August 7

Grades JK-5 New Student and Parent Orientation August 27

First Day of School Early Dismissal

Welcome Back Coffee and Sparticipation Fair

Back-to-School Night (parents meet teachers)

August 31; 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

September 9; 8:15 a.m.

September 15 5-6:30 p.m.

Picture Day September 16

DAILY SCHEDULES

Arrival

Supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. Tardy at 8 a.m.

Dismissal 3:10 p.m.

Carpool 3:10-3:25 p.m.

AfterSchool Care Program 3:10-6 p.m. daily

ABSENCES

Please notify the office when your child is absent, will be arriving late, or leaving early. Emailing LS@stewardschool.org is the preferred method of notification. Mrs. Parrish can also be reached at 804.565.2310. Additionally, please add all attendance changes to the SchoolPass app. When absent, if your child is well enough to do homework, please request it in the morning when notifying the office of the absence. Excessive absences during the school year will require a meeting with the director of Lower School.

TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS

Teacher assignments will be emailed to you in early August. Please keep in mind that our faculty and administration work hard to determine the best placement for each student.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to call Jay Parrish, Lower School division assistant, at 804.565.2310 or email LS@stewardschool.org

Calendar QR l.ead.me/tss-cal

STUDENT GIFTS

Please do not deliver flowers, candy, or gifts to your child at school, as this interrupts instructional time.

PERSONAL DEVICES

Students are not allowed to use personal devices, including but not limited to: cell phones, tablets, laptops, and smart watches. An e-reader device is allowed with teacher permission. If a student needs to call a parent, the student is welcome to use the phone in the Lower School Office. Students must keep their personal devices turned off and in their lockers or their backpacks.

LOST AND FOUND

Please label all clothing and lunch boxes with your child’s name. Feel free to look for any missing items in the Lost and Found. Small items, such as jewelry, are kept in the office.

SUPPLY LISTS AND SUMMER READING

Lower School supply lists are available with other back-toschool information on the school’s website starting in May.

New JK and K students will receive a Steward backpack at Orientation.

The Lower School encourages summer reading for all students. Each student, with parental guidance, will select his or her own books to read. The purpose of summer reading is to provide an opportunity for students to develop better reading proficiency by practicing their reading skills, as well as to promote the enjoyment of reading. Children’s magazines, joke books, non-fiction books, poetry, and biographies should be added to the usual collection of storybooks and chapter books. Summer is also the perfect time for your child to get their OWN library card!

Detailed informational letters can be found on the Lower School Hub. There is a QR code to this hub on the right column of this page.

 Rising JK and kindergartners are encouraged to read often with their parents. Practice and repetition are extremely beneficial to these young students.

 Rising first and second graders are encouraged to read as much and as often as possible. There is no reading list because we want your child to choose any book that is on their reading level and is interesting. (The students call it a “just right” book.) Be sure your child has a good selection of books from which to choose. Make regular trips to the library, and let your child be involved in choosing books that interest them. Letting your child pick out the book is the critical factor in their desire to read it!

 Rising third, fourth, and fifth graders are encouraged to maintain the practice of daily reading over the summer. Students are encouraged to choose a favorite book to share with their classmates at the beginning of the school year. There is no assigned reading; however, if you are looking for age-appropriate suggestions, book lists and resources are available. For more information, please see the summer reading letter on the website for your grade level. If you wish to keep track of summer reading, a sample reading log is available on the website.

 For all readers … Summer reading should be fun! So, find a comfy beach chair or hammock and ENJOY!

Lower School Hub Supply Lists and Summer Reading QR l.ead.me/tss-lsh

NEW FAMILY PICNIC & ORIENTATION

Relax! You’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow parents at the JK-12 New Family Picnic and we’ll walk you through the important information at the Lower School Orientation:

 JK-12 New Family Picnic* June 10, 5-6:30 p.m.

*For all families of new Spartans

 Grades JK-5 New Student August 27 Parent Orientation

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

LOWER SCHOOL CHECKLIST

ACADEMICS

q SUMMER READING

q SUPPLIES

On the Lower School Hub, you will find a list of books, supplies, and summer work. Please see QR code

HEALTH INFORMATION

q COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

SCHOOL ENTRANCE HEALTH FORM

Required for junior kindergarten, kindergarten and all new students

q EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

Required for students with life-threatening allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or other acute medical needs.