Headmaster Letter

Dear Spartan Families,

Did you know that all Texas schools have a special event called Celebrate Freedom Week? It's held each year during the week that includes September 17, the date in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution. This event aims to highlight the values and beliefs that America was founded upon, as well as the sacrifices made for freedom during the country's early days.

During Celebrate Freedom Week, students learn about the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. We want to make sure everyone understands just how important these documents are and the impact they've had on American history. 

Celebrate Freedom Week coincides with Constitution Week, established by the U.S. Congress to encourage all Americans to learn about the Constitution. Celebrate Freedom Week and Constitution Week focus on September 17. Congress has also designated September 17 of each year as Constitution Day. 

Some of the specific things we did this week in honor of Celebrate Freedom Week included a House Challenge to memorize the preamble to the Constitution for 10 points or the 1st two sentences of the Declaration of Independence for 20 House points. We also highlighted the birth of the Constitution through history moments on the announcements each morning, while history teachers did mini-lessons on the Constitution using primary sources.

Wednesday was also a special day for us as we celebrated the BIG GIVE by putting on a tailgate party during our M.S. and H.S. flag football games. There was a lot of great food and drinks, along with cheering as our flag football teams continued their undefeated season with huge wins over Valor and Idea Converse. 

Thanks to Mr. Travis, DJ TC, Bob's Aguas Frescas, the XC Families, PSO, and our fantastic Football families for such a great community event.

Four Houses, One Spartan Nation!

Trinette Keffer

Upper School Headmaster

Operational Updates

Lobbies Closed During Afternoon Pick-Up

Please note that the lobby will be closed from 3-4 pm on full days and from 1-2 pm on Early Release days until after the carline is completed. The lobby will then re-open for Athenaeum checkouts.

If parents need to check out their children early from school, it is recommended to do so before 3 pm on full days and before 1 pm on Early Release Fridays. Checking out students beyond these times could cause delays in getting them to their families on time. This is because end-of-day routines in class, such as packing up and locker visits, transitions between classes, Athenaeum pick-up routines, and club/intramural rotations occur after 3/1 pm. 

Cell Phone Locker Reminder

Students are required to drop their phones off in their assigned cell phone lockers first thing upon arriving at the campus in the morning and pick them up upon being dismissed to Carline. The only places a student may store their phone is in their cell phone locker or, in certain circumstances, the W. If a student fails to have their cell phone properly stored in their cell phone locker, they will receive an In-School-Suspension (ISS).

If your student does not have a cell phone locker and intends to bring a cell phone at any time to campus, they should swing by the Swag Shop before the start of the first period or during morning break to get one assigned to them.

If your student loses their cell phone locker key, they should come by the W immediately for assistance on how to proceed.

We are so happy to give the students this opportunity to focus on their classwork and enjoy the company of their friends!  

John Womack

Dean of Students, Upper School

Upper School Housekeeping

Dismissal Cut-Off

Thank you to all the parents who have been mindful of the wave times. Our upper scholars have done a fantastic job of speeding up the first wave, so we have adjusted the wave times. As a reminder, the Upper School carline ends at 4:10 PM. All Scholars who are not picked up by 4:10 will be placed in the Homework Club and will be charged $1/minute. 



Please review the following wave times-

3:30-3:35 PM Upper School Students Only

3:35-4:00 PM Upper School Students with Lower school siblings 

4-4:10 Homework Recovery/Detention/Intervention

Teacher Tutoring

Tutoring has begun! All teachers have their tutoring times posted on their classroom doors. Teachers offer tutoring during the morning break and by appointment. 

Scholars can find this station around the corner from the kitchen in the gym (across from the Coach's office).

Intramurals

This week's schedule: 

Monday: FFB practice and Narnia VB practice at 4:15-5:15

Tuesday: Middle Earth VB practice at 4:15-5:15

Wednesday: FFB practice at 4:15-5:15 and Narnia VB practice at 5:15-6:15

Thursday: FFB game day at 5!

Friday: 4:30 Oakenshield vs Pevensies and 5:30 Baggins vs Reepicheep

Athletics

Pick-Up Reminder

Athletics Shoutouts:

MS FFB remains undefeated 6-0

HS FFB remains undefeated 3-0

Upcoming Athletic Competitions:

Monday September 25th:  

HS Boys VB vs. GHNO – 6:00 pm – Home

Tuesday September 26th :

JV FFB vs. IDEA Ingram Hills – 6:00 pm – Home

Wednesday September 27th :

AGOGE VB vs Somerset Academy – 5:00 pm – Home

HS Boys VB vs. Somerset Academy – 6:00 pm – Home

Spartan VB vs IDEA Hidden Meadow – 5:30 pm – Away 

MS FFB vs GHNO – 6:00pm – Away 

HS Girls VB vs IDEA Hidden Meadow – 6:30– Away 

Thursday September 28th:  

HS Boys VB vs. Somerset Academy – 6:00 pm – Home

Friday September 29th:  

AGOGE VB vs. Valor – 5:00 pm – Away

Spartan VB vs Anne Frank Inspire – 5:00 – Away

As the academic year progresses, photographers from Upper and Lower will continue to share photo memories from our campus on our new SmugMug site. Just use the password "plato" to enter and view.