The Glance

As August arrives, we're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the Hilltop in a few weeks for another incredible school year.

Tiger Tracks is just around the corner on Monday, August 17, and all families are strongly encouraged to attend. This exciting kickoff event is your opportunity to:

📚 Meet your child's teacher(s)

🏫 Visit classrooms

📦 Pick up important back-to-school materials in the McNab Gymnasium

🐯 Connect with other families at your class social on the playground

A few reminders:

- Teacher assignments will be shared during teacher phone calls on Tuesday, August 11.

- Please park in the south parking lot off Jones Maltsberger Road and enter through the DiRaddo entrance.

- If you have children in multiple divisions, choose the Tiger Tracks time that works best for your family.

Be sure to refer to last week's Tiger Tracks email for your family's scheduled time and additional event details.

We can't wait to welcome you back to campus and kick off another fantastic year together. See you on the Hilltop! 🐯

Our offices will be closed on Friday, July 31st. Offices will reopen on Monday, August 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

Dear St. Luke's Community,

Over the past two years, we have experienced tremendous momentum at St. Luke's. Enrollment continues to grow, our academic and co-curricular programs are expanding, and more families than ever are recognizing the unique value of a St. Luke's education. As our school continues to evolve, we believe it is important to invest not only in our facilities and programs, but also in the leadership that will guide our students and teachers into the future.

This year marks an exciting step forward for our Middle School with the addition of two key leadership positions. In late spring, we welcomed Dr. Knesek as our Chief Academic Officer. His work is already strengthening curriculum alignment, instructional excellence, and professional growth across all divisions while helping us ensure that every student experiences a cohesive and challenging academic journey from PK3 through eighth grade.

To further strengthen the Middle School experience, I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Stephenson as our Interim Director of Middle School for the 2026–2027 school year. This one year appointment is designed to strengthen leadership within the division while also supporting the continued growth and development of our Middle School program. Sara is a veteran of independent schools where she has worn many hats including science teacher; advisor; dean; science department chair; head of middle school; crew, lacrosse, and cheerleading coach; international trip planner; head of school; dorm parent; and enrollment and admission manager. She will partner closely with Valerie Vied, our Middle School Dean of Students, whose leadership in student life and culture has been instrumental in creating the caring and vibrant community our students enjoy each day. Together, Sara and Valerie will provide complementary leadership that supports our faculty, enhances communication, and continues building a Middle School experience that is second to none.

These leadership investments come at an exciting time for our Middle School. This year, students will benefit from expanded opportunities that enrich both academics and student life. We are introducing new student clubs designed to encourage curiosity, leadership, and exploration beyond the classroom. We will also begin implementing Canvas, a modern learning management system that will strengthen communication, organization, and the partnership between school and home while helping prepare our students for the expectations they will encounter in high school and beyond. These initiatives build upon a Middle School program that already emphasizes innovation, leadership, public speaking, service learning, robotics, athletics, the arts, and authentic relationships.

Our vision for Middle School has never been clearer:

The St. Luke's Middle School experience sits at the intersection of community and challenge, where a comprehensive and dynamic program lives within a small, deeply caring environment that supports and stretches each student. Through meaningful relationships and intentional opportunities, students grow in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship while developing character, confidence, and faith. At St. Luke's, we do more than prepare students for high school. We help them become their very best selves.

That vision is what continues to guide our decisions. Every investment we make, whether in people, programs, or resources, is designed to create an experience where students are known deeply, challenged intentionally, and inspired to discover their God-given potential.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. The future of St. Luke's Middle School is bright, and I am excited for all that lies ahead.

Grace and peace,

Mike Jenkins, Head of School

Give your child a confident start to the new school year with our Summer on the Hilltop Academic Camps, taking place August 3–7. Designed for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade, these engaging half-day camps combine fun, hands-on learning with skill-building to help students transition into the school year feeling prepared and excited.

Whether your child is getting ready for Kindergarten, looking to refresh reading, writing, and math skills, or wanting to strengthen their confidence before school, our experienced St. Luke's faculty have created programs that make learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Camp Dates: Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7
Cost: $295 per session

Registration is now open, and space is limited. Reserve your child's spot today!

At St. Luke’s Episcopal School, learning and growth doesn't stop when the final bell rings.

We offer a well-rounded after-school program designed to support your family’s schedule and your child’s needs. Our three distinct options allow families to customize an experience that best suits their unique needs through:

Afterschool Care

Learning Lab

Reading Lab

Math Lab

Enrichment Classes

Whether your child needs time to unwind and play, focus on academics, or explore new interests, we have an option that fits. With supervision available from 7:30 a.m. (early care drop-off) to 6:00 p.m., families can count on St. Luke’s for a safe and enriching environment from morning to evening.

Please note: Partnership Kickoff Meetings registration will be sent out on August 11th after teacher phone calls are made. You may sign up for a 15-minute time slot on either Friday, August 14th or Tuesday, August 18th.

As we prepare for the 2026–27 school year, please be on the lookout for an email from Magnus Health in the coming weeks. All families will need to complete their child's health profile and submit required medical forms, immunization records, medication forms, and action plans.

Important deadlines:

• Submit all required health forms through Magnus by August 1, 2026
• Students entering Kindergarten and 7th Grade may need updated immunizations
• Students entering 5th–8th Grade must have an updated medical form on file each school year

Please refer to Nurse Olga's email sent on June 18th for complete details and requirements. Completing all health forms before the start of school helps ensure a smooth beginning to the year for everyone.

Questions? Contact Nurse Olga for assistance at odelunademenev@sles-sa.org

Be sure to review the updated Uniform Guide. While most uniform requirements remain the same, there are a few important changes to note:

• Elementary (1st–4th) and Middle School (5th–8th) girls may now wear solid white leather sneakers on non-dress uniform days. Sneakers must be completely solid white. Students may choose either the traditional Keds saddle sneaker or a solid white sneaker.
• Wednesday is Dress Uniform Day for Holy Eucharist. Elementary girls (1st–4th) are required to wear a red Flynn O'Hara cardigan with their dress uniform.
• PK3–Kindergarten girls must have one sailor dress for special occasions, including school photos, school-wide performances, and convocation.

Please review the full Uniform Guide for complete details and uniform requirements for your child's grade level.

As we begin planning for the upcoming athletic seasons, we ask that all parents complete the Tiger Athletics Sports Interest Form if you have not already done so. The information collected helps us determine participation numbers, plan teams, secure coaches, and prepare for a successful year of athletics.

Even if your child is still undecided about participating, we encourage you to complete the form so we can better anticipate interest levels across our programs.

Looking for the latest athletics news, team updates, schedules, registration information, camps, clinics, and more? Be sure to subscribe to the Tiger Athletics Newsletter, your source for all things St. Luke's Athletics.

Published by Athletic Director Ed Burton, the newsletter keeps families informed and connected to the exciting happenings across our growing athletics program.

Whether your student is a current athlete or considering joining a team, the Tiger Athletics Newsletter is the best way to stay in the game!

Mark your calendars for our fall Backpack Blessing on Sunday, August 16, at both our 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. All students and teachers are invited to bring their backpacks or work bags to church. We will offer a special blessing and prayer for a safe and wonderful new school year. Students can also pick up their new backpack tags for the school year that morning.