The Parents' Association welcomes all new parents to the "by parents, for parents" section of the website. Take a look around to see how we're a part of life on the Hill, and follow back-to-school news as it develops.

Yahoo! St. Stephen's now has a new, integrated calendar bringing together in one place all the dates and information you need! It will expand as the summer progresses. Check it out!

At US Awards Night, academic honors and book prizes were announced for grades 9-11 and achievement in fine arts, athletics and extracurricular activities was recognized for all US students.

Congratulations to all 8th grade graduates and the MS students who received honors at graduation! See the lists below of MS recognition in academics, fine arts, extracurricular activities and athletics.

Chris Caselli's gorgeous galleries of US Graduation, MS Graduation, senior retreat & Arthouse party, the 8th Grade Big Bend trip and the spring dino dig in Terlingua are up! Browse, smile and purchase copies.

Congratulations to the Senior Class of 2009! Check out the Google map of college matriculations showing where our students are headed this fall and this 2009 College Matriculations report for more details.

Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog is the summer selection of the Becker Library Parent & Alumni Book Group. Join the always-lively discussion and make new friends at the back-to-school meeting 9/16.

Congratulations to MS teacher Octavia Sadler and US teacher Freddy Jones, who students voted to receive the 2009 Teacher Excellence awards, and Marcus Henson, who was the staff's pick for Staff Excellence award!

The first recipients of three new Master Teaching Chairs were announced at Baccalaureate on Sunday, May 24. Congratulations to Johnny Wilson, Hai Zheng-Olefsky and Kathryn Respess. We are proud of you!

Please remember to change your records, including electronic check payment set-up, to reflect the school's new address, effective June 1, 2009. The zip code remains 78746.

Summer camps on the Hill are for kids ages 5-18 who want to spend a fun week or two at a day or "sleepaway" performing arts or sports camp. Spread the word among friends and neighbors and encourage your teens to take a look.

The annual summer MS Theatre Camp features The Music Man. Open (and free) to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders, the camp will run Tues.-Fri., Aug. 18-21, from 1-5 p.m. daily in Helm Fine Arts Center.

Pre-season camps for both US and MS fall sports begin in August. The start dates are as follows:

US Football: August 3
US Volleyball: August 3 (practice with UT Volleyball team!)

Thanks to the Development Office for a fun Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast honoring PA President Jane Politte and all parent volunteers who made Hill life better this year. Meet the incoming PA Board and your Class Reps:

Have fun, work together to make the Hill a better place and make new friends! We have your perfect volunteer job for 2009-10.

Two spring break trips are already shaping up--space is limited! Check out the Archeological Tour of Italy and the Community Service trip to the Yellow Sheep River Project in the Gansu Province of western China.