• Cake Walk Sign-Ups! The favorite activity of the year for students young and old! Please sign up here to provide a cake, cupcakes, cookies, or brownies to this year's Cake Walk.
• Lego Donations! Once again, we are collecting Legos for our "Lego Room." Legos can come to us in pieces, in Ziploc bags, or in bins. These are much appreciated!
• Meet us at the Outdoor Chapel at 4:00 PM for Episcopal School Celebration

Click here to purchase your Fall Festival Family pass and Chick-fil-A meal deals.

Poinsettia Options: Three sizes this year.

Calling all 3rd - 5th grade parents! Save the date and join Mrs. Perkins, Head of Lower School, and Mrs. Cowart, our Learning Specialist, to learn more about strengthening student work habits, strategies to create independent learners, and helpful tips to balance homework and a busy home life!
Ask questions and connect with other parents, as well.

When: Tuesday, September 29, 8:15 am
Where: The Commons Donor Room

Holy Comforter Church invites you to a Blessing of the Animals on Monday, October 5^th from 2:45 PM to 4:00 PM (drop-in) in the Courtyard. Please bring your pet when you come to pick up your student that day, park your car, and join us for a special blessing.

All types of pets are welcome! Dogs should be leashed, and cats and other small animals should be kept in secure carriers or safely contained. Please keep animals separated unless both owners are comfortable with an interaction. If your pet can't attend, bring a photograph or drawing, and we'll bless your animal companion that way!

Together We Give, Together We Grow! We hope that, together as a school community, every family will find a meaningful way to support the Annual Fund.

There are two ways you can support the Annual Fund.

• Families can make a personal gift of any size; no gift is too small. 
• Businesses can support through a corporate sponsorship. Corporate sponsors receive special recognition throughout the year, including banners displayed in prominent locations across campus, such as our tennis courts, baseball dugout, and gym.

Save the Date! Our Annual Fund Giving Day is October 1st!

Middle School will take their yearbook pictures on Thursday, September 17th. 

Monday afternoons beginning 8/31/26 from 3:15-4:30
Dancing Little Stars is the mobile dance company that brings the dance studio experience to your child at HCE in the Omega program. Students learn Ballet & Tap from elite-trained instructors in weekly lessons, using French terminology and our patented curriculum. Students will grow in their coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, memory, and more, all while having fun!
Dancers participate in our end-of-year, full-scale dance recital in April 2027 at Chiles High School auditorium.

• Class attire: (Girls) black or pink leotard; pink ballet slippers, black tap shoes. (Boys) black or white cotton shirt + shorts; Black or white ballet slippers, black tap shoes. // No tights! EVERYTHING LABELED WITH FIRST AND LAST NAME!
• Cost for Omega Students:
  $480.00 (We can break this up into two payments of $240. One payment made upon registration and the other before January 1st)
• Cost for Non-Omega Students:
  $500.00 (We can break this up into two payments of $250. One payment made upon registration and the other before January 1st)

Register here: hcesomega.campbrainregistration.com
$220 - Omega Enrolled Students
$250 - Non Omega Enrolled

We have opened a new spirit store with brand-new options. 10% of all sales will go to the athletics program! 

New families, please join us for a casual and informative get together with Head of School Peter Klekamp and Board Chair Alexis Lambert to learn more about being part of the HCES community.

When: August 26, 2026, 8:30 am
Where: The Commons Donor Room
RSVP: Emily Lockard at elockard@hces.org

Save the date! New families, please join us on Wednesday, September 9th from 5:00-7:00 pm for drinks, light bites, and fellowship to get to know each other, along with our Board of Trustees, admin, and PA leadership. This is an adults-only event, but we do have childcare available for ages 3+! Please RSVP to Emily Lockard. Please include the name and grade of child(ren) if using childcare as well. We look forward to seeing you there!

• Visit www.schoolpaymentportal.com or via the LunchTime App.
• Click Parent Login and then select Create Account.
• After creating your account, return to the main page and log in using Parent Login.
• Enter your login credentials and select Sign In.
• Click Add Student.
• Enter Holy Comforter Episcopal School's ZIP code: 32308.
• Select Holy Comforter Episcopal School from the list.
• Enter your student's information and click Continue.
• Verify the information and select Add Student.
• Repeat these steps for each student.

• Click Make Cafeteria Deposit.
• Enter the amount you wish to deposit for each student.
• Click Continue.
• Follow the prompts to complete payment setup.

Please allow approximately 48 hours for transactions to process.

1. Open the LunchTime app.
2. Select Menu.
3. Choose Student Account.
4. Select your student.
5. At the bottom of the screen, select Actions.
6. Choose Auto Replenish.
7. Enter:
   • The balance level that will trigger a deposit.
   • The amount you would like automatically deposited.
8. Save your settings.

Click here to view the 2026-2027 class lists.

Middle School Open House is tomorrow, Thursday, August 27th. The Parent Meeting begins at 6 PM in the Commons, followed by classroom visits. You may access your middle schooler's schedule by logging into your myHCES account at www.hces.org, choosing your middle schooler, and clicking on the Progress tab. 

• Visitation will begin with electives; classes are 6 minutes long, with 4 minutes in between
• 300s Library/Media Center, 500s - Smith Hall, 700s - STEM Building, 1000s, Student Center/Music/Art
• 7th Grade P.E. Classes and Coach K’s Whacked Out Sports electives will meet in the Student Center Lobby
• Ms. Snyder’s classes meet in the Media Center (Library)
• Mr. Williams’ Woodworking electives will meet in the Woodworking Portable
  
  There is no formal presentation for Middle School Mentors or 8th Grade Study Hall. Any questions can be referred to Mrs. Vernon or Mrs. Butera at any point during the evening.

New Families: Join us for a Welcome Reception and Wine Down with Head of School Peter Klekamp and the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, September 9th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Childcare is available with RSVP to Emily Lockard. Please include the name and grade of child(ren) if using childcare. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please join us in welcoming these new families to the HCES community. We have listed the names and grades of the children so that you may introduce yourself and say hello when you see them on campus!

Summer assignments and supply lists will be sent home in your child's backpack this week. Copies will also be posted on our website at www.hces.org/backtoschool by next Friday, May 29th.

• Please check the lost and found outside the uniform exchange!
• Locker clean out for 6th and 7th grades is tomorrow, Thursday (5/21) - please send extra bags to carry items home

For the safety and efficiency of afternoon dismissal, please ensure your car rider tag is clearly visible from the moment you enter the pickup line until your child is safely in the vehicle. Hanging your tag from the rearview mirror the entire time allows staff to identify your child early and have them ready by the time you reach the front of the line. Handwritten signs or verbally sharing numbers can slow the process, and even if staff members recognize your vehicle, a visible tag is still required for all families. If multiple family members or caregivers regularly pick up your child, please ensure each person has an official car tag. Your cooperation helps us keep dismissal safe, organized, and as smooth as possible for everyone.

We want to share a very heartfelt thank you to each of the parents who contributed their time, talents, and treasure to last week's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week! As one staff member noted: "Their kindness made a lasting impact, and the week was truly unforgettable because of them." Special thanks to our committee members and chair, Megan Neal. 

Last week, we celebrated the culmination of the HCES athletic year with an incredible evening of fellowship and awards at the annual HCES Athletic Banquet. We recognized 132 middle school student-athletes for their hard work this year across 14 sports and 23 teams in our Crusader Athletics Program. Thank you to everyone involved in putting together an unforgettable night for our student-athletes and their families. And a special thank you to all the parents and coaches for their time and effort each day on and off the fields. Enjoy a few highlights from the year.

• 90% of middle school students participated in at least one sport.
• 83% of middle school students participated in multiple sports.
• HCES won 6 Conference Championships (Volleyball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Softball)
• 4 undefeated seasons (Volleyball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Beach Volleyball)
• The Athletics Program's overall win-loss record was 90-25-3

Go Crusaders!

On Wednesday, May 6th, we will have our annual Middle School Student-led Conferences for 6th and
7th graders. There will be no classes for middle school students on this day. Conferences are
scheduled by TARGET class in 20-minute increments. These conferences are a great self-reflection
activity for students and an opportunity for parents and students to engage in a conversation about
the school year.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Parents, please note that the end-of-year report cards (4th 9-weeks) for middle school AND lower school will be mailed home AFTER the school year ends. Please ensure your account is current by the end of the school year, as any accounts in arrears will delay the mailing of your child(ren)'s report card. Your account includes tuition, extended day, athletic fees, library books, and lunch balances. Please ensure your home address is up to date, as report cards will be mailed home. 

If your child is returning, the lunch balance rolls over to the next year. If your child graduates, you will have the option to transfer your graduate’s balance to a younger sibling, contribute to the annual fund, or be refunded. For students leaving at the end of the school year, if your child’s balance is less than $10, it will be contributed to the annual fund, and you will receive a credit for the donation unless you notify the business office of a requested refund. Please expect any refunds to be mailed by mid-June.

• Ensuring they get a good night’s sleep each evening
• Providing a healthy breakfast each morning
• Arriving at school on time so they can begin the day calmly and without feeling rushed
• Packing a water bottle to help them stay hydrated
• Encouraging a positive mindset—remind them to simply do their best
• Avoid scheduling appointments during testing hours, if possible
• Offering reassurance and keeping the experience low-pressure and supportive
• Reviewing test-taking basics (take your time, read directions carefully, and check your work)

• Kindergarten curriculum & academic program
• Parents as partners in learning
• Executive functioning skills
• Developmental milestones

Old Florida Sponsors

Bid on Student Art, Teacher Experiences, Grade Level Baskets, and the Tuition and Lunch Raffles!

LIVE AUCTION SNEAK PEEK!

Early Learning and Lower School: Next week, February 24 and 25. Check your child's homeroom newsletter for the date. Order forms are coming home in folders and should be returned to your child's teacher on the day of their photo.

Middle School: Tuesday, 2/24 - Class Pictures: Class photo forms will be sent home with students on Thursday, February 19th. Please return the form and payment to the middle school office next week. 

Narcissus has once again partnered with HCES to offer attire for the Old Florida gala on March 7th. If you purchase your attire at Narcissus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit HCES. Visit Narcissus at 1408 Timberlane Road to check out the dresses they have in stock.  

Click here to read the March FLIK Newsletter!

We are so excited to share that the 70th Anniversary Campaign has reached the halfway point of our $2 Million goal. Please click here to read an update on the campaign in our Campaign Newsletter.  We would love for you to learn more about the next step in the future of HCES and the new track. If you're interested in attending a small group event, please contact Ida Thompson at ithompson@hces.org.  

• K - 1st will have weekly special events - Guest Presenters, Themed Days, Indoor Bounce Houses, Obstacle Courses and more!
• 2nd - 5th will do weekly field trips - Skate World, Wakulla Springs, Urban Air and more!
• Fan favorites Fourth of July Cookout and Water Days are back too!

If you have any questions, please contact KC Knudsen at kcknudsen@hces.org.

Middle School Families: If your child is enrolled in a PE class or has 8th grade HOPE, we have reopened the PE uniform store. The store will close today, Wednesday, January 14th.