Lower and Middle Divisions’ Student FAQs
Welcome to Stevenson School. As a new student, you probably have several questions about life on campus. This page contains essential information that will assist you in your preparation for the new school year. More detailed information about these and other topics are found in our student handbook.
Useful Links
Who are the members of my “support team”?
Stevenson has an excellent support system for its students, and you will be guided along the way by a team of committed, caring adults whose goal is your success and happiness. These people are resources for you and can help you answer questions or find solutions for challenges that may arise.
At the beginning of your first year in the middle division at Stevenson, you will be assigned to an advisor. Upon arrival during the opening days, middle division students and their families will have an opportunity to meet with advisors. Each advisor has a group of advisees, and most groups are about a total of ten students. The groups meet every academic day, and many advisors arrange additional meetings or social events for their group. If you are facing an academic or personal problem, your first communication should be with your advisor. Your advisor will play an important role in helping you develop an effective strategy to move forward.
The lower division teaching teams are the first point of contact for support for all lower division families. These faculty members faculty are part of the constellation of support for families and students.
- PK: Marlene Sato, Allyson Schutt, Manon Pratt
- K: Jennifer Rauber and Heidi Pratt
- 1: Jackie DiYanni and Phillip Ryndcyz (welcome Phillip!)
- 2: Jennifer Burke and Vicki Copeland (welcome Jennifer!)
- 3: Katie Klevan and Marissa Tonini
- 4: Katie Schipper and Katie Willis
- Dance/Movement: Blair Cronin
- Spanish: Marta Navarro-Gaspar (welcome Marta!)
- Music: Wendi Kirby
- PE: Roxanne DiMaggio
- Art: Phillip Koontz
Email: sishii@stevensonschool.org
The lower and middle division counselor, Alex Pattenaude, will be available to meet with students during the 2023-24 school year.
Email: nogunsuyi@stevensonschool.org
The head of the lower division, Ms. Nifemi Ogunsuyi, supervises the work of the teaching faculty and oversees the quality and integrity of the program of study.
Email: mbozzo@stevensonschool.org
The interim head of the middle division, Mrs. Molly Bozzo, supervises the work of the teaching faculty and oversees the quality and integrity of the program of study.
Email: tbrown@stevensonschool.org
The middle division dean of students reports to the head of the middle division and works closely with the dean of student life and family outreach to ensure the quality and integrity of the program of study. The dean is responsible for attendance, excused and unexcused absences, student activities, social and emotional wellness, and holding our students to high standards of behavior.
Life on Campus FAQs
All new Stevenson students gather together for one day orientation before classes start. During this time, you will meet your classmates, as well as teachers and leaders who will be working with you all year. Our goals include getting you comfortable with the campus so you feel confident navigating your first days of school, introducing you to Stevenson culture, and getting you connected. Many students feel nervous about their arrival, and you will likely feel a sense of relief after spending these days on campus preparing for the year.
Technology will play an important role in your life at Stevenson. Our technology team has developed a page on our school website for FAQs related to laptop use and requirements: http://www.stevensonschool.org/laptopprogram.
Students will be expected to follow the uniform specifications outlined below and available for download here or on Pirate Pages.
Lower Division Options
- Jumper *
- Bike shorts (navy or black) worn under jumper
- Leggings (navy or black) worn under jumper
- Navy pants (full length or capri) or Bermuda shorts
- Short or long sleeve polo shirt (white or forest green)
- Socks: green, white, navy, or black
Middle Division Options
- Plaid skirt or kilt *
- Navy or khaki pants (full length or capri) or Bermuda shorts
- Bike shorts (navy or black) worn under skirt or kilt
- Leggings (navy or black) worn under skirt or kilt
- Short or long sleeve polo shirt (white or forest green)
- Socks: green, white, navy, or black
Lower and Middle Divisions Outerwear Options
- Stevenson fleece jacket with Stevenson logo (forest green)*
- Stevenson fleece vest (forest green)*
- Stevenson down vest with Stevenson logo (forest green)*
- Stevenson System rain jacket (forest green or navy)*
- Sweater vest (forest green or navy)
- Stevenson School sweatshirts purchased at the Stevenson Campus Store, Lands’ End, or Tommy Hilfiger (black, green, white, blue)
- V-neck or cardigan style sweater (forest green, white, or navy)
- Peacoat*
Items with an “*” are only available on the Lands’ End and Tommy Hilfiger websites.
Lands’ End—Stevenson School
www.landsend.com/school
Preferred School #900143751
Tommy Hilfiger School Uniforms—Stevenson School
www.globalschoolwear.com/school-search
School Code: STEV01
All other items can be purchased at any retail location (unless otherwise noted) as long as they meet the color requirements and do not have any brand or logo markings. Students are not allowed to wear branded items (such as Nike, Lululemon, Vineyard Vines, Under Armor, etc.) for any components of the uniform.
Stevenson dress uniforms, fleece vests, and jackets may also be purchased through the Stevenson online spirit store, SquadLocker. Please note, these stores also sell non-uniform clothing with corporate trademarks that may not be worn to School.
Please note:
- If a jacket is worn with the uniform, it must be one of the Stevenson outerwear options.
- Stevenson School sweatshirts are allowed as part of the daily uniform. The specific uniform sweatshirt can be purchased at the Stevenson online spirit store, Lands’ End, or Tommy Hilfiger.
- Skirts and kilts must be no shorter than two inches above the middle of the kneecap.
- A garment (black P.E. shorts or bike shorts) must be worn under uniform jumpers or skirts.
- “Add-ons” of clothing or jewelry are not permitted. Small, inconspicuous post earrings are allowed.
- Stevenson branded hats may be worn outdoors only.
- PK–Grade 7 students may not wear makeup to School except when participating in School-sponsored performances. Grade 8 students may wear: mascara (black/brown), concealer, and/or lightly-tinted lip gloss with the permission of the middle division dean.
- Colored t-shirts may not be worn under the uniform shirt.
- Closed-toe, playground-appropriate shoes are required every day. Croc-type shoes, flip-flops, and boots (Ugg, cowboy, etc.) are not allowed.
- Students must be neat and clean. Hair must be clean, combed, and well-cut.
Name Labels
All families are expected to label all their children’s uniform items. Found items with identification will be returned. Unidentified/unclaimed items will be donated.
Free Dress
Almost every month has a designated Free Dress day. Students’ attire is expected to be presentable and not disruptive; no exposed midriffs, no excessively short skirts, no saggy clothing, and no excessive jewelry. As a safety precaution, students are expected to wear safe, closed-toe shoes: Ugg-style boots are permissible on these days, but neither flip-flops nor excessively high heels may be worn. (Students who have dance or P.E. on Free Dress days should have the appropriate uniform attire, including athletic shoes.)
It is important to look ahead and schedule your vacations around breaks carefully so there are no conflicts with missing school. You can view the academic school calendar and vacation travel planning page here.
Stevenson has a registered nurse on duty, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If your student(s) is too sick to attend classes, the nurse will be in touch with a parent or guardian to arrange plans to send you home. Keeping the lines of communication open will help us address your illnesses or injuries as effectively and comfortably as possible.
Stevenson School has a policy regarding all psychotropic medications, including stimulants, antidepressants, sedatives, and medicines used to treat pain as well as attention deficit disorder. This includes such medicines as any Narcotic, Ritalin, Adderall, Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Ambien, any controlled substance, and cough suppressants that contain Dextromethorphan (DM). If it is required that any of these medications be brought to campus they are kept in the Health Center and dispensed in accordance with the prescription. This is for the protection of all students. We require that students prescribed these medications inform the Health Center of their treatment. If the medication is to be dispensed during the time you are on campus you must bring the medication, along with the prescription directive from the doctor, to the Health Center at the beginning of each term or at initiation or change of treatment. We ask that medications be in their original prescription packaging, clearly labeled with dispensing instructions. We are sensitive to issues of confidentiality, and you can be assured that your privacy will be respected.
The learning resource coordinators maintain a list of outside tutors who have worked successfully with our students in the past and have passed background checks, and helps connect families with these tutors, but any agreement is a contract between the family and the tutor and does not include either the learning resource coordinator or the school. Once a tutor has been recommended to a family, it is the family’s responsibility to contact the tutor regarding financial arrangements. Tutors are instructed to check in at the reception desk when they arrive on campus. They are instructed to not contact students’ teachers directly, unless such connection is recommended by the learning center. Teachers and the learning resource coordinator are responsible for providing tutors with a syllabus and class information. All electronic communication between tutors and teachers is copied to the learning resource coordinator.
Finally, the dean of student life and parent outreach is a knowledgeable and welcoming resource for students who are struggling with personal challenges.
Absolutely. Anytime you are doing something new, it is normal to be anxious about what to expect. Even the faculty get nervous about a new year! Hopefully as you can see from above, there is a great deal of support available to you. Students who learn how to reach out when they have questions tend to make the smoothest transitions. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the resources mentioned above if you have questions before your arrival. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to campus this fall.
