Rising Above the Water at STE

Saint Thomas' Episcopal high school students sit in their new homeroom at Houston Christian Assembly, as they listen to announcements from the head of Upper School, Dale King. Their homeroom also houses a short chapel between second and third period where they chant psalms and go over Bible verses. If desired, the students are able to store extra bags and books in this room, or they can eat lunch here.   

Nearly two months ago, Texas suffered the torrential rains of Hurricane Harvey. Our school, Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School, measured water lines of 20.5-23.5 inches that damaged about 70 percent of our campus. The damaged areas included: the middle school, lower school, and kindergarten hallways; the gym; the weight and locker rooms; the church; and other rooms within the campus. The bond of support through volunteer efforts, whether it came from family, neighbors or strangers, was what held us together and made us stronger. Now, as we look at how far we’ve come, we are grateful for all the positivity that has, and continues, to head our way.

The STE community has strengthened as we all are inspired by the sun that appeared after the relentless rain. After a two-week hiatus, school resumed without any problems because of the meticulous planning of our school board and administration. The high school students have continued their school year at a temporary location. Their classes are being held at an off-site, yet more than adequate, building at Houston Christian Assembly (HCA) until temporary buildings are completed at the STE campus.

“Honestly, I like how HCA is smaller [than STE] because it forces everyone to be together and see each other in the hallways. I also really like the block schedule because that’s how it was at my old school,” said Lizette Diaz ‘20.

Settling down the eighth graders, Mrs. Sara Miller begins homeroom, in the high-school building, by welcoming them back to school and going over the next week's agenda. This room, once a Latin classroom, now houses many different subjects like math and English. 

A normal school day at HCA runs from 8:55-2:30, shortening each class by five minutes. This allows for enough time to return all the students back to STE via bus before the middle and lower school students are dismissed and the normal afternoon pick-up starts.

The lower and middle school students resumed classes in the high school building, as it survived the flood. In addition to experiencing a change of scenery, they discovered what it’s like to be a high schooler.

“I definitely like it [the high-school building] better because I get to feel like a high schooler. It’s a lot larger and nicer but it feels kind of strange since the high schoolers aren’t here and this is their place. Our place is in the middle school hallway but we’re not there anymore and now it feels sort of messed up,” said Bharthi Mohan ‘22.

Though things will continue to be “messed up,” like the canceling of our back-to-school Spaghetti Supper and midterm exams, STE will “rise up” with new experiences and anticipation for the exciting rebuilding of our school.