Cathedral Day and HSW Event (September 13)

Dear Parents and Students,

One of the important annual events on the school calendar is the Holy Eucharist at St. John’s Cathedral. Episcopal School of Jacksonville began in 1966 as a result of the vision and persistence of the Dean, Vestry, and people of the Cathedral. We celebrate our historic link with the Cathedral in Eucharistic worship because that is where the mission and ministry of our school were born. The Dean and Vestry of the Cathedral are very much involved in the life of our school. The Dean, The Very Rev. Katherine B. (Kate) Moorehead Carroll, serves as Vice-Chair of our Board of Trustees. The members of our Board of Trustees are approved by the Vestry of the Cathedral. This Eucharist is one of many events at the Cathedral where we jointly celebrate the past, present, and future of our school.

This year, students in 7th, 9th, and 12th grades will go to St. John’s Cathedral to participate in the Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13. These students will also learn more about the role our Cathedral plays in the urban core of Jacksonville and understand how various organizations are working together to improve the circumstances for many in Jacksonville’s Cathedral District.  

Students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 11th grades will have chapel together on campus in the Deming Theatre and then participate in Health, Safety, and Well-Being (HSW) activities on the same day, Wednesday, September 13. Every year HSW programming offers students opportunities to recognize the value of tending holistically to their well-being through speaker events and activities that foster community-building and self-awareness. The kickoff to this year’s HSW programming will include a Teen Driver Safety program for 10th and 11th grades, and a rotation of hands-on activities for 6th and 8th grades.

On September 13, ALL students will attend their first class (4th period) of the day from 8:05 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.  At 9:10 a.m., students will go to Advisory. 

• Students in grades 7,9, and 12 will get on the bus with their advisor and will stay with their Advisory through the program at the Cathedral which will include the Holy Eucharist. 
  • Seniors will not be permitted to drive themselves to the Cathedral. All students must ride the bus to the Cathedral. 
  • After the service, students will return to campus. They will go to Advisory and then have both Activities period and Lunch period.  
• Students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 11 will stay on campus for Chapel all together followed by Health, Safety and Well-Being activities.

Following these special events, all students will continue with their regular schedule including Advisory and Activities/Lunch periods and then the final two class periods of the day (periods 5 and 6).

Student attendance is required at school and at St. John’s Cathedral. Parents are always welcome to attend Chapel services at Episcopal School of Jacksonville, the Cathedral, and all other school Chapel services. 

Faithfully,

Teresa Seagle and Amy Perkins