Episcopal Insider
Beaches Campus
October 18, 2024
Please Note: After today, the Episcopal Insider will no longer be sent weekly. Important communications will be shared as needed throughout the summer. Enjoy your summer break!
New This Week
Given the unprecedented disruption to learning this fall with two hurricanes in such a short time, the school has made the following adjustments to the calendar:
- The professional development originally scheduled for faculty on October 21 will be postponed.
- Both Lower School Campuses will now have a regular school day on October 21. Extended Day will follow its regular schedule.
We understand that some families may already have travel plans returning from Fall Break on October 21. Rest assured that grace will be given and we will work with families in this situation.
Picture retake day is Thursday, November 7, for Pre-K 3 – fifth grade students. If you would like your child(ren) to have a new photo, please notify their homeroom teacher and Nicole Limbaugh at limbaughn@esj.org.
The Beaches Campus is excited to host the 5th Grade Pasta Dinner on Thursday, November 21 | 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the gym and performing arts center. This annual tradition celebrates our 5th graders and guests will be entertained while enjoying an Italian dinner. The Campus Store will be on-site for families to purchase ESJ spirit wear! Registration for the event will open November 1.
Reminders
2024-2025 Important Calendar Dates
- May 16 – Challenge Day
- May 19 – Bike Parade
- May 20 – Pre-K/Kindergarten Chapel
- May 21 – Eucharist Chapel/ Uniform Recycle Event (7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.) in the Hope Hall Art Room
- May 22 – 5th Grade Celebration Service (1:00 p.m.)/5th Grade Celebration Reception (2:00 p.m.)
- May 23 – Last Day of School/ Kindergarten Celebration (9:00 a.m.)/ End of the Year Celebration (10:30 am. – 12:00 p.m./ Noon Dismissal (No Extended Day)
Students in fifth grade from Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Beaches Campus will gather for worship with other local Episcopal schools at a joint service:
Wednesday, October 23
10:00 a.m.
St. John’s Cathedral, (256 E. Church Street in downtown Jacksonville).
Students are asked to wear their Episcopal maroon polos for this service. A bus will depart from the Beaches Campus for the Cathedral at promptly 9:15 a.m.
The Episcopal Schools Celebration Service is an annual event that celebrates the ministry of the nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood programs throughout the Episcopal Church. Students in fifth grade from Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Beaches Campus, will participate with other local Episcopal schools. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
Each student is asked to bring one item that will be donated to the Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. You will receive a list of suggested items once we receive an update from St. Mary’s about their current needs.. We look forward to this opportunity to worship and service together.
Boo Bash
Boo Bash is a Beaches Campus annual tradition and is a family friendly event to kick off the fall season. Boo Bash will be held on Friday, October 25, 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is a free event for all Episcopal families. Students can wear Halloween-themed Free Dress (jeans and a Halloween top, and/or a Halloween dress, bottoms, and/or accessories)
Boo Bash Flyer 2024
Get ready for Halloween festivities including Trunk or Treat (which is a part of Boo Bash) on Friday, October 25!
The Beaches Campus is excited to announce sign ups are now open for Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 25th from 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat will be located this year in the Chaucer Court Carpool Loop . There are limited opportunities and spaces this year. All vehicles are welcome! There will be an award for best decorated vehicle voted on by ESJ Faculty.
For questions and information about Trunk or Treat, please email Ashley Davis, Director of Marketing and Development at davisa@esj.org.
Register for Trunk or Treat Here!
Students in Pre-K 3 through fifth grade will take part in a brief vision screening on October 28. This free service is provided by Vision is Priceless. Parents will receive the results of the screening only if further action is recommended. This free service is provided by Vision is Priceless and no further paperwork is required from families.
Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 31 will be a festive day on Beaches Campus! Pre-K 3 – fifth grade students are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume to school! At 8:15 a.m., students will lead a costume parade around the church lawn to share their costumes with parents and friends. Students may remain in their costumes for the festivities that include class parties that day. Costumes should not include a weapon or mask and must not have inappropriate insignias, wording, or embellishments, or political references.
The Beaches Campus cordially invites you to a special Veterans Day Chapel on Wednesday, November 6 at 8:15 a.m. at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
Faculty, staff and families are encouraged to submit Veteran information no later than Friday, November 1 so they may be recognized during the service.
Dear Beaches Campus Parents,
For the upcoming school year, the PA has organized activities that will enrich our students’ school experience and support our faculty and staff. It is our goal to create school spirit and a joyful sense of community, organize appropriate events, and honor Beaches Campus traditions.
MEETINGS:
The Beaches Campus PA will hold its next meeting of the 2024-2025 school year, via Zoom November 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Upcoming Parent Association Events:
- Daughter Dance – Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
- Son Event – Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Laura Smith
2024-2025 Beaches Campus PA President
Please join us for a Parent Workshop with Dr. Cat Baker from Florida Children’s Institute on Friday, November 8, 2024 (after Flag Ceremony).
Mindfulness and Anxiety with Dr. Cat Baker
Friday, November 8, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Hope Hall Art Room
Register for the event here!
Dr. Cat Baker has spent the better part of two decades working with parents and children through Parent Coaching and Applied Behavior Analysis services. She is passionate about supporting children and families coping with a wide range of behavior issues and learning disabilities, regardless of diagnosis. In spite of having ADHD, Dyslexia, and Anxiety, Dr. Baker earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis & Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University, a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Florida, and a B.S. in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. She loves helping children and families who “don’t fit in the box” or who have “brains that work differently” reach their potential because of her own personal experience!
Faculty will participate in professional development on Friday, November 8. Early Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m.
The Eagle Afternoon Program will be open until 6:00 p.m. for pre-registered students. Please contact Melody Harding at hardingm@esj.org for questions regarding the Eagle Afternoon Program.
Let us know that your student is coming by signing them up here.
Spirit Day is Friday, April 11, 2025! Don’t forget to wear your ESJ Spirit Shirt with athletic, denim, or uniform bottoms!
Trimester 2 After School Activities registration will open on Monday, October 28. Parents will receive an email when registration is live.
Activities begin the week of November 11.
A friendly reminder that the carpool line begins on 9th Avenue. This is essential to keeping the carline running smoothly. When cars come into the line from 10th Avenue, it puts a snag in the order, which in turn holds up the carline at the semi-circle, where students wait for pick-up. When cars come to the circle out of order, it also poses a safety concern for our students. Please be patient and kind, and mindful of the neighbors’ property. Our carpool runs as efficiently as possible, and with your help, we can keep it that way!