Episcopal Insider - BEACHES CAMPUS
August 1, 2025
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Munnerlyn Campus - November 21, 2025
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Schools are not just bricks and mortar structures – they are centers of life-long learning filled with dedicated educators!
Each year, ESJ faculty and staff participate in professional development to expand their knowledge in the ever-changing world of education. By remaining on the cutting-edge of their field, they serve as a cornerstone to student achievement in the classroom.
Your gift to The Episcopal Fund helps the school to continue to hire, retain, and invest in professional development for exemplary teachers who share their lifelong love of learning and empower students every day. There is no greater return on an investment than the education of our children.
We invite you to make your gift online today.
Double the Impact of Your Gift
Would you like the opportunity to multiply your giving and increase the impact of your generosity?
Many employers offer matching gift programs that can increase the value of your contribution to Episcopal School of Jacksonville. Contact your employer to find out if they offer a matching gift program and what steps you need to take to initiate a matching gift.
When completing your matching gift request, please select:
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
4455 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
EIN: 59-1147278
For more information or assistance with the matching gift process, please contact Lisa Allen at allenl@esj.org.
ESJ’s financial aid application for the 2027–2028 school year is open for students in Pre-K 3 through Grade 12. Families must apply annually to be considered. We evaluate financial aid awards using Clarity, a secure third-party platform. We keep all application information strictly confidential.
- November 13 – Application Deadline
- Applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee until early April, after awards have been offered to new families. Please be aware that financial aid may no longer be available at that time.
- January 15 – Award Notification & Re-enrollment
Required Documents:
- 2025 1040 and W2 (auto-imported from IRS)
- Recent paystub(s) or earning statement(s)
Clarity application webinars that will include open Q&A with families.
Dates and Registration Links:
Tuesday September 30, 2026 6 pm ET
Wednesday October 28, 2026 6 pm ET
Questions?
- Email support at support@clarityapp.com
- Clarity phone support at 206-210-3752
- M-F 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
- “HELP” button on the Clarity website
- Application and support available in English and Spanish
- Refer to ESJ’s Financial Aid FAQ for additional information
- Contact the Financial Aid Committee at financialaid@esj.org
For information on the financial aid process and to apply, click here.
As a thank-you for your patience and continued partnership, Lands’ End is offering our school community 40% off with code OURTREAT40. The offer ends October 13.
Use the code when shopping through Lands’ End School Outfitters to take advantage of this special offer.
New This Week
There are still a few spots available for next summer’s European War History trip with Mr. Weise. Some tour highlights include the Caen Peace Museum, the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur Mer, an authentic French crepe dinner, a tour of both Paris and Berlin, sites at the Battle of the Bulge, as well as a tour of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
The trip dates are July 13-22, 2026. If interested, please stop by Mr. Weise’s classroom in F-02 or send an email to weisej@esj.org for more information.
After the success of its annual Haunted House fundraising event, the ESJ chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is busy preparing a number of community service initiatives leading up to the holiday season. The first is an art installation that highlights the importance of sea turtle conservation that will be on display at Deck the Chairs at the Jacksonville Zoo. Deck the Chairs is a cherished holiday tradition in Jacksonville, Florida, where the community comes together to celebrate the season with a dazzling display of decorated lifeguard chairs. The display opens on November 24 and will run through to December 31 and families are especially encouraged to bring young children out to view all the amazing student artwork.
Additionally, our ESJ NAHS students will lead a school toy drive that will run from November 17-20 and December 1-5. The chapter seeks toy donations that are appropriate for kids ages 13-16 and under $25 such as Walmart make-up kits, jewelry making kits, and soccer balls (no books, board games, or war toys please). Toys can be dropped off at Middle School or Upper School drop off, the Munnerlyn Center, or at the Photography house on St. Elmo.
The final community service project for 2025 will be preparing and managing a photo booth for Refugee Christmas which will take place on December 13 at Beyond 90, a non-profit organization that provides support services for refugees living in Northeast Florida. NAHS students will create a holiday-themed backdrop, take family photos and print them for families to take home.
Reminders
College Counseling will host a College Knowledge information session for juniors and their parents on December 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sikes Theatre. During this session, the college counselors will share important information about the college process and timeline to help families make informed decisions. There will be time for Q&A. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact Traci Cory at coryt@esj.org.
Come be a part of our holiday choral tradition at the St. John’s Cathedral. You’re invited to the Choral Concert: Shout for Joy, being held on Friday, December 5.
All of our choral ensembles are back again this year, including the faculty choir, to bring you Disney-themed songs of the season. The music is familiar, uplifting and exciting- a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. And yes, the FANS-sponsored reception will once again feature the ever popular chocolate fountain.
There is no cost for this performance and tickets are not required; however, seating is limited, so come early for the best seats. If you have any questions, please reach out to Courtney Diaz at diazc@esj.org. See you at the concert!
Thursday, December 11 is an Early Dismissal at 11:35 a.m. for all students. This schedule enables students to see teachers with questions prior to 11:35 and to study for exams.
6th Grade Information:
Sixth grade students will have ERB testing administered the last week of classes during the school day and on Friday, December 12. Students do not come to campus Monday – Thursday, December 15 – 18, because they do not take course exams during Exam Week. The last day for sixth grade students will be Friday, December 12.
6th Grade ERB Testing Schedule: Students report to the same location where ERB testing has occurred throughout the week.
Friday, December 12
8:30 – 10:45 AM
ERB
8:30 AM start for ERBs with accommodations
7th Grade Exam Information & Schedule:
Seventh grade students will take exams in Math, English, and World Language at the beginning of the exam period and ERB tests (standardized tests) at the end of the exam period. Standard Exams for seventh grade students will be administered in the Alumni Gym. Exam schedules will be available in My ESJ.
Standard exams will be administered 8:30 AM -10:30 AM on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Students must arrive on campus by 8:15 AM and be picked up by 10:45 AM for standard exams or use the library for quiet study. Standard ERBs will be on Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM – 10:45 AM. Students should arrive by 8:15 AM and be picked up at the conclusion of the testing time.
Exams administered with accommodations will begin at 11:30 AM on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Students should arrive on campus by 11:15 AM. ERBs will be administered beginning at 8:30 AM on Wednesday and Thursday.
7th Grade Exam Schedule:
Friday, December 12
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Mathematics
11:30 AM start for
Mathematics exams with accommodations
Monday, December 15
8:30 – 10:30 AM
English
11:30 AM start for
English exams with accommodations
Tuesday, December 16
8:30 – 10:30 AM
World Language
11:30 AM start for World Language exams with accommodations
Wednesday, December 17
8:30 – 10:45 AM
ERB
8:30 AM start for ERBs with accommodations
Thursday, December 18
8:30 – 10:45 AM
ERB
8:30 AM start for ERBs with accommodations
8th Grade Exam Information & Schedule:
Eighth grade students will take exams in Math, English, Science, History, and World Language. Exams for eighth grade students will be administered in the Semmes Gym. Exam schedules will be available in My ESJ.
Standard exams will be administered 8:30 AM -10:30 AM on Friday and Monday through Thursday. Students must arrive on campus by 8:15 AM, and be picked up by 10:45 AM for standard exams or use the library for quiet study.
Exams administered with accommodations will begin at 11:30 AM on Friday and Monday through Wednesday. Students should arrive on campus by 11:15 AM. Thursday’s exam with accommodations will begin at 8:30 AM; students should arrive by 8:15 AM.
8th Grade Exam Schedule:
Friday, December 12
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Mathematics
11:30 AM start for
Mathematics exams with accommodations
Monday, December 15
8:30 – 10:30 AM
English
11:30 AM start for English exams with accommodations
Tuesday, December 16
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Science
11:30 AM start for Science exams with accommodations
Wednesday, December 17
8:30 – 10:30 AM
History
11:30 AM start for History exams with accommodations
Thursday, December 18
8:30 – 10:30 AM
World Language
8:30 AM start for World Language exams with accommodations
Exam Week Quiet Study
The Bryan Library will be open Friday and Monday through Wednesday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM and Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Questions and Absences
If you have any questions or your child is ill during exam week, please contact Melanie Noir-Jones, the Academic Operations Manager, at noir-jonesm@esj.org or 904.396.5751, extension 1125.
Thursday, December 11 is an Early Dismissal at 11:35 a.m. for all students. This schedule enables students to see teachers with questions prior to 11:35 and to study for exams.
Exam Information & Schedule:
Upper school students will take exams in all core subjects. Teachers will notify students of the location of individual course exams. Check My ESJ under Daily Schedule for updated information about exam location.
Standard exams will be administered 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM Friday through Thursday. Students must arrive on campus by 8:15 AM and be picked up by 10:45 AM for standard exams or use the library for quiet study.
Exams administered with accommodations will begin at 11:30 AM Friday through Wednesday and students should arrive on campus by 11:15 AM. Thursday’s exams with accommodations will begin at 8:30 AM; students should arrive by 8:15 AM.
Upper School Exam Schedule:
Friday, December 12
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Mathematics
11:30 AM start for Mathematics exams with accommodations
Monday, December 15
8:30 – 10:30 AM
English
11:30 AM start for English exams with accommodations
Tuesday, December 16
8:30 – 10:30 AM
Science
11:30 AM start for Science exams with accommodations
Wednesday, December 17
8:30 – 10:30 AM
History
11:30 AM start for History exams with accommodations
Thursday, December 18
8:30 – 10:30 AM
World Language
(8:30 start for both standard exams & exams with accommodations)
Exam Week Quiet Study
The Bryan Library will be open Friday and Monday through Wednesday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM and Thursday 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Questions and Absences
If you have any questions or your child is ill during exam week, please contact Melanie Noir-Jones, the Academic Operations Manager, at noir-jonesm@esj.org or 904.396.5751, extension 1125.
The official ESJ Graduation Announcements can now be ordered at jostens.com. The deadline to place your order is December 1.
Class of 2027, it is time to order your Class Rings. You can design your own ring or order the classic Episcopal signet ring by visiting Jostens.com. All orders must be placed by December 1, to guarantee a spring delivery.
Spanish Exchange Program Invitation Letter
Episcopal-Colegio Inglés, Zaragoza, Spain
Traveling: June 4-18, 2026
Hosting: March-April, 2027
Dear Students & Parents,
I am pleased to announce that Episcopal will begin the new 2026-2027 Spanish Exchange cycle with Colegio Inglés. Our community did an amazing job this past spring hosting Colegio Inglés and they are very excited to receive us this summer! We will travel to Spain June 4-18, 2026 and stay in Zaragoza with host families for 10 days. Afterwards, we will spend two nights in Barcelona and then return to Florida. In turn, ESJ students and families will host Spanish exchange students in Jacksonville in March/April of 2027. There are spaces for 18 students in grades 9-11, ages 14-17; they will be matched with students in the same gender & age range with similar interests, subject to host family availability. Priority is given to students who can both travel and host. This is an exchange program and character is very important. Students need to be in good standing, academically and behaviorally, with the ESJ community and Student Life.
Mrs. Nitza Plaski and Mr. Alex Hernández, ESJ teachers, will be the trip leaders for the program in Spain. The total cost for the program will be determined once we have a final list of students, but is not expected to exceed $5,500. It will include airfare, accommodation with a host family, all ground transport within Spain, all excursions and activities listed on the itinerary, medical insurance, ESJ chaperone accompaniment, two nights hotel accommodation in Barcelona and three meals a day as provided by the host family, and meals in Barcelona. The application and $1,500 deposit is due for the first deadline of November 6, 2026 and checks should be made to Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
If you are interested in participating in the new 2026-2027 cycle, please
- fill out the Spanish Exchange Travel to Zaragoza Interest Form,
- view the Zaragoza-Barcelona Presentation for more information on the proposed activities,
- renew/apply for passports, which must be valid for a minimum of 3 months post departure,
- complete 2026-2027 Application , 2026 Teacher Recommendation and Introductory Letter instructions.
- All forms are due by November 6, 2026; forms can still be submitted after this date until trip is full.
I hope you can join us! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions: plaskin@esj.org
¡Zaragoza Te Espera!
Sincerely,
Nitza Plaski
MS and US Spanish Instructor
Spanish Exchange Coordinator
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