Episcopal Insider
St. Mark's Campus
October 18, 2024
All Campuses
Important Dates
February 1, 2025 – Florida School Choice Scholarship application opens for renewal and new applicants. New applicants can apply for the 2025-2026 school year through Step Up for Students. April 30, 2025 – Renewal application deadline. Applications received after April 30, 2025 will be processed as new students.Key Information & New Steps for Scholarship Applicants
Here is some helpful information to be aware of, including a new step that families will need to complete this year:- Application checklist: For a list of documents that may be needed when a family applies, please click here.
- Priority deadline: To ensure renewing students receive priority for the Private School Scholarship and the Unique Abilities Scholarship, families must submit their application by Wednesday, April 30. After this date, all students will be processed as “new students” due to legislative changes for this year.
- New step for families: Once a student is found eligible, the family will be asked to “Accept” or “Decline” the scholarship. Once accepted, the student’s status will be updated to “Awarded.” Please monitor your email for future updates about enrollment.
- Step Up for Students is here to help: In addition to their regular hours, their team will be available to assist families this weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Many ESJ parents are familiar with The Monique Burr Foundation’s Child Safety Matters curriculum taught at our Lower Schools. ESJ parents are encouraged to join our programming partner The Monique Burr Foundation for a webinar on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Developing Digital Safety, Empathy, and Mindfulness with Richard Guerry.
The webinar is free and you must register to attend. Click here to register.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_58L7OQvgTwunFpgLObrbsw
About the Webinar
From The Monique Burr Foundation for Children (MBF)
Apps like TikTok continue to grow; Deep Fakes are becoming a more common issue, AI is being deployed on a larger scale, Communication in online gaming is growing more frequent for children at younger ages, and; Wearable tech like Snapchat Specs & Meta Smart Glasses will continue to evolve, thus the need for responsibility, as well as empathy and kindness has become even more paramount.
Richard will provide attendees with information & tips to create responsible decision-making with today’s – and tomorrow’s – technology and understand how to replace blind decision-making with informed decision-making. The information provided will assist attendees in helping youth, and other adults, not just understand how to survive – but how to thrive – with continuously evolving digital tools and technologies.
About Richard Guerry
Richard Guerry is the founder of the non-profit organization the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2.org) and one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers on digital safety, empathy and mindfulness. He is the author of multiple cyber safety books and has been a featured speaker at numerous national & international conferences. His Programs have received the School Safety Advocacy Council’s:
- Exemplary School Safety Program Award
- Exemplary School Safety Initiative Award
- National Anti-Bullying Award
Richard has appeared as an expert on Radio Disney, CNN, FOX, CBS, MTV’s Thin Line Campaign, as well as in Parade Magazine and many local, regional, and international publications to help humans better understand how to wield the power of evolving technology with wisdom and responsibility through solution-oriented concepts critical to anyone using digital tools.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open and now is the time to apply for siblings at all ESJ campuses!
Episcopal families interested in a sibling applying to the Beaches Campus (Grades Pre-K 3 – 5), St. Mark’s Campus (Age 1 – Grade 5) or Munnerlyn Campus (Grades 6 – 12) should follow the steps below and complete the process by January 31. Siblings receive priority consideration, but space is limited, so be sure to complete the application process early.
View Steps to Apply for a Sibling
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.
Just in time for sweatshirt weather, the ESJ campus store will visit the St. Mark’s Campus on October 25 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Lori Schiavone Commons. This is the same day as the Book Fair and Fall Festival!
Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Mark’s Campus is excited to host a new Parent Book Club! The first book is Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy. The Book Club will meet monthly after drop-off. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to every meeting or are behind on the book — it’s all about sharing and supporting each other!
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 29 at 8:15 a.m., Youth Center (corner of Ionic and Oxford Avenues).
Covering the Introduction – Chapter 5
- Pre-K 3 – Grade 5 will have individual and class photos on November 5.
- ELP students will have individual pictures only. ELP class photos will take place on April 10.
- A picture retake day for individuals will occur on December 10.
Parents may place an order on mylifetouch.com using the Picture Day ID: EVT6KDKS2. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.
Moms’ Night Out, initially scheduled for November 15, is postponed. A new date will be communicated as soon as it is determined.
Thank you to Cielo Bibby and Amy Futch for their dedication and hard work in planning the Sports Night Son Event. Unfortunately, this event had to be canceled due to the unexpected arrival of Hurricane Milton.
As previously communicated, ESJ is unable to reschedule the event. This decision was made due to the end of daylight savings on November 3, along with an already packed spring calendar on all three campuses.
Thank you for your understanding and support! We look forward to being together for upcoming community events through the holidays, starting with Fall Festival and Book Fair on October 25!
Thank you to all who have made a gift to The 2024-2025 Episcopal Fund parent campaign.
With only two weeks left of the campaign, we encourage you to make your gift today. Please reach out to Susan Kwartler ([email protected]), or Lisa Allen ([email protected]) should you have any questions about the importance of the campaign.
The Episcopal Fund is important because:
- It supports current year operating needs
- It directly impacts all students and teachers in the year the gift is made
- It is the philanthropic foundation of the school
- It gives Episcopal the ability to respond quickly to opportunities and needs that arise each year
Episcopal was built on the generosity of past donors. Let’s do our part so the school can continue to provide students with the best education possible.
Please consider making a gift today to The Episcopal Fund.
Reminders
2024-2025 Important Upcoming Calendar Dates
- February 7 – Chapel in the Park (Weather Permitting) (Grades K-5)
- February 7 – Ortega River Run T-Shirt Day
- February 7 – Ortega River Run Packet Pick-up and Pizza Dinner
- February 8 – W.W. Gay Ortega River Run
- February 13 – Daughter Dance
- February 14 – Valentines’ Day Class Parties
- February 17 – Presidents’ Day – School and Extended Day Closed
- February 21 – Early Dismissal (noon), Eagle Afternoon Program Closed
- March 3 – Eucharist Chapel (Grades 1-5, Church, Wear Maroon)
- March 5 – Ash Wednesday Chapel Service (Grades 1-5, Church)
- March 5 – Pre-Primary Chapel in the Lori Schiavone Commons
- March 5 – No Gathering
- March 6 – Spring Musical (Grades 4 & 5, 8:25 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- March 10 – 14 – Spring Break. School Closed, Holiday Care Open
- March 17 – 20 – Fifth Grade Kanuga Trip
- March 21 – Chapel in the Park (Grades K – 5, Stockton Park)
- March 21 – A Vision for Art Opening Night Celebration
- March 22 – 24 – A Vision for Art Public Shopping
- March 26 – Parent/Teacher Conferences, School and Extended Day Programs Closed (childcare available during conference slots)
Students in fourth and fifth grade from Episcopal School of Jacksonville, St. Mark’s 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 invited to wear their Episcopal maroon polos for this service. At 9:15 a.m., a bus will depart from the St. Mark’s Campus for the Cathedral.
Each student is asked to bring one item that will be donated to the Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Click here for a list of needed items.
Please save the date for the Scholastic Book Fair on St. Mark’s Campus (Lori Schiavone Commons).
Friday, October 25
9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Additional Book Fair Information
- Volunteer opportunities
- Student shopping times
- Sign up for eWallet and pre-load money into your child’s account!
Friday, October 25
Grades 1-5
9:00 a.m.
The Quad
Students are invited to dress as their favorite book characters to celebrate this year’s Book Fair. Grades 1 – 5 will parade around the Quad in the grassy area by the music and art classrooms. Younger students will enjoy being spectators and parents are welcome to attend!
Students should wear their costumes to school either over their school dress code attire or bring a change of clothes with them to school.
Save the Date: Fall Festival – Fun for All Ages!
Friday, October 25
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Berg Field
Important notes:
- Eagle Afternoon Program closes at 5:00 p.m. this day.
- In addition to regular parking in the front of the school, parking will be available from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. via Baltic Street. The Baltic Street gate entering Berg Field will be open during the festival.
- In case of inclement weather, the Fall Festival will be canceled.
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.
When:
Thursday, October 31 at 9:00 a.m.
What:
Kindergarten students will lead students in a costume parade around Berg Field to showcase their costumes with parents and older students.
Who:
ELP 1 – Kindergarten students and their families
- ELP Parents: Please send your child to school in costume and plan to walk with your child in the parade. Afterwards, please come to the classroom to help your child change back into school clothes and attend your child’s class party.
- Pre-K Parents: Please send your child to school in costume. Head to Berg Field and enjoy the show! After the parade, meet at your child’s classroom for a special snack.
- K Parents: Please send your child to school in costume. Parents are invited to watch the parade from Berg Field while the kindergarten students lead the parade. The kindergarten class party will take place at 2:15 p.m. Parents are welcome to attend!
Scary costumes or props are not permitted.
Each month, first – fifth grade students are recognized by peers and teachers for demonstrating qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit that the Apostle Paul writes about in his letter to the church in Galatia. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. Parents are welcome to attend these afternoon gatherings, as they are all Chapels and gatherings.
Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.
Lori Schiavone Commons
- February 19 – Fruit of Goodness Gathering
- March 19 – Fruit of Faithfulness Gathering
- April 23 – Fruit of Gentleness Gathering
- May 14 – Fruit of Self-Control Gathering
Pre-K 3—Grade 5 students receive a book for their birthday that is added to the Steve Williams Library Collection. Please be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. Trumpler regarding book selection. After a special bookplate is placed in the book, it will be blessed at the Birthday Chapel. Your child will be the first person to check out the book, and we ask them to return it after reading it for a few weeks so other children can enjoy it! Please join us at their special birthday Chapel.
8:25 a.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
February and July Birthdays
- February 24 (Grades 1-5)
- February 26 (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
March Birthdays
- March 24 (COMBINED Grades Pre-K 3 – Grade 5)
April and May Birthdays
- April 14 (Grades 1-5)
- April 23 (Pre-K and Kindergarten)