Episcopal Insider
St. Mark's Campus
October 18, 2024
All Campuses
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
- January 23 – Family Open House, All Grades, 5:30 p.m.
- January 23 – Eagle Afternoon Program Closes at 5:30 p.m.
- January 29 – Dads’ Club Gathering (6:00 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- January 31 – Deadline to Re-Enroll for 2025-2026 School Year
- February 3 – 6 – CTP 5 Testing (Grades 3-5)
- 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
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
- January 29 (NEW DATE, rescheduled from January 22) – Fruit of Kindness Gathering
- 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
January and June Birthdays
- January 27 (Grades 1-5)
- January 29 (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
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)