Episcopal Insider - BEACHES CAMPUS
August 1, 2025
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St. Mark's Campus - December 19, 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
With Christmas class parties happening today, December 19, parents are encouraged to stop by the Lost & Found while on campus. Missing jackets, water bottles, and other items are ready to go home before the holiday break.
The Lost & Found is located in the back of the Lori Schiavone Commons.
As the Christmas season approaches, students, faculty, staff, and families gathered last week for meaningful Lessons and Carols service that blended music, scripture, and reflection. Students shared scripture passages and performed a variety of Christmas songs using hand chimes, recorders, ukuleles, drums, and voice. It was the perfect opportunity to experience the true spirit of Christmas!
VIEW PHOTOS
Pre-K 4 students delighted families and friends this week as they brought the story of Christmas to the stage in a heartwarming Nativity program. The young performers transformed the space into a living Nativity, confidently stepping into their roles and sharing simple lines that retold the timeless story. With wide smiles and enthusiastic voices, they captured the wonder and meaning of the Nativity in a heartwarming way only young children can. Having experience performing in ELP 2 and Pre-K 3, the presentation highlighted their growing confidence as they spoke before an audience and worked together to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.
Friday, January 16
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
8:25 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten – 8:25 a.m.
- Fathers and special friends come to the classrooms between 8:10 – 8:15 a.m. to walk children to church.
Grades 1-5 – 9:30 a.m.
- Fathers/special friends meet students outside the church
All one- and five-mile registrants will receive a short-sleeved Ortega River Run shirt to wear on t-shirt day (February 20) and race day (February 21).
If you have a younger child not ready to race, toddler shirts are available. Adult long-sleeve shirts are also available. The deadline to order toddler and long-sleeve shirts is Friday, January 23.
Order toddler and/or long-sleeve shirts
Register for the race and receive a short-sleeve shirt
Reminders
- October 9 – Parent – Teacher Conferences (All Grades) | School and Extended Day Programs Closed
- October 13 – Fall Festival (4:00-6:00 p.m.) *Afternoon Eagles Closes at 5:00 p.m.*
- October 14 – Early Dismissal *Afternoon Eagles Closed | Holiday Care Open*
- October 15-18 – Fall Break *Holiday Care Open*
- October 19 – Faculty Professional Development | School and Extended Day Programs Closed
- October 21 – Fruit of Joy Gathering (Grades 1-5 | 2:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- October 23 – Chapel in the Park ((Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m.)
- October 26 – October Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- October 28 – October Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and K | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- October 30 – Costume Parade (ELP 1 – Kindergarten | 9:00 a.m., Berg Field)
- October 30 – Fall Class Parties
- November 2 – Eucharist Chapel Wear Maroon (Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- November 3 – Yearbook Photo Retake Day
- November 6 – Grandparents’ & Special Friends Day
- November 6 – Early Dismissal *Afternoon Eagles Open*
- November 10 – Book Fair (9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Commons)
- November 10 – Parent Education Event with Dr. Elise Fallucco | Raising Resilient, Capable Kids: When to Step In and When to Step Back (8:15 – 9:15 a.m., Steve Williams Library)
- November 11 – Veterans’ Day Chapel (Grades K-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- November 11 – Book Fair (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Commons)
- November 11 – NO GATHERING
- November 12 – Book Character Parade (Grades 1-5 | 9:00 a.m.)
- November 12 – Dads’ Club Social
- November 13 – Mom’s Night Out
- November 16 – November Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and K | 8:25 a.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- November 16 – November Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- November 18 – Fruit of Peace Gathering (Grades 1-5 | 2:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- November 20 – Kindergarten Thanksgiving Performance (9:00 a.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- November 23-24 – Thanksgiving Break *Holiday Care Open*
- November 25-27 – Thanksgiving Break *School & Extended Day Programs Closed*
- December 3 – Christmas Musical (Grades 2-3 | 8:25 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- December 7 – Eucharist Chapel Wear Maroon (Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- December 9 – December Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and K | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- December 9 – Fruit of Patience Gathering (Grades 1-5 | 2:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- December 14 – December Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Grades 1-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- December 16 – Pre-K 4 Nativity Program (9:00 a.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- December 17 – Polar Express Day (Grade 1) & Fifth Grade Spelling Bee (1:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
- December 18 – Lessons & Carols (Grades 4-5 | 8:25 a.m., Church)
- December 18 – Christmas Class Parties
- December 18 – Early Dismissal *Afternoon Eagles Closed | Holiday Care Open*
- December 21-25 – Christmas Break | School & Extended Day Programs Closed
- December 28-31 – Christmas Break *Holiday Care Open*
- January 1 – Christmas Break | School & Extended Day Programs Closed
- January 4 – Faculty Professional Development | School and Extended Day Programs Closed
- January 5 – Classes Resume
Please return all birthday books given out in August, September, or October before Christmas Break (December 19).
All students are invited to wear Christmas PJs and accessories the day before break (December 19). Homeroom parents will contact parents in their class regarding specifics for class parties taking place on this day.
Merry Merry!
Friday, December 19, is early dismissal (noon). Afternoon Eagles is closed. Holiday Care is open for students who registered in advance.
Early Dismissal instructions:
- Families with Pre-Kindergarten and K-5 grade siblings:
- K–5 siblings will be walked over to the Little Loop, where you can pick up all of your children together.
- Remain in your car and go through the Little Loop carpool circle for pick-up.
- Families with children in ELP 1–grade 5:
- K–5 siblings will be walked over to the Deck Gate (by Little Loop), so you can pick up all of your children together.
- ELP 1 and ELP 2 students will be ready for pick up at 11:50am. Please park and walk up to Dempsey Chapel to pick up ELP students.
- Your older children will be at the Deck Gate.
- Families with multiple children in K–5 only:
Pick up will take place at the Main Carpool area.
December 19
- Early Dismissal (Noon)
- Afternoon Eagles Closed
- Holiday Care Open
December 22 – 26
- School and Extended Day Programs Closed
December 29 – 31
- School Closed
- Holiday Care Open for Pre-Registered Students
January 1 & 2
- School and Extended Day Programs Closed
January 5
- Faculty Professional Development (School Closed)
January 6
- School Resumes
Parents are invited to join the St. Mark’s Campus Parent Book Club to read and discuss The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey (Amazon link to purchase).
In The Gift of Failure, Lahey explores how allowing children to face challenges and setbacks helps them develop resilience, confidence, and independence. With relatable examples from school, home, sports, and friendships, the book offers a hopeful guide for raising capable children.
Meeting Details
- Date: Thursday, April 9
- Time: 8:15–9:15 a.m.
- April 9, 2026: Chapters 11, 12 & Conclusion
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