Episcopal Insider - BEACHES CAMPUS
August 1, 2025
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St. Mark's Campus - January 16, 2026
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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
Mood Swings and Puberty Milestones: What to Expect and How to Help Your Child Thrive
A Parent Education Event for Grades 3-5 Parents Led by Elise Fallucco, MD, Director of Health, Safety, and Well-Being Programming
Thursday, February 5
8:15 a.m.
Lori Schiavone Commons
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- Understand how the timing of puberty has changed over the past generation and when to expect changes in your child’s skin, hair, body, and brain
- Learn how you can help your child navigate the typical changes that occur during puberty
- Discuss ways to talk to your children about what to expect during puberty
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will take the CTP 5 exam during the week of February 9-12. This Comprehensive Testing Program is for high achieving students in areas such as reading, listening, vocabulary, writing, and math. It enables schools to assess strengths and areas of growth for individuals and groups.
To enable a successful week of testing, please have your child to school on time each day so they can start testing on time. It is important that your child eat a healthy breakfast and get plenty of rest during testing week. There will be no homework assigned and no classroom tests given for third – fifth grade students this week.
Please let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible if your child will be absent any days the week of testing. Any appointments should be made in the afternoon on those days.
Thursday, February 12
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Lori Schiavone Commons
The ESJ, St. Mark’s Campus Parents’ Association invites all Pre-K 3 – fifth grade daughters and their special friends to dance the night away at the Sweetheart Soiree Daughter Dance. Enjoy sweets, a photo booth, and more!
February 13, 2026
- February 9-13, students are invited to wear Valentine’s Day/heart accessories with their school uniforms.
- Parents will receive class party communication directly from homeroom parents.
- Please be sweet without bringing sweets. Non-candy class Valentines are recommended.
Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, for faculty professional development. Afternoon Eagles is open to preregistered students.
Click here for early dismissal Instructions.
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
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
School is closed Monday, January 19 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Save the Date!
Thursday, January 22nd
5:30 PM – 6:30 p.m. Open House
Extended Day will close at 5:30 p.m. on January 22
All St. Mark’s families with ELP 1 through grade 5 children are invited to our Family Open House! Join us for a fun and interactive evening where you can explore your child’s current classroom, discover exciting enrichment classes, and experience a glimpse of your student’s 2026-27 school year.
To begin the event, each child should go directly to their homeroom classroom, where they will receive a passport to guide them through the evening’s activities. Once their passport is complete, they’ll be entered into a raffle for some coveted ESJ swag. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress this school year. Please remember to wear your parent name tag when attending events on campus. (If you have lost your tag, please use this form: Name Tag Orders.)
For questions, please contact Melissa Tucker at tuckerm@esj.org or 904-388-2632.
In preparation for the school-wide Family Open House on January 22, Afternoon Eagles will close at 5:30 p.m. Open House begins at 5:30 p.m.
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
The W.W. Gay Ortega River Run is February 21! Register for the one- or five-mile run today! This is one of the biggest fundraisers for ESJ, St. Mark’s Campus!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE RUN
If registering your child for the run, please pay careful attention when selecting your shirt size online.
It takes a village of Eagles to pull off this community-wide event. From packet pickup to handing out water bottles and medals at the run, there is something for everyone.
Please sign up to help!
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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