Episcopal Insider - BEACHES CAMPUS
August 1, 2025
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St. Mark's Campus - October 2, 2026
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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.
We invite you to make your gift online today.
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 will be NO Afternoon Gathering on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Friday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m.
ELP 1 – Kindergarten
Kindergarten students will lead students in a costume parade around Berg Field to showcase their costumes to parents and older students.
- 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.
Friday, October 30
Class parties and special snacks will take place throughout the day. Homeroom parents will send a SignUp Genius in advance so parents can contribute paper products, special snacks, and drinks. Parents are welcome to attend.
- ELP 1 & 2: Class parties will take place immediately following the parade.
- Pre-K: Class parties will take place immediately following the parade.
- Kindergarten: Class parties will take place at 2:15 p.m.
- Grades 1 – 5: Class parties will take place from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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
The Episcopal Fund Parent Campaign begins Monday, September 21 and runs through Friday, October 23. The Episcopal Fund is our largest fundraiser each year, and it provides the school with the greatest flexibility to deliver a first-rate education for our students. We are so grateful to our families for helping the St. Mark’s Campus reach 100% parent participation last year!
Gifts to The Episcopal Fund are tax-deductible and go directly into the operating budget, where they are put to work in the current academic year. Keep an eye out for more information from your parent Episcopal Fund representative in the coming weeks.
Note: Membership in the Great Oak Society or other leadership donor circles recognizes all giving to Episcopal throughout the year. This includes gifts to The Episcopal Fund as well as sponsorships of the Ortega River Run and A Vision for Art.
Chairs: Whitney and Christian George
Devon and Peter Blumeyer ’08
Robert and Sarah Oates Boyd ’10
Kristin and Casey Bulgin
Emily and Jon Crocker
Coleman and Lainey Graham Gandy ’09
Heather and Hal Houston
Stephanie and Daniel Lempesis
Jen and John Leschitz
Danielle and Adam Mason
Aubry and Tyler McKendree
Kellea and Matt Miller
Emily and Jonathan Molski
Lauren and Lincoln Register
Katy and Dan Ricci
Ryan and Caroline Dunkle Royce ’10
Rebecca and Josh Sale
Meredith and Jesse Shimp
Pamela and Ashley Smith ’96
Callie and Ross Sprague ’06
Rachel and John Sullivan
Amanda and Matt Thoele
Mary Beth and Greg Woelfel
Chloe and Chris Wood
Tuesday, October 6
- Pre-K 3 – Grade 5 Individual and Class Picture Day
- ELP Individual* Picture Day
- *ELP students will have class photos in the spring.
The Parent Book Club meets monthly after carpool drop-off, providing a consistent space for parents to share insights and support each other. Attendance at every meeting is not required. The goal is to foster a sense of community and connection among parents.
Next meeting: Thursday, October 8th
Recommended reading: Chapters 7, 8, & 9 (p. 159-176), which will focus on “Capable Strengths: Competence, Flexibility, and Perseverance”
Time: 8:15-9:15 AM (after drop off)
Location: Youth Center across from Little Loop
Other meeting dates: November 12th (last meeting until after Christmas break)
To sign up for our email reminders or for more information, please reach out to Erin James at cignaem3@gmail.com or Katy Ricci at Kfricci@aol.com
Parent-Teacher conferences are Friday, October 9. School and Extended Day Programs are closed. Childcare is available during your child(ren)’s conference time(s):
ELP 1 & 2: conference care offered in Dempsey Chapel.
Pre-K 3 – Grade 5: conference care offered in the Lori Schiavone Commons.
How to Sign Up for Conferences
Simply log in to the My ESJ Parent Portal and select the “Schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences” button located in the “Important Right Now” section of the parent portal homepage.
Activities for all ages includes bounce houses, pony rides, games, and more!
Tuesday, October 13
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Berg Field
- Eagle Afternoon Program closes at 5:00 p.m. this day.
- In case of inclement weather, the Fall Festival will be canceled.
Click here to volunteer
Big thanks to Diamond D. Ranch for donating pony rides and hay for this event!
- October 14 – Early Dismissal with NO Afternoon Eagles/Extended Day. Click here for Early Dismissal instructions.
- October 15 & 16 – School Closed. Holiday Care is open for preregistered students
- October 19 – School and Holiday Care closed (faculty professional development)
- October 20 – School resumes
On Thursday, October 22, award-winning author Terry Border will visit the St. Mark’s Campus to share stories and read with students in kindergarten through fifth grade. If you would like your child to have a book signed by Mr. Border, please follow these steps:
- Choose a title from the book list below.
- Order the book from www.amazon.com.
- Send the book to school with a sticky note attached that includes your child’s first and last name, as well as their homeroom teacher’s name.
- Remind your child to give the book to their homeroom teacher by October 19. Mrs. Trumpler, Media Specialist, will collect books to prepare them for the author visit.
Books by Terry Border – Bring to School by October 19 for Author Signature
Just a quick reminder that your family has access to Novel Effect. Novel Effect brings books to life by adding music, sound effects, and character voices that play along as you read aloud together. It’s a wonderful way to make storytime feel like an adventure all summer long. Scan the QR code below to access Novel Effect and get started!
For more information, please click here or reach out to Megan Trumpler (trumplerm@esj.org).
Looking for a fresh way to promote your business? Becoming a sponsor of the W.W. Gay Ortega River Run on Saturday, February 20 offers unparalleled visibility within the community. From having your business featured on over 1,900 race t-shirts to prominent placement on the Ortega River Run website, the exposure is endless. Plus, you’ll have the chance to connect with attendees in person and distribute promotional materials at the community street fair on race morning. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your brand to a wide and engaged audience—don’t miss out!
To secure your sponsorship, view the sponsorship brochure, complete the sponsorship commitment form and submit the online payment.
For more information, contact Lauren Griffith at griffithl@esj.org or 904-388-2632 x 1226.
Race registration will open up in November.
For the safety of all students, children should exit and enter vehicles from the passenger side only during carpool drop-off and pick-up. Students participating in carpool should be seated on the passenger side of the vehicle whenever possible.
If you have multiple children getting in or out of the car, please assist with unbuckling as needed so that all students can safely exit from the passenger side. If an infant car seat or other car seat is blocking passenger-side access, we ask that you move the car seat to the opposite side so students can safely exit the vehicle on the passenger side.
Thank you for helping us keep carpool safe and efficient for everyone.
Please note that October 14 and December 18 are early release days with no Afternoon Eagles (Extended Day). If you need afternoon care for your student(s), please enroll in Holiday Care for those days.
Register for a la carte Holiday Care
If you have questions, contact Izzy Boudreaux at boudreauxi@esj.org.
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