Episcopal Insider
St. Mark's Campus
August 22, 2025
All Campuses
Grandparents’ Day 2025-2026 will be held the first week of November 2025. Specific dates and times will vary by campus. Details will be updated as the school year begins.
Complete updates by September 1 to ensure grandparents receive all communications including the Grandparents’ Day invitation mailing that will provide them with additional details for each campus.
To update grandparent information in My ESJ:
Log in to the My ESJ Parent Portal
Click on “Update My Profile” located under My Tools
Click on “Grandparent Households” to update their information
New This Week
St. Mark’s Campus is pleased to welcome Brianne Pratt as ESJ, St. Mark’s Campus’ new school nurse. Nurse Pratt brings 17 years of nursing experience, including time as a Level III NICU nurse. In addition to providing daily care for students, she will support administrative needs across campus.
Nurse Pratt is already getting to know students and reviewing Magnus health records. Parents are encouraged to keep Magnus updated with any changes to medications or health information.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Nurse Pratt’s expertise and warmth in our community,” said Beville Anderson, Head of Lower School, St. Mark’s Campus. “Her presence strengthens our commitment to student well-being, and she has already become an invaluable member of our team.”
Tuesday, August 26
8:15 a.m.
NEW Location – Steve Williams Library
RSVP
Learn about the PA, ask questions, and get to know school leadership.
- Beville Anderson, Head of Lower School
- Carley Baggs, Assistant Head of Lower School
- Ashley Madsen, Director of Pre-Primary and Auxiliary Programs
All parents are members of the PA!
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
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Time: 8:15–9:15 a.m.
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Location: Youth Center (across Ionic Avenue from McCarty Early Learning Center)
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Coffee and snacks will be provided.
- Please let Katy Ricci (kfricci@aol.com) or Erin James (cignaem3@gmail.com) know if you plan to attend.
Schedule
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August 28, 2025: Book introduction and attendee introductions
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September 25, 2025: Chapter 1
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October 9, 2025: Chapters 2 & 3
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November 13, 2025: Chapters 4 & 5
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December: No meeting
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January 8, 2026: Chapter 6
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February 12, 2026: Chapters 7 & 8
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March 5, 2026: Chapters 9 & 10
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April 9, 2026: Chapters 11, 12 & Conclusion
School will be dismissed at noon on Friday, August 29, for faculty professional development.
Afternoon Eagles is open for registered students.
Enjoy the long weekend, Eagle families!
Chapel for Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten students begins September 3 in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Parents are always welcome to attend Chapel with their children!
Reminders
August 29 – Early Dismissal (noon), Afternoon Eagles Open
September 1 – Labor Day. School and Extended Day Closed.
September 3 – Pre-Primary Chapel Begins (8:25 a.m., Church)
September 5 – Grade 3 Bible Presentation (8:25 a.m., Church)
September 5 – Grade 5 Retreat (Knight Campus)
September 9 – “Parents of Young Children, What to Expect” Parent Education Event (8:15 a.m., Steve Williams Library)
September 10 – Fruit of Love Gathering (2:30 p.m., Grades 1-5, Lori Schiavone Commons)
September 12 – Dot Day
September 15 – First Eucharist Chapel (Grades 1-5, Church)
September 15 – Episcopal Fund Kickoff
September 16 – Munnerlyn Campus Parent Preview and Open House
September 18 (NEW) – Coffee and Conversation with The Rev. Adam Greene
September 19 – Parent-Teacher Conferences. School and Extended Day Closed (childcare available during conference timeslots)
September 19 – Lower School Family Fun Night (Munnerlyn Campus)
September 26 – Chapel in the Park (Grades 1-5, 8:25 a.m., Stockton Park)
October 3 – Pre-K 3 – Grade 5 Vision Screening
October 6 – Eucharist Chapel (Grades 1-5, Church)
October 7 – Pre-K 3 – Grade 5 Individual and Class Picture Day, ELP Individual Picture Day
October 8 – Episcopal Schools Celebration (St. John’s Cathedral, Grades 4-5)
October 9 – Munnerlyn Campus Fifth Grade Student Visit Day
October 10 – Book Character Parade (Grades 1-5), Book Fair, Fall Festival
October 10 – Afternoon Eagles Closes at 5:00 p.m.
October 13 – Visiting Author Wendi Silvano
October 15 – Early Dismissal. Afternoon Eagles Closed. Holiday Care Open.
October 16 – 20 – Fall Break. School and Extended Day Programs Closed. (Faculty Professional Development on October 20)
October 22 – Fruit of Joy Gathering (2:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons, Grades 1-5)
October 27 – October Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Grades 1-5, 8:25 a.m., Church)
October 29 – October Birthday Book Blessing Chapel (Pre-K – K, 8:25 a.m., Church)
October 31 – ELP – K Costume Parade, Fall Class Parties
November 3 – Eucharist Chapel (Grades 1-5, Church)
November 4 – Individual Photo Retake Day
November 4 – Munnerlyn Campus Parent Preview and Open House
November 6 – Pre-K 3 – Grade 5 Grandparents’ and Special Friends Morning
November 7 – Early Dismissal. Afternoon Eagles Open.
November 11 – Veterans’ Day Chapel (Grades K-5, 8:25 a.m., Church)
November 13 – Dads’ Club Social (6:00 p.m., Lillian’s Sports Grill)
November 14 – Moms’ Night Out (6:00 p.m., home of ESJ Parent Chloe Wood)
November 19 – Kindergarten Thanksgiving Performance (9:00 a.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
November 21 – School and Extended Day Programs Closed (Faculty Professional Development)
November 24 – 25 – Thanksgiving Break, School Closed, Holiday Care Open
November 26 – 28 – Thanksgiving Break, School and Extended Day Programs Closed
December 1 – Eucharist Chapel (Grades 1-5, Church)
December 4 – Grades 1-3 Christmas Musical (8:25 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
December 10 – Fruit of Patrence Gathering and Head of School Awards
December 12 – Lessons & Carols (Grades 4 & 5, Church)
December 17 – Pre-K 4 Nativity Program (9:00 a.m., Lori Schiavone Commons)
December 18 – First Grade Polar Express Day
December 18 – Fifth Grade Spelling Bee
December 19 – Christmas Class Parties
December 19 – Early Dismissal. Afternoon Eagles Closed. Holiday Care Open.
December 22 – 26 – Christmas Break. School and Extended Day Programs Closed
December 29 – 31 – Christmas Break. School Closed. Holiday Care Open
January 1-2, 5 – School and Extended Day Programs Closed
January 6 – Classes Resume
We’re excited about the upcoming 2025–2026 school year and would love to hear from you about any volunteer opportunities you’re interested in exploring. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other parents and become more involved in our community—and as an added bonus, students love seeing their parents on campus!
Please complete the Volunteer Interest Form
What to Expect in Young Children: Common Challenging Behaviors and How Parents Can Help
Tuesday, September 9
8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
Steve Williams Library and Learning Center
Join Dr. Elise Fallucco, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and ESJ Director of Health, Safety, and Well-Being Programming, for a practical look at why children display challenging behaviors such as defiance, tantrums, meltdowns, and emotional outbursts.
Learn simple, effective strategies to help your child manage frustration and emotions, what approaches to avoid, and when certain behaviors may signal the need for further evaluation.
Following the presentation, the following St. Mark’s Campus facility and staff will participate in a panel discussion.
- Beville Anderson – Head of Lower School, St. Mark’s Campus
- Carley Baggs – Assistant Head of Lower School, St. Mark’s Campus
- Ashley Madsen – Director of Pre-Primary and Auxiliary Programs
- Laura Fackler – Dean of Students