Episcopal Insider
Beaches Campus
October 18, 2024
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
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.
Picture retake day is Thursday, November 7, for Pre-K 3 – fifth grade students. If you would like your child(ren) to have a new photo, please notify their homeroom teacher and Nicole Limbaugh at limbaughn@testing-phlexon.online.
The Beaches Campus is excited to host the 5th Grade Pasta Dinner on Thursday, November 21 | 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the gym and performing arts center. This annual tradition celebrates our 5th graders and guests will be entertained while enjoying an Italian dinner. The Campus Store will be on-site for families to purchase ESJ spirit wear! Registration for the event will open November 1.
Reminders
2025-2026 Important Calendar Dates
- August 26 – Pre-K/K Chapel (Postponed to September 2)
- August 27 – First – fifth grade Chapel – July/August Birthday Book (New Location: Petway Family Performance Center)
- August 29 – July/August Birthday Free Dress Day/Noon Dismissal/Faculty Professional Development (Afternoon Eagles Available)
- September 1 – Labor Day (No School)
- September 2 – Pre-K/K Chapel – July/August Birthday Book
- September 3 – First – fifth grade Chapel – Eucharist
- September 4 – First Parent Association Meeting via Zoom
- September 5 – August Shoutout Free Dress Day
- September 9 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- September 10 – First – fifth grade Chapel
- September 12 – Spirit Dress Day/Parent Coffee with Dr. Fallucco at 8:30 a.m.
- September 16 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- September 17 – Parent/Teacher Conference Day (No School for Students)
- September 19 – Lower School Family Fun Night on the Munnerlyn Campus
- September 23 – Pre-K/K Chapel – September Birthday Book
- September 24 – First – fifth grade Chapel – September Birthday Book
- September 26 – September Birthday Free Dress/Coffee with Adam Greene at 8:30 a.m.
- September 30 – Pre-K/K Chapel/ Volleyball Clinic (third – fifth grade, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
- October 1 – First – fifth grade Chapel
- October 2 – Blessing of the Animals (8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.)
- October 3 – September Shoutout Free Dress Day
- October 7 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- October 8 – First – third grade Chapel/Episcopal Schools Celebration (fourth and fifth grade)
- October 10 – Spirit Dress Day
- October 14 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- October 15 – First – fifth grade Chapel – Eucharist/Noon Dismissal
- October 16 – 20 – Fall Break
- October 21 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- October 22 – First – fifth grade Chapel – October Birthday Book
- October 24 – October Birthday Free Dress Day/Boo Bash (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- October 27 – Vision Screening
- October 28 – Pre-K/K Chapel – October Birthday Book
- October 29 – First – fifth grade Chapel – Eucharist
- October 31 – Halloween Parade (8:15 a.m.) and Class Festivities
- November 5 – Grandparents and Special Friends Day
- November 6 – Trimester 1 Ends
- November 7 – October Shoutout Free Dress Day/Noon Dismissal/Faculty Professional Development (Afternoon Eagles Available)
- November 11 – Pre-K/K Chapel – November Birthday Book
- November 12 – Veterans Day Chapel
- November 14 – November Birthday Free Dress Day
- November 18 – Pre-K/K Thanksgiving Chapel
- November 19 – First-fifth grade Thanksgiving Chapel and November Birthday Book
- November 20 – Spirit Dress Day/Fifth Grade Pasta Dinner
- November 21 – Professional Development for Teachers (No School)
- November 24-28 – Thanksgiving Break (No School)
- December 2 – Pre-K/K Chapel
- December 3 – First – fifth grade Chapel
- December 5 – November Shoutout Free Dress Day
- December 9 – Pre-K/K Christmas Chapel
- December 10 – First – fifth grade Chapel – Eucharist
- December 12 – December Birthday Free Dress Day/Lessons & Carols
- December 16 – Pre-K/K Chapel – December Birthday Book
- December 17 – First – Fifth Grade Chapel – December Birthday Book
- December 18 – December Shoutout Free Dress Day
- December 19 – Noon Dismissal/How the Grinch Stole Christmas Performance/Storytime/Caroling
- December 22 – January 5 – Christmas Break (No School)
- January 6 – School Resumes
Students in fifth grade from Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Beaches 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 asked to wear their Episcopal maroon polos for this service. A bus will depart from the Beaches Campus for the Cathedral at promptly 9:15 a.m.
The Episcopal Schools Celebration Service is an annual event that celebrates the ministry of the nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood programs throughout the Episcopal Church. Students in fifth grade from Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Beaches Campus, will participate with other local Episcopal schools. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
Each student is asked to bring one item that will be donated to the Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. You will receive a list of suggested items once we receive an update from St. Mary’s about their current needs.. We look forward to this opportunity to worship and service together.
Boo Bash
Boo Bash is a Beaches Campus annual tradition and is a family friendly event to kick off the fall season. Boo Bash will be held on Friday, October 25, 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is a free event for all Episcopal families. Students can wear Halloween-themed Free Dress (jeans and a Halloween top, and/or a Halloween dress, bottoms, and/or accessories)
Boo Bash Flyer 2024
Get ready for Halloween festivities including Trunk or Treat (which is a part of Boo Bash) on Friday, October 25!
The Beaches Campus is excited to announce sign ups are now open for Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 25th from 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Trunk or Treat will be located this year in the Chaucer Court Carpool Loop . There are limited opportunities and spaces this year. All vehicles are welcome! There will be an award for best decorated vehicle voted on by ESJ Faculty.
For questions and information about Trunk or Treat, please email Ashley Davis, Director of Marketing and Development at davisa@testing-phlexon.online.
Register for Trunk or Treat Here!
Students in Pre-K 3 through fifth grade will take part in a brief vision screening on October 28. This free service is provided by Vision is Priceless. Parents will receive the results of the screening only if further action is recommended. This free service is provided by Vision is Priceless and no further paperwork is required from families.
Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 31 will be a festive day on Beaches Campus! Pre-K 3 – fifth grade students are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume to school! At 8:15 a.m., students will lead a costume parade around the church lawn to share their costumes with parents and friends. Students may remain in their costumes for the festivities that include class parties that day. Costumes should not include a weapon or mask and must not have inappropriate insignias, wording, or embellishments, or political references.
The Beaches Campus cordially invites you to a special Veterans Day Chapel on Wednesday, November 6 at 8:15 a.m. at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
Faculty, staff and families are encouraged to submit Veteran information no later than Friday, November 1 so they may be recognized during the service.
Dear Beaches Campus Parents,
For the upcoming school year, the PA has organized activities that will enrich our students’ school experience and support our faculty and staff. It is our goal to create school spirit and a joyful sense of community, organize appropriate events, and honor Beaches Campus traditions.
MEETINGS:
The Beaches Campus PA will hold its next meeting of the 2024-2025 school year, via Zoom November 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Upcoming Parent Association Events:
- Daughter Dance – Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
- Son Event – Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Laura Smith
2024-2025 Beaches Campus PA President
Please join us for a Parent Workshop with Dr. Cat Baker from Florida Children’s Institute on Friday, November 8, 2024 (after Flag Ceremony).
Mindfulness and Anxiety with Dr. Cat Baker
Friday, November 8, 2024
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Hope Hall Art Room
Register for the event here!
Dr. Cat Baker has spent the better part of two decades working with parents and children through Parent Coaching and Applied Behavior Analysis services. She is passionate about supporting children and families coping with a wide range of behavior issues and learning disabilities, regardless of diagnosis. In spite of having ADHD, Dyslexia, and Anxiety, Dr. Baker earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis & Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University, a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Florida, and a B.S. in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. She loves helping children and families who “don’t fit in the box” or who have “brains that work differently” reach their potential because of her own personal experience!
Faculty will participate in professional development on Friday, November 8. Early Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m.
The Eagle Afternoon Program will be open until 6:00 p.m. for pre-registered students. Please contact Melody Harding at hardingm@testing-phlexon.online for questions regarding the Eagle Afternoon Program.
Let us know that your student is coming by signing them up here.
Spirit Day is Friday, April 11, 2025! Don’t forget to wear your ESJ Spirit Shirt with athletic, denim, or uniform bottoms!
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.
A friendly reminder that the carpool line begins on 9th Avenue. This is essential to keeping the carline running smoothly. When cars come into the line from 10th Avenue, it puts a snag in the order, which in turn holds up the carline at the semi-circle, where students wait for pick-up. When cars come to the circle out of order, it also poses a safety concern for our students. Please be patient and kind, and mindful of the neighbors’ property. Our carpool runs as efficiently as possible, and with your help, we can keep it that way!