Episcopal Insider
Beaches Campus
April 11, 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
Author Kentrell Martin Visiting ESJ, Beaches Campus
Kentrell Martin will be on campus all day on Thursday, April 17 to talk to Pre-K – fifth grade about bringing the joy of literacy and ASL to students. If you would like your child to have a signed copy of The Shelly’s Adventure’s Experience, scan the QR code and follow the steps below. Preorders are due April 14.
The Shelly’s Adventure’s Experience is a presentation brought to you by award-winning author Kentrell Martin. During the experience, students will be part of an interactive book reading and learn over 30 signs in American Sign Language.
Book Order Form
The Beaches Campus will host its Challenge Day on Friday, May 16. Pre-K students will hold their Challenge Day from 9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. and kindergarten – fifth grade students will hold their Challenge Day from 10:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Schedule of Activities (Kindergarten – Fifth Grade)
10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. : Partner Reading
10:50 a.m. – 11: 25 a.m. : STEM Activity in the Gym
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. : Pizza lunch from Milano’s
12:15 p.m. – 12:35 p.m. : Read in classroom
12:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. : Field Events
2:25 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. : Kona Ice
Challenge Day is a fun day on the Beaches Campus. Challenge Day shirts will be provided for students, faculty, and staff by the campus. Please have your student wear athletic shoes and bring a change of clothes.
*Pizza lunch and Kona Ice will be provided by the school.
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
Spirit Day is Friday, April 11, 2025! Don’t forget to wear your ESJ Spirit Shirt with athletic, denim, or uniform bottoms!
Beaches Campus Dads,
You are invited to attend the Beaches Campus Dads’ Club End of Year Meet Up, April 12 at 12:00 p.m. at Hanna Park.
Don’t miss this opportunity for an end of year Dad’s Club fellowship to include beach fishing, cookout, smore’s, and more. All Beaches Campus dads are welcome.
If you plan on attending and interested in more details please contact Patrick Aland or RSVP here!
Sincerely,
Beaches Campus Dads’ Club President
Patrick Aland
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL of JACKSONVILLE
Beaches Campus
welcomes grandparents and special friends of students in
grades Pre-K 3 – grade 5 on the Beaches Campus
Wednesday, April 16
Join us for a special Chapel service beginning at 1:00 p.m.
at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, with doors opening
at 12:30 p.m. Following the service, enjoy refreshments in
McCormick Courtyard and classroom visits until 3:00 p.m.
RSVP by April 9
Visit esj.org/grand-beaches for a more detailed agenda and to register to attend
Thursday, April 17
- 1/2 Day (Noon Dismissal), Extended Day Closed
Friday, April 18 (Good Friday)
- No School
Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday)
- No School
Preparing for the Transition to Middle School: What to Expect and How ESJ Can Help
For Fifth Grade Parents
Friday, April 25
9:00 – 10:00 am
Hope Hall Art Room
Panel Discussion and Q&A
- Paige McGee, Head of Middle School
- Christy Hodges, Dean of Student Life
- Amy Perkins, Director of Student Services
- David Berry, Counselor
- Dr. Elise Fallucco, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing Programming
Teacher Appreciation week is Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9. The Parent Association have planned amazing activities for the Beaches Campus Faculty and Staff.
Below is a list of activities the Parent Association have planned for the Beaches Campus employees.
Monday: Catered breakfast from Panera
Tuesday: Snacks in the Teacher Workroom
Wednesday: Faculty and Staff massages and a special gift from the Parent Association.
Thursday: Faculty and Staff Catered Luncheon. Please refer to this sign-up genius to volunteer to help during the luncheon!
Friday: Coffee Cart, Teacher Dress Down Day, and Shout Outs