33rd Class Returns from Freshman Orientation Adventure (9GOA)
The Freshman Orientation Adventure (9GOA) is a unique Episcopal tradition in which freshmen spend the first four days of high school in the woods, camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting in order to set the tone for their years in Upper School. Through these adventures, as well as the care of junior and senior counselors, the…
Fine Arts Summer Programs Reflections
As summer winds down and the school year kicks off, it is a great time to reflect on the joy, inventiveness, and many students who participated in arts camps that brought life to the Munnerlyn Campus this summer. As campers of all ages explored visual and performing arts, faculty were inspired in turn by the…
Parent Education Event with Dr. Elise Fallucco (September 9)
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…
Faculty Expand Expertise Through Professional Development Opportunities
Several Beaches Campus faculty members took part in professional development opportunities over the summer, gaining valuable strategies and certifications to bring back to their classrooms. Brooklyn Brecklin, second grade teacher, participated in Balance Auditory Vision Exercises (BAVX) training through Florida Kids Therapy Services. Denise Cinnamond, Learning Specialist, attended a Building Thinking Classrooms workshop offered by…
From Iceland to Innovation: Faculty Expand Skills Through Lastinger Summer Scholars Fund
This summer, several St. Mark’s Campus educators expanded their knowledge and skillsets through enriching professional development experiences made possible by the Lastinger Summer Scholars Fund. From Iceland to Texas, faculty members explored innovative approaches to wellness, mindfulness, and educational technology. Yaranel Abreu-Ruiz, PE Instructor, and Megan Trumpler, Media Specialist, attended a conference in Iceland called…
Costa Rica Abroad: A Transformational Experience!
This summer, under the leadership of Dr. Rebecca Howes, Spanish teacher, students embarked on a life-changing 17-day cultural and educational journey through Heredia and Sámara, Costa Rica. Dr. Howes was joined by chaperones David Berry, Student Services, and Josephine Sanchéz, Spanish teacher, along with Ms. Sanchéz’s husband, Rafael Sanchéz, in guiding students through a transformative…
St. Mark’s Campus Important Upcoming Important Calendar Dates
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…
Summer 2025 Faculty Professional Development
IMSE Orton-Gillingham Plus equipped our faculty with essential strategies, tools, and resources to effectively teach foundational literacy skills. Training included critical components of structured literacy such as phonological awareness, phonics, word analysis, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing for students in kindergarten through grade 2. IMSE Morphology Plus prepared our faculty with a comprehensive…
2025-2026 New Faculty, St. Mark’s Campus
Assistant Head of School – Carley Baggs Carley most recently served as Director of Pre-Primary, where she oversaw curriculum, operations, and day-to-day leadership for ELP 1 through kindergarten. In this role, she supported academic programs by collaborating on instructional oversight, conducting teacher observations, analyzing student data, and developing targeted action plans to support student growth.…
St. Mark’s Campus Celebrates Susan Kwartler’s Retirement and Welcomes Lauren Griffith
After an extraordinary 42-year career on the St. Mark’s Campus, Susan Kwartler retired this summer, leaving behind a legacy that is both heartfelt and impactful. What began in 1983 as a temporary teaching assistant role grew into a lifelong vocation. Over the decades, Susan served in various capacities, including Assistant to the Head of School,…
Submit Questions and RSVP for Parents’ Association Meeting (August 26)
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!
Camp Create Kicks Off with “Ooey Gooey Fun!”
The first two weeks of Camp Create brought hands-on learning and creativity for over 100 rising ELP 2 through kindergarten students. The theme, “Ooey Gooey Fun!”, guided a variety of sensory-based activities designed to spark curiosity and engagement. Campers explored messy materials through projects such as painting with spaghetti, making slime and oobleck, and creating…
Wendy Hulsey Named Nancy N. Wood Excellence in Education Award Recipient
Established in 2001, the Nancy N. Wood Excellence in Education Award is given to a faculty member teaching on St. Mark’s Campus. Named for former St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School Head of School Nancy N. Wood, the purpose of the award is to recognize and reward faculty and teaching assistants who personify quality in their…
The Reverend Robert R. Parks Award for Excellence in Teaching Given to Jody Tomaszewski
The Reverend Robert R. Parks Excellence in Teaching Award was established and is named in honor of the founder of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Day School in 1957, which was later renamed Beaches Episcopal School and is now the Beaches Campus. The Reverend Parks was the rector of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at that…
The Timothy Award Given to Lynell Johnson
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. (1Tim 6:20a) The Timothy Award is presented in loving memory of T.S. Roberts, Jr. and given by his family. The Timothy Award is presented annually to a faculty member who exemplifies the ideal of Christian service to students and to the community. This award recognizes the…
2024 Guardian Award Given to Tom Baczkowski, Nominated by Ava Galani ’25
The Guardian Award was established in 1999 by Mr. and Mrs. William L. Dahl. Seniors are given the opportunity to write an essay about a faculty member who has been a role model for them during their years at Episcopal and has helped them understand how important these guardians are. The senior who writes the…
Davis Awards for Excellence in Teaching Recognize Jackie Jenkins and Keelan Henson
Established in 1992, the Davis Awards for Excellence in Teaching are presented each year to selected Episcopal School of Jacksonville teachers who personify quality in their teaching and in their influence on student learning; who consistently and unselfishly go above and beyond normal expectations of time, energy and devotion in working with students; who demonstrate…
Fine Arts Students Commit to Studying the Arts in College
Sixteen members of the Class of 2025 have committed to studying the arts in college. “This demonstrates that these students have discovered something about themselves while exploring their artistic voice here at ESJ that they cannot imagine living without. These 16 seniors will continue to stretch themselves to grow and create and make an impact…
Students Win at International Science and Engineering Fair
James Steffes ’26 and Alex Chindris ’25 were Third Place Award winners in the Robotics Category at the recent International Science and Engineering Fair, in Columbus, Ohio, where 1,500 students from 75 countries competed for $9 million in awards and scholarships. James and Alex designed, constructed, and tested a scalable autonomous multi-UAV system that utilized onboard…
St. Mark’s Community Unseals 25-Year-Old Time Capsule
On May 13, past and present members of the St. Mark’s community gathered to open a time capsule buried 25 years earlier. The event served as a bridge between generations, offering a glimpse into the life and culture of the school a quarter-century ago. View photos. Third grade instructor Drew Haramis and former parent and…
Lower School Campuses Host Successful New Family Events
The Beaches and St. Mark’s Campuses welcomed new families this weekend with their annual Popsicles on the Playground events. Attendees enjoyed delicious Hippo Popsicles and the opportunity to connect with other new families in a relaxed, fun setting. Parent ambassadors generously volunteered their time to help host the event, greet attendees, and answer questions. Approximately…