Middle School Division News - The Episcopal School of Dallas

Important Dates & Action Items

February 6 - Knockout Tournament
The following information was shared in the Spring ESDPA newsletter* parents received on January 17, 2025 and in News You Can Use:* The ESD Dads' Partnership and Booster Club are excited to invite your middle school student to the Annual Knock Out Night on Thursday, February 6. All middle school students who would like to participate: Must submit the RSVP form Will stay after school to compete in the preliminary rounds, which will be followed by pizza Are invited to stay for the semifinal and final rounds that will take place at halftime of the girls' and boys' varsity basketball games, respectively Please note there is no cost for your child to participate. We hope everyone will stay for both the girls' and boys' varsity basketball games. A parent or parent's designee must supervise all students after 6:00 p.m. Questions? Questions? Contact Dads’ Partnership President, Andrew Schoellkopf. Parents also received a GroupMe text message on 2/3/25, and students were notified in Schoology and by their advisors.
February 8 - Seventh/Eighth-Grade Winter Formal
The seventh- and eighth-grade winter formal will be in the ESD Study Commons on February 8, from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Middle school drop-off will be on the *north* side of campus (enter at the Merrell Road guard booth). MS students should enter the doors to the left of the main entrance, closest to the study commons. Parents, please check your email for a paperless post invite to the pre-dance grade-level parties. If you have not received the invite, please get in touch with your parent grade rep.
February 12 - Summer Camp Registration Opens for ESD Students
Summer Camp registration opens Wednesday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. for current ESD students. You will receive an email from Mike Schneider on February 12 at 8:00 p.m. confirming registration is open and providing links to the official camp catalog and registration webpage. Summer Camp registration opens Tuesday, February 18, at 8:00 p.m. for non-ESD siblings and the general public at esdallas.org/summercamp. We are still confirming summer camps, but you can view preliminary offerings here. Current ESD eighth-grade students/rising freshmen may qualify for summer academic credit course offerings. View guidelines here.
February 14-17 - No School
Winter Break (No School)
February 24 - Spring Sports Team Order DEADLINE
Spring Sports Team Stores are now OPEN online through the Eagles Nest! Click the button below to order your optional spirit gear for the Spring Season. Team Stores can be found in the drop-down menu on The Eagles Nest homepage. Order Deadline: Monday, February 24 CLICK HERE TO ORDER Questions? Contact April Cook.
February 26 - Eagles Nest Conference Day Sale
Looking for new ESD merch? Make sure to stop by the Eagles Nest on February 26 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to snag some great deals on some great items. Prices will be as low as $5 to stock up on your Eagles spirit wear.
March 29 - All Community Day of Service: Register Now
In honor of ESD’s 50th anniversary and our individual and collective highest calling, serving others, the ESD community will come together to serve the greater Dallas area on Saturday, March 29, 2025. We invite your family to join this special day of service. There are limited spaces available and specific age and/or parent attending requirements, so please review the specifics and register for the service activity that fits your student and family. CLICK HERE FOR EVENTS AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

All School News & Updates

Uniform Update: New Vendor Information (January 27, 2025)
We are pleased to announce our partnership with Flynn O’Hara Uniforms. Once again, we would like to thank you for your understanding and patience as we have progressed through this challenging uniform saga. There are brighter days ahead! Below is key information to know. As more information becomes available and dates are confirmed, this webpage will be updated and re-shared through News You Can Use. Can my child wear his or her Dennis Uniform pieces next year? Yes! All currently worn uniform pieces (excluding the navy skirts and skirts worn by seniors this year) may be worn next year. That means all Dennis Uniform tops, shorts, pants, plaid skirts, and lower school jumpers will remain a part of our uniform. Lands’ End shorts and pants purchased this year for middle and upper school students may also be continued. If they still fit, keep them! Availability of Uniform Items The ESD store on Flynn O’Hara’s site is up and running with some items, mostly tops, available for purchase. Not all items are available yet, however. Our uniform bottoms are a special order, so those items are in production now. Also, remember the ESDPA Resale Shop, although the new uniform bottoms are limited, there are many items available for very reasonable prices throughout the year in the Resale Shop. Uniform pieces not yet available for purchase are listed below; these items are scheduled to be ready this spring: Lower School: Plaid Tie for Sailor Dress, Navy Dri Fit Shorts, Navy Dri Fit Pants Middle/Upper School: Plaid Skirts, Feminine Fit Blazers, Grey Dri Fit Shorts, Grey Dri Fit Pants We will keep you updated on arrival dates as they become available. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE FLYNN O'HARA SHOP NOW Please note: Beginner families shop under the "PK" tab, and Primer families shop under the "K" tab. Flynn O’Hara offers ESD families free shipping on orders over $100. Sizing/On-Campus Pop-Up Shops: Flynn O’Hara will host two sizing pop-up shops on campus this spring, dates TBD soon. Local Store Information: North Dallas store location coming Spring 2025. Email Sign-Up Link: To stay in the loop on uniform-related promotions and updates, join Flynn O’Hara’s email list HERE (School Code: TX224). Educator Discount: Flynn O'Hara offers a year-round 15% discount to all teachers, faculty, and staff at The Episcopal School of Dallas. If this applies to you, follow the steps outlined HERE. Social Media Engagement: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flynnoharauniforms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flynnoharauniforms\| @flynnoharauniform For uniform policy questions and clarifications: Brenda Wilder, Lower School (LS policies) Allison Darnell, Assistant Head of Middle School (Middle School Uniform Policy, Pg 56-57) Max Augé, Assistant Head of Upper School (Upper School Uniform Policy) For uniform provider questions and interim uniform issues (i.e. The zipper just broke on my daughter’s last uniform skirt, my son has outgrown his pants; What do they wear until Flynn O’Hara bottoms are available?): Ruth Burke, ESDPA Associate Head of School
Carpool Reminder: Please Do Not Queue on Neighborhood Streets
Our Good Neighbor policy states that carpool will queue on Merrell and Midway Road, and not on neighboring side streets like Gooding Drive, South Better Drive, Eastlawn, or Westlawn. Please refrain from using these streets so our neighbors can easily navigate to their homes. Thank you for your cooperation.

Uniform Update: New Vendor Information (January 27, 2025)

We are pleased to announce our partnership with Flynn O’Hara Uniforms. Once again, we would like to thank you for your understanding and patience as we have progressed through this challenging uniform saga. There are brighter days ahead! Below is key information to know. As more information becomes available and dates are confirmed, this webpage will be updated and re-shared through News You Can Use.

Can my child wear his or her Dennis Uniform pieces next year?

Yes! All currently worn uniform pieces (excluding the navy skirts and skirts worn by seniors this year) may be worn next year. That means all Dennis Uniform tops, shorts, pants, plaid skirts, and lower school jumpers will remain a part of our uniform. Lands’ End shorts and pants purchased this year for middle and upper school students may also be continued. If they still fit, keep them!

Availability of Uniform Items

The ESD store on Flynn O’Hara’s site is up and running with some items, mostly tops, available for purchase. Not all items are available yet, however. Our uniform bottoms are a special order, so those items are in production now. Also, remember the ESDPA Resale Shop, although the new uniform bottoms are limited, there are many items available for very reasonable prices throughout the year in the Resale Shop.

Uniform pieces not yet available for purchase are listed below; these items are scheduled to be ready this spring:

Lower School: Plaid Tie for Sailor Dress, Navy Dri Fit Shorts, Navy Dri Fit Pants
Middle/Upper School: Plaid Skirts, Feminine Fit Blazers, Grey Dri Fit Shorts, Grey Dri Fit Pants

We will keep you updated on arrival dates as they become available.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE FLYNN O'HARA SHOP NOW

Please note: Beginner families shop under the "PK" tab, and Primer families shop under the "K" tab. Flynn O’Hara offers ESD families free shipping on orders over $100.

Sizing/On-Campus Pop-Up Shops: Flynn O’Hara will host two sizing pop-up shops on campus this spring, dates TBD soon.
Local Store Information: North Dallas store location coming Spring 2025.
Email Sign-Up Link: To stay in the loop on uniform-related promotions and updates, join Flynn O’Hara’s email list HERE (School Code: TX224).
Educator Discount: Flynn O'Hara offers a year-round 15% discount to all teachers, faculty, and staff at The Episcopal School of Dallas. If this applies to you, follow the steps outlined HERE.
Social Media Engagement: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flynnoharauniforms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flynnoharauniforms| @flynnoharauniform

For uniform policy questions and clarifications:

Brenda Wilder, Lower School (LS policies)
Allison Darnell, Assistant Head of Middle School (Middle School Uniform Policy, Pg 56-57)
Max Augé, Assistant Head of Upper School (Upper School Uniform Policy)

For uniform provider questions and interim uniform issues (i.e. The zipper just broke on my daughter’s last uniform skirt, my son has outgrown his pants; What do they wear until Flynn O’Hara bottoms are available?):

Ruth Burke, ESDPA Associate Head of School

Carpool Reminder: Please Do Not Queue on Neighborhood Streets

Our Good Neighbor policy states that carpool will queue on Merrell and Midway Road, and not on neighboring side streets like Gooding Drive, South Better Drive, Eastlawn, or Westlawn. Please refrain from using these streets so our neighbors can easily navigate to their homes. Thank you for your cooperation.

OriginalImage,Original To volunteer, please visit esdallas.org/parents.

Middle School Division Rep Welcome
Happy New Year, Eagles! As we settle into the new semester, please take a moment to read your grade rep letter for important reminders & upcoming events to the calendar. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact your grade reps or me if you have any questions. Go Eagles! Stephanie Fine (Jules P'29 and Ari P'31)
Fifth Grade
Dear Fifth-Grade Families, A few quick notes and dates are below for next month, but overall, it will be a quiet start to the second semester. Fifth graders will be sent home with their Chromebooks next week, along with a charger (very important to charge each night) and instructions. Fifth-grade lunch will go back to 12:25 p.m. until spring break Grade-level Dates: There are currently no grade-level dates for fifth grade at this time. Important Dates: February 7: Quarter 3 Interim Check February 14-17: Winter Break (No School) February 24: Spring Sports Team Order Deadline (The Eagles Nest) February 26: The Eagles Nest Conference Day Sale (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) February 26: Conference Day (No Classes) Looking Ahead: March 17-24: Spring Break (No School); Classes resume on March 25. March 29: Day of Service - Events and Registration Details Here April 1-3: Fifth Grade Trip to Galveston (More Information Coming Later) April 18-21: Easter Break (No School) April 30: Pass It On May 20: Last Day of School (Beginner - Sixth Grade) *Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal. View 2024-25 Academic Calendar View Full School Calendar As always, don't hesitate if you have any questions! Kate Britain (Wallace P'32) & Ashely Russell (Ridley P'32)
Sixth Grade
Dear Sixth-Grade Families, As we embark on the spring semester, please take a moment to review the important dates, activities, and volunteer opportunities listed below, and join us in making this semester a great one! Grade-level Dates: There are currently no grade-level dates for sixth grade at this time. Important Dates: February 7: Quarter 3 Interim Check February 14-17: Winter Break (No School) February 24: Spring Sports Team Order Deadline (The Eagles Nest) February 26: The Eagles Nest Conference Day Sale (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) February 26: Conference Day (No Classes) Looking Ahead: March 17-24: Spring Break (No School); Classes resume on March 25. March 29: Day of Service - Events and Registration Details Here April 18-21: Easter Break (No School) April 30: Pass It On May 20: Last Day of School (Beginner - Sixth Grade) Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal. View 2024-25 Academic Calendar View Full School Calendar Other Important Reminders:* The ESD Fund is in full swing! Let's get 6th Grade to 100% Participation. Please consider a contribution of your choice. Click here to give now or get more information. Faculty and Staff Appreciation sponsored by sixth grade. Click here to sign up. Explore all other Volunteer opportunities here. As always, we encourage any questions, comments, or suggestions so that we can help you and your students finish the year strong! Warm regards, Amy Lobner (Grant P'29 and Alexandra P'31) & Bethany Reese (Robert P'31 and Lawler P'32)
Seventh Grade
Dear Seventh-Grade Families, Please see other important dates below: Grade-level Dates: February 8: Seventh/Eighth Grade Winter Formal (8:00-10:00 p.m., ESD Study Commons) Girls Pre-Party (Hosted by Collin & Erin Schuhmacher) Boys Pre-Party (Hosted by Natalie Godwin) More Details Coming Soon February 11: Seventh Grade Theater Show (10:20 a.m., Prontho Black Box Theater) Important Dates: February 7: Last Day of Winter Sports February 7: Quarter 3 Interim Check February 10: Spring Sports Begin February 14-17: Winter Break (No School) February 24: Spring Sports Team Order Deadline (The Eagles Nest) February 26: The Eagles Nest Conference Day Sale (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) February 26: Conference Day (Middle School Conferences are Student Led; No Classes) Looking Ahead: March 17-24: Spring Break (No School; Classes Resume on March 25) March 29: Day of Service - Events and Registration Details Here April 18-21: Easter Break (No School) April 30: Pass It On May 21-22: Seventh-Grade Exams May 23: Make-Up Exams (No School for students not taking make-up exams.) *Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal. View 2024-25 Academic Calendar View Full School Calendar Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or suggestions! Liza Schlitt & Renee Schwandt
Eighth Grade
Dear Eighth-Grade Families, Greetings from your ESPDA Eighth Grade Parent Reps! Please take a moment to read this month’s important dates and events. Grade-level Dates: February 8: Seventh/Eighth Grade Winter Formal (8:00-10:00 p.m., ESD Study Commons) Important Dates: February 7: Last Day of Winter Sports February 7: Quarter 3 Interim Check February 8: Seventh/Eighth Grade Winter Formal (8:00-10:00 p.m., ESD Study Commons) February 10: Spring Sports Begin February 14-17: Winter Break (No School) February 24: Spring Sports Team Order Deadline (The Eagles Nest) February 26: The Eagles Nest Conference Day Sale (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) February 26: Conference Day (Middle School Conferences are Student Led; No Classes) Looking Ahead: March 17-24: Spring Break (No School; Classes Resume on March 25) March 29: Day of Service - Events and Registration Details Here April 18-21: Easter Break (No School) April 30: Pass It On May 21-22: Seventh-Grade Exams May 23: Make-Up Exams (No School for students not taking make-up exams.) *Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal. View 2024-25 Academic Calendar View Full School Calendar Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with questions, concerns, or feedback that we can share with the Middle School Administration or the Parents Association. Thanks! Bonnie Merkt (Fred P’29 and Katie P'31) & Kristyn Ampofo (Taylor P'27, Devyn P'29, and Trey P'33)

Dean's Letters

Fifth Grade - Susan Wiles
*Click to open. August 28, 2024 September 24, 2024 October 22, 2024 November 20, 2024 January 14, 2025
Sixth Grade - Jane DeGrenier
*Click to open. August 28, 2024 September 24, 2024 October 22, 2024 November 20, 2024 January 14, 2025
Seventh Grade - Sarah Havins
*Click to open. August 28, 2024 September 24, 2024 October 22, 2024 November 20, 2024 January 14, 2025
Eighth Grade - Scott Goetsch
*Click to open. August 28, 2024 September 24, 2024 October 22, 2024 November 20, 2024 January 14, 2025