Middle School Division News
Important Dates & Action Items
| April 23 - ESDPA Speaker Series: Dr. Twenge (7:00 p.m., Bray Performance Hall) | ||
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Join us for an engaging presentation by Dr. Jean Twenge, a leading psychologist and author of Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents and What They Mean for America’s Future and contributor to the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. All ESD parents and faculty are invited to attend. This is a session that will resonate with parents of children in every age range. Dr. Twenge will discuss the complexities of generational shifts and how they shape society by analyzing how technological advancements and resulting social changes have influenced the personalities, behaviors and values of different generations. Comparing different generations, she will highlight how the digital age has exacerbated feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression, especially among Gen Z. Drawing on her extensive research, Dr. Twenge will explore how smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity have reshaped not only the way we interact with one another but also how we experience the world and perceive ourselves. Dr. Twenge will offer practical advice on fostering healthy relationships with technology by urging families to be intentional about its use while strengthening meaningful offline connections and speculate on how past generational differences will shape America’s future. This timely presentation will offer critical insight into the challenges facing the current generation and the long-term effects of growing up in a digital world. Whether you have a young child with little access to technology – limited to a smartwatch and/or group chats, or a high schooler who can't stop scrolling through social media, this presentation is for you. This meeting will be held in the Bray Performance Hall at 7:00 p.m. |
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| April 23 - Eagles Real Estate Club (5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Claremont Neighborhood Grill) | ||
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Established in 2021, the Eagles Real Estate Club hosts quarterly meetings to connect ESD alumni and parents working in the real estate industry. Hosted by Emma Cabrales ‘18, Trey Scardino ’16, Stephen Swann ’93 P’24,’27,’29, and Libby Laughlin Wood ‘15, the goal of the club is to bring together the ESD community for networking and future business opportunities. Join the club for a happy hour on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., hosted by Brad Berkley P’26,’28, at Claremont Neighborhood Grill. |
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| April 26 - Quarry Clean-Up In Honor of Earth Day: Grades 5-6 | ||
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Fifth and sixth-grade students are invited to join us in a quarry clean-up in honor of Earth Day weekend. Please RSVP to attend. (30 spaces available; parents may join their students.) View flyer for details. Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Gloves, garbage bags, and a light breakfast will be provided. |
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| April 30 - Pass It On Ceremony (10:00 a.m.) | ||
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Established in 1978, the Pass It On ceremony invites the graduating senior class to reverently pass their light, the spirit of ESD, to the incoming freshman class (current eighth-graders), welcoming them to the upper school.
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| May 3 - Annual Eagle Laureate Dinner (6:00 p.m., Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons) | ||
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The Eagle Laureate Dinner honors the exemplary faculty and staff at The Episcopal School of Dallas and gives ESD alumni an opportunity to thank them for their time, dedication and commitment to our school. Those who have served ESD for 20 or more years are honored and inducted into the Keri Scholtz Hall ‘87 Convocation. Annually, the Alumni Association also recognizes faculty and staff members who have perpetuated the Founding Tenets of ESD while profoundly impacting the lives of countless students with the Inspirit Accolade award. To date, one hundred and thirty-six faculty and staff members who have served The Episcopal School of Dallas for twenty or more years have been inducted into the Keri Scholtz Hall ‘87 Convocation. This year, we will add two more dedicated members:
Annually, we also recognize individuals who have perpetuated the Founding Tenets of ESD while profoundly impacting the lives of countless students with the Inspirit Accolade Award. Our 2025 Inspirit Accolade Honorees are:
View the full list of Keri Scholtz Hall ‘87 Convocation Members and Inspirit Accolade Honorees here. |
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| May 5 & 9 - ESD Annual Spring Swing Tournaments | ||
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Join us for our annual ESD Spring Swing Tournaments hosted by the ESD Alumni Association and Booster Club! By taking a swing, proceeds from the tournaments directly benefit the Mary Elizabeth Williams Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Booster Club Tuition Assistance Fund. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are open to all ESD parents. The golf tournament will be hosted on Monday, May 5, at Trinity Forest Golf Club. The tennis and pickleball tournaments will be hosted on Friday, May 9, at the Harrison Family Tennis Center at The Episcopal School of Dallas. Visit our Spring Swing Tournaments website to register and for additional information on sponsorship opportunities. Please contact Asia Hawkins ‘13, Director of Alumni, with any questions. |
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| May 9-10 - Sports Fellowship: Moody YMCA Track Meet | ||
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Are you interested in participating in the Moody YMCA Track Meet? This event is open to First through Sixth Graders and will take place on May 9-10 at Germany Park! Please contact Alex Klitsch for more information. Please sign up for the ESD roster here. |
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| May 15 - Flynn O'Hara On-Campus Sizing Day | ||
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A Flynn O’Hara sizing specialist will be on campus to take measurements for your student to ensure the best fit when you are ready to order or purchase new uniform items. Please note that this is a sizing opportunity; there will not be samples available for trying on at this event.
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| June 1 - Summer Reading Release | ||
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Please check the Getting Ready pages on June 1 for summer reading requirements. |
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| June 20 & 27 - Flynn O'Hara In-Store ESD Sizing and Shopping Days | ||
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The Flynn O’Hara Store will be open exclusively for ESD families on these days.
To ensure your Flynn O’Hara shopping experience is efficient and pleasant, a SignUp Genius will be shared soon to reserve your visit time.
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All School News & Updates
| April 23, 2025 Uniform Update: Vendor Details & Item Availability |
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The Flynn O'Hara Storefront is Now Open Availability of Uniform Items at Flynn O'Hara
For uniform policy questions and clarifications:
For uniform provider questions and interim uniform issues (i.e. the zipper just broke on my student's last uniform skirt; my student has outgrown their pants; what do they wear until Flynn O’Hara bottoms are available?)
For more information on the 15% educator discount, learn more here. |
| Summer Sports Camps with ESD Coaches |
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Join your favorite ESD coaches and program directors this summer for sports camps. Enhance your skills or learn a new sport from the Coaches your student will play for during the school year. |
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To volunteer, please visit esdallas.org/parents.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9. We need your help in showing the Middle School teachers and staff some love!! In addition to some school-wide celebrations, we will stock the break room with drinks and treats on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9. This is a fun and easy way to contribute and help, especially if you haven’t had a chance to do so this year. They genuinely love these days and feel so special coming in each day. Please see the SignUpGenius below for sign-up dates. If you have any questions, text or email Amy Laws or Susan O’Neal.
VOLUNTEER TO BRING BREAKROOM SNACKS HERE
| Middle School Division Rep Welcome |
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Hi Middle School Parents! I hope you all have had a wonderful Spring thus far! It's hard to believe, but the school year is quickly coming to a close. What a fantastic 50th anniversary year this has been! While we're all looking forward to summer, please take a moment to review your parent rep letters so you don't miss any important events that will occur from now until the end of the school year. And as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your grade reps if you have any questions. Go Eagles! 2025-26 Middle School Division Coordinator: Lauren Stewart |
| Fifth Grade |
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Dear Fifth-Grade Families, We cannot believe the year is almost over. Kids had a super successful trip to Galveston and have continued to be complimented as an amazing class all year. Coming up, fifth graders will take ERBs the week after Easter. There is one more senior buddy event, and, of course, an end-of-the-year party. All with more details to follow. It has been a wonderful first year of middle school, and we've enjoyed being your parent reps. As always, please reach out if you have any questions! Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
View your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal and 2024-25 Academic Calendar here. As always, don't hesitate if you have any questions! Kate Britain (Wallace P'32) & Ashely Russell (Ridley P'32) 2025-26 Fifth-Grade Grade Reps: Jennifer Carter and Reena Patel |
| Sixth Grade |
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Dear Sixth-Grade Families, What an incredible year it’s been! As we head into the final stretch, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support, enthusiasm, and involvement. It’s been a joy to watch our students grow, learn, and support one another throughout the year. As we head into these final weeks, we’re looking forward to celebrating all that has been accomplished. Be sure to check out the important dates and volunteer opportunities below—we’re thankful for all the ways you continue to support our students and school community. Wishing you a fun, relaxing, and joyful summer ahead. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of this school year! Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
View your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal and 2024-25 Academic Calendar here. Other Important Reminders:
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions; we're here to support you and your children as we finish the year strong! Warm regards, Amy Lobner (Grant P'29 and Alexandra P'31) & Bethany Reese (Robert P'31 and Lawler P'32) 2025-26 Sixth-Grade Grade Reps: Shelby Fatouh and Courtney Stakem |
| Seventh Grade |
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Dear Seventh-Grade Families, Please see below for important dates. Reminder, our move up meeting is May 1. See details below. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thanks for letting us be your grade reps this year. Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
View your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal and 2024-25 Academic Calendar here. 2025-26 Seventh-Grade Grade Reps: Erin Hinze and Nicolette Lamont |
| Eighth Grade |
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Dear Eighth-Grade Families, Well, this is our final eighth-grade parent newsletter! This year has passed in a flash – and somehow, we are all on the verge of being parents of high schoolers! We have really enjoyed being your parent reps over the past year, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for this class in the next four years! Before we take our formal leave from Middle School, however, please take a moment to review important dates and events for the rest of the school year! Grade-level Dates
Important Dates:
View your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal and 2024-25 Academic Calendar here. NOTE: Summer Camp Registration is open and can be accessed through your Veracross Parent Portal. As always, 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. Enjoy these final weeks of Eighth Grade, and we hope you all have an absolutely fantastic summer! Bonnie Merkt (Fred P’29 and Katie P'31) & Kristyn Ampofo (Taylor P'27, Devyn P'29, and Trey P'33) 2025-26 Eighth-Grade Grade Rep: Jomita Fleming and Dawn Perkins |
Dean's Letters
| Fifth Grade - Susan Wiles |
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| Sixth Grade - Jane DeGrenier |
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| Seventh Grade - Sarah Havins |
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| Eighth Grade - Scott Goetsch |
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