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August 31, 2015 Happy Monday, Eagles! We hope everyone had a great first week back at school! Please click on the respective link below to access division-specific information.   
 September Virtue of the Month: Compassion
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Please click here for a list of running dates through September 30. Tech Training for Parents ESD's website is now responsive and loaded with resources! Tap here for a quick overview. For those of you who would like more info and insight:
Learn how to use Schoology, navigate the website and private parent portal, and maximize the ESD calendars (and add the ones you want to your devices). Presenters include Mary Hansell, Director of Educational Technology, and Jamie Mitcham, Digital Communications Specialist. - Please bring your own device to the meeting. WiFi will be available.
- Parents are welcome to attend any session at either location.
- Click here to reserve your spot today! Merrell Road Campus (all sessions will be in the South Dining Room in the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons) - Wednesday, September 2 at 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 4 at 8:15 a.m.
- Thursday, September 10 at 8:15 a.m.
Lower School (both sessions will be held in the Dining Commons) - Tuesday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 11 at 8:15 a.m.
Save the Dates! Artist as Teacher; Teacher as Artist Reception - Friday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. Join fine arts faculty from ESD and 19 other area independent schools for a reception and exhibition featuring their personal artwork. The event will be hosted in the Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities on the Merrell Road Campus. Everyone is welcome!  ESDPA Speaker Series - Monday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP! Julie Lythcott-Haims, acclaimed author of How to Raise an Adult and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University, will share research, conversations she's had with educators, and her own insights as a student dean to highlight the ways in which overparenting harms children. Lythcott Haims says parenting today focuses too heavily on external measures of success and robs children of opportunities to develop independence and resiliency. Lythcott-Haims will offer practical alternative strategies - relevant to parents of toddlers, elementary-aged children and teens - that ensure the next generation can ultimately take charge of their own lives. Momentus Institute Speaker, Jessica Lahey - Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. We live in the age of helicopter parents and tiger moms. But, more and more, the evidence shows that by doing everything we can to protect our cherished children from failure we are, in fact, not giving them the tools they need to succeed. In her book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed, Jessica Lahey offers a powerful manifesto and action plan for parents, educators, and others who are preparing the next generation for the world ahead. This event is open to the entire ESD community. Ways to Be Involved! Concession Stand Volunteers
The ESD Booster Club is parent volunteers to staff the concession stands at upcoming JV and varsity games. Please click on the respective links to sign up. Questions? Please contact Alexandra Lovitt. Serve Breakfast on the Merrell Road Campus with the Dads' Partnership Come enjoy a hot meal with your child and their friends while serving breakfast on the Merrell Road Campus. This is a great way for dads to interact with the Merrell Road Campus teachers and spend some time with the students before they head off to class. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Jeff Lindsey or AJ Chabria. Fall Eagle's Lacrosse Registration Now Open Open to boys and girls in grades three through 12, Eagle's Lacrosse allows students of all abilities the opportunity to fine-tune their skills and improve their overall performance. Practices for girls start on Sunday, September 13; boys begin practices on Sunday, September 20. Please click here to register your student-athlete today.
Back-to-School Night - Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 p.m. (students are welcome to attend!) No Drama Discipline Book Discussion for Parents
Lower School faculty and staff were delighted by the number of parents who joined us as we read Dr. Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson's book No Drama Discipline this summer. During the in-service week, teachers took a deep dive into this text and are working to implement numerous strategies to increase mindfulness with our students. In an effort to continue to build home-school connections, we invite all interested parents to the Lower School for a two-part book club discussion with Dr. Rhonda Vincent, Kelly Slaven, Dr. Cara Holmes, and Chelle Wabrek.
- Wednesday, September 9 at 8:15 a.m. Chapters 1 - 3, Brain Based Research in Action
- Wednesday, September 16 at 8:15 a.m. Chapters 4 -6, Practical Ways to "Connect" Before We "Redirect"
This is an excellent opportunity for faculty and parents to team up to create shared approaches and vocabulary that allow our children to train their brains for a positive start to the year. While you are always welcome, you do not need to attend both sessions to participate. We ask that you RSVP to this event so we can get an estimate on how people many to expect. Bright Starts with Chelle Wabrek Join Chelle Wabrek for coffee from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. to discuss important topics specific to Lower School. Events are in the Lower School Theater. All are welcome! Please tap here to RSVP. - Wednesday, October 14: Literacy Assessment
- Tuesday, November 10: Making Sense of Math
Chess Anyone?
Chess Club will meet for the first time this year on Friday, September 11 from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. in the Lower School Dining Commons. Chess Club is open for all students in Primer through fourth grade. Click here to download the registration form and return it at the front office. Questions? Please contact Zora Skelton.
Girls on the Run Calling all third and fourth-grade girls! Girls on the Run will start on Monday, September 14 and meet every Monday and Wednesday through November. Each meeting will run from 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Questions? Please contact Carla Thomas. You can also click here for information about the program. Jumpers in Training
Does your child like to jump rope or would they like to learn? If so, please join Mrs. Brockhagen and members of the Just Skip It team to learn the fundamentals of jumping rope. All practices will be held from 3:30 - 4:30 in the Lower School Gymnasium (click here for practice dates). Please email Kris Brockhagen if your student plans to participate. 
Back-to-School ESDPA Parent Coffees Parents, you're invited: September 1: ESDPA Parent Coffee for Fifth and Sixth Grade, 8:15 a.m.
September 2: ESDPA Parent Coffee for Seventh and Eighth Grade, 8:15 a.m. "The Middle Matters" with Mike Jenkins Join Head of Middle School, Mike Jenkins, for coffee and an informal discussion about what to expect throughout the year. These sessions are not unique to certain grade levels; all parents are welcome to attend any event. Both events will be held from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. in the North Dining Room of the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons. Please RSVP for these events as space is limited. - Thursday, October 1
- Thursday, December 3
Middle School Spirit Socks By popular demand, the Middle School spirit socks, being sold by the Junior Class in support of Senior Prom, will be available at the Back-to-School coffees this week. Quantities are limited; if you are interested, please be sure to grab a pair soon! 
ESDPA Parent Coffee for All Upper School - Thursday, September 3 at 8:00 a.m. Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. China Trip Info Session for Parents We are pleased to announce plans for a student trip to China next summer, led by Dr. Donna Hull and three additional faculty members. Students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the time of the trip and who are in good academic and disciplinary standing are eligible to apply. A meeting for all interested students will be held on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Zachary Bell Theater. "Talking Up Top" Lunches with Dr. Hull Parents are welcome to attend an informal lunch with Dr. Donna Hull, Head of Upper School, to learn more about the curriculum and what to expect each year. Each lunch will be from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the North Dining Room of the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons. Please RSVP for these events as space is limited. - Class of 2019 - Wednesday, September 16
- Class of 2018 - Tuesday, October 13
- Class of 2017 - Wednesday, November 4
- Class of 2016 - Tuesday, December 8
From the Desk of Jerry Reese, Director of Athletics Dear ESD Families, It’s been a fun couple of weeks having the students back on campus. The Eagles celebrated several great successes at the varsity level during the opening week as volleyball defeated Parish, 3-0; field hockey opened their season with a 3-2 non-conference win over Fort Worth Country Day; and football put on an awesome display in the team’s 53-14 win over Houston Second Baptist. Of note, too, were the number of fantastic fans who traveled two hours to watch the football team and cheerleaders. To read the rest of Jerry's letter, including some upcoming games and events, please click here. |
