4:15 p.m. Course Selection 101

5:00 p.m. New Middle School Family Welcome Event

RSVP Here

• May 11 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Fifth Grade Students and Families (Pavillion)
• May 11 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Seventh Grade Students and Families (Pavillion

About ESD+:

ESD+ offers teacher-led programs ranging from 6-8 weeks to year-long activities. All middle school programs take place on campus and are facilitated by ESD faculty and staff. Students wishing to form or lead their own clubs are encouraged to do so. 

The middle school years present a tremendous opportunity for students to explore a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Many students participate in an array of ESD+ activities and extended day programs facilitated by our talented and passionate middle school faculty that love putting their knowledge to use outside of the classroom. 

A link will appear in this location during the Fall Term registration period.

Details coming soon.

2024-25 Academic Calendar

As follow-up to the uniform email sent on February 8, please note the following:

• No action can be taken at this time on the Dennis website.
• Dennis Uniform has not yet created ESD’s school account code. As soon as our school code is created, it will be activated and shared with our community. We expect this to happen in April or May.

• Once the school code is activated (late spring) parents may create a Dennis account.

• June 1, 2024 is the anticipated date our uniform account will go live and orders may be placed. 

Middle and Upper School:

• Current uniform skirts, shorts, and pants will no longer be a part of ESD’s uniform after this school year.

• Beginning the 2024-25 school year, uniform bottoms (skirts, shorts, pants) must be purchased through Dennis Uniform. These items will be available for purchase June 1, 2024.

• All uniform pieces and accessories, except shoes, will be available for purchase from Dennis Uniform beginning June 1. 

• The updated skirt style is in the ESD plaid, has two pleats in the front and back, a wide drop adjustable waist, one small pocket, and built-in spandex shorts. The price ranges from $50 to $60, depending on size (see photo below).

• The flat front shorts and pants are made in a gray performance twill fabric. Price ranges from $35 to $45, depending on size (see photo). Boy and girl fits will be available.

• Shoes within uniform guidelines will be purchased elsewhere. No change to uniform shoe guidelines.

• No action at this time, ESD’s school code and account has not yet been activated. We will share this info when it becomes available.

MIDDLE SCHOOL:

• Beginning the 2024-25 school year, skirts, pants, and shorts worn this school year (2023-24) will no longer be part of the uniform. 

• In order to have consistency of appearance among our students, Dennis will serve as the only provider of ESD uniform bottoms. All uniform bottoms - skirts, pants, shorts, tights, and leggings -  must be purchased through Dennis Uniform.  

• Skirts and shorts may not be altered or hemmed. 

• New uniform bottoms: performance tech flat front pants, performance tech flat front shorts, and the new style skirt in the ESD plaid will be available for purchase beginning June 2024.

• Pants and shorts are available in both boys and girls styles.

• Updated polo options, with or without the ESD monogram, in performance tech fabric, unisex and feminine fit, will be available through Dennis.

• Dennis will offer all other uniform pieces including the navy blazer for boys and girls, performance tech navy polo with or without the ESD monogram, oxford shirts, socks, accessories, leggings, and outerwear.

• Shoes meeting uniform guidelines (see shoe drop down below) should be purchased elsewhere.

February

• MS/US uniform updates announced. No action can be taken at this time. Dennis Uniform will not provide our school code or the ability to set up an account until late spring. A separate communication with account set up instructions will be sent later this spring. 

April

• Dennis will host an “open house” on campus for sizing, seeing full uniform samples, and learning more about Dennis Uniform.

• Information regarding the discount program for purchasing new bottoms will be shared.

• Families may apply for financial assistance beyond the discount process.

May

• Donation program for gently worn skirts.

• Dennis to share online account setup information and school code with ESD parents; Uniforms will be available to view online at this time.  

June

• June 1, 2024: Dennis Uniform online and in-store purchasing for ESD uniforms open.

Dennis Uniform Provider

• An “open house” on campus for students and parents to see the uniform pieces and to determine sizing

• Exceptional Dennis customer service

• Brick and mortar store

• Online shopping

• Performance tech fabric for shirts, shorts and pants (skirts in 2025)

• Performance tech polos (navy for middle school, white for upper school, and, sky blue and yellow for seniors only) with or without the ESD monogram

• A durable, easy care navy blazer

• ESD plaid jumpers and skirts made in a lighter, more flexible fabric

Examples of approved vs. unapproved shoes for both formal and everyday use. 

P.E. UNIFORMS AND SPIRIT WEAR

The Eagles Nest campus store has gone virtual! Get your spirit wear essentials like P.E. uniforms, shirts, outerwear, embroidered bows, hats, and a little bit of everything else. A limited selection of spirit wear items can also be found in the Resale Shop. Check us out on Instagram @eaglesnestesd for information regarding sales, curbside hour updates, and new items.

Eagles Nest Campus Store

ESD+ offers before and after school interest-based programs such as film, fishing, French, youth and government and more, for middle school students. These programs are led by middle school faculty and meet weekly throughout the school year.

ESD+ Extended Day provides a monitored time and space, before and after school, for middle school students to engage in a variety of activities such as working on homework with classmates, playing games, meeting with teachers, bonding with classmates, and more. This program is offered free of charge.

Registration for programs and extended day opens mid August at esdallas.org/esdplus.

More ESD+ Information

Have fun and meet new ESD friends at summer camp. Camps start May 28 and run through August. Details and registration at esdallas.org/summercamp. 

More Information Here in May

Textbooks

Textbook ordering is through MBS Direct and opens on July 1. Free shipping is typically offered the first week in August. Please allow up to 2 weeks for shipping and make sure to place your orders by August 1 so they arrive by the first day of school.

No schedule is needed to purchase books. All students take the same core subjects in each middle school grade. 

TEXTBOOK ORDERS

School Supplies

Supplies are included in tuition and issued to students during orientation. If additional supplies are needed for a specific course, teachers will contact parents. All students are encouraged to have a backpack and reusable water bottle.

2024-25 Academic Calendar

GRADES 5-6
School Hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

GRADES 7-8
School Hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. for Athletics

CARPOOL INFORMATION COMING SOON.

Supervised after-school care is available for grades 5-8 until 6:00 p.m. at no cost. 

ESD+ After School Care

CELL PHONE POLICY

The middle school years are a critical developmental stage for students, and interacting with one another, face to face, is an essential part of that development. Students in grades five through seven are not permitted to have cell phones or smart watches on campus. This policy covers phones, smart watches, and other portable or wearable devices. Use of these devices is an eighth grade privilege and, as such, can be revoked in cases of non-compliance with these guidelines:

• Eighth grade students are permitted to bring these devices to school, but may not be used from the time they arrive on campus until 3:25 p.m.

• Eighth grade students’ cell phones or smart watches must be TURNED OFF and placed in lockers during the entire day.

• Cell phones are NOT permitted in locker rooms for any purpose.

• Should a student fail to follow these guidelines, the device may be picked up by a parent in the Middle School Office.

If a student needs to contact his or her parents, he or she may do so in the Middle School Office on a school phone. If a parent needs to contact a child, he or she may contact the Middle School Office at (214) 358-5847.
 

CHROMEBOOK POLICY

• All middle school students use school-managed Chromebooks. Having a single platform environment allows teachers to use the device as a learning tool, and having managed Chromebooks allows the School to push out applications that all students need to use. These are the only devices permitted on campus during the academic day except by written permission from the Division Head.

• Upon entering middle school at ESD, each student will be issued a school-managed Chromebook with the cost included in tuition. This includes a case and a four year warranty with accidental damage protection. In cases of intentional damage, a replacement will be issued and the cost will be charged to the student’s incidental account in the Eagles Nest.

• If a student’s Chromebook is malfunctioning, they should visit the Gill Library. A librarian will help diagnose the issue, coordinate repair, and issue a loaner if necessary. Disciplinary consequences may apply to students who routinely check out a Chromebook or charger because they forgot theirs at home.

• Chromebooks should arrive at school fully charged each day.

• Students are expected to have their own set of headphones each day. With that in mind, part of being in a community is being present, and, as such, use of headphones, including AirPods, should only be used under the direction of a teacher. They should not be worn in the Schoolhouse Commons or other community places.

• In and out of the classroom, students must use their electronic devices in keeping with the RUP and the Code of Conduct. Students are encouraged not to leave these devices unattended on campus at any time because they may become lost or stolen. Students should put their names on these devices and keep the provided case on the Chromebook at all times. The School retains the right to search electronic devices when necessary if there is sufficient suspicion that said device contains inappropriate or illegal material.

The middle school handbook is available in your Veracross Parent Portal. 

Head of Middle School - Jonathan Chein
cheinj@esdallas.org 

Assistant Head of Middle School - Allison Darnell
darnella@esdallas.org

Administrative Assistant to Head of Middle School/Registrar - Kristi Rayburn
rayburnk@esdallas.org 

Attendance Notifications/Carpool Changes - Veracross
Veracross Parent Portal

Nurse - Marcia Biggs, RN
biggsm@esdallas.org

Emotional Wellness Counselors:
Maricela Aquino, LMSW (Grades 5-7)
aquinom@esdallas.org
Mary Ellen Davison (Grades 8-9)
davisonm@esdallas.org

Social Emotional Learning Coordinator - Becca Gwinn
gwinnr@esdallas.org

Learning Specialist - Adam Jones
jonesa@esdallas.org

Fifth Grade Dean - Susan Wiles
wiless@esdallas.org

Sixth Grade Dean - Jane DeGrenier
degrenierj@esdallas.org

Seventh Grade Dean - Sarah Havins
nutterc@esdallas.org

Eighth Grade Dean - Scott Goetsch
goetschs@esdallas.org

• Every Monday (or the first day of the week school is in session) during the school year, you will receive an email with the subject line "ESD News You Can Use." It will be sent from Jackie Robertson, Associate Director of Communications and Marketing.

• On the last Tuesday of the month, you will receive an email from your grade-level dean.

If you are not receiving these emails and have checked your spam filter, please contact our support team at parentsupport@esdallas.org.

MAY 24, 2024 is the deadline to submit the lifetime immunization record. (New families only)

AUGUST 1, 2024 is the deadline to submit all supplemental medical forms including annual physicals. Please have your physician complete the Annual Physical Form. All students must have a new physical every year. 

All medical records and forms must be submitted through Magnus Health through the Veracross parent portal. Login to Veracross, scroll down to the Resources section, and click Student Health Forms (Magnus). We cannot accept forms sent directly to the school. 

Veracross Parent Portal Login to Access Magnus Health

Magnus Health is the provider of our secure web-based electronic medical record system and your child’s health records will be initiated online. This information is HIPAA and FERPA protected and is unique to each student.

Tuition and billing information can be accessed from your Veracross parent portal.

Student Accident Insurance

Tuition Refund Insurance

ESD uses the Veracross system for our Parent Portal. Below you will find step-by-step guides to help you best utilize this resource.
 

Navigating Your Parent Portal (General)

How to View Student Schedules and Advisory

How to Add Veracross to Your Smartphone Home Screen

You can access school, student-specific, and household-specific calendars on our website and in your Veracross Parent Portal. See below for guides on how to best access these tools.

How to Add School Calendars to Your Phone

Subscribe to Your Household Calendar: Apple

Subscribe to Your Household Calendar: Google

Training documents are available in your Veracross parent portal, on the Help Desk landing page shown below. If you have additional questions that are not answered in the training material, please email parentsupport@esdallas.org.