Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
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March 2022
- 2022-23 School Year information will be available on this page. Please check back soon.
Summer Resources
- Summer Reading Lists and Math Enrichment
- Textbook Ordering *Now Available*
- 2021-22 Sports Selection for Seventh and Eighth Graders
Summer Reading Lists and Math Enrichment
Middle school summer reading information is now available! And *NEW* optional math enrichment courses have been added to the Summer Reading page to ready your child for their upcoming academic year in mathematics.
Click Here for Middle School Summer Reading Lists and Math Enrichment Courses
Textbook Ordering *Now Available*
Families can now access the MBS Direct Virtual Bookstore for their 2021-22 textbook needs. Please click the link below to access. Middle school students must order textbooks for delivery prior to the start of school.
Questions about ordering textbooks? Please contact Joanne Nelson.
2021-22 Sports Selection for Seventh and Eighth Graders
Seventh and eighth graders participate in seasonal middle school athletics each school year. An email was sent out to families on June 14 from Jay Sothoron, Interim Middle School Sports Coordinator, with more details. Please reach out to him at sothoronj@esdallas.org with any questions.
All seventh and eighth grade fall sports will begin on August 18, the first day of school. Coaches will send email communication with all pertinent details before that time.
Orientation Schedules and Details
Fifth Grade
Agenda
Monday, August 16, 2021
Arrival: Orientation is on campus. Enter at the guard booth on Merrell Road and park in the main lot. Campus Safety Officers will be there to direct you.
8:30-9:00 a.m. [NEW Students Only]
Welcome and tech set-up, School House Study Commons.
8:30-9:00 a.m. [NEW Parents and Guardians]
New fifth grade parent/guardian meet and greet, Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities (the Frank Center), Lobby. This event is for families new to ESD for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school year.
9:00-9:40 a.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
ESD Parents Association (ESDPA) Back-to-School Coffee, Bray Performance Hall, Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities (First Floor).
9:40 a.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
Depart campus. Your student will remain on campus until carpool pickup at 3:00 p.m.
9:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. [ALL Students]
Students arrive at the Frank Center, meet in the Zachary Bell Theater (second floor) and progress around campus throughout the day.
2:30-3:00 p.m. [ALL Students]
Fifth Grade Back-to-School Party, Crespi Courtyard by the Quarry. Join your classmates for an ice cream party!
3:00 p.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
Enter campus on Merrell Road using the gate west of the guard booth and pick-up your child in carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist.
What to Bring
- Textbooks, if they have arrived.
- Locker accessories, if you would like to decorate your locker.
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress casually and comfortably; no uniforms required.
ACTION REQUIRED [NEW STUDENTS ONLY]
Make sure you have activated your digital student account prior to orientation. Reference the April 30, 2021 email sent from parentsupport@esdallas.org with the sender name ESD Middle and Upper School Office. The subject line was Action Required: Activate Digital Student Accounts.
How to Navigate Campus
Campus Map
Sixth Grade
Agenda
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Arrival: Orientation is on campus. Enter at the guard booth on Merrell Road and drop your student off via carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist and direct you.
10:00-11:15 a.m. [NEW Students Only]
New student welcome and tech set-up, School House Study Commons. Chromebooks will be issued at this time.
11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. [ALL Students]
Orientation, Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities (The Frank), Black BoxTheater (First Floor).
1:00 p.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
Return to campus for student pick-up. Enter campus on Merrell Road using the gate west of the guard booth and pick-up your child in carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist.
What to Bring
- Textbooks, if they have arrived.
- Locker accessories, if you would like to decorate your locker.
- Chromebooks (returning students only. New students will be issued Chromebooks at 8:30 a.m.)
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress casually and comfortably; no uniforms required.
ACTION REQUIRED [NEW STUDENTS ONLY]
Make sure you have activated your digital student account prior to orientation. Reference the April 30, 2021 email sent from parentsupport@esdallas.org with the sender name ESD Middle and Upper School Office. The subject line was Action Required: Activate Digital Student Accounts.
How to Navigate Campus
Campus Map
Seventh Grade
Agenda
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Arrival: Orientation is on campus. Enter at the guard booth on Merrell Road and drop your student off via carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist and direct you.
10:00-11:15 a.m. [NEW Students Only]
New student welcome and tech set-up, School House Study Commons. Chromebooks will be issued at this time.
11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. [ALL Students]
Orientation, Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities (The Frank), Zachary Bell Theater (Second Floor).
1:00 p.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
Return to campus for student pick-up. Enter campus on Merrell Road using the gate west of the guard booth and pick-up your child in carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist.
What to Bring
- Textbooks, if they have arrived.
- Locker accessories, if you would like to decorate your locker.
- Chromebooks (returning students only. New students will be issued Chromebooks at 10:00 a.m.)
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress casually and comfortably; no uniforms required.
ACTION REQUIRED [NEW STUDENTS ONLY]
Make sure you have activated your digital student account prior to orientation. Reference the April 30, 2021 email sent from parentsupport@esdallas.org with the sender name ESD Middle and Upper School Office. The subject line was Action Required: Activate Digital Student Accounts.
How to Navigate Campus
Campus Map
Eighth Grade
Agenda
Monday, August 16, 2021
Arrival: Orientation is on campus. Enter at the guard booth on Merrell Road and drop your student off via carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist and direct you.
2:00-3:00 p.m. [NEW Students Only]
Schoology and email set-up, School House Study Commons. Chromebooks will be issued at this time.
3:00-3:40 p.m. [ALL Students]
Colorado Trip Meeting, Susan M. Frank Center for Arts & Humanities, Zachary Bell Theater (Second Floor)
3:45-4:30 p.m. [ALL Students]
Orientation, School House Study Commons.
4:30 p.m. [ALL Parents and Guardians]
Return to campus for student pick-up. Enter campus on Merrell Road using the gate west of the guard booth, and pick-up your student in carpool. Campus Safety Officers will be there to assist.
What to Bring
- Textbooks, if they have arrived.
- Locker accessories, if you would like to decorate your locker.
- Chromebooks (returning students only. New students will be issued Chromebooks at 2:00 p.m.)
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress casually and comfortably; no uniforms required.
ACTION REQUIRED [NEW STUDENTS ONLY]
Make sure you have activated your digital student account prior to orientation. Reference the April 30, 2021 email sent from parentsupport@esdallas.org with the sender name ESD Middle and Upper School Office. The subject line was Action Required: Activate Digital Student Accounts.
How to Navigate Campus
Campus Map
Day-to-Day Information
- Uniforms and Spirit Wear
- Medical / Nurse's Station
- School Day Hours
- ESD+ Before and After School Programs and Extended Day
- Cell Phone and Chromebook Policies
- Middle School Handbook
- Academics and Curriculum
- Frequently Used Contacts
- How will ESD communicate with me?
Uniforms and Spirit Wear
UNIFORMS
Mills Uniform Company is the official uniform supplier for ESD. Uniforms can be purchased directly from Mills or through the ESD Uniform Resale Shop.
You may also purchase uniform pieces, excluding the skirt, at other retailers or resale stores as long as they match the stated guidelines.
P.E. Uniforms can be purchased at the Eagles Nest Campus Store. (Link below.)
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!
Medical / Nurse's Station
NEW FAMILIES
Lifetime immunization records are due May 21, 2021 and should be submitted using our electronic medical record system, Magnus, which can be accessed via the Veracross Parent Portal. Please note, your Magnus Health Portal login will use the same credentials as your Parent Portal login. You received an email on April 12, 2021 with your login credentials. Please contact parentsupport@esdallas.org.
View the Nurse's Letter for New Families for next school year by clicking here.
RETURNING FAMILIES
By August 1, 2021, please have your physician complete the 2021-22 Physical Form and upload it to your student's Magnus account. Forms should NOT be returned to the school. All students must have a new physical every year. Please note, your Magnus Health Portal login uses the same credentials as your Veracross Parent Portal.
Click Here to Access the
Magnus Health Portal
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.
School Day Hours
GRADES 5-6
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Carpool Drop-Off and Pick-Up: 7:00-8:20 a.m. and 3:30-4:00 p.m.
GRADES 7-8
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (4:00 p.m. for Athletics)
Carpool Drop-Off and Pick-Up: 7:00-8:20 a.m. and 3:30-4:00 p.m. (4:00-4:15 p.m. Athletics)
Supervised after school care is available until 6:00 p.m. at no cost. Please stay tuned for details.
ESD+ Before and After School Programs and Extended Day
The middle school years present a tremendous opportunity for students to explore a wide range of extracurricular activities. Many ESD students participate in an array of activities and attend extended day care after school under the tutelage of talented experts. ESD’s middle school faculty is full of expertise and loves putting that knowledge to use outside of regular school hours.
For more information on available programs and extended day care for middle school, visit our ESD+ Before and After School page.
Cell Phone and Chromebook Policies
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:
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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.
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Eighth grade students’ cell phones or smart watches must be TURNED OFF and placed in lockers during the entire day.
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Cell phones are NOT permitted in locker rooms for any purpose.
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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 insurance for one free replacement during the middle school years. After the first replacement, if a student damages his or her device, he or she must buy a replacement Chromebook through the school and it will be charged to the incidental student account in the Eagles Nest.
- 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. The School retains the right to search electronic devices when necessary if there is sufficient suspicion that said device contains inappropriate or illegal material.
Middle School Handbook
Academics and Curriculum
Visit our Middle School Academics page to learn more about the classes and curriculum for our middle school students.
Frequently Used Contacts
Head of Middle School - Jonathan Chein
cheinj@esdallas.org
Assistant Head of Middle School - Meg Fahrenbrook '01
fahrenbrookm@esdallas.org
Administrative Assistant to Head of Middle School/Registrar - Kristi Rayburn
rayburnk@esdallas.org
Attendance - msattendance@esdallas.org
Nurse - Marcia Biggs, RN
biggsm@esdallas.org
Emotional Wellness Counselor - Maricela Aquino, LMSW
aquinom@esdallas.org
Emotional Wellness Counselor - Amanda Sherman, LPC
shermana@esdallas.org
Learning Specialist - Adam Jones
jonesa@esdallas.org
Fifth Grade Dean - Ellen Neill
neille@esdallas.org
Sixth Grade Dean - Allison Darnell
darnella@esdallas.org
Seventh Grade Dean - Cassie Nutter
nutterc@esdallas.org
Eighth Grade Dean - Scott Goetsch
goetschs@esdallas.org
How will ESD communicate with me?
PARENT NEWSLETTERS EVERY MONTH:
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On the first, second, and fifth Monday of the month, you will receive an email with the subject line "ESD News You Can Use." It will be sent from Julie Clardy, Director of Communications.
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On the third Monday of the month, you will receive an email with the subject line "ESD Dates You Can Use." It will be sent from Julie Clardy, Director of Communications.
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On the fourth Monday of the month, you will receive an email from your child's home room teacher (lower school) or Grade Level Dean (middle and upper school).
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Grade Rep emails are sent mid-month.
If you are not receiving these emails and have checked your spam filter, please contact Katie Voss, Communications Associate, at vossk@esdallas.org.
Health and Safety Information
- June 1: On Campus Protocol Updates
- July 13: Upper School Sports Protocol Updates
- August 12: Health and Safety Protocols Update
June 1: On Campus Protocol Updates
June 1, 2021
Dear ESD Community,
As health conditions in Dallas continue to improve, ESD’s Health and Safety Committee has decided to ease our COVID-related protocols further. Beginning today, Tuesday, June 1, the following guidelines will be in place:
- Campus is open to visitors.
- As was the case before the pandemic, all visitors (during the summer, this includes students not enrolled in summer session, parents, and alumni) must check in with the security guard at Gate 3 or the front reception desk on Merrell Road.
- All individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, should have a mask with them while on campus.
- Masks are not required while using outdoor spaces.
- Anyone who is fully vaccinated will not be required to wear a mask in most indoor locations.
- Masks will still be required indoors for all fully vaccinated people if they are participating in an activity or meeting in an enclosed space (office, conference room, or classroom) with six or more people.
- All non-vaccinated people should wear masks when indoors except when they are alone in an office or classroom.
- Protocols specific to summer camps and classes will be shared directly with participants and their parents.
Thank you in advance to all community members for your continued respect and care for each other as we adjust our protocols. Collectively we must do what we can to protect the variety of health concerns and risks among our community members. If someone you are interacting with asks you to wear a mask, please abide by their request.
The Health and Safety Committee will continue to meet this summer, and I will issue and share new guidelines if conditions change.
Have a great summer, Eagles!
Onward and upward,
David L. Baad
Hobson Family Head of School
July 13: Upper School Sports Protocol Updates
July 13, 2021
Dear Upper School Families,
The Health and Safety Committee is happy to report that they anticipate no restrictions on athletic activities as we start the fall sports season. However, some sports will be holding overnight camps in the coming weeks and since these include residential settings, extra protocols have been put in place specifically for overnight travel.
For the time being, the Health and Safety Committee will be requiring each person (player or coach/support personnel) involved in overnight travel to provide the trainers and head coach one of the following in advance:
- Proof of full vaccination
- A positive anti-body test taken within ten days of the start of camp
- A negative PCR test taken within three days of the start of camp
Until stated otherwise, these protocols will also apply to overnight trips throughout the season. Be on the lookout for a comprehensive email regarding summer updates and additional fall sports information later this month. We thank you for your cooperation and look forward to a great year.
Go Eagles!
Dan Gill
Director of Athletics
August 12: Health and Safety Protocols Update
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Virtual Events
- Moving Up Meetings Overview
- Moving Up to Fifth Grade
- Moving Up to Sixth Grade
- Moving Up to Seventh Grade
- Moving Up to Eighth Grade
- Ways to Get Involved
- VIDEO: Welcome Incoming Fifth Graders!
Moving Up Meetings Overview
Moving to the next grade in middle school is an exciting time, but it can also create questions about who your advisors and teachers will be, what classes you will take, and what to expect throughout the year. We have put together videos, presentations and other resources for each grade level to help get you ready for the next school year.
Explore what Daily Worship, Emotional Wellness, and Learning Support is like for our middle schoolers in the videos below, or navigate the grade-specific drop-down menus below for presentation recordings and dean information.
Daily Worship
Emotional Wellness
Learning Support
Moving Up to Fifth Grade
Moving Up to Sixth Grade
Moving Up to Seventh Grade
Moving Up to Eighth Grade
Ways to Get Involved
From Summer Socials and Fall Parent Parties to Back-to-School Coffees and Grade-Level Parties, the ESD Parents' Association provides plenty of opportunities for families to get involved!
Read a welcome letter from Liza Schlitt, ESDPA's New Family Chair, with more information on all of these events (and more!) below.
VIDEO: Welcome Incoming Fifth Graders!
Enrollment Information
How to Enroll
NEW FAMILIES
Please check your email inbox for the enrollment and tuition agreement sent from the Office of Admission.
RETURNING FAMILIES
The re-enrollment deadline for the 2021-22 school year was February 22. If you have any further questions regarding enrollment, please contact Shelle Montgomery at montgomerys@esdallas.org.
Tuition
NEW FAMILIES
Please refer to the tuition insert in your acceptance packet. You can also reference our Tuition page for more information.
RETURNING FAMILIES
For questions about Student Billing, please contact studentbilling@esdallas.org.
New Student Account Setup
Welcome new students! An email was sent to your parents/guardians on April 29 with your new student account setup details including your username and password. Please reference that email for step-by-step account setup instructions. The final step in account setup is accessing Schoology. The video below, also included in the account setup email, will walk you through the process.
If your family did not receive the email with your credentials, please contact parentsupport@esdallas.org for assistance.