Middle School News
Important Dates & Action Items
| December - STUCO's MS Christmas Celebration |
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Announcing the Student Council’s Christmas Celebration for Middle School:
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| December 1 - *DEADLINE* to Apply for Tuition Assistance |
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Announcing a NEW Tuition Assistance Platform, Clarity, for the 2026-2027 school year! The Episcopal School of Dallas is committed to making an ESD education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. To make the process easier for you, we are proud to introduce the Clarity Application as our new tuition assistance system. Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile-friendly platform that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Additionally, Clarity eliminates the need for families to upload their personal tax return(s) and W-2(s), as they are transferred directly from the IRS. Family Information Sessions (Webinars) All parents are invited to a family information session to learn more about completing the Clarity application. Please click on the link below to review a recording of a 2025 Financial Aid Family Info Night Webinar. Recordings of previous 2025 Family Webinars:
The tuition assistance deadline for ESD returning families is December 1, 2025. Please contact Shelle Montgomery, Director of Data Processing Systems and Tuition Assistance, with any questions. |
| December 1 - Winter Holiday Camp Registration Opens |
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Christmas Futsal Camp
Give your player the gift of playing futsal for Christmas! Get more touches on the ball and have tons of fun! Open to ESD students and non-student siblings. Registration closes December 23. Holiday Basketball Camp
Join Coach Henderson, 23-year Basketball Program Director, four-time Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABBC) Coach of the Year, three-time ESD SPC State Champion Coach, former Texas A&M star, and Perth Australia Pro. Let’s make basketball fun while experiencing and working on the fundamentals and skills of the game through backyard games, kickball basketball, 3-on-3, 5-on-5, and lots of shooting, passing, and dribbling go-drills! Open to ESD students and non-student siblings. Registration closes December 23. Registration is through your MyESD Parent Portal At 5:00 p.m., a Winter Camps button will appear in your portal. |
| December 1-12 - MS Holiday Food Box Drive |
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We are gearing up for the annual MS Holiday Food Box Drive. This is a group activity where each advisory is tasked with filling two boxes with food items from the attached list. Please make sure your items are turned in to your advisor by Friday, December 12. For any questions, please contact our Director of Community Service Learning, Courtney Phelps.
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| December 5 - *DEADLINE* to Donate to Faculty and Staff Holiday Gift Fund |
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The ESD Parents’ Association Happy Holiday! Gift Fund is the simplest and most equitable way to celebrate every member of our faculty and staff. Rather than individual gifts, we encourage families to contribute to this fund, which will serve as your Holiday Gift — one easy click ensures that each teacher and staff member receives a gift at their annual holiday celebration this month. |
| December 7 - ExploreESD Open House (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.) |
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Do you know a family that would be a great addition to our community? Invite them to our Explore ESD Open House on December 7, 2025. Prospective families come on campus for a deep dive into what it means to be an Eagle. They will hear from leadership, learn about our extensive curriculum and signature programs unique to ESD, and participate in interactive sessions led by Faculty for a truly hands-on experience. December 7, 2025
Applicant parents and middle and upper school student applicants are invited to attend. The program’s format is not age-appropriate for lower school applicants, and we kindly request that they not attend. |
| December 10 - Lessons and Carols (10:00 a.m.) |
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Lessons and Carols, a beloved ESD tradition since 1980, is an Episcopal Christmas service that weaves together scripture readings (lessons) and choral/congregational music (carols) that tell the story leading up to Christ’s birth. The accompanying carols deepen the message of each lesson, creating a warm, reflective way for our community to prepare for Christmas through storytelling and song. The service takes place on December 10, at 10:00 a.m. in the Competition Gym with middle and upper school students and faculty in attendance. Students should wear their Formal Uniform. |
| December 10 - Middle School Social: Dinner and a Movie |
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Sign up for a middle school social using the button below. We will gather at ESD for Chick-fil-A, leave from school, drive to Cinemark 17 in ESD vehicles (minibuses and/or suburbans), and watch a 5:20 p.m. showing of WICKED: For Good! It is a 2.5-hour movie, so parents will pick up students at ESD around 8:15 p.m. Students are welcome to bring a change of clothes. The cost of the event ($35 charged to your Eagles Nest account) includes Chick-fil-A nuggets and chips, the movie ticket, popcorn, candy, and water. Space is limited! |
| December 11 - MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) |
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Parents are invited to join our Middle and Upper School Band students in All Saints Chapel for a concert from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. |
| December 12 - MS/US Orchestra Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) |
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Parents are invited to join our Middle and Upper School Orchestra students in All Saints Chapel for a concert from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. |
| December 12 - *DEADLINE* to Register for the Eagles Lacrosse Club Team |
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The Eagles Lacrosse club team organization is a parent-run, non-profit developmental program. After a great fall 2025 season, we are preparing quickly for the 2026 spring season. Registration is now open until December 12, 2025. We have this deadline for league registration and to place uniform orders. Here are a few important details: First - Sixth Grade (Spring Season) will start practice on January 24 and will have practice/games on Saturday and Sunday until the last weekend of April. Our Pockets program (PK, K, Primer) will start after winter break and run for about 10 weeks. Since we are ordering new uniforms for everyone, here are the registration details you need to complete. Each group has at least two to complete. Reminder, you must be a student of The Episcopal School of Dallas to participate in Eagles Lacrosse, as this is part of the ESD Fellowship Program.
COMPLETE YOUR SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION HERE For any questions, please contact Sports Fellowship Coordinator Jane DeGrenier. |
| December 15 - ESD+ Spring Program Registration Opens |
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Spring semester ESD+ Before and After School Programming registration opens on December 15 at 5:00 p.m. in your MyESD Parent Portal. Registration closes January 4, 2026. |
| December 20 - Alumni Lessons and Carols |
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Ring in the holidays with the Alumni Association’s annual presentation of the treasured Lessons and Carols tradition on Saturday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. in All Saints Chapel. Following the service, the celebration continues with a holiday reception. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season and connect with the community. Don't miss this special tradition! This event is open to the entire community; current parents are welcome to attend. Suggested attire is business casual. |
| December 1 - Winter Holiday Camp Registration Opens |
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Christmas Futsal Camp
Give your player the gift of playing futsal for Christmas! Get more touches on the ball and have tons of fun! Open to ESD students and non-student siblings. Registration closes December 23. Holiday Basketball Camp
Join Coach Henderson, 23-year Basketball Program Director, four-time Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABBC) Coach of the Year, three-time ESD SPC State Champion Coach, former Texas A&M star, and Perth Australia Pro. Let’s make basketball fun while experiencing and working on the fundamentals and skills of the game through backyard games, kickball basketball, 3-on-3, 5-on-5, and lots of shooting, passing, and dribbling go-drills! Open to ESD students and non-student siblings. Registration closes December 23. |
All School Information
| REMINDER: Parent Badges |
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As a reminder, all parents should wear their parent badges while on campus. |
| Our Time to Soar Campaign Updates |
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Our Time to Soar: A Campaign for The Episcopal School of Dallas has some exciting updates as we kick off the second phase of the campaign! Using the button below, visit the campaign page to read the most recent updates from the campaign's co-chairs. |
Pondering Purpose and Impact
To spark thinking about finding our purpose and making an impact, we have added a new book collection to the Study Commons outside of Father Nate’s office. The Compass Collection encourages students in fifth grade and above, faculty, and staff to borrow a book and return it when they finish reading. Our lower school curriculum is already filled with books encouraging younger students to explore and embrace their interests and strengths; this new collection is designed to continue these conversations.
Pause and Ponder: Inspiring Stories
- For younger students: What books have you read or stories have you heard that tell the story of someone figuring out how to use their strengths and interests to help others? When have you figured out how to use your strengths to help someone?
- For older children, teenagers, and adults: What fiction or nonfiction books have you read that have sparked a new interest and/or inspired you to use your strengths in a new way to impact others positively?
To volunteer, please visit esdallas.org/parents.
CLICK HERE FOR THE NOVEMBER PARENTS' NEWSLETTER
**Please note that Parent Party details are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check your grade-level dates.
| Middle School Division Rep Welcome |
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Hello Middle School Parents, I’m excited to be your Middle School Division Representative for the 2025-2026 school year! Throughout the year, you can look forward to important dates and event details in each edition of News You Can Use. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to me or your grade reps at any time. Go Eagles! |
| Fifth Grade |
Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
Looking Ahead:
*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.
For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below: |
| Sixth Grade |
Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
Looking Ahead:
*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.
For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below: |
| Seventh Grade |
Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
Looking Ahead:
*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.
For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below: |
| Eighth Grade |
Grade-level Dates:
Important Dates:
Looking Ahead:
*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.
For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below: |
Dean's Letters
| Fifth Grade - Susan Wiles |
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*Click to open. |
| Sixth Grade - Jane DeGrenier |
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*Click to open. |
| Seventh Grade - Elizabeth Pool |
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*Click to open. |
| Eighth Grade - Scott Goetsch |
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*Click to open. |
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Lower School NEWS: Beginner - Primer |
