Middle School News - The Episcopal School of Dallas | Best Private Schools in Dallas

Important Dates & Action Items

December - STUCO's MS Christmas Celebration

Announcing the Student Council’s Christmas Celebration for Middle School:
**Please note that a regular uniform is always acceptable as well.

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December 1-12 - MS Holiday Food Box Drive

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 8 - EXTENDED: Last Chance to Give to Happy Holiday! Gift Fund

The ESD Parents’ Association Happy Holidays! 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 a Holiday Gift — one easy click ensures that each teacher and staff member receives a gift at their annual holiday celebration next month.

Participation is completely voluntary, and any amount is greatly appreciated. There’s no minimum or maximum contribution, and every dollar goes directly to the faculty and staff.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW

December 10 - Lessons and Carols (10:00 a.m.)

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

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!

SIGN UP FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL HERE

December 11 - MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)

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.)

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

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.

  • Girls' First through Sixth Grades will participate in the Texas Girls Youth Lacrosse League. You need to fill out two registrations: the Eagles Lacrosse 2026 Spring Registration and the 2026 Spring Uniform Registration. The link for uniform registration will be sent in the confirmation email for the Spring Registration.
  • Boys' First through Fourth Grades will participate in the Deuces Lacrosse House League at Jesuit. You need to fill out three registrations: the Eagles Lacrosse 2026 Spring Registration, the Deuces Lacrosse Registration, and the 2026 Spring Uniform Registration. The links for Deuces and uniform registrations will be sent in the confirmation email for the Spring Registration.
  • Boys' Fifth and Sixth Grades will participate in the DFW Lacrosse League. You need to fill out two registrations: the Eagles Lacrosse 2026 Spring Registration and the 2026 Spring Uniform Registration. The link for uniform registration will be sent in the confirmation email for the Spring Registration.
  • Boys and Girls Pre-K, Kinder, and Primer will participate in the Eagles Lacrosse Pockets Program. You need to fill out two registrations: the Eagles Lacrosse 2026 Spring Registration and the 2026 Spring Uniform Registration. The link for uniform registration will be sent in the confirmation email for the Spring Registration.

COMPLETE YOUR SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION HERE

For any questions, please contact Sports Fellowship Coordinator Jane DeGrenier.

December 15 - ESD+ Spring Program Registration Opens 

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

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.

RSVP HERE TO ANNUAL ALUMNI LESSONS AND CAROLS

December 23 - Winter Holiday Camp Registration Closes

Christmas Futsal Camp

  • December 22-23, 2025 
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 
  • Pre-K - Grade 8, Co-Ed 
  • $210 per student
  • Camp Director: Johnny Cisneros

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

  • December 22-23, 2025 
  • 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
  • Pre-K - Grade 8, Co-Ed 
  • $210 per student
  • Camp Director: Corey Henderson 

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.

Register Here


All School Information

REMINDER: Parent Badges

As a reminder, all parents should wear their parent badges while on campus.

Our Time to Soar Campaign Updates

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.

READ THE LATEST MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS


Pondering Purpose and Impact

Our eighth graders are using their baking skills to create tasty treats for their classmates. Prompted by student interest and a desire for students to explore the life skill of cooking and shine outside of the classroom, Ashley Heath and Christy O’Neal have organized multiple baking competitions this semester. These opportunities encourage students to develop their gifts and talents in ways that positively impact others.


Pause and Ponder: Blessing Others with Your Gifts and Talents
  • For younger students: Do you like to cook, bake, draw, or write stories? How can you use your creativity to bless others this holiday season?
  • For older children, teenagers, and adults: How can you share your gifts and talents with others to bless them? Consider creating something or giving the gift of time this holiday season.

OriginalImage,OriginalTo 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

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! 

Lauren Stewart

Fifth Grade
Grade-level Dates:
  • December 16: Fifth-Grade Field Trip to Kimball Art Museum (9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
  • December 17: Fifth-Grade Winter Shadow Theatre (Black Box Theatre)
  • December 18: Fifth/Sixth-Grade Service Day (8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
    • Middle School dismissal for holiday break at noon.
Important Dates:
  • December 10: Moms in Prayer (8:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
  • December 10: Lessons and Carols (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
  • December 10: GEARS Gingerbread House (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
  • December 10: MS Social: Chick-fil-A and Wicked: For Good - SIGN UP HERE
  • December 11: MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 12: MS/US Orchestra Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 18: MS Noon Dismissal
Looking Ahead:
  • December 22-January 6: Christmas Break (No School)
  • January 7: Classes Resume

*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.

  • CLICK HERE to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar Overview.

For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below:

Jennifer Carter
Reena Patel

Sixth Grade
Grade-level Dates:
  • December 17: Sixth Grade at Wolf Run
  • December 18: Fifth/Sixth-Grade Service Day (8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
    • Middle School dismissal for holiday break at noon.
Important Dates:
  • December 10: Moms in Prayer (8:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
  • December 10: Lessons and Carols (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
  • December 10: GEARS Gingerbread House (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
  • December 10: MS Social: Chick-fil-A and Wicked: For Good - SIGN UP HERE
  • December 11: MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 12: MS/US Orchestra Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 18: MS Noon Dismissal
Looking Ahead:
  • December 22-January 6: Christmas Break (No School)
  • January 7: Classes Resume

*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.

  • CLICK HERE to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar Overview.

For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below:

Shelby Fetouh
Courtney Stakem

Seventh Grade
Grade-level Dates:
  • December 17-18: Seventh/Eighth-Grade Exams
    • Middle School dismissal for holiday break at noon on December 18.
  • December 19: Seventh/Eighth-Grade Make-Up Exams
Important Dates:
  • December 10: Moms in Prayer (8:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
  • December 10: Lessons and Carols (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
  • December 10: GEARS Gingerbread House (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
  • December 10: MS Social: Chick-fil-A and Wicked: For Good - SIGN UP HERE
  • December 11: MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 12: MS/US Orchestra Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 18: MS Noon Dismissal
Looking Ahead:
  • December 22-January 6: Christmas Break (No School)
  • January 7: Classes Resume

*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.

  • CLICK HERE to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar Overview.

For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below:

Erin Hinze
Nicolette Lamont

Eighth Grade
Grade-level Dates:
  • December 17-18: Seventh/Eighth-Grade Exams
    • Middle School dismissal for holiday break at noon on December 18.
  • December 19: Seventh/Eighth-Grade Make-Up Exams
Important Dates:
  • December 10: Moms in Prayer (8:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
  • December 10: Lessons and Carols (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
  • December 10: GEARS Gingerbread House (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
  • December 10: MS Social: Chick-fil-A and Wicked: For Good - SIGN UP HERE
  • December 11: MS/US Band Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 12: MS/US Orchestra Concert (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.) (Bray Performance Hall)
  • December 18: MS Noon Dismissal
Looking Ahead:
  • December 22-January 6: Christmas Break (No School)
  • January 7: Classes Resume

*Don’t forget that you can view your customized family calendar in your Veracross Parent Portal.

  • CLICK HERE to view the 2025-26 Academic Calendar Overview.

For any questions, please reach out to your grade-level representatives below:

Jomita Fleming
Dawn Perkins


 

Dean's Letters

Fifth Grade - Susan Wiles

 *Click to open.

Sixth Grade - Jane DeGrenier

*Click to open.

Seventh Grade - Elizabeth Pool

*Click to open.

Eighth Grade - Scott Goetsch

*Click to open.

 


 

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