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Week of September 18, 2023
Welcome to Episcopal Day School’s weekly Panther Post, where you will find campus updates and announcements. Please select and expand the appropriate section below for the latest news.
4th Grade September 11th Reflections
Mrs. Norville’s 4th grade classes recently reflected on the events of September 11, 2001, and how they affect our lives today. Here is a sampling of those reflections:
It is important to know about the events of September 11, 2001 because… It was one of the most tragic events in American history. The economic impact and how long it took to fix. All the people who died and those people’s families. It still affects America to this day the way we go on a plane and they check your bags. That’s why I think the events of September 11, 2001 are important. – Ace M., 4th Grade
Invite a Friend to Walkthrough Wednesday
Wednesday, September 20 – 8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. – Please invite a prospective family to join us to tour the Walton Way Campus and ask questions, explore classrooms, and experience the energy of an EDS school day! Tours of both campuses are always available by appointment if Walkthrough Wednesday is not convenient.
Parent/Teacher Conference Day – Friday, September 29, 2023
There will be no classes on this day.
Please visit this link for information about parent teacher conference day. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September 27, at 3:00 P.M.
Visit the library before or after your child’s conference to meet EDS Learning Specialist, Gilchrist Phillips and our School Counselor, Alyssa Johnson to hear an overview of support services offered to EDS students.
Looking Ahead
Walk to School Day & Blessing of the Pets- Wednesday, October 4 – More information coming soon!
Episcopal Schools Week Chapel – Friday October 6 – 8:30 A.M. – Celebrate Episcopal Schools Week with an All School Chapel in the gym. Bishop Frank Logue will be joining us and parents are invited to attend.
Fall Break – No Classes – Monday, October 9 – Tuesday, October 10
Panther Playdate “Fall Crawl” – Friday, October 13 – 10:15 – 11:20 A.M. – Children ages 3-6 who are not currently enrolled at EDS are invited to come hear a story in our library with Mrs. Abrahani, create a fall-themed sensory box, and sing songs with our music teacher, Mrs. Scheyer. Please help us spread the word! Click here to sign up.
The full EDS calendar can be found here
Middle School Trips Week Recap
6th Grade
Sixth grade’s experiential learning trip to UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium focused on fostering stewardship and sustainability, with a particular emphasis on Georgia’s coastal marine environments. Students participated in field studies in the marsh and beach, interacted with live coastal animals, and explored specimen collection and examination. We are excited about the new memories created and the connection of this trip to our learning at Flowing Wells!
Click here for 6th grade trip photos
7th Grade
Our 7th graders’ trip to Green River Preserve consisted of a residential outdoor program that offered instruction from trained naturalists focusing on ecological respect and stewardship. This enrichment experience aligned with our learning in science and at our Flowing Wells campus, as students engaged in a mix of guided forest instruction, hiking, zip-lining, rock climbing, and field games. We are excited about the connection to our classroom curriculum and our commitment to inquiry-based learning.
Click here for 7th grade trip photos
8th Grade
Our 8th graders’ trip to Green River Preserve was a backpacking expedition through the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachians where students learned how to set up tarps for sleeping, cook their meals on the trail, and read maps in order to plan hikes each day. Students were given leadership roles in the group and were responsible for sticking to Leave No Trace principles, while learning their vital role in protecting our natural ecosystems. We are so excited to connect what we learned on the trail to our activities at Flowing Wells!
Click here for 8th grade trip photos
Thank you to these GOAL Participants!
Since it started in 1944, Episcopal Day School has been one of the most visible and impactful ministries of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The school has expanded its footprint into every corner of the CSRA and is committed to making an EDS education affordable. The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program is a critical component of tuition assistance for qualified students who continue to enrich our student population. Please take a moment to see how you can participate! The window is now open to apply for your 2024 Georgia GOAL 2024 tax credit!
If you have already enrolled for your 2024 tax credit, thank you! If you have not, click here for simple, step-by-step instructions and additional tax credit information for individuals and businesses.
Questions about the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program? Please contact Ginger Chew at gchew@edsaugusta.com or 706.733.1192
New EDS Swag Available
We are excited to offer new EDS apparel and accessories this year! We have doll chapel jumpers to match lower school’s Lands’ End jumpers available for $35, as well as a restock on EDS headbands for $15. Both of these items are available for purchase in the front office.
There is also a new shirt design available in our spirit wear offerings! Click this link for our current school apparel. Deliveries are made to the front office every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Parents will be notified of their delivery date via email.
Every Friday is an EDS Spirit Day! Please check the dress code standards for details.
Please Click Headlines to Read More:
Original Works Art Coming Soon
We are excited to announce that EDS Association will partner with Original Works for art-based fundraising this fall! Pre-Kindergarten through 4th-grade students are currently creating artwork that can be reproduced onto various keepsake products. The products range from magnets to mugs, and prices start at just $6.00. In early October, art packets with information about your child’s artwork and available products will be sent home. For more information on Original Works, please visit their website at www.originalworks.com.
Occupational Therapy Screenings
We are pleased to offer Occupational Therapy (OT) screening for all preschool students. Occupational Therapy screening in early childhood serves to support children as they develop fine motor skills (small muscle movements made with the hands, fingers, and toes), visual perceptual skills, cognitive skills, and sensory-processing problems. The screening will evaluate eye-hand coordination and the ability to participate in developmentally appropriate tasks. Beyond the physical benefits, learning positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how to manage frustration and anger are all part of occupational therapy.
The goal of offering this service is to better serve you and your child in determining whether or not support might be beneficial. This is an initial screening that could indicate whether a more comprehensive evaluation might be warranted. You should receive results from us shortly after your child’s screening. In most cases, the results will indicate no follow-up is necessary. Should the screening result in a recommendation for follow-up, our Occupational Therapist will discuss with you the results in greater detail and explore options for appropriate response.
We are pleased to implement this important early intervention. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Gilchrist Phillips, gphillips@edsaugusta.com or 706-733-1192.
Threes Observations will be the week of Sept. 25-29
PK Screenings will be the week of Oct. 11-19
Lower School Book Parade
We loved seeing students dressed up as their favorite summer reading characters during last week’’s lower school book parade!
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eaVdRHZHkyrK516W7
Recording: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/133036348
Visiting Author Lester Laminack
Last week’s visit by children’s book author Lester Laminack was made possible with funding from the Robert B. and Kathryn M. Lamar Endowment for the Arts. This endowment was established in 2012 by Elizabeth and Gray Jackson (parents of Sam ‘19 and Virginia ‘23) to encourage and develop the interest of EDS students in the following areas: poetry, literature, creative writing, music, theater, and visual arts. It was a wonderful experience for both students and faculty in our newly reimagined library space!
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eaVdRHZHkyrK516W7
Original Works Art Coming Soon
We are excited to announce that EDS Association will partner with Original Works for art-based fundraising this fall! Pre-Kindergarten through 4th-grade students are currently creating artwork that can be reproduced onto various keepsake products. The products range from magnets to mugs, and prices start at just $6.00. In early October, art packets with information about your child’s artwork and available products will be sent home. For more information on Original Works, please visit their website at www.originalworks.com.
Social Institute Now Available for 3rd and 4th Grade Families
Episcopal Day School has launched an extended partnership with The Social Institute (TSI), a national leader in curriculum designed to equip students to navigate the complex intersection of well-being, social media, and technology.
At a time when students spend many hours a day on digital devices, and cyberbullying and reputation-damaging posts run rampant, TSI equips students to make positive, healthy, and high-character choices that fuel their health, happiness, and future success. Our school has adopted TSI’s comprehensive program, #WinAtSocial, which promotes character, empathy, teamwork, and other essential life skills.
Whether or not your child uses social media or a device, we hope you will consider how these free resources outlined below could be helpful to your family.
To be clear, the information offered through this partnership does not instruct anyone how to parent. Instead, these supplementary resources provide insight into social media, technology, and student experiences, offering family discussion prompts and informative resources that you can incorporate into family conversations as much or as little as you like.
How Your Family Can Participate:
- Continue the conversation at home: As students experience #WinAtSocial each month, Family Huddle questions may be emailed to you by the school as a supplement to a lesson. These are entirely optional to run as a family!
- Register your free account for the Parent Toolkit. Many families call this the Cliffs Notes of social media and technology! Go to the Toolkit, click Activate Account, and enter our school code: 1116E91EC8B69E
Click here for more information on how The Social Institute supports families. We are excited to offer this important and timely education for our Third and Fourth-grade families. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Tomblinson, Head of Preschool & Lower School.
3rd and 4th Grade St. Christopher Choir Auditions
Please email Tara Scheyer (tscheyer@edsaugusta.com) for more information
This Week 9/18/23
Schedule: B Week
Morning Carpool Duty: Easley Advisory
Morning Prayers: Chambers Advisory
Acolytes: Carlin, Wynn, Yates, Harry, Wiley, Benjamin
Readers: Porter, Mikah
Thursday 9/21: Black & White Fall Festival Photos
Thursday 9/21: Professor O’Meara and students in workshop with 5th grade 10:20 A.M.
FWC: 6th grade Friday, 9/22
High School Visits:
Augusta Prep 9/18 at noon
A.R. Johnson 9/19 at noon
Week of 9/25/23
Schedule: A Week
Parent/Teacher Conferences Friday (9/29) 7th and 8th grade students should attend
Morning Carpool Duty: Chambers Advisory
Morning Prayers: Schmelzer Advisory
Acolytes: Apple, Gentry, Eadie, Sophia, Charlotte, Lane
Readers: Thomas, Jackson
FWC: 5th grade Monday, 9/25
High School Visits:
Asheville School 9/25 at noon
Woodberry Forest 9/26 at noon
On the Horizon
FWC: 8th grade Monday, 10/2, 7th grade Tuesday, 10/3
Walk to School Day and Blessing of the Pets 10/4
Episcopal Schools Week Chapel 10/6
Fall Break October 9 & 10
Extended Day
All parents who may register their child in Extended Day programming at any point in the year must register online in advance by completing this form. For questions about Extended Day, please visit our Extended Day & Enrichment webpage or contact EDS Extended Day Director, Jocelyn Johnson.
Helpful Extended Day Documents for Parents:
Activities Calendar – September
Fall Enrichments
There is still time to register for fall enrichments before they begin next week! Click here for more information and to register today as space is limited.
For questions about Enrichments, please contact Jocelyn Johnson.
Guitar Club
Baking with Baby Cakes Bakery
Soccer Shots (Ages 3-8)
Golf Squad (Grade K-5)
Please register for the following enrichments using their assigned links.
Chess: Chess Lessons/Club Link
Viola and Cello: Viola and Cello Sign Up Link
Piano Lessons: Piano Sign Up Link
Tuesday, 9.19.23
Preschool Chapel • 8:30 A.M.
Acolytes: Tefft N., Legacy W. Harley Rose N., Preston D.
Chapel Birthdays: Boone K., Lila A., Macy M.
Wednesday, 9.20.23
Lower School Chapel • 8:30 A.M.
Acolytes: Laurel N., Ella Kate R., Kate W., Connor C., Noah O., Annie V.
Readers: Dylan S., South B.
Chapel Birthdays: Hawes D., Titus J., Kinsley C., Maddox C., Jack E.
Thursday, 9.21.23
Middle School Chapel • 8:20 A.M.
Acolytes: Carlin G., Wynn P., Yates R., Harry W., Wiley T., Benjamin S.
Readers: Grayson B., Teren J.
Chapel Birthdays: Porter A., Spence P.
Parents are welcome to attend chapel and may sit in guest seating.
Moms in Prayer
If you, your family, or a loved one is in need of prayer, let us pray for you. Moms in Prayer accepts prayer requests in this form. Moms in Prayer meets Mondays at 8:15am at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Please join us this month- 9/18 (in the Churchyard), and 9/25 (Brides Room).
Earn Money for EDS by Grocery Shopping!
Earn money for EDS simply by grocery shopping! Register an account online with Publix and/or Kroger (each link will direct you to a login page), select Episcopal Day School as your community partner, and at checkout, pay with either app or type in the phone number associated with the account. The EDS Association will receive a percentage of grocery store profits every quarter.
Go Panthers!
The Panthers have an exciting week ahead with a home football game against Edmund Burke Academy on Thursday. We hope that you can make it to the game to cheer them on to victory! All athletic schedules can be found at www.edspanthers.com.
Football Volunteers Needed
We need adult volunteers for EDS football home games! If you are interested in being a clock operator, emcee, chain gang, or down marker, please contact Jaye Cohen at jcohen@edsaugusta.com.
Follow EDS on social media!