Happy Thursday! It's hard to believe we've wrapped up another week of the fall semester and are inching closer to Thanksgiving Break. It was another busy week around the halls of the Brewington Family Lower School and Googe Hall, highlighted by the Third Grade Food Drive and the Sixth Grade Dinner Theater. Check it all out in this week's edition of Headlines!

NOVEMBER EVENTS AT ESK

11/11-15            Scholastic Book Fair (LS) 7:45-4:00 p.m.

11/15                 TAIS Technology Forum 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

11/18                 Model U.N. Trip 6:45 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

11/19                 Holy Eucharist - 8:00/10:15 a.m.

11/22                 Kindergarten Program & Lunch 10:15-11:30 a.m.

                         Thanksgiving Program 1:45 p.m.

11/25-29            NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Annual Fund Phonathons

The Development Office at ESK has hosted two successful nights of phonathon calling in the last week. Nearly $30,000 has been raised towards the school's goal and over 20 volunteers came out to help make the calls. The final evening of calls will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, so if you haven't heard from us yet - we look forward to talking with you!

If you'd like to make your gift to the Annual Fund today, you can do so by contacting Director of Development Ryan Sparks or by visiting our online giving site and making an online donation.

Holy Eucharist

Holy Communion, in honor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, prior to Thanksgiving Break. Please remember, this is a formal uniform day.

Middle School Life Policy Ceremony

At the conclusion of Tuesday's Eucharist chapel, each Middle School student will add his or her signature to a document pledging commitment to Tribes Agreements, Honor, and Respect. The signed forms will be displayed in the Siler Great Room as a reminder of the community's dedication to creating a positive learning environment.

A Big Thanks!

Maestra Rojas wanted to send a special thank you to all those Lower School families who donated extra Halloween candy for the piņatas the children enjoy in the weeks prior to Christmas Break. Donations totaled nearly 200 pounds of candy!

Snow Closing Policy

If we experience rough winter weather, please remember our snow closing policy. We do not follow the public schools' snow day schedule. Based on hazardous road conditions, we may be closed for the day or may open late. School closings or late opening announcements will be made via our Parent Alert text, Twitter alerts and voice mail system as well as on local radio and television stations by 7:00 a.m. If road conditions deteriorate later, the school may announce that it is closed for the entire day. Therefore, it is important to keep listening for updates.

Eighth Grade Farewell Ads

Information regarding the purchase of Eighth Grade Farewell ads for the yearbook was emailed to Eighth Grade parents prior to Fall Break. Please remember the first deadline for submission is Friday, December 20, with the final deadline on Friday, January 10. For additional info or with questions, please contact Director of Communications Melissa Callahan via email at callahan@esknoxville.org.

For all the latest on all ESK sports, be sure to check out the athletics update section of Headlines. Click here to read all about this week's competition and to see pictures from all the action.   

Music News

ESK Christmas Programs

Please make sure that your family has the ESK Christmas programs listed on your calendar. The Lower School Christmas Program is Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. at St. John's Cathedral downtown. The Kindergarten-First Grade Christmas Program is Friday, Dec. 13, at 8:45 a.m. in Googe Hall. The Middle School service of Lessons and Carols is Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. at Church of the Ascension on Northshore. More information will follow, but please put these dates on your calendar.

Winter Band Concert

The ESK Band will host its winter concert on Thursday, December 5, from 6:00-6:30 p.m. in Googe Hall.   

Library News

Scholastic Book Fair

Thanks for supporting our ESK libraries during the Scholastic Book Fair! With our earnings, our students will enjoy author visits, new materials, online resources and more. Your support is greatly appreciated!

If you have additional holiday shopping, please remember that Online Book Fair shopping continues until Tuesday, November 26. Parents, friends, etc. may visit the online book fair and shop an extended selection of books. We still receive our profit share, and the purchased items ship for free to ESK. Librarians Miranda Clark and Mary Lovely will distribute the individual shipments to the appropriate student. You may visit this link to shop online.

Student News

Heifer International

In the spirit of ESK and Thanksgiving, ESK Sixth Graders Leoni Kunz, Bailey Musrock, Addie Dewhirst, Karina Ottaviano and Mason Stivers made and sold earrings, bracelets, and scarves. The group earned almost $ 300 and sent a girl to school through Heifer International in honor of their 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Hoover, who always encouraged them to do good things.

Webb Musical

Congratulations to the following former ESK students and alumni Uma Sood, Ellis Whinery, Erin Wallace, Will Lauver, Christoph Ewing, Kate Shumaker and Craig Wallace, who were a part of the Webb School of Knoxville's fall musical production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." It was a great production!

Knox County Youth Football

Congratulations to ESK Eighth Grader Tristan Stouffer and his Catholic Youth Football team on winning the Knox County Youth Football Championships. The Irish defeated Halls 51-22 to complete an undefeated season, including wins over Fulton, Farragut and Halls. The team is known for their commitment and dedication. The parents say it is their faith, leadership, hard work and respect for one another that led them to another undefeated season!

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