Another week at ESK has come and gone! With all the activity in and around school, this time of the year always seems to fly by! We wish everyone a Happy Holiday season as we all prepare for Winter Break.

DECEMBER EVENTS AT ESK

12/12            Piano Recital - 5:30 p.m.

12/13            K/1st Grade Christmas Program - 8:45 a.m.

12/17            MS Evening Prayer and Carol Service - 6:00 p.m.

12/19            MS Winter Dance - 7:00-9:00 p.m.

12/20            Holy Eucharist - 10:30 a.m.

                     Christmas Break Begins - 11:30 a.m.

12/23-1/5      CHRISTMAS BREAK

Mitten Tree Service Project

For their service project, Ms. O'Donnell's advisory is creating a "Mitten Tree" (or two) by collecting gently used or new hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves of all sizes. Students will be decorating several trees with these items for St. Luke's extensive outreach programs in East Knoxville. Please donate to us this week and next! Brightly colored donation boxes with "Mitten Tree" flyers are located in Googe Hall for the Middle School and near the art room and office of the Lower School. Donations can also be dropped off in Ms. O'Donnell's room 130 in the Middle School. We appreciate your support of our project and of families who need some extra help!

Kitchen Orders

The ESK Kitchen is open for the holiday season! They are taking orders for a selection of the "Students and Staff Favorites". Favorites include tomato salsa, white and wheat bread, garlic bread, cheese and meat lasagna, a variety of salad dressings, chocolate ganache cake and much more. Please fill out the complete order form (available in the Middle School office) with pick-up date and method of payment. The final pick-up date is Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 12-1 p.m. Orders are due 48 hours in advance of pick up, or call if less than 48 hours notice is given. Click here for order form.   

Yearbook Orders

As this semester comes to a close, it is time to submit orders for the 2012-13 ESK Yearbook. This year, pre-orders will be required. If you order a yearbook before January 10, the price will be $35. After that date, the yearbook will be $40. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Communications Melissa Callahan via email at callahan@esknoxville.org. Follow this link to order a yearbook TODAY!  

ESK Christmas Piano Recital

ESK will host its Christmas Piano Recital tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Googe Hall. Come hear some of our fine pianists from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade!

Spring Piano Lessons

Reserve your spot now for piano lessons next semester. Contact Rachel Dennis at racheldennis828@gmail.com for availability. Spaces are limited so early sign-up is encouraged.

Snow Closing Policy

In the event of severe winter weather, please remember our snow closing policy. ESK does not follow the public school's snow day schedule. Based on hazardous road conditions, we may close for the day or open late. 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. It is important to continue monitoring these alerts since the school may update or alter closing information.

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

Kindergarten and First Grade will hold their program at ESK on Friday, Dec. 13th at 8:45 a.m. in Googe Hall.  Children will present a variety of Christmas carols and secular holiday favorites for their families. Students may wear holiday clothes.  

Middle School Evening Prayer and Carol Service will be presented on Tuesday, Dec. 17th at 6 p.m. at Church of the Ascension on Northshore.  Students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade chorus will present an evening of Christmas music in the lovely setting at Ascension Church.  The Chorus will be accompanied by piano, flute and violin.  All are invited to attend this beautiful evening worship.  A reception will follow. 

Please contact Dr. Sousa at sousa@esknoxville.org with any questions regarding our Christmas programs.  Thank you! Families are not asked to bring cookies this year for the post-concert receptions.

Sustainability/Garden News

Study of Yeast

In Garden class this week, students learned about the properties of yeast. When yeast begins the proofing process, it reacts with the sugar to create carbon dioxide. As a way of showing this, Mr. Tannhauser put a balloon over the mouth of a bottle which contained proofing yeast to see if the gas created would be enough to blow up the balloon and in every case it was. The students also watched clips of movies that explored the importance of yeast in our day-to-day world.

Going Green at Christmas: Tips to Help You Go Green This Christmas

Christmas Cards: Buy recycled paper (not plastic) cards without lots of decorations, otherwise these cannot be recycled. Around 744 million cards are sent each Christmas and if all these were made from recycled paper, it would save the equivalent of 248,000 trees. Alternatively send an e-card; there are lots of websites, which allow you to do this for free. And remember you can reuse cards as gift tags next year!

Presents: Buy presents with minimal packaging, or those packaged with recycled materials. When wrapping presents make sure you use recycled wrapping paper. On Christmas day as you are ripping open presents, don't throw your wrapping paper in the bin or fireplace, instead reuse it next year or recycle it. On average, more than 8,000 tons of wrapping paper are used to wrap presents in a year - the equivalent of more than 50,000 trees!

If you receive electrical goods as gifts, don't throw your old ones away. Recycle them or donate them to your local community centre, school or charity.

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