Chess Teams Qualify for State Finals

Primary School Team

ESK sent two teams to the Regional Chess Tournament in Knoxville last Saturday, with both the Primary School Team and the Elementary School teams advancing to the State Finals. The Regional Chess Tournament was held at ESK for the first time and was one of the largest in recent history with representatives from 19 schools making up 35 teams and 160 players.

Elementary School Team

The Primary School team (JP Quigley, Jack Quigley, Tono Vowell and Anthony Schmitt) finished first in their division (K-3) and the Elementary School team (Jose Vowell, Austin Rhea, Phil Spates, Megan Quigley and Eliot Jolley) tied for second place in their division (4-6). Jack Quigley led the way for the Primary School team, winning all four of his games. One ESK Fifth Grader said of the tournament on Saturday, "It was fun yet nerve wracking."

Next up is the State Final at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn., on Saturday, March 29.

LS Science Fair

About 100 students exhibited science projects at the Lower School Science Fair last Friday in Siler Hallway. Students in Grades 3-5 presented their projects after working on them for about 7-8 weeks. The students picked any topic they would like to explore, conducted preliminary research and then designed and conducted their own experiment. They then recorded and interpreted the results in terms of how it related to their hypothesis. The underlying goal of the Lower School science fair is teaching students the scientific method. Eighth Graders served as judges for the fair.

Hovercraft

Caiden on her hovercraft.

ESK Fifth Grader Caiden Bach-O'Donnell wowed her classmates and teachers Friday afternoon when she showed off her science fair entry. Caiden built a hovercraft and conducted experiments to answer the question, "What is the maximum weight that a hovercraft (that is made of plywood, had a 48" diameter and is powered by a leaf blower) can support and still travel?"

Before Friday's Science Fair, Caiden shared her hovercraft with fellow students and classmates in the Kline Gymnasium. Please check out the ESK Facebook page for more photos and video!

Ossoli Circle Winners

(l-r) Eleni, Mrs. Lovely, Ben

Two ESK students were honored in ceremonies at the Ossoli Circle Clubhouse this week for their work in the annual Ossoli Circle poetry contest for students. Honored were Sixth Grader Eleni Christopoulos, who won second place at the local level for her poem, "Mask" and Seventh Grader Ben Gouffon, who won third place at the local level for his poem "Why?" Congratulations to Eleni and Ben!

National History Day

(l-r) Eleni, Darby, Mr. Jones, Saad, McClean

A group of four ESK Sixth Graders took their National History Day projects to the East Tennessee District National History Day competition last Friday. These students were awarded Judges' Top Choice distinction at ESK's National History Day in December. Sixth Graders Eleni Christopoulos, Darby Schiek, Saad Mohammad and McLean Tant attended the event with Middle School teacher Tom Jones.

Early Dismissal TOMORROW

Just a reminder - due to Early Dismissal tomorrow there will be NO Aftercare. All students should be picked up at 11:30 a.m.

Love and Logic

On Thursday, March 27, from 4:00-5:30 p.m., please join ESK for a presentation by Ms. Karla Schroeder about Love and Logic written by Jim Fay. Love & Logic provides "practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children."You can learn more about Love & Logic by accessing their website. Ms. Schroeder is a Behavior Interventionist and working on her Principal's License through Colorado State University. She is a certified Love and Logic trainer who will visit ESK as part of an internship. Childcare will be available through Aftercare at no charge by contacting Sarah Dew at dew@esknoxville.org, or calling the LS or MS office.

CTP Achievement Testing

Please make note of achievement testing coming in April. After piloting the online version of the ERB's CTP in grades 3 and 6 last year, all students in grades 4-8 will take the assessment online this year. Grades 4 and 5 will test April 8-10 using the school's iPads and devices, and Grades 6-8 will test the following week, using either the student's own device or a school device. For any questions about assessments, please contact your child's teacher or Lois Ross, Director of Testing. You may also learn more about the assessments from the website, www.erblearn.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you ever find yourself sitting at a soccer game, attending church or grocery shopping when you strike up a conversation about ESK with the person next to you? Do they ever ask you a question that makes you think and you're not sure how to answer? The ESK Communications and Marketing Committee has a solution for you. Answers to several of ESK's most frequently asked questions are now available on the ESK homepage. Check them out and be ready to spread the good word about our wonderful school!

Library News

Fantasy Titles

ESK Eighth Grader Elizabeth Hethmon recently created a bibliography of Fantasy titles for Lower School students who are interested in that genre of books. Some of Elizabeth's favorite selections will soon be featured on a bulletin board outside the Clayton Family Library in the lower school. Titles include Witch & Wizard, The Owl Keeper, Spirit Animals and Fairy Realm. Click here for the full list.

Kindergarten Camp

ESK will hold its annual Kindergarten Camp for rising (or new) Kindergarten students June 2-5, Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Theatre Camp -- "Cantamos Americanos: A Salute to the Music of Latin America"

Students in rising grades first through sixth are invited to participate in this camp June 9-13, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Singing, dancing, acting, improv, costumes and set design are part of activities for this exciting week. The final performance will be on Friday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m., with a potluck luncheon to follow. Registration began Monday, March 3, by emailing Dr. Sousa at sousa@esknoxville.org.

Minecraft Camps

This summer's camps will be held at ESK the week of June 9-13. A morning session, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., will be held for beginning players, and an afternoon session 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for intermediate/advanced skills. Campers are welcome to sign up for both sessions, but afternoon attendees will want to have basic game skills already mastered. For more information, or to register, please go to www.techtutortime.com.

Alumni News

Former ESK Students Named to Cum Laude Society

Four former ESK students were this week inducted into the Cum Laude Society at the Webb School of Knoxville. Senior Trey King along with juniors Hayden Kesterson, Ellis Whinery and Michael Dryzer were among the group of almost 25 students honored. Congratulations to these students!

Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society, modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, recognizes outstanding academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (Areté), justice (Diké) and honor (Timé). Areté includes excellence in both the scholastic and moral sense. Diké involves the concept of what is suitable and appropriate, as well as just. Timé includes dignity and truth, as well as honor. Membership is limited to qualified seniors in the upper 20 percent and qualified juniors in the upper 10 percent of their respective core high school classes.