Important Update on ESK's Lunch Program

Dear Parents,

In last week's edition of Headlines, you read a wonderful article about Renee Nye and recognition of her many years of service as Coordinator of ESK's dining service. We are indebted to Renee and her creative ways in establishing our school's "Farm to Table" lunch program for all of our students. We wish her well in her new endeavor as owner of Goodness to Go, located in Rocky Hill and offering catering, fresh bread and "to go" items.

On September 15, we will welcome a new dining management firm to our campus. The Flik Corporation serves 170 leading private schools in America. They have a sound reputation and come highly recommended by a number of private schools in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast. Flik is impressed with our "Farm to Table" dining philosophy and has committed to continuing with this tradition as they begin to manage our kitchen and lunch program. All of our current kitchen employees have been offered new positions with Flik, and I am pleased that Miss Carolyn, Miss Sam and Mr. Eric will continue in our kitchen. Our beloved Miss Jeanie Fewell will remain as an ESK employee. She will continue to oversee our Morning Care program and will assist in the kitchen.

Ms. Erin O'Conner will be our new Chef Manager. I had the opportunity to interview Erin, and she is my first choice for the position because of her experience and dedication to "the ESK way" of dining. Miss Erin has been the Executive Chef of dining services at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. She has also been Chef de Cuisine in a number of hotel dining rooms in Ohio and West Virginia. Erin is excited about her new position at ESK and looks forward to meeting students, faculty and parents.

Flik is adding a number of pieces of new kitchen equipment and will have separate serving stations for lower school and middle school students. I know that you will be impressed. We will continue to serve food that is made from scratch and to bake our own bread, buns and rolls. Any number of the children's favorite food items will be included in Flik menus. Along with salad bar and vegetarian offerings, Flik will continue the tradition of recognizing each student's birthday with a birthday cookie. The following link contains information on Flik's program at ESK. In next week's Headlines, we will introduce their special smart phone application where you will be able to view our lunch menu and nutrition tips.

Please be in touch if I can answer any questions on our newest program at ESK.

My best,

Jay Secor

Headmaster

Celebrity Servers

ESK students might have noticed a few new faces at lunch this week as many members of the faculty and staff are filling in as servers during lunchtime. Middle School Director Red Waller and Admissions Director Susan Denton kicked off the week by serving lunch Tuesday and even Headmaster Jay Secor got in the action Wednesday. Keep a look out for your favorite teacher or administrator making a guest appearance this week and next.

Purple and White Day

Tomorrow, Friday, September 5, will be ESK's very first Purple and White Day of the school year. Students may dress up to show their spirit for ESK and ESK Athletics. 

Middle School Dress Code:  Students may wear an ESK t-shirt, other ESK spirit wear or an ESK team jersey on top...and jeans or UNIFORM shorts, pants or skirts on bottom.   (To be clear, no shorts that are not ESK dress code shorts, no Vikings jerseys, etc.)  All tops must have sleeves or sleeved shirts should be worn underneath. 

Lower School Dress Code: Students may wear appropriate purple and white colors with non-uniform pants. Students may also choose to wear uniforms if desired.

Vienna Coffee Fundraiser

The ESK Parents' Association launched its annual fundraiser Tuesday afternoon at its first meeting of the year. This year, the PA is joining with Vienna Coffee to create a simple stream of monthly revenue for the ESK PA and, at the same time, show support of a local coffeehouse!

Here's how it works:

Eighty percent of the parents at ESK drink at least 1-2 cups of coffee each day. Why not have those coffee drinking habits help support our school and our students! Instead of buying coffee from the local grocery or Starbucks, you can now buy the highest quality coffee from www.viennacoffeeco.com and $3.00 from every bag of coffee purchased will be given back to the school. If you, your spouse, or your company, are coffee drinkers, this is a great opportunity to buy coffee AND SUPPORT ESK.

Go to www.viennacoffeeco.com and support ESK PA today! Click here for step-by-step directions for ordering. If you have any questions, please contact PA President Katherine Fielden at kikifielden@gmail.com. 

Lower School Parent Nights

On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Lower School parents attended Lower School Parent Night, visiting their children's classrooms and then gathering for refreshments in the Martha Anne Withers Garden.

Lunch Menu

The lunch menu for the next two weeks is currently available on RenWeb. The menu for the week of Sept. 8-12 is as follows:

Monday, Sept. 8

Beef Tacos

Chicken Tacos

Flour Tortillas

Black Beans

Fresh Sliced Vegetables

Fresh Cut Fruit

Tuesday, Sept. 9

Hot Dogs

Roasted Potatoes

Fresh Sliced Vegetables

Fresh Cut Fruit

Wednesday, Sept. 10

Chicken Pot Pie

Fresh Sliced Vegetables

Fresh Cut Fruit

Thursday, Sept. 11

Rotini

Meat Sauce

Marinara Sauce

Fresh Sliced Vegetables

Fresh Cut Fruit

Friday, Sept. 12

Homemade Cheese Pizza

Homemade Specialty Pizza

Fresh Sliced Vegetables

Fresh Cut Fruit

Knox County Public Library

ESK would like to recognize those students who completed the Knox County Public Library's Summer Library Club. This summer's theme was Fizz! Boom! Read!, and required students to read at least 20 hours during the period from May 17 to July 31. Congratulations to the following students: Charlie Bozeman, Leah Busby, Dane Clark, Anderson Clark, Erin Conley, Colin Cook, Carson Davis, Lauren Davis, Jack Enger, Lily Enger, Sarah Grace Faught, Megan Hacker, Bill Hackett, Tom Hackett, Mimi Johnson, Avery Jolley, Molly Kelso, Sam Kelso, Porter Kennedy, Teagan Mewett, Ella Parker, Abhi  Patel, Davis Pearson, Jack Pearson, Rowan Raman, Rowan Rosenblad, Anthony Schmitt and Jeff Schmitt.  

PA News

SAVE THE DATE

Be watching for information regarding the 3rd Annual Parent Association Wine Tasting. Friday, October 24th at the home of ESK Grandparents, Joe and Ruth Fielden.

Tickets $50/person.

Community News

Target - Take Charge For Education

ESK recently received a check for $1,624 from Target and their 2014 Take Charge for Education program. Thanks to all the parents, teachers and grandparents who have been using their REDcard at Target! The school receives 1% of the purchases at Target and Target.com. For more information on the program, visit the Support ESK Everyday page on esknoxville.org.

Chess in the Park!

Saturday, Sept. 6 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Krutch Park

It's Knoxville's 1st annual "Chess in the Park" Special Events, and is intended for nonscholastic players. Beginner- and intermediate- players are thus most welcome to observe, learn, and hone their problem-solving skills in our lovely parks. Workshops, demonstrations, and prizes are offered free of charge for participating families and individuals. Children are especially prone to acquiring confidence, analytical insights, and socializing savvy via this universal, classic game. Expert instructors will be standing by, coaching you and/or your kids toward skill enhancement on what's bound to be a fun day that could also launch, or re-launch, a lifelong interest for players of all ages. Come out and play!