Dear Parents,

Fall is always a busy season in the life of the school. As I write this, BES is on the eve of its annual Costume Parade and bi-annual Boo Bash/Fall Festival. Thank you so much to the volunteers who have helped with these events as the children really enjoy this special time. This year, we tried something a little different and reached out to the early learning centers in our area and invited their children to be part of the fun. We have 60 children and adults coming as our guests. Be sure to reach out to someone you may not recognize and say hello.

Even though the school year has just begun, we are already planning for the 2018-2019 admissions season. Ashely Davis has given several tours and is beginning to receive applications. If you need a three-year-old spot for next year, it is important to let Ashley know. There are very few seats available, and we want our current families to have priority.

Word of mouth is the most effective marketing tool we have. I encourage you to reach out to your friends and neighbors and invite them to visit BES to get a first-hand look at the wonderful faculty, staff, and students we have here. We are blessed to have a vibrant school, strong academic program, healthy traditions, and faith-based foundation.

The Strategic Planning Committee is busily working on our next three to five-year strategic plan to identify our strengths and areas of growth. We are excited to see what our future holds and look forward to a robust future. As always, I thank you for your daily support.

Sincerely,

Martha Milton
Head of School

Our Fall Pottery auction will come to a close on Friday, Oct. 27th at 2:00 p.m. This year, our bowls are decorated with a Halloween theme. Children in each grade helped design and create the pottery. This effort is a PSO fundraiser which helps to bring speakers to our school and raise funds for teacher wish lists.

You can access the bidding site at the link below from your computer or mobile phone. You can bid anywhere, anytime before the close of the auction. You will also receive an update if you are outbid! Here are the details:

Fall Pottery Auction Bidding Information

REGISTER

To place bids, purchase items, or make a donation, register online now

· Bid via COMPUTER
Continue bidding directly from your computer!

· Bid via SMARTPHONE
Click the BLUE link in your welcome text message and it will take you to your personal bidding page. Click on an item you would like to bid on. The Gesture smart system prepopulates with the next minimum bid so all you have to do is push BID. If you would like to go higher just enter a new amount and push BID. To have the Gesture smart system automatically bid for you to a designated amount, please select AUTO and enter a higher amount. The system will bid for you incrementally up until your designated amount only if someone bids against you.

· Bid via TEXT
To see current bid, reply to your welcome text and simply text the 3-digit item number. Example: “102”, then hit send. Then, text the 3-digit item number and amount you would like to bid. No dollar signs ($) needed. Example: “102 300”, then hit send. You placed a $300 bid on item number 102.

Pottery will be available for viewing at check-in at the Fall Festival/Boo Bash.

The Fall Pottery auction ends on Friday, October 27th at 2:00 p.m. Winners will be announced by 2:30p at the Boo Bash.

Please contact Stacy Nash, Director of Development, at 904-246-2466, x112 or by email with any questions.

Register to Bid for Pottery Online

Happy Bidding!

Come support BES and our sixth grade class as they serve and entertain you at the Sixth Grade Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, November 16th! Proceeds raised go to the sixth grade graduation gift to the school.

Reservation orders are due by Friday, November 3rd.

Order Your Spaghetti Dinner Tickets Now
(return order forms to the school office)

Dine-in and Take-out Available:
Dine-in times: 5:00 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Take-out pickup times: 5-6 p.m., 6-7 p.m.

Dinner includes salad and garlic bread. Bring cash for desserts ($1 each) and tipping your servers. Raffle tickets for a class pizza party are available for purchase at $5 each or 5 for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Flag Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 17th.

The first ever GORUCK Teamwork Challenge will take place at BES on Friday, November 3rd. The GORUCK event is designed to create a team-building experience centered on the shared values of Beaches Episcopal School and US Special Forces. Led by an experienced combat veteran of Special Operations, classes will complete light physical and mental challenges as a team. These challenges will reinforce the BES Honor Code, which is to uphold the values of respect, integrity, and responsibility. Below is the schedule for our different grade level students.

SCHEDULE
Lower School:  Pre-K 3 to 2nd Grade 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Upper School: 3rd Grade to 6th Grade 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

WEIGHT REQUIREMENT
The weight in your rucksack aka backpack makes it rucking. The amount required for the GORUCK event depends on your grade level. If you are in Pre-k to 2nd grade, you need a filled water bottle and a stuffed animal (not your favorite) in your backpack. If you are in 3rd to 6th grade, you need a filled water bottle plus one can of food (that will be donated to BEAM).

WHAT TO BRING
A rucksack or backpack, your weight requirement (see above), and a water bottle filled with water.

PARENTS MUST COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTRATION AND WAVIER FOR STUDENTS.

Follow this online link to register and complete waiver (click on "Sign Up Now" button):
https://www.goruck.com/solutions-jacksonville-beach-fl-bes-teamwork-challenge-11-03-2017-10-00-13663/

Parents or guardians are invited to watch the event, so we hope you'll join us!

Please continue to spread the word about our wonderful school by inviting your friends and neighbors to our Admissions Open House on Tuesday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m.

Our most important form of marketing is word of mouth from families who have seen how students are prepared for success and significance, so please share it with those in your circle of influence.

If you would like a friend to receive a personal invitation from the school, please email Ashley Davis, Director of Admissions, or call her at (904) 246-2466.

Costume Parade at 8:10 a.m. at lawn in front of SPBTS/Noon Dismissal/Fall Festival (Boo Bash) from 12-3 p.m. on Hixon Field
Friday, Oct. 27th

50th Day of School
Tuesday, Oct. 31st

GORUCK Teamwork Challenge at BES
Friday, November 3rd

Admissions Open House (invite your friends)
Tuesday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m. in Hope Hall

Hurricane Irma Make-Up Day (Regular School Day)
Thursday, November 9th

Conference Day
Friday, November 10th

Basketball
Basketball season is finishing up this week and next. The Girls will play their last game tonight at JCDS. It is their Pink Out game. Good luck to our girls!

JV Basketball is currently 3-2 and has a good chance to make it to the finals in our end-of-season tournament.

Varsity Basketball will compete in a 6th grade only game after the tournament.

Next week's basketball schedule:

Tournament games begin:

• JV play at San Jose Episcopal vs JCDS (blue) at 7:00 p.m.
• Varsity plays Wednesday, November 1st at St. Mark's Episcopal at 5:00 p.m.

Running Club
Keep a watch out for our Running Club on Thursday mornings. This fall weather is perfect for running.

Stay active. Go Rays!

Tricia Novak
Athletics Director

Sandals, Shorts and Steel Drum Service:
Join us every week at 11:30 for our new service! Come dressed in your tropical attire to enjoy this fun and casual service. We’ll celebrate the Eucharist, and enjoy beautiful Steel Drum Music.

Yoga:
Join us for yoga every Wednesday at 11:30am! Bring your mat if you have one to enjoy a relaxing yoga class for all skill levels and ages.