EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Parents may occasionally bring lunches to their children and/or eat lunch with their children; however, please be mindful of our emphasis on healthy eating and of the tight timelines for lunch and recess so that the visit enhances, rather than disrupts, your child’s school day.

Please do not send class treats (such as King Cake at Mardi Gras) without prior approval from the teacher.

Support Personnel

Academic Counseling: Lower School students and teachers are supported by a full-time Learning Specialist. Teachers report academic concerns and evidence of the need for enrichment or acceleration to the Learning Specialist, who then helps the teacher gather and record data and make behavior plans and/or learning accommodation plans to address the student’s needs. The Learning Specialist also serves as a liaison with outside providers when testing or other services are indicated, and coordinates tutoring, academic support and learning center services. The Learning Center and the Head of Lower School meet regularly with classroom teachers to review the progress of all students. Parents who have concerns about a student’s progress or level of challenge may contact the Learning Specialist directly, though it is recommended that they include, or begin with, the classroom teacher.

Personal Counseling. In addition to meeting with individual students as needed, the counselor works with classes and small groups to teach social skills, conflict resolution, tolerance and other character traits that support the values of ESA. A parent may contact the counselor at any time to seek advice or to request that their child be seen. Teachers and/or the Head of Lower School may consult with or refer a student to the counselor. Parents will be notified when their child is seen by the counselor.

Extracurricular Activities

Lower School extracurricular activities are driven by student interests and may include students from any grade level. Long- or short-term clubs or after-school activities most often begin with a request from a student. Teachers who propose an extracurricular activity, or who agree to facilitate a student-originated one, will notify parents of the days and times. Recurring extracurricular activities include choir and the spring musical. Fifth grade students may opt to participate in middle school sports, utilizing the ESA bus to attend after-school practices on the Cade campus.