2020-21 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, United States

We will offer 2-day group in-person testing for students in grades 3-8 at our offices.  Our testing room only accommodates 10 students, so space is VERY limited.  (For information about online or at-home testing, visit the Testing information under the Resources tab above) PLEASE NOTE:  This is a 2-day testing process.  Your student will be required to attend BOTH testing days. Please complete the form below to reserve your student's participation before April 9th.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. REGISTRATION FORM (only need to register once): MORE INFO ABOUT THE TEST: We are offering the Iowa Assessments Form E, which is the most up-to-date test available to our school.  This test assesses a broad array of skills in these areas: • Vocabulary • Reading Comprehension • Language (Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Usage and Expression) • Math (Concepts and Estimation, Problem Solving and Data Interpretation, Computation) • Social Studies • Science • Sources of Information (Maps and Diagrams, Reference Materials).  Students mark answers on a bubble sheet. Each section is timed.  Test results are thorough and highlight strengths and weaknesses. TEST PREP: You can purchase and have your student go through a practice test.  Amazon.com offers several test prep books, and Essential families should also explore our school library for resources.

$40 – $65

2020-21 Morning Testing for Grades 3-8

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, United States

We will offer 2-day group in-person testing for students in grades 3-8 at our offices.  Our testing room only accommodates 10 students, so space is VERY limited.  (For information about online or at-home testing, visit the Testing information under the Resources tab above) PLEASE NOTE:  This is a 2-day testing process.  Your student will be required to attend BOTH testing days. Please complete the form below to reserve your student's participation before April 9th.  Essential families receive a significant discount on the test administration. REGISTRATION FORM (only need to register once): MORE INFO ABOUT THE TEST: We are offering the Iowa Assessments Form E, which is the most up-to-date test available to our school.  This test assesses a broad array of skills in these areas: • Vocabulary • Reading Comprehension • Language (Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Usage and Expression) • Math (Concepts and Estimation, Problem Solving and Data Interpretation, Computation) • Social Studies • Science • Sources of Information (Maps and Diagrams, Reference Materials).  Students mark answers on a bubble sheet. Each section is timed.  Test results are thorough and highlight strengths and weaknesses. TEST PREP: You can purchase and have your student go through a practice test.  Amazon.com offers several test prep books, and Essential families should also explore our school library for resources.

$40 – $65

Kindergarten Graduation 2021

Kindergarten Graduation Saturday, May 15, 2021 1pm or 3pm Church of the Highlands | Greystone Campus Please RSVP by March 15th to be included with our group order for caps/tassels! Love this time of year!  I hope you will join us for a special time of honoring our kindergarten graduates.  Make sure you review the information and respond by March 15th to keep your overall costs low. (You do have until May 1, 2021 to rsvp and pay graduation fees) Cap & Tassel We recommend that every graduate have a cap & tassel.  We encourage our graduates to choose whatever color they like.  In the past families have gone with the complete cap/gown set. We must have your order by March 15th for group order.  PLEASE NOTE:  Essential will provide the diplomas for all families.  You can simply order a tassel if you already have access to a cap/gown.  Payment for your order will be due by March 15th.  Order your supplies on the BHC website.  And, yes, you can order whether you participate in the ceremony or not. In addition, we do have FEW caps/gowns available for loan in the school library. Graduation Fee We are asking for a $10/family fee to cover the costs of the reception (personalized cake & gifts) and for the venue.  This is due by May 1st. We do open this event up to other area homeschoolers, and we will charge a $20/family fee for non-ECS families.  ECS families should use the BHC website to RSVP and pay the fees.  Use the coupon code Essential21 to get the Essential graduation rate. RSVP NOW CLICK HERE to be redirected to the BHC website.  You will have to log on or create an account with BHC to see the forms.  Remember you will want to RSVP and pay graduation fees for this event by May 1, 2021.

Virtual Kindergarten Graduation 2021

Virtual

Several of you have asked for a virtual Kindergarten Graduation option, and we are happy to be able to accommodate!  Please use the ticketing option below to secure your graduate's participation.  Your confirmation email will include the link to the online event which you can share with friends and family who want to be present. PLEASE NOTE:  This virtual event will not have technical assistance.  Essential can only offer the web link.  We do not handle the speed of your internet service, your speakers, your microphone, and your ability to access the event link.  This event uses the Microsoft Teams service, and you can go to their support page to discover more and perhaps find assistance with any technical issues.  We do know that this service DOES NOT work effectively using the Safari web browser, and if you are viewing/interacting from your mobile device, we highly recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app and creating a free Microsoft account for best experience. This special day typically includes a slideshow of our graduates, a personal recognition by parents, opportunities to share accomplishments through presentations and table displays, and a special cake reception for family and friends.  We will adapt these things for a virtual experience.  Special participation packets for parents will need to be picked up from our offices, and presentations/displays will need to be submitted in advance. For your graduate to participate, NEEDED BY MARCH 15 Order any needed caps/gowns/tassels by March 15th (click here for options).  We encourage all graduates to have a cap and tassel.  Our group order helps keep cost low. Order Graduation Supplies Now NEEDED BY MAY 1 Pay the graduation fee for your graduate's participation below. Email to info@essentialchurchschool.org: 3 pictures of your graduate to us (include at least 1 baby photo) your graduate's full name for diploma, and preferred name for special recognitions Invite family and friends to join us for this special day! FAQS What does the graduation fee cover?  Event space coordination, personalized reception and diploma, and printing costs. What do graduates usually wear?  Most graduates wear “church” clothes  with a cap, gown, and tassel.  We encourage all graduates to have at least a cap/tassel. What do parents normally say at presentation of diploma?  We have parents come up with their graduate to present the diploma.  Most parents share about the things that make them proud of their graduate, but often it is a simple handoff and hug.  Please plan to keep your presentation to 3-5 minutes.  

Free – $10.00

High School Graduation 2021

Church of the Highlands | Fultondale Campus 3250 Lowery Pkwy, Fultondale, AL, United States

We look forward to a special, formal evening celebrating our high school graduates. Graduates and their parents should use Graduation Information link on the Member Page to register for participation and admissions. Admissions for friends and extended family are required for attendance.  Please secure your attendance admission BEFORE May 24th.  Admissions may be offered after this date, but they will reflect additional fees for adjustment charges.  The admission ticket allows us to plan for attendance, cover photography services, and provide a cake reception following the ceremony. Although admissions are not refundable, please contact us if you are unable to attend due to illness.  We encourage everyone to continue to abide by health and safety guidelines in respect for others. Scroll down to see Tickets order form.

Free – $5

Legacy Girl’s Volleyball Clinic

Gardendale Civic Center 857 Main Street, Gardendale, AL, United States

Upcoming volleyball clinic open to our Legacy families. Whether you are new to the game or ready to fine tune your skills, now is the time. June 14th & 15th at the Gardendale Civic Center. $60 covers the clinic both days and a T-shirt. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/211266484399163 Please spread the word and direct questions to me at apatkinson74@gmail.com Thanks and Go Lions! - Ashley Atkinson, Legacy Athletics Director

2020-2021 Attendance Due

Virtual

Applies to 2020-2021 enrolled families only.   Make sure your online attendance records are complete. These are available for you to complete on your Member Page -OR- Submit scans/photos of printed or personal attendance records using the School Messages link on your Member Page or sending via email to info@essentialchurchschool.org   Remember that attendance records must include a register of school days completed, not simply a number.   If you are planning to mail in records, please mail them ASAP to: Essential Church School, PO Box 382034, Birmingham, AL 35238-2034

2021-2022 Essential School Year Begins

Virtual

For some, the new year is in January, but for us at Essential, it all begins on July 1st! Re-Enrollment is available on your Member Page on May 1st. Not already enrolled with Essential?  Join us this school year!

Office Holiday

Essential Church School Offices 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL, United States

Our office staff works so hard for you!  We are going to give them a break for the holiday weekend. You can still submit online forms, but please note that there will be a delay in reponse and processing.

Event Series Homeschooling Basic Training

Homeschooling Basic Training

Chelsea Public Library 16623 US-280, Chelsea, AL, United States

It may be basic, but that does not mean easy!  Join Kristy Trent for a 6-week series of training and preparation for homeschooling. Each Tuesday evening:  July 13 - August 17 We will cover: Being Purposeful (Know Your Why) Being Responsible (Legal) Ways and Means of Homeschooling (Methods) The Homeschool Toolbox (Curriculum) Being Prepared (Planning) These workshops are free and open to the public, and they will begin promptly at 6pm each Tuesday evening.