High School Oct. Newsletter (21–22)
Dear High School Families,
It is hard to believe that fall has arrived. Fall is my favorite season for many reasons:
I enjoy the cooler weather (I love hoodies!!).
I enjoy seeing the leaves on the trees changing colors.
I love to get out with the family to visit different pumpkin patches and orchards for games, mazes, and apple picking.
Soergel Orchards in Wexford has been the usual go-to for my family, but this year, we have decided to try Triple B Farms for our fall festivities. If you are looking for similar activities to do around the city, check out this activities website for more information. I hope that you are able to get out to enjoy fall activities, the changing weather, and foliage.
Finally, I recognize that in-person learning, 5 days a week is a big change for a lot of us, and it takes some time to get used to. I would like to thank you again for your patience and grace as we continue to learn in-person routines together. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you need anything.
Best,
Cornell McCree
What's new at the High School?
Tour the High School
Since ECS is a closed campus and many of our families did not get a chance to tour their child’s building, we are offering a self-guided tour of the high school and middle school buildings on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9-11. Also, if you are a middle school family and would like to see the high school, please come and take a tour!
Sign up here: Sneak Peek of Middle School and High School
More information regarding our virtual high school open house will come at the end of October. We can’t wait to tell you what is happening at the high school!
Progress Reports
Due to PSSA & MAP testing during the month of September, we will not be sending home paper or digital progress reports the first week of October. We have not had enough time to accurately assess students. We are asking that you check Alma for updates on your student’s progress. Teachers will be updating Alma and reaching out to any families they have concerns about.
Clubs & Sports
Our FALL Club Sessions will start the week of Oct. 4! We are so excited to partner with Pearl Arts Studio and The Queen’s Gambit as well as our ECS Teachers to offer after-school programming this fall.
Visit our website frequently to learn more about after-school programs and get involved today!
Envirothon
Have you ever picked up a rock to see what's underneath? Have you ever looked at an animal and tried to determine what it was? Are you interested in the outdoors? If you said yes to any of these questions, Envirothon is for you! Come join us as we explore the environment and conservation, with a chance to compete at the spring Environment competition where we'll compete head to head with other schools on our knowledge about PA's environment.
Mondays & Wednesdays
Dismissal - 4:15 p.m.
6 weeks: Oct 4, 6, 13, 18, 20, 25, Nov 1, 3, 8, 9
Madeline Winn - ECS Club Leader
For more info and to sign up, email: madeline.winn@ecspgh.org
Art Funk - Dance Club
The "Art Funk" Dance Club is a spot for creative release and fun. Exploring identity with various styles of dance, music, and visual arts, we embrace humanity through the power of Expression. We enhance our senses of pure individuality along with the collective culture in this open safe space. Everyone's invited. Let's get funky!
Wednesdays
Dismissal - 4:05 p.m.
6 weeks: Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10
Presented by “Pearl Arts Studio”
Simon Phillips - Club Leader
For more info and to sign up: Art Funk Dance Club Sign Up
Student Leadership Council
Build leadership skills, plan school-wide events, represent the student body at large.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dismissal - 4:30 p.m.
6 Weeks: Oct 5, 7, 14, 29, 21, 26, 28, Nov 4, 9, 11
Twila Simmons-Walker - ECS Club Leader
For more info and to sign up, email: twila.simmons-walker@ecspgh.org
Open Gym
Skills and Gameplay. Open gyms are designed to be practice-like but welcoming to new and inexperienced players.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:30 p.m.
Meet: GYM
Matt Heyman - ECS Club Leader
For more info and to sign up, email: matt.heyman@ecspgh.org
Boys Basketball
Mondays
Dismissal - 4:30 p.m.
7 weeks: Sept 27, Oct. 4, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15
Teacher Sponsors: Mr. Rutherford and Ms. Masaro
Girls Volleyball
Wednesdays
Dismissal - 4:30 p.m.
7 weeks: Sept 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10
Teacher Sponsors: Ms. Crain and Ms. Wilson
Girls Basketball
Thursdays
Dismissal - 4:30 p.m.
7 weeks: Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11
Teacher Sponsors: Mr. Rutherford and Ms. Berg
All students will be dismissed to club rooms at dismissal times. If a club is canceled, the student’s normal dismissal procedure should be followed. HS Students will be signed out by the club leader and dismissed outside following the conclusion of the club. Parents should wait outside for pick-up or students may walk home.
Other questions? Email activities@ecspgh.org
In Case You Missed It
Mask Reminders
Just a quick reminder that all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks inside at all times, except while eating. Please make sure to review our mask policy for additional details.
Quest Lab
We kicked off our first Quest Lab the week of September 20, 2021. The theme for this Quest Lab was eco-literacy. Students had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion and take “quests” to local destinations as well as Eden Hall to learn more about eco-literacy.
Alma
Your student should have received an email from Alma last week with information on how to access their account. Below is a video tutorial on how to access Alma in case you are having any trouble.
https://www.loom.com/share/c95a5a37fe1241f1a09eedd9ed6cba32
Tardy Policy
In order for students to be successful, they must develop habits of punctuality. Tardiness reduces the instructional time for the student who is late. It interrupts the class they are coming into, resulting in a loss of instructional time and quality of all students in the classroom. Being tardy is defined as a student who arrives at class after the scheduled start time. With that in mind, the following policy will be implemented:
First & second tardy - teacher warning
Third tardy - teacher contact parent/guardian
Fourth tardy - lunch detention/after school detention
Fifth tardy - parent meeting with an administrator
Transition Possibilities Fair
Thursday, October 14 @ Pittsburgh Obama from 5:30–8 p.m.
Join us at an in-person event to explore student options for Employment, Post-Secondary Education and Training, and Supportive Programming.
The Fair will include:
Community partners, service providers, and colleges sharing information and resources
Presentations by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and The Pittsburgh Promise
Panel discussion featuring parents and students
Open to all families and students ages 12 and up who identify as having a disability with or without an IEP or 504
Children welcome
Refreshments provided
**We will adhere to all COVID protocols being followed by the district at the time of the event.
Important Dates this Month
10/11 & 10/12: No School, Planning Days for Staff
10/27: Quarter 1 Ends
10/29: ½ Day for Students