Intermediate School April Newsletter (23–24)
Important Dates
4/8: No School - Eclipse
4/10: No School - Eid-al-Fitr
4/11: PCO Yearbook Order Deadline
4/12: Deadline to Purchase PCO Blooming Bash Tickets
4/17: ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle
4/19: Half Day for Students/Conferences
4/22, 24, 26: PSSA (ELA) Testing
4/23: No School - Conferences
4/24: Executive Functions with Dr. Chase at 6 p.m. at Middle
4/25: Take Your Child to Work Day
4/27: PCO Plant Order Deadline
4/29, 30: PSSA (Math)
5/1: PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at Intermediate
5/1, 2: Science PSSAs
5/3: Spirit Day
Dear ECS Intermediate School Families,
The month of April is National Poetry Month. Poetry comes in many forms from a structured poem like a haiku to a no-rules poem that can be found in a free verse format. You can check out the weekly Poetry Corner in the #ECSGreenRoots Calendar and try out some Earth Month Poetry! On April 30th, the cafeteria will become the Poetry Cafe. Students will have an opportunity to "taste" different types of poetry during their lunch.
In fifth grade, the students will focus on a mini figurative language unit in Tiers 1 and 2 ME Times. Throughout the unit, students will read from various poetic examples and will have the opportunity to apply them in their writing. We are also using a poem from Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's book called Read! Read! Read! as the model text in our perfect tense grammar unit.
Sincerely,
Laura Williams
Intermediate School Principal
What’s new at the Intermediate School?
Executive Functions: What are they, why are they important, and how can I help?
Join ECS and special guest, Dr. Cheryl Chase, a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in child development and diagnosing/supporting children with ADHD, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Learning Disorders, and emotional concerns, on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. to learn about “executive functioning” and practical strategies to support children with weak executive functions at home and in school. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Learn more and register today…
K–5 Sustainability Fair: Friday, May 17, 2024, from 5–7 p.m. RSVP
This year's event will feature:
- 5th Grade Environmental Literacy posters
- Thinking Lab Artwork
- EcoStewards Scavenger Hunt & S'mores
- Drumming Circle
- Storytime in the Garden
-AND you'll have the chance to Pie a teacher!
Register for Summer Sports Camps
ECS is hosting 3 weeks of summer sports camps at its Intermediate School location for rising 1st–6th graders. Sports include soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, kickball, and more. Learn more and Register today!
Intermediate Aftercare with Venture Outdoors for the 24–25 School Year
This aftercare program is daily until 6 p.m. and includes environmental and recreational outdoor activities like: geocaching, hiking, snowshoeing, fishing skills, crafts, creek exploration, trail games, free play and more. During daily "wind down time" students play board games, cards, artwork, work on homework, and relax. Students will also enjoy special half-day off-site adventures including kayaking, biking, and rock climbing! Learn more about pricing and part-time options…
This Month’s Cultural Celebrations
April is Earth Month! Celebrate Earth Month and the weeks leading up to the GreenRoots Sustainability events by taking part in the GreenRoots Calendar! Get involved, document your participation using this form, and have the chance to win fun prizes! Learn more…
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Sibling Preference for the 24–25 School Year
Have a sibling who would like to attend ECS for the 2024–25 school year? Please complete an application in your SchoolMint account by pressing the add new student application after Oct. 2. The application deadline for sibling preference is January 31. Current students do not need to apply. Re-enrollment will occur in March.“A sibling is defined as one of two or more individuals having at least one common legal parent/guardian. Sibling preference does not guarantee enrollment.”
Enrollment for the 24–25 School Year Opens Oct. 2!
Let your friends and neighbors know about our open enrollment! The application deadline to be considered for the lottery is Jan. 31, 2024. Learn more…Family Portal on the ECS Website
Based on feedback from last year’s communication survey, ECS has identified areas of improvement on the website. ECS is pleased to launch its Family Portal, a designated space for current families to view and learn information. Browse the Family Portal.Volunteering & Clearances
ECS values volunteers in our district. To learn how to volunteer and what clearances are needed visit the Family Portal Volunteer page.Receive Board Meeting Reminders Did you know that ECS has monthly Board of Trustees meetings? Opt-In to receive Board Meeting Reminders that will include the date, time, and location of the meeting as well as links to the agenda draft, sign up to speak form, and YouTube Live feed.
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Arrival:
Students being brought to school by car, bike, or on foot will be accepted at the Henrietta Street entrance between 8 and 8:20 a.m.
The front door will close at 8:20.
If your child plans to get breakfast, please plan to have them arrive prior to 8:10 to allow time for receiving breakfast, eating, and then arriving at home base.
Please use the visitor parking spaces on Milton Street, adjacent to Turtle Park, if you must park your car during student arrival. Please do not park in front of the school or on Milton Street.
Please avoid obstructing neighbors’ driveways.
Please be aware of cyclists and pedestrians in and around Regent Square.
Please do not make a U-turn on Henrietta Street (street in front of the building) or turn left on Milton. Instead, please continue straight down Henrietta and turn left on LaClair.
If you arrive after 8:20, please bring your student to the front door and ring the bell. The office manager will confirm the receipt of your child and they will sign in at the front desk and receive a pass to class
Dismissal:
Student dismissal begins at 3:20 and concludes at 3:50 p.m. Please be timely in picking your child up as close to 3:20 as possible. If you are running late, please contact the school.
Do not stop or park in front of the school or on Milton Street. Please park on the east side of South Braddock Avenue.
All pick-up students will be dismissed from the side exit of the school building, next to Turtle Park.
Dismissals from the office are for pre-arranged early dismissals only. Please pick your child up from the designated dismissal location outside of the school.
Please avoid obstructing neighbors’ driveways.
Be aware of cyclists and pedestrians in and around Regent Square.
During severe weather incidents (such as thunderstorms) parents may pick up students from the school gym.
Do not make a U-turn on Henrietta Street or turn left on Milton. Instead, please continue straight down Henrietta and turn left on LaClair.
Make sure that your child has checked in with the staff member assigned to their dismissal.
All early dismissals MUST be pre-arranged with the office prior to dismissal.
Please arrange dismissal by 11:30 a.m. via email (transport.int@ecspgh.org). Any dismissal notifications after 11:30 a.m., please call the office at (412) 247-7970 x 2400.
Students will only be released to pre-authorized adults/person(s). All unauthorized people will need the consent of the parent/guardian via email and/or phone call listed on the student’s profile. These individuals must be 18 years of age or older with valid identification.
Once at the school, please ring the front doorbell and ask the office manager for your child. Your child will check in with the office and meet you at the front door.
Early dismissals will NOT take place after 2:50 p.m. If you arrive after 2:50 p.m. for an early dismissal, you will need to wait until your child is dismissed at their normal time.
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Intermediate School students are dismissed at 11:20 a.m. on half days.
Intermediate School Hawk Highlights From Last Month!
The EPA with Congresswoman Lee visited the Intermediate School, and the 5th Grade Game Night was a huge success!
