At ECS, You’re Never Alone…
ECS’s dedicated student services teams collaborate with students to tackle their toughest problems and serve as their advocates in and out of the classroom. The district is proud to support the whole child through its Health Services, School Counseling, School Social Work, and Special Education teams with each building having a designated individual from each department. With personalized attention and innovative programs, we ensure a nurturing environment for success. Together, we empower every student to thrive, and they are always here to help.
Health Services
ECS’s Health Services team consists of one full-time health office nurse at each ECS building and one K–12 certified school nurse. The team is dedicated to the health and well-being of our students while providing a number of resources, services, and healthy tips to keep students safe and promote good health.
For more information regarding ECS’s Health Service offerings, please contact judy.brand@ecspgh.org.
School Counseling
ECS’s School Counseling team consists of one school counselor at each of the district’s K–8 buildings. To support high school and beyond, two school counselors are dedicated to grades 9–12. Counselors interact with ALL students supporting their social/emotional, academic, and career development needs. The school counseling department is committed to implementing several UN Sustainable Development Goals that support student success and well-being. To learn more about ECS’s School Counseling team, email couselors@ecspgh.org.
Review ECS’s Anti-Bullying Policy
Review ECS’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Policy
ECS School Counselors align with the American School Counselor Association’s Position Statement Against Racism and Bias.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact re:solve crisis services (888-796-8226),
the Crisis Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or 911 emergency services as needed.
School Social Work
ECS is pleased to provide a school social worker in each building to support at each level of your child’s development. School Social Work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers are trained in mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as with individual and group counseling techniques. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student support services team. As a team deeply rooted in the success of the whole child, the school social work team at ECS ensures student needs are met with the following UN Sustainable Development goals at the forefront of their collaborative decision making process:
Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was established in 1987 and amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
The federal mandate ensures that homeless children and youth have access to the same free and appropriate public education as other children. Children who are homeless may qualify for assistance with school lunch, school supplies, tutoring and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin.
If you believe your child may qualify for this service, please contact district Homelessness Liaison, Sofia Massaro, at socialwork@ecspgh.org.
For more information about ECS’s dedicated school social work team, please contact socialwork@ecspgh.org.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact re:solve crisis services (888-796-8226),
the Crisis Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or 911 emergency services as needed.
Special Education
ECS provides a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities, in accordance with state and federal regulations. In Pennsylvania, the provision of special education services is governed by Chapter 14 of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students must be eligible for special education services, meet the eligibility criteria of having a disability as defined by the Department of Education, and be in need of specially designed instruction.