ECS 🦅 April 2024 News
Dear ECS Families,
April is the best month because it is Earth Month! And this year, our Earth Month celebrations are guiding us to two very special GreenRoots events:
6–12 Sustainability Fest: Friday, May 10, 2024
K–5 Sustainability Fair: Friday, May 17, 2024
Learn more about these events, and sign up to attend below.
As we make our way to May keeping in mind that all of this rain we are receiving will lead to May flowers, I am proud of the many brilliant student groups that exist at ECS with sustainability and preservation at the heart of what they do. At ECS Intermediate, our EcoStewards are preparing to replace invasive plants that they removed from Frick Park in the fall with native species. The Intermediate School Green Team is proposing different actions to further its zero waste initiatives. Students at Middle School are planning a sustainable fashion show, and litter clean ups and tree planting are a given throughout the entire school.
These extraordinary efforts grow global citizens ready to take agency over our world, advocate for the future, and act as catalysts for change. This Earth Month, join ECS and our weekly activities through our GreenRoots Calendar. Together, we can make a difference.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
CEO
Hear from your building’s principal and learn what’s happening in your student’s building through their online newsletter.
What’s New at ECS?
REMINDER: No School on April 8 for the Eclipse
As mentioned in the March 22nd announcement, school will not be in session on Monday, April 8 due to the Eclipse. Read more…
24-25 School Year Calendar
View the 24-25 school year calendar. More events and information will be posted in the coming months.
#ECSGreenRoots Calendar
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…
CEO Succession Planning Update
OnRamps is reviewing a nationwide candidate pool and conducting first and second-round interviews with candidates. Learn more…
Lunch Menu Change
In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the lunch menu will change to the following on Thursday, April 11:
Chicken Karahi (Pakistani Chicken Curry)
Puri Bread
Cauliflower
Upcoming Events
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…
Green Roots: A Sustainable Affair
ECS’s fun-packed, sustainability events are back in honor of our Earth! RSVP for your student’s Green Roots: A Sustainable Affair event to learn about the school's commitment to the SDGs, participate in activities, and meet community partners.
6–12 Sustainability Fest: Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6–8 p.m.
This year's event will feature:
S'mores & Camping 101, Cornhole & Ping Pong
Black Out Poetry & DJ
Bike ECS & Bike People
Student Art Showcase
Environmental Citizenship & 8th Grade Capstone Presentations and award ceremony with Keynote Speaker, Camila Rivera Tinsley
6–12 Sustainability Fest RSVP
K–5 Sustainability Fair: Friday, May 17, 2024, from 5–7 p.m.
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!
SAVE THE DATE: Parent Volunteer Breakfast
Parent volunteers are invited to join ECS staff on May 21 from 9–10:30 a.m. at Turtle Park next to the Intermediate School for a breakfast in appreciation of all you do for the ECS community. Keep an eye out for an RSVP next month.
#ECSCares Day–June 13, 2024
ECS is pleased to host its second annual #ECSCares Day on June 13, 2024. As global citizens, students and families are encouraged to volunteer at various community sites from 9–11 a.m. or participate in a service project on their own to receive attendance credit for June 13th. Keep an eye out for more information including site sign-ups, ideas for individual service projects, and logistics.
Hawks Out of School!
K–8 Spring Club Registration is Open!
Registrations for K-8 Spring clubs are now open. From cursive club at the Primary School to Theater at Intermediate and Middle, there’s a club for everyone! Learn more and register by Wednesday, April 10.
Final ½ Day Adventure for April 19 Registration is Open!
Register for K-5’s final ½ Day Adventure on April 19 with Mad Science and Assemble After School. Learn more about costs and program hours, and register by Wednesday, April 10.
Winter Athletics Update and Spring Preview
WOW! ECS’s winter athletics program was filled with successes district-wide. Learn more about the ECHS and ECMS basketball season, the ECHS Cheer Team, and what is coming for the Spring Season. Read more…
Congratulations!
ECS Robotics Teams
Congratulations to the two ECMS Robotics teams who won 1st place at the State Championship on March 7, earning them spots at VEX Worlds Championship in Dallas, Texas on May 1-3 for the second year in a row. Keep an eye out for more information and to cheer on our teams. Excellent work!
Communications and Out-of-School Time Team
ECS won two awards in the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association’s (PenSPRA) 2023 Excellence in Education Communications Contest. The district received an award of Merit in the writing category and a Gold Medallion award for its strategic communications campaign "ECS Engage" for the 2023 Out of School Time Activities Fair. PenSPRA's Gold Medallion Award is a highly competitive award that recognizes superior school public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices. ECS's winning entries were coordinated by Deana Callipare, Director of Communications, Kristan Abeshouse, Director of Community Relations, and Ashley Wellman, after-school programs coordinator.
PenSPRA is a nationally recognized professional organization. The group strengthens the leadership role of the school communications profession, fosters the continual development of its members, celebrates student and teacher achievement, and promotes school and community partnerships in support of education.
PCO News
PCO Meeting
Attend the PCO’s May 1 Meeting at the Intermediate School from 6–8 p.m.
ECS’s annual Spring Flower & Plant Sale is back in time for Spring planting!
Annual bedding flowers, hanging baskets, and individual potted flowers are available from a local, woman-owned business. We are also offering organic vegetable, herb, and native pollinator seedlings from Grow Pittsburgh. Pick-up will occur on May 17th at the Intermediate School. Browse plants and place orders
We need many hands to make this fundraiser happen! Please sign up to help.
In Case You Missed It
Primary Aftercare with YMCA for the 24–25 School Year
ECS partners with the YMCA to provide after-school care for students in grades K–2 that explore the outdoors. Learn more about aftercare options and pricing, 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…
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!
Official Social Media Pages
As a reminder, ECS encourages families to follow its official, district-run social media pages to stay up to date on school happenings. Please review the links to ensure you are following accurate, ECS-owned social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Subscribe!
Half-Day Dismissal Times
Know your building’s dismissal time on Half Days:
Primary: 11:30 a.m.
Intermediate: 11:20 a.m.
ECMS: 11:50 a.m.
ECHS: 11:38 a.m.