ECS 🦅 December 2022 News
Dear ECS Families,
Happy holidays! I hope you had a tremendous, relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. In three quick weeks, ECS will go on Winter Break, but in the meantime, students will grow through cultural celebrations that include lessons about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and the New Year. This is always a marvelous time of the year as we learn more about various holiday traditions and our peers who celebrate them.
As we fully immerse ourselves in the season, I encourage you to review UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. Remember to wrap gifts using recycled materials, buy locally, and give sustainably. Finally, this month’s newsletter details various ways to celebrate, get involved, and support ECS as the district looks to the new year. Please take a moment to browse through December’s news and fundraisers.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
What’s New at ECS?
Winter Out of School Time (OST) Programs
The winter OST Programs enrollment will open from Dec. 14–Dec. 22. Check your grade level communications for offerings at your school. View current offerings…
Professionals Needed for Annual Career Day
ECS will host its annual Career Day on Friday, Feb. 10 (grades 6–11) and Friday, Feb. 17 (grades K–5) and is in need of volunteers to showcase any traditional or nontraditional careers. Learn more and sign up to volunteer by Friday, Jan. 13.
School Safety Reminder
With more parent visitors at ECS Buildings, please remember that school safety is everyone's responsibility:
When entering or exiting the buildings, please take a moment to ensure doors shut and latch behind you.
Do not hold doors for individuals who are also trying to enter the building.
All visitors must have a badge or be buzzed into the main office.
Holiday Support for ECS Families
While the holiday season is often a joyful time filled with family and loved ones, it can also be stressful. If your family is in need of a little extra help in the form of a gift card, please complete this form by Dec. 14, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Choolaah Ski Club Fundraiser
Good eats for a great cause! Come out to Choolaah at 6114 Centre Ave on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.! Make sure your order counts - for in-person ordering tell the cashier that you are dining to support SKI ECS and for ordering online, use the code SKI at choolaah.com.
Purchase a 2022–2023 ECS Ski and Snowboard Hoodie
Purchase your 2022-2023 ECS Ski and Snowboard Hoodie by Jan. 5, 2023! Profits will support students on Ski scholarships. Your student will receive your order at the end of January. Don’t wait, order today!
Pick the Perfect ECS Gift
Celebrate a little school spirit for the holidays by purchasing ECS gear. Visit the ECS store to pick the perfect gift.
High School Construction Update from November
In case you missed it, ECS is in the bidding process for the new high school construction project. Learn more…
A Message from Student Services: We are grateful!
The ECS Student Services Team is here to help, but we couldn’t do it without you! It takes a village and we are so very grateful for our partnership with ECS staff and families. Together, we are stronger. Thank you for standing with us and for trusting us as we work together in service of our students.
PAPBS Network Conference
ECS is excited to announce that the Primary and Intermediate Schools were awarded the title of a “Banner School” for their Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) initiatives during the 2021–2022 school year at the PAPBS conference this weekend. Thank you to all the staff and faculty that made this possible!
Alma Tip–Notifications
When notifications are sent from Alma, they will go to the first phone number and email address listed on your account. To double-check your information, log into Alma and click on your profile circle (circle with your initials in it in the top, righthand corner) and then, "My Info". To edit/update or reorder your information, click on "Click to edit." You can reorder your information by clicking and dragging on the small 6 dots to the left of your phone numbers and emails.
What’s Happening in Your Building?
Hear from your building’s principal and learn what’s happening in your student’s building through their online newsletter.
PCO News
Gingerbread House Event
The Annual ECS PCO Gingerbread House Event is Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Intermediate School Cafe! Bring your whole family to build a gingerbread house. We will provide ALL the supplies, you provide all the creativity! (a recommended $10 donation to the PCO would be appreciated, but not required) Questions? Email sabrinafossi@gmail.com
Subscribe to the PCO Pulse Newsletter
Stay up to date with PCO (Parent Community Organization) events, meetings, activities, and more. Updates are provided every Wednesday. Subscribe to the newsletter…
In Case You Missed It!
Inclement Weather Procedures
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, ECS shared its Inclement Weather procedures for the 22–23 school year. Learn more…
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.
Transportation Guidelines Revision
ECS has revised its Transportation Guidelines to remind students and families that transportation is a privilege, and students will not damage and/or vandalize the bus in any manner. Please know that all activities are recorded. View the revised Transportation Guidelines…
Food Service Procedures for the 22–23 School Year
During the 22–23 school year, breakfast is the ONLY free meal regardless of economic status. Families are encouraged to apply for Free & Reduced lunch to learn if they qualify for the program. Please select “Environmental Charter School” as your home school district. Learn more about food services at ECS…
Enrollment Is Open for the 23–24 School Year
Tell your friends! ECS’s enrollment for the 23–24 School Year is open. Current students do not need to apply. Re-enrollment information will be sent to all current families in March. Learn more…
Sibling Preference
Have a sibling that would like to attend ECS for the 23–24 school year? Please complete an application by logging in to your SchoolMint account and pressing the add new student application. The application deadline for sibling preference is Jan. 31, 2023.
"A sibling is defined as one of two or more individuals having at least one common parent/guardian. A birth certificate is required for sibling preference for the proof of the child's age on the application. Sibling preference does not guarantee enrollment."
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.
Go Guardian Break Changes
ECS uses a Beacon software tool to monitor online activity from your child’s school account. During the year when school is in session, if any content related to suicide or self-harm is flagged, a member of our Student Services team follows up with students and families to ensure that students are properly supported. During the break, the ability to monitor these alerts is significantly reduced. If an alert is detected, the notification will be sent directly to the parent from Go Guardian. ECS encourages you to have open conversations with your child and/or contact Re:solve Crisis Services (1-888-796-8226) if you are concerned about your student’s mental health and safety. Because this software tool is only based on your child’s online activity, it should not be used as a medical or psychological assessment of your child’s condition, but more so an indicator that you should speak with your child about what is troubling them.