ECS 🦅 February 2023 News
Dear ECS Families,
February is an immensely busy month and full of academic opportunities that support growth and development for all students. ECS will continue its commitment to cultural celebrations through its extensive Black History Month programming. During the first full week of February, students will celebrate Black Lives Matter at School week by exploring the history of the Civil Rights movement, activism, art, and tradition. Throughout the month, lessons will engage students in systems thinking and focus on African Americans who contributed to our history.
Finally, ECS is excited to host its Career Day in person this year on Feb. 10th (grades 6–11) and Feb. 17th (K–5). Paying close attention to UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, a diverse group of volunteers will present about their occupation and explain why their role makes a difference. I am grateful to have so many individuals dedicated to ECS’s mission and supporting our devotion to growing citizens.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
What’s New at ECS?
Attend the K–5 Parent Literacy Night
Join ECS for the K–5 Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the Intermediate School to learn more about the K–5 literacy program, how we support students’ literacy skills through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, (MTSS), and learn strategies that can easily be implemented at home to boost your child/children’s literacy skills. Learn more and RSVP by Feb. 17…
High School Construction Update from January
In case you missed it, ECS’s new high school construction project connects to Goal 3. Learn more…
Last Home Hawk Basketball Game
The last Home Hawk Basketball game is tomorrow, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Kingsley Association. We hope to see you in the bleachers supporting our players. Go Hawks! Review the schedule and Attend a Game…
Bike ECS Volunteers Needed
ECS has an increasingly expanding youth cycling program, called BikeECS, and we are looking for volunteers to join student programming across the district. Interested? Sign up here. No experience is required.
Bike ECS Walking/Biking to School Survey
If your child bikes or walks to any of our ECS buildings and you’re interested in supporting more walking and biking opportunities across the district, click here to fill out a brief survey.
4th Annual Virtual Career Fair
ECS is hosting its annual virtual career fair on Saturday, March 4 from 9–10:30 a.m. to fill positions for the 2023–2024 school year. The career fair will allow applicants to e-meet current ECS professionals, ask questions, and learn about the organization. Register today!
We Got Vans!
Because there are some distances we just can’t bike to, the next best thing is carpooling! The district recently purchased three vans to transport students to events, games, and field trips.
PAAR’s Strengthening Families Group
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) has a Strengthening Families Group starting Monday, Feb. 6 from 5:30–7 p.m. in person at its South Side Office.
This group is for children ages 6-9 and their caregivers. Pizza dinner will be provided. Any family in the community is welcome to attend. The family does not have to have a history of sexual abuse or trauma. Please register on the PAAR Website
Alma Tip–Emergency Contacts
ICYMI, You can add emergency contacts to your students' profiles in Alma. Once you are logged into Alma, click on your profile circle (circle with your initials in it in the top, righthand corner). Click on "My Info." For each of your students, you will see an "Emergency Contacts" box. To edit an emergency contact, hover over the emergency contact you would like to edit and select the “edit” button. If you would like to add an emergency contact, click the green “+ add an emergency contact.”
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.
Congratulations!
Dr. Gloria Gilmer
Director of Secondary Curriculum (6-12), Cynthia Gilmer's mother-in-law, Dr. Gloria Gilmer, is now the first black woman mathematician to have her papers in the Library of Congress. Learn more...
PCO News
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!
Student Career Day 2023
ECS is excited to host its annual in-person Career Day on Feb. 10th (6–11) and Feb. 17th (K–5) with a focus on UNSDG #11 and more than 100 volunteers!
At ECHS, college and career exploration happens throughout the year and is expanding its programming by building Naviance lessons into Studio, attending a College Fair, and growing the internship program. Additionally, 10th graders will have the opportunity to take the PSATS, and while ECHS is not an official SAT test center, Juniors will have access to SAT location sites this spring. Students may also take “SAT prep” during their activity period.
Attendance Reminder - Excused Absences
With many student illnesses and absences, please note that a student can have up to 10 absences excused by a parent without a doctor's note in a school year. You can complete the online parent excuse form here. After a parent excuses 10 absences, all additional absences must include a doctor's note to be excused. Any absence after 10 that does not include a note from a physician will be marked as unexcused and district truancy procedures will be followed. If you need a doctor's note for an absence, call your PCP or visit one of these options.
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.
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.