ECS 🦅 January 2023 News
Dear ECS Families,
Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was relaxing and rejuvenating.
As we slowly relax from the holiday season, we settle into 2023 with resolutions and extraordinary opportunities ahead of us. In the Principal newsletters linked below, you will find information regarding this month’s cultural celebrations which includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, both of which hold a great deal of significance as ECS remains dedicated to educating for sustainability and ensuring students are well versed in systems thinking.
Outside of the classroom, the district has several events this month for family engagement. Cheer on the Hawk Basketball team and learn more about our unique high school building project at the ECHS Construction: Staff and Family Reception on January 26. Finally, ECS’s enrollment period to be considered for the lottery closes on Jan. 31, so be sure to tell your friends and submit sibling preference applications. Re-enrollment of current students will occur in March. If you have questions regarding the enrollment process, please contact enrollment@ecspgh.org. Review all the marvelous events and activities that January has in store for our community below.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
What’s New at ECS?
Attend the ECHS Construction Staff and Family Reception
Join ECS and Beth Eckenrode (AUROS Group) on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Cafe to celebrate the district's past, present, and future. Discover how ECS will utilize public dollars to create a truly sustainable, net-zero, building that aligns with the City of Pittsburgh’s 2030 Climate Action Plan and incorporates Passive House Design, RESET Air, and WELL Performance Rating. Register today…
High School Construction Update from December
In case you missed it, ECS’s new high school construction project connects to Goal 2. Learn more…
Cheer on our Hawk Basketball Team
Winning their first game ever on Dec. 12, the ECS Hawk Basketball season has started! Home games are played at the Kingsley Associated at 5 p.m. and are open to the public on 1/9, 1/23, 1/30, and 2/6. We thank you for your support and hope to see you in the bleachers supporting our players. Go Hawks! Review the schedule and Attend a Game...
Affordable Internet for Families
Under the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), qualifying households receive subsidies of $30/month for internet access and up to $100 toward the purchase of a connected device (computer or tablet) from an ACP provider. See details here.
Sleep Resources
Quality, restorative sleep is important for healthy growth and development. Lack of restful sleep diminishes students’ ability to concentrate, learn, and manage emotions throughout the day.
There are some concrete ways to support healthy sleep habits – limiting screen time and phone access at night, developing sustainable bedtime routines, and utilizing natural supports to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.
If you or a family member could use some help getting a better night’s sleep, check out the resources below or contact your child’s pediatrician.
The recommended hours of sleep per age group according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
NEW! Alma Directory Opt-In
Alma student contacts now have the option to opt-in to a parent/guardian directory. You will see a preview of what other guardians will be able to see. Only guardians who have also opted to be included in the directory can see your information.
Click on your profile circle (circle with your initials in it) in the top, right corner of your screen. Click on "My Info." Under "My Information," you will see the option for "Directory Opt-In." If you would like to be seen in the Alma parent/guardian directory, simply click the toggle to "Yes." You can go back at any time and change this back to "No."
Alma Tip–Academic Calendar
The ECS academic calendar can be viewed in Alma by clicking on the "Calendar" tab. Dates are color-coded according to the event type. Black = Holidays, Breaks, and Weather (Students are not in school). Yellow = Inservice (Students are not in school). Blue Outline = Key Dates. Orange = Other school events.
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!
Holiday Support for ECS Families
ECS’s student services team raised $2,900 to support ECS families in need throughout the holiday season. With the PCO matching up to $2,000, a total of $4,900 helped 89 ECS families with a minimum of $50 gift cards each.
ECS’s Tutoring Partner, Open Literacy–Mentioned in A+ Schools Report
ECS was excited to learn that its tutoring partner, Open Literacy, was mentioned in A+ Schools’ community report on page 14. Read more…
Dr. Virginia Hill– Brené Brown Podcast
Dr. Hill was mentioned in the Dare to Lead Brené Brown Podcast on Dec. 5, 2022 Listen here...
Laura Brienza–American League of Bicyclists Spotlight
Bike ECS coordinator, Laura Brienza, was nominated as the monthly Spotlight instructor for the American League of Bicyclists. Read 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.