ECS November 2021 News
Dear ECS Families,
I hope everyone had a marvelous time celebrating Halloween last Friday. From the pumpkin parade to classroom parties, it was delightful to see students and parents safely partaking in our ECS traditions and building community after several months of distancing. At ECS, students experience a variety of cultural celebrations throughout the year, and the month of November is jam-packed with exciting holidays, cultures, and celebrations for students to discover. This month, students have already learned about Day of the Dead and Diwali. As they journey through the month, they will learn about American Indian Heritage Month, and International STEAM Day is right around the corner on Monday, Nov. 8 with Veteran's Day not far off from that on Thursday, Nov. 11. The end of the month brings many of us together as we celebrate Thanksgiving and the start of Hanukkah.
These celebrations are a massive part of the ECS mission to grow citizens as they teach students about a variety of celebrations from around the world that they may not be familiar with. In conjunction with our dedication to the UN Sustainable Development goals, students will broaden their perspectives and learn what it means to be global citizens.
In that same vein, we adults can learn along with them. Take a moment with your student to explore these cultural celebrations with them, and share your own family traditions as well. Teachers, principals, and administrators love to hear the wonderful stories our students share about their customs and traditions.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
What’s New at ECS?
Children’s Grief Awareness Day (CGAD)
On Thursday, November 18, ECS will participate in Children's Grief Awareness Day (K–10). For information about support services for grieving children, check out The Caring Place and/or reach out to a school counselor. More information about your building’s CGAD activities will appear in grade-level newsletters. #CGADHOPE #CGAD2021
ECHS Building Design Presentation
The new ECHS building project at 5545 Hamilton Avenue is at the end of the design phase and the project now moves in front of city agencies for various levels of design and construction permissioning. The building’s performance engineers and project management team, Avon Architects and Auros Group, will provide an overview of the building design and performance at November's Board meeting. Attend the meeting to learn more.
Coming Soon! ECS will also host an opportunity for residents of Larimer and the ECS community to talk to ECS, Avon Architects, and Auros Group about the design and project. Keep an eye out for more information.
ECS’s Athletic Coordinators
ECS is excited to announce our partnership with the Kingsley Association to support the development of an athletic program for our students. To support our goals, ECS is delighted to introduce our new Athletic Coordinators that will partner with Kingsley to create programming. Read more...
A Note from the Offices of Enrollment and External Affairs
Our team is dedicated to ensuring diversity and inclusion district-wide and continues to participate and partner with organizations that help ECS thrive as a place for all students. ECS continues to participate in a variety of community events throughout Pittsburgh’s East End communities like Urban Academy’s and Community Day School’s Open Houses while partnering with like-minded organizations such as Venture Outdoors for E-Day, Assemble for half-day adventures at the Primary and Intermediate Schools, and the Kingsley Association for Athletics. Check out ECS’s stories in The Bulletin’s upcoming paper and The New Pittsburgh Courier’s school choice guide. Learn more about ECS’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism...
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.
In Case You Missed It!
Enrollment for the 22–23 School Year is Open
Siblings Preference: Please complete an application for any siblings of current students that would like to attend ECS for the 2022–23 school year. Current students do not need to apply, and ECS will send re-enrollment information to all current families in January. Learn more about sibling preference...
Reporting Transportation Updates
ECS is diligently working to improve communication methods regarding transportation. In the meantime, if ECS is alerted that a bus is running late, using a substitute driver, or experiencing an incident that would result in a change in service, an update will appear at the top of ecspgh.org. Delays in updates may occur based on when the information is received and if staff are available to post. ECS can only report information that is provided to the district.
Board Meeting Time Change
ECS Board of Trustees meetings will occur at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please review the Board information page.
Java with Jon and James
Grab a cup of joe, and join Mr. McCann and Dr. Doyle via Google Meet the second Wednesday of every month to chat about district-level information, share feedback, and ask questions. The next Java with Jon and James is on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
