ECS 🦅 October 2023 News
Jon McCann, CEO
Email: jon.mccann@ecspgh.org
Phone: x302
Dear ECS Families,
You might recall that at the end of the 22–23 School Year, ECS had run into a barrier regarding its high school construction project as the bid to construct the building came in higher than anticipated. Throughout the summer, Dr. Cribbs, Superintendent, and I continued to meet with AVON Design Group to discuss our collective efforts to reduce costs. We reviewed floor plans, building components, and nonnegotiable school needs. Based on our conversations, the design team diligently worked to “value engineer” the school without compromising healthy student-focused spaces.
With that said, this past week, I was happy to share that the ECS Board of Directors formally engaged an architectural team and is seeking construction management services to support the creation of this beautiful building. Learn more about this tremendous work, and read this month’s high school construction newsletter in its entirety.
The high school is a representation of ECS’s past, present, and future, and it is only fitting that we continue to build a sustainable building for future generations to come during our 15th year of operation.
Be Well,
Jon McCann
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?
Sibling Preference for the 24–25 School Year
Have a sibling who would like to attend ECS for the 2024–25 school year? Please complete an application in your SchoolMint account by pressing the add new student application after Oct. 2. The application deadline for sibling preference is January 31. Current students do not need to apply. Re-enrollment will occur in March.
“A sibling is defined as one of two or more individuals having at least one common legal parent/guardian. Sibling preference does not guarantee enrollment.”
Enrollment for the 24–25 School Year Opens TOMORROW, Oct. 2!
Let your friends and neighbors know about our open enrollment! The application deadline to be considered for the lottery is Jan. 31, 2024. Learn more…
PAAR Trauma Informed Caregivers Group
This group will occur virtually on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. starting Oct. 2. Learn more and register…
PAAR SHIFT Our Mindsets Group
PAAR is starting a new teen coping skills group: SHIFT Our Mindsets: –a group for growing Self-Esteem, Healthy Habits, Individuality, Feelings and emotions, and Trusting Relationships. This group is for youth ages 14-17 and will take place virtually on Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. starting October 2, 2023. Learn more and register…
PAAR Strengthening Families Group
PAAR will host the Strengthening Families Group for children ages 13 and younger AND their caregiver(s) on select Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. IN PERSON at the PAAR Office. Learn more and register…
Upcoming Events
Curriculum Night
ECMS and ECHS will host their annual Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Primary and Intermediate Schools will welcome families to their Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Keep an eye on your principal newsletters and grade-level communications for more information!
Hawks Out of School!
Girls’ Volleyball Home Court Change
The HS Girls’ Volleyball team will play their home games at the All-American Fieldhouse, Court at 6 p.m. Learn more…
PCO News
Oct. 4 PCO Meeting will Feature ECMS Information
Join the Oct. 4 PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Middle School to hear from Mr. Nick Tutolo, ECMS Principal, about his vision for the school, the changes he is implementing, and his focus on environmental and citizenship aspects of the ECS mission. If you can't attend in person, use this link to join virtually.
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rcb-vbdd-nkq
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 320-322-1983‬ PIN: ‪527 715 269‬#
Staff Appreciation
The ECS PCO Staff Appreciation committee left "Welcome to Fall" bundles at each ECS school building on 9/22 to greet teachers and staff for September’s Staff Appreciation gesture. Learn how you can get involved…
Student Services News
ECS is thrilled to welcome new staff members to our Student Services Team to increase its school psychologist positions. The development of this team supports ECS’s commitment to the whole child and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals #3 and #16. For more information on the preventative and responsive services offered at ECS, visit the services and supports section on the Family Portal or reach out to a team member at any time throughout the school year. We are here to help!
The ECS School Counseling Team focuses on preventative skill building for school success and overall wellness.
Andrea Szolna, Primary School (K-2) Counselor
Alexa Galdes, Intermediate School (3-5) Counselor
Keri Hamberg, Middle School (6-8) Counselor
Jennifer Bruni & Keith Bull, High School (9-12) Counselors
The ECS School Social Work Team focuses on home-school-community connections, supports attendance needs, and aims to break down barriers to school success.
Molly Karsh, Primary School (K-2) Social Worker
Rachel Wachter, Intermediate School (3-5) Social Worker
Taiesha Jones, Middle School (6-8) Social Worker
Sofia Massaro, High School (9-12) Social Worker
The ECS School Psychologist Team completes evaluations and collaborates with building-based teams to determine student needs and develop support plans that help students succeed in school.
Casey Fenton, Primary School (K-2) Psychologist
Stephanie Cole, Intermediate School (3-5) Psychologist
Alexis Pasi, Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) Psychologist
The ECS School Nurse Team is dedicated to the health and well-being of our students while providing resources, services, and healthy tips to keep students safe and promote good health.
Judy Brand, Certified School Nurse K-12
Beth Goetz, Primary School (K-2) Health Office Nurse
Allyson Rys, Intermediate School (3-5) Health Office Nurse
Caitlin Morgan, Middle School (6-8) Health Office Nurse
Joyce Williams, High School (9-12) Health Office Nurse
Attendance Works
Regular school attendance is a state law, and attendance patterns in elementary school can have lasting impacts on student achievement in middle school, high school, and beyond. While missing one or two days a month may not seem like a lot, within a school year, that student will miss 10% of learning opportunities. If you need help establishing routines around attendance, please reach out to your school social worker for support. Learn more…
Go Guardian: Beacon
Beacon is a suicide and self-harm prevention tool that the student services team will utilize to monitor and proactively identify at-risk students. If a student searches a concerning topic on a school computer, the parent/guardian will be directly notified. Please reach out to your building’s school social worker or school counselor with any questions.
School-Based Mental Health Services: The Children’s Institute (CI)
ECS is excited to partner with CI to offer space for outpatient mental health services to occur within the school setting. This service can include traditional talk therapy and/or optional medication management and is billed through your insurance. Enrolled students meet with their CI therapist during the school day. CI accepts a wide range of insurance providers! If you are interested in connecting your child with an outpatient therapist, reach out to your building-based school social worker for more information.
Sleep Resources
Daylight savings time ends Sunday, Nov. 5. General guidelines suggest school-aged children should get 9-12 hours of sleep each night and teens should get 8-10 hours. Wondering if your child is getting enough? Check out this article. Here is another resource to find out more about tips for consistent sleep.
PAAR Family Information
ECS has continued our partnership with the Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) to provide our students with important lessons around boundaries and consent. The school counselor will teach developmentally appropriate lessons. See your grade-level newsletters for more specific information.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Updates
Each week, classroom teachers facilitate Morning Meetings (K-5) or Crew (6-12) lessons that align with the CASEL framework and promote social-emotional learning (SEL). Our Primary and Intermediate buildings utilize the Second Step digital curriculum, while our middle and high school teachers facilitate Wayfinder activities. September topics include growth mindset/goal setting (K-5) and cultural empathy and overcoming challenges (6-12).
Our K-8 school counselors are also working on completing Minute Meetings with each individual student in the building. Minute Meetings are an opportunity to better understand how students are feeling about school, friends, and trusted adults so ECS staff can create the most supportive and welcoming school environment possible.
In Case You Missed It!
NEW! Family Portal on the ECS Website
Based on feedback from last year’s communication survey, ECS has identified areas of improvement on the website. ECS is pleased to launch its Family Portal, a designated space for current families to view and learn information. Browse the Family Portal.
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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.