ECS 🦅 September 2024 News
Dr. Patrick Dowd
CEO
Email: patrick.dowd@ecspgh.org
Dear ECS Families,
In the short amount of time I have been at ECS, I have seen and felt the immense amount of community and excitement that is a part of being an ECSer. Thank you for your welcoming spirit.
As my conversations with the ECS team and you, our families, continue, I am hearing common themes. The want and desire to not only remain rooted in environmental literacy but to expand this programming is apparent. ECS is a community that wants to foster knowledge, love of, and respect for the environment, and environmental education is ECS’s past, present, and future.
Another important theme is the strengthening of the program connections across the Kindergarten to 12th grade. During one of my Coffee and Donuts with Dr. Dowd sessions last week, I was delighted to meet and hear from some of our Primary School families. Several expressed their interest in ECS’s High School. This is our aspiration–a student attending ECS for their entire K–12 educational career and entering the post graduate world as a global citizen.
ECS’s vision is that every ECS graduate is an actively engaged citizen driving thoughtful change in the world around them. ECS accomplished that for the first time last school year with its inaugural 12th grade graduation. ECS works daily in service of students, and the underpinnings of the themes I’m hearing exist in many ways.
I look forward to continuing to listen and provide opportunities to expand our understanding of these themes and how they can enhance our work together. In the meantime, if you haven’t attended a Coffee and Donut session, there are still two more chances to do so, and ECS will announce future events to continue the conversation.
ECS. We Grow Citizens.
Patrick Dowd
CEO
What’s New at ECS?
24–25 Calendar Change
Please note that ECS has moved its Spring Conferences to May 20 and 23. This change is reflected on the public calendar.
Get to Know the ECS Foundation!
Curious about the ECS Foundation and how it supports our school community? Discover what we do, how we fund innovative educational experiences, and ways you can get involved!
What is the ECS Foundation?
ECS Canopy Project Nomination
ECS is thrilled to announce its nomination for the Canopy Project, a nationwide initiative that showcases innovative learning environments. Read the Press Release…
Upcoming Events
Coffee and Donuts with Dr. Dowd–Sept. 3 and Sept. 5
Did you miss last week’s Coffee and Donuts with Dr. Dowd sessions? There’s still two more! Sign up to meet Dr. Dowd.
Middle School: Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 8:20 a.m.
High School: Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:45 a.m.
Virtual Back to School Night–Sept. 10
Join your building teams for a virtual back to school night to learn how you can partner with the school to support your student and build a bridge between home and school while discovering building expectations and standards and skills that your student will encounter in content areas. Building specific information is below:
K–5’s Back to School Night is from 4:30–5:30 p.m. Families will receive a link to join through their grade level communications.
6–8’s Back to School Night is from 5:30–6 p.m. All middle school families should use THIS LINK to log in.
9–12’s Back to School Night is from 6–7 p.m. Check your email on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for your grade level specific information and link.
Activities Fair–Sept. 12
ECS will host its 3rd Annual Activities Fair on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Middle School. Join our clubs, sports, and activities advisors and ECS partner organizations for a fun filled night of demonstrations, hands on activities, and learning about out of school time offerings. Attendees will have the opportunity to pre-register for Fall out of school programming! RSVP Today…
ECS Switch & Signal Family Skate Night– Sept. 13
Learn to skate in a controlled environment with ECS on Friday, Sept. 13 from 5:15–7:45 p.m.! Sign-up for a group lesson or just come to skate at the park. Learn more…
Meet Author, Zetta Elliot and Illustrator, Noa Denmon at Night for the Books–Sept. 26
Join ECS for a Night for the Books with award-winning Author, Zetta Elliot and Caldecott Honor Awardee and Illustrator, Noa Denmon on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 6–8 p.m. at the Intermediate School. While this event is geared toward students in grades 3–5, all ECS students and families are welcome to participate in an author reading of “A Place Inside of Me” and book signing, giveaways, hands on activities, and a book fair hosted by Riverstone Books. Don’t delay! Register for this inspiring event by Friday, Sept. 20.
Save the Date–Digital Harmony: Crafting a Healthy Digital Environment– Nov. 13
ECS will host an adults-only Digital Harmony: Crafting a Healthy Digital Environment for Your Family event on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 6–7:30 p.m. in the Middle School cafe. Learn more in next month’s newsletter.
Hawks Out of School!
Sign up to be a SWSG Strong Leader!
Help build the next generation of women leaders by joining the Strong Women Strong Girls Leader Program. Volunteers will support local Pittsburgh college women and elementary school girls through one-on-one mentorship and service. Learn more about the program and register here by September 27, 2024.
ECHS Volleyball Schedule
ECHS’s first girls’ varsity sport is back for a second season. Support our Hawks and attend a game today…
Cross Country Meets Schedule
Both the Middle and Intermediate Schools will participate in various cross country meets this season. Check out the schedule and attend a meet...
Middle School 2024 Fall Sports/Clubs Registration
Outdoor Soccer: (7 & 8th Grade)
Season: Sept. 9–Oct. 25
M/W 3:40–5:30 p.m. @ Heth’s Field
Register between Aug. 26–Sept. 4
Girls Flag Football: (7 & 8th Grade)
Season: Sept. 11–October 23
W 3:40–5:40 p.m. @ Heth’s Field
Register between Aug. 26–Sept. 5
ECS Intermediate School 2024 Fall Sports/Clubs Registration
Cross Country Club: (3–5th Grade)
Tu/Fr/Sun(meets) 3:20–4:45 p.m.
Season: Sept. 10–Oct. 13
Register between Aug. 25–Sept. 5
Outdoor Soccer: (3–5th Grade)
M/W 3:20–4:45 p.m. @ Frick Park
Season: Sept. 16–Oct. 23
Questions: Contact Rob van Rheenen, Athletic Director
Congratulations!
Congratulations K–5 for achieving 2023–2024 PaPBS Recognition!
Both the Primary and Intermediate Schools met the state criteria for implementing School-Wide (SWPBIS) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports with fidelity for the 3rd year in a row.
PCO News
Fall Plant Sale
The PCO’s fall plant sale is underway! Place your order for mums, chrysanthemums, and fall decor by September 6th on the PCO online store. All items MUST be picked up between 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on September 27th at the Intermediate School.
In Case You Missed It
Complete the Excuse Form When Your Student is Absent
Was your child absent this week? Please remember that an excuse must be turned in within 3 days of the absence or it will be marked unexcused.
You can submit an excuse in any of the following ways:
Complete your building’s form
Email you child's teacher or school office manager
Call the school office manager
Submit a note from you or a physician
NEW! Transportation App: Pick Up Patrol (PUP)
To provide a streamlined and safe dismissal process, ECS is using the system PickUp Patrol (PUP) this school year to track dismissals and end-of-day schedule changes. If you haven't already done so, please update your child's default transportation information. Learn more about PUP, the app, and how it will help your family navigate school dismissal.
Get Your Clearances, Get Involved!
ECS values volunteers in our district. Individuals must have clearances uploaded into Raptor, ECS’s School Safety Software, in order to volunteer in any of our schools. Learn how to volunteer and what clearances are needed.
Free Breakfast and Lunch All Students
ECS is a CEP district, and this year, all students K–12 are entitled to one free breakfast and one free lunch daily. ECS recommends that families add money to their student’s School Cafe account as there is a charge for a la carte items and second meals. ECS will not collect applications for Free or Reduced lunch. Learn more…
2024–2025 Calendar
View this school year’s calendar and subscribe to the online public calendar.
Half-Day Dismissal Times
Know your building’s dismissal time on Half Days:
Primary: 11:20 a.m.
Intermediate: 11:20 a.m.
ECMS: 11:40 a.m.
ECHS: 11:35 a.m.