High School February Newsletter (23–24)
Important Dates
2/7 - PCO Meeting at Middle at 6 p.m.
2/9 - SkiECS Trip
2/9 - PCO Game Night at 5 p.m.
2/15 - Order Deadline: ECS PCO Pepperoni Roll Sale
2/16 - Student Half Day, Staff Professional Development Day
2/16 - SkiECS Trip
2/21 - ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at Middle at 6 p.m.
2/22 - ECS Lottery
3/1 - 6–12 Dental Screenings
3/1 - ECS Spirit Day
3/1 - First Day of Women’s History Month
Hey there ECHS families!
Happy Black History Month!!
Welcome to the month of February and yes, it’s a leap year! We have so much to celebrate, specifically, I’m excited to be able to celebrate Black History Month in new, exciting and amazing ways this year at ECHS, and for a whole 29 days this year! Stay tuned for some updates to come on how we plan to celebrate Blackness and the amazing accomplishments Black people have made and contributed to this nation; learn about the richness found within this powerful community of Americans, as well as experience this culture (food, music, guest speakers, etc.) all throughout the month of February. ECHS, with the help of our amazing Mandarin educator Mrs. Zhuping Che, will also celebrate Chinese New Year and experience some amazing food, tea, decor, and lessons that will get us steeped into this cultural celebration, as we continue to uplift and sustain the myriad cultures and communities that make up ECHS.
Can you believe we’re already through January and coasting pretty quickly to the end of the school year?! Graduation and so many other great milestones for ECHS are almost here, and we are spending our time getting ready for all of it. We cannot wait to celebrate each one of them right along with you.
Please read on for more information about what’s happening this month and beyond at ECHS!
What's new at the High School?
All Things College & Career @ ECHS
SAT and SAT Prep Course: ECHS is offering an SAT prep course for interested juniors and seniors. This is a 4-week course in the month of April fully paid for by ECS. Families who are interested in signing their child up can do so in this form. The school also has fee waivers available for qualifying families for the SAT. More detailed communication regarding that will be sent out during the week of February 9th.
In the spring we will begin to prepare our juniors for their post-secondary plans. Interested 11th graders will participate in college fairs, visits to local colleges and trade schools, as well as visits to ECHS from colleges and universities.
Re-Enrollment-February 12-19th
Re-enrollment will occur Feb. 12–19th, and every student currently enrolled at ECS must complete an intent to return form. Completing this process secures your child(ren)’s seat at ECS next year, allowing ECS to plan for available openings for incoming students at the annual lottery. Check your email for re-enrollment instructions from SchoolMint on Feb 12. If you have any questions, please email enrollment@ecspgh.org.
Learn about the Dynamic Landscape of A Digital World: Youth, Social Media, Sexualized Content, & Mental Health with expert, Ryan Klingensmith
Responding to the strong interest in internet safety from the 22–23 end-of-school-year Title 1 survey, ECS is thrilled to host an engaging session with expert Ryan Klingensmith. Save the date for this adult-only, community event on Wednesday, March 20, where you'll learn valuable insights into the latest social media trends, discover effective strategies for ensuring online safety for your children, and explore the critical intersection of mental health in the digital age. RSVP now and share the invitation with friends and family eager to navigate the complexities of the online world. Let's collectively empower our community for a safer digital future! Learn more and RSVP….
Construction Management Group Selection
ECS has selected Turner Construction Company for its high school construction project manager. Turner Construction will direct, organize, and guide the project from the planning and development stage to the construction phase. Learn more about Turner Construction Company…
Cultural Celebrations
Black History Month
American Heart Month
Chinese New Year // the Year of the Dragon - February 10
Valentine’s Day - February 14
In Case You Missed It
Here is a copy of the ECHS Student Handbook for the 23-24 school year.
Here are the Orientation slides from the ECHS Orientations this week!
Attendance Reminder
As the Holiday and Winter Season approaches, we recognize that trips may be planned in the coming months, as well as some unplanned sickness. As a reminder, each student gets 10 excused absences from a parent per year. You can complete the online excuse form here. Any additional absences must be excused by a doctor. If your student will be absent for a pre-scheduled trip, please email your building principal for approval.
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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 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…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.Volunteering & Clearances
ECS values volunteers in our district. To learn how to volunteer and what clearances are needed visit the Family Portal Volunteer page.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.