Intermediate School March Newsletter (22–23)
Important Dates
3/10 - Half Day 11:20 dismissal
3/14 - PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle
3/15 - Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle
3/30 - End of Quarter 3
3/31 - Half Day 11:20 dismissal
3/31 - K–5 Family Swim Night at the Kingsley Association from 5–7 p.m.
4/1 - Deadline to Submit Candid Photos for K–5 Yearbook
4/3–4/10 - Spring Break
Dear ECS Intermediate School Families,
In anticipation of the longer days and more opportunities to enjoy the warmer weather that Springtime brings, I would like to share with you some resources that focus on the benefits of being outdoors. The benefits of students having outdoor experiences include better social skills, improved academic outcomes, and increased self-esteem. I have included these infographics from https://www.childrenandnature.org/ describing all of the many benefits of being outdoors for your reference.
Take care,
Laura Williams
What’s new at the Intermediate School?
Take a look 👀 K–5 Parent Literacy Night Review
Thank you to all the families, teachers, administrators and staff who attended Family Literacy Night. We enjoyed the discussions around our literacy program, our MTSS program and how to spread the love of reading at home. We hope you’ll support this thinking at home by encouraging your child to read, read, and read some more so we can meet our mission that every student becomes successful, independent readers, writers and thinkers.
For our families who attended and those that can not, here are a few resources that can help you navigate building a love of reading at home.
This is the presentation that was presented to the families during literacy night.
A brief video of the evening. We love seeing all the smiling faces of our families and our presenters.
One of our partners, Resha Conway, from the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children recorded a video for our families that is an introduction to Literacy, Dyslexia and Equity for Families.
Literacy is a key determinant of positive life outcomes, yet Black students and historically underserved communities are disproportionately represented in our national literacy crisis. This workshop explores literacy and equity related to reading instruction, language-based reading disorders, and dyslexia as a diagnosis of privilege and access. Parents will leave informed and empowered with the tools necessary to help them advocate for their children and communities.
Recording available here: Parent Workshop LinkIf you are looking for a place to purchase books to build your libraries at home, please check Young Dreamer's Bookstore. ECS is partnering with Young Dreamer's Bookstore because we love the mission. Here is more information if you are interested...
Video The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore is a mobile book retail startup founded in 2022 for young children and their families. We provide a broad array of inspiring children book titles to “meet kids at their dreams.” We proudly feature books that herald protagonists of African descent from across the globe and/or are written by talented and culturally diverse writers. We do this to normalize cultural inclusion, while also sparking children’s imagination and self-efficacy. We appeal to the growing community of teachers, parents, and community leaders who wish to ignite young people’s ability to create dreams that are personally fulfilling and socially relevant.
Here is a link to our picture and board book selection: https://www.theyoungdreamersbookstore.com/picturebooks
Here is a link to our chapter books and graphic novels:
https://www.theyoungdreamersbookstore.com/chapter-books-graphic-novelsFor parents looking to customize their home libraries, we offer an amazing service! Click the link below to sign up :
https://www.theyoungdreamersbookstore.com/home-library-service
Share Your Photos for the K–5 Yearbook
Have candid photos you'd like to share for the yearbook? Send them in by April 1.
All Sports Summer Camp
Rising 1st to 6th graders are invited to register for ECS’s 2023 Summer All Sports Camp from July 10–13 and July 24–27 at the Intermediate School Gym. All Sports Summer Camp will allow students to connect with their peers over break while exploring multiple sports including kickball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball. Learn more and sign up by June 15, 2023.
Basketball Summer Camp
Rising 6th to 12th graders are invited to register for ECS’s 2023 Summer Basketball Camp from June 26–29 at the High School Gym to learn the fundamentals of basketball. Learn more and sign up by June 15, 2023.
YMCA Summer Camp
Registration is now open for YMCA Camp Dragonfly for Rising 1st Grade–Rising 4th Grade students. Learn more and register today!
Register for After School Care for the 23-24 School Year
Interested in aftercare for your 3rd-5th grader next school year? Have your student join Venture Outdoors for afternoons filled with outdoor fun and learning! Registration is open for all ECS Intermediate students and Part-time care options are available. See FAQs and register here - www.ventureoutdoors.org/ecs/
This Month’s Cultural Celebrations
During this month, we are celebrating Women’s History Month and Ramadan! Students will celebrate the contributions women have made to history and focus on geography, where Ramadan is commonly celebrated, and the religious connections.
In Case You Missed It
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Control of head lice in our school depends on prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Your help in inspecting your child weekly throughout the school year for the presence of head lice would be greatly appreciated. Please note that whole grade head checks are not completed when lice is detected as this practice has shown to be non productive. (Nurses will check locker and table mates, and any child scratching their head.)
We suggest the following procedures for inspecting your child for head lice:
1. Under bright light begin looking at the back of the head just above the neck area.
2. Part the hair section by section and look closely for head lice or nits (eggs). Eggs will usually be located near the scalp.
3. Depending on the length and thickness of the hair, it should take between 5 and 15 minutes to properly inspect a child's head.
Please wash your child’s coat, book bag, and anything else that stays at school. If a child complains that his or her head itches at school, a head check will be completed by the nurse. Please inform the school if your child contracts head lice so the nurses can check close contacts. Lice have a short life span of 24-48 hours when off of a host. Students with lice may return to school after the first treatment has been completed.
If you have questions or need additional information, please speak with your pediatrician.
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Arrival: Students being brought to school by car, bike, or on foot will be accepted at the Henrietta Street entrance between 8–8:20 a.m.
The front door will close at 8:20.
Please use the visitor parking spaces on Milton Street, adjacent to Turtle Park, if you must park your car during student arrival. Please do not park in front of the school or on Milton Street.
Please avoid obstructing neighbors’ driveways.
Please be aware of cyclists in and around Regent Square.
Please do not make a U-turn on Henrietta street (the street in front of the building) or turn left on Milton. Instead, please continue straight down Henrietta and turn left on LaClair.
If you arrive after 8:20, please bring your student to the front door and ring the bell. The office manager will confirm the receipt of your child and they will have you sign in at the table in the foyer. Your child will report to the office and will receive a pass to class.
Dismissal: Student dismissal begins at 3:20 and concludes at 3:50 p.m.
Do not stop or park in front of the school or on Milton Street. Please park on the east side of South Braddock Avenue.
All dismissal transportation changes have to be submitted to transport.int@ecspgh.org by 11 a.m. of the effective date. Please arrange for early dismissals prior to picking your child up. All early dismissals pick ups must be completed by 2:50 p.m. Once at the school, please ring the front doorbell and ask the office manager for your child. Your child will meet you at the front door
All pick-up students will be dismissed from the side exit of the school building, next to Turtle Park.
Dismissals from the office are for pre-arranged early dismissals only. Please pick your child up from the designated dismissal location outside of the school.
Make sure that your child has checked in with the staff member assigned to their dismissal prior to leaving.
Please avoid obstructing neighbors’ driveways.
Please be aware of cyclists in and around Regent Square.
During severe weather incidents (such as thunderstorms) parents may pick up students from the school gym.
Please do not make a U-turn on Henrietta Street or turn left on Milton. Instead, please continue straight down Henrietta and turn left on LaClair.
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Intermediate School students are dismissed at 11:20 a.m. on half days.
Intermediate School Hawk Highlights From Last Month!
5th Grade completed a rocket launch!
