Intermediate School September Newsletter (23–24)
Important Dates
9/4: No School - Labor Day
9/5: 3rd Grade Health Screening
9/6: PCO Picnic at Turtle Park at 5 p.m.
9/6: PCO Meeting at Intermediate School at 6 p.m.
9/7: 4th Grade Health Screening
9/12: 5th Grade Health Screening
9/12: OST Activities Fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Middle School
9/15: No School–Rosh Hashanah
9/15: First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month
9/20: ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle School
9/22: Climate Strike
9/22: PCO Fall Plant Pick Up at Intermediate School Starting at 12 p.m.
9/25: No School– Yom Kippur
9/27: Intermediate School Picture Day
9/29: PCO Frick Park Market Fundraiser
10/2: Enrollment for the 24–25 School Year Opens
10/4: PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Middle School
10/6: ECS Spirit Day
Dear Intermediate School Families,
Odwaga! Umoja! Inzet! Karuna! These are the houses at the Intermediate School. Below you will find each house crest along with some of the pictures of that exhilarating day where we welcomed our third graders into their houses. The air was electric with all of the pom poms, house shirts, chants, and drums.
At ECS Intermediate, we are dedicated to school safety. In the coming days, the district will provide more information regarding safety procedures on a broader level, however, I wanted to take a moment to review some Intermediate-specific tactics to ensure the security of our students and staff. In addition to the external cameras, the Intermediate School has installed cameras in some of our internal common spaces and have improved lighting around the school. The Intermediate’s scheduled process of replacing all of its external doors has started.
Finally, the Intermediate School is also encouraging all of its stakeholders to say something if they see something. Submit a tip to Safe to Say if you or your student becomes aware of a safety concern on campus. The program is monitored 24/7, all information is shared with building leadership, and staff will immediately receive phone calls if any life safety tip is submitted.
Sincerely,
Laura Williams
Intermediate School Principal
What’s new at the Intermediate School?
Purchase Your Tie Dye ECS Spirit Wear: Clubs and Athletics Scholarship Fundraiser
While creating your own t-shirt will be available at the OST Activities Fair, get a head of the rush. Pre-order your ECS gear and pick it up when you attend the OST Activities Fair on Sept. 12. All proceeds support the ECS Clubs and Athletics Scholarship Fund. Pre-order your gear by Sept. 7 at 5 p.m…
Out-of-School Time Activities & Athletics Fair
ECS will host an Out of School Time Activities & Athletics Fair in the Middle School Cafe on Sept. 12 from 6–7:30 p.m. Drop in to explore K–12 Out of School Time offerings and participate in live activities. Learn More and RSVP…
Important Bus Statement
The City of Pittsburgh has quite a bit of road construction taking place all over the city and it's roving from street to street. With it being the start of the school year it usually takes a couple of weeks just to generally iron out the route wrinkles without the construction. ECS and the bus companies understand how important it is for the students to make it to school on time so they are not missing important instruction that is taking place. We appreciate your patience with this matter and we ask that you continue to have patience as the drivers navigate and iron things out
Please remember that the times for bus arrivals and departures are best-guess estimates and your driver will make adjustments to the times as they figure out the route.
This Month’s Cultural Celebrations
September 15 starts Hispanic Heritage month.
In Case You Missed It
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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.Volunteering & Clearances
ECS values volunteers in our district. To learn how to volunteer and what clearances are needed visit the Family Portal Volunteer page.ALMA- ECS’s Parent Portal
Alma account activation emails for new families were sent Friday, 8/11/23. If you have not received an activation email or are returning to ECS and have forgotten your Alma username or password, please send an email to the ECS Help Desk.Be sure to check your and your student(s)' information in Alma and let us know if anything needs updated. New students and 5th graders will receive their Alma login credentials once they have returned to school.
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.
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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 and 8:20 a.m.
The front door will close at 8:20.
If your child plans to get breakfast, please plan to have them arrive prior to 8:10 to allow time for receiving breakfast, eating, and then arriving at home base.
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 and pedestrians in and around Regent Square.
Please do not make a U-turn on Henrietta Street (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 sign in at the front desk and receive a pass to class
Dismissal:
Student dismissal begins at 3:20 and concludes at 3:50 p.m. Please be timely in picking your child up as close to 3:20 as possible. If you are running late, please contact the school.
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 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.
Please avoid obstructing neighbors’ driveways.
Be aware of cyclists and pedestrians in and around Regent Square.
During severe weather incidents (such as thunderstorms) parents may pick up students from the school gym.
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.
Make sure that your child has checked in with the staff member assigned to their dismissal.
All early dismissals MUST be pre-arranged with the office prior to dismissal.
Please arrange dismissal by 11:30 a.m. via email (transport.int@ecspgh.org). Any dismissal notifications after 11:30 a.m., please call the office at (412) 247-7970 x 2400.
Students will only be released to pre-authorized adults/person(s). All unauthorized people will need the consent of the parent/guardian via email and/or phone call listed on the student’s profile. These individuals must be 18 years of age or older with valid identification.
Once at the school, please ring the front doorbell and ask the office manager for your child. Your child will check in with the office and meet you at the front door.
Early dismissals will NOT take place after 2:50 p.m. If you arrive after 2:50 p.m. for an early dismissal, you will need to wait until your child is dismissed at their normal time.
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Intermediate School students are dismissed at 11:20 a.m. on half days.
Intermediate School Hawk Highlights From Last Month!
