Middle School December Newsletter (23–24)
Important Dates
12/6 - PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle School
12/7 - ECHS Boys Basketball Home Game at Kingsley at 5 p.m.
12/8 - ECMS Boys Basketball Home Game at Kingsley at 4:30 p.m.
12/8 - PCO Gingerbread House Event at 5 p.m. at Intermediate
12/14 - ECHS Boys Basketball Home Game at Kingsley at 5 p.m.
12/15 - Student Half Day
12/15 - Ski Club Fundraiser at Honeygrow
12/18 - ECMS Spirit Week
12/19 - ECMS & ECHS Instrumental Showcase at Middle at 7 p.m.
12/20 - ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at Middle at 6 p.m.
12/22 - Student & Staff Half Day Winter Break Begins
12/25–1/3 - Student Winter Break
1/4 - Students return from break
1/5 - ECS Spirit Day
1/8 - ECHS Boys Basketball Home Game at Kingsley at 5 p.m.
1/10 - ECS PCO Meeting at Intermediate at 6 p.m.
Dear ECMS Families,
As many of you may know, ECMS is invested in building student agency by allowing students to explore their interests through authentic place-based experiences. Through the hard work of Vicky Hsieh, Rachel Lendyak-Peters, Nida Wilson alongside many other staff and key community partners, Quest Labs were introduced to ECMS.
Throughout the course of the 2023–2024 school year, every 8th grader will have a chance to go on 6 quests that explore a strand of interests. Students had a chance to choose from 10 different cohorts to explore budding passions and interests. The cohorts range from Emotional and Physical Wellness to STEM to Culinary Arts to Outdoor Adventure to Art and Theatre.
This program is a small piece of ECS’s K–12 alignment initiatives to ensure a seamless, mission-aligned academic journey at each building in our district. As we continue to look to the future, I hope to continue to move this school toward living out ECS’s mission of growing citizens.
Nick Tutolo
ECMS Principal
What's new at Middle School?
Register for Ski Club! ⛷️
We want to get YOU on the slopes! Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to register for Ski club. No experience is required! The first SkiECS trip is Friday, Jan. 26. Learn more about this season’s expectations and trip dates, and register today!
Help Students Get on the Slopes ⛷️SkiECS Fundraiser–12/15 at Honeygrow
SkiECS is in need of YOUR help! ⛷️ Commit to eating at Honeygrow on Friday, Dec. 15 between 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mention ECS, and 20% of the proceeds will go directly to ski scholarships to help get our students on the slopes! 🏔️❄️ Ski you there! Learn more…
ECMS Boys Basketball Team
ECMS is excited to have a boys’ basketball team this year! Home games are played at the Kingsley Association at 4:30 p.m. Check out the schedule and support your ECMS Hawks!
Boys’ Basketball
All families are welcomed and encouraged to attend Boys’ Basketball games. This year, ECS has two teams! Check out their schedules below and go Hawks!
Do You Live in Pittsburgh? Data Science Class Needs Your Help!
ECHS’s Data Science class is identifying community needs in Pennsylvania through an anonymous survey to send evidence-based recommendations to Senators through advocacy letters. To ensure a comprehensive data set, we are asking for YOUR help! If you identify as "living in Pittsburgh,'' please take this 5-minute survey by Monday, Dec. 11.
This Month’s Cultural Celebrations
Different Customs
During the month of December, students will explore the various customs and traditions that people around the world celebrate this time of year. Students will learn about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Three Kings Day.
In Case You Missed It
Lateness to Class Policy Update
We continue to analyze the data in order to best support the needs of our students. While the attendance initiative has been largely successful, we have made adjustments to the policy to account for students who are habitually late to class. Check out the information your student received here.
View the Middle Food Allergy Flier_2022.2023
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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.
Last Month’s Hawk Highlights
Students enjoyed harvest feast and attended several quest labs that allowed them to explore the culinary arts, music and theatre, and STEM.
