Primary School November Newsletter (23–24)
Important Dates
11/6 - Quarter 1 Reports will go live in Alma
11/7 - No School (Conferences)
11/7 - Election Day Bake Sale at Intermediate School
11/9 - Report Cards Go Live
11/10 - No School (Conferences)
11/10 - Deadline to Donate to the PCO Friendsgiving Fundraiser
11/12 - Diwali
11/13–11/17 - Attitude of Gratitude Week
11/15 - ECS Board of Trustees Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle School
11/16 - Children's Grief Awareness Day
11/21 - Harvest Fest
11/22 - Student and Staff Half Day
11/23–11/27 - Thanksgiving Break
11/28 - Students and Staff Return
12/1 - ECS Spirit Day: Wear Green!
12/1 - Primary School Community Meeting
12/6 - PCO Meeting at 6 p.m. at Middle School
12/8 - PCO Gingerbread House Event at 5 p.m. at Intermediate
Dear Primary School Families,
As we close the first quarter I wanted to send out some reminders for everyone.
Arrival:
Car drop off: Please only drop students off from the car at our back gate, NOT on S. Braddock Ave., South Braddock Ave. is for busses only
When you are dropping off your child from a car (at the back gate) students must be able to get out on their own on the school side of the car. They should not have to find their things or pull on backpacks or jackets when it is your turn at the gate. They should be able to pop out of the door when the staff person opens it. Parents are not to exit vehicles.
Parents are not permitted to drop students off across the street (and run across) by the back gate, this is extremely unsafe.
If you drop off your child after 8:30, you must walk into the building to sign them in.
No students are accepted prior to 8:10.
Walking drop off: Parents should drop students off at the school doors, if you have to come into the building you must bring your ID, come to the office, and sign in with the office manager.
Dismissal
No dogs are permitted on campus at dismissal.
Once you pick your child up from the teacher at dismissal, please do not linger. We try to clear the space as quickly as possible so the YMCA aftercare program can begin.
Do not park in front of the neighbors’ driveways or in handicapped spots
Make sure you have your dismissal sign, email transport.pri@ecspgh.org if you need a replacement
Dismissal ends at 4:00 PM children must be picked up by 4 p.m. If you have an emergency and are running late, please call the office
Take care, get outside, and play,
Ashley Bergman
Primary School Principal
What's new at the Primary School?
Snack Donations
ECS Primary will be accepting bulk donations of snacks for your student’s homebase. Attached is a list of safe snacks that any donated snacks must adhere to. Please note - there is a SNACK list and a TREAT list. Treats may only be provided for celebrations and must be approved by your classroom teacher. ANY foods brought in must adhere to this list.
Food Service Changes for Diwali and Harvest Feast
On Thursday, November 16, for Diawali we will be serving:
Biryani (made with Basmati Rice)
Indian Seasoned Chicken (tandoori)
Indian Style Cauliflower
For our Harvest Feast celebration, November 21:
Turkey
Gravy
Mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Green beans
Cranberry sauce
Cobbler
Conferences
Conference time is an essential time to collaborate with ECS teachers to support your child! We are all a team and all need to work together to do what is best for your little one’s learning. Please see some family tips that will help you prepare for your conference!
Before the Conference
Talk with your child about school specifics
Talk with other professionals, adults, and caregivers in your child’s life so you can share all of the information/ask all of the questions
Make a list of what you would like to discuss
During the Conference (Questions to consider)
What subjects does my child like/dislike?
What friends is he/she playing with most/least?
What are my child’s academic strengths/weaknesses?
Are there any peer conflicts?
How can I help my child at home academically/socially/emotionally?
Is my child putting forth the most effort?
How do you measure my child’s progress?
Does my child participate? How well/often?
Does my child have a positive attitude?
Is my child willing to take risks?
Is my child on grade level?
May I share a concern?
Can you fill me in on a particular situation?
What kind of support is my child receiving?
After the Conference
Review discussion points with the teacher
Talk to your child about the amazing things you have learned about them from school.
Talk to your child about any ways you will support them at home and we will support them at school in any areas they are struggling.
Discuss with any other caregivers any relevant information to support your child.
Helpful links:
Maximize Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences
12 Questions to ask at Parent Teacher Conferences
This Month’s Cultural Celebrations
Students will learn about Native American Heritage Month and Diwali.
In Case You Missed It!
Reminder: All electronic devices need to be turned into the office upon arrival including smart watches. Please remind your child they need to turn devices into the office. If any device makes it to class, students will be sent to the office to turn it in.
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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. -
Primary School dismisses at 11:30 a.m. on half days.
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ME TIME is a time of day where students are working on skills and strengths in Literacy or Math. Students are in groups all over our school building to support those strengths and skills. They could be working with any of the educators in our school building in numerous locations. If you would like to know more about your child’s ME TIME please reach out to your child’s homebase teacher.
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Please send in a water bottle to school with your child. We are outside often and students need to be able to bring water along.
Please put sunscreen on your child prior to school as it may be sunny while we are outside!
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Arrival
Students being brought or bused to school will be accepted between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m.
Students will be accepted at the back and front doors only.
Do not stop or park on South Braddock Avenue; South Braddock Avenue is for buses only.
If you are driving by to drop off, please turn onto Brashear Street and drop your student off at the back gate.
If you do not see an ECS staff member at the gate, please find a parking space and walk your student to the back door
If you are walking your student to the front or back door, please park either on East End Avenue or Waverly Street.
If you arrive after 8:30, you must sign your student in at the front office. When ECS operates as a closed campus due to high community spread, families will sign students in at the table in the front vestibule.
DO NOT obstruct or park in neighbors’ driveways and do not double park on the street.
Dismissal
Students will be dismissed between 3:30 and 4 p.m.
Do not stop or park on South Braddock Ave; South Braddock Ave is for buses only. All pick-up students will be dismissed from the playground space behind the school.
Please park on either East End Ave. or Waverly St.
Do not park on Brashear Street.
Do not block the ECS gate/driveway.
Do not obstruct or park in neighbors’ driveways and do not double park on the street
No child will be permitted to go to an idling or unparked car.
Make sure to bring your dismissal sign. Your child will not be released to an adult without this sign. When you see your child please make sure the supervising adult knows you have taken your child before you remove them from the backlot.
Please arrange for early dismissals prior to picking your student up prior to 3:15 p.m. Once at school, please ring the front door and sign out your student in the office. ***Please note: When ECS operates as a closed campus due to “high” community level, families will sign students out at the table in the front vestibule.***
We will NOT dismiss any student from the front doors after 3:15 p.m.
During severe weather incidents (such as thunderstorms) families should still report to the rear of the building. Students will be dismissed from the two classrooms inside the two back doors.
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Lunch money is collected online. No cash is accepted at school as lunch money. Schoolcafe.com is our online payment portal. You will need your student’s ID number to add funds to the account. You may also obtain your student’s lunch ID by contacting Niki Hutcherson directly at niki.hutcherson@ecspgh.org. To assist in our record keeping and accounts, ECS strongly encourages families to add funds to your child’s account (suggested $20.00) to help cover last minute purchases. Families who require an alternate payment method can email payments@ecspgh.org or contact Sarah Kegarise in the Business Office at 412-247-7970 ext.9304 Meal participation invoices will be sent out monthly. Parents may also set up balance reminders on scoolcafe.com. Small negative balances can add up, and we appreciate your help in keeping our accounts up to date.
To find your student’s id, please log on to Alma.
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If a child forgets a lunch at home, he/she/they will be provided with an ECS school lunch. Families can then add money to the child’s account. Students will not be denied a meal or given an alternate meal due to a lack of funds on the account.
Primary School Hawk Highlights from Last Month!
