The school calendar is currently available on the website. ECS highly recommends you subscribe to the Google public calendar, however, there is a PDF copy linked as well.

ECS will announce the next academic school year calendar in the spring.

Primary School

Arrival: Students being brought to school are accepted between 8:00 and 8:20 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 8:20, you must sign your student in at the front entrance

• DO NOT obstruct or park in a neighbor’s driveways and do not double park on the street.

Dismissal: Begins at 3:20.

Intermediate School

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.

Middle School

• Please do not park on Columbo St.

• Please do not block neighbors’ driveways.

  • Middle Arrival: 8:20–8:40 a.m.

  • Middle Dismissal: 3:40–4:10 p.m.

    • Pick up occurs in the back lot off of Black Street.

High School

• 7:45 a.m. - Earliest students are permitted to enter the building.

• 7:49 a.m. - One minute "warning" bell

• 8 a.m. - School start time

• 3:22 p.m. - Dismissal

If a child is absent from school, an office manager will email home and confirm the absence. The office manager will remind the parent/guardian to submit a written excuse upon the return from school. The excuse must be in writing and submitted to the office or by e-form within three days of the child’s return to school. The e-form is located on the family portal homepage. For more information about absences, please visit the family handbook.

An email will be sent at the beginning of the school year with information about your homebase teacher. You will need to log in to ALMA to see your child’s homeroom teacher. You will be able to email the teacher directly from Alma.

It is very important that every student maintain an up-to-date address and telephone number record at the school office. If you have a change in address during the school year, notify the Office Manager at your school immediately.

Guardians can update their email addresses and phone numbers via the parent portal of our student management system, Alma.

Please note that changing your address in SchoolMint does not change your address until you notify the school. For each address change, an address change form must be completed and a new proof of residency must also be submitted. It can take up to two weeks to arrange for transportation from your home district of residency.

ECS uses an online student information system (Alma) that can be accessed by parents and students. Families and students are able to view academic information specific to each child. Your child’s grades, attendance, report cards, student profile, and more can be viewed by logging in. Report cards are issued 4 times per year and can be accessed by logging into Alma.

How do I get information regarding logging into Alma?

An activation email will be sent to you with information regarding your Alma account, usually at the beginning of August. If you are having difficulty logging in or need additional help, please email helpdesk@ecspgh.org.

Digital quarterly report cards that show student progress in each content area will be available via our student information system parent portal, Alma.

We encourage you to plan family vacations around the school calendar. ECS students may be excused from school to participate in family trips with principal approval. ECS families wishing to travel during the school year must submit a written request to the Principal for approval of the travel dates. The Principal must receive a parent’s written request (hard copy or email) at least two (2) weeks prior to the travel dates. Parents will be informed, in writing, when the dates are approved or the reason(s) for the request being denied. There will be no trip absences approved during the first two weeks of school; however, extenuating circumstances will be considered. ECS Administration will review the following when deciding whether to approve a trip: the length of the trip – up to 10 days per year will be considered for approval; the number of absences and late arrivals accumulated prior to the scheduled trip; student’s academic performance and ECS’s standardized testing schedule.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact the student’s teacher(s) a minimum of one week in advance of travel to request assignments that will be missed. All work must be submitted to the teacher(s) upon returning to ECS. Requests for approval will not be accepted after the travel dates. Unapproved trip dates will be considered an unexcused absence.

Birthdays are an important part of childhood years. Please refrain from distributing birthday invitations at school. Due to allergies and other medical issues, we are asking that no birthday food or treats will be allowed in any of the buildings. Non-edible items are allowed, but ECS encourages families to bring in sustainable, environmentally friendly items.

ECS is proud of its robust Parent Community Organization (PCO). The mission of the PCO is: to represent the voice of parents alongside the school administration and staff; to serve the greater Pittsburgh community and to maintain a positive presence therein by being a model and advocate of sound environmental practice; to engage in innovative and effective fundraising and development activities; and to enhance the educational experience and personal growth of students, teachers, and families.

• Having a child enrolled at ECS automatically makes you a part of the ECS Parent Community Organization

• We are a 100% volunteer-run organization and have no dues or mandatory fees

• Being involved with the PCO is a great way to help shape the community in which your child learns and thrives—and there are a variety of ways to be involved. Here are just some examples of ways the PCO helps support the broader ECS community

  • Fundraising (e.g. restaurant fundraisers, Friendsgiving, Blooming bash, bake sales, uniform sales)

  • Community events (e.g. Fall festival, gingerbread house event, ice skating, family game nights, Kennywood day)

  • Coordinate volunteers for events

  • School directory and yearbook

  • Mini-grants to help support classrooms/students

  • Helping hands

  • Staff Appreciation

Learn more about the PCO and how you can get involved here.

Please note that individuals who volunteer for in-school activities with students must submit clearances prior to volunteering. Learn more about the volunteering process here.

As a CEP District, each student is entitled to one free breakfast and one free lunch daily. A la carte items and second meals are still available for purchase.

Breakfast:

• Student: $0

• Adult: $2.50

Lunch:

• Regular: $0

• Adult: $4.10

In addition to what is provided with each students meal, juice and/or milk can be purchased for $0.35.

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 or by logging into ALMA.

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 such as a la carte items or second meals. 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 schoolcafe.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.

If a child forgets a lunch at home, they will be provided with an ECS school lunch.

Nuts and nut products ARE permitted in our cafeteria spaces, however, they are not permitted in classrooms. On half days students and staff eat in classrooms. If you choose to pack a lunch on a half day, they MUST be nut and nut product free.

ECS takes pride in serving fresh and healthy meals for our students and staff. We also welcome parents to drop in to eat lunch with your student. You may charge a meal to their account. View the menu.

Yes! ECS partners with YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh for its after-school care at the Primary School and Venture Outdoors at its Intermediate School. The YMCA’s and Venture Outdoors core values and mission closely aligns with ECS’s to grow active, engaged, and thoughtful citizens and helps the district get kids outside after school. To learn more about both programs, please visit https://ecspgh.org/after-school-programs

Registration for after-school care starts at the conclusion of the school year in preparation for the next school year. Seats are limited and once filled, students will be added to a waitlist.

Yes! ECS offers a variety of age-appropriate out-of-school time offerings for students district-wide. Check out the following opportunities based on your student’s building:

1/2 Day Adventures: K–5 Only
Clubs: K–12
Athletics: 3–12

After-school care is only offered to students in grades K–5 and is an extension of the school day for families that need after-school care.

ECS’s out-of-school time programming occurs outside of school hours and is student interest-based and may include clubs like chess, GSSU, eco Stewards, and BSU and/or athletics like soccer, futsal, cross country, and basketball.

Registration for Out of School Time programming such as clubs and athletics occurs seasonally. Families will have the opportunity to register for Fall, Winter, and Spring programming.

Yes, ECS focuses on educating the whole child, even during the summer months! Summer programming is provided district-wide. Learn more here.

ECS’s Health Services team consists of one full-time health office nurse at each building and one K–12 certified school nurse. The team is dedicated to the health and well-being of our students. All new students must have the following health forms:

Immunizations-Any new students to ECS must have their immunization record in order to submit the registration packet.

Physical Exam-All new students must have a physical examination form submitted by Dec 1st. If your child has had a well-child visit dated after August 1, 2022, then your physician will be able to fill out the Physical Exam Form. Families are all also able to give permission for the school physician to perform the required physical exam at school.

Dental Exam-All new students must have a dental exam form submitted by Dec 1st. If your child has had a dental exam dated after August 1, 2022, then your dentist will be able to fill out the dental form. Families are all also able to give permission for the school dentist to perform the required dental screening at school.

All forms and other information can be found here.

Medications at School - All medications (prescribed, over the counter, or herbal) needing to be taken during school hours, must be accompanied by an ECS Medication/Procedures or Physician’s order form. A new form is needed for any changes in medication, dose, route or frequency. This form is valid for one school year and must be completed annually.

Students with Allergies/Asthma/Seizures or Diabetes - Students with severe food allergies/bee stings, asthma, seizures or diabetes are required to have an action plan on file. These forms are valid for 1 school year and must be completed by the physician yearly.

Form can be found on the Health Services webpage.

Forms - Any form (physical exam or dental exam) dated after August 1st of the previous year is acceptable. You can also print off the visit summary from their health portal online.

You can call your dentist and ask them to fill out the form. The dentist can fax the form to Intermediate fax 412.345.5697

Provide a dental summary or any proof of your child being seen by the dentist (paper excuse, dental bill, etc)

Please email our Certified School Nurse, Judy Brand at judy.brand@ecspgh.org

At the beginning of each year, parents/guardians must establish a “normal routine” for your child in Pick Up Patrol. Changes can be entered via PickUp Patrol from a phone or computer at any time up until the Parent Cutoff Time listed below on the day of the change. Late Arrivals should also be submitted as a plan change via PickUp Patrol.

• Primary: 2 p.m.

• Intermediate: 2 p.m.

• Middle: 2:30 p.m.

• Half Days All Schools: 10 a.m.

Changes will not be accepted except in the case of an emergency after the Parent Cutoff Time.

The end of the school day is a busy time. To ensure all students' safety, please plan accordingly and limit these exceptions to emergencies only.

The school district that you reside in will provide your child’s transportation and will send you a notification in August via email.

ECS does not have the ability to change the bus stop or time of day that your child will get picked up or dropped off. You will need to contact the district transportation office that you reside in.

Primary School: transport.pri@ecspgh.ort

Intermediate School: transport.int@ecspgh.org

Middle School: transport.middle@ecspgh.org

Maryssa McGuire, Director of Psychological and Student Services at maryssa.mcguire@ecspgh.org

Please contact Rachel Lendyak-Peters at rachel.lendyak-peters@ecspgh.org

Please contact the school counselor at your building or email counselors@ecspgh.org.

Pants, Shorts, Skorts or Jumpers

Khaki or navy(including cargo style, excluding sweatpants and yoga pants

Proper length of skirts, dresses, and shorts is determined by the fingertips being able to touch materials, not skin, when a student's arms are extended at his or her side.

Tights, Leggings or Knee Socks

May be worn under uniform skirts or dresses and should be white, khaki, light blue, navy blue or gray. Leggings can not be worn as pants.

Shirts (warmer weather)

White, light blue, black or navy blue polo or oxford style, long or short sleeved (No sleeveless tops or t-shirts).

Shirts (colder weather)

White, light blue, navy blue or gray sweaters, sweatshirts or turtlenecks. Hooded sweatshirts may be worn but hood must be kept down when in the school building. ECS sweatshirts are acceptable.

All tops, tights and leggings must be solid in color and plain (without non-ECS logos larger than 1 inch)

All ECS sweatshirts and polo shirts are acceptable at all times

If additional clothing items are worn or brought for gym class, they must follow our uniform guidelines.

Our Values are:

All students should be able to dress comfortably for school

Student dress code enforcement should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

Teachers should focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.

Reasons for conflict and inconsistent and/or inequitable discipline should be minimized whenever possible.

The school is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere, and that dress code enforcement does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.

(a) Students must wear clothing including both a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent (for example dresses, leggings, or shorts) and shoes.

(b) Shirts and dresses must have fabric in the front and on the sides (under the arms).

(c) Clothing must cover the torso and undergarments (waistbands and straps excluded).

(d) Fabric covering breasts, genitals and buttocks must be opaque.

(e) Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff. Hoodies must allow the face and ears to be visible to school staff.

(f) Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist.

(g) Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

Out the door education is an important part of ECS. Please dress for all weather conditions including hats, gloves, proper shoes, etc.

Footwear: Students are to wear flat shoes closed toe shoes; Students should not wear light-ups, Heely’s, crocs, flip-flops, slippers,open-toed, or heeled shoes. Shoes must be ready for daily outdoor activity and may be any color.

The dress code further clarifies prohibitions on attire or grooming “depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or hate speech.

Our Values are:

All students should be able to dress comfortably and appropriately for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming.

Student dress code enforcement should not result in unnecessary barriers to school attendance.

Teachers should be able to focus on teaching without the additional and often uncomfortable burden of dress code enforcement.

Reasons for conflict and inconsistent and/or inequitable discipline should be minimized whenever possible.

Environmental Charter High School expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or any school sponsored event. The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile, intimidating, or disruptive atmosphere for any student, and that dress code enforcement does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size. Any restrictions to the way a student dresses must be necessary to support the overall educational goals of the school and must be explained within this dress code. These dress code guidelines shall apply to regular school days and summer school days, as well as any school-related events and activities, such as graduation ceremonies, dances and prom.

Basic Principle: Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times.

Clothes must be worn in a way such that genitals, buttocks, breasts and cleavage, and nipples are fully covered with opaque fabric. All items listed in the “must wear” and “may wear” categories below must meet this basic principle.

Students Must Wear, while following the basic principle of Section 1 above:

A shirt (with opaque fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms), AND opaque pants/jeans or the equivalent (for example, a skirt, sweatpants, leggings, a dress, or shorts), AND Shoes.

Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Section 1 above:

Religious headwear

Hoodie sweatshirts (wearing the hood overhead is allowed, but the face and ears must be visible to school staff).

Fitted pants, including opaque leggings, yoga pants and “skinny jeans”

Ripped jeans, as long as underwear and buttocks and other genitals are not exposed

Tank tops, including spaghetti straps; halter tops

Athletic attire

Students Cannot Wear:

Violent language or images.

Images or language depicting/suggesting drugs, alcohol, vaping or paraphernalia (or any illegal item or activity).

Hate speech, profanity, pornography.

Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups.

Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments (i.e. catsuits, lace tops)

Any clothing that reveals the “midriff” (i.e. corsets, bralettes, bandeaus)

Swimsuits (except as required in class or athletic practice).

Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon.

Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance or as -personal protective equipment (PPE).

Students are expected to wear school uniforms each day. The ECS Shared Calendar designates ECS Spirit Day or Dress Down Days.

Students are not required to wear uniforms on designated Spirit Days or Dress Down days.

On ECS Spirit Day students will be permitted to wear an ECS t-shirt with uniform bottoms.

On a Dress Down Day students will be permitted to wear an outfit of their choice that is school appropriate (no ripped clothing, appropriate length dresses/skirts/shorts/skorts, no tank tops) and appropriate footwear (see below).

Students are to wear flat shoes; no light-ups, Heelys, crocs, flip-flops, open-toed or heeled shoes. Shoes may be any color.

No hats, hoods, bandanas, or scarves can be worn inside of the school.

Students are subject to applicable discipline for violations of the uniform and dress code policies.

Parents/Guardians will receive Weekly grade-level newsletters via email every Friday from their child’s grade-level team lead. This individual may or may not be your child’s teacher, however, they will provide important information for your child’s grade level each week.

Families can also expect individual communications from their child’s teacher when needed as well as 1:1 time during parent-teacher conferences in November and at the conclusion of the school year.

Yes! ECS highly encourages families to follow us on social media and engage with our content. Below are the links to ECS’s official social media pages. Please note that these are the only pages that are ECS-run. Any additional pages other than the ones linked below are not affiliated with ECS.

• Facebook

• Instagram

• YouTube

• X (Twitter)

Building based newsletters are distributed once a month.

Your principal will also reach out at the beginning, middle, and end of the year as well as on an as-needed basis either individually or for building/classroom-related matters.

ECS is dedicated to providing information in a timely manner at each level of our district. Families can expect to receive the following:

• Weekly Grade Level communications (building based at High School) every Friday.

• Monthly building based newsletters mid month

• District up dates on the first Sunday of every month

ECS’s annual district-wide communications may include but are not limited to:

• Back to School Packet

• Welcome Back Letter

• Attendance Policy Reminder

• General School Safety Communication

• School Climate Survey

• Curriculum Night Information

• Parent-Teacher Conferences Sign-Ups

• Winter Weather Procedures

• Half-Year Hawk Highlights

• State Assessment Information

• Athletics Updates (end of the Fall, Winter, and spring Seasons)

• End-of-Year Parent-Teacher Conference Information

• End-of-Year Surveys

Emergency alerts are sent as an email and you are immediately notified via call or text based on your selected preferences in the student information system, Alma. Please make sure your phone number is correct in the system and that you select your preferred settings.

Every situation is different and requires various levels of communication. Depending on the circumstance, families may receive attention messages, a personalized phone call, or a robo call/text in the event of an emergency.