February 2009 Archives

Did you know that your everyday shopping can support our school?  When you shop at Giant Eagle, Target, or Office Depot, a portion of your purchase can be returned to the school to enrich our children's educational experience.  Click here to find out how to sign up.

If you are going to renew your Carnegie Museums membership or become a new member, click here first and $10 (for new members) or $5 (for renewing members) will be sent to the school!

Online purchases can also support ECS.  Go here to click on links for Amazon.com, Lego, Sierra Trading Post (10% off!), Real Goods, Utrecht art supplies (20% off!) and more!

The Parent Community Organization has established a fund for ECS faculty, administration, staff, parents and community members to cover the costs of special school projects including but not limited to equipment, training, and supplies. Requests for funds are limited to $250, but "minigrants" are anticipated to be in the $100 range. If your project exceeds $250, please feel free to contact the PCO Executive Committee to inquire about organizing a fundraiser to fulfill your specific need. Please fill out this form to have your request considered by the PCO.

Re-enrollment Forms Due Friday, Feb. 20
If you haven't turned in your re-enrollment form (bright orange paper that came home in folders last week), please turn it in to the school office tomorrow, Friday, February 20.  All students, whether re-enrolling for next year or not, must have a form turned in.  Contact the school office with any questions: 412-247-7970

Parent Surveys Due Friday, Feb. 27
All families should have received a Family Satisfaction Survey from Imagine Schools in your child's backpack last week.  Parent satisfaction is one of Imagine Schools' Six Measures of Excellence and this survey is a critical measure of the success of our school in its first year. Please be sure to fill out the survey completely (one per family) and return it to the school by Feb. 27 in the white envelope (do not fold it).  If you did not receive one, contact the school office at 412-247-7970.

The PCO sells delicious fair trade, organic coffee from a local nonprofit organization, Building New Hope. Our monthly coffee orders are due on Friday, February 20 for delivery on Monday, March 2 in your child's backpack.  Contact fundraising@ecspco.org with any questions.  Order forms can be downloaded here.

Third Thursday's at D's - Thursday, February 19
Join fellow parents and ECS staff for an evening out at D's Six Pax & Dogz. "Third Thursdays" are casual get-togethers starting at 7 pm in D's Loft (enter the door on the left of the main entrance to go upstairs). Buy your own food/drink. All are welcome - the more, the merrier!

Next PCO Meeting - Wednesday, February 25
Wednesday, February 25, 6:30-8:00 pm in the school cafeteria.  It's on a different day each month to accomodate parents' schedules.  Bring your coffee mug and join other parents to discuss PCO topics in an open forum. Please join us for this casual meeting, even if you have never attended before.

What is the Environmental Focus Group?
The Environmental Charter School is committed to the purchase and use of environmentally and socially responsible materials and products. Given this responsibility, the ECS Environmental Focus Group is a collection of staff, parents, board members and interested community members dedicated to assuring that operations of the school, including energy use, minimizing waste, providing healthy meals, use of appropriate cleaning materials, making natural spaces available for learning and leisure, and all other aspects of the school are in line with the environmental mission of the school.

Meetings
The group meets at 6:30 pm in the school library on the second Wednesday of the month (except during spring break in April; see meeting dates at right). Meetings will start with a 15-30 minute presentation, followed by a business meeting. All interested individuals are invited. Whether you have specific environmental ideas or proposals to bring to the school or are just curious about the school's environmental initiatives, you are welcome to attend!

Seeking co-chairs
We are looking for two co-chairs for the group--one staff member and one parent/guardian. If you are interested in helping to lead this group, contact Jon McCann at 412-247-7970 or Jon.McCann@imagineschools.com.

Upcoming Meetings
The group meets at 6:30 pm in the school library on the second Wednesday of the month.
Wed., February 11 at 6:30 pm
Wed., March 11 at 6:30 pm
Wed., April 1 at 6:30 pm
Wed., May 13 at 6:30 pm
Wed., June 10 at 6:30 pm