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The Environmental Charter School at Frick Park is a public school like no other in the city of Pittsburgh. Our unique programming embraces the need for flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective leaders in our increasingly more complex world. We provide students the tools and educational foundation to become tomorrow's global citizen, and we strive to teach students how their choices impact the world around them.

On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, we urge you to support the Environmental Charter School by making a donation during the Day of Giving. Your donation is vital to us as we face cuts in public funds. Your gift will go even further as any funds we receive on October 4th will be matched on a pro-rated basis.

A gift to ECS is an investment in sustainability, the future of a student, and the future of the city of Pittsburgh and our planet. Your donation will support our ability to offer curriculum enrichment and development, enhance technology and science integration, ensure our teachers are well-compensated for the work that they do, fund priority projects to support academic achievement, and cover the cost of general operations.  

Make your gift online any time from 12:00 AM ET until 11:59:59 PM ET on October 4th. It's easy. Go to  www.pittsburghgives.org. Click on the Day of Giving link. Select the "Environmental Charter School at Frick Park" from the drop down menu. Enter your credit card information and checkout.

The minimum contribution is $25. The maximum gift per individual is $10,000 so, if you are able, consider making a significant contribution to ECS on the Day of Giving as a part of your year-end tax planning.

Presented by Rebecca Moyes, Pressley Ridge Regional Education Coordinator for Autism and International Presenter

Tuesday, February 22, 2011
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER/SCHOOL CLOSING.  NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

The Environmental Charter School at Frick Park Auditorium

Child Care and light refreshments will be provided

About Rebecca Moyes...
Mrs. Rebecca Moyes, a former teacher in both public and private schools for nine years, is the mother of two children. Her oldest is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Rebecca is currently an autism consultant/trainer for several school districts in Pennsylvania. Rebecca has published four books. The first, Incorporating Social Goals in the Classroom, A Guide for Teachers and Parents of Children with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome, focuses on practical strategies to utilize in the regular education classroom to teach social skills. The second book, Addressing Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Parents of Children with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome,  helps teachers discover the reasons for problem behaviors and ways to create positive supports in the classroom to help prevent such behavior. Both books are published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Rebecca's third book, I Need Help With School!: A Guide for Parents of Children with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome,is published by Future Horizons and provides information to help parents to understand the special education laws as they relate to their child's disability. Rebecca's new book, Building Sensory Friendly Classrooms to Support Challenging Behavior was released in October 2010. Rebecca is a graduate of Grove City College and Penn State University. She holds a master's degree in teaching and curriculum design and development with an emphasis on special needs children. Learn more about  at www.RebeccaMoyes.com

The PCO is seeking applicants for a PCO representative to the ECS Board of Trustees. The PCO representative will act as the voice of the PCO at Board of Trustees meetings and will report to the PCO regarding the decisions and outcomes of those meetings.

The position requires:

•  attending two meetings each month (PCO and Board of Trustees meetings)
•  submitting a PCO report to the Board of Trustees monthly
•  providing the PCO with agenda, minutes and other public documents from the Board of Trustees meetings
•  one year commitment beginning in July 2010
•  fulfilling the Board of Trustees' membership requirements*

If you are interested in this position, please write a brief letter detailing how you would best serve the PCO as the board representative. Submit your letter to Farhana Basha at nominations@ecspco.org by June 25, 2010. The PCO Executive Committee will vote to fill this position from the pool of interested applicants.

*A Board of Trustees governs ECS and holds the charter that enables operation of the school.  The Board is the official governing body of the school.  While day-to-day operations and programs are managed by the Principal and other staff members, the Board of Trustees is responsible for overall policy and governance.  The Board utilizes the following standing committees: Executive, Education, Finance and Governance.  The Board also utilizes a Personnel Committee and a Diversity Working Group.

Board members are expected to attend at least 75% of meetings and to sit on at least one standing committee.  The Board meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Meetings are public and are held at the school.  Board members are also expected to participate in an annual retreat, and to attend school functions as their schedule reasonably allows.  

Board Trustees of ECS are considered to be public officials under the State Ethics Law, which requires that annual disclosure forms be completed by all board members and kept on file in the school.  The Board carries liability insurance coverage for its Board members and officers.

At the May 2010 PCO Meeting, Principal Jon McCann was present to discuss the school expansion, the effects of a split campus on ECS families, and next year's kindergarten accomodations. He provided answers to some frequently asked questions and they are provided  here in writing for those unable to attend the meeting: ECS Expansion Update

PCO MINI-GRANTS
Guidelines for Application
Imagine Environmental Charter School, 2009-2010

The mission of the PCO is: to represent the views and concerns of parents to 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.

In keeping with this mission, the PCO 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. Examples of projects which have received funding include a compost bin, a video camera for educational use, books, extracurricular classes, event supplies.

Requests for funds are limited to $250. If your project exceeds $250, you may contact the PCO Executive Committee (parents@ecspco.org) about organizing a fundraiser to meet your specific need.

To submit an application, please provide a brief description of your project. Explain how it would benefit ECS, its students, and/or the community. Please specify how many students will benefit from your project. Include a brief, informal budget for any goods or services needed.

Send your application by e-mail to parents@ecspco.org or to the school office in an envelope marked "PCO MINI-GRANT APPLICATION."

Applications are due at the end of each month. If your project has a specific start date, please allow ample time for the PCO to consider and vote upon your project.

Download a printable version of these guidelines

A neighborhood meeting concerning the ECS School Site Proposal will be hosted by the Regent Square Civic Association on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 pm in the ECS auditorium. The meeting will be focused on neighborhood concerns so the school can properly address parking, traffic and other impacts on the community, those issues which are fundamental to our getting ultimate approval from the city. Childcare for school-age kids will be available; parents must sign children in and out in the ECS cafeteria. Parents are welcome to attend, but are asked to save questions about the site proposal until a subsequent meeting targeted to parents which is scheduled for Thursday, January 28 following the Curriculum Night presentation at 6:00 pm.

@ecspgh for upcoming events, reminders and notifications.
@ECSLunch for lunch menu changes.

The PCO 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. To have your request considered by the PCO, submit this form. Next deadline: December 1, 2009.

We are now taking orders for polo shirts embroidered with the Imagine ECS logo.  Available in light blue and navy and children and adult sizes, these shirts conform to the school dress code and may be worn any day.  The deadline for orders to be delivered in December is October 1, 2009.  Download the order form and size guide.

In conjunction with the parking policy circulated to all ECS families, a map has been created to help parents better understand where parking is allowed. Download it here:
ECSParking.pdf