It was all smiles as we welcomed our students back to school! We are so happy to have our halls and classrooms full again. By foot, by bus, by bike, car and carpool our students arrived ready for the year ahead. (Quick note! If you love seeing pictures of your students make sure to follow us on Instagram @ecspgh and Facebook @Environmentalcharterschool for lots more throughout the year.)
|
|
|
|
| New ECS MS/HS Location!
743 Technology Drive
We are just getting this year underway, but with so much excitement we are already thinking ahead to the new facility that will become home to our ECS Middle and High School next year.
To keep you up to date on this effort throughout the year - we are going to be sending a monthly e-mail specifically tailored to the relocation. Keep your eyes out next month for the first edition that will feature project updates, photos, 3-d renderings as pictured below, important information and progress as we move full steam ahead to build out this brand new facility for our students.
Don't forget to also check our ECS Along the River web page for updates! |
|
|
|
ECS and the ECS Federation of Teachers Sign New Collective Bargaining Agreement |
The Environmental Charter School works collaboratively with two unions, both of which are part of the Alliance of Charter School Employees: ECS Federation of Teachers Local 6056, AFT, AFL-CIO, and ECS Federation of Paraeducators Local 6056, AFT, AFL-CIO.
Last week, ECS and the ECS Federation of Teachers signed a new collective bargaining agreement that is in effect August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2031. We'd like to thank everyone who was part of the negotiations to get this agreement finalized. ECS and the ECS Federation of Paraeducators are currently negotiating their first collective bargaining agreement. |
ECS is looking for volunteers to ride with students in our bike education programs throughout the school year.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or have little riding experience, there's a place for you! Volunteer opportunities are available at Intermediate, Middle, and HS. Come join the fun, help build students' confidence, and share the joy of riding! Sign up here, or email laura.brienza@ecspgh.org. Clearances are required.
|
|
|
|
Be a Mentor! ECHS is seeking mentors for our Senior Internships this school year!
Help us give an ECS student a real-world professional experience in your field. If your company or one you know might be interested in hosting a student - please contact our Internship Coordinators Rachel Lendyak-Peters at rachel.peters@ecspgh.org and Megan Mulert at megan.mulert@ecspgh.org. |
|
| |
|
On Friday, ECS Intermediate held its highly anticipated Sorting Ceremony where new students are 'sorted' into houses - Odwaga, Inzet, Umoja and Karuna. Throughout the year, student's personal accomplishments are recognized with points that count toward their House. It was an exciting day of celebration and excitement. We can't wait to see the accomplishments of each house this school year! The ECS Spirit Wear Store where you can purchase House merch to show your pride is now open! Place your orders by September 20. |
|
| |
|
We're back and so are our healthy and lovingly prepared meals for our students! Did you know that each day, our incredible ECS Food Service team serves fresh, delicious and balanced breakfasts and lunch to ALL of our ECS students across four schools?! Meals are at least 85% made from scratch, never frozen and always FREE.
We partner with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, to provide students with healthy meals while reducing food waste. Don’t let your child miss out - encourage them to eat breakfast and lunch at ECS!
View the school menus → |
|
|
|
Support ECS Food Service Programs |
|
|
|
District Wide Celebration Snacks!
This year, we are raising funds district-wide to ensure that all students receive a safe snack during in-school celebrations.
Your donation will help to provide students with healthy snacks to fuel them throughout the year.
We are grateful for your donation of any amount to support our students! Donate here! |
|
| NOW Program (Nutrition Over the Weekend) ECS's NOW Program provides healthy meals for families to enjoy over the weekends. This program is designed to support students in maintaining their energy and focus, helping them return to school each week ready to learn and thrive.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary and confidential. Should your family be interested, beginning September 11, 2026 your student will receive a brown bag filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food, shelf stable items at the end of each week (Friday afternoon) delivered confidentially. Please compete this survey to sign up for the NOW Program.
Donate!
Please consider a donation to the NOW Program of any amount and help support your ECS community! A donation of just $5.00 will send home a nutrition pack that includes shelf stable, easy to prepare items consisting of two meals with protein, fruit, cereal/grain bars, vegetables, milk and juice.
for your content. |
|
|
|
ECS PCO Family Directory Form- NEW THIS YEAR!
This year the PCO is collecting family information (this is separate from Alma). Please complete the PCO Family Directory Form to:
be included in the PCO Family Directory;
be pictured in the annual yearbooks;
to receive communications from room parents on classroom and PCO events;
and to subscribe to The Pulse -- the PCO's weekly newsletter!
You MUST OPT-IN (by completing this form) to be included in any, or all, of these items! Completing the form is the ONLY WAY the PCO can share these resources with you.
Deadline for completion: September 14, 2026. If you have any questions about the form or the PCO, email parents@ecspco.org. |
ECS PCO Seeks Volunteers!
The ECS Parent Community Organization has many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The PCO runs many community-building events that support our students and teachers and each and they need your help! The 2026-2027 Sign-Up Form is now available where you can explore a variety of ways you can help that will fit your schedule and interests.
Be a Room Parent! Room Parent volunteers are needed for each classroom (K to 5) and for each grade (6th through 12th). Room parents help support classrooms in many ways including planning holiday parties and communicating with families on classroom/grade news as well as PCO events.
Click here to be a Room Parent Volunteer Questions? E-mail roomparents@ecspco.org |
|
|
|
|
The PCO Fall Plant Sale is back! Belgian chrysanthemums (mums) in 8" pots are available in 5 fall colors. Decorated straw bales and cornstalk bundles are also available. Pre-order deadline is September 4. Order here!
All plants MUST be picked up on Friday, SEPTEMBER 25, noon-5 pm at the Intermediate School (829 Milton Ave). We need many hands to make this fundraiser happen! Please sign-up to help! |
|
|
|
Upcoming Events & Calendar |
|
|
|
As we are gearing up for a school year FULL of events, celebrations, field trips and more - we'd like to ask you to visit our newly updated ECS Calendar page on our website.
As you will see - we have a full events calendar for the District, AND you can also select a school and see events only relevant to that school. Please note - what you see now is not the full complete school year of events and these calendars will be updated regularly, so we encourage you to check back regularly! |
Partner Events & Opportunities |
A Note:
You may have noticed the Extra has a new format this year! We are excited to begin using our web platform to share District-wide news directly with our families. As this is is a new platform for us - we hope you'll bear with us as we launch and work out the inevitable kinks. Please send any comments or feedback on our communications to us at media@ecspgh.org. We are looking forward to a great year with you, our ECS community. Thank you! |
|
|
|
The Extra is the family newsletter of Environmental Charter School.
5525 Columbo Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 · (412) 247-7970 · media@ecspgh.org |
|
| |
|
