ESA Weekly Parent Update

Thank you to all of the families that came in or Zoomed in last week to meet with our teachers to discuss your child's academics. We genuinely believe in the whole-child approach and your involvement in your child's academic success is a critical component of our team. We are thankful for your continued support!

Picture Day is this Wednesday, December 7th. Students may dress down, in school appropriate clothing. Order forms went home this week, if you did not receive one, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher or Mr. Murray.

This week we have had a change in leadership here at ESA. Please read Ms. Sara Ferguson's introduction letter below:

Dear Edgmont Scholar’s Academy Family,

It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the newly appointed Interim Principal of Edgmont Scholar’s Academy (ESA). I am a product of Chester Upland School District Schools and have lived all of my life in this area.

During my career in Chester Upland School District, I have served as a teacher, lead teacher, instructional coach, and principal. My journey in the field of education has been rewarding in many ways and cultivating life-long relationships with students, staff, and families has been the most rewarding part of it all. Continuing to build and expand these relationships at Edgmont Scholars Academy is something that I am looking forward to. School is a place where everyone should feel valued and respected and as a team, we all can contribute to our students’ success. Through collaboration and continuous improvement, I hope to ensure that our students become life-long learners with a love for school.

Parents, students, staff, and administration all play a significant role in the life and education of a child, and I am confident that we can work together to build a tradition of academic and cultural excellence at ESA. I will be holding a “meet and greet” in the coming weeks to personally introduce myself. Please know that I look forward to meeting and working with all of you this year!

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education by making Chester Upland School District your choice.

Best Regards,

Sara C. Ferguson

The 2022-23 Parent Caregiver Association executive board:

President - Ms. Chavon Hodges

Vice President - Ms. Shana Young

Secretary - Ms. Barbara Friend

Treasurer - Ms. Trina Johnson

We are still seeking additional parent involvement for the Parent Caregiver Association! Our next in person meeting will take place this coming Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 pm in the ESA cafeteria. We will also have a Zoom option available.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to volunteer please email us: ESAPCA22@gmail.com

Starting next week, pretzels will be sold on Fridays. Money will be collected Monday-Thursday and pretzels will be handed out on Friday.

This fundraiser is run by the Parent Caregiver Association.

The Scholastic Book Fair will take place this week, December 5th - 9th. Every student will have an opportunity to visit the book fair this week. Please visit our ESA book fair website and consider using e wallet.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/edgmontscholarsacademy

Dear parents/guardians,

As the weather becomes colder, I want to reiterate that parents/guardians that school does not open until 8:30am. Also, we will not let students be dismissed between 2:30pm and 3:30pm unless you have an emergency that is documented (e.g., a letter or text regarding a doctor's appointment at 3:30). No early dismissal past 2:30pm without documentation. In addition, please be sure to communicate any dismissal changes (e.g., from bus rider to pick up student) prior to 2:30 pm directly to the homeroom teacher through Class Dojo. Please ensure that you have received a response from the teacher and don't assume that they saw the message. We want to make sure that all students are safe!

In addition, students are considered late to school after 9:00 am. Parents MUST walk late students into the building to sign them in and get a late pass. Frequent latenesses result in the loss of instructional time as well as interrupt the instructional time of other students.

Our lost and found is overflowing!! If your child is missing any items (clothing, jackets, lunch bags, backpacks) they may be in the lost and found, located in the cafeteria. Any unclaimed items will be donated after December 22nd.

12/5 - 12/9 - Book Fair

12/7 - Class Picture Day

12/8 - Parent Caregiver Association Meeting at 6:00 pm

12/12 - Asynchronous Day for Students

12/22 - Winter Festival for all students (more information forth coming)

12/23 - 1/2 - Winter Recess

1/3/23 - School Reopens

Please review the ESA dress code:

Expectation: Children are expected to wear the WPCS or Chester Upland School District uniform to school each day. Families are asked to contact the school’s social worker, if they have any questions or concerns about obtaining the uniform.

WPCS Uniform (for 2022-23 only)

Grey Pleated Twill Pants or Grey Pleated Skirt

Maroon Polo Shirt or White Button-down Shirt

Maroon Cardigan or Maroon Sweater Vest with WPCS Emblem

Heather Grey Crew Socks, White Knee-High Socks/White or Maroon Tights

Black or Brown Belt

Black or Brown Shoes (boots may be worn to school but not IN school)

Chester Upland School District Uniform

Black, orange, gray, or white polo shirt

Black, orange, gray, or white crewneck sweatshirt

Black, orange, gray, or white cardigan or sweater

Black, navy blue, or tan khaki style pants or skirts

Physical Education Uniform:

· Maroon Tee Shirt or sweatshirt w/ WPCS logo

· Maroon Sweat Pants or gym shorts w/ WPCS logo

- Solid color t-shirts, gyms short, sweatpants, and/or sweatshirt. (Black, orange, white, gray)

· White socks

· Sneakers

UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE/ACCESSORIES FOR STUDENTS:

Hoodies

Stained, torn or overly worn uniforms

Striped, designed, decorated or brightly colored socks and undershirts

Fanny packs and purses( purses can be no larger then 8 inches wide and 5 inches in length)

Please review the cell phone policy:

Cell Phone and Electronic Devices

The use of cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted at ESA. Upon entering the school building students must turn off all electronic devices and keep them stored in their backpack or lockers (grades 5-8) If the electronic device is seen or heard by an ESA Staff member, the device will be confiscated. The first time the device is confiscated it will be returned to the student at the end of the day. For each infraction thereafter, confiscated phones will be turned in to the Dean and must be picked up by an adult. Confiscated phones will not be given back to the child. ESA will not assume responsibility for the loss or theft of any electronic device. Smart Watches are prohibited from being worn in the building. ESA reserves the right to reasonably search and/or confiscate any and all electronic devices to the extent allowed by applicable state and/or federal laws and regulations.

A reminder that we still go outside to recess during the cold months. Please make sure your child is coming to school prepared with coats, hats, and gloves so that they are able to participate in recess. If you are in need of any of these items please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

If your student has any medical conditions or issues that need to be communicated, please contact Nurse Howie at: showie@chesteruplandsd.org

If any of your parent contact information changes, please notify your child's homeroom teacher. We need your most up to date phone numbers in case of an emergency.