WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19
Be watching your email later TODAY for communication explaining the quarantine changes that we will make as recommended by the Indiana State Department of Health. Any changes will go into effect on Monday, February 8th.

It is important that all COVID-related situations continue to be reported to campus principals or campus health coordinators, even during virtual learning. Quarantine timelines can span anywhere from 10 to 24 days or more, so even when a family experiences COVID over a brief virtual school period or holiday break, student quarantines do not necessarily end when school resumes. Please contact campus principals or campus health coordinators to report any of the following: 1) Students experiencing COVID symptoms; 2) Household members experiencing COVID symptoms.
COVID SCREENING GUIDE FOR PARENTS - Every morning, parents should utilize this daily screening tool from the Indiana State Department of Health to determine whether or not to send your child to school.
COVID LINE FOR REPORTING - We have a dedicated phone line at ECS for reporting a positive COVID case in your family. If an ECS student or immediate family member receives a positive COVID test result, we're asking that you call the following number: 812-470-5423. That phone will be monitored by a rolling member of our administrative staff who will instruct you on next steps.
2021/22 CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT COMMITMENT FEE
CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10 -  We will automatically secure a spot for your student(s) for the 21/22 school year and charge the $200 annual family commitment fee that is due March 1st to your account unless you complete a withdrawal notification form by February 10.  Click here for the online withdrawal form. In accord with our delinquent account policy, if you are behind in your account, ECS reserves the right to remove your student from the 2021/22 roster and open the spot to another student.   

If you have any questions you would like to discuss, please contact Nerissa Foor for financial matters. For academic and classroom-related matters, please contact Brooke West (8-12), Mark Wickersham (6-7), Susie Masterson (K-5), or Tyra Harnishfeger (PS-PK). We look forward to continuing our partnership with your family!
2021/22 SCHOOL CHOICE INFORMATION
Information is now available for the 21/22 Indiana School Choice Voucher and Special SGO Grants for Kindergarten. 

The links below include the amounts that will be due from families for the 21/22 school year as well as the updated income guidelines for eligibility based on your 2020 adjusted gross income on your federal tax return and non-taxable income. The actual application window will open in March; so the best first step is for current parents to complete your federal tax return. Our Business Office will notify parents when the application window is open.  If you have any questions, please contact Nerissa Foor in the Business Office.
ADMISSIONS OPEN TO NEW FAMILIES FOR THE 21/22 YEAR
Share why you love ECS! 

Most new families learn about ECS through word-of-mouth 
from current families. 

Please spread the word about the Kindergarten-6th Grade Virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 10th to your family and friends!

Prospective families interested in ANY grades can contact Krista Decker, Director of Admissions & Marketing.
NEW CAMPUS UPDATE
Concrete was poured in the gym this week!
God continues to have His hand on this project as the stages of construction stay on schedule. For that, we are so grateful since we will be moving in just over 5 months!
Key Upcoming Dates (weather permitting):
March 5th - Roof complete on entire building
March 10th - Drywall starts going up in the gym
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
2021/22 COURSE SELECTION BEGINS SOON - Next year we will be offering 75 high school courses, including many Honors, AP, and Dual Credit selections! We have 24 NEW COURSES being offered that we did not have this school year, such as AP Biology, Environmental Science, Sociology, Film Literature, Preparing for College & Careers, Digital Design, Broadcasting, Jazz Band, and many more. 

The last week in February, Mrs. West and Mrs. Sims will have informational meetings with each grade level to explain how class registration will take place and to talk through options for courses. This will be with students-only during their lunch periods. Also that week, Mrs. West will email students and parents a packet of information that contains the following: 
  • Diploma Requirements
  • ECHS Course Descriptions
  • English, Math, and Science Course Mapping Tools
  • Registration Forms
Those resources will be useful if parents want to talk with their student about the classes they will be signing up for. None of those items need to be returned and are informational only. You do not need to make the choices with your student, as we will walk them through the process.

In March and early April, Mrs. West and Mrs. Sims will meet with each student individually to walk them through making their course selections for the 2021-2022 school year. This is an incredibly valuable one-on-one time where your student will be supported fully to ensure their choices lead them on a path to their post high school goals. They will review each student's transcript, grades, personalized teacher recommendations, and State of Indiana requirements to make sure students sign up for classes that suit their needs. 
ECS ATHLETICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD - Sign ups for Track and Field for boys and girls in grades 5-8 will begin later this month.  Parents are needed to volunteer to help coach! Please contact Coach Jennifer Thomas if you are interested in coaching.

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD - Preseason workouts begin on Monday, March 1st and will be on MWF from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. until official practice starts on Monday, March 8th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. A sign up form has been sent to high school students, and an informational meeting was held. Please contact Coach Jamie Newcomb with questions.