The Panther Press
September 22, 2025
In This Issue of the Panther Press
- EVCS is celebrating our 20th Anniversary throughout the 2025-2026 school year! More announcements to follow.
- High School Information Night is this Thursday, September 25, at 6 pm for 7th & 8th graders. Remember to RSVP, if you have not already done so, by September 23.
- SAVE THE DATE: Fall Picture Day is October 23.
- The Hertel Community Association is hosting their first meeting this Wednesday, September 24, at 6 pm IN-PERSON on campus at 665 Hertel Avenue. Childcare will be available during the meeting.
- Mark Your Calendars: Trunk or Treat returns October 25, 1-3 pm and new this year - an artisan vendor market!
- REMINDER: Without an up-to-date physical, students may be excluded from after school activities and/or field trips. Up-to-date sports physicals are REQUIRED to participate in school sports.
- Check out the COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES section for a literacy afterschool program at a local bookstore and an upcoming science event for grades 5-8.
- And more - make sure to read the full issue for all updates, news, and events!
Not receiving texts from EVCS? Make sure to text the letter "Y" to "67587" to opt-in for text updates.
EVCS RESOURCES, EVENTS, & INFORMATION
EVCS Celebrating 20 Years 🎉
We are so excited to announce the celebration of our 20th anniversary as a school, educating Buffalo area students to be capable, contributing, and connected members of their communities!
You can learn more about upcoming events and activities by reading our recent press release.
Stay tuned for more updates and announcements!
EVCS Calendar & Lunch Menu
Upcoming Events
- September 24 - Hertel Community Association Meeting (6 pm, in person - Childcare will be available)
- September 25 - High School Information Night (7th & 8th Grade, Remember to RSVP!)
- October 6 - Swag Sale Begins
- October 7 - Days Park Community Association Meeting (7 pm, tentative, stay tuned for possible updates or date changes)
- October 13 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School
- October 22 - Unity Day (Wear Orange)
- October 23 - Picture Day
- October 25 - Trunk or Treat (1-3 pm, at Hertel Campus Parking Lot, all of EVCS welcome)
EVCS School Calendar 25-26
Doors open to students at 7:40 AM
School day begins at 8 AM
Pick-up/walking dismissal begins at 3:05 PM
Dismissal for students taking the bus begins at 3:15 PM
Lunch Menu
Picture Day Coming Soon: October 23 🍂
One Month from Today!
The fall Picture Day of the 2025-2026 school year is just around the corner! All students will be photographed for inclusion in the yearbook.
Order forms, pricing information, and more coming soon.
RSVP to High School Information Night September 25
High School Information Night will provide an opportunity for students to learn about and interact with a wide variety of high school options and programs in the Buffalo area.
Representatives from local high schools will be joining us for this special event!
PLEASE NOTE: This is a COMBINED EVENT for ALL EVCS 7th and 8th graders that attend both the Days Park Campus and Hertel Campus.
This is the ONLY High School Information Night hosted by EVCS this academic year.
Date and Time:
September 25, 2025, 6 to 7:30 PM
Location:
EVCS Hertel Campus
665 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14207
Dismissal Reminders
A few reminders to help arrival and dismissal run more smoothly:
- Please remember to update School Dismissal Manager (SDM) with any dismissal changes.
- If your child is participating in a sport or after school activity, it is important to update SDM listing which activity they are participating in AND their dismissal plan after the activity/club has finished. This will allow dismissal to run more smoothly for all.
Need help?
Please contact Estefany Hall (Days Park) at ehall@elmwoodvillageschool.org or NaShomi Shaffer (Hertel) at nshaffer@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
Nurses' Notes
Reminders from the Health Office
**PLEASE NOTE**
Without an up-to-date physical, students may be excluded from after school activities and/or field trips. Also, up-to-date sports physicals are REQUIRED to participate in school sports.
Days Park Confidential Fax Line: (716) 884-0010
Hertel Confidential Fax Link: (716) 464-3560
Health Office Email: health@elmwoodvillageschool.org
EVCS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Get Involved with the Community Association
The EVCS Community Associations sponsor events and fundraisers to support school activities that enrich the experiences of our community and that align with the Mission of the Elmwood Village Charter Schools.
Interested in getting involved? Email your campus CA to get started!
Days Park CA Email Address: daysparkca@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Hertel CA Email Address: hertelca@elmwoodvillageschool.org
Upcoming Community Association Meetings:
- Days Park, October 7, 7 PM (tentative, stay tuned for possible updates)
- Hertel, September 24, 6 PM (in person on campus), Childcare is available during the meeting
Calling All Artisans
Invite to Trunk or Treat Artisan Market
The EVCS Community Associations are extending an invitation for local artisans to sell during our first ever Trunk or Treat Artisan Market, taking place during Trunk or Treat on October 25, from 1 to 3 pm.
If you or someone you know is a local artisan interest in participating, please send an email to hertelca@elmwoodvillageschool.org.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EVENTS, & OPPORTUNITIES
Dog Ears Bookstore Afterschool Program
Local Bookstore Hosts Free Afterschool Program for Grades 3-8
Dog Ears Bookstore will be hosting a free youth program for students in grades 3-8 beginning mid-October, with sessions taught by literacy specialist.
Learn more by visiting the Dog Ears Bookstore website.
PLEASE NOTE: If your child is accepted into the afterschool program, you must complete an updated bus application to adjust their afternoon bus stop and reflect any dismissal changes in SDM.
The Foundry Free "Creepy Science" Program
The Foundry Hosts Free Science Program for Grades 5-8
Join the Foundry for a "spooky" and educational adventure where kids can explore the "creepy" side of science!
Learn more and register for this free program on Eventbrite.
EVCS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
EVCS Teacher Participating in Local Conference
Congratulations to our very own Miss Phillips, 8th grade ELA Teacher at our Days Park Campus.
She has been selected to present at the esteemed WNYNET Fall Conference hosted at Buffalo State University!
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESOURCES
Parent Handbooks
Our Parent/Guardian Handbooks are additional guides to help you understand the culture, organization, and logistics of EVCS.
Days Park Parent/Guardian Handbook
Records Requests, Withdrawals, & Address Changes
Records Requests - If you need your child's records from EVCS, please complete the Records Request Form: bit.ly/RecordsEVCS
Withdrawals - If you are looking to withdraw your child from attending EVCS, please complete the Withdrawal Form: bit.ly/WithdrawEVCS
Address Changes - If your address changes, please complete the Change of Address Form: bit.ly/AddressEVCS.
You will be required to provide a new proof of residence and if your child takes a bus, please complete a new Transportation Application: bit.ly/EVCSBUS
EVCS Mission Statement
“The Elmwood Village Charter Schools will provide a stimulating and engaging learning environment that recognizes student capability, fosters their connectedness to their immediate and broader communities, and offers them ways to contribute to school life. EVCS believes that all students can and will learn at high levels when provided with the right learning conditions.”
We put students first. We act with urgency. We seek to be better. We work as a team.