Communication

Elkhart Community Schools takes the decision to close school very seriously. When facing the possibility of a weather-related closure, our administrators not only rely on the expertise of local meteorologists and government officials, but we also go out into the weather ourselves and consult with other area school administrators. ECS administrators and transportation staff drive around Elkhart and Bristol very early in the morning when weather conditions are questionable, evaluating road conditions for students who ride buses and monitoring weather conditions with consideration for our students who walk. We strive to make a final determination on school delays and closings by 5:30am, but we continuously monitor weather conditions and may make a determination to close later if needed.

If your child does not have appropriate clothing for walking to school or waiting for the bus, please contact your school. All ECS schools have access to warm, winter clothing for children who need it. 

As a parent, you have the right to keep your child home if you believe his or her safety is at risk. If you choose to do so, notify your school as early as possible and it will be considered an excused absence.

Elkhart Community Schools will use email communication for information that may be too lengthy for an all-call or text message. Please be sure to add noreply@elkhart.k12.in.us to your address book to ensure emails from the district reach you. 

The district will use our email system to communicate important information by email, including:

• Emergency situations
• Important links, such as test results
• Information about upcoming district events
• Information specific to a school or program
• Newsletters
• Opportunities for parent/guardian input
• School closings and delays
• Special requests, as needed
• Surveys

Calls from Elkhart Community Schools will be sent from 574-262-5832. Please add this phone number to your contacts to ensure phone calls reach you.

The district will use our autodialing system to communicate important information by phone, including:

• Absence calls
• COVID-19 close contact notification
• Emergency situations
• Information about upcoming events
• Information specific to a school or program
• Low lunch balances
• School closings and delays
• Special requests, as needed

When possible, Elkhart Community Schools will use text/SMS messages to communicate important information that can be easily summarized in a short message.

Please be sure correct information is on file in PowerSchool. If information is correct in PowerSchool, text “opt in” or “subscribe” to 67587 to opt in to text/sms messages from the district. Please note - the district will only send text messages to numbers that are on file in PowerSchool. We are unable to send text messages to babysitters, grandparents, or anyone not listed as a parent in PowerSchool. We encourage those who are not listed as parents in PowerSchool to sign up for text alerts from our local television stations (many offer notifications for school closures).

{need to add video to this section that shows people how to set their preferences in School Messenger}

Every year, we request parents/guardians review their contact information and make necessary updates.

This is critical to ensure we know how to reach parents/guardians in case of emergency, but also for the key district messages you should receive, such as parent/guardian surveys, invitations to provide feedback, and important notices like closings/delays. This process is also an opportunity for parents/guardians to review student handbooks and other documents intended for parent/guardian review and approval.

To review/update your child’s information:

1. You must first log in to PowerSchool (https://ps.elkhart.k12.in.us).
2. Once in PowerSchool, look for the ABC: Annual Back to School Check-in and follow the prompts.
3. If you have multiple children, you will need to complete the process for EVERY child. Additional children can be located in PowerSchool in the top/left drop-down menu where your child’s name appears.

The PowerSchool app will not work for this process. This process MUST be completed using an internet browser.

If you have forgotten your PowerSchool password, visit https://ps.elkhart.k12.in.us, click on “Forgot Username or Password?” and follow the instructions.

If you have never logged into PowerSchool previously, you must create a new account and link your new parent account to your child. Watch for a mailing from the district in early August with a one-time code that connects your parent/guardian account to your child. If you do not receive this letter, please contact your child’s school.

The following is a walk-through of the ABC process: