BIG OCTOBER AHEAD FOR ERIE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS! 💜🎙️
Mark your calendars for two incredible events coming up this month:
- Becoming Erie: Empower Her, Strengthen Us — Sunday, Oct 11 (2–4 PM at Biletnikoff Field). Join us for a celebration of girl power and wellness featuring remarks from local leaders, interactive activity stations, community resource tables, and refreshments. The gathering will conclude with an empowerment walk beginning at 3:15 PM from Biletnikoff Field to the Erie's Public Schools administration building at 1910 Sassafras St.
- Beyond the Classroom Video Podcast Premiere — Wednesday, Oct 14. Watch and listen to the people and the stories behind student and staff success!
Happy National Custodial Workers Day to the people who keep our schools running. You fix what's broken, clean what's messy, and make our buildings feel like home. We couldn't do it without you.
Thank you to all our executive principals for the big and small moments that nobody sees. We appreciate all you do to support our students, staff, and families. Happy National Principal Month.
Calling all young dancers! Dancers ages 5 and up are welcome to try out for Swan Lake on Sunday, October 11.
- Patterson School of Ballet — 2727 W. 21st Street, Erie, PA 16506
Auditions are broken up by age group:
5:00–5:20 PM (ages 5–9)
5:20–5:40 PM (ages 9–13)
5:40–6:00 PM (ages 13+)
Dance experience is required. Dancers can audition for roles like Little Swans, Slavik Dance, Waltz/Party Scene, Hungarian Dance, and Neapolitan Dance.
Use code IBS10 for 10% off.
Questions or ready to sign up? Reach out at info@PattersonSchoolofBallet.com or (215) 806-1229, or visit www.PattersonSchoolofBallet.com.
Erie's Public Schools does not endorse nor sponsor this activity or program.
- Patterson School of Ballet — 2727 W. 21st Street, Erie, PA 16506
Auditions are broken up by age group:
5:00–5:20 PM (ages 5–9)
5:20–5:40 PM (ages 9–13)
5:40–6:00 PM (ages 13+)
Dance experience is required. Dancers can audition for roles like Little Swans, Slavik Dance, Waltz/Party Scene, Hungarian Dance, and Neapolitan Dance.
Use code IBS10 for 10% off.
Questions or ready to sign up? Reach out at info@PattersonSchoolofBallet.com or (215) 806-1229, or visit www.PattersonSchoolofBallet.com.
Erie's Public Schools does not endorse nor sponsor this activity or program.
Reminder: there will be no school for students on Friday, September 25th.
Picture Day Is Coming, EPS!
Get ready to smile, EPS! Picture Day is a special opportunity for our students to capture a memory of the school year, celebrate who they are, and show their school pride.
On Picture Day, students may wear school-appropriate clothing of their choice. Standard school attire is not required for Picture Day.
When choosing an outfit, please keep these simple guidelines in mind:
Choose clothing that is appropriate for school and not revealing.
Clothing should feature school-appropriate images, words, and messages and should not include lewd or vulgar language, drug-related images or messages, or other inappropriate content.
Jeans and pants should be free of rips and holes.
Hats and headwear are not permitted, except when worn for religious purposes.
Skirts, dresses, and shorts should fall no more than 2 inches above the knee.
We want every student to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to smile on Picture Day. Thank you to our parents and families for continuing to do your part to support and reinforce our new standard school attire expectations.
As we shared during our family engagement sessions, if the district schedules a special “pop-out” day or other opportunity for students to wear clothing outside of standard school attire, we will communicate that with families in advance.
Thank you for partnering with us as we establish clear, consistent expectations while creating special opportunities for our students to celebrate important moments throughout the school year.
Say cheese, EPS!
Get ready to smile, EPS! Picture Day is a special opportunity for our students to capture a memory of the school year, celebrate who they are, and show their school pride.
On Picture Day, students may wear school-appropriate clothing of their choice. Standard school attire is not required for Picture Day.
When choosing an outfit, please keep these simple guidelines in mind:
Choose clothing that is appropriate for school and not revealing.
Clothing should feature school-appropriate images, words, and messages and should not include lewd or vulgar language, drug-related images or messages, or other inappropriate content.
Jeans and pants should be free of rips and holes.
Hats and headwear are not permitted, except when worn for religious purposes.
Skirts, dresses, and shorts should fall no more than 2 inches above the knee.
We want every student to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to smile on Picture Day. Thank you to our parents and families for continuing to do your part to support and reinforce our new standard school attire expectations.
As we shared during our family engagement sessions, if the district schedules a special “pop-out” day or other opportunity for students to wear clothing outside of standard school attire, we will communicate that with families in advance.
Thank you for partnering with us as we establish clear, consistent expectations while creating special opportunities for our students to celebrate important moments throughout the school year.
Say cheese, EPS!
The Erie High School Marching Band will return to competition on Saturday, September 19th during the McDowell Invitational on James Connor Field at McDowell High School (https://lmba.us/show-mcdowell). Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students, free for under 5. The Royals will perform their show entitled "Into the Underworld: the Coronation of Persephone" at 7:30 PM. To learn more about the Erie High Marching Band, please visit https://www.erieroyalsmb.org/. Hope to see you there!
🌟 It's Community School Director Appreciation Week!
This week we're celebrating the incredible Community School Directors from United Way of Erie who are part of our EPS family! 💙
You break down barriers so our students can thrive, connecting families to resources, showing up when it matters most, and making sure no student falls through the cracks. You bring so much heart to everything you do.
Thank you for being an amazing part of our EPS family. We see you, we appreciate you, and we're so grateful for you! 🙌
This week we're celebrating the incredible Community School Directors from United Way of Erie who are part of our EPS family! 💙
You break down barriers so our students can thrive, connecting families to resources, showing up when it matters most, and making sure no student falls through the cracks. You bring so much heart to everything you do.
Thank you for being an amazing part of our EPS family. We see you, we appreciate you, and we're so grateful for you! 🙌
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)!
We proudly honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community.
We proudly honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community.
🎉 COME AND SUPPORT YOUR ERIE HIGH ROYALS! 🎉
Game time is almost here, Erie! Grab your friends, throw on your purple and gold, and let's pack the stands. YOUR Royals need YOU cheering them on!
🎟️ PRE GAME TICKETS (buy ahead and skip the line!)
Available on Hometown Ticketing... scan the QR code on our flyer or grab your tickets right here: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/eriesd/entity/schools/15
- Adults: $5
- Students: $2
- All EPS students must use their lunch number at the kiosk to enter
🎟️ GAME DAY TICKETS
- Adults: $6
- Students: $3
- Digital tickets available through Hometown (above link), and exact cash will be accepted at the gate too.
STUDENT SCHOOL YEAR PASS: get into every home game all year for just $20! Available on Hometown Ticketing.
Staff with ID get FREE admittance (sorry, this doesn't include a guest!)
Concessions will be available courtesy of METZ!
📋 A few friendly reminders for gameday:
- No entry after halftime
- There's a strict clear bag policy for spectators, check the EPS website for details
- No re entry to events
- Outside food and drinks aren't permitted in the facility
Can't make it to the game? No worries, watch live right from home on HUDL: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/pa/erie/organization/12823/erie-high-school
Let's fill those stands and show our Royals what real hometown pride looks like. See you there! 💛💜👑
Game time is almost here, Erie! Grab your friends, throw on your purple and gold, and let's pack the stands. YOUR Royals need YOU cheering them on!
🎟️ PRE GAME TICKETS (buy ahead and skip the line!)
Available on Hometown Ticketing... scan the QR code on our flyer or grab your tickets right here: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/eriesd/entity/schools/15
- Adults: $5
- Students: $2
- All EPS students must use their lunch number at the kiosk to enter
🎟️ GAME DAY TICKETS
- Adults: $6
- Students: $3
- Digital tickets available through Hometown (above link), and exact cash will be accepted at the gate too.
STUDENT SCHOOL YEAR PASS: get into every home game all year for just $20! Available on Hometown Ticketing.
Staff with ID get FREE admittance (sorry, this doesn't include a guest!)
Concessions will be available courtesy of METZ!
📋 A few friendly reminders for gameday:
- No entry after halftime
- There's a strict clear bag policy for spectators, check the EPS website for details
- No re entry to events
- Outside food and drinks aren't permitted in the facility
Can't make it to the game? No worries, watch live right from home on HUDL: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/pa/erie/organization/12823/erie-high-school
Let's fill those stands and show our Royals what real hometown pride looks like. See you there! 💛💜👑
🏈TODAY IS GAME DAY!
Join us tonight at the Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium, 10 East 26th Street, Erie, PA 16504, at 6 PM. YOUR UNDEFEATED Erie High Royals Football team is playing against Cathedral Prep, and they need your support! 💜💛
We hope to see you there! #GoRoyals #EPSProud #Gameday
Join us tonight at the Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium, 10 East 26th Street, Erie, PA 16504, at 6 PM. YOUR UNDEFEATED Erie High Royals Football team is playing against Cathedral Prep, and they need your support! 💜💛
We hope to see you there! #GoRoyals #EPSProud #Gameday
Today, we pause to honor and remember the lives lost on 9/11.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the brave first responders who answered the call, and all of those whose lives were forever changed. We will never forget. 🕊️
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the brave first responders who answered the call, and all of those whose lives were forever changed. We will never forget. 🕊️
You can make a difference.
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
This September, during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Erie's Public Schools is reminding our whole community: a mental health crisis deserves the same response as any other emergency. You don't need to be a therapist — you just need to notice, reach out, and get help.
A.C.T. if you're worried about someone:
Ask — Start the conversation. Be direct, and listen without judgment.
Care — Show you care. Stay close and keep them connected.
Tell — Bring in a trusted adult or trained professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available: 📞 Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7 📱 Safe2Say Something: 1-844-SAF2SAY ☎️ Erie Crisis Line: 814-456-2014 🏫 Talk to a school counselor, mental health specialist, or any trusted staff member
In immediate danger? Call 911.
Every student, every day. We're in this together. #SuicidePreventionMonth #EriesPublicSchools
👏Help us congratulate YOUR Erie High Royals Football team on a hard-fought victory! 💜💛 Also, a huge shout-out to our Erie High School Marching Band/EACMB and Erie High Royals Cheerleaders for bringing the energy, spirit, and pride!
#EPSProud
Happy Labor Day
We hope everyone is having a fun and safe holiday weekend!
In observance of the holiday, there is no school today, September 7th.
We hope our EPS families and the Erie community are staying safe and doing well after last night's storm.
#scenefromthestorm
A reminder that there will be no school for students tomorrow, September 4th and Monday, September 7th as previously scheduled on the calendar.
As a reminder, there will be an Erie School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting tomorrow, September 2, at 5:30 pm, at the district administration building, 1910 Sassafras St.
📢 Senior Families:
Beginning this 2026-27 school year, Pennsylvania students must either:
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), OR
- Submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form
Why FAFSA matters:
Completing FAFSA helps determine whether your student qualifies for federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans — for four-year colleges, career schools, or other eligible postsecondary education and training programs. Even if you don't think your family will qualify for aid, completing the FAFSA is worthwhile, as many scholarships and programs require it on file.
Families may instead submit the state's official Opt-Out Form if they do not want to complete the FAFSA form.
We are hosting information and support sessions to walk families through the FAFSA process, explain key financial aid terms, and answer questions.
Financial Aid Information Nights:
- Monday, September 28, 2026, Collegiate Academy, Technology Wing (5:30 - 7:00 PM)
- Thursday, October 1, 2026, Erie High School, E-Sports Lab ( 5:30 - 7:00 PM)
Families are welcome to attend either support session, regardless of which school your student attends — come to whichever date or location works best for you!
Beginning this 2026-27 school year, Pennsylvania students must either:
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), OR
- Submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form
Why FAFSA matters:
Completing FAFSA helps determine whether your student qualifies for federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans — for four-year colleges, career schools, or other eligible postsecondary education and training programs. Even if you don't think your family will qualify for aid, completing the FAFSA is worthwhile, as many scholarships and programs require it on file.
Families may instead submit the state's official Opt-Out Form if they do not want to complete the FAFSA form.
We are hosting information and support sessions to walk families through the FAFSA process, explain key financial aid terms, and answer questions.
Financial Aid Information Nights:
- Monday, September 28, 2026, Collegiate Academy, Technology Wing (5:30 - 7:00 PM)
- Thursday, October 1, 2026, Erie High School, E-Sports Lab ( 5:30 - 7:00 PM)
Families are welcome to attend either support session, regardless of which school your student attends — come to whichever date or location works best for you!
EPS families,
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!
Throughout the year, a number of school events, programs, and classroom lessons take place that are of interest to both school district media (cable channel, website, school newsletters, etc.) and regional print and broadcast media (newspapers, television, radio, etc.) During these activities, students and staff may be photographed or interviewed to increase public awareness of our school and/or individual student accomplishments. If you DO NOT want your children to be photographed, videotaped or interviewed, please complete and return the 2026-2027 Media Opt-Out Form available at your child’s school.
You can also find and print the form, available in English and other languages, at https://www.eriesd.org/page/optout
Than k you!