What Shadow Do We See?
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
What do we know about Groundhog’s Day?
“According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Groundhog Day has its roots in the Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day, which, through an old folk song, became tied to weather prognostication. Once the tradition was introduced to Germany, an animal started predicting the winter. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day, there would be a "second winter."
When the German settlers came to the United States, in lieu of hedgehogs, they chose another hibernating animal: groundhogs.
The club says Groundhog Day was mentioned in the local newspaper for the first time in 1886. The next year brought the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob, where thousands now gather every Feb. 2 to wait for Phil's prediction.”
- https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/groundhog-day-2025-punxsutawney-phil/
This year, the groundhog saw his shadow, predicting another 6 weeks of winter. I wouldn’t worry too much about it though, considering he has only a 30% accuracy in the past 10 years. But the word “shadow” makes me think about whose shadow I see every day? What shadow do I put my trust in?
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” - Psalm 91:1-2
Our February Starts out cold…
Generally speaking, ECA follows 4J school closures that are weather related. If 4J has a late start or closure for weather related closures, ECA will do the same. Additionally, if Pleasant Hill Schools have a late start or closure related to weather and road conditions, ECA will do the same.
Our goal is to inform parents by 6:30 on the morning of weather-related late starts or closures. Typical causes are icy roads or snow accumulation. As we learned last year, power failures are also possible reasons. Notifications will be posted on local tv stations with Flash Alert and Remind announcements will be sent out to school families too.
Winter Skiing Program
Students in grades 5-8 have an opportunity to go skiing with ECA every winter. This activity will happen on Wednesday, February 19 this year. Last week, a Remind notice went home explaining a bit more. Check your email for an updated link to sign up. You can also call the office for additional details or to sign up.
6th Grade Outdoor School
Students in 6th grade will be gone to Outdoor School next week. Mr. Gaylor and the 6th grade class will return Thursday evening. Students in 5th grade will still have classes at school all week. We all will end the week with our 1/2 day Friday school day on February 14.
AG Program - Monday’s Science Class
Our Monday AG classes go in the winter months too. This week’s class is for grades 7-8 on Monday. Students will be outdoors doing a variety of things with Mr. Wyatt Johnson. Throughout the year, there may be a few rainy days. Boots and gloves are great things for working outdoors on Monday Science Days. Water bottles are great things to have outside too. Here is a schedule of the days and classes:
Monday, February 3- Grades 7&8
Monday, February 10 - Grade 5 (6th Grade at Outdoor School)
Monday, March 3 - Grades 3&4
Monday, March 10 - Grades K-2
Monday, March 17 - Grades 7&8
Field Trips Coming up this Week
Students in grades K-4 will be going to the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, OR this Thursday, February 6.
Hot Lunch Menu for the Month
Hot lunch happens every Monday and Wednesday. Additionally, whenever we have a 1/2 Friday, hot lunch will be offered by our Home & School. You can click on the link below to order hot lunch for the week for your child. If you have more than one child, please click the link more than once and turn in one week’s submission for each child. There is a payment option that is included in the form.
Christian Counseling Available - Free Resources:
The NAD (North American Division of SDA) has recently shared new resources for children and teens that offer a safe and anonymous place to talk or text. Here is a news release from the NAD.
We’re excited to announce the launch of www.aruggedjourney.org our newest NAD site providing free online mentoring for guys. A Rugged Journey joins www.gorgeous2god.org (for young women) which has grown in its scope and ministry since its beginning in 2017.
These sites, along with their counterparts on social media, provide free help to our teens/young adults in a space they can ask questions without judgment or fear. The questions are answered by a team of dedicated Seventh-day Adventists at AIM on the campus of Andrews University.
In addition to the confidential Q & A, positive content is provided through videos, posts, etc.
www.gorgeous2god.org/ FB: gorgeous2god/ IG: @gorgeous2god
www.aruggedjourney.org/ FB: aruggedjourney/ IG: @aruggedjourney
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 6 - K-4 Raptor Center Field Trip
Monday, February 10-Thursday, February 13 - 6th Grade Outdoor School
Friday, February 14 - 1/2 Day Friday
Monday, February 17 - No School - President’s Day
Monday, February 24 - No School - Teacher Inservice Day
Friday, February 28 - Extra 1/2 Day Friday (Makeup for Monday)