2025 - Famous Advice
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
Dear Abby…
In 1956 Pauline Phillips started writing a column under the pen name “Abigail Van Buren.” In 2000, she retired from her writing responsibilities and her daughter, Jeanne Phillips took over. In the past 69 years, "Dear Abby” has given daily advice to millions of readers all over the United States. What did she say about reading?
“Dear Abby: I wrote your mother back in 1985, asking her to encourage my eighth-grade students to establish the wonderful habit of reading.
I still teach eighth-graders. It has been 23 years since your mother wrote my students about the importance of reading.
Today we have computers, text messaging and cell phones. It’s a different world now, but reading is still important. Would you write a couple of paragraphs about the joys of reading in your column? Your advice will be heeded by my students and many other students in the country who read your column. Kids relate to celebrities, and you are definitely famous. Thank you for your help
Ray Smythe, Palm Springs, Calif.
Dear Ray and Dear Students: I’m glad to oblige. For anyone who doesn’t already know, books are magic! Crack open a book and you will be instantly transported into the past, propelled into the future or, if you choose, escape into a world of fantasy. The options are endless.
But while history, science fiction, mysteries and romance provide a wealth of diversion, reading provides more than just an escape. The greatest ideas of our most gifted thinkers lie between the covers of books waiting for you to discover them. Reading is also a vital skill. Perusing a newspaper or doing research online, in addition to expanding your mind, can be your transport to a successful future. And there is no more effective way to learn to write than by reading.
P.S. If this skill does not come easily, remember that libraries offer classes in literacy. There is no shame in needing extra help in learning to read, regardless of your age. The only shame is in not admitting it so you can get the help you need.”
by Abigail Van Buren Universal Press Syndicate, Sep 29, 2008
Does the Bible let us know about how important it is to stay connected to God by reading the Bible?
"Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me" - John 15:4-7
We Look Ahead to Winter Weather
This week starts the beginning of colder, winter weather mornings. At ECA, getting students safely to school is an important priority as we think about road conditions. 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.
Second Quarter will end in two weeks
Our second quarter will end in two weeks. As we wrap up this quarter, making sure all of the school assignments, goals, and lessons are important. The middle of the school year is also a great time to check in with your child to see how their school supplies are holding out. This second quarter will NOT have p/t conferences. Parent / Teacher conferences are held at the end of the first and third quarters. Report cards will be sent home during the first week of February.
AG Program - Monday’s Science Class
Our Monday AG classes go in the winter months too. 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, January 13 - Grades 3&4
New 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
Monday, January 20 - No School - MLK, Jr. Holiday
Thursday, January 23 - Last day of the second quarter
Monday, January 27 - Third Quarter begins.
Monday, Jan. 27-Thursday, Jan. 30 - Winter MAP Testing