The Reason for the Season
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
December 11, 2022
Hello ECA families,
“Ok, it’s time to pick up our toys.”
“Why?”
“Vegetables are good for us so let’s clean our plate.”
“Why?”
“Let’s surprise Mom on her birthday.”
“Why?”
You get the idea. As parents, we all remember that stage when “why” was a question we heard multiple times a day. Those magic years between 2 and 4 are filled with wonder, curiosity, and amazement at a world that is so much larger than the confines of our backyard.
It is with that amazement and wonder that we can confidently exclaim “Jesus is the reason for the season.” As we enter the final week before Christmas vacation, we are excited to share the wonder and hope that the story of Jesus’ birth brings each one of us. May the blessing of God’s miraculous plan for mankind fill your family with hope and peace for a holiday season and a new year.
“Mary gave birth to Jesus and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” -Luke 2:7-12.
No Hot Lunch Tomorrow, Monday, December 12
As the 8th grade class clears up the schedule for Monday hot lunches, we will share that information with you. Look for more information in January when school starts again after Christmas vacation.
A Report on Our Trip to Target Last Week
Last week, we capped our ASB Spirit Week with our annual trip to purchase gifts for children at Jasper Mtn. Safe Center. Thank you for your generosity. Because of your contributions, we raised enough money to purchase gifts for all of the children at the school. At ECA, it is our mission that students and families love God, value learning, and serve others. Thank you for helping our students experience that mission this past week. We will share more details and photos about our trip at our Christmas program this Wednesday.
After-School Tutor Position
ECA is looking to fill a position for an after-school tutor/helper with our after-school program. This position would be from 3:00 - 5:00 M-Th. There is also flexibility for adding extra hours as a teacher’s aide. As a part-time worker for the school, you would be compensated with an hourly pay. You would work with our CORE Full-Time teachers to help students in reading, math, and writing. You could also help out with after-school programs. If this sounds like an adventure you would like more information about, please call the office or send an email to principal@emeraldchristianacademy.com. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has the flexibility to work with a great team of teachers receive financial compensation that help offset the costs of tuition.
ECA’s Christmas Program
Thank you again to our Home & School Leaders for working with classrooms, teachers, and our new music teacher to help this year’s Christmas Program happen. This week, we will be having our annual Christmas program on Wednesday, December 14. Please have your child at the Pleasant Hill SDA Church, right next to the school, at 6:40 in the evening. Students in grades K-4 will be meeting in the primary room next to the bathrooms. Students in grades 5-8 will be meeting at the opposite side of the church in the youth room. As you enter the main church, K-4 will go to the left. Students in grades 5-8 will go to the right. Our program will begin at 7:00.
We are excited to share our evening of music with you. Our program will be in our church sanctuary. Please remember church attire is appropriate for our students. We ask that jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, and similar attire not be worn. The program will start with students coming into the sanctuary sitting in class groups in the back of the church. After students perform, they will be able to sit with your family in the congregation. Please be sure to save a few spots for children in your family.
8th Grade Silent Auction Baskets
The eighth grade class is still raising funds for their class trip. You can help them reach their goal this Christmas season. There will be Christmas baskets in the lobby of the church as you come in. If you would like to bid on a basket, there will be signups next to each basket. Baskets will be able to be taken home to the winning bid at the end of the program.
Music Program Donation
Our new music teacher, Mrs. Vojtko, has been working with our students to help them get ready for the Christmas program, and she is looking forward to the coming 2023 year and future performances. ECA recently had a donation of an updated sound system for our school auditorium and its music programs. The sound system can be controlled with ipads or cell phones, and will allow us to have flexibility with venues and greatly increase our music program’s sound quality. There are a few pieces still missing from the system. If you would like to make a donation toward helping us complete the sound system, more information will be shared at our Christmas program.
Our School Week
We will have a 4-day school week this week. There will be an after-school program every day this week. Please make note of our start time for Wednesday’s Christmas program. Additionally, most classrooms will be having some sort of Christmas party this Thursday afternoon. Information to help you plan for this day should have been sent home from classroom teachers. Check your email or texts if you have questions about the day.
Plan Now for Our Ag Program to start up in January after Christmas Vacation
It looks like there is a bit of work that needs to be completed before we are completely ready to have students join our AG program. Plan on things starting when we return after Christmas vacation. Not only will the program be after school, but it will also involve each classroom having one monthly 1/2 day dedicated to time spent working outside with Wyatt. Our hope is to grow and develop this program to help students see the value in working in nature, develop financial management skills, and enjoy interacting with our community. There will be different stages that will happen as we start this program. Wyatt Johnston will start working on deer-proof fencing, irrigation, and clearings. He has been busy this past week. Our greenhouse has been completed, and new projects will be started soon.
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
Wednesday, December 14 - ECA Christmas Program
Thursday, December 15 - last day of school before Christmas vacation
Tuesday, January 3 - Classes resume
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:13