Finishing Our Second Quarter
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
January 8, 2023
For the past four or five years, I have had an exercise bike in my back room at my house. It gets used quite a bit. It makes a wonderful table for clean clothes waiting to be folded. Sometimes it is a landing zone for suitcases waiting to be put away. My cats have discovered its usefulness as a cat tower, and occasionally I turn it on to make sure it is still working. Ok, well, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. I do try to keep my exercise up during the winter months. The bike allows me to program different terrains in my typical 30 minute workouts. Treks called “A Day at the Park” or “Ascending Mt. Everest” can be modified to give me a custom workout. I have found that it’s important to exercise clear through the end. It is sometimes tempting to lower the levels during the last 5 minutes of a workout, but I pay for it later.
As we end this second quarter, it is important to end the quarter strong. I am reminded of the words of David and his reminder about strength in challenging times.
“You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face.” - Psalm 89:13-15
End of the Second Quarter
This is the last week of our second quarter. For most students, that means making sure everything is turned in and AR points have been reached for the quarter. ECA does not do P/T conferences after the second quarter. They happen after the first and third quarters. Report cards will be passed out to parents or mailed at the end of the month. Also, please check with your child to see if any of their school supplies are in need of replenishment. Pencils, expo markers, and glue are usually items that need to be stocked up again.
Sign up for Our Ag Program to help us plan for after-school
Just a reminder that students staying after school can participate in our teacher-directed after-school program or our Agriculture program with Mr. Johnston. This program happens M-Th and on our 1/2 day Friday. We will be building pathways, working on fencing, working in the greenhouse on Spring seeding projects, doing land preparation, irrigation, and incorporating a program that helps students see God through nature. If you would like your child to participate, that is great. If you are already signed up for after-school and pay the $50 per month your family is all set. All we need from you is a phone call to the office so we can sign your child up for the days of the week you would like your child to participate. Depending on weather, there might be times you would like your child to work with homeroom teachers and indoor after-school programs. The indoor programs are as follows: Monday - Tutoring, Tuesday - Legos, Wednesday - Story Hour, Thursday - Art & Spanish.
If you have not signed up for the after-school program and would like to do that on a monthly basis, please call the office. The one-time fee of $50 covers all days of the week (M-Th) for all students in a family. There is also a $5 per day option. Just call the office to sign up.
1/2 Day Friday this January 13
We will be having our monthly 1/2 day this Friday. School will go from 8:00-12:30. More information about our 1/2 day hot lunch will be shared in the middle of the week. Starting new this January, students can now stay after school and participate in the Agriculture Program until 2:30. If you would like your child to stay after school until 2:30 this Friday, please call the office in the afternoon so we can plan for this once-a-month opportunity. There will be NO OTHER after-school program going on that Friday. Parents who plan on having their children stay for the program need to be at school at 2:30 for pickup.
If you would like your child to participate, we ask that you send boots, gloves, and a raincoat. Everything else will be provided. We are preparing a storage area for students to keep things that are worn. There will be washing areas in the program areas for keeping mud minimized. If students have the boots, raincoat, and gloves at school, there will be time for students to switch between school shoes and AG program boots. We are excited to see this program start and are encouraged as we have seen community excitement and church interest. It will be exciting to see the flowers, bulbs, baskets, fruits, vegetables, and fields of produce become a product of the hard work of our ECA students.
Winter Fundraiser
Last Friday, a packet went home with your child explaining our winter fundraiser. If the packet did not make it home, it will be coming tomorrow. This year’s fundraiser will have profits divided between the worthy student fund and our agricultural program. Below, you will find more information and a seed catalogue and order form that can be used. Note: Territorial Seed Company has hundreds of types of seeds. The seeds that they make available to us at a discounted price are not from their entire catalogue. Only seeds from the fundraising catalogue can be purchased at the “fundraiser price.”
3rd Quarter Events Coming Up
ECA is finalizing details for our winter ski program and our Spring Mission Trip. These details should be finalized as we start our third quarter next week. Be sure to check in next week to learn more. Lots more events are scheduled for the third quarter. Here is a short list: ASB banquet, ASB skiing, 6th grade outdoor school at Big Lake Youth Camp, ECA Mystery Drama and Dinner Evening Extravaganza, ECA Winter Visitation Day, K-4 Swimming Lessons, and more. Keep checking the weekly newsletters for more information.
No School Next Monday
Next Monday, ECA will be recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the holiday that honors his dream. The third quarter will start on Tuesday, January, 17.
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 16 - No School, MLK, Jr. Day
January 23-26 - Winter MAP testing
Friday, February 10 - ECA Winter Visitation Day
February 14-17 - 6th Grade Outdoor School for 6th Grade Students
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” - Psalm 37:3-5