Integrity
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
May 21, 2023
In April, I introduced six values that ECA believes is an integral part of our school life. Today, we look at integrity.
Integrity - We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and learning. We embrace responsibility and yearn for a campus filled with dignity and safety for all.
Last week I mentioned a few quotes. Here is another one all of us have heard: “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” Philip Stanhope said these words to his son in a letter in 1774. Those words have stood the test of time. What if we take those words one step further? “Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing with honesty and grounded in upright, moral truth.” Are we doing the right thing only when people are watching, or is this trait an important tool that helps define who we are when it really counts?
The Bible is filled with stories of moral heroes. One that comes to mind is Daniel. We all know the story about how he was thrown in the lions’ den for disobeying a decree by King Darius. The king, tricked by his kingdom administrators who were out to get Daniel, banned praying to any God or person for thirty days. The Bible tells us, “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.” Daniel 6:10, 11.
The king, now distraught by his selfish act, allows us to better understand how having integrity in our relationship with God works out. “When the king came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel’s response gives us all hope, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I every done any wrong before you, O king.’” Daniel 19-22.
What a difference God can make in our lives when we hold integrity close to our heart!
AG Program and Monthly Classroom Participation
Mr. Wyatt moved his vacation plans around a little. Originally, this was to be the last week of AG for the year. That has changed. He will be gone this whole week, but he will be back next Tuesday until the end of school. So, do not plan on an AG program this week. It will be back next Tuesday.
ECA Track & Field Day
ECA has an annual Track & Field Day every year in the late spring. This year, we will be having this event this Tuesday, May 23. Students will go through different activities at school with their classes in the afternoon from 2:00 - 5:00. Plan on sending clothes with your child that could handle running, jumping into a sand pit, or sitting in the grass. Also, even though it will not be too hot of a day (high of 68 degrees) plan on a water bottle for students. Parents are invited to come at any time during this afternoon event to watch their children in the different events: 50 m, 100 m, 400 meter relay, running long jump, discuss throw, high jump, obstacle course, softball throw, and mini-javelin throw.
If you are planning on picking up your child at the regular dismissal time of 3:30, then your child will miss some of the events they will be involved in with their class. If you wait until 5:00, then your child should be able to complete all of the events. Students will be receiving ribbons on our last day of school for track events. There is no after-school fee for this event. If you plan on having your child stay after school for the afternoon, please call the school tomorrow, Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning so teachers can plan for the afternoon.
Spring Music Concert
ECA will have their annual spring music concert on Thursday, May 25. Mrs. Vojtko has been working hard to prepare the students for a fun, musical evening. After talking with Mrs. V., the dress code for the concert is focused around fun spring colors. She has asked that students wear a solid, dark bottom (pants, skirt, or dress) and the shirt or blouse can have spring colors. She has asked that shirts/blouses do not have words or pictures, but solid colors or spring patterns that would go along with a spring theme are ok. We will be practicing for the program on the day before - Wednesday, May 24, and the day of the program, May 25. The program will start at 7:00. Students should plan on arriving by 6:45.
May 29 - Memorial Day - No School
There will be no school on Monday, May 29 in honor of Memorial Day.
AR End-of-the-Year Party
Students and reading have been an important part of ECA for a long time. Our reading program is supported by Accelerated Reading. Students are challenged with getting reading minutes or points for the year. Those that reach their goal with a high level of achievement will be leaving school on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 30. Teachers are finalizing all the details. Students who did not reach the yearly goal will be staying at school in the afternoon. In addition, students who reach goals will have another opportunity to be rewarded on our last 1/2 day Friday chapel and last day of school on June 9.
ASB Spring Picnic
Students in grade 5-8 will be having an afternoon school picnic with games on Wednesday, May 31. The picnic will end with a showing of the movie Ferdinand. Students brought home permission slips for parents to sign for watching this film. If your grade 5-8 child has not given you a slip to sign, please check with them. This must be signed for them to watch this PG rated film. More information will be going home later in the week or in next week’s newsletter.
Kindergarten Recognition Day
Our students in kindergarten will be having their recognition day on Thursday, June 1. This will be the last day of school for students in kindergarten. They will be having a ceremony starting at 8:30 am that morning in the gym. The ECA school will be there and there will be a kindergarten family only party following the service in the kindergarten classroom.
8th Grade Graduation is Coming Up!
Plan now to attend our 8th grade class graduation at the Pleasant Hill SDA Church on Thursday, June 8. The program will begin at 7:00 with a reception happening on the church lawn afterwards. It is always fun to recognize the accomplishments of students and for middle school students, this is an important moment.
Friday, June 9 - Last Day of School
Our last day of school will be on Friday, June 9. This day begins with an all-school chapel. End-of-the-year awards are presented to students during this time. Parents are encouraged to attend.
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