Remembering Dr. MLK, Jr.

Principal’s Message:

Hello ECA families,

Last Friday at our 1/2 day Chapel, we were able to reflect on the message and “dream” that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continues to share with us today. The fact that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a minister and embraced the idea that God’s love was for all mankind should not go unnoticed. At ECA, we value every student and family contribution to our school family. Our school makes our community better when we seize the idea that God treasures the life of every ECA family member. Our hope is that your family and child will feel that love every day.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” - 1 John 3:1

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:6

Friendzy! Starting and Staying Healthy During Our 3rd Quarter

We know that Covid has been a constant in the news. Staying physically healthy at home and school is a priority that we want to partner with your family. But there is another area we often forget.

Another component of health that is important to consider is emotional health. The gloomy months of winter can be contributing factors toward depression. Our school program for SEL (social, emotional, learning) helps students develop tools to deal with emotions and various circumstances. Here is an introductory video link that explains more about the Friendzy Program: What is Friendzy?

The theme for the month of January is “You First!” As we learn to think about others, there is an acronym that is built around the word "others.”

Observe

Think

Honor

Encourage

Respect

Serve

Have you ever wondered how you or your family is doing with taking care of yourself? The Friendzy Program offers several resources that can help you answer this question. The links that follow are for your use. We do no see who or who have not followed links, and we don’t see your responses. Take a look to see how your family is faring in the winter months.

Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

Does My Child Understand "You First!" At-Home Follow-up

Child Safety & Child Abuse

As a staff, we are trained yearly on child safety and abuse. There are several resources you have as families that can help you stay in the know too. Here is a list of several resources:

Signs of Child Abuse

What Can You Do?

What is Mandatory Reporting

Reporting

Child Safety

Oregon Contacts

January Winter Fundraiser

First of all, I really need to thank all of you for supporting our school this year financially in small and big ways. During our Christmas program, we invited families to donate or pledge funds for a new media screen in our gym. ECA families blessed this project with over $2300 in donations. We will be ordering a new screen soon. Thank you again!

Special thanks to Jennifer Lindsey for helping ECA with fundraising projects this year. On Friday, your child brought home a packet with information about our winter fundraiser with territorialseed.com. This fundraiser will go for the next month. Seed packets that sell for $3-$4 can help us in a big way. We receive 45% of all purchases. If you have garden beds, flower beds, or have families or friends who routinely buy seeds for the upcoming spring, this is a great way to support our school.

Raised funds will go towards our Worthy Student Fund. Each year, we have several families that are able to share their talents and gifts by being part of our school family. For many, this might be a financial difficulty without a school fund that provides assistance. Personally, as a student attending Adventist schools growing up, I received a rich blessing with the help of Worthy Student Funds. Growing up, my family often struggled with finances and I’m especially thankful to the many contributions that supported my chance to have a Christian education.

If you would like to be a part of this mission, any checks for seed packets need to be made out to Emerald Christian Academy. The school will order the seeds and they will be delivered during the last week of February. We are working to update our web page so orders can be placed through our website soon. What seeds are available for order? Seed Packets Order Form

Picture Retakes are this Wednesday, January 19.

If you were unable to get school pictures earlier in the year, our picture retake day will be this Wednesday. For families that would like retakes, please return your old packet. If you would like more information about prices for new ordering, just follow the link for the school order form: Picture Day Order Form

Wearing Masks at ECA Indoors

Last week, I spent quite a bit of time explaining the current state of Covid and how as a school we need to keep policies in place to keep our kids in school.

1) Currently, the Oregon Health Authority is proposing small changes to policies regarding masks at school. Masks are still required inside (OVER BOTH MOUTH AND NOSE) but guidelines are loosening up a bit. As a school, we have more flexibility with keeping 3 feet distance or smaller. What does that mean? It means students can start to be closer. Are there risks? As long as students remember to COVER BOTH MOUTH AND NOSE indoors and we keep our other protocols in place this can help classrooms feel more like classrooms.

We need your help though. Again, it is important that students keep masks over their noses and mouths while indoors. Thank you for reminding your child the importance of WORKING with the school staff to keep exposures small.

There will also be a change that any Covid tests given out at school do not need to be reported if results are negative.

LINK Planning for Covid-19 Scenarios in Schools

CLICK FOR TEST TO STAY PROTOCOLS

Oregon K-12 Student Screening Testing Program FAQ

Diagnostic Testing at School

Do You Need a New, Local Artist-Created Mask? Are the generic masks not fitting well?

If your child has been having a difficult time wearing masks, the school has masks that have nose pieces sewn into them. They are the masks that were donated earlier in the year. We still have some masks left. If you are wishing to replenish any masks, Claire Hart, a member of our Pleasant Hill SDA Church has worked with a local artist to create high quality masks. She has donated all supplies and the artist has donated her beautiful craftsmanship and talents to benefit your family if you are looking for new masks. She has asked that masks are sold at $8 per mask and ALL proceeds go to ECA’s worthy student tuition fund. Take a look at the attached pdf for a better glimpse of the masks.

$8 Donated Mask Fundraiser $

Reminder: No school next Monday or Tuesday, January 24, 25

As a staff, we will be having in-service on standards-based learning. Our school is part of a larger organization, the Oregon Conference of SDA. With over 30 schools in Oregon, our school and staff are blessed to partner with great leadership and support as we continue to learn best methods to help children learn.

Report Cards for the 2nd Quarter

ECA does not have formal P/T conferences for the second quarter. Teachers are finalizing report cards. We will have them ready to go home at the end of next week. The plan is to give parents report cards in sealed envelopes when you drop off or pick up your child. If you would like your report card mailed, please call the office to make those arrangements.

After-School Schedules for this Week

Thank you for calling the school the previous week to let the office know which days your child will be attending after-school. If you have not already called to let us know about this week, please call the office after 11:30 so teachers can plan.

This week:

Tuesday - Lego Robotics

Wednesday - Library Day

Thursday - Outdoor Learning.

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I hope this new week is filled with daily reminders of God’s blessings.