Finishing Our First Quarter
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
A Mile is Only Four Laps.
October 23, 2022
Hello ECA families,
When I was younger, I enjoyed track. I was a sprinter so the shorter races were my strength. Although my knees don’t embrace that joy of racing today, I remember the sense of pride I always had when I gave my all and crossed the finish line. I didn’t always win, but I always finished the race. In many ways this year is similar to running a mile race. We are nearing the end of this first quarter. We will be finishing up 1/4 of the year-long race. For some, perhaps we have been off to a slow start. For others, perhaps we feel we are at the front of the pack.
Next week, we will be having P/T conferences on Thursday and Friday. We are looking forward to sharing strengths, and we are also looking at ways to help students develop study habits, time management, and personal goals.
“"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.".” - Proverbs 4:25, 26
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Next Thursday, November 3 school will be dismissing at 12:30. There will be no after-school program on that day. Parent/teacher conferences will then be starting at 2:00 and going into the evening. The next day, Friday, November 4, meetings will resume from 9:00-2:00. Kindergarten students will be in joint meetings with Mrs. Waterson and Mrs. Hager. Students in grades 5-8 will be in joint meetings with Mr. Gaylor and Ms. Sobor.
Please call the office to set up a conference time. Meetings will be 20 minutes. You can start to schedule meetings this Wednesday, October 26. We look forward to sharing progress and goals as we plan for a successful year.
Hot Lunch Tomorrow, Monday, October 24
The 8th grade class is starting a fundraiser to help them with their 8th grade class trip expenses by providing a hot lunch on Mondays. Tomorrow will be pizza. There is a $5 fee for the lunch. A Remind notice and email was sent out today for replies to be made by 5:00 today so the pizza could be ordered. If you were unable to call for hot lunch, please send a lunch with your child tomorrow. There will be no hot lunch next Monday on October 31. Hot lunch will resume again in November.
ECA Picture Day will be next Monday, October 31
ECA has used the same traveling photographer for the past few years. Packets went home last week with prices if you are interested in purchasing picture packets. Even if your family is not interested in getting a packet, pictures will still be taken for our annual yearbook. If you need a packet with pricing information, please call the office so another packet can be sent home with your child. Also, for families new to ECA, we ask that students do not dress in costumes on Halloween. Later in the year we will be having a Spirit Week to celebrate the spirit of giving (around Christmas). ASB is starting to make plans for that week and it involves dressing up for each day with different themes.
Plan Now to Attend our Annual ECA Thanksgiving Potluck Meal
Almost a month away, on Friday, November 18 ECA will be having their monthly 1/2 Day Friday. In November, this will be happening on the third Friday since November 11 is Veterans’ Day. On the 18th, we open our school up to school families, church members, and our school community. More details will be going home later, but plan on joining us for a school community gathering in November.
After-School Tutor Position and Music Position Availability at ECA
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. 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.
Additionally, ECA is still searching to fill our open music teacher position. If you are aware of any music lesson instructors that might be interested in part-time work with transportation expenses covered in the paid position, please call the office. Any information provided will be followed up by the school. We have short-term teachers in place, but our goal is to have a long-term plan in place. Music has always been an important part of our school and we look forward to seeing God’s plan as we trust in his plan for this year.
Share Your School Spirit in Your Community
Last year, ECA had several lawn signs created and passed them out to families. We are proud of our students and school community. We hope you are too. If you are interested in a free yard sign to share your child’s school in your community, please stop by the office and ask for a yard sign. They will be available until all extra signs have been passed out.
ASB Barn Party this Thursday
Students in grades 5-8 will be able to enjoy the end of our first quarter with ASB’s second Fall activity. Students will be going to Pastor Greg Middlestetter’s home for a barn party. Students will be leaving around 5:15 by bus. There will be snacks and games. I know the ASB leaders have been working hard to make this a fun evening for all. The bus will be returning back to school between 8:30 and 9:00. If you child would like to attend, consider your child staying after school on Thursday. Please send an extra lunch if you are unable to feed them and have them back to school before the bus leaves.
Upcoming AG Program at ECA
We are excited to be offering an after-school agriculture program for students at ECA beginning in January. 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. The first stage will be the completion of a donated greenhouse kit. We currently have foundation set for the 8x20 greenhouse kit. If you have any experience or interest in working on this one-two day project, please consider calling the school. I know Wyatt is excited to start working on raised beds, fencing, irrigation, and instilling a passion for the love of Jesus. Thank you for keeping this in your prayers.
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
Thursday, October 27 - 1st Quarter Ends
Thursday, October 27 - ASB Barn Party
Monday, October 31 - Picture Day at ECA
Thursday, November 3 - 1/2 Day of school. P/T Conferences start at 2:00.
Friday, November 4 - P/T Conferences continue from 9:00-2:00.
Sunday, November 6 - Set your clocks back one hour.
Friday, November 18 - ECA’s annual Thanksgiving School Community Potluck and Meal
"“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.” - Isaiah 45:8