Mary's Journey
Principal’s Message:
Mary had to travel while pregnant on a donkey to Bethlehem. I’m guessing that Joseph’s journey wasn’t exactly comfortable either—but he wasn’t pregnant, so we will feel less sorry for him. I think about this journey a lot, I can almost feel the back ache and the jostling while gallumphing forward on the donkey.
Both Mary and Joseph were called to participate in something that impacts us today. That participation asked a lot of them, a lot of trust, a lot of gossip from neighbors, a lot of discomfort, and eventually a story that has bubbled over into all corners of the world reminding us that sometimes the things of God come in vulnerable babes, long donkey rides and the places we least expect the sacred to reveal Himself.
Announcements:
I am excited to report—we are on the homestretch of being able to open childcare services at the school during school hours. Our goal is to finish all the requirements on our end by Wednesday. I know this has been a long process and it does not address ALL the needs for our students, but it is a step towards providing much needed support for several of our families. Look for an email early this week with more details!
Spirit Week is Next Week (December 7-10). We are so excited to do everything we can to be festive and create community even though our circumstances are so different this holiday season. Here is our schedule for Spirit Week:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Wednesday: Book Character Day
Thursday: Christmasy Day
We will be providing stockings for ALL students on campus and off-campus, if you would like to drop off goodies for your child’s classmates, notes of encouragement to students or staff feel free to drop them by. We will be providing time for students to fill up their schoolmates stockings with notes and goodies!
In lieu of a Christmas program we ask that you send videos of your learner’s playing or singing Christmas music, reciting a poem or sharing what their thoughts on what is important at Christmas. We will be compiling these videos and sending them out to our constituent churches to play during their online or in-person holiday services. Please email to principal@emeraldchristianacademy.com
Jasper SAFE Center: It has been a tradition of ECA to end Spirit Week by shopping at Target to support kids being house and treated at the Jasper SAFE Center in Springfield a residential alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. As a result of safety measures due to Covid, several of these young children are not able to have family visits in the same way that the center has been able to provide in the past. We are providing a way for all of you, our ECA family, to show some support and continue this project in a different way. Please check out this LIST provided by Jasper SAFE Center to purchase a gift or pay money towards any of the gifts listed. Gifts will be delivered to the Jasper SAFE Center kids on December 18.
Covid-19:
We have spots available for on-campus childcare. The Early Learning Division has asked that we prioritize childcare as follows:
First responders, ER workers, Health care professionals.
Critical operations staff & essential personnel.
Individuals working outside of the home.
We will be providing more detailed information to all our families as soon as we get certification in hand.
Are you unsure about your child’s symptoms? Do you want some guidance on whether they should be at school or stay home or get a Covid test? Call Lane County’s Non-Emergency Call Center line for Covid-19 at 541-682-1380
