"As Is" — Emerald Christian Academy

Principal’s Message:

I distinctly remember the first time I was called “too sensitive” and the first time I was told “you take things to seriously.” It was at my elementary school playground when I first heard those words and they continued through my life. I found ways to twist, bend and swerve to do my best to NOT be too sensitive or to not be, or appear, to be taking something too seriously.

The need to “twist, bend and swerve” are all responses to thinking that being too sensitive or taking things too seriously is weakness that must be strengthened. It has only been since having children that I have rejected this idea and decided to honor that little girl on the playground as perfectly acceptable “as is.”

I think oftentimes our greatest challenges become our greatest strengths if we trust that God created us perfectly acceptable “as is”. As our learner’s fill our halls again they are again learning what it means to re-engage with each other. And as they bump along with the heightened anxiety of living in a Covid-stressed world there are ways in which they find themselves feeling inadequate, frustrated, and overwhelmed. This spills out in multiple ways. What a great and extraordinary responsibility to show up for our learners by ensuring them that God crafted them in spectacular fashion and any change that needs to come about in them will be beautiful if they embrace and recognize that they are quite stunning “as is.”

Announcements:

We are working hard to put together fundraising activities that support our many projects and Worthy Student Fund on campus. Look forward to upcoming school-wide fundraisers this next week from your students!
Rita Fisher has agreed to coordinate our community-wide fundraising event, we are unable to do our traditional auction, but we are excited to venture into new territory! If you are interested in participating please email Mrs. Crawford at principal@emeraldchristianacademy.com and she will pass your name on to Mrs. Fisher
BIG FRANKS!!! We had a donor drop of two cases of Big Franks (veggie hot dogs) for our school. We thought it would be fun to do a Big Frank drawing weekly! Please send in a picture of your learner that showcases the beauty of OREGON this week and we will enter you in a drawing for two cans of Big Franks!! Our co-op families are encouraged to participate as well! Send pictures to principal@emeraldchristianacademy.com by February 10, 2021
We are hoping to coordinate a snow day later this month on February 25. Still working out some details to ensure we can do this! Please temporarily mark your calendars and we will provide information this week on our plans!

Covid-19:

If you are part of our ECA community we ask that you follow recommended guidelines: Masking, Physical Distancing, any further risk reduction measures that you are able to incorporate into your lives. Do your part in protecting our on-campus care.
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
This past few weeks of being on-campus has been SO good for our learners and we are very glad to be able to support your family in this way. However, the resistance we are getting from some of our students about mask wearing is exhausting and we are asking that our parent community aid us in supporting our safety efforts on campus. Being dismissive of on-campus mandates at home leaks onto campus and it is tiring to convince students that they must honor the rules at school —when they are at school—while they openly share that their parents find the rules excessive and ridiculous. It is very necessary for us to protect the integrity and accessibility of our program by sticking to our rules and doing our part in keeping campus open for all of our students. We ask that you do your part in supporting our efforts and not undercutting the sacrifices and effort we are making.

What our learners are up to: