Updates for September
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
New & Improved
In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone. It was offered in two versions: 4GB & 8GB. Because the 8 GB was so much popular, the 4 GB was discontinued after only two months. That didn’t stop a few customers from spending $499 for the smaller option. Fast forward 18 years, and one of the original versions in pristine, unopened condition recently was auctioned for $190,372.80. Today, it seems there are new & improved updates in everything we use. Our school calendar is not immune to change. This newsletter has important dates to be added for our first quarter as you start planning for the school year.
What does God say about new & improved? I’m excited to begin this school year and see the amazing ways God will introduce “new & improved” into our lives!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Staying Connected…
Every Sunday this year, ECA will post a newsletter for the upcoming week. Each newsletter will have a short worship thought, followed by important information. Another way to stay connected to each homeroom classroom is to click on the “classroom pages” link on our website. Teachers will be updating their website page with communication and resources throughout the year. If you are still needing classroom supplies for this Wednesday, be sure to click on the “classroom pages” link. Earlier in the month, an email went out to parents with the temporary classroom password. You can also call the school office if you need the password.
Upcoming September Classroom Activities
Now that we are into our first full week of school, here are additional dates to add into September’s calendar. Most of the school year calendar has been finalized. At the beginning of the year, a few extra dates are added.
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day - No School
September 11 - 1/2 Day Friday
Monday, September 14 - Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 17 - Sunday, September 20 - Middle School (Grades 7-8) Bible Camp
Monday, September 21 - Grades 5-8 ASB trip to the Florence, Oregon for the day
Monday, September 28 - ECA Track & Field Day
Is All Your Paperwork Turned in for the New Year?
Every year, we update enrollment paperwork for all of our students. This includes things like pick-up lists, medical consents, etc. We also work to make sure we have financial tuition agreements for all of our families. If you are still missing any paperwork, please reach out to the front office to get it turned in. If paperwork has been lost, we can send you new copies.
No School - September 7
There will be no school on Monday, September 7. We will be honoring the Labor Day holiday.
Music Classes will begin next week on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Dr. Agnes Vojtko met our homeroom classes last week on Thursday. During this week, she has family commitments that will keep her away this week. Music classes will start in full next week.
Upcoming Back-to-School Night - Monday, September 14
Every year, ECA has a Back-to-School Night that offers an orientation for our school and classrooms for our school families. This year, it will be on Monday, September 14. We are still working out all the details, but usually there is an evening meal followed by times to visit classroom for orientation sessions. Exact times are still being worked out, but classroom sessions usually start around 6:45 and go until 7:45. During these sessions, you can visit homeroom teachers and get shared documents and information about how you can stay in touch this year. If you have a younger child, you can go to your child’s earliest classroom presentation and be done for the evening. If you have children in more than one grade, the classroom presentations will repeat after 20 minutes.
Have you always wanted to get involved at school but didn’t know how? There will be information about joining Home & School that evening. You can be part of an exciting year in small or larger ways. You can also find information about volunteering at school, in classrooms, or on field trips. Background checks are needed. This easy process involves following a link, providing some basic information, and watching a couple videos on child safety. This check is done by our supervising conference and maintains a safe campus for your children.
Upcoming Bible Camp - Middle School Students
For returning families, you have probably heard about our school’s participation with Bible Camp at the Washington Family Ranch in Antelope, OR in the past. This event is designed for students in our churches, schools, and home school families in Oregon in grades 7 & 8. Currently, we are planning on all of our students in grades 7&8 participating on September 17-20. There is no additional charge for this program. Ms. Lidia and Mr. Gaylor will be taking students to this 4-day program at no additional cost to parents.
Below, is a link to more information about the program. It has information about what is Bible Camp, when, where, etc. Again, this program will happen Thursday, September 17 - Sunday, September 20. We will be taking a bus there with Mr. Gaylor and Ms. Lidia as chaperones. There are TWO forms that need to be filled out: 1) OR conference Medical consent/release, 2) Young Life Camp Registration Form. These forms should be available next week. For now, click on the link below to find out more about what Bible Camp is!
Hot Lunch this Year at ECA
One change that will happen this year is our hot lunch will only be on Wednesdays. Our first weekly hot lunch will be after the Labor Day holiday, Wednesday, September 9. Monthly hot lunch calendars will be posted at the beginning of each month and can also be found online. Meals can be ordered and charged to your credit card that is on file. You can click on the hot lunch order link in the weekly newsletter, or can be ordered through the website in the student life tab. Our menu for the first month will be posted next week.
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
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day - No School
September 11 - 1/2 Day Friday
Monday, September 14 - Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 17 - Sunday, September 20 - Middle School (Grades 7-8) Bible Camp
Monday, September 21 - Grades 5-8 ASB trip to the Florence, Oregon for the day
Monday, September 28 - ECA Track & Field Day
