Happy Mothers' Day
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
We wish all of our school families’ mothers, grandmothers, aunts, God mothers, and “aunties” a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thank you for all you do!
For many of us growing up, Dear Abby was a staple in the evening newspaper. Her column started in 1956 and her daughter continues the column today. As we celebrate Mothers’ Day for 2026, we take time to reflect back to Dear Abby and her thoughts on Mothers’ Day in 1997.
DEAR ABBY: Today, on Mother's Day, may I take this opportunity to extend congratulations and good wishes to my readers. For those of you who are just starting out on the adventure of motherhood, I would like to share a prayer that was written by the late Dr. Gary C. Myers, the founder of "Highlights for Children," a wholesome, educational monthly magazine. It summarizes beautifully what all of us need to remember.
A PARENT'S PRAYER
Oh, heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and ask their forgiveness when I know that I have done wrong.
May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt a child to lie or steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. May I cease to nag, and when I am out of sorts, help me, Oh Lord, to hold my tongue. Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me to see the good things that they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise.
Help me to treat my children as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make their own decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm.
Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children. With all thy gifts, Oh God, do give me calmness and poise and self-control.
Are you starting to think about summer activities?
Emerald Christian Academy is one of many schools in the Oregon Conference. Did you know Big Lake Youth Camp is also a part of the Oregon Conference of SDA. This summer camp is filled with a week of amazing memories and a focus on Jesus’ love for his children. You can learn more by following the link below.
Do You still need to register for next year? Last call for the discounted $50 registration fee.
One of the things that happens at school behind the scenes during spring is making a budget for the upcoming school year. Because we are part of a large conference with many schools, we have to have voted school budgets by the end of the year. Staff contracts and program obligations are set in the spring for the upcoming year. What does this mean for you? Every school in the Oregon Conference has a reenrollment period. During this time, schools ask families to pay a reenrollment fee to reserve their spot for the upcoming year. This year’s deadline to reserve a spot at a discounted family fee of $50 has been moved to this Friday, May 15. Next week, I will meet with our school board and we need to have firm enrollment numbers for a presented budget on May 21. Families that reenroll after May 15 will be charged a family reenrollment fee of $150. Plan now. You can let us know your plans for next year by clicking on the link below and reserving your spot for next year. Payment details can be added in the link.
Emerald Expo and ECA Open House
Next Tuesday, May 19, ECA will be having our Spring Emerald Expo and Open House. There will be a meal that will begin at 6:30, followed by a time to visit classrooms and see projects from the school year. This will also be a time for visitors in the community to learn more about our school and have a chance to visit. If you know of any families that are interested in the difference Christian education can make, invite them to our open house. We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!
AG Class this Week
Students will be outdoors doing a variety of things with Mr. Wyatt Johnson. Throughout the year, there may be a few rainy days. Boots and gloves are great things for working outdoors on Monday Science Days. Water bottles are great things to have outside too. Here is a schedule of the days and classes:
Monday, May 11 - Grades 3&4
Monday, May 18 - NO AG Class
Monday, May 25 - NO AG Class - Memorial Day Holiday
Monday, June 1 - AG Class Grades K-2
After-School this Week & Next Week
From Tuesday, May 12 to Monday, May 18, after-school will be provided by homeroom teachers. Mr. Wyatt will be gone during these dates. Mr. Wyatt will be back next week to resume AG after-school beginning on Wednesday, May 20. On Tuesday, May 19 there will be no after school. That will be the evening of our Expo & Open House. Teachers will need the time after school to finalize classrooms for the evening. Thank you for your understanding and planning.
Spring Week of Prayer
We are excited to welcome Pastor Ashok from the Storyline SDA Church for our Spring Week of Prayer next week. Students will have a K-8 program each day in the afternoon from 1:15-2:00.
Hot Lunch Menu for the Month
Hot lunch happens every Monday and Wednesday (except for this one week). Additionally, whenever we have a “regular” 1/2 Friday, hot lunch will be offered by our Home & School. You can click on the link below to order hot lunch for the week for your child. If you have more than one child, please click the link more than once and turn in one week’s submission for each child. There is a payment option that is included in the form.
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, May 11 - AG Class - Grades 3&4
Friday, May 15 - Last day to receive discount early enrollment
May 18-21 - Spring Week of Prayer
Tuesday, May 19 - ECA Expo & Open House
Thursday, May 21 - ECA Annual Constituency Meeting - ECA Gym 7:30
Monday, May 25 - No School - Memorial Day Holiday
Wednesday, May 27 - ECA Spring Music Concert
Tuesday, June 2 - AR Party
Thursday, June 4 - Kindergarten Recognition Ceremony