Today Was Not a Good Day for George Washington
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
The Battle of Fort Washington
For most of us, we remember the most important victory in the Revolutionary War - The Battle of Yorktown. We remember it was the final battle that gave our country freedom to become a new nation. It’s important to recall that many of the battles did not go George Washington’s way. One of the worst defeats happened early in the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Fort Washington. Today, November 16, marks the anniversary of the 1776 battle. On that day, George Washington escaped after losing 1/4 of his army and most of its weapons and provisions. Washington abandoned New York and escaped to New Jersey to fight another day.
George Washington later wrote, “This is a most unfortunate affair and has given me great Mortification as we have lost not only two thousand Men that were there, but a good deal of Artillery, & some of the best Arms we had.” It was clearly not his best day. Yet, George Washington went on to lead the soldiers to an ultimate victory seven years later. Many leaders have understood that “we may have lost the battle, but not the war.” What can we learn from this story? Let’s all remember that we serve a God who has already won the war. As adults, our busy days have challenges. For our students, growing up and learning new insights in and out of school are filled with obstacles. Our days may be filled with struggles at times, but with God we can overcome anything!
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Last week to take the ECA School Culture Survey
Last week, students in grades 3-8 took our school survey. As parents, you too have a chance to share how ECA is fulfilling its mission and values. If you have not taken the survey yet for your family, this is the last week. Check your email and remind posts from last week for the link. Thank you!
Field Trip for Grades 3-6 this Tuesday, November 18
Students in grades 3-6 will be going to the Hult Center this Tuesday for a musical performance of the Carnival of the Animals. This musical piece presents the different instruments in the orchestra. Usually, we are able to invite parents to field trips. For this event, the Hult Center reserved seating for students and school staff only. There are children and schools from all over the valley that will be there, so seating was reserved. We will be leaving school at 11:45. The concert will begin at 12:30 and go until 1:20. We should be back to school by 2:00. If you have ECA shirts or sweatshirts for your child, please have them wear those on Tuesday.
November - Important Days are Coming Up
The month of November has a mixture of days that affect our normal school week. Additionally, our normal 1/2 day Friday will be on November 21 this month. Here is a list of modified school days this month:
Monday, November 17 - No School - Teacher Inservice Day
Tuesday, November 18 - Grades 3-6 field trip to the Hult Center
Friday, November 21 - ECA Annual Thanksgiving Potluck for school & church families (NO AFTERSCHOOL ON THIS FRIDAY)
Wednesday, November 26 - 1/2 day of school to start the Thanksgiving Vacation.
Thursday, November 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Day
Monday, November 17 - No School
There are four times per year, our staff have professional growth and training. Tomorrow, Monday, November 17 there will be no school.
1/2 Day Friday - November 21 - ECA School Family Thanksgiving Meal
I know Thanksgiving seems a long way away, but ECA is getting ready for our annual ECA Family Thanksgiving Potluck. Know this - your family is invited to join us on Friday, November 21 to have lunch with your child and all of the other school families. Grandparents are invited too. We also invite families from our constituent churches.
Parents, as we plan for the school “potluck” we want to invite all of you for our early lunch on November 21. We will be having a 12:30 pickup on our monthly ½ day Friday. There will be NO AFTERSCHOOL this Friday. Our ECA school family Thanksgiving meal will begin at 11 am in the gym. Thank you especially to our Home & School, who is providing the main “kid-friendly” entrees. As school families, if we each do a small part, we will have plenty of food for everyone.
Please note: Our meal is vegetarian. Please do not send any foods containing meat. Also, please use disposable serving dishes, if possible, to speed up clean-up time.
Also, if you notice that a particular food item looks full, you can look at the bottom of the list for an “Other Ideas” list. Food contributions DO NOT have to be traditional Thanksgiving foods; kid-friendly food is always a hit with our elementary, tweens, and youth.
Here is a list of suggested classroom donations:
Grade K-2: Side Dishes
Examples: casseroles and warm side dishes, veggie/fruit platters, etc.
Grade 3/4: Salads (pre-made in a bowl please)
Examples: lettuce salad, pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad, dressings, taco salad, 3-bean salad
Grade 5/6: Rolls & Bread/Cheese & cracker platters
Examples: bags of pre-made rolls, butter & jam, pre-made cheese & cracker plates, etc.
Grade 7/8: Desserts
Examples: cookies, pie, brownies, cupcakes, gluten-free and/or vegan options
OTHER ITEMS: kid-friendly choices please ☺
Examples: chips & dip or salsa, PB&J sandwich halves, bags of popcorn, drinks, etc.
AG Program - Monday’s Science Class
There is no AG class this week, but will resume next 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, November 24 - Grades K-2
Hot Lunch for the Month
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, November 17 - No School - Teacher Inservice Day
Tuesday, November 18 - Grades 3-6 Field Trip to the Hult Center
Friday, November 21 - ECA Annual Thanksgiving Potluck
Wednesday, November 26 - 1/2 day of school
Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving - No School
