The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessments will be given on the following dates:

• Monday, May 13th - 3rd, 4th, 6th, & 7th Grade Math; & 5th & 8th Grade Math Retest

• Tuesday, May 14th - 3rd, 4th, 6th, & 7th Grade Reading; & 5th & 8th Grade Reading Retest

• Wednesday, May 15th - 5th & 8th Grade Science

• Thursday, May 16th - 8th Grade Social Studies

In preparation for these tests, here are some reminders to ensure our students are ready to give it their best on test days:

• The campus will be CLOSED on testing days to all parents, visitors, and volunteers. This applies to ALL grade levels.

• Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch from home or order a lunch from the cafeteria if they wish, or if they forget their lunch from home. There will be NO outside lunch deliveries or the ability for parents/family to eat with their child(ren) on STAAR test days. This includes students who are not testing on these days.

• All grade levels will be eating lunch in the classrooms during their regular lunch period except for any student testing. All students testing will have lunch between 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm.

• Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the test. However, a light breakfast will be provided by the school for each student in the classroom.

• Get a good night’s rest the night before the test.

• Arrive at school on time so the morning will not feel rushed.

• Have your child be at school all day. Please do NOT schedule any appointments on this day.

• Remind your child that cell phones/electronic devices are NOT permitted in the testing rooms and to leave them at home. Any cell phones or other electronic devices will be taken up prior to testing and returned to students at the end of the day.

• Send your child to school on testing days with a hug and words of encouragement!

• Any student testing will be allowed to wear comfortable bottoms with the following school shirt/uniform ONLY on the days they are designated to test:

• Monday - STAAR Shirt

• Tuesday - Any ECA shirt

• Wednesday - ECA College Shirt

• Thursday - ECA Spirit Shirt

You can make the biggest difference in how your child will feel and work on these days. Thank you!

• May 6th-10th - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 13th - 16th - STAAR Testing
• May 24th - Q4 Perfect Attendance Incentive: Movie Day
• May 27th - Memorial Day Holiday: No School
• May 28th - AR Millionaire Celebration Field Trip
• May 29th - Kindergarten Graduation & Awards at 9:00 am
• May 29th - 5th & 8th grade Graduation & Awards at 1:30 pm
• May 30th - End-of-Year Awards Ceremony 1st & 2nd grade at 8:30am
• May 30th - End-of-Year Awards Ceremony 3rd & 4th grade at 1:30 pm
• May 30th - End-of-Year Awards Ceremony 6th & 7th grade at 10:15 am
• May 31st - Q4 Report Card Day
• May 31st - Field & Water Day
• May 31st - Last Day of School

Thank you, Parents, for all your support!

We are so grateful to have wonderful parents at ECA!

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.

When kids are absent for an average of just two days of school per month—even when the absences are excused– it can have a negative impact. These absences can affect kids as early as Kindergarten.

WORD ETYMOLOGY

COURAGE (N.)

C1300, from Old French courage (12c., Mod- ern French courage) “heart, innermost feelings, temper,” from Vulgar latin *coraticum (source of Italian coraggio, Spanish corgje), from Latin cor “heart” (from PIE root *kerd- “heart”). Words for “heart” also commonly are metaphors for inner strength. In Middle English, used broadly for “what is in one’s mind or thoughts,” hence “bravery,” but also “wrath, pride, confidence, lustiness,” or sort of inclination. Replaced old English ellen, which also meant “zeal, strength.” courage (usually uncountable, plural courage's)

1 The quality of a confident character not to be afraid or intimidated easily but without being incautious or inconsiderate.

2 The ability to do things which one finds frightening.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

~Walt Disney~

Animator, A pioneer of the American animation industry

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