The EJA Times

December 2, 2022

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One more week until our Christmas Musical! EJA will be presenting a Christmas Program entitled Away in a Manger at the Ephesus SDA Church next Saturday, December 10th. There will be singing, acting, narration, and more! All of our students will be participating, so please plan to attend and invite your family and friends.


Important: Students with speaking parts should have their lines memorized by Monday. This will help to make next week's rehearsals go smoothly.


Costumes: We will be providing biblical costumes for the play. Our narrators/speakers need to wear a nice church dress/suit, preferably something in Christmas colors.


We have added a complete list of songs that we will be singing below so that the students can practice and be familiar with them at home:


  1. Go Tell It on the Mountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh0vA53T_Tc

  2. Mary Did You Know: (rehearsal version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1H1-scfD1s

  3. Silent Night:https://youtu.be/d7xbP9ei6b4

  4. Hark the Herald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUuoYY9rt8g

  5. Angels We Have Heard on High: https://youtu.be/oSJUwoXciBY

  6. Joy to the World: https://youtu.be/6GjOer3TlD4

5th-8th Art Class Canceled

There will be no afterschool art next Tuesday, December 6th. We are working on rescheduling this for a later date. Our next afterschool program will be the Money Mondays program with Wells Fargo on December 12th.

Interim Rerports

Interim reports have been emailed to all parents. If you didn't receive yours, or need a paper copy, just let us know. These reports let you know how your child is doing so far. We still have a few more weeks until the end of the quarter, so there is still time to turn in missing assignments and get caught up before the quarter ends on January 11th.


Please note: our next parent-teacher conferences will take place on Tuesday, February 14th during 3rd quarter. Remember, you can always contact a teacher when you have questions or concerns.

Pre-Paid Lunch Cards

Students may now purchase lunch cards to pay for their hot lunch. This will be our only pre-paid option, but we will still accept daily payments as well. Lunch cards are for $15 and $30. You may pay for the cards through cash or CashApp the school.
Christmas Spirit Week December 12-16

Christmas Spirit Week December 12-16

Tis the season for EJA Christmas fun! Our new student council is planning a Christmas Spirit Themed Week leading up to a Christmas Party on December 16th. More details will come later. See the list below so you can start planning those outfits! We can't wait to see what our Rams come up with!


Christmas Spirt Week

Monday: Bible Christmas Character Day

Tuesday: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Wednesday: Wear Christmas Colors

Thursday: Christmas Movie/Song Character Day

Friday: Winter PJs and Christmas Party (bring a $5-$10 gift for the White Elephant Exchange)

Christmas Spirit Week December 12-16

Fruit Fundraiser Extended

Spread the word!! The online fruit fundraiser is still open so that everyone can have the opportunity to benefit from the fresh and yummy fruit for the holiday season! This will be for online orders only. The fruit will be shipped directly to the customer's home. Order online using our direct website: https://shop.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1030200 The new deadline is December 11th!

STEM Fair Projects

STEM Fair Projects

Project topic, question, and hypothesis were due today. Students who have not yet completed this, need to do so ASAP. The next due date is January 9th. Please continue to encourage the students to work on this project a little bit each week so they can be ready for the fair on February 2.


All students in 3rd-8th grades are required to complete a STEM Fair Project. 1st-2nd graders will do a group project in class. Teachers will guide students and set due dates, but the students are expected to complete the majority of this project at home. Please see the parents guide and the STEM fair journal packet below for more information.


Important STEM Fair Due Dates

  • STEM Fair Topic/Question: December 2
  • Prediction/Hypothesis: December 2
  • Variables, Materials, and Procedures: January 9
  • Data Collection Tool: January 9
  • Results (Investigation): Due with Final Project February 2
  • Results (Graphs of Data): Due with Final Project February 2
  • Conclusion: Due with Final Project February 2
  • Final Project/Display Board Due to School: Due February 2
  • EJA STEM Fair and Judging: February 9
  • Research Paper/Reflection: Due February 9


Students who win our local fair will move on to compete in the AEC finals on March 26th.

STEM Fair Projects
Tuition Payments

Tuition Payments

A friendly reminder that tuition is due on the 15th of every month. For those who are signed up for FACTS, you may continue to pay online. If you have not signed up for FACTS yet, you may continue paying on CashApp for now. Please keep your account current to avoid any late fees or penalties. If you have any questions, you may contact Mr. Paul, our business manager (treasurer@ephesusjracademy.org). Thank you!

Tuition Payments
Students and staff enjoyed spending the afternoon with our friends from the Petersburg Police Department on Monday! Officer Dodd (former EJA parent) and Officer Moreno taught us important tips for staying safe in our communities and saying NO to drugs. A special thanks to Ms. Margo for organizing this wonderful event!
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FYI: Richmond is currently experiencing a spike in flu and RSV cases. Please see the suggestions above from the Virginia Department of Health, and continue to take the necessary precautions for protecting yourself and your family against respiratory illnesses. For more information, you can view the recording of the most recent VDH and RPS town hall, check out the recoding here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyH_ChY2mFU
Fire Safety Drill

Fire Safety Drill

This week, we participated in a full building fire drill. We have fire drills every month, but this was our opportunity to practice the process with the fire department, daycare, and community safety advisors. Staff and students were commended by the firemen on their quick action, and for following all of the safety procedures efficiently. Go EJA!!
Fire Safety Drill

Upcoming Events

December 10

Kids Konnect Christmas Program @11:00 AM

EJA Christmas Program @ Ephesus SDA Church 4:30 PM


December 12

Money Mondays with Wells Fargo

*Late Dismissal-3:30


December 15

Tuition Due


December 16

Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange

Early Dismissal (12:30)


December 19-January 2

Christmas Break


To access the full school calendar, click here:

https://www.ephesusjracademy.org/eja-calendar

Afterschool Activities Schedule

5th-8th Math Tutoring-Meets Every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00-4:00


Thursday, 12/8

Coding Club (3:00-4:30)


Monday, 12/12

"Money Mondays" by Wells Fargo Representatives (2:00-3:30)

*Late Dismissal


Reminder: This is an afterschool enrichment program, not aftercare. Students must be registered for clubs before attending to ensure we have enough supplies for them. Please arrive at the club's dismissal time. Thank you!

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Important Links

About Us

About Us

About Us

Office Hours:

8:00am – 3:30 pm

Monday-Thursday


8:00am-1:30pm Friday


*You may call during these times, but if you need to meet with us, please make an appointment first

3400 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA, USA principal@ephesusjracademy.org (804) 233-4582 ephesusjracademy.org