ECA News: The Inside Scoop

One-third of the semester is officially completed! Next week is our first “Soft Skills Week” of the term–there are no regular ECA classes. EMU classes will meet as usual. For our college students: Don’t forget to get those RED CARDS signed!

Monday is a Teacher Work Day and a half-day AM (9am-12pm) CLICK activity for students in Ms. Fountain’s CLICK course.

On Tuesday, ECA teachers will sit for Soft Skills Review Day--where students in ECA classes (10th grade and up) will receive their first “credential”. The credential itself is an indication of college readiness, but the process that we go through on our Soft Skills Days is quite involved. This is a very unique aspect of our program, and it’s worth learning more about it.

HERE is a link to a blog post I wrote several years ago that provides quite a bit more context and information about Review Day. Even though it’s an “oldie,” it’s worth a read if you are new to this process. However, if you don’t read the whole thing, at least pay attention to the following recommended mindset “don’ts” and “dos” for students (and parents).

Don’t:

1. Don’t rush it. Getting “fully credentialed” is not a race. You will make it into college classes at the proper time, but not before.

2. Don’t compare yourself to others. Each student has an individual pathway through the ECA program. Because ECA students usually do not have history with each other, we have noticed that they tend to assume their classmates are somehow more capable or prepared or smart than they themselves are. This is not helpful, nor is it true.

3. Don’t overdo it. If you need to turn in a draft of a paper, don’t spend all night making it perfect at the expense of your other work or your sleep. Use opportunities that are embedded in your classes to demonstrate growth and mastery--it doesn’t have to be perfect right away.

4. Don’t give up!

Do:

1. Ask for help. Your teachers, CORE Advisor, principal, counselor, family members, ECA mentors & classmates can often help in various ways.

2. Focus on growth. Most students can see their own growth by week 5 or 6 in the program. Trust that you will continue to grow.

3. Work smart. In addition to working harder (everyone works harder at the ECA!), find ways to work smarter: become more efficient, use your resources, and manage time more effectively.

4. Celebrate success. Create mini-goals and acknowledge progress. Involve friends ,family, and your teachers and CORE Advisor.

5. Find ways to balance school and life-outside-of-school. The ECA is rigorous, but that doesn’t mean that students should be doing nothing but studying. Physical activity, time with family and friends, and some personal downtime should fit into your life, too--although perhaps in different proportions than you’re used to. If you can’t find a way to find a balance, refer to #1 (ask for help!).

At the ECA, we really do believe that our students will grow in amazing ways through this program--at different times, with different bumps and smooth patches. Deep breath...you can do it!

~Dr. Fischer

Character Quote of the Week

Please CLICK HERE for this week's Academy Update.

Email Ms. Peet (peet@earlycollegealliance.info) if you have any questions.

ECA Staff wearing RED for the start of Red Cards!, HLO's Movie Night, Students in Chemistry, PE, and walking to class on one of our gorgeous fall days this week!

Need community service hours for CLICK? Please consider donating NEW socks of all sizes to help members of our community in need via SOS Community Services! The sock donation drive runs from October 1st - 31st.

Be sure to bring socks to Mrs. Jackson BEFORE you put your socks in the decorated bin by the MC Lounge to get a raffle ticket (5 or more pairs). Every FIVE pairs donated earns an entry for a FREE Pizza Thursday Card. Take a picture of you/and your donated items and upload to Innerview for community service hours (contact Ms. Fountain or Ms. Squirewell with Innerview questions).

Did you know socks can reduce the risk of infection, prevent frostbite, and foster good hygiene? We appreciate your donations and support! ~Student Leaders

Students and parents/guardians should watch for sign-up information from their CORE Advisor for Fall conferences for all First Year, Academy, Returning Academy & students who are in a hybrid or full college schedule for the first time. Conferences are scheduled for Oct. 8, 9, & 10. Our conferences are student-led; students prepare a short presentation detailing their grades and soft skills credentials in each class, with the parents as audience members and the CORE Advisor as the facilitator. Students will be preparing for these conferences in Soft Skills in the coming weeks. Conferences are mandatory! Please Note: There are no ECA Classes on 10/8-10 to accommodate Conferences.

HERE is more information about participant roles and how to prepare!

Red Cards were sent via US Mail to students with EMU (college) courses last week. Red Cards verify your enrollment in your EMU courses, and meeting this requirement is an extremely important responsibility. You must get your cards signed between October 1 and October 22. If you did not receive the mailing, there will be plenty of extra sheets that you can pick up anytime, right outside Mrs. Jackson’s office (221 King Hall). Red cards are DUE TO CORE ADVISORS NO LATER THAN NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22.

ECA PI is an organization run by parents, family & guardians of ECA students to support and promote the ECA Program and its students. The ECA Parent Involvement group meets monthly, and all parents/guardians are welcome to join. Our next ECA PI meeting is Thursday, October 16th, from 6-7:30 pm in King Hall’s MC Lounge, across from the main office (room 221). For more information about ECA PI, please email eca.pi.emu@gmail.com.

Students who need ECA ID cards: All ECA students need to have an ECA ID card. You can have a new ECA ID each year–but you don’t have to get a new one if your old one is working (the picture is clear & the magnetic stripe is functional). If you did NOT get an ECA ID card, or if you need a new one for this year, there are two ways to get this handled:

1. Email your E-ID number and headshots to EagleOneCard@emich.edu. The photo requirements are as follows:

• Background Solid White

• Similar to a passport book photo

• Color Only

• Minimal facial expressions or a natural smile with both eyes open

• Centered with full face in frame

• Cropped just above the head to the collarbone

• Taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance

• Saved as a .JPG file type

Photo should not

• Include hats, sunglasses, headphones or clothing obscuring the face

• Noticeable background shadows or glare

• Be too close/selfies

PARENTS & GUARDIANS: Our Student Leaders are requesting some items to be donated to make the event a success for all of the students. Please sign up for an item or two! You may drop items off in the Main Office (221 King Hall) with Mrs. Jackson or send them with your student. The sign-up for Harvest Hangout donations can be found HERE, and donations can go toward your parent commitment. Please email Mrs. Jackson with any questions. Thanks in advance for your help!

Academy, Returning Academy, and First-Year Students

You have made it through the first six weeks of school, great Job!!

Just a few reminders:

Local Mental Health Resources

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by my office, 327 King, or email me at fountain@earlycollegealliance.info.

Juniors, Seniors, and Scholars

I hope your semester is going well…remember your “Why”!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at squirewell@earlycollegealliance.info

This semester, the Holman Success Center has tutors available to support BIO 110, BIO 120, BIO 251, BIO 252, and BIO 301 through in-person and online drop-in sessions, as well as individual appointments via Starfish. Schedules and additional details are available on our Drop-in Tutoring website.

The program connects students with passionate peers who share their own learning experiences and strategies. Peer-to-peer learning helps students strengthen their understanding of course material, build effective study habits, and develop skills to become independent learners.

Academy Seminar Awards on Thursday!

Pics in classrooms and around campus this week!

EMU Mental Health Task Force and Washtenaw County Mental Health Department Collab

The EMU Mental Health Task Force has been working with the Washtenaw County Mental Health Department to build partnerships with their support services and service providers within the county. This fall, they will also begin "Wish You Knew-EMU, a marketing campaign to accompany our "We Care" campaign, which include monetary research opportunities for participants.

Congressional App Challenges for middle school and high school students

Pleas CLICK HERE for more information.

Career Technical Education Proposal: Vote on or by November 4, 2025

On November 4, 2025, voters residing within the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s service area will be asked to consider a 1 mill tax that would support the expansion of Career Technical Education (CTE) learning experiences from preschool through high school graduation.

CTE helps students understand why they learn what they learn from PreK-12, and it opens doors to college, careers and beyond.

If a CTE millage is approved by voters in November, students in preschool, elementary, middle and high school would benefit from new programs and expansion of existing programs. Washtenaw County’s CTE framework would span from PreK-12, with age-appropriate experiences that build on each other as students grow and learn. Learn more by CLICKING HERE.

WMBK 3rd Annual Gala Dinner

Come join us for a night of unity and celebration at the WMBK 3rd Annual Gala Dinner!

Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper (WMBK) is dedicated to empowering multiple generations to build community by using innovative means to change narratives, practices and policies; resulting in improved outcomes for young men and boys of color in Washtenaw County.

We're excited for year 3! It's that time of year again to get fly and share some good vibes, food and celebrate the accomplishments of WMBK! Individual tickets are less than $60 or purchase an entire table at a discounted rate. Get your tickets today! BUY MY WMBK GALA TICKETS

Dexter:

Dexter Home District Families - please CLICK HERE for updates! Dexter District does not provide "shareable" e-blasts. So, your ECA District Liaison will be copying and pasting snippets with links and more details for you -- and sharing them to a Dexter-ECA google doc (accessible and updated throughout the year).

This week's info/updates include:

• info on how to subscribe to the Dexter e-news
• how to get your student a DHS ID card
• fall sports (and how to sign up)
• Community flyers (exchange program, travel opportunities, vaccine clinic, etc).
• Dexter extracurricular info (2025-2026 DCS Clubs & Activities Slideshow!).
• Upcoming events such as the Marching Band exhibition on 9/24, Dexter Homecoming (weekend of 10/10), and Shakespeare's MacBeth (weekend of 10/23).

Saline:

Meet the Superintendent: Fall Edition -- Our new Superintendent, Dr. Rachel Kowalski is hosting events to meet families and community members this fall. These upcoming events are designed to create space for open conversation, thoughtful questions, and celebrating the pride we share in Saline Area Schools. Please consider attending and upcoming event:

Pizza & Priorities — October 6 | 6:00–7:30 PM | Liberty School

Trunk or Treat — October 22 | 6:30 PM | Downtown Saline

Tailgate with the Team — October 24 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Hornet Stadium

AAPS - Skyline:

HERE is a link to Skyline's weekly newsletter, where you will find a lot of info about building-level things that ECA students don't need to worry about--but also information about:

• Ordering Skyline yearbooks
• Athletics
• Senior Parent Meeting
• Homecoming - which is this coming week!

AAPS-Pioneer:

ECA-Pioneer students who need a Pioneer Student ID: click on the link for the High5 ID. If you are in the Pioneer database, put in your student ID and take a selfie. This will get you a Pioneer virtual ID and allow you to attend the athletic events for free. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Anglin at 734-994-2120

If students will be absent, tardy, or need to leave campus early, the following procedure must be followed:

• Parents/Guardians should notify the Attendance Office (attendance@earlycollegealliance.info, 734-487-7882) that the student will be absent, tardy, or picked up early, along with the reason.
• If the student is absent/late/leaving early, they should contact their teachers.
• If the student is waiting to be picked up, they must wear a mask (if sick), and they must be in King Hall where an ECA adult can see them.
• If the student leaves early, they MUST come to the main office FIRST and sign out each time they leave campus early!

Again, if your student will be absent for all or part of the day, parents/guardians must notify the ECA Attendance Office (734-487-7882) or attendance@earlycollegealliance.info so that the absence may be documented.

Students, remember to turn in your fully punched pizza cards for a chance to win a FREE pizza punch card! Please note that pizza is on a first-come, first-served basis. If a student does not get pizza, they can see Mrs. Dace in King 122 for options from the food pantry.

Please email Mrs. Jackson (jackson@earlycollegealliance.info) if you have any questions.