Dec. 22- 1/2 Day Christmas Break
Dec. 23-Jan. 4- Christmas break
Jan. 5-8- Spirit Week
Jan. 7- State of school meeting
Jan. 11-Summit class preview for grades 6-8
Jan. 12- Kindergarten preview and open house
Jan. 15- Last Day for Re-enrollment
Jan. 23- Talent show
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From our Head of School, Matt Mitchell:
More than a Birth
As we prepare for Christmas to arrive in a few
short days, I am reminded of the first two verses of one of
my favorite hymns. The song is public domain, so I have reprinted the verses here; I urge you to take time to reflect upon them:
O sacred Head, now wounded, with
grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with
thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss
till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call
Thee mine.
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I
deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy
grace.
As we celebrate Christmas each year, we picture the precious little baby boy lying on a bale of hay in a
manger. Surrounded by his proud new parents; three wise men; a
shepherd and his animals; and a host of angels, our precious baby
Jesus was born. A silent night. A holy night, indeed.
I wonder, though: at Christmastime, do
we give enough heed to the purpose for that precious baby's birth?
After all, Jesus was not just any baby. If that night simply marked another baby's birth, why
should the whole world celebrate? Dear friends, on that silent and holy
night, our King of kings and Lord of lords came to earth to die a
brutal death for you and me. As you celebrate His birth, I urge you to also spend time reflecting with your loved ones upon our sin; His death; His Resurrection; and His
subsequent saving grace. Re-read this hymn. Sing it. Proclaim it. As you do, I pray that you and yours will be drawn closer to our beautiful Savior. May He richly bless you and your households this
Christmas season.
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North Hills Float Wins "Best Depiction of a Holiday Theme"
On Thanks-giving day, the Salisbury Post listed the awards from the 2009 Salisbury Thanksgiving parade. North Hills Christian School's float, one of approximately 150 entries, won first place and a trophy for the "best depiction of a holiday theme."
The theme was born in early November when the NHCS student council chose a recommendation offered by Dustin Pruitt, the Executive Board Chaplain. By honoring the United States military and capturing the spirit of Christmas, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" quickly became the sure choice.
Student council gathered at the home of Spencer and Janie Lane to bring their vision to life. Students and parents painted, stapled, swept, and vacuumed. On the day before Thanksgiving, NHCS student council members donned their finest Christmas pajamas or North Hills apparel and hit the street. As they practiced their "queen" wave and put on their best smiles, it was evident that the North Hills spirit was contagious. Several athletes and others from student council passed out candy to the crowd.
Student Council extends a special thanks to the Lane, Ward, and other families for their generosity.
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Curriculum News: Continuous Improvement at NHCS
At the start of this year, many NHCS parents and students noticed a change in our history and Bible textbooks. The school strives to be an institution of continuous improvement. So, keeping curriculum current, relevant, and challenging is very important. NHCS follows a five-year rotation for reviewing curricula, making major
revisions, and selecting textbooks and other instructional tools. Curriculum Coordinator, Dr. Shirley Luckadoo, guides this process.
Elementary lead teacher, Susan Colosanti recently commented, "Our teachers seem to agree that the new Bible materials go deeper than what we have used in the past. They provide students with a more comprehensive study of God's Word, and with more opportunities to write and reflect."
In the new elementary school Bible curriculum, particular emphasis is given to the Story of God and His people from Genesis to Revelation. The middle school curriculum emphasizes the application of biblical knowledge to Christian living, and the updated high school curriculum focuses upon the application of biblical knowledge to Christian thinking and worldview.
New history textbooks have been selected, as well. Formerly, the elementary school focused heavily upon the study of American history, but unsatisfactory attention was given to geography, social studies, and other regions of the world. The new textbooks provide a broadened framework with more appropriate emphasis. Further, they require students at all levels to engage in higher order thinking and more written work.
Many of the new history textbooks used at NHCS are published by secular publishers. After giving the matter a great deal of prayer and consideration, the teachers and administration universally agreed that most Christian publishers leave something to be desired in their history curriculum. Since, in recent years, Mr. Mitchell and our teachers have focused heavily upon professional development in the area of biblical integration, the faculty universally agreed that it was preferable to choose the best textbook available, and then to biblically integrate it.
About the change in history textbooks, our Head of School, Mr. Mitchell, said, "As a former Christian School Bible teacher, I am concerned to protect the biblical worldview teaching that goes on at NHCS. It is the very reason my own children attend this school. However, there is little question about the importance of choosing the best textbooks available, regardless of whether they were produced by a secular or a Christian publisher. All Truth belongs to the Maker of Truth. If it is presented best in a secular text, then we should use the secular text. I have the utmost confidence in our faculty's ability to teach our students to become Christian thinkers who can readily discern truth from error. Rather than ignoring secular works, I love to see NHCS produce students who can "think Christianly" about them. That is what Christian education is about. I am convinced that our faculty members are thoroughly equipped to teach students to study history through the lens of a biblical worldview."
In the coming year, the NHCS faculty will review the specials and electives courses.
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We Are the Champions!!
In mid-December, the middle school boys and girls competed in the second annual Jonny Richardson Memorial Tournament held at North Hills Christian School. Our guest teams were Statesville Montessori, Countryside, St. Michael's, Phoenix Montessori, and Woodlawn. Both the boys' and girls' teams advanced to the championship game after the girls defeated St. Michael's and the boys defeated Phoenix Montessori. The girls played their long time rival, Statesville Montessori, and won. The boys played Woodlawn and soundly defeated them, claiming the championship trophy. Natalie Whicker and Luke Humble were named MVP's. Best of all, a record number of fans attended the games over the course of the three day tournament.
The Varsity tournament was scheduled for December 17 - 19. Unfortunately, the last two days of the tournament were canceled due to inclement weather (these days may be rescheduled; check our "athletics" webpage often for updates). However, the most important night was Thursday, December 17, when the gym floor project was dedicated in memory of Jonny Richardson. When Jonny passed away last October, his family contacted NHCS with a request: that we accept donations in memory of Jonny for the purchase of refurbishing the then badly worn gym floor. With gratitude, the school accepted the gracious offer. The floor was refurbished this summer and, last week, Jonny's mother, father, and other friends and families came for a time of remembrance and thanksgiving at the dedication ceremony.
As our season continues, please pray that we have another great year in which we glorify God and remain free from injury!
For the most up to date schedule of athletic events, please visit www.northhillschristian.com/athletics.html.
Go Eagles!!
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Announcements
 NHCS Spirit Week & Homecoming Spirit Week begins on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. As we return from a two-week break, the first day should be easy: it's pajama day! Wednesday will be sports day. Students should come in the athletic gear of their favorite team. Thursday, students will arrive in their tackiest clothing. This is their chance to dress in brown and black without shame. On Friday, January 8, 2010 please join us for Homecoming. During the school day, everyone is encouraged to wear as much blue and gold as possible! Each day a tally will be taken of class participation. The class with the highest participation will receive a prize.
Above: From spirit week in January 2009, Mrs. Plummer, Michael Jones (9th grader), and Mrs. Pullen show off their stylish looks on "tacky day."
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North Hills Got Talent
Do you have a hidden talent that you are just dying to share with the rest of the world? You are in luck! The seniors are hosting a talent show and spaghetti dinner on January 23, 2010.
Elementary, middle, and high school students as well as alumni and teachers to be part of the North Hills Christian School talent show.
A letter will be going out in the students' folders regarding the show after the first of the year. If you plan to attend, you fill out the form and return it to the school in your child's folder by January 13. You may also email Catherine Ardoin at cardoin@northhillschristian.com or Kristen Bush at kdbush@carolina.rr.com to RSVP or be part of the show.
Important State of the School Meeting
On Thursday, January 7, the NHCS school board and administration will hold a very important school wide meeting. This year's meeting is particularly important because of some pending changes in re-enrollment procedures. Six classes were capped this year, so please be sure you attend this meeting in order to ensure that you retain seats for your children at NHCS in 2010-2011.
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