From the Desk of the Head of School

Last month, I had the pleasure of chaperoning our high school civics students' trip to the state-level competition of "We the People," a high-caliber academic event sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association.  You may read about the outcomes of this trip in another article, but I want to focus upon a dimension of my experience on this trip that struck me in a new way: our school is so blessed by the students (and families) we serve.  There are many opportunities to be reminded of how great (though imperfect!) our students are.  Yet, this trip provided me with a more poignant sense of thankfulness to serve at NHCS. 

In particular, I was struck by the unusual bond and profound maturity of our students.  Where else do teenagers experience such a genuine "family" love and shared admiration?  Where do students reach the kinds of selective college placements and academic achievements our school celebrates?  Where else do teenagers freely choose to gather weekly for prayer and devotions before school? 

This month, I simply pause to say "thanks."  We count it a blessing that you share your most treasured "possessions" with us, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you.  We also look forward to the continued preparation of students to leave this place with a solid education that was delivered within the framework of a biblical worldview.  May our Lord Jesus bless you richly this Easter season!

The Only School in the County Offering Spanish and Latin for First Grade Through High School

The foreign language program at North Hills Christian School is unique in Rowan County.  All high schools in the county offer Spanish, and both Salisbury High and West Rowan have excellent programs in Latin.  North Hills, however, is the only school in the county to offer both Spanish and Latin from first grade through high school.

How it works

Students at North Hills study both languages in alternate quarters throughout elementary school.  Instruction in Latin consists of songs and chants that teach the many grammatical forms and rules that can make Latin a challenge for beginners.  Michael Duncan, head of the Latin program, oversees these classes, with help from parent-volunteer, Mandy Monath.  Native Spanish speaker, Sucy DeLeon, heads up the Spanish curriculum, which uses songs, stories, and a computer program called Rosetta Stone, to teach vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.  In sixth grade, students choose between Latin or Spanish.  This early exposure makes it possible for students to reach high levels of proficiency in one language or even to graduate with two languages.  As Duncan notes, "Much of beginning Latin is memory work.  If students can come in with some of that already done, they will be able to read interesting and influential authors, like Cicero and Vergil, much sooner."  

But Why Latin?

The advantages of knowing Spanish are clear.  Take a look at the globe and count the Spanish-speaking countries in the Western Hemisphere.  Look at Rowan County.  In our own city, there are many situations in which speaking Spanish is a useful and valuable skill.  But what about Latin?  Beginning students of Latin are sometimes disappointed to learn that there is, in fact, no country in the world (except perhaps the Vatican) where you can order dinner in Latin.

It's Western Culture

But this hasn't always been the case.  For over two thousand years, Latin was the language in which educated people communicated.  It was the language of the western Church.  When the Roman Emperor Constantine agreed in 313 AD that Christianity should be tolerated, the Latin language was linked to Christianity forever.  Latin was the language of governments, scientists, nobles,  musicians, and even poets.  Until the 20^th century, Latin was the centerpiece of education for students like William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, and Thomas Jefferson.  Latin is the language of western civilization.  To know Latin is to have access to some 2,500 years of history, literature, philosophy and science. 

Grammar Trains the Mind

But still, couldn't students just read this stuff in translation?  According to Dorothy Sayers, author of The Lost Tools of Learning, "it is the study of Latin grammar itself that yields the dividends:  

I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the Latin grammar.  I say this, not because Latin is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent.  It is the key to the vocabulary and structure of all Romance languages, . . . to the technical vocabulary of all the sciences, and to the literature of [Western Culture] together with all its historical documents.

English is filled with Latin words and phrases.  Latin really is all around us.  Consider ad infinitum, ad nauseum, post partem, post mortem, alibi, alias, alma mater, agnus Dei, antebellum,  Anno Domini (AD), ante meridiem (a.m.), post meridiem (p.m.), and Aurora Borealis--and that's just the a's. 

As William Harris, Professor Emeritus at Middlebury College, says, "The study of Latin fosters precision in the use of words.  It encourages the habit of reading closely and following important texts with accuracy" --a vital skill in any subject.  

Improved SATs and more

As a result of these good habits, Latin students tend to do better on standardized tests.  As the following table demonstrates, studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service show that Latin students consistently outperform all other students on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

North Hills Christian School high school students Caley Boggs, Taylor Kriminger, and Mark Sebastian placed first in unit at the state finals for "We the People," a mock congressional hearing academic competition sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association.  Overall, NHCS placed fourth out of eight teams competing at the state finals.  These eight teams represented approximately 120 competing schools in eight districts throughout the state of North Carolina.

Student participants sat before panels of judges comprised of approximately thirty state legislators, NC Supreme Court justices, attorneys, and professors from Duke University School of Law, Campbell University School of Law, and others.  After reading their prepared answers to questions about the Constitution, the formation and structure of the United States government, and economic systems, students participated in a verbal question and answer session in which they were called upon by the judges to expound upon or defend their answers.  During this timed exchange with the judges, students were expected to appeal to case law, historical examples, and current events. 

Students and their chaperones also visited the NC Museum of History in Raleigh, and met with the North Carolina Appellate Court judge, Linda McGee, who talked about the judicial process in the state of North Carolina and fielded student questions.  "Several students who attended this event intend to pursue a career in law.  This trip provided a remarkable opportunity for these students and their classmates to get an up close look at our country's and state's political systems," said Matt Mitchell, chaperone and NHCS Head of School.

This summer North Hills will offer the following camps:  Summer Fun Day Camp and Childcare, STEM Camp Invention, The Power of the Tablet, Psalmist Workshop Music Lessons, Praise Band Camp, Getting it Together, Summit Class for Adults, The Works of C.S. Lewis, Volleyball Camp, Soccer Camp, Basketball Camp, and Baseball Camp.

Please note that the camp info has been updated

to reflect a few changes  

Your Gift Counts!

Support the Annual Fund

Annual Giving Campaign Countdown

$19,000 Needed to Reach our Annual Fund Goal

Before June 30

All gifts of all amounts make a big difference!

If all of our families participated in our Annual Giving Campaign we could make our goal this year. 

$25 gift from each family - $6,675

$50 gift- $13,350

$100 gift- $26,700

$200 gift- $53,400

$500 gift-$133,500

We no longer ask students and families to sell gift wrap paper, candy, and magazines since these fundraisers require a lot of time and the school only receives a fraction of the proceeds.  Instead, we request that all families support the mission of NHCS by making a direct contribution to the school's annual giving campaign.  No matter what the size of the gift, it counts!

One hundred percent of your donation goes to our school to help us improve our programs, offer more professional development training for our teachers, upgrade our facilities, expand our tuition assistance program to provide the critical mass needed to create exceptional programs, and to help us secure the future of our school.

Please consider making a donation to the Annual Fund today! 

You may send donations to Annual Fund, North Hills Christian School, 2970 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC  28144.  Checks  payable to NHCS.  Make your donation on-line with a credit/debit card by going to http://www.northhillschristian.com/Donations.html

Thank you for your support! 

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

North Hills raised $2,147 for Rowan Helping Ministries this year at the school's "Empty Bowls" event.  This was the third year for the fundraiser that was begun and organized by North Hills art instructor, Becky Burgin.  Empty Bowls is a concept that art departments nationwide sponsor to help fight hunger in their local communities.  Burgin adopted the idea and asked local potters to support the project.  The community was invited to the event held in the school's gym.  For a donation to Rowan Helping Ministries, donors could enjoy a simple soup dinner and select a ceramic bowl to symbolize the empty bowls that the donors helped fill.  This year, students at North Hills Christian School, children at Nazareth Children's Home, and church members of all ages at Milford Hills Methodist Church made ceramic bowls and donated them.  Local potter Cheryl Goins of Pottery 101 donated several bowls for the fundraiser.  "We appreciate the generous support for this event from the community, local potters, and food sponsors," Burgin said.  "Students look forward to creating bowls for this school-wide service project every year," she added.  "Knowing that we make a difference in the quality of life for our neighbors is gratifying."  Food and beverages were donated by Debbie Suggs Catering, NHCS mom Sheri Broyles, L.A. Murph's Catering, and NHCS parent Byron Martin of Wink's Catering. 

Last week we failed to include NHCS board member, Dr. Julie Chamberlain, in our list of current board members.

If you have been a volunteer at NHCS this year, we would love to honor your with a special volunteer luncheon.  Please join us on Friday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Chef Santo's on Fisher Street.

Reservations Required

Please call 704-636-3005, ext. 610