| Northwest Christian School |
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Dear NCS family,
In case you've not yet heard, last Saturday our varsity boys football team played a hard fought game against Yuma Catholic for the state championship and pulled up just 3 points short of a repeat state title. The battle was epic and our young men gave everything on the field in the NAU Walkup Skydome. After the game, as I watched the way our young men handled the agony of defeat with poise, dignity, and a clear testimony to the purpose we play, I realized something pretty important. As much fun as it would have been to come home with a second state championship trophy, I understood that I was coming home with something much more important: a gallon-sized milk jug. Allow me to explain. This past August, as my eighth grade son's middle school football season was starting up, I noticed that he started carrying around a gallon-sized milk jug full of water throughout the day. It didn't occur to me why he was carrying that jug until one afternoon as I was walking through the high school halls. Given the incredible Arizona heat as varsity football practice was starting up, many of the high school football players were carrying gallon-sized milk jugs full of water so that they could stay hydrated throughout the day. Seeing their example, in response, many of the middle school football players emulated these campus leaders and started carrying their own similar jugs. Writing as a dad, I cannot express how appreciative I am of the Godly examples set forth by the young men on the varsity football squad: Orbi Gonzales, Jeff Kortman, Casey Jahn, James Walworth, Dean Shipp, Michael Costello, Andrew Rivera, Hayden Anderson, Zach Shingler, Johnnie Lewis, Jesse Sunderland, Blake Thomas, Isaac Vogt, Caleb Berkwitt, Andy Ogan, Brandon Dube, Josh Munoz, and many others. I'm thankful for the clear testimony of Christian love and leadership that these young men demonstrate every day and the fact that they are mindful of their influence in the lives of the younger students who watch and emulate their every move. Beyond the gallon-sized milk jug, they have provided my son and so many others with a clear picture of what it means to be in courageous and passionate pursuit of a real and substantive relationship with Christ that is realized both on and off of the football field. My son's gallon-sized milk jug is a reminder that he's been afforded the opportunity to follow in the steps of some amazing young men and I earnestly pray that he'll continue to emulate their Christian walks. If the Lord is to make us choose between the state championship trophy and that gallon-sized milk jug--and sometimes He does--I'll take the milk jug every time.
Grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and your family, Geoff Brown Superintendent Northwest Christian School (623)225-5573 (cell) gbrown@northwestchristianschool.org |
| Second Annual Online Parent Survey Kicks Off Next Week |
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This year will also see the launch of a student survey 
"Last year, we saw a 40% response rate within the first online parent survey," explains superintendent Geoff Brown of the school's first foray into an effort to determine how it was doing as a partner to Christian parents. "A 40% response rate is fantastic! And, since that survey, we've poured over the results. We used the data from that survey to make all sorts of decisions: How do parents want us to spend jog-a-thon proceeds? What do the parents think of the job we're doing in the classroom, library, business office, or within the administration? This data was included in evaluations at every level. Every member of this team was provided with the candid and transparent assessment that came together through the survey. I emphasized and continue to emphasize: if we are to be the very best Christian educational option in the valley, we'll be paying very close attention to what our parent partners are saying."
Geoff also explains that December 2011 will see the launch of a first-ever student survey which will be given anonymously to all students, 3rd through 12th grade. "A year ago," he explains, "we sat down and did a very candid review or who we are and how we're doing in our mission as a Christian school. As a result, we developed a number of plans that are in play as we speak. We're in the second year of our five-year academic plan and the plan calls for feedback data from our students. We want to know what they think of their school, their teachers, the facilities, and their learning. Over the years, some of the very best feedback that I have used to shape school decisions has been student feedback data. It seems counter-intuitive to teach our students that they hear the voice of the Lord and then not take the time to find out what He's saying to them about their school."
Both of the online surveys--student and parent--will launch on Monday, December 5th, and run for two weeks, through Friday, December 16th. "The parent survey link will be sent home via email but the student survey will be taken in class using our class sets of iPads and laptops," says Geoff. "Both surveys will be completely anonymous. When you provide anonymity, you get the 'real deal'. As Christian educators, that is what we crave: the real deal."
To help drive participation, the school is providing an incentive. Says Geoff, "At the end of the survey, parents can print out a separate form which is completely separate and anonymous. If they fill that simple form out and drop it off in the office, they will be entered into into a drawing for two $100 Target gift certificates. If your name is drawn, you'll have some extra money to buy Christmas gifts! Meanwhile, everyone who participates will provide the school with a great gift: feedback." . |
| Crusader Chess Team Enjoys Continued Success |
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Recent tourney wins show continued improvements
Within only its second semester of play, individuals on the NCS Crusader Chess Team continue to excel in several area chess tournaments.
Jeremy Proch won the K through 6th under 700 division of the Arizona Twister tournament. This a wonderful feat for 3rd grader who faced off against older students within the competition. More recently, he finished 23rd out of 168 in a very tough - no ranking limit - K through 3 division of the Best of Phoenix tournament. This tournament play level is similar to that of the Governor's Cup Tournament at the end of the school year.
Kaleb Morrow and Hayden Pallanich finished 7th (out of 35 teams) as a two man team in the K through 6th under 700 division of the AZ Hiccup Tournament. In that most of the teams in attendance were four person teams, such a high placing for a two man team is rare and represents a tremendous accomplishment. In the same tournament, Theo Greenan finished a strong 11th place in the K through 3 under 600 division which featured 96 players.
Tanner Webb finished 4th and Hayden Pallanich finished 18th (each obtaining individual trophies) in the K through 6th under 700 division of the Arizona Hootenanny tournament and were able to win a 4th place team trophy for NCS as a two man team. |
| J.B. Sutton Gift Drive Underway |
Schoolwide service initiative moves students to consider others before themselves
Located in the Isaac School District, J.B. Sutton Elementary serves a community where need is pervasive and the opportunities to shine the light of Christ are abundant. During the 2010/2011 school year, in an effort led by NCS student council, Northwest Christian students, families, faculty, and alumni rallied to provide 225 Thanksgiving dinners for families that would not have enough money to put food on the table. Additionally, at Christmas, gifts were provided for every elementary-aged student. The Crusader soccer team hosted a soccer clinic and the secondary NCS field day was turned into an opportunity to host J.B. Sutton students for a day of fun.
On Friday, November 10th, the final day of the 2011 J.B. Sutton food drive, excited Student Council members gave the report to their NCS family: Due to the generosity and sacrifice of many NCS families and students, enough food and money had been collected to provide 300 meals to Sutton families who might not otherwise enjoy such a meal. The drive consisted of food staples being donated throughout the elementary and a secondary funding drive that would allow for $6,000 in turkeys to be purchased.
Now, as we head towards Christmas break, Student Council is leading a gift drive that is matching grades and classes at NCS with their counterparts at Sutton. Each elementary class has a complementary class at Sutton as well as a suggested gift which might be a clothing item, toy, or school supply.
"We are involved with the students at Sutton for a couple of reasons," explains superintendent Geoff Brown. "First and foremost, we do this for the sake of the gospel and as a Christian school we want to position our students so that they are actively engaged in sharing the gospel. Sharing the tangible love of Christ in this way is a powerful way to present the gospel. Second, we do this for the sake of our own students. Being involved in efforts like this grows the hearts of our students and equips them with the understanding that in big and small ways they are difference-makers." |
| NCS Awarded Grant from John C. Lincoln |
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Generous $5,000 grant will improve services within NCS student health office 
NCS is pleased to report that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Lincoln GIVES, the John C. Lincoln Health Network's Employee Fund. Lincoln GIVES is a John C. Lincoln's Health Network's employee giving program. It is one of the most successful employee giving programs in the state of Arizona raising over $460,000 in 2010. The funds are used to support programs within the John C. Lincoln Health Network and community service programs by other non-profit organizations, like Northwest Christian School. In this instance, the funds received through the grant have been designated to improve the equipment and facilities within the NCS student health office, headed by school nurse Andrea Kortman.
The Lincoln GIVES grant was written by Michelle Reddy, the NCS director of admissions, and is part of a new initiative within the school. Beginning in 2011/2012, every administrative employee of the school has been charged with writing a different grant, similar to this one. The grant initiative is part of the administrative team's efforts to keep costs low by improving programs and facilities through grant writing. The net effect of a successful grant-writing program within a school like Northwest Christian is improvements throughout the campus without increasing the costs born by families. |
| 2010/2011 NCS Jog-a-Thon Report |
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Community generosity moved the school forward in a big way in 2010/2011 
During last year's annual Jog-a-thon fundraiser, which took place in February 2011, NCS families and community ministry partners responded in a big way to the challenge to move the school forward in a couple of critical areas. "We budget carefully at NCS so that all of our day-to-day operational costs are completely covered by tuition monies," explains superintendent Geoff Brown. "In other words, fund-raising like the Jog-a-thon doesn't cover the operational costs of the school. It's used entirely to improve the student learning experience."
Geoff goes on to explain how the targets of spending were determined. "We listened entirely to our parents. We used the annual online survey and we culled from it the areas of parental priority. Two issues surfaced within the feedback that parents provided: the students' lunchtime experience and the need for students to have access to the latest technology tools within the classroom as part of their learning experience."
"Based on the feedback, here's how the funds were allocated. We spent just over $46,000 on physical improvements to the lunch areas. This included six new shade structures, several with misting systems. As well, for part of the lunch area, rather than misters, we purchased four portable cooling towers which effectively serve as AC units for outdoor areas. We also provided additional seating areas with shade umbrellas. Similarly, within the area of technology, we developed a three year technology plan. In the first year of the plan, we used the Jog-a-thon to purchase nearly $50,000 in tech tools for students. This included an Apple iPad class set which we're using to beta-test the incorporation of online learning within the traditional classroom environment. We're even pulling iPads into the kindergarten environment. We purchased multiple sets of individual student data-responders which allow teachers to assess student understanding in real-time. The purchase of class sets of laptops has allowed for computers to be pulled into many, many classroom settings. We purchased Apple platform systems so that our students are learning both PC and Apple platforms when they are working in the tech labs. We are also making certain that our teachers have either Smartboards or data projectors to incorporate within their lessons. Over the next two years, as we move through the three year tech plan, our students and parents will see us increasingly employ technology in every meaningful setting as a way of increasing student engagement and learning outcomes."
In keeping with scriptural precedent, 10% of Jog-a-thon proceeds were set apart for the growing Service Learning initiatives at NCS. Geoff Brown explains: "We pulled nearly $10,000 out of Jog-a-thon and divided it among all grade levels, charging our students to use the funds within their service efforts to the glory of God. This gave them the money they needed and will serve to decrease the amount of 'nickle and diming' that we're doing as a school. For example, this week I learned that our second graders have teamed with eighth grade Bible teacher Chris Gardiner's students who are heading to the Casa de Elizabeth orphanage in Imuris, Mexico. The second graders are using their portion of the fund to buy Christmas gifts for the nearly 45 orphans and a group of eighth graders are driving down for a day to deliver those gifts. That sort of learning experience moves our kids closer to who He's calling them to become as difference-makers and world-changers on so many levels." |
Lauren Waymire Follows God's Leading to China
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Alumni explains that sometimes He is "incredibly loud" in His answers to our prayers
 | | Lauren leads her class at ICS in Hong Kong |
We recently caught up with 2005 graduate, Laruen Waymire. After graduating from NCS, Lauren earned a degree from Warner Pacific College in elementary education and last April, she finished her master's degree in reading and obtained certification as a reading specialist.
In October of 2010, she felt God calling her to pursue overseas teaching opportunities. A mentor from college connected her with the International Christian School of Hong Kong and God began to open doors. Details started falling into place that only God could orchestrate. The school's headmaster "just so happened" to be at a conference in Anaheim the exact same weekend her family was planning a trip there, a trip that had been planned for weeks. At the time, Lauren had written in her prayer journal and asked God to reveal what He had for the next year of her life. This particular journal entry was written the night before she was called by ICS asking for an interview. Lauren explains that God "was incredibly loud" in answering her prayers and she has been profoundly blessed to be teaching in China.
What has God has been teaching you since being in China?
Lauren: The lessons I have learned since arriving in Hong Kong are truly countless. God has taught me what it means to live every day resting in His strength. I have grappled with being an expat and the one who "is different". I have been challenged to figure out how to share the love of Jesus with a culture so different than the one I came from. I am learning how to be lonely and that I am never truly alone in Christ. I am grateful that God continues to teach me and that He's not finished with me yet.
How can we be praying?
Lauren: Please pray for the people of Hong Kong. It is contains a culture where "doing" is esteemed and appearance is highly valued. Some of my grade 4 students will be up until 10 or 11 o'clock at night doing homework along with their swimming, violin, tutoring, or Kumon (math) classes. Achievement is paramount. There is a conflict of culture and truth as we tell them about the grace Jesus offers and that grace is a gift we can never earn. That they can never "do" enough to earn the love of God...it is a gift freely bestowed.
What was your favorite part of the NCS experience?
In the Christian education community, there is a great deal of discussion concerning Biblical Worldview Integration. In other words, "How do we integrate God and the truth of His Word into every aspect of our curriculum?" Looking back, my teachers at NCS did this seamlessly. I was a "lifer" at NCS - 1st grade through high school graduation - and I can state with complete confidence that every teacher showed me how to see God is every subject and area of study. I am indebted to the teachers that gave of themselves in order to point me to Christ.
Some of my favorite memories of NCS include the long dress rehearsals the night before our drama productions, Mrs. Wahlstrom's 2nd grade American Girls Club, and the year they finally decided we no longer needed to tuck in our shirts for dress code.
Advice for current NCS students?
I taught at a public school in Phoenix before moving to Hong Kong. I was telling my students here that I couldn't tell my students in the United States about Jesus because I could potentially lose my job. One of my little boys looked at me in wonder and told me, "I thought that only happened in China." Even in the United States, having a Christian education is a privilege. Take advantage of it. Learn as much as you can about God and His Word. Ask the tough questions about your faith that might not have simple answers. |
For your consideration... |
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School announcements
Important Dates from the Admissions Office
1/10/12: Kindergarten Readiness Information Meeting, 6:30-7:30pm, Library
1/12/12: How To Afford A Christian Education Workshop, 6pm-7:15pm, Library
2/9/12: Open House & Curriculum Showcase (PS-12th, current & prospective families) 5:30pm-8pm
2/15/12: Deadline for on-line, re-enrollment of all current K-12th grade families (re-enrollment form, online link available in mid-January)
2/28/12: Future Freshman & New High School Student Information Night, 6:30pm-8pm, Gym
3/29/12: Open House (PS-12th) and Kindergarten Information Night, 5:30-7pm, Campus-Wide
3/30/12: Balance of re-enrollment fee due to avoid late fee
5/3/12: Early Education Open House & BBQ (Mom's Day Out & Preschool), 5pm-6:30pm
Contact Michelle Reddy, Director of Admissions, for more information on the above events: MReddy@NCSaz.org or (602)978-5134, ext. 515
General
Please be aware that classes resume on January 3rd, 2012, after the Christmas break.
Parents: Be aware the students are not allowed to be picked up or dropped off west of the NCC sanctuary.
The yearbooks are on sale!. Just click on the Jostens' link
Elementary yearbook orders:
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01105358
Middle School yearbook orders:
http://www.jostens.com/apps/shop/customer.asp?CID=167694
Yearbook prices will increase after December 31st. Please contact Valerie Miles with any questions vmiles@ncsaz.org |
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| December 2, 2011 | | Vol. 2, Issue 10 |
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Psalm 136:1
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"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."
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| Men of NCS, Save the Date! | |
"THE MEN OF NCS"
2nd meeting of 2011/2012
A time of fellowship and worship for the men of the NCS family
Special Guest Speakers:
Brian Mueller, president, Grand Canyon University
Bob Stump, Arizona Corporation Commission
Thursday, January 19th 7:00am more info to follow For more info, please call Tony King (602)920-3938 |
| NCS Cheer Fundraiser |
3117 N. 16th St. in Phoenix
Tuesday, December 13th
A portion of every check will benefit the NCS Cheer program. Please mention "Crusader Cheer" and present the cheer flyer (available in the office) when you order.
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| NCS Purple Pages | |
Support NCS families by shopping for goods and services through Purple Pages!
Click Here |
| Give Harkins for Christmas and Support NCS Service | |
It's that time of year when we are all trying to find a gift that everyone on the list will love. How about gifts from Harkins as part of a NCS high school service project?
Purchase Harkins giftcards, 2012 Loyalty Cups, and 2012 Free Popcorn T-shirts from NCS and help us support the work of Streetlight Phoenix. For more information:
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| 1st Annual NCS Family Christmas Cookie Exchange | |
December 9th, 2011
10:00 to 11:30am
Cook Center
Bring 3 dozen cookies to exchange and share as well as copies of the recipes!
For more info, please contact Renee Ficarra at yficarra@cox.net or 937-269-5715 with any questions |
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Save the Date:
Dad and Daughter
Mom and Son
Dance | |
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
Don Sanderson Gymnasium
Pre-school thru 5th Grade kids with their parents and grandparents Proceeds to benefit the Parent Service Cru's NCS Family Benevolence Fund
More information to follow after Christmas break... |
| JR. CRUSADERS | |
JOIN THE JR CRUSADERS!
NCS sports for elementary students.
Please contact Liam Simmons for info on upcoming seasons.
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A.S.A.P. Clubs
Session 3
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Have fun in the new NCS afterschool program!
Session 3 starts in January!
For more info, please visit the school office.
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You are invited!
Valley West Women's Bible Study | |
This non-denominational women's Bible study meets Thursday mornings on the NCS campus. Using Titus 2:3-5 as a foundation, VWWBS has been ministering to women for thirty years. This is the place to find encouragement, support, friendship, and solid Biblical teaching.
September through April
9:15 to 11:15am
Free childcare for birth to 5 years |
| Moms in Touch | |
Please come and join other NCS moms in praying for our school, our staff, and our children!
Wednesday mornings, 8:00 to 9:00am, room C102 in the Cook Center
For more information, please call Kathy LaBarbera, (623)521-2308 or Sherrie Walker, (623)221-2516. |
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School Spirit Shirts
Now Available | |
Get yours before they are gone!
Limited numbers of P.L.U.G. shirts are available in the office. |
| Boxtops for Education | |
Earn cash for Northwest Christian every time you shop for groceries. Clip box tops from hundreds of your favorite products and drop them off in the school office. Each box top is worth 10 cents for NCS--that adds up fast!
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| Year End Tax Credit Opportunity |
Donors may donate until April 15th to receive a tax credit on their 2011 Arizona Individual Income Tax Return.
We strongly recommend that you contact the individual STO's to determine what, if any, cutoff dates they have established.
If you have any specific questions, please contact the NCS Business Office
Diane Collicott,
dcollicott@ncsaz.org
or
Tom Hartzler,
thartzler@ncsaz.org
For more information on how to contribute please click:
www.AZTO.org
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