NCS Spotlight Header

Northwest Christian School

Dear NCS family,

 

As I write this Spotlight-opening-letter, I am sitting in my office which is just a short distance from the football field.  It's late on a mercifully cool, autumn afternoon and varsity football practice is underway.  As I sit at my desk, typing away, I can hear coaches hollering, quarterbacks shouting out directions, and the occasional 'thud' (that I'm praying isn't my son as he plays on the line). 

 

We're midway through the football season and our record is 6 and 1.  Funny thing, though.  My favorite game of the season wasn't one of those "6" in the win column.  It was the "1" in the loss column.  But, before any rabid Crusader fans become unglued, permit me to explain why that loss to Tempe Prep was not, in my view, really a loss at all.

Midway through the game, the one thing that we hope never happens, happened.  It's that sickening moment that football parents pray that their student athlete never encounters:  a young man from the Tempe Prep Knights went down under a crush of Crusaders and didn't get back up.  Our school's trainer and a sports-specialty physician rushed out to join the mass of coaches and worried parents that surrounded the young man on the field.  We called an ambulance and he was transported to the local hospital.  Once there, after a thorough check-up, his parents received the positive report for which we'd all been praying.  (At this point, are you still wondering what made this my favorite game of the year?)

That next Monday morning, we got a letter from a Tempe Prep parent.  It read, in part, "We played football against the Crusaders this past Friday night and I wanted to thank you and your fans and team so much for the care they showed for our fallen Knight. We were all horrified to see him lying there on the field not moving, and I know the Northwest Christian fans were just as scared to see that. I was so moved to see your team getting together to pray for our athlete...and then your announcer led a prayer for everyone together...and I just appreciated that so much.  Northwest Christian is a powerhouse in sports and we love to play you all...it's always a dog fight!   But I was gladdened to see that above everything else, Jesus' face and healing and peace and His glory were sought first and foremost in that scary situation."

Wow!  "...above everything else, Jesus' face and healing and peace and His glory were sought first and foremost..."  At the end of the night, the score on the visitor's side of the scoreboard was a few points higher than the home team's score.  But, I can honestly report that in this game, a game in which His glory was so clearly revealed and therefore my favorite of the year, no one walked off that field a loser.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve this school and your family,

 

Geoff Brown
Superintendent
Northwest Christian School
(623)225-5573 (cell)

Generous Sponsors of the Northwest Christian Athletes

Mikes Swat Team 081613

 
www.mikesswatteam.com                                              (623) 582-1122 

Two NCS Seniors Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program

Strong performance on the PSAT positions students for academic recognition and scholarship opportunities

            

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)---a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year---and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.  Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

 

Northwest Christian is excited to report that senior Sam Markel (pictured above) has been announced as a National Merit Semifinalist.  This means that Sam is one of 16,000 students nationwide (less than 1% of the nation's high school graduating seniors) who have achieved this honor based on his performance on the PSAT last fall.  Sam is now eligible to advance to the next phase of the competition for some 7,600 Merit Scholarship awards.  Finalists will be chosen in February 2015.

 

The school is also excited to announce that senior Robert Herriott (pictured below) has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Student.  This distinction means that Robert is one of the top 50,000 student achievers on the PSAT/NMSQT.

 

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

MVP Orthopedics and Sports Medicine 081613     

AZCAPE Nominates a NCS Teacher and Scholastic Program as "Best in State" 

 
Kate Estes (left) pictured with Sutton Christmas drive presents
High school teacher Kate Estes and the Kids Kingdom missions program are AZCAPE finalists

            

The Arizona chapter of the Council for American Private Education (AZCAPE) has announced the finalists for this year's Arizona Private Education Excellence Awards and Northwest Christian is pleased to report that both a teacher and a scholastic program have been announced as finalists.  Over 200 nominations from private schools throughout the state were considered. 

 

Kate Estes has been announced as a finalist for "High School Teacher of the Year".  Kate serves Northwest Christian students and families as the high school choir teacher, chair of the school's Fine Arts department, and sponsor of High School Student Council.  In each of these roles she wears multiple hats--from coordinating the high school's homecoming dance and directing high school choir concerts to overseeing service projects like the J.B. Sutton Elementary service initiative.  It was the Sutton service initiative that caused AZCAPE to see that Kate's contributions to both Northwest Christian and the broader community were extraordinary.

 

"AZCAPE looked for private school teachers and staff members who model integrity, fairness, compassion, and resiliency; have a passion for education and the community served; value innovation and creativity; instill leadership by example; and promote giving back to the community," explains Sydney Hay, AZCAPE Executive Director. "We believe that our finalists are educators who, in the eyes of the community, model outstanding service to the students, and are passionate and committed to developing the potential in each student. They help their students see their dreams come true." 

 

Northwest Christian was also nominated for "Program of the Year" by AZCAPE for its missions projects supporting the Kids Kingdom orphanage in Imuris, Sonora.  The project is directed by the the schools 8th grade Bible teacher and Spiritual Formation Director Chris Gardiner and pulls together students from 2nd grade, 8th grade, and high school to minister to the needs of the 34 orphans presently living at the Mexican orphanage.  NCS students travel five to six times a year to the orphanage and work together to meet the spiritual and physical needs within the orphanage.

 

This year's "Program of the Year" nomination comes on the heals of winning the honor last year with the school's "Liquid Hope" project.  "I was stunned by the Program nomination," said superintendent Geoff Brown.  "Believe it or not, this is the third year in a row that a Northwest Christian program has been nominated.  Three years ago, the school was nominated for its elementary service learning program.  Last year, Liquid Hope actually won 'Program of the Year'.  To hear that this year we've been nominated again for a service initiative is so exciting.  I believe that this is the outworking of Matthew 5:16--as the community sees our students, moved by the love and light of Christ, serving those in need.  For all of the things that our school could be recognized for, this one--providing testimony to the love of God--is the one that's most important."

 

NCS students work together with Kids Kingdom students
Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

TFI Logo 081613        

35th Anniversary Homecoming

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9918 W. Happy Valley Prkwy

 

Fall Theater Production Goes in a Unique Direction:  NCS Students Work to Make a Movie!
"Screwtape Academy" will feature Northwest Christian students both in front of and behind the camera

 

Each year, the NCS Fine Arts Department works to provide two opportunities for aspiring thespians to exercise and grow their dramatic abilities.  In the spring of each year, Northwest Christian puts on a big musical production.  (Spring 2014 saw the school produce "Bye, Bye Birdie".)  In the fall, however, the Fine Arts Department works to provide a novel and unique drama forum for students to experience and in which they can experiment.  Last year, for example, in the fall, NCS produced a dinner theater production at the Arizona Broadway Theater of "Who Killed Dr. Pepper?"  This fall, once again, the department is pushing forward in a very unique direction.  Through a partnership with professional film-maker Damon Evans and Mind's Eye Productions, Northwest Christian students are both in front and behind the cameras as they produce a feature film.

 

Titled "Screwtape Academy", the film will be a completely original feature that is loosely based on C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters".  Filmed around the Northwest Christian campus, the film highlights demonic forces conspiring to trip up several high school students, the lead played by junior Kyle DeHart.  The chief tempter in Kyle's life is played by junior Torin Speer whose role is meant to illuminate how a believer's enemy works to trip him up--much in the fashion of Lewis' "Screwtape Letters".  Junior Trace Maguire plays the angel assigned to protect and guide Kyle through the pitfalls of high school tribulations and teenage temptations.  These students are joined by over thirty other students who are learning the 'in's and out's' of the film industry as they work both in front of and behind the cameras, engineering sound, editing film, reviewing scripts, and the like.  

 

The film will make its debut as part of a 'gala moive premiere' on Saturday, November 1st as the school has secured a Saturday night at the AMC Deer Valley 30 theaters (27th Ave. and the 101).  Four hundred tickets will be made available to see the film in the theater.  The event will also include a student film festival/competition in which students can submit five minute films that they have created.  These student-made films will be competing for $500 in prizes. 


Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes
 
 
Trina Nevrla   480-378-7300
AZ Dept of Revenue Reports that NCS Students Have Benefitted from over $16M in Tax Credit Assistance
Northwest Christian tops the state for state tax credit scholarships available to Crusader families

 

The Arizona State Tuition Tax Credit program started in 1998 and has generated $689 million dollars for Arizona students to attend the private school of their choice.  Since the program's inception, according to the most recent report from the Arizona Department of Revenue, Northwest Christian School students have been awarded $16,451,015 in tuition assistance support, more than any other private school in Arizona. "God has truly met our need according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus!" exclaims Michelle Reddy, NCS Director of Admissions.

 

The last two years have been especially impactful for Northwest Christian students with $3,538,358 being awarded to NCS families.  This means that 22% of the school's historic total has come in for NCS students during these two school years. The school's donations from corporate tax credit sources were also up almost 98%, from $105,000 in 2012 to $208,000 in 2013. Individual tax credits were received from 13 different state tax organizations (STO's), more than any of the other private schools in the state. According to the latest annual report from the Arizona Department of Revenue, Northwest Christian was also the state leader in the number of individual, original private school tax credit scholarships--960 individual scholarships.  This number was up just over 10% from last year. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, there was a 28% increase in the total scholarships awarded to NCS in 2013 over 2012. This increase included scholarships from both the "Original" and "Switcher" tax credit and totaled $1,986,163 in 2013, an increase of $434,000 over 2012.

 

"These numbers are amazing," says superintendent Geoff Brown, "and they clearly reflect the faithfulness of a loving God.  These numbers also point to an amazing amount of energy and effort invested by two specific Crusaders:  Michelle Reddy and Diane Collicott (NCS DIrector of Finance).  It's their passion for Christ, Christ-honoring education, and for families seeking Christian education that have fueled our gains in this area."

 

"As we look back on these results, it is clear that God's hand has been ever present in the lives of our families who seek a Christ-centered education for their children," says Michelle.  "We look forward to the Lord's continued favor as we thank Him as a community and keep Christ central to all that we do."  Michelle frequently cites one of her favorite verses to the families she helps to understand how the scholarship programs work: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20)

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes
Shine Dentistry
Support School Choice
 

Did you know that almost every year, legislation is introduced in Arizona to completely eliminate the scholarship tax credit?
 
That means every election year, your family's ability to choose the education that best meets your needs is on the line. 

This year, Arizona is electing a new Governor, Secretary of State, and Legislature. The people who fill these positions will have the opportunity to expand, inhibit, or completely do away with school choice and parental rights as we know them today in our state. 

As a Christian School parent, teacher, or supporter, you know how important school choice and parental rights are.
 
  The messagefor the General Election is simple: don't let your voice be silenced! Be informed and vote your values.

Center for Arizona Policy's Voter Guide is straightforward and nonpartisan. 

Visit azvoterguide.com to get your personalized Voter Guide, and to order free election resources.

Get your Voter Guide today and be informed to vote your values and protect school choice. Please help spread the word and forward this email to your friends! School choice is on the line.  

  
Spotlight on Alumni
Alumni Roman Nelson is Part of the NCS Team Driving the High School iPad Program
The 2009 grad uses his technology skill set to the glory of God both at school and on the mission field

 

Roman (bottom left) teaches two Kids Kingdom residents how to run and terminate network cable 
When Roman Nelson graduated from Northwest Christian in 2009, he assumed that God would lead him along paths far and wide as he pursued his passion for computer information systems.  In some senses, He did.  But, in a very real sense, Roman has been within arm's length of the school the entire time and used by God to powerfully move the school along the instructional technology spectrum.  The summer before Roman graduated, the summer of 2008, found Roman working as part of the high school student tech team, a team that does much of the hot, hard grunt work necessary to prepare for the school year.  Once that assignment ended, Roman found that the school's tech team continued to prevail upon him for assistance as that it was clear he had a remarkable proclivity for all things tech.  Eventually, his schedule was modified during his senior year so that the school could lean on his growing expertise during the school day.  Upon graduation, while he began pursuing college coursework centered around tech certification and licensing, Northwest Christian began employing him to 'fill in' as part of the school's growing tech team.  Now, seven years later, Roman serves as the school's "Wireless Technologies Coordinator", a critical role in the light of the school's newly launched 1:1 iPad initiative within the high school.  In that role, he has successfully championed for the school's growing tech profile.  He oversees the help desk that serves students and staff while also managing the mobile device management system that provides all networking and internet security.

Roman's passion for Northwest Christian has grown beyond his tech job description in that he's started to serve alongside other staff supporting their work with students as they seek to grow spiritually.  Most recently, he was part of the high school missions trip to the Kids Kingdom orphanage in Imuris, Mexico that took place at the start of fall break.  Part of a team that included 30 high schoolers, Roman took charge of a team of students that worked to install a new wireless and hard-wired network as well as new computers within the church and orphanage.  In that role, he concentrated on equipping the students (both from Northwest Christian and Kids Kingdom) with the "how to" necessary to establish a network.  "It was certainly an experience," said Roman of the trip--first missions trip.  "The thing that I saw was what we talk about--we have an enemy.  The enemy made everything we wanted to do for the orphanage difficult--tried to discourage us.  Things that should have been simple were harder than expected.  But, with the students, we learned to look to God and to trust Him completely.  We realized that things that may not work out the way we expect but things always work out the way that He expects."

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

Barton Pure Pools 

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

 

Free NCS Bumper Sticker!

Show your school spirit!
Please present this coupon in the school office to receive a complimentary NCS bumper sticker. 
Limit one per family.
Offer Expires: Offer available while current supplies last.
October 13, 2014
Vol. 5, Issue 2

Philippians 1:9-10

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Big Boys on Campus

The Monthly NCS Men's Prayer Breakfast

 
Enjoy a delicious, complementary hot breakfast and a time of devotions and prayer with men from the NCS community.

One Friday each month, throughout the school year, the men of NCS are invited to take part in a long-standing NCS tradition:  Big Boys on Campus.

The next Big Boys on Campus prayer breakfast will be:
Friday, October 17th, 2014
7:00 to 7:30am
Football field

NCHS Adventure Cru 

"The Rugged Maniac"

5K Obstacle Race 

 
The NCHS Adventure Cru wants you to join their 2014 team for the Rugged Maniac 5K obstacle race taking place on November 22, 2014!

Register at www.ruggedmaniac.com, and put down "NCS Adventure Cru" as your team name and register for the 12:45pm start time.  Once, you've registered, send an email to [email protected].

All team members will receive a free Adventure Cru t-shirt to wear during the event!

Arizona Christian

 University


Join Arizona Christian University for ACU Experience 2014 November 6-8! ACU Experience 2014 kicks off with dinner and then a free concert with acclaimed Christian recording artists Building 429! This multiday event is designed to give high school students a glimpse of what it's like to be an ACU student, from student life activities, attending classes, eating in the dining hall, and even staying in the dorms! Plus, all attendees receive a free ACU t-shirt and are eligible for other great prizes throughout the event! To be eligible for the free concert, students must check-in at 4 p.m. on November 6. To learn more, contact 602-386-4100 or e-mail [email protected]

Grand Canyon University

GCU Logo 121212 
 Northwest Christian School is a proud member of the GCU Canyon Christian School Consortium.
  

High school students (grades 9-12) who are accepted to attend GCU will receive a $5,000 (on-campus housing) or $2,500 (off-campus housing) CCSC scholarship at GCU per year for each year of attendance at NCS.  This could save students up to $20,000 on college tuition over the course of four years.

 

NCS parents also have access to an exclusive 10% discount, providing savings toward tuition and fees for online undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree programs at GCU. (Scholarships are available for campus-based programs. The CCSC discount cannot be combined with any other institutional aid offer or discount.) 

 

Follow NCS on Twitter

Twitter 

Follow NCS @NCSCrusaders  

New Early Ed Class and Infant Care

 EE LOGO

The new infant care program is underway and space is limited. A Tuesday and Thursday morning class for young three year olds has also just opened. The Mom's Day Out program for toddlers and the preschool program has several openings and spots will go quickly. We appreciate your referrals to family and friends. For more info, please contact Michelle Reddy at [email protected] 

National League of Junior Cotillions

NJLC pic 2 

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF JUNIOR COTILLIONS for young men and women in sixth through eighth grade


Northwest Christian congratulates
Mrs. Patricia Richards

 

for being honored by the
National League of Junior Cotillions
with the Cotillion Allegiance Award

 

an honor afforded to directors who demonstrate true commitment to students and parents within the community. 
Box Tops for Education
Boxtops for Education
WOW!
The November 2013 box tops submission has earned a record $1570 for the school!  Thank you for your generosity and support!

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!

NCS International Student Program
NCS International Students
Are you interested in hosting an international student for the 2014/2015 school year? 
Each year, NCS welcomes a limited number of international Christian students into the school's community.  Hosting families provide a meaningful opportunity to a young person looking for new opportunities. 
For more information, please contact:
 
Michelle Reddy
Director of Admissions
NCS Purple Pages

Purple Pages

Support NCS families by shopping for goods and services through Purple Pages!
Click Here 

ANYTIME

FITNESS

  

Proud Sponsor of the NCS "Biggest Loser" Competitions

 

Owned by NCS family: Wade, Janelle, Abby, Logan Moser

*Apply online for a FREE 14 day Pass!

http://www.anytimefitness.com

 Facebook.com/AnytimeGlendaleAZ

6640 W Cactus Rd - Glendale

You are invited!

Valley West Women's Bible Study

Valley West Women's Bible Study
This non-denominational women's Bible study meets Thursday mornings on the  campus of Northwest Community Church.  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 Prayer
Moms in Prayer 
Please come and join other NCS moms in praying for our school, our staff, and our children!
Wednesday mornings, resuming this fall, 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.

 

Built on the Rock Foundation
Built on the Rock Solid Foundation
 
Built on the Rock s a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation which is dedicated to the advancement of Christian education. Built on the Rock was founded in 2000 and  has been supporting Christian education ever since.

For more information on any BOTR program, including  "Outstanding Christian Educator" award program, the "High School Senior Scholarship" program, and the "Financial Hardship Assistance" program, please visit
  

.

LifeStream

a NCS service learning partner

LifeStream
LifeStream Complete Senior Living offers a spectrum of retirement and senior living services including:
  
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Skilled Nursing
 
We have four
beautiful communities
to choose from:

Glendale
Northeast Phoenix
Surprise
Youngtown/Sun City
 
LifeStream Complete Senior Living is a non-profit organization driven by a desire to preserve seniors' dignity, independence and quality of life.
 
Special moments happen here everyday... Come join us!
 
(623)933-3333

The Place 

is a generous NCS Fine Arts Sponsor

The Place Logo
5171 W Bell Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308

(602) 896-9929

State Tuition Tax Credit Opportunity

AZTO 

Donors may donate until April 15th to receive a tax credit on their 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,

[email protected]

 or

Tom Hartzler,

[email protected]

  

For more information on how to contribute please click:

www.AZTO.org