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Northwest Christian School
Dear NCS family,
  
Yesterday morning, having just arrived at work, a friend accosted me with an incredibly profound question that the Lord brought back to my mind, circumstantially, throughout the day.  At the point he hit me with it, I just barely had enough caffeine in the bloodstream to allow it to register in my still-morning-fuzzy brain.  He asked, "If tomorrow we could only keep the things for which we said 'thank you' today, what would you have?"  Though the profundity of the question was obvious, caffeine deprivation did not allow for the query to fully stick in my noggin.  That is until the Lord brought the question back to my mind a bit later.

Later that morning, I was with Santa Claus (ably played by 8th grade Bible teacher and NCS Spiritual Formation Director Chris Gardiner) and his elves (cheerfully represented by the Northwest Christian High School students) at one of the four elementary schools we were visiting, delivering presents as part of the J.B. Sutton campaign.  We were in a room of special needs students and there wasn't a dry eye in the room as the students smiled and laughed in delight as Santa handed out the presents.  Afterwards, the special-ed teachers asked Santa if they could have their picture taken with him and their students.  In what may have been an off-the-cuff comment from Gardiner/Santa, he turned to one of the teachers and said, "Hey, thank you for loving these kids every day, all day."  His eyes fixed to the camera in front of him, Santa didn't see the reaction on that teacher's face.  But, I did.  Her eyes welled with tears as she choked up at that simple expression of appreciation.

Later yesterday, I had returned to school and was at my desk when a call came.  It was a parent named "Ann".  She explained to me that she was a single mother and that she had several children living in her home, all of whom attended J.B. Sutton Elementary.  She explained that the gifts which her children received yesterday from the kind students and families at Northwest Christian were likely the only gifts that her children would receive this year.  She went on to explain that her kindergarten-aged daughter was autistic and, when she had come to school to pick her up, was literally glowing as she held up her brand new baby doll that she had received from Santa for her mother to see.  Ann explained to me that this was the biggest smile on her daughter's face in months.  For that, she wanted to make certain to say, "Thank you."  This time, it was my turn to have my eyes well with tears as I choked up.

This morning, as you read this letter, the question my friend put forward registers much more fully in my caffeine-deprived mind than it did yesterday.  "If tomorrow we could only keep the things for which we said 'thank you' today, what would you have?"  Wow.  The loving hand of Providence has reminded me of the power of the 'thank you' and of the potent moments that are produced when we take the time to express our gratitude.  

In that spirit then, as we get ready to celebrate and appreciate the ultimate Gift this Christmas, I want to extend to you, the families and friends of Northwest Christian School those same two words:  "Thank you".  Thank you for believing in our school and supporting our teachers.  Thank you for collectively sacrificing so much as a community to keep Christian education a vital force within our community.  Thank you for investing yourselves in our programs, teams, field trips, and missions trips.  And, more than all of that, thank you for your kids.  They truly are amazing.

Have a great Christmas.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve this school and your family,
  
Geoff Brown
Superintendent
Northwest Christian School
(623)225-5573 (cell)

GROWING AND GOING:  Year-end Campaign is Second Step Towards Lunch Area Improvements  

After a very successful first step, we are trusting the Lord for big things in the second phase of the effort to improve our lunch area
 
As we prepare for the next few decades of service to our families, Northwest Christian School is using the 2015/2016 school year to embark on an aggressive facilities agenda that will work to sustain the school's vision and mission.  Northwest Christian has chosen a theme that captures the Lord's call upon our school: Godly Generations-Growing and Going.  The phrase succinctly captures the promise of Christian education--each generation of believers working to pour itself into the next generation, equipping that generation to become difference-makers, good-news-bringers, and standard-bearers within a lost and hurting world.
 
Over the last three-and-a-half decades, the Lord has blessed NCS in more ways than can be counted.  But, as we look to the future, we know that we have facilities on our campus that are in need of repair, renovation, or replacement in order to sustain our mission. In the near term, our campus has two major needs: an improved lunch area and new elementary classrooms. Recognizing that building a new elementary class building will be an historic, multi-year effort, we are beginning with the lunch area before focusing on the classrooms.

To that end we have committed all of our major fundraising efforts in the current school year--the September 2015 fundraising dinner and auction, the calendar year-ending giving campaign, and our spring 2016 Jog-a-thon--to move forward with the lunch area improvements.  School leaders have been meeting with architects and engineers and have seen plans proposed that have ranged from $300,000 to $1.9 million in costs. Prayerfully, the school has approached our families and ministry partners, communicated our intentions, and put forward the opportunity to support this effort.

To date, the response has been encouraging! On September 26, 2015, we hosted our 35th Anniversary "Wild About Northwest Christian" Fundraising Dinner and Auction.  The generosity and support from participants produced a yield that was four times greater than we imagined!  As a result, the NCS School Board approved an effort to replace the current lunch room and kitchen with a brand-new, state-of-the-art kitchen for which plans are being finalized.

Now, with the year-end giving campaign and Jog-a-thon 2016 remaining, Northwest Christian is hoping to raise additional funds to address student seating and lunch area comfort for students.  If you are interested and able to assist the school in this effort, please prayerfully consider giving at the following link...


  
 

Crusaders Work to Help Students in Five Schools Recognize Christ in Christmas  

A memorable day as Northwest Christian students travel from school to school, sharing Christmas love 
 

For six years running, Northwest Christian students have embraced students and families in some of the neediest schools in Phoenix.  And, every year, in new and surprising ways, God "shows up" to accomplish what Northwest Christian students thought might be impossible.  "Every year," says senior Drew Inness, "we are asking, 'Are we going to make it?'  And, then, in the end, God makes it happen."

 

The effort started in 2010 when Northwest Christian students embraced J.B. Sutton Elementary in the south Phoenix Isaac School District.  That year, NCS committed to providing Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts for 125 of Sutton's most needy families.  Additionally, Crusaders served the school through on-campus service projects--renovating an art room, replenishing a food pantry, providing sports clinics.  Now, six years later, having seen God provide in ways both momentous and forever memorable, Northwest Christian's commitment has grown from one school and 125 families to five schools and 1,325 families.  The effort has also grown to include a partnership with Scottsdale Christian Academy which is addressing the needs of staff, students, and families at Esperanza Elementary, which lies just down the street from J.B. Sutton Elementary.  

 

This year, Northwest Christian students and families responded to the opportunity to express Christ's love through Thanksgiving and Christmas generosity in an overwhelming fashion.  In addition to the food items contributed to the Thanksgiving meal boxes and the individually gift-wrapped toys, as part of a generous partnership with the BHHS Legacy Foundation, $43,775.00 was collected.  This amount included a generous $15,000.00 grant from Legacy as well as over $10,000.00 that was collected uniquely through the generosity of Northwest Christian high school students.

 

On Wednesday, December 16th, Santa (8th grade Bible teacher and NCS Spiritual Formation Director Chris Gardiner), his elves (high school Student Council), and a band of volunteers visited the campuses of J.B. Sutton Elementary, Alta E. Butler Elementary, Moya Elementary, and the Isaac District Preschool, distributing gifts, playing games, singing songs, and enjoying Christmas festivities.  The group disseminated just under two thousand individual gifts.  This included the annual effort to provide a new pair of shoes to every fifth grade student at J.B. Sutton.

 

"It was a momentous and memorable day," says superintendent Geoff Brown.  "Students lives were changed--and I'm talking about the students who go to Northwest Christian.  They saw profound needs today and, with the help of the Father, saw themselves being used as difference-makers."  

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes
  
Winners of PureFlix NXNW Film Festival Treated to Advance Screening of "God's Not Dead 2" 
Though the film doesn't even debut until April 1st, these students enjoyed special access 

 

This year's second annual, sold-out PureFlix NXNW Christian High School Film Festival at the AMC Deer Valley Theaters produced three sets of student winners.  The three groups, one from Scottsdale Christian and two from Northwest Christian, had submitted digital shorts as part of the festival that were then judged by both a panel of judges (film industry professionals as well as film instructors from Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University) and those in attendance that evening who were able to vote for their favorite student film via their cell phones. 

 

In that the event was sponsored by PureFlix Entertainment ("God's Not Dead", "Woodlawn", "Do You Believe?"), on November 30th the winning students were invited to PureFlix headquarters in the east valley to be part of a very special afternoon.  The students (pictured above) were invited into a private movie screening room where they had to surrender cell phones and portable electronics as well as sign a special non-disclosure agreement.  Then, after an introduction from one of the film's editors, the students viewed "God's Not Dead 2", a film slated for release in April 2016.  After the film, the students sat with the film's producers who asked for feedback and critique of the film.  Additionally, the students were invited to consider serving as interns within the PureFlix organization at some point in their studies.  For young, aspiring film-makers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn firsthand about the craft of filmmaking from industry professionals who are passionate about their trade and their pursuit of impacting the culture for Christ.

 

The PureFlix NXNW Christian HIgh School Film Festival is part of a growing film, photography, and digital media program at Northwest Christian.  In chapel on January 20, 2016, NCS students in middle school and high school will be learning about the launch of NXNW Film School this spring, a free-of-charge afterschool program geared to grow students in both acting and film work.  As part of these classes, students will be learning from industry professionals and invited to participate in the NXNW 48-Hour Film Challenge and Spring Musical in the Spring of 2016.  Students will also be hearing about the third annual PureFlix NXNW Christian High School Film Festival slated to take place on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016.

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

MVP Orthopedics and Sports Medicine 081613     

2016/2017 Re-enrollment Begins in January

Current Infant thru 11th grade NCS families will receive an email with a link to re-enroll for the 2016-17 school year in mid-January. The re-enrollment email will be sent to the primary email address on record for all siblings within a household.  The re-registration form for the 2016-17 school year will be due by February 12, 2016 with a minimum, on-line $100 deposit per K-12th grade student. The total to re-register a K-12th grade student is $205; a preschooler $100, and a Mini Crusader student - $50.00. All unpaid registration fee balances not originally paid on-line are due via in-office payment by cash or check on or before March 24, 2016 to avoid late fees. Re-registrations received after February 12, 2016 and accounts with registration fees not paid in full by March 24,2016 may be subject to wait list. New student applications are at an historic high. Registering and submitting the registration fee in full, on-line by February 12, 2016 is advantageous in quickly confirming your student's place on the 2016-2017 roster.

Incoming kindergarten students moving up from our NCS preschool will need to complete a few additional admissions steps before enrollment can be confirmed. A detailed letter will be sent to the families of incoming kindergarten students after the registration form and fee is received.

If you would like to enroll a new student to NCS,
it is urgent that you contact the admissions office right away. You will need to submit a new-student application via the website, www.ncsaz.org, no later than February 12, 2016 for priority enrollment opportunity.

"How To Afford A K-12 Christian Education Workshop"
Thursday, January 14th

Did you know there are more than fifty tax credit organizations in Arizona that provide tuition assistance to students in private, Christian schools? If you would like to know more about these and other financial tuition assistance programs for K-12th grade students, plan on attending this workshop scheduled for Thursday, January 14th from 5pm-6:15pm on the first floor of the Cook Center. Pizza will be provided.  Please send your RSVP to [email protected].
 
FUTURE FRESHMAN and HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION N  IGHT
Thursday, January 14TH, 2016, 6:30-7:45pm, Gymnasium
 
Future freshman and high school information night is an exceptional opportunity for our current 8th graders and their parents as well as prospective, new 9th-12th graders and their families to learn more about the NCS high school experience.
 
The evening will include information and representatives from all academic departments as well as band, chorale, clubs and athletics. The Principal, Admissions Director and Guidance Counselor will be available to meet your family and answer your questions. Campus tours will provided by our NCS Student Ambassadors who are a great resource for insight into our unique campus culture.
 
KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND INFORMATION NIGHTThursday, January 14th from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
 
Current preschool families or prospective families interested in finding out more about kindergarten at NCS, should plan on attending our kindergarten informational meeting on Thursday, January 14th from 6:30pm-7:45pm in the Cook Center.  The evening will include a detailed presentation by Dawna Underwood, Elementary Principal, and guided tours by our student ambassadors. Attendees will also be able to meet the kindergarten teachers.

Middle School Students Enjoy "Impact Day"  

Middle Schoolers challenged to make an impact in their world 

On Friday, November 25th, Northwest Christian middle school students were treated to "Impact Day", an annual event designed to help students understand their personal potential to make an 'impact' in their world, to the glory of God.  The day began in the Don Sanderson Gymnasium with a time for students to hear from event keynote speaker Dr. Alan Sawyer.  Sawyer heads a local private practice specializing in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Infertility.  With a heart for missions, he works extensively with Samaritan's Purse, traveling to the most remote destinations in an effort to provide healthcare to those in need.  Dr. Sawyer is also the president of the The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  In this capacity, he is one of the foremost physicians in the country for championing the rights of the unborn child.  It was in this capacity that he was able to address Northwest Christian students and help them more fully understand the value of life from the moment of conception. 
 
From that point, students started through a schedule that allowed them to rotate through a series of 'impact stations' that were both informative and fun, some allowing students to participate in a hands-on way.  Students heard from several Crusader seniors who travelled this past summer to Uganda with Hope 4 Kids International as part of a NCS-sponsored missions trip.  Seniors Emily West and Maddie Veres shared highlights of the trip and challenged the middle school students to consider being part of an international missions trip before graduating high school.  Students also heard from representatives from the Harvest Compassion Center, an area food band that serves the needy, and officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety who presented the role of DPS in the community and career paths that students could pursue.  Bill Harbeck, from Holding on to Hope Ministries, shared his ministry's mission to help victims of sexual abuse while also introducing the students to his special needs daughter, reflecting on Sawyer's earlier themes of the value of life.  Hands-on activities included making Christmas cards for deployed members of the military, learning about the meager cardboard homes employed by the homeless and those living below the poverty line in third-world countries, and the need for clean water in countries like Haiti.

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

Barton Pure Pools

Second Grade Crusaders Go "Shopping", Put Together Christmas Gifts for Kids Kingdom Orphanage in Imuris 
Christmas gifts are bound for Imuris, Sonora this coming Saturday


On Saturday, December 19th, a group of Crusaders 70-strong will be headed for the Kids Kingdom orphanage in Imuris, Sonora.  The day trip is one of five to six annual trips that the school takes to support the orphanage.  Kids Kingdom serves as the ministry partner for 2nd grade and 8th grade.  Eighth grade is the first opportunity that Crusaders have to be part of a multi-day, international missions trip--an opportunity that then extends throughout the high school years.  In second grade, each year the students are introduced to Kids Kingdom and, in the process, the principle behind James 1:27 as they begin to understand God's call to help orphans.

 

This past week, second graders went 'shopping' and assembled the gifts that the group will take down to the orphanage on Saturday.  Using the service learning/missions money allocated from the annual Jog-a-thon (a 10% designation annually divided between the service projects at each grade level), the second grade teachers pre-bought the items and then, working with a legion of parent volunteers, assembled a 'store' where the second graders could learn to shop.  With the name of specific recipient, as well as the age and gender, students put together the gifts, made encouraging cards, and wrapped their presents.  These gifts will find their way to Imuris on Saturday as a group of Crusaders make their way to the orphanage to throw a Christmas party.

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes

Shine Dentistry        

December 17, 2015
Vol. 6, Issue 4  
Luke 1:26-28
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

Big O Tires is a generous sponsor of NCS Athletics

Colorado Christian University

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Northwest Christian's Mens Prayer Group

Box Tops for Education
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You are invited!

Valley West Women's Bible Study

Moms in Prayer
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Built on the Rock Foundation

LifeStream

a NCS service learning partner

The Place 

is a generous NCS Fine Arts Sponsor

State Tuition Tax Credit Opportunity
Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes
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Crusader Apparel
Place your orders for long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts online here!

  

A limited number of the annual spiritual emphasis theme t-shirts are available in the Athletic Office.  

Generous Sponsors of Northwest Christian Athletes


        

9918 W. Happy Valley Prkwy

 

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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.