Cascade Christian Chronicle - March 2015 by Cascade Christian Schools

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Dedicated to Developing Discerning Leaders Don Johnson Superintendent of Schools Mary Severeid Assistant Superintendent Early Learning, Elementary and Extended School Tim Kleefeld, CPA Director of Business Rob Mitton Director of Development Susan Crawford Director of Marketing and Communications Kristin Hannus Director of Extended School Glenna Frederick, Ed.D Assistant Superintendent Secondary/International Dr. Ken Friesen High School Principal Dave Peterson Assistant High School Principal Dr. Glenna Frederick Junior High Principal

Multi-Age Classrooms at CCS

Expanding the Reach of CCS

McAlder Campus Plans for K-6

Keith Patefield JH/HS Athletic Director Terry Broberg Principal Puyallup Elementary Tina deVries Principal Frederickson and Tacoma Campuses Debi Boyd Assistant Principal Frederickson and Tacoma Campuses Karen Curtiss Director Puyallup Early Learning Center This issue of the Chronicle reported and written by CCS Puyallup Elementary Teacher and CCS Parent, Kristy Bingham. Design and layout by CCS Parent Michelle De Monnin for De Monninâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art Studio, Inc. The Chronicle is a publication of Cascade Christian Schools, an interdenominational school district in Pierce County, Washington. On the Cover: CCS 2014 WIAA State Football Campions Cover photo by: Dawne Carlisle Photography Additional photography in this issue by: Michelle De Monnin, Stuart Rich, Dawne Carlisle, and others.

For more information about Cascade Christian Schools:

cascadechristian.org | 253-841-1776

Development/Business Partner information: Rob Mitton Story ideas for the Cascade Chronicle: Susan Crawford Cascade Christian Schools Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students Cascade Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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Prepared to IMPACT their World! At Cascade Christian Schools, our mission is “To glorify God by providing quality, Christ-centered education dedicated to developing discerning leaders who are spiritually, personally, and academically prepared to impact their world.” We are in the business of preparing 21st century leaders to impact their 21st century world for Christ. In this Chronicle, you will have an opportunity to read about how our teachers are becoming instructionally prepared to deliver a 21st century education to our students. There are also examples of how our elementary and junior high students experience this preparation academically, through the use of iPads in the classroom, and in robotics and animation classes, for example. Cascade Christian students are prepared to impact their world through Creative Arts and Sports, as well. You’ll see stories within this Chronicle that talk about how students are encouraged to grow personally, spiritually and socially, through their Vox class, and in the perspectives of our CCHS championship football team. We know we’re accomplishing the purpose and mission of CCS in the lives of students and their families when we hear stories of first impressions from folks like the Laniers and their son, Leighton. I’m also inspired when I hear of an alumna’s impact on her personal and professional life, as shared by Brittany Splinter, Class of 2009. There are many wonderful things happening in the life of our school, as evidenced in this Chronicle. I’m mindful of the fact that it takes the intentional dedication to God’s calling that is demonstrated on a daily basis by our administrators, teachers and staff. Cascade Christian Schools – preparing students to impact our world!

Don Johnson, Superintendent of Schools

Locations

Core Purpose Transforming cultures through teaching and training people in their purpose before God.

Mission To glorify God by providing quality, Christ-centered education dedicated to developing discerning leaders who are spiritually, personally, and academically prepared to impact their world.

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STAFF PROFILE

Passing It On When she was a young girl, Tacoma Elementary teacher Kelly Kidd had a vision for her life - and it didn’t include becoming a teacher. Originally focused solely on her desire to become a mom, Kidd, who is now the intermediate grades multi-age teacher at the Tacoma campus, said she can’t imagine anything else for her life, and said this year as a teacher is the best year of her career so far. “I grew up in the church helping out with Sunday School, and to be honest, college was never in my plan,” she explained. “However people at church started seeing the gift of teaching within me and started to speak that truth into me. Eventually, as high school graduation neared, the same people started to encourage me toward college. I decided to go, even though my ultimate goal was to still be a mom. I found my way and decided to study education. It is awesome to look back and see how God used them to speak His truth into me.” Kidd, now a mom of two Cascade Christian graduates, Jeremy, Class of 2011, and Kabrina, Class of 2013, started her teaching career at a small private school. She then moved to a public school before she and her family realized something was missing: Christ. Kidd explained that her time teaching in Christian education was her calling all along and eventually she found her way to Cascade Christian. She taught nine years at the intermediate level at the CCS Puyallup Elementary campus before her husband’s job as a pastor called them away for the 2013-2014 school year. They moved south to the Washington border, where Kidd taught at the Mill A School District #31. Her classroom there was a multi-age class of fourteen students spanning 4th through 8th grades. “Last year it was so hard to be away from Cascade Christian,” she said. “Every year I love how CCS begins the school year.

The first in-service always begins with worship and the year I wasn’t here I missed it terribly. I remember driving down the road and thinking all my friends at CCS were in worship, and I missed that. At that moment, God blessed me with an amazing rainbow in the Columbia River Gorge. So I had my own worship session.” “I had grown so accustomed to Cascade Christian’s Biblical Worldview Integration that while I was at Mill A (a public school), I found it difficult to not talk to my students about God,” Kidd said. “That is a huge part of who I am as a teacher. I believe in teaching my students about regular classroom things as well as teaching them about God. I want to help them become who they have been made by God to be. Much like my former church leaders spoke truth into me, I want to do that for my students.” Having worked at CCS for more than ten years, Kidd said she has been blessed beyond measure at who the Lord has put along her path to become the teacher she is today. “A few weeks ago, I was walking past a conference room and there was an administration meeting taking place,” she said. “Sitting inside were my current Principal Tina deVries, as well as my Principal from Puyallup Elementary Terry Broberg, along with former Principal Joyce Blum and Assistant Superintendent Mary Severeid. There, in one room, were all my former bosses from the past decade of my life and I began to reflect on the impact they have had on me.” Kidd said the amount of growth and support they have offered to her over the years is something she cherishes. “They believed in me, again, much like the people who encouraged me to teach,” she continued. “I truly love teaching at CCS. I fully believe in the mission statement and purpose behind everything we do. We are completely committed to raising strong Christian leaders. I love being part of that process.”

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ELEMENTARY

Multi-age Classrooms: How do they work? Kelly Kidd is currently the intermediate (4th through 6th grade) multi-age classroom teacher at the Cascade Christian Tacoma Campus. She’s thankful that her time at Mill A School District #31 helped lay the ground work for how her current multi-age classroom works. She currently has twelve students in her class.

with teaching multiple ages which allows her to differentiate and individualize instruction in ways that motivate student success.

all really engaged and collaborated to solve a problem. We have little successes every day, but it’s fun to see them gel so well together.”

Kidd’s classroom runs like a welloiled machine and she stresses the importance of routines and expectations.

As Kidd sees it, her students are getting a jump on real-life experiences.

“We are a family in this room and each of my students has a huge amount of responsibility they juggle,” she said. “It would be easy for me to give them classroom tasks like line leader and door holder, but they are capable of more. Our class jobs are extremely intentional.”

Harveson said she can understand the initial skepticism of a multi-age classroom but said doubts are often erased when parents see their child’s progress.

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Our classroom is more reflective of life, with a variety of students at various ages learning from each other.

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“A typical classroom set-up is a group of students at the same age working and learning together,” she explained, “and it might be expected that a younger student would be in awe of an older student and that an older student might snub a younger student.” “However, our classroom is more reflective of life, with a variety of students at various ages learning from each other. My students are ready for the challenge, and often a younger student will overhear the work a 6th grade student is doing and will jump into the conversation.” “If you think about it, school is the last time a student is ever in a situation where everyone they work with is the same age,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for them to work collaboratively with students that are of different ages and experiences.” According to Principal Tina deVries, Kidd brings passion and experience

With jobs like custodians, bankers, librarians and job foreman, every student has a position. Kidd even requires a job application, complete with references, to be filled out once a month as students apply for jobs they would like to have.

“Parents are delighted to see how their children are successful and are becoming dynamic 21st century learners,” she said. “There are so many joys of teaching a class like this. There are so many different dynamics happening all at once. It’s challenging, but joyful.”

(Continued on Page 15)

Kidd said she formatted a few of the ideas for her classroom model off of a fellow CCS multiage classroom teacher at the Fredrickson campus, Carrie Bailey. At the Fredrickson campus there are two multi-age teachers. Bailey co-teaches with Shannan Harveson at the intermediate level. Harveson is the ELA and Social Studies specialist, while Bailey is the Science and Math specialist. Together they have 29 students in their multi-age classrooms. Harveson agreed with Kidd that one of the advantages of the multi-age classroom concept is in the way the older students influence the younger ones in a positive way. “Everyone can work at their own pace and level,” Harveson explained. “Carrie did a fun science project before Christmas vacation where the students had to engineer a Christmas stocking out of construction paper. They were

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ELEMENTARY

iPad Use in the Classroom By Kelly Kidd

Though I did teach multi-age last year at the Mill A school without iPads, I do feel they (and digital tools like them) are essential to a 21st Century classroom. One of our student classroom jobs is “Techie” This person, among other things, is responsible to make sure all iPads are back in the cart on their chargers at the end of each day. Each student puts their own iPad away, but the Techie follows up and takes care of those forgotten, or reminds stragglers.

• Students watch and do “Think Central” lessons on them. Usually this is before I teach a lesson to their group. This gives them a chance to get acquainted with the concept so that we can move more easily through the lesson. • Students take Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes on iPads. • Students use the YouVersion Bible app during Bible class. Sometimes I require them to use an actual Bible, but they like the iPad version too. • We have also done some looking at multiple translations of the Bible, as well as Bible study tools, like the search tool and commentaries. • We have started doing some research on the iPads using the newly purchased Worldbookonline. • Students use dictionary. com for spelling, definition, and pronunciation help.

What we do with the iPads: • Students have the option to use iPads for spelling/vocabulary activities as part of their “Daily 3.” • Students take their weekly spelling test on their iPads on spellingcity. com. That way I’m not using class time to read multiple spelling lists for a test. The program grades and reports to my computer. I just transfer the grades into my gradebook. • Students do IXL math activities. We use their MAP scores to specifically select which activities will help them in their needed growth area.

waiting for a wireless printer to make it easier to print essays, and ideally we would have keyboards to go with the iPads so that they can practice their keyboarding skills. • I put my daily morning instructions on the Apple TV with my iPad. • I use Renweb for attendance and sometimes the grade book.

• Students look up their Class Dojo account to see their positive and negative “dojo points” (behavior).

• I send real time info and pictures to parents using the iPad and Class Dojo (parents love this!).

• Students use a handwriting app and styluses to practice cursive letters, before working on paper. I show the app on AppleTV for instruction.

• I take lots of pictures which I use in my newsletter.

• Students have typed essays and taken notes on the iPad. We are

• I teach math lessons by putting the student page into Notability and putting it on the AppleTV. I can write on the iPad with my stylus as students follow along in their student book (page looks exactly the same). • I or my TA use the iPad to give Class Dojo points during class discussions for participation, as well as the occasional corrective reminders to be on task, not shout out, etc.

There is so much more we could and probably will do with the iPads! So engaging! And like I said, they are so essential to the multi-age setting.

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STEM AT CCS

Junior High Students Thrive in New Automation and Robotics Class At Cascade Christian Junior High, 21st Century learners are thriving in Rhonda Schimon’s Gateway Automation and Robotics class. An elective open to 7th and 8th grade students, Automation and Robotics is one of several classes designed for Junior High students through Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization which provides K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. Currently, PLTW offers programs to more than 6,500 elementary, junior high, and high schools in all 50 states – including Cascade Christian Junior High. While Math and Science are typically taught separately, PLTW focuses on project-based learning, which gives students a chance to apply what they know, identify a problem, find creative solutions, and drive their own learning. This is not a question-and-answer learning environment, it is designed to help students develop necessary 21st Century skills to succeed in their future careers.

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We not only want our students to be prepared to be 21st century Christian leaders, but to be trailblazers and innovators who make this world a better place, all for God’s glory!

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“Project Lead the Way is an amazing curriculum that teaches inquirybased, hands-on STEM learning to students who will grow into the leaders of the 21st century,” Schimon explained. “I am excited to see how God uses this program to bless our students.” Schimon said she is really enjoying teaching the class and watching the students apply all the challenging academic skill sets to build functional and unique engineered robots. “I am proud of their growth, engagement and achievements this semester,” she said. “Many struggled with the learning curve at first, but now are fully engaged in designing, building, programming and adjusting their robots to meet specific criteria.” Schimon said her classroom environment is full of excitement as they are completing projects such as programmed race cars, pingpong ball shooters, lighted intersections, toll gates, bridges, and spinning store signs. In the coming weeks and months, she said they will design, engineer, build and program freight elevators, factory pick-and-place cranes, chairs that go up stairs, and an assembly line, among other projects.

According to Junior High Principal Dr. Glenna Frederick, Schimon’s class is a robust and rigorous hands-on application class that introduces the students of CCS to aspects of engineering. “Our students are modeling real life collaboration, creativity and critical thinking skills,” Frederick explained. “The energy in the classroom is electric, especially when the students have successfully designed, created, and implemented a project from start to finish. Every time they finish a project, they come to the office and share their projects with pride and know-how, amazing whoever is in the audience!” Watching the junior high students thrive and excel academically is something Frederick said brings her great joy. She explained that everything CCS does academically originates from the CCS purpose and mission statements. “We desire to give them the best education possible because we want them to impact our world for Christ through their passions and God-given talent,” she said. “We not only want our students to be prepared to be 21st century Christian leaders, but to be trailblazers and innovators who make this world a better place, all for God’s glory!” “Using the same advanced software and tools as those used by the world’s leading companies, our students learn how to apply STEM into their everyday lives and, in turn, discover abilities and interests they did now know they had,” Frederick continued. “The nature of the STEM program challenges our students to think and imagine outside the box, now and in terms of their potential.” Frederick attributes a huge part of the success of the class to Schimon. “Not only does Rhonda bring a Master’s degree in Science and Technology to the table, but she is a change agent and very adaptable,” Frederick said. “She has a passion for learning and for junior high students, and is playful enough to engage our students in the fun aspect of hands-on application. She is flexible and adjusts to students’ needs and desires on a daily basis.”

During the course, students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.

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ATHLETICS

It’s Not All About the Championship Ask any member of the 2014 WIAA State Championship Football team from Cascade Christian, and they will tell you this year’s victory didn’t start in August when practices began for the 2014 season; it started the moment the season ended in 2013. According to Senior Quarterback Jaelin Goldsmith, “After last year’s loss to Mount Baker in the playoffs we were walking off the field and I looked at Damon (Davis), and without a word we just knew we had to get back to the same spot. Nothing speaks harder than losing.” Davis, also a Senior, said the team’s road back to the championship game started just forty-eight hours after the Mount Baker loss. “The game was on a Saturday, and by Monday morning at 6 a.m. we hit the weight room as a team - and that was where it started,” Davis said.”When you get right down to it, we sacrificed for each other. We were there for each other, and we care about each other to the point we hold our brothers accountable for everything.” “This team means everything to me,” Davis said. A CCS student since he was in the 5th

grade, Davis added, “These are the guys I go to when I need help or someone to talk to. There is a brotherhood that comes with family and these guys are my football family.” Both Goldsmith and Davis added that another thing that makes this team unique is that the attitude of “championship” the team carried with them wasn’t just on the field, it was off the field as well. It began with how they acted at the beginning of the year football camp, and leaving it “cleaner than they found it,” to how they carried themselves in school and in public, they have always held themselves to a higher standard. “There is something to be said for going through the things we have been through with these guys,” Goldsmith said. “We worked hard and made this commitment to ourselves. We put off a lot of personal things to give football and our brotherhood everything we had.” Davis agreed. “Everything we put in to football, we got out of it,” he explained. “Football at Cascade Christian takes an average person and transforms them. You learn how to sacrifice for the good of the team and how to value that relationship as the bottom line. It has been the ultimate lesson in sacrificing for the good of someone else.” That dedication and surrendering of each team member is best summed up by one word: love. “When you see the expression on the face and the look in the eyes of a teammate who is working hard, then you know they are 100% committed,” Davis said. “It makes you want to

work just as hard if not harder. Everyone knows what the ultimate goal is and we are each working toward that goal.” Echoing those sentiments, Goldsmith added, “From the coaches and the team dinners, to Virgil driving the bus, I am proud of this team and the love we have for each other.” “Love makes a person strong,” he said. “Love never fails. A team with that is unstoppable, and that showed in the love the school has for us and the love we have for our school.” Fellow Senior Riley Ramos couldn’t agree more. “Winning this championship was great, I am not going to say it wasn’t,” he said smiling. “But my big take-away from this season is more about the memories and friendships made (which will last) long after we graduate.” The foundation of a strong relationship with their teammates was also reflective of their strong relationship with the Lord, said Goldsmith. He said he values his private time with God and always tries to make that an important part of his day. “After we have graduated, my big takeaway will always be the journey,” Goldsmith said. “You always hear that high school flies by, and sometimes it is easy to forget the stuff we have been through, but I am not going to forget the ride that God has blessed us with.” While Coach Randy Davis is proud of his 13-0 record and championship team of forty-four young men, he is more gratified with the life lessons they are taking away from the hard work itself. Coach Davis, the head coach for Cougar Football since 2004, said being part of a brotherhood is not something the young men he coaches take lightly.

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ATHLETICS

“We are built on a foundation of Mark 10:43-45,” he said. “We believe in being a servant to others. You have to sacrifice the ‘me for the we.’ Our success comes from the love we have for each other. We may not have the biggest school, but we do have the buy-in from every single player on the team. Our boys are great kids, from great families, and they are disciplined in what being a Christian is all about and try their hardest to live what Jesus taught.” He said his players are aware of the ministry opportunity they have every time they put on a uniform. “People often hold them to a higher standard because they have the name Cascade Christian on their uniform with a picture of a cross,” he said. “They are aware that one tiny mistake can result in them be viewed as a hypocrite. They understand they represent their family and the school when they go out there. Their love for Jesus is massive, but if they hit someone on the field, they are the first one to ask if they can help their opponent up.” Speaking to the leadership of this year’s team, Coach Davis added, the Seniors this year were of an extraordinary caliber. “To watch these players come in as 14-year-old boys and now leave as 18-yearold men is astounding,” he said. “They try to live their life by the motto ‘Do the right thing’ and from who they are as players

and as young men, it shows. I couldn’t be prouder.” While he is proud of their undefeated season, he, like the players, said it is the memories he will cherish the most. “As these boys grow older, they will not remember every win and loss, but it is the brotherhood and those memories that will always be strong,” Coach Davis said. “The memories, fun times, and friendships made on this team won’t fade.”

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EXTENDED SCHOOL

Tacoma Extended School Program Expands the Reach of CCS Edwin Rodriguez is in his second year as CCS Tacoma Campus Extended School Site Director. And to him, it is more than a job; it is a major source of joy and fulfillment.

Rodriguez further explained that no matter the school the child spends the day at, when they are at CCS, they are all part of one big Cougar family.

Rodriguez and his staff of six are responsible for the care and education of students enrolled in the Extended School Program before and after school. This year alone, the number of enrolled students, 76, has more than doubled from the previous year and, according to Rodriguez, he is right on track in reaching his five-year goals.

“When they are here, we stress the same things before and after school that our current Cascade Christian students learn about during school, the 3 R’s of Respect, Relationship, and Responsibility,” he said. “We do devotions with them and really just try to show them God’s love.”

“When I was hired, our first-year goal was to increase the participation in our programs,” he said. “So that was what we set out to do. Now, in my second year, our goal has been to increase the quality of the programs we offer. Last year there were two programs, this year we are offering seven.” His approach is entirely personal and he believes that particular touch is the reason the Cougar Club and Cougar Academy have grown significantly. Rodriguez values communication with the parents and said his busy days are often filled with emails and calls to parents to keep them informed about upcoming events, as well as tough situations that may occur throughout the day. “It is our job to partner with parents,” he explained. “Parents can’t be involved if they aren’t communicated with. We want them to know that we are here for them to support them and, if needed, to pray with them. Whenever it comes to a child, the decision we make is always based on what is in the best interest of the child.” The Tacoma Campus Extended Day Program is a mix of current Cascade Christian students and a few from neighboring public schools. It is those students Rodriguez fondly looks at as “future CCS students.” Currently the mix of 76 students enrolled this year has 50 from Cascade Christian and 26 from the community. “One of the things I love the most is seeing the changes in our community kids,” he said. “Often, these children come to us with no knowledge about God, and we are able to share God with them and to teach them how to pray, how to be a leader, and how to read the Bible. It is an awesome responsibility.”

“The team I work with is amazing and are truly the reason our program is thriving,” he said. “The staff truly loves working with children, no matter where that child is at good day or bad day. They are willing to get on the ground and play with them and to make those connections. They are building relationships. There are many times the staff is aware of personal struggles the family is facing and they know these things because of the relationships being built here.” That knowledge, Rodriguez said, enables the family atmosphere to continue where everyone is there to support and encourage one another. According to Janina Patterson, Rodriguez’s assistant, “It’s amazing how he works. He has great ideas for changing things and you can tell he really does it with the kids in mind.” “He wants them to not only have fun, but to have fun while showing their God-given talents, to teach them the love of Jesus,” she said. “He has patience and takes the time to talk with the kids. They truly love him.” On December 5, in an effort to continue to build even more relationships, the Cougar community held a movie and award night for all current Extended Day students and previous summer camp students and their families. More than 100 people attended the evening event and every child who attended received an award. Tacoma Elementary Campus Principal Tina deVries said the event was a huge success for the Tacoma Cascade Christian community as a whole. “I continue to be inspired by our Extended School program at the CCS Tacoma Elementary,” she stated. “It is a true ministry to CCS and community students - as an extension of the home - before and after school hours. Our community kids and parents experience a loving and safe place that provides a balance of fun physical, social and academic opportunities through the various enrichment classes.” CCS Director of Extended School, Kristin Hannus agreed. “Edwin builds community amazingly, and his love for the

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EXTENDED SCHOOL

Lord and for the kids is a perfect fit,” she said. “During the movie and award night, to watch every child receive an award was something to cherish. There was a huge sense of belonging. Those kids were and are a huge part of our CCS family.” Rodriguez said the night was dedicated to celebrating the great kids and parents he and his staff interact with every day, but the comments after were what surprised him. “So many people came up to us and said, ‘You have no idea what this means to me, my child has never won an award before,’” he said. Rodriguez explained that the event was rewarding beyond expectation. “It helped us see that our daily work in the lives of these children is not in vain,” he said. “We were able to give back to the families who daily give their children over to us. I pray this program keeps growing.” All CCS elementary campuses provide caring, quality before and after school programming through their Cougar Club Extended School Program and their Cougar Academy enrichment club opportunities. Go to cascadechristian.org and click on “Our Schools” for more information.

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ELEMENTARY

McAlder Campus Expands to K-6 When the 2015-2016 school year starts in September, parents of elementary-age students will have an additional Cascade Christian elementary school option from which to choose. McAlder Campus opened in the Fall of 2014 with Preschool and Kindergarten. As CCS looks forward to the coming school year, the campus will accommodate students through sixth grade. Located in the Sumner Valley, the 36,000 square foot building, situated on more than ten acres, has eighteen classrooms and a capacity to serve more than 400 students. It makes CCS more accessible to families with students in the Sumner, Orting, and Bonney Lake areas. Recently, Joyce Blum has been named the principal at McAlder for the upcoming school year.

Blum, who serves as the Director of Student Learning, has been a part of the CCS staff for more than twenty years, and has held several different positions in her time with CCS including teacher, principal of the Puyallup Elementary Campus and principal of the Junior High School. “Joyce knows our CCS culture through and through, and she knows where we are going in the future with 21st century education,” said CCS Superintendent Don Johnson. “What a blessing to have such a leader for our students and families at McAlder.” Johnson explained that the decision the CCS Board of Directors made, to open McAlder to include students through grade 6, is an exciting opportunity for the families in our community, as well as a, “grand step of faith that was very appropriate for our families as they come into the school.” Johnson said CCS’s move at McAlder, from Preschool and Kindergarten this year to K-6 next year, presents families, both current and new, with more enrollment options. “Not all families

come in at the obvious grade-level transitions,” he commented. “So, by having K-6, we are giving our families more options right away. The move to K-6 next year demonstrates our commitment to the future of CCS in the Bonney Lake, Sumner, and Orting area.” McAlder was purchased from the Sumner School District in August 2013 and is a prime example of following the District’s “Be Strong and Courageous” spiritual theme for the year, taken from Joshua 1:9. According to Blum, with the McAlder expansion, CCS is demonstrating the theme by going boldly forward and not being timid. Owning this school facility versus leasing the school will have many benefits to all of CCS over time.

“God has provided this campus, and by opening it up for all elementary grades we are allowing parents to find the best fit for their family,” she said. While certain details about what the 2015-2016 school year will look like for McAlder have yet to be determined, Blum said one thing is a definite: McAlder will be a direct reflection of what 21st century education looks like. “Many things have changed over the years in education,” Blum said. “I am looking for teachers who embody the 21st century teaching philosophy. They will understand small group instruction,

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McAlder will be a direct reflection of what a 21st century education looks like.

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ELEMENTARY

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The current students and families at McAlder have been wonderful pioneers for the school, and next year I look forward to building on the foundation that is there.

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they will know how to differentiate their instruction, and they will have a solid grasp on digital resources available to them and their students.” While enrollment numbers have not yet been determined, Blum said McAlder has a strong possibility of opening as a multi-age classroom facility. A multi-age classroom is a combination of students around a similar development time period that are placed in a classroom together.

trying to accomplish. It is an awesome opportunity to design this location the way we want to see it in the future.” “Building the right momentum as we go forward is key,” she said. “Next year will be built off of the great success we have had this year, and our parents are our biggest advocates. The current students and families at McAlder have been wonderful pioneers for the school, and next year I look forward to building on the foundation that is there.” Over the next few months, as continuous and new enrollment numbers come in, Blum said they will determine how to staff the school, with the focus being on team: “Our school, our kids.”

Blum can look back over her life and her career in education and see God’s hand at work, and for that she is thankful. She said she has learned many things throughout her various roles, and views this situation as an opportunity to serve God with all He has taught her. Photos above: An afternoon in McAlder’s Kindergarten class… reading, learning about community workers and lessons on metamorphosis, including growing butterflies on their iPads.

“The teachers at McAlder Campus will be able to adjust and break down information as needed by their students,” Blum said, “and they will be able to run their small group instruction based on their students’ needs.” Looking forward to next year, Blum is excited about the opportunity. “Having been a part of CCS as long as I have, I am truly looking forward to the fresh start this campus provides,” she said. “I know where we are going as an organization, and I know what we are

Joyce Blum 2015/16 McAlder Principal

Dana Nuber Campus Enrollment Manager

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CREATIVE ARTS

this awesome class the first thing every day, and to have a great time singing with great people.” According to Taylor Merrival, one of the benefits of becoming a Vox member is that he can apply it outside of choir to other musical endeavors.

The Rise of Vox For Cascade Christian High School band and choir director Drew Minaker, his new choral class, Vox, has exceeded his expectations. Designed with a “come one, come all” attitude, Vox is a class open to any CCS high school student with musical interest, not necessarily any trained ability. First semester saw 28 students enrolled this year. In his interactions with students last year, Minaker noticed there were students who were possibly interested in Choir, but had not had any formal training or previous choir experience. CCS already had formal choral classes such as Shades of Blue and Concert Choir, but as he evaluated the choral program in its entirety, there was not a beginning option for interested students; hence, Vox was created. “Vox is a class where everyone is welcome,” Minaker said. “It is a class that affords students the chance to explore their musical gifting. If they hadn’t felt encouraged to join choir before, Vox is a class where they have fun using their voice and an opportunity to learn music along the way.” After initial interest meetings last year, Minaker retained nearly all who attended those meetings, and said a class like Vox has been an amazing blessing to watch come to fruition. He said it was a miracle to have the student interest in an idea like Vox, but to see those potential new students follow through with the commitment has been inspiring. The biggest challenge when the school year started, Minaker said, was getting

the students to realize their potential. The class is comprised of a melting pot of students from a variety of backgrounds and interests. “In the beginning, there were some students who needed a lot of encouragement to sing out loud and let their voice be heard,” he explained. “However, I initially structured the class as a team atmosphere, and it was wonderful to see those who were possibly more comfortable raising their voice for the Lord coming alongside those who might be more timid. This class is full of students who are living out our District theme of the year, to be strong and courageous.” Minaker said one of the highlights of his job is hearing the students humming or singing the songs from class as they walk down the hall hours after class has ended. “We have gone from a group so new that they were not yet able to sing a four-part harmony to being a group by Christmastime that sang Carol of the Bells this past December,” he said. “We have also worked on their ability to connect to the music. When they get to that level, then they are able to communicate with their audience.” Minaker beams with pride when talking about his first-period Vox students. He said they have grown together personally despite the range in ages, freshmen through seniors. Everyone has something they bring to the table when they rehearse. He said they have grown from a very apprehensive group to a very confident choral group. “I enjoy having the opportunity every morning to express myself with the voice God gave me, in a room full of great friends,” said Vox member Ryan Grube. “It gives kids like us a safe place to just be ourselves. It is truly a blessing to have

“I have learned my vocal ability and what I can do with it,” he said. “I have also been able to apply the lessons learned in Vox to learn many different instruments.” However, for new CCS student Olivia Duppenthaler, her participation in Vox was intended to mix her love of singing with her desire to meet other students with the same interest and joy. Duppenthaler has recently been accepted to sing with the WMEA All-State Symphonic Choir, which is an auditiononly honor group that performs at the All-Northwest music teacher conference in Spokane (NAfME conference). “Vox is a great way to start the day,” she said. “I’ve participated in many choirs ranging from the school level to the national level, so when I transferred to Cascade Christian, I was naturally very excited to join Vox and to meet others who share my passion for music.” “This class, as with my past choral experiences, has again taught me the value of music as a universal language; choir brings together students from all backgrounds through one common effort to create something beautiful for others to enjoy,” she continued. “Music education brings joy and equips students to contribute thoughtfully and informatively to the world around them. I feel that music is vital to a rich and diverse education, so Cascade Christian’s inclusion of the arts in their course offerings further enhances the value of their college preparatory instruction.” “This class is an amazing way to start my day,” Minaker states. “They have such energy and excitement and they make it easy to be their teacher. To watch them have such great success after it took us weeks of learning about ourselves and each other, well, honestly it makes me grin like a little kid. I am beaming because of their true success.”

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CREATIVE ARTS

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HIGH SCHOOL

CCHS is the Right Place for the Laniers New to Cascade Christian this school year is the Lanier family. Tony and Heidi Lanier and their son Leighton (a sophomore at CCHS) are only part-way through their first year of being Cascade Christian Cougars, but say they feel like they have been here for years. Coming from a private Christian school in the area, the Laniers knew they valued Christian education and took advantage of the opportunity for Leighton to shadow a fellow student to experience what a day at Cascade Christian is like. “When Leighton walked out from shadowing another student that day, my husband picked him up and said Leighton was smiling ear to ear, and told my husband as soon as he got in the car he wanted to go here,” Heidi said. “His joy that day was the ultimate confirmation that enrolling at CCS was the right move for us.” Since transferring to CCS, the Laniers, who also have an older daughter, Olivia, who is in college in Iowa, have found a very inclusive environment and are excited for the upcoming Impact Term trips planned for the spring. Heidi said she and her husband feel it is a great opportunity for their son to serve, knowing he will “get a lot out of it.” “We have been so impressed with the communicative nature of the school,” she explained. “The parents here are very

Multi-age Classrooms Continued… Another advantage of the multi-age classroom at CCS is that the students are set up with one-to-one devices. Each student has an iPad that is used for a variety of applications including spelling tests, spelling work, research for various projects, vocabulary, IXL math programs, language programs, and book reports through a variety of apps (Puppetpals, Educreations, etc). Kelly Kidd said the use of iPads in her class has been essential for her students to maximize their learning. Mrs. deVries added that they have been

friendly and we have been excited about seeing both parents involved and helping in one way or another. That is a huge influence on our students. My husband has also noticed the high number of dads that are involved here.” Heidi said a major thing she and her husband have loved since coming to Cascade Christian is the ultimate focus on God in the classroom. “Too often, a Christian school is Christian in name alone,” she added. “But everyone here really loves the Lord and they really mean it when they say a biblical worldview from Christ’s perspective. The question of what our values are, is always brought back to the Bible every time.”

part in and experience a conference that involved every student and was covered in prayer.

Heidi said it brings her and Tony’s hearts peace to know that their son is in an environment where he can grow to be a godly young man. She said they “know Cascade is the kind of school that will help foster Leighton’s spiritual growth and encourage him to be a light for the world. We pray he always looks to the Lord for guidance first.”

“What really got my attention was how, here at Cascade, the worship that started the conference was honest and genuine,” Leighton said. “It involved everyone, was student-led, and then we all prayed as a student body. It was pretty awesome.”

At the beginning of the school year, the High School Leadership conference, according to the Laniers, really set the tone for Leighton’s start to a new school. She explained how they saw that event really unite the CCS students, and could see the benefits for their son to be able to take

blessed to have the opportunity to pilot a one-to-one iPad program in Kidd’s class, as well as at the Fredrickson campus, which engages the students in the learning process in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. “Mrs. Kidd is one who loves to learn new things and disciplines herself to research, experiment, and practice so that she can stay a step ahead of her students,” deVries explained. “This use of technology, partnered with Apple TV, maximizes time and resources and enables students to work in small groups or individually to learn in a variety of ways such as researching, peer teaching, group projects, and

Leighton said the conference made a lasting impression on him as he transitioned in as a new student.

Leighton said he has found the classes challenging and, athletically, was excited to make the Varsity Basketball team this year. “Everybody has been so welcoming that when I started going here I felt like I wasn’t the new kid,” Leighton added. “I completely feel like this is the right place for me to be.”

presentations. Mrs. Kidd strives daily to integrate the use of 21st Century skills through designing instruction that fosters a collaborative experience, motivates critical thinking, and enables students to interact through communication and problem solving.” For Kidd, the focus on the multi-age classroom this year has made it her “favorite year teaching yet.” “I know I am in the right place and making a difference when I see my students latch on to concepts they may have previously struggled with,” she said. “I get up and I am so excited about going to school!”

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ALUMNI

Building on a Foundation and a Trust in God What originally started as an activity to help her strengthen her back and core muscles has now evolved into a career for Brittany Splinter. The 2009 Cascade Christian graduate was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, when she was a child. To help her overcome the physical challenges she faced, Splinter’s parents enrolled her in ballet. Looking back, she can credit her love of dance for teaching her life-long lessons on and off the dance floor. “It did help me with my posture and gaining strength,” she explained. “However, in the bigger picture, there was more to it. I also learned time management, focus, and discipline.” She danced throughout her high school years, but by the time she decided to attend Western Washington University in the fall of 2009, she thought her days of formal dance were behind her. “I thought I was going to be a Science major and earn a minor in dance,” she said. “I had given up dance as a career my freshman year of college, but knew Western had an incredible dance program and figured I could minor in it.” However, looking back, Splinter said she can see God directing her steps literally and physically during that year. She had a ballet instructor who kept encouraging her to pursue dance as a major and as Splinter put it, “wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

The more Splinter heeded the advice of that instructor, the more doors began to open up. “I honestly had been struggling for so long with the idea of pursuing dance in college that when my instructor kept encouraging me to make it my major, I basically thought I better give this to God and trust Him,” she said. “Then the next thing I knew, obstacles were removed, and I graduated the summer of 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.” She has had opportunity to train with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Company in San Francisco, California, and Liz Gerring Dance Company in New York City.

examine what the world says.” Another English teacher, Janine Lawrence, also had a profound impact on Splinter. “She really had an impact on forming my worldview, in learning how to critically read literature from a strong biblical standpoint,” Splinter added. The foundation she gained at Cascade Christian continues to help her today. “I have seen big doors open, and I have also faced a lot of difficult times where I might not make it as far in an audition as I’d like to,” Splinter said. “I am trusting that God got me here and I’ll ultimately end up in the right place. If I didn’t get a certain job, I believe it is because it might not be a right spiritual fit for me.” Living far from home, Splinter said she has been blessed with great Christian friends who help keep things in perspective, as many of them are dancers also.

Splinter currently lives in New York and said chasing her dream is a constant journey in faith building. She explained that she can daily see God providing for, and taking care of, her needs. “There are so many dance jobs that ultimately fizzle out, and then I’ll be blessed with an out-of-the-blue job that will meet my needs for the moment,” she said. “It’s crazy!” But her walk of faith was also strengthened by her time at Cascade Christian. Former Cascade Christian teacher Mr. Clevenger instilled in Splinter the idea of how to make her faith her own. “He taught me to really dig into what do I believe and why do I believe it,” she remembers. Then Mandy Curry, who taught English when Splinter was a Senior, facilitated a discussion-based, Christ-centered class. “She was amazing,” Splinter said. “Our discussions in there went way beyond the normal reading comprehension questions. We would look at what the books we were reading said, analyze how that compares with what God says, and then we would

“They are a wonderful group of people,” she said. “They understand the struggle of Christianity, especially in a world where Christianity is often perceived as a negative attribute. We help each other avoid getting sucked into the negativity of life.” “You have to keep going and if you are having a hard time, put your head down and search for God,” she said. “Glorify Him in every different circumstance and never give up. “It can be a struggle to stay true to yourself,” she continued. “But at the end of the day you have your family and your faith, everything else fades away.”

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CASCADE FUND

Cascade Christian Families, thank you

for living a giving life!

You were on your gameâ&#x20AC;Ś so they could be on their game:

148 golfers raised $28k in the Cougar Classic in a show of support for student athletes. You were on your phoneâ&#x20AC;Ś as callers and givers, so more students could stay at CCS during times of financial uncertainty:

431 CCS families and friends gave over $42k in the phone-a-thon to help over 20 students get to stay at the school they love. Over 80 volunteers made this possible.

Save the date! 1st Annual Arts Dinner Saturday, May 30, 2015

You and over 600 other families have already given this school year to make a difference for students when they need it most. On behalf of all the students of Cascade Christian, giving and being the difference for them!

thank you for

You Are Invited...

to impact a generation.

Saturday, March 28, 2015 at The Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma Auction proceeds benefit CCS students with tuition assistance and stronger schools

buy your tickets at CascadeChristian.org

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BUSINESS PARTNERS

Thank you to our 2014-15 Business Partners! More than 30 students will get to stay at CCS because of your generosity.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in supporting Cascade Christian Schools by becoming a 2014-15 Business Partner, please call 253-841-1776.

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NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID TEKS SERVICES

District Office 815 21st Street SE Puyallup, WA 98372 253-841-1776

See us on the web! CascadeChristian.org

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