Principal's Update
May 1, 2020 - Remote Learning Newsletter #7
Below are resources and information regarding NCCS Emergency Instructional Plan
Saints Community,
Thank you for reading through this newsletter to the end. It is our desire to keep everyone informed and connected to the NCCS community.
Caring for our Families
We have such an incredible family community at North Clackamas Christian School. I hear stories of how you are looking out for one another, offering to support those in need in various ways, including a desire to provide financial assistance for those in our school who now are finding themselves uncertain about paying tuition for next year. We want to help facilitate tuition assistance through two efforts.
We are reopening our financial aid process, and working with families who demonstrate a need due to the economic situation created from the Covid-19 pandemic. Look for a message coming soon from Emily Clark, Business Office Manager.
Financial Need Scholarships: We are looking to support families in our school community that may be financially impacted by the current Covid-19 situation. It is our goal to be able to offer financial need based support to those families, that might otherwise not be able to cover the full cost of tuition for the 2020-21 school year. Donations to this fund will allow us to go above and beyond our normal financial aid budget, as we recognize additional needs due to this unprecedented time. To make a donation, please go to our website to see this opportunity featured.
Additionally, there are families with young children who will be going back to work soon, or are continuing to work from home, and need childcare. If you, your high school student, or someone you know, are needing care or are interested in providing childcare to these families during this time, we suggest that you post this on the NCCS Parent Teacher Fellowship Facebook page This can be a wonderful way to be a blessing and grow relationships within our school. Families are connected and the word will get out if there is a need, please do not hesitate to share your childcare needs on this page.
Blessings,
Mrs. James
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8
It's time to show appreciation to our talented and dedicated teachers. We hope that you all choose to share in the celebration of these incredible professionals who love your kids and who enthusiastically serve us each day.
PLEASE JOIN US ON CAMPUS FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1-2 PM, FOR A TEACHER APPRECIATION PARADE!!!
Drive your car through the parking lot loop and show your appreciation to our teachers. Feel free to make signs, handwritten notes or other tokens of your gratitude. If you aren't able to make it, maybe send an email or give a shout out on our Facebook page. These partners in education have done an incredible job to pivot into remote learning with little notice, while continuing to develop Christ followers and the next generations of leaders each day.
THANK YOU TEACHERS, WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!
National Day of Prayer, May 7
The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning." - NDP Website
For complete details on this event, go to the National Day of Prayer website. Additionally, this week's chapel will have a focus on prayer.
Still all my song shall be nearer my God To Thee!
One by one alone in their rooms their hearts and voices have come through. I am so incredibly encouraged by these amazing young people. They have given my heart wings. They are still able to live out our purpose and reach the goals these kids set for themselves last August.
Excelsior Goals:
1. Have unity of purpose.
2. Share our faith on and off the stage.
3. Focus now so our work matters later.
4. Leave it all on the stage baby!
Eight months ago when we set our goals we could not have imagined a stage like this but I truly believe that you can hear our hearts and voices clearly now..."Still all my song shall be nearer my God To Thee! Excelsior!" Here is a portion of the Latin translation: “At the moment of death my strength comes from you. God helping nothing should be feared." "Excelsior" means "ever upward."
This is our earnest prayer. May our lives and unified voices encourage your heart along with ours, come what may, to move ever upward to be nearer to Him.
Excelsior!
Rebecca Steele
*Huge thanks again to Kelly and Geoff for their technical expertise. We are so blessed.
2020 Society Meeting and Board Elections
The NCCS Board is sending out a message providing details regarding our Spring Society Meeting, including details regarding Board candidates and instructions for online voting. Due to the ongoing social distancing protective measures, the Society meeting will be held in cyberspace through Google Meet (LINK) on Monday, May 11, at 6:30 pm. If you have questions or need assistance in this process, please contact Board officers Matt Hixson or Mark VanSickle.
Best regards,
NCCS Board of Directors
Recognizing Our 2020 Graduates
Grad Spotlight: Hadden Stark
My name is Hadden and I’ve been going to NCCS for 15 years (or basically my whole life). Over the years, there hasn’t been a single activity that I haven’t done, except for cross country (sorry cross country). Each year, I participate in basketball, baseball, soccer, the play, choir, Excelsior, Quartets, and ASB Leadership opportunities. My favorite subjects to study usually center around science. I also like Mrs. Mee’s (English) class because she’s the best.
One of my favorite verses that I can really relate to is 1 Peter 4:10-11 that says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
After high school, I plan to attend community college for undergraduate studies, while still figuring out what my next steps are. My favorite memories at NCCS are probably all of the good times spent with my friends and teammates. Examples that come to mind are: eating out late at Arby’s or Burg Sig after games, spending way too much time building puzzles at basketball tournaments, hanging out in hotel rooms on the California baseball trip, blasting Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood songs EVERY time we were on a bus, collecting as many bracelets as possible in Mexico, Braden falling on ice in Hood River, soccer conditioning early in the morning, and playing Unstable Unicorns in the bus during Hood to Coast. Ahh I’m really gonna miss it.
Congratulations Hadden, you did it! You will be missed and are loved by us all!
Grad Spotlight: Dana Dale
My name is Dana and I have been attending NCCS for 9 years. I have been involved in ASB for 6 years as a class representative, the secretary, and for the past two years, the treasurer. I have also been a member of the National Honor Society since my sophomore year and hold the secretary position this year. I have played basketball for 6 years and volleyball for 5. I was also part of a dance team for 8 years.
Some activities I enjoy are baking, playing the piano, and sports. My favorite subject to study in school is math and two of my favorite Bible verses are 1 John 4:18-19 and Luke 12:34.
After highschool, I plan on attending Clackamas Community College for a couple of years. I will complete my prerequisite classes and then I hope to transfer to another college and continue my education.
Some of my favorite memories while at NCCS were when we would go on long bus rides for basketball. Every year after certain games, we would stop at a certain spot in The Dalles. We would get coffee then hop over a little wall and run across the street for Taco Bell or Subway. Bus rides were where we laughed the hardest and grew the closest. From funny jokes to singing super loud to having heartfelt conversations. To be honest, I have so many good memories at NCCS I will never forget, it was hard to choose, this is just one of many :)
Congratulations Dana, we are very proud of you! You are a great leader and will do amazing things!
"Senior Send Off" Celebrates our Graduates!
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS...Sending love and blessings on your special day!!! Happy birthday to: Isaac (K), Chet (3), Alexis (12), Dallas (9), Hadden (12)
Upcoming Events
May 4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8 Teacher Parade at NCCS, 1-2 pm
May 7 National Day of Prayer
May 11 Curriculum Pick Up Day, 9am-1 pm
May 11 7 PM NCCS Spring Society Meeting (online)
May 29 Last Day of School
May 29 3-4 PM Senior Send Off Drive By at NCCS
May 30 Class of 2020 Graduation
June 2 Student Year End Check Out Day
LOOK FOR UPDATED RESOURCES HERE EACH WEEK
Resources to Encourage and Support Christian Parents
- Helping Children Cope (CDC)
- God Has Grace for Your Worst Days (crosswalk.com)
- Raising Kids Who Thrive (PBS Parents)
- Kids and Technology: For information, here are a few helpful resources-
Resilience tips from Oregon Health & Science University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows
Remember, children follow the lead of their parents. They look to you to see if they should be afraid, concerned, confident, calm or carefree. You can set the stage for their response to be concerned and confident by taking a moment to check in with yourself before you check in with them.
Consistency and structure can help establish a sense of normalcy and be calming.
- Try to establish a simple routine for your family in 60- or 90-minute chunks.
- Get your children involved in the planning process to give them a sense of control.
Physical activity has been shown to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Taking regular breaks to go outside for fresh air and exercise is great for mental health.
- Look for free online resources for youth-focused at-home workouts.
Relearn how to be present with your family.
- Being present and available for your family can be the best way to support and help during this stressful time.
- Consider working on tasks or projects alongside your children and set aside time to offer your family your full and undivided attention.
Maintain technologic well-being.
- The key to healthy screen use is awareness and open conversations with your children.
- Consume news judiciously from reputable journalism organizations.
- Participate in technology alongside your children, for example by engaging with them via social media apps or video games they frequently use.
Resources for Enrichment Activities at Home
Activities to do at Home- Crafts, Games, Experiments (PBS Kids-For Parents)
Bible App for Kids from YouVersion
Learn to Type for students of all ages
Music and Art activities for kids (How Stuff Works)
NCCS Remote Learning Survey for May 1
#StayHomeSaveLives...Be informed about COVID-19
Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.
United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.
North Clackamas Christian School
Superintendent/Principal: Sherri James (Ext 101)
Office Manager: McKenzie Falotico (Ext 100)
Business Office Manager: Emily Clark (Ext 202)
Email: mckenzie_falotico@ncchristianschool.com
Website: www.ncchristianschool.com
Phone: (503) 655-5961
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nccssaints/