Dear Northwest Christian family,

Planning for August 5th and the return to campus. On Wednesday, June 3rd, we released all of the details regarding an event that we are incredibly excited about: the return of students to campus! If you missed that email, you can review it here.

Graduation for the Class of 2020. On Saturday, June 6th, we emailed the families of our seniors regarding details pertaining to commencement exercises on June 22nd at Arizona Federal Theatre. If you missed that email, you can review it here.

Kingdom Culture. This summer's "Crusaders Charge into Summer Reading" videos and our summer 2020 Bible-reading plan are providential in their timing. As you are likely aware, this summer we are walking our students through scriptural perspectives on some key issues within our culture. This summer, our students will learn how "Imago Dei" (being created in the image of God), impacts the way we approach the sanctity of life, gender, sexuality, relationships, and race. Keep an eye out for the Kingdom Culture emails that arrive each Monday morning throughout the summer. You can review the first Kingdom Culture email of the summer here.

"What's Next" and more imminent communication regarding August. Each summer, the school sends out what I like to call our "What's Next?" packet. During the week of June 15th, in both your inbox and mailbox, you will receive a thick packet of information pertaining to the start of school on August 5th. Quite literally, it will have every answer to all of the questions you may have regarding 'what's next' as your family plans for fall.

We truly are looking forward to a summer rich with stitching events and student engagement as we prepare for August 2020. Take a few moments this afternoon to review the opportunities below and make a plan to connect with the Crusader community!

Geoff Brown
Superintendent
Northwest Christian School
(623)225-5573 (cell)
gbrown@ncsaz.org
KEEP IN MIND

As you review the summer opportunities below, please keep the following in mind:  

  • Every event is designed from a safety-first perspective. Dates, number of spots available for participants, and locations--all of these details have been designed to comply with the latest health and safety guidance that we have received as a school.
  • Face masks are not required. Although the school will provide face masks if requested and support any family that believes wearing a face mask is in the best interest of their student, at this point, we will not be requiring masks of student participants.
  • Every event is optional. There is nothing below that requires participation or that will impact a student's grades. If students participate, we want families to feel completely comfortable with their decision.
  • Subject to change. We have worked to provide as much up-to-date information as possible. But, as has been the case throughout this Covid-19 adventure, things are constantly changing and we must be patient enough to recognize as a community that we need to be continuously prepared to responsibly adapt in the interest of community safety. It is for this reason that the school reserves the right to change, reschedule, or cancel any event below.
  • Attendance for certain events is limited. Using the links that you will find within this email, students and families can begin registering for these events on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Cancellations. If you sign-up for an event and later decide to cancel for reason of health and safety, there will be no issue. However, in the interest of managed group sizes, please do not show up for an event for which you are not already registered.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or the individual designated within the sections below.

Dawna Underwood, Early Education Director and Elementary Principal
dunderwood@ncsaz.org

Samantha Maszton, Middle School Principal and Assistant Superintendent
smaszton@ncsaz.org

Jeff Parsons, High School Principal
jparsons@ncsaz.org
JUNE
  • EARLY EDUCATION
  • June 11: Water Bouncie Houses on the Lawn for Early Ed and Elementary. There will be lots of water and plenty of fun so please dress accordingly. This evening will go from 7:00pm-8:30pm and we will have a free BBQ and ice cream! Sign up here!
  • June 10: Enchanted Island Amusement Park, 9:00am. We are very excited about our Enchanted Island Stitching Event! Admission is $12.50/person at the gate. We will gather as a group at 11:00am for a picnic lunch, self-provided. Looking forward to seeing you all! Sign up here!
  • June 16: Parents Tea/Recognition, sign up here!
  • June 17: Parents Tea/Recognition, sign up here!
  • Though quarantine would not allow us to enjoy our traditional "Mother's Tea" and "Dad's Day" events, we are committed to helping our youngest understand Ephesians 6:2 within an event designed to celebrate relationships within families. Attendance is limited for the sake of safety.
  • June 23: Preschool Water Paradise, sign up here!
  • June 24: Preschool Water Paradise, sign up here!
  • Though Moms and Dads (more specifically, their washing machines) may be grateful, quarantine means that we lost our annual "Mud Day". But we are making do by packing the preschool's front lawn with a huge number of water-bouncies and water games. Have fun with family and teachers as we enjoy free pizza and icees. Attendance is limited for the sake of safety.
  • June 30: Anthem Splash Pad. Sun and fun at the Anthem Splash Pads! Sign up here!

  • ELEMENTARY
  • June 11: Water Bouncie Houses on the Lawn for Early Ed and Elementary. There will be lots of water and plenty of fun so please dress accordingly. This evening will go from 7:00pm-8:30pm and we will have a free BBQ and ice cream! Sign up here!
  • June 8 to 11: Volleyball Camp. Co-ed students going into 3rd to 5th grades can sign up here! You may pay online at the link or bring cash/check payable to NCS on the first day of camp.
  • June 15 to 18: Basketball Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • June 22: Elementary Field Day (K and 3rd Grade). For a limited number of students, from 8:00am to 1:00pm, elementary-aged Crusaders will enjoy free pizza, popsicles, water-based games on the football field, and prizes. Sign up here!
  • June 23: Elementary Field Day (1st and 4th Grade). For a limited number of students, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, elementary-aged Crusaders will enjoy free pizza, popsicles, water-based games on the football field, and prizes. Sign up here!
  • June 24: Elementary Field Day (2nd and 5th Grade). For a limited number of students, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, elementary-aged Crusaders will enjoy free pizza, popsicles, water-based games on the football field, and prizes.  Sign up here!
  • June 24: Cheer Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • June 29: Arizona Science Center. Save the date but we are still working with the Science Center to confirm this date for fifty total participants. Times and details will be provided once we confirm. Sign up here!

  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • For current Eighth Graders preparing for Football, please read this letter from Coach David Inness.
  • June 8-11: Volleyball Camp is open to co-ed students going into 6th to 8th grades. Sign up here! You may pay online at this link or bring cash/check payable to NCS on the first day of camp.
  • June 10 to 12: Catalina Island Eighth Grade trip. Due to closures within California, unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled.
  • June 15 to 18: Basketball Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • June 16: 8TH GRADE LAST BLAST IS 6-9pm @ Ettesvold’s 4803 W. Desert Hollow Dr. Phoenix, 85083.ALL students must be registered AND pay for this event. If you are not, click here https://forms.gle/V6QRAGhKx2t6wmv8A. Make sure to follow on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/1513347295488457/?ref=bookmarks. If you still want a yearbook, please email amcpeek@ncsaz.org.
  • Parents - we need your help as CV-19 set us back. If you could DONATE GIFT CARDS to the Last Blast Party for Raffle Prizes we would truly appreciate it. Any increment at any location teens would enjoy. We NEED ALL THE CARDS WE CAN GET! Please contact me 602.568.6667(Chelsea Martin) and I will get them from you. WE NEED THEM ASAP!! And, if you have a business that would like to donate some funds towards the party, we would graciously accept as we put together party giveaways for the kids and raffle baskets!
  • June 23: Eighth Grade Promotion Eighth Grade Promotion has been moved to the Don Sanderson Gymnasium, more information to come.
  • June 24: Cheer Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • June 29: W.I.S.E. presents the Arizona Science Center. The middle school girls science club is at it again with a field trip for ten young ladies currently in 6th and 7th grades. Free entry, lunch, and transportation provided. Times and prices to be passed along soon. Sign up here!

  • HIGH SCHOOL
  • June 1 to 26: Summer School. Please see the UPDATED information letter and registration form for 2020 Summer School at NCS. Summer school is open to students entering grades 9-12 at NCS for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have already registered for summer school, you do not need to do so again. However, you will want to read the updated letter which address the online only format and the 8th grade Catalina Trip.. Information here. Registration form here! For questions please email Mrs. Dennis, jdennis@ncsaz.org.
  • June 8: Adventure Cru presents the Wild Burro Hike and Swim. Meeting at school at 7:00am, the Adventure Cru will be leading fifteen high school students on a hike of the Wild Burro Trail which ends with a swim in Lake Pleasant. Following the hike, students will enjoy a free lunch from the Scorpion Bay Restaurant. All participants will receive a free Adventure Cru t-shirt. Sign up here!
  • June 9: Honors and Awards Celebration Luau. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the current state mandated curfew order, we have decided to honor this year’s Department of the Year award winners and Principal Student of the Year award winners in a unique way. In lieu of the originally scheduled event on June 9th, administration and faculty will be visiting all department and principal award winners at their homes to present their awards in-person. Awards will be distributed on either Wednesday, June 3rd or Monday, June 8th. Please join me in congratulating the following students:
  • Department Awards
  • Visual Arts Student of the Year- Tatum Hines
  • Technology Student of the Year- Daniel Conrad
  • Social Studies Student of the Year- Rachel Munchian
  • Math Student of the Year- Samantha Cassity
  • Science Student of the Year- Jacob Gaspar
  • English Student of the Year- Delaney Schmertmann
  • Physical Education Student of the Year- Aeneas Clark
  • Bible Student of the Year- Bennett Beltramo
  • Fine Arts Student of the Year- Amber Sawyer
  •  World Languages Student of the Year- Beasley Floyd
  • Principals Award Winners
  • Freshmen Principal’s Award Winner
  • Male- Zach Johnson
  • Female- Camryn Kohner
  • Sophomore Principal’s Award Winner
  • Male- Luke Johnson
  • Female- Leah Engle
  • Junior Principal’s Award Winner
  • Male- Joseph Buselmeier
  • Female- Mia Gauharou
  • Senior Principal’s Award Winner
  • Male- Geoffrey Biddinger
  • Female- Tatum Collins
  • Congressional Merit Award Winner
  • Jordyn Van Metre
  • June 10: Adventure Cru presents a Pontoon Boat Adventure at Lake Pleasant. Running in two sessions (morning and afternoon) on Friday, May 29th, each with two pontoon boats, 18 students per session will enjoy an unforgettable adventure on the water. Snacks provided. All participants will receive a free Adventure Cru t-shirt. Sign up here!
  • June 15 to 18: Basketball Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • June 22: High School Graduation. Date and venue have been moved. As of this writing, with final confirmation pending, we are now looking forward to hosting commencement celebrations at Arizona Federal Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Arizona Federal Theatre has a capacity of 5,000 but the school will only be releasing 1,000 tickets in order to accommodate social distancing guidelines. More details on ticketing will be communicated as soon as we get the information from the venue. The event will also be live-streamed for family and friends that are unable to attend.

JULY
  • EARLY EDUCATION
  • July 7: Movie on the Lawn for Early Ed and Elementary.  Join a limited number of other Crusader families for a movie on the big screen, bouncy houses, free barbecue, ice cream, and fellowship. Sign up here!
  • July 14: Uptown Jungle for Early Ed and Elementary. Sign up here!
  • July 21: Peter Piper for Early Ed and Elementary. Sign up here!

  • ELEMENTARY
  • July 7 to 9: Soccer Camp is for co-ed students going into 1st through 8th grades. Sign up here! You may pay online at this link or bring cash/check payable to NCS on the first day of camp.
  • July 7: Movie on the Lawn for Early Ed and Elementary. Join a limited number of other Crusader families for a movie on the big screen, bouncy houses, free barbecue, ice cream, and fellowship. Sign up here!
  • July 14: Uptown Jungle for Early Ed and Elementary. Sign up here!
  • July 14 to 16: Football Camp is for boys going into 1st through 8th grades. Sign up here!
  • July 21: Peter Piper for Early Ed and Elementary. Sign up here!

  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • NCS Fine Arts with MJ McCloskey present Theater and Dance Camp. This camp promises to be unlike anything Northwest Christian has ever done and will serve to cue up a great year in Fine Arts! More info to come.
  • July 7 to 9: Soccer Camp is for co-ed students going into 1st through 8th grades. Sign up here! You may pay online at this link or bring cash/check payable to NCS on the first day of camp.
  • Week of July 13: End of the Year and Yearbook-Signing Party at Great Skate. Though the exact date within this week has yet to be confirmed, sixth and seventh grade students can look forward to skating, socializing, and yearbook-signing. Sign up here!
  • July 14 to 16: Football Camp. Sign Up is full. We look forward to seeing you soon!
  • July 16: Adventure Cru presents Rock Climbing. Up to ten middle school students will have the opportunity to join the High School's Adventure Cru as they head out to the Ape Index Rock Gym. The gym experience is free but bring money for lunch...and save room for free ice cream afterwards! Sign up here!
  • July 17-21: Wyldlife Camp
  • July 21: North Valley Escape Room. Have you ever done one of these things? Crazy fun is an understatement. Circle up with some of your friends and get ready to make some new friends as you work against a clock and as part of a team to crack the challenge! Sign up here!
  • July 23: Exploding Kittens Tournament. Mr. Burson and Mr. G host an epic tournament that can include up to twelve students who will be playing round-robin style for big prizes! Prizes include the games "Bears vs. Babies", "Throw Throw Burrito", and a bunch of other games with rude names. Sign up here!
  • July 28: eSports Blow-out. As Northwest Christian High prepares to launch its second season of AIA eSports, we are bringing in Game Trucks and hosting both a Just Dance tournament and a Super Smash Bros. tournament for some big prizes. Open to bother middle school and high school...spaces are limited. Sign up here!
  • Wyldlife Pool Party for 8th grade students, more information to come.

  • HIGH SCHOOL:
  • NCS Fine Arts with MJ McCloskey present Theater and Dance Camp. This camp promises to be unlike anything Northwest Christian has ever done and will serve to cue up a great year in Fine Arts! More info to come.
  • July 5 to 9: Kids Kingdom trip. It has been too long! Quarantine means that our two spring trips to Imuris, Sonora had to be cancelled as that our friends at the Kids Kingdom orphanage have been locked down as well. At the moment, all signs are pointing towards a memorable trip! For more information, email Mr. G, cgardiner@ncsaz.org
  • July 20: NCS Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kick-Off Party. "Epic" is the only way to describe both the impact of FCA on campus as well as the kick-off party planned for club leaders and high school students. From 10:00am to 2:00pm on Monday, July 20th, a limited number of students will enjoy time of devotions, fellowship, and fun on a privately chartered houseboat on Lake Pleasant. Snacks provided. Sign up here!
  • July 22: North Valley Escape Room. Have you ever done one of these things? Crazy fun is an understatement. Circle up with some of your friends and get ready to make some new friends as you work against a clock and as part of a team to crack the challenge! Sign up here!
  • July 27: Adventure Cru presents Kayaking at Lake Pleasant. In two sessions, morning and afternoon, students will have the chance to explore Lake Pleasant via Kayak. For a limited number of students, the day of kayaking and swimming will also include lunch. Sign up here!
  • July 28: eSports Blow-out. As Northwest Christian High prepares to launch its second season of AIA eSports, we are bringing in Game Trucks and hosting both a Just Dance tournament and a Super Smash Bros. tournament for some big prizes. Open to bother middle school and high school...spaces are limited. Sign up here!