Frederickson Campus Blog
What Will God Make New This Year?
September 02, 2026
I love the beginning of a new school year. It makes my heart so happy.
There is just something about seeing classrooms coming back to life, teachers getting excited about their incoming students, new boxes arriving full of school supplies, and our campus slowly becoming Frederickson again. But my favorite part is when our students finally walk through the doors with backpacks in hand and smiles on their faces. That is when it really feels like we are back.
As I have been preparing for this year, I keep coming back to our new spiritual theme, Made New, from 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Over the summer, I found myself thinking a lot about the ocean. I don’t know about you, but there is something peaceful about watching the waves roll in upon the sand. As you stand there, it can look like the shoreline isn’t changing, but over time, those consistent small waves begin to reshape it.
I think God often works in our lives in much the same way: through small consistent moments that transform us to become more like him. That picture has stayed with me because I often think we expect God to make things new in one big, dramatic moment. And sometimes he does. But more often than not, he works through the small things one wave at a time.
And isn’t that such a beautiful picture of what happens in a school?
Our kids aren’t going to walk into their classrooms on the first day and suddenly know everything they need to know. Slowly, they are going to learn one new word, solve one new problem, make one new friend, work through one hard moment, and take one more step toward becoming the person God created them to be.
And we get a front-row seat to all of it.
My prayer for Frederickson this year is that we won’t miss those small moments, such as celebrating with a student who finally understands something they have been working so hard to learn or noticing when a student chooses kindness when it would have been easier to walk away. Let’s always be quick to give high-fives, say “great job,” offer encouragement, and remind our students that we see them and are proud of them. Sometimes the smallest moments can make the biggest difference in their day.
So here we go, Frederickson.
A new school year. New classrooms. New friendships. New challenges. New opportunities. And a God who is still in the business of making things new.
I can’t wait to see what he does, one small wave at a time!
Mrs. Annie Pichot
Frederickson Elementary Principal
The Super Six: CCS Seniors Earn Highest Honors
June 10, 2026
At CCS, we believe that a student’s education is about more than just earning good grades: It’s about becoming the person God has called you to be.
This year, the Class of 2026 recognizes six students (or as we like to call them, the “Super Six”) who have earned the distinction of Highest Honors, our most prestigious academic award.
We are proud to recognize Amelia Caldwell, Joeli Kramer, Brandon Ma, Peyton Metcalfe, Caleb Mitton, and Evangeline Zylstra with this award.
Earning Highest Honors is no small accomplishment. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.98 or higher while also completing at least 6.0 credits of Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, or Concurrent Credit coursework, including a minimum of 3.0 AP credits. This achievement represents years of perseverance, discipline, and a commitment to pursuing the most rigorous academic opportunities available.
Yet, what makes these six students especially remarkable is that they did FAR more than excel in the classroom.
Collectively, these students embraced nearly every aspect of the CCS experience. They challenged themselves through dual enrollment coursework, and one student even earned an Associate of Arts degree in STEM through Liberty University. They participated in choir and band performances, cross-country races, soccer games, and cheer competitions. Through it all, they made time to serve on the worship team, lead others as class officers, and contribute to the Senior Mural. They also invested in their community through the National Honor Society (NHS), and one student served as the NHS president this year!
In short, these six students didn’t just attend CCS—they fully experienced it! Their accomplishments remind us of what makes Cascade Christian Schools unique. Students do not have to choose between academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service, and faith development. Here, they can pursue all of those opportunities while being known and valued, challenged, and encouraged along the way.
The accomplishments of these six seniors reflect years of hard work, determination, and dedication to step into opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. They have distinguished themselves not only through their academic achievements but also through their leadership, character, and spiritual growth.
As they prepare for the next chapter, they leave behind a legacy that will inspire future CCS students to dream bigger, work harder, and take full advantage of everything our schools have to offer.
Congratulations to our Super Six—Amelia Caldwell, Joeli Kramer, Brandon Ma, Peyton Metcalfe, Caleb Mitton, and Evangeline Zylstra. Thank you for setting such a strong example for future CCS graduates! We cannot wait to see how God continues to use your gifts and talents as you tackle future goals and aspirations.
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Not Goodbye, Just See You Around
June 03, 2026
As I put hands on my keyboard to write this blog, I do so with a great deal of mixed emotions. This is one more of the “last time” events I am experiencing this spring, since this is the final year-end blog I will write as superintendent. That realization gives a great deal of “weightiness” to the remaining words I will choose, because I want them to be as significant and profound as possible.
When my wife and I think about our time here at Cascade Christian, the words that come to mind quickly are: honored, humbled, and extremely grateful. We are honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve for twelve years (way beyond the national average) at one of the country’s premier Christian schools. And we are extremely grateful for the amazing people God has allowed us the opportunity and privilege to serve with in our time here. To all of those amazing people, which certainly includes current and past parents, we want to say a deep, heartfelt thank-you! It is hard to find the words to adequately express just how truly grateful we are. From my four years as high school principal to the past eight years as superintendent, my wife and I have been made to feel extremely known and valued. It is somewhat ironic to me that what has mattered most to me—making others feel known and valued—is what we have experienced from this community at the highest possible level.
As we transition out of the roles of superintendent and superintendent’s wife to the roles of “Papa” and “Nana” to our two grandchildren who will be in second and third grades at the McAlder Campus next year, we don’t say goodbye: We say see you around. We will still be around, just in a different capacity, which is a much lighter one for us. We also want to leave you with this blessing from Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV): “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Our deep hope and prayer for you is that you will experience God’s richest blessings in the forms of peace, hope, joy, and love. If you have those things, you have everything you need.
With deep gratitude, in His service, and for the last time,
Ken and Karen
Reflecting with Gratitude
May 27, 2026
As we prepare to close another incredible school year at Frederickson, my heart is filled with gratitude for the many ways God has moved throughout our campus community. From classrooms filled with learning and laughter to chapels centered on worship and prayer, this year has truly reflected our spiritual theme: Called for a Purpose. Throughout the year, we anchored ourselves in Ephesians 4:1, where Paul encourages believers to “live a life worthy of the calling [they] have received.” This verse became a meaningful reminder for our students that God has uniquely created each one of them with purpose, unique giftings, and many opportunities to make a difference for His kingdom.
It has been inspiring to watch our students grow not only academically but also spiritually and personally as they learned how to walk in kindness, humility, perseverance, leadership, and faith. Whether inside the classroom, on the playground, during chapel, or while encouraging others, we have seen so many examples of students striving to live out their God-given callings in both BIG and small ways.
This school year has been packed with unforgettable moments that strengthened our community and created lasting memories. Many fun-filled experiences and events reminded us that education is about far more than academics alone: It is about building character, always having a place to belong, and helping students discover who God has called them to be.
One of the greatest blessings at Frederickson is the partnership we share with our families. Whether volunteering at events, supporting teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, attending chapel and prayer gatherings, or simply encouraging your children each day, your involvement makes an eternal impact on our school community. Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue raising up strong, resilient students who are prepared to lead and serve with Christ-centered hearts.
As I reflect on this year, I want to pause to celebrate and honor Mr. Kranik as he enters retirement after 43 incredible years in education, including the past 10 years at our campus. His dedication, wisdom, and servant leadership have impacted generations of students and families. Mr. Kranik has truly modeled what it looks like to faithfully live out one’s calling, and his legacy at Frederickson will continue for years to come. We are deeply grateful for the many ways he has poured into our campus community.
The final weeks of school are always filled with excitement, celebration, and anticipation for what lies ahead. As students enjoy the final traditions of the school year, I encourage each family to pause and celebrate just how much your child has grown this year. Growth is measured not only in grades or test scores but in so many other reflective ways.
As summer approaches, my prayer is that you would find time to rest and enjoy time spent growing together in Christ. May our students leave this school year knowing they are deeply LOVED, intentionally CREATED, and personally CALLED to live lives worthy of the purpose God has placed before them.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of partnering with your family this year. It has been a joy to serve this incredible community, and I am already looking forward to all God has in store for next year at Frederickson. Let’s finish this school year strong together!
