Frederickson Campus Blog
I hope the start of the 2025–2026 school year has brought joy and encouragement to your family. Whether you’ve been part of CCS for years or are joining us for the very first time, we are so glad you’re here. Welcome to the CCS family!
Leading by Example: WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)
We recently hosted our third annual WATCH D.O.G.S. launch, and what a success it was! Father figures and their students gathered across our district to volunteer, play games, and, of course, share pizza (because what dad event would be complete without pizza?).
Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 6:4 (NIV): “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
At CCS, we believe that fathers and father figures play a vital role in raising children with Christ at the center. Through WATCH D.O.G.S., dads are given the opportunity to live this out by modeling servant leadership, encouraging their children, and strengthening our school community through presence and example.
It was inspiring to welcome so many new dads this year. The laughter, connection, and sense of mission reminded us just how much fathers matter in shaping a strong, Christ-centered community.
Keeping the Cascade Christian Community Safe: Reunification Training
Now, let’s turn to an important topic: reunification. Reunification is the process of reuniting students with their families after an emergency. This could be the result of an inconvenience, like a burst pipe, or a real crisis, like an earthquake. This year, we’re intentionally training both staff and families in the I Love U Guys Foundation® Standard Reunification Model (SRM), in partnership with EPIC Emergency Management so that we have well-established procedures in place before an emergency occurs. Our prayer is that we never need to use these tools, but preparation is an act of stewardship. By preparing in advance, we can protect and care for the students God has entrusted to us.
You’ll be hearing more about reunification in the coming months. In the meantime, if you’d like a head start, visit the I Love U Guys Foundation website for helpful videos and resources here: SRM ♥ The "I Love U Guys" Foundation.
Protecting the Future: Veteran’s Security Operations
You’ll also notice our security officers from Veteran’s Security Operations (VSO) on every campus. These men and women are deeply committed to keeping our schools safe. Be sure to give them a smile or a fist bump. They’re here to serve our CCS family, and we are grateful for their presence.
Continuing Education with Integrated Security Group
Our partner, Integrated Security Group (ISG), continues to strengthen our district’s safety readiness. Over 200 employees have now been trained in Stop the Bleed®, reunification, and other emergency response protocols. These trainings equip our teachers and staff to act with confidence and care in a crisis, ensuring that your children are protected with the highest level of preparedness.
Get Involved!
If you’d like to learn more about WATCH D.O.G.S. or join the program, connect with your campus leader or sign up by contacting your campus.
For more information about reunification and emergency preparedness, visit:
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. Together, we are building not only a safer school environment, but also a stronger, Christ-centered community where students can grow in wisdom, faith, and character.
In Christ,
Jake Petersen, MSc
Associate Superintendent of Operations
Cascade Christian Schools
A note from Dr. Friesen:
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! This year is especially meaningful to me, as it marks my final year serving as superintendent. Karen and I are extremely grateful for the 12 years God has allowed us to serve here at CCS and will soak up and cherish the many wonderful moments God gives us with you all throughout this coming year.
The first week of school has been absolutely amazing on every campus, and we are beyond excited to experience all God has in store for us this year. One of the first highlights is coming up this weekend: Convocation this Saturday, September 13. This is an event you won’t want to miss, so be sure to include it in your weekend plans and join us!
A new school year also entails a new spiritual theme. Our spiritual theme serves as a strong foundation for all the amazing things we experience during the year. I am pleased to give Courtney Petersen, a member of the CCS Leaders Team and the interim leader of our Spiritual Life Team, the opportunity to share our September focus, introduce the new members of the Spiritual Life Team, and provide helpful resources.
Theme and Updates from Courtney Petersen:
Chosen and Called
My prayer for us as we start off the year is that we can be mindful to align our strengths and character with Jesus as we walk in our calling.
In September we will read through the beginning of Ephesians, where we will focus on how we are chosen and called. Each of us is like a small puzzle piece in God’s masterpiece. God calls us, invites us into his family, and equips us with gifts, strengths, and roles so that we get the joy of working together with those around us to accomplish His greater purpose. In 2 Timothy 1:9, Paul writes again about being called for a purpose: “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” (NIV).
We are called to a holy life. We are saved by grace, through Jesus, and we have a divine purpose and a holy calling that reflects God’s nature and His purpose. With hearts of unity, with a posture of teamwork, and in using our strengths and callings to draw others closer to Jesus, we believe God will do great things this year. I look forward to journeying through the first chapter of Ephesians with you this month.
Meet the Team!
We are pleased to introduce two new members of the Spiritual Life Team at Cascade Christian Schools:
Trevor Duplissey, our junior high and high school Bible teacher and head of the Bible Department will also take up the role of Junior High and High School Pastor. His role will include discipling junior high and high school students to grow in spiritual maturity.
Leah An is our Spiritual Life Coordinator and new to the Cascade Christian family. In her role, she will collaborate with CCS leaders and campuses to provide spiritual formation support and coordination.
RightNow Media
RightNow Media is a library of biblical video resources with helpful discipleship content for all ages. Cascade Christian Schools provides our CCS community with access to RightNow Media.
Create an account here if you haven’t done so yet.
You can also find resources in Cascade Christian’s library, which we will update throughout the year: CCS RightNow Media Library.
We hope you enjoy this resource as much as we do! My team and I are praying this school year is filled with joy, growth, and meaningful moments with Jesus as we journey through the book of Ephesians together.
References:
Strong's Greek: 2822. κλητός (klétos) -- Called, invited
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
—Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
There’s a special kind of energy in the air this time of year as our Frederickson team is hard at work preparing to receive students for a brand-new school year, and I couldn’t be more excited about opening our doors to begin this new chapter together!
As a principal, I see the beginning of each school year not just as a fresh start, but as a divine opportunity. It’s more than new routines and endless possibilities of learning; it’s also a chance to speak life and purpose into young hearts. This year, my greatest joy will be helping our elementary students understand that they are chosen by God and intentionally created with a unique and meaningful purpose. As this year’s spiritual theme states, we are Called for a Purpose.
Likewise, Ephesians 2:10 reminds me of a truth I’m clinging to this year: We are God’s masterpiece, created and called to do the good things that He has planned in advance just for us. That means I’m not stepping into this role by chance, and neither are you. We are each equipped for this moment and can trust with great expectation that God has something wonderful in store for each one of us.
This year, my prayer for our campus is that it would be a place where God’s purpose comes alive in every classroom and every heart. I pray that we’d see each student through God’s eyes and seize each opportunity to build for His kingdom. I also pray for our Frederickson community, that you would know that you are part of something bigger. You’ve been placed here on purpose, for a purpose, and together we get to impact lives far beyond our own. May we grow in unity as we chase after all that God has for us this year.
Let this be a season marked by faith, courage, and a deep sense of calling for our campus, our community, and every individual who walks through our doors.
Back when The Lion King roared into theaters and a little start-up named Amazon was just getting off the ground, Cascade Christian Schools marked a milestone of its own: the first graduating class of 1994 crossed the stage, turned their tassels, and stepped into the future. Now, 31 years later, we proudly celebrate another remarkable group of students who have witnessed history and created memories unique to their generation. Congratulations to the Class of 2025—you’ve made it!
Two discerning leaders in this wonderful class of students were selected as valedictorian and salutatorian and
+received the honor of speaking at Commencement. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and would like to honor them here.
Alexandra Altomare, 2025’s salutatorian, completed her academic career at CCS with a 4.00 GPA. She demonstrated strong academic commitment by taking seven AP classes, one honors class, and one concurrent credit course. Beyond the classroom, Alexandra was an active member of the cheer team and served faithfully on the worship team for three years. She led with authenticity and heart, making a meaningful impact on her peers and the school community.
Alexandra’s AP English teacher, Mr. Ziesing, has shared this about her:
“Over the past two years, I have been blown away by Alexandra's humility: she is incredibly intelligent and yet entirely down-to-earth. It would be easy for her to become arrogant; instead, she consistently expresses humility in her learning. One of the clearest pictures of her has been her consistent dedication to a life with God. There is seldom a day when she does not have her Bible within palm's reach.”
Alec Schumacher, 2025’s valedictorian, concluded his academic career at Cascade Christian with a 4.00 GPA. Throughout high school, he pursued an ambitious academic path, completing two honors classes, five AP courses, one concurrent credit course, and enough dual enrollment coursework to earn his Associate of Science degree. In addition to his academic achievements, Alec served as the lead programmer and driver for the school’s robotics team. His contributions were instrumental in helping the team secure a championship title this year.
Alec’s math teacher, Mr. Manchester, says this about Alec:
“Alec is in a class of his own with regard to his excellence and consistency in academic achievement. He has shown a sincere love for STEM content and has reached great heights through countless classes, internships, robotics competitions, and much more while in high school. He has also been a great role model and leader among his classmates. He is uniquely gifted and will continue to accomplish even greater things beyond CCS.”
Once again, we congratulate the Class of 2025 for finishing high school at CCS. While the road ahead may be filled with occasional potholes or traffic, we know that God will equip each of you to face those challenges when they arise. God is with you, He is for you, and He will never forsake you. You can be still and trust Him; even when.
Verse chosen by the Class of 2025:
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
—2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)