Frederickson Blog

A common phrase we say at Frederickson is “readers are leaders,” which we use to encourage students to read often. In Psalm 119:11 (NIV) we read, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” further demonstrating what a beautiful gift reading is that God has given to his creation. Developing discerning leaders is one of our key missions here at Cascade Christian, and we believe reading is an essential piece of the puzzle in becoming a critical thinker.

This year, we created a “Book Madness” bracket where students have opportunities to vote on their favorite books. Each book is read by a staff member, recorded, and then played for the students in their classrooms. At the end of the readings, students have the opportunity to vote on which book they like best, and this process will continue until we reach our campus favorite for this school year. On Monday mornings during All School Opening (ASO), we announce the winner for the week and give a preview of what “book battle” will be coming up next. Students cheer every time they see their favorite book win, creating an environment of excitement toward reading!

At our school, we are committed to fostering a love of reading in every student. From classroom libraries and read-alouds to independent reading time and family partnerships, we strive to make reading a daily, joyful experience. We encourage students to explore books that spark their curiosity and challenge their thinking.

The journey to becoming a reader, and a leader, doesn’t stop after school. Families play a crucial role. Simple habits like reading together, discussing stories, and modeling a love for books can have a lasting impact. Even a few minutes of reading each day can make a difference. Let’s continue to champion reading, knowing that every page turned is a step toward leadership. 

And in honor of National Poetry Month…

A Gentle Whisper 
By Grace Harvey

A gentle wind whispers through the daisies

Lay down lay down

Your fear

Lay down lay down

That’s the only thing you hear

A mighty storm approaches the horizon

You hear the whisper again

Slow down slow down

It’s okay to take a while

Slow down slow down

Take time to smile

A gale rips through your hair

You hear the whisper again

You’re safe you’re safe

I’m here my child

You’re safe you’re safe

I died to save you, my love for you is wild

To Read 
By Isabel Sherwood

To read is to live a thousand lives and die a thousand deaths. To love with the lovers and weep with the grievers. To conquer with the courageous and bleed out with the wounded. To see the wonders of a thousand worlds; to hear the melody of a thousand stories. To see the most disgraceful of the wicked; to hear a thousand cries of anguish from the innocent. But to stop reading is to be torn from life, and to never read is to never live at all.