High School Campus Blog
Educating for a Lifetime
May 06, 2026
People often say that the impact of a teacher is not measured in a single school year but measured in the lasting difference they make over a lifetime. I can certainly identify with and testify to the truth of that statement. I have shared before about some of my own teachers who impacted me for a lifetime. Mr. Frazier was my fourth-grade teacher, and Miss Walters was my fifth-grade teacher. Both of them inspired confidence and character in me through the way they spoke to me and by the opportunities they gave me to be a leader. If I were asked today who my favorite teachers were, they would both be at the top of the list for my elementary experience because they encouraged me to be my best. I was fortunate to have teachers and coaches who would fill that space in my junior high and high school education as well.
To say our teachers and coaches are amazing and to say they are educating for a lifetime is a huge understatement. Just this week, I heard from multiple parents about the tremendous influence particular teachers and coaches are having on the lives of their students, along with the incredible level of gratitude they feel for the opportunity their students have to be taught and mentored by such amazing people. I am confident that every one of our teachers and coaches, from early learning through high school, has shaped the lives of multiple students and will end up on students’ lists as “favorite teacher” or “favorite coach.”
Like you, I share a deep and genuine gratitude for our teachers and coaches and the influence they have in shaping the lives of our students. Please join me in praying for our teachers and coaches and in looking for opportunities to bless them in recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Take time this week to let them know just how much they are valued and appreciated.
With deep gratitude,
Dr. Ken Friesen
Called and Committed to Prayer
April 29, 2026
How have you seen the transformative power of prayer in your own life?
I experienced it firsthand a few years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer. Even when medical reports were disappointing and treatments were daunting, I felt a tangible sense of protection, mercy, and grace. I have no doubt that this peace was the direct result of the prayers breathed out by my church community.
Even greater than in the physical healing, I witnessed the true power of prayer during the long nights when my mind was shielded from despair. I felt it in the very real joy and hope for heaven that was preserved within me, even amid hardship.
Miracles happen through prayer.
Mountains are moved through prayer.
Lives are transformed through prayer.
Why? Because we pray to a glorious Father in heaven who inclines His ear to listen to His children. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who sits “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked,” (Ephesians 1:21).
This May, the Cascade Christian family will finish walking through the entire book of Ephesians together. Looking back at this incredible letter, how fitting is it that the concluding charge is a call to prayer?
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
On May 7, we join believers from across the country for National Day of Prayer, coming together as one in Spirit and of one mind to pray that HIS kingdom come, and HIS will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
CCS, let us pray. Let us pray for Christ-exalting miracles in our world. Let us pray for mountains to move in our country. Let us pray for genuine life-transformation in our churches. Let us pray for our prodigals to come home. Let us pray for Spirit-led repentance to spark revival in our communities.
Amen, Amen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Looking for resources on prayer?
Check out these videos available on our CCS RightNow Media page!
IMPACT Term: Connecting Faith with Action
April 22, 2026
How incredible is it that we are already in the fourth quarter of the school year? We are looking forward to the many events at the CCS Junior High and High School that make spring so special.
We are especially grateful to have recently experienced another great year of IMPACT Term (I-Term) trips at the secondary level.
I-Term is far more than a break from the traditional classroom; it is a purposeful, immersive experience that invites students to live out their faith in tangible ways and challenges students to step beyond routine to engage directly with the needs of others. Whether serving in local communities or traveling to distant locations, students are given the opportunity to see how their gifts, time, and compassion can reflect Christ’s love in real and meaningful contexts.
One of the most significant values of I-Term Week is how it connects belief with action. Students are not only learning about service and the gospel intellectually but also actively participating in it. Through varied experiences—such as partnering with local ministries, supporting underserved communities, traveling to experience other places, or engaging in global missions—students begin to understand the importance of humility, empathy, and sacrificial love.
It is so encouraging to hear stories from our students about the impact of their experiences as they return with a broader perspective of the world, a deeper appreciation for what they have, and a renewed sense of purpose. In fact, many of our senior exit interviews report that I-Term was the most meaningful experience during high school!
Furthermore, relationships are strengthened during I-Term as students and staff serve side by side, and many discover new passions for ministry, outreach, travel for mission, or leadership. Each experience plants seeds that continue to grow long after I-Term, influencing future decisions, service involvement, and spiritual development.
I-Term week embodies the mission of Cascade Christian Schools as students grow into discerning leaders who impact the world—both near and far. It reinforces the idea that faith is not meant to be passive but meant to be active and outward-focused. By creating space for students to serve, reflect, and engage with the world around them, I-Term becomes a powerful catalyst for lifelong impact.
Thank you for your continued support, cooperation, and investment in making I-Term a mainstay of who we are at Cascade Christian Schools!
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.
A Year of God’s Faithful Provision
April 15, 2026
There are seasons when you get to watch God’s faithfulness unfold in real time. This has been one of those years at Cascade Christian Schools.
When we, the CCS Board of Trustees, began the process of searching for our next superintendent, we carried a deep sense of responsibility and an even deeper sense of dependence on the Lord’s guidance. We didn’t take our task lightly. We prayed. We listened. We trusted that God had already prepared the right leader for this next chapter.
First, I want to honor Dr. Friesen for his faithful service. Stepping into leadership is one thing; stewarding leadership with grace and steadiness is another. Dr. Friesen has done that. He led well, he cared deeply, and he will leave a legacy of integrity that has strengthened this school. We are profoundly grateful for him.
And then God opened the door to Robb Warfield, a leader whose experience, heart for Christian education, and vision for what’s ahead got our entire board excited. His arrival isn’t just a hire—it’s a provision from the God we serve.
On a personal note, this year also gave me an unexpected gift. As a dad with kids walking these hallways, I had the privilege of co-teaching a Biblical Perspectives on Work, Finance, and Leadership course at the high school with Petrona Kasemeier. Standing in front of students, including some of my daughter Natalie’s classmates, and exploring what Scripture says about vocation, finances, stewardship, and purpose reminded me why our schools exist: Beyond education, our classes are about preparing students for a Christ-centered life well after their years at CCS.
Psalm 37:23 (ESV) says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” This year, I’ve watched that truth play out across our schools in a search guided by prayer, a transition handled with dignity, and a classroom where faith and life collided.
Thanks be to God for another amazing year at CCS!
__________________
This week, we have three thoughtful poems written by McAlder Elementary students. Thank you to this week’s featured poets for using creativity to impact our community!
