Jr High Campus Blog
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!
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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!
Called to Armor Up
April 08, 2026
This school year, our students have been walking through the book of Ephesians chapter by chapter. Now we enter the final section, where Paul describes the armor of God. It’s a powerful reminder that as followers of Jesus, we are loved, chosen, and called and that God equips us for the spiritual battles we face each day.
Just like athletes regularly practice in full gear and our theatre students rehearse in costumes before opening night, we need to practice using the armor God gives us. In our household, my husband Jake and I workout and train regularly, and a common question Jake gets is, “are you training for something?” His answer is usually, “Life!” Need to move the piano? Done. Late for a flight? We can run pretty fast if needed! Strength and preparation help us face challenges confidently. The same is true spiritually: We grow stronger when we regularly “train” in God’s truth.
Here’s the armor Paul describes (Ephesians 6:10–17):
The Belt of Truth reminds us that everything starts with knowing God’s truth. It holds the rest of the armor in place and gives us a steady foundation for making wise choices.
The Breastplate of Righteousness protects our hearts and guides not just our actions but also our attitudes. It’s about doing the right thing with the right spirit.
Shoes Fitted with the Gospel of Peace give us a firm footing and help us access peace with God through Jesus no matter what circumstances come.
The Shield of Faith teaches us to place our trust in God’s strength instead of our own. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, God is always working for the good of those who love Him.
The Helmet of Salvation guards our minds with the truth of who we are in Christ: secure, loved, and rescued.
The Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) is our defense and our strength. Scripture helps us fight lies, but it also helps us honor and uplift others (just as a sword is used not only in battle but also in ceremonies of blessing and recognition!).
We learn from Jesus that we should respond to temptation with Scripture, and this highlights the importance of knowing and practicing God’s Word. On top of that, prayer keeps us connected to Him. In the RightNow media series, Engage about the armor of God, Jennifer Hicks adds, “Prayer is essential to victoriously engaging the enemy. In battle, prayer is the communication system that keeps the soldier connected to the Commander-in-Chief.” (You can check out the entire series here.)
As we enter this month’s chapels and take a deeper look at the armor of God, I want to encourage you and your family. Just like our students practice their sports skills, rehearse their lines in theatre, practice math problems, or train in their musical talents, this month is a chance to practice “wearing” our spiritual armor: to learn it, try it on, and make it part of daily life.
We’re excited to walk through this with our students and continue to help them grow strong, confident, and grounded in God’s truth. I am praying this month will be a meaningful time of learning how to “armor up” together! With the armor of God and a life rooted in prayer, we can face this world with His strength, His peace, and His confidence.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10–13, NIV)
RightNow Media Videos for this Month:
Kids:
https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/876183
https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/374938
Junior High, High School, and Adults:
https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/934953
Lastly, this week’s poem was written by junior high student Kylie Barns. Enjoy!
The Echo Between Years
The years unfold like dust and flame,
Each joy and wound without a name.
We learned to run before we knew,
How fast the world could vanish too.
The sky was wide, our hearts were small,
Yet dared to dream beyond it all.
And though we leave, we never go—
The child we were still hums below.
State of the School Annual Report
March 25, 2026
We are preparing to mail out our annual State of the School report, and we are eager to share how God has continued to move in and through our community this year. As we reflect on all He has done, we do so through the lens of our spiritual theme, Called for a Purpose. We believe each student, family, and staff member at CCS has been uniquely called by God, and this year’s story is one of faithfully walking in that calling together.
In this report, you will find updates on the Vision 2035 Goals that serve as the foundation of our district’s growth and direction:
- Student Experience
- Operations
- Community
Throughout each of these areas, we see evidence of God’s purpose unfolding. This year, we have officially reframed Vision 2030 as Vision 2035, which gives us a meaningful opportunity to restate our mission and purpose at Cascade Christian Schools. We are also celebrating many encouraging milestones: becoming a national leader in school safety and security; welcoming our two new Cougar mascots, Creed and C.C.; continued growth in MAP test scores; the addition of the “Big Cat” bus; and the many ways our community has come together to connect and grow. Each of these moments reminds us that when we pursue excellence with Christ at the center, He faithfully multiplies our efforts.
Our dedication to Jesus and our commitment to wisdom, integrity, excellence, and honor continue to shape who we are. CCS is not simply a school district; CCS is a Christ-centered community where students are formed, leaders are developed, and families are strengthened for God’s purposes.
You will receive the printed report in your mailbox soon, and we’ve got a digital version available for you to review online. If you have any questions after reading, we encourage you to reach out to your school leader.
