Joy, Hope, and Gratitude
April 22, 2025
Happy Easter!
I pray that each of you had a wonderful Easter weekend. I know that our early learners had a blast last week at our annual egg hunt, but I was even more proud to hear our students share what they learned about Easter this past month. One of our KPrep students even shared with me, “Easter is about God's love for us, and Jesus died for us to show that love.” Wow! So, as we settle back into our daily routines after a wonderful Easter weekend, I pray that you continue to live in the joy and hope that this holiday brings.
If you have been to our early learning center, whether you’ve been here for a long time or you’ve just started, you know who Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal are. Our amazing front desk staff and campus enrollment manager are the keepers of the pulse of the entire center and spark joy from the moment you walk through our doors. It's our front office staff who are always there with a tissue when a child's feelings are hurt, a calm voice when someone is upset, and a sympathetic ear when families or teachers are stressed.
I feel so blessed to work alongside this supremely competent team. Our center has nearly 180 early learning students, and I know firsthand that this team plays an important role in helping our families and our team each and every day.
So here is a big thank-you to Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal for their hard work, continuous creativity, and commitment not only to our center but also to the families we serve every day. We are so grateful for you! Thank you all for being our frontline and lifting us up when we are down.
I encourage you all to take a moment to say a quick thank-you this week to these amazing ladies! Happy National Administrative and After-School Professionals Week!
Character, Community, and Excellence Beyond the Classroom
April 16, 2025
As Board Chair and a parent at Cascade Christian Schools, I've witnessed firsthand the remarkable impact of our programs beyond the classroom this year.
Coaching our fifth grade elite basketball program has been a personal highlight of mine. Watching these young athletes develop skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship reminds me why our elementary athletics program is so vital. Our community shows up in force for sporting events—from regular season games to state championships at the elementary through high school level—creating an environment where our student athletes feel supported in their pursuit of excellence.
Our performing arts programs have likewise shone brilliantly. The concerts and plays have drawn impressive crowds and showcased exceptional talent. Visitors often remark they forget they're watching school productions rather than professional performances—a testament to our students' abilities and the dedication of those who guide them.
What truly sets Cascade Christian apart is our community spirit. Whether cheering at a volleyball match or attending the spring musical, our families don't just show up—they engage wholeheartedly, creating an atmosphere where students feel known and valued as they explore their God-given talents.
None of this would be possible without our exceptional coaches, teachers, staff, and administrators who go above and beyond their job descriptions. They don't just teach skills; they build character, nurture creativity, and create environments where students flourish.
These extracurricular activities aren't peripheral to our mission—they're central to developing students who are prepared to impact the world for Christ through their faith, service, and leadership.
I'm grateful for everyone who contributes to making Cascade Christian more than just a school. Thank you for being a community dedicated to nurturing excellence in every aspect of our students' development.
Be Still — He Is Our Source Of Help
April 09, 2025
One of the best assurances we can have in life is knowing where to go when we need help. When the help we need is just basic information, we are fortunate to have unlimited resources at our disposal because we live in the age of instant information. All we have to do is hold our phones up and say, “Hey, Siri,” or “Hey, Google,” and we can get help with just about any question that is information-based.
While having that kind of resource at our disposal is pretty amazing in a lot of ways, it pales in comparison to the help God provides for us; help that is guidance-based, discernment-based, protection-based, provision-based, healing-based, and so much more; help that gives us an incredible sense of peace and enables us to be still while we pray, wait, and trust; help that enables us to navigate the circumstances of life with the assurance that God is sovereign.
I love the strong statements of God being our source of help that we find in Psalm 121 (NIV), and I have listed below some of the phrases contained within the passage:
“Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.”
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.”
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
These are powerful promises of the ways God helps us, which go beyond “getting” information to profoundly “experiencing” God’s wisdom, discernment, protection, provision, healing, or, in other words, God’s unfailing help!
May we all be able to be still, knowing that He is God and that He is our source of help!
Learning And Growing Through Play
March 26, 2025
There are few places as adorable and joyful as an early learning center! At my recent visit to Puyallup Early Learning Center, the students were learning about space and the planets in our solar system. To help the students learn, they have a “Planet Song.” When I say every student was singing along, I do mean every student! It’s safe to say I’m impressed at how well our early learning students are being taught—and in such a fun way, too!
In one classroom, the students were learning through play by having center free play time. Each center is educational by design and enhances early learning development. Some of the students' favorite centers are painting, building blocks, and the dramatic play area, where they can dress up and play pretend. During my visit, they had a spaceship there and were astronauts! Research shows that play is a crucial and effective method for preschoolers to learn and develop essential skills.
The kids can’t have all the fun, though. Coming soon to PELC is teacher appreciation week, an opportunity to celebrate the teachers with a little fun of their own! Attend the PfC meeting on April 2 at 8:30 a.m. to find out how you can help with the festivities.
I also learned that PELC holds an annual summer kickoff event just for childcare families. Our childcare families attend PELC year-round, but we still want summertime to be special. That’s why these families gather at Clark’s Creek Park South for fellowship and play as a community. PELC provides hot dogs, watermelon, and chips! Along with the awesome playground at the park, they have face painting, bubbles, and the parachutes out to play with.
My visit to PELC got me thinking: We could all take a cue from the kids and invite a little more playfulness into our lives. I hope you can all find ways to incorporate more play into your days!
(4).jpg/Image%20(2)(4)__240x320.jpg)
(3).jpg/Image%20(3)(3)__240x320.jpg)
(3).jpg/Image%20(4)(3)__240x320.jpg)