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Happy Administrative Professionals Week!

April 24, 2024
By Nicole McDowell, Director

If you want to know what is really going on at our center, just ask Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, or Ms. Crystal. While I might take the lead alongside our program supervisors, and teachers handle day-to-day classroom happenings, it is usually our amazing front desk staff and campus enrollment manager who are the keepers of the pulse of the entire center.  

It's our front office staff who are the front lines of school communication—answering the phones, greeting visitors, welcoming new families, and scheduling appointments. They are the keepers of school records, the schedulers of appointments, and the dispensers of sage advice. It's our front office staff who are always there with a tissue when a child’s feelings are hurt, with a calm voice when someone is upset, and with a sympathetic ear when teachers are stressed.  

I think we all know that our front office staff are the ones who keep things running smoothly. Maybe that’s why we are so eager to recognize this amazing team’s hard work. I feel so fortunate to work with this supremely competent team. With our learning center as home to nearly 180 early learning students, we know firsthand the important role this team has played in helping our families and staff each and every day.

So here is a big THANK YOU, a huge SHOUT-OUT to Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal for all their hard work, creativity, commitment to our center, and commitment to the families we serve, and for being a joy to work with every day. We are so grateful for you and for the team players that you are, for helping each other, lifting each other up, and supporting one another as we continue to grow this center.  

I encourage you all to take a moment to say a warm thank you this week to these amazing ladies! Happy Administrative Professionals Week! 

 

An Unforgettable Experience

April 17, 2024
By Tyler McClung, CCS Board Chair

CCS Community:

I recently had the chance to chaperone the 8th grade I-Term trip to Washington D.C., an unforgettable experience. It was rewarding to watch our teachers and staff plan the trip, our parents engage with students as chaperones, and our students view American history through a biblical lens. I was reminded of Cascade Christian’s core value of wisdom, viewing life from God’s perspective, and of the commitment to immerse students in a biblical worldview in every area of life.

The trip reminded me of our many blessings, including living in a country where our founders established religious freedom nearly 250 years ago. This freedom allows us to continue to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ actively, making it possible for our students to pursue their God-given purpose and potential. Not all societies around the world enjoy these same freedoms and privileges that we do.

I was impressed by our students’ engagement during the trip and by their ability to respectfully interact with each other for five days. This is one of the many benefits of Cascade Christian Schools, where we are committed to treating everyone with love, respect, and dignity, recognizing each individual as uniquely created in the image of God. It was great to see the kids living out the importance of unity within community!  

As a board member, I participate in an annual meeting with outgoing seniors. When asked about their favorite memories, the most common answer is I-Term. This is where all the learning throughout the years is put into action, either through serving others or learning more about God’s Kingdom. This is a beautiful reminder of the blessing of being part of the Cascade Christian community.  

Finally, I want to specifically thank all of our teachers and staff who facilitated these amazing trips. Our students will surely remember their I-Term experiences for years to come. Your hard work and dedication has created a significant impact. 

Tyler McClung

CCS Board Chair 

 

Finding Refuge in God's Presence: Trusting in His Unfailing Security

April 10, 2024
By Jake Petersen, Director of Safety and Security

As we navigate the challenges of life, we often seek security in various forms—financial stability, social connections, physical safety. Yet, true security can be found only in God, who is our ultimate refuge and strength. Like a sturdy shelter in the midst of a storm, God offers us a safe haven where we can find peace and protection.

Psalm 27 speaks to the universal human longing for security and protection in the face of life’s uncertainties. Written by King David, this ancient hymn resonates with timeless truths about finding refuge in the intimate presence of God.

In verse 5, which says, “He will hide me in the secret place in His tent” (NASB), secret place is from the Hebrew word çêther, which means “covering, shelter, hiding place.” And the word tent is from the Hebrew word ʼôhel, which means “dwelling, home, habitation” of God—more than merely physical proximity. David is emphasizing the profound intimacy of our relationship with God that transcends the physical.

Throughout the month of April, we will be exploring what it means for us to DWELL IN GOD’S SECURITY. We want our students to look to God and trust in Him for ultimate security. Trusting in God's security means surrendering our fears and anxieties into His capable hands. It means acknowledging our dependence on Him for guidance, provision, and protection. When we place our trust in God, we can rest assured that He is faithful to uphold us, even in the darkest of times.

In a world filled with uncertainty, God remains our steadfast anchor. He is the one constant amid life’s ever-changing circumstances. When we abide in His presence, we experience a profound sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. We are reminded that no matter what challenges we face, God is always with us, leading us forward with unwavering love and grace.

Trusting in God’s security doesn’t mean that we will never encounter difficulties or hardships. Instead, it means that we can face life’s challenges with courage and resilience, knowing that God is fighting for us and working all things together for our good. In Him, we find the strength to persevere, the wisdom to navigate adversity, and the hope to press on toward the future He has planned for us.

As we reflect on Psalm 27:5, let us be reminded of the profound truth that God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble. May we take comfort in the assurance that we can trust in His unfailing security, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

 

Source:

StudyLight.org. (n.d.). Interlinear Bible. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.studylight.org/study-desk/interlinear.html?q1=Psalms+27:5.  

Emphasize God's Love

March 26, 2024
By Nicole McDowell and other authors

I was able to find a great blog to share with you that can help us learn more on how we can share the truth about Easter with our early learners. Check it out!

There’s something about watching a bunch of three-and four-year-olds decked out in frilly dresses and bow ties, racing through the yard as they hunt for eggs and get distracted by bugs, airplanes, and…oh my gosh, there’s candy in this egg!

Easter and preschoolers…could there be a cuter combination?

Of course, when it comes to the actual Easter story—you know, the one complete with betrayal and death—this holiday takes on a decidedly darker look.

While it’s impossible to skip over Jesus’ actual death, when it comes to preschoolers, be sure to keep the main thing the main thing. And the story of Easter? It is all about God’s love for us.

He willingly chose to send His Son down to Earth and to certain death. But why? He did this so we could live a better life. He did this so we could live eternally with Him in Heaven. He did this not just for our happiness, but for our ultimate joy.

God chose to give up His one and only Son. Jesus chose to give up His very life. He chose to die so that you and I can live. God loves us so much that He did the hardest thing ever–He gave up His Son. I cannot imagine doing that! And Jesus loves us so much that He did the hardest thing ever–He gave up His life. Can you imagine doing that?

Above all else, be sure that the Easter story you share connects the heart of your preschooler to the heart of the Father.   

My prayer for you is to enjoy this precious time with your children and be reminded of God’s love for us. Happy Easter from your PELC family! 

Recent Posts

4/24/24 - By Nicole McDowell, Director
4/17/24 - By Tyler McClung, CCS Board Chair
4/10/24 - By Jake Petersen, Director of Safety and Security
3/26/24 - By Nicole McDowell and other authors
3/20/24 - By Zoey Baldwin, CCS Senior

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