From the desk of the superintendent...
Dear NCS family,

Honestly, we tried to come up with a better name. Something flashy...maybe something that rhymed, had some alliteration, or maybe just rolled off the tongue. But, alas, we did not. And, as a result, “What’s Next? Packet” was the best we could come up with (he writes with a cringe).

That is to say, the information that you can find at the other end of this link and hold in your “digital hands” is what has most often been called--not for lack of trying to find a better name--the “What’s Next?” packet. Specifically, as you receive this information in mid-June, we have moved past the overwhelmingly busy end of the school year, enjoyed the first few blissful weeks of summer, and are now beginning to turn our attention to Fall 2021 and the launch of the 2021/2022 school year. Having survived the memorable 2020/2021 (may she rest in peace...forever), our families, students and faculty have started to collectively ask, “Hey, what’s next?” And, cue the fanfare, here it is...all the answers needed to sate your burgeoning curiosity about the new school year!

Contained within these pages (and pages, and pages, and pages), you will find all that you need as you gear up for the 2021/2022 school year. For many of you, this information arrives in the nick of time--you are already buying spiffy new shoes for the new year, purchasing school supplies--you are on top of it! For the rest, I imagine a collective groan: “Really? Already? Summer has just started! We have weeks of vacations and memories ahead!” For the former, I say, “Dig right in! Call with questions!” For the latter, I say, “No worries! Tell Siri to bury this email as deep as she can and bring it back into the daylight on August 1st!” Either way, when you are ready, it is ready for you.

And, we are so ready too!

Grateful for the opportunity to serve this school and your family,
  
Geoff Brown
Superintendent
Northwest Christian School
(623)225-5573 (cell)
Northwest Christian Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony: May 21, 2021

North Phoenix Baptist Church was the venue on Friday, May 21st as the 130-member-strong class of 2021 was launched into the world. Click on the video below to enjoy the ceremony.
A Championship Year: Northwest Christian Teams and Individuals Win Big at State

Despite the Covid-related disruption to the 2020/2021 school year and the moving target that became the guidelines for high school athletic competition, Northwest Christian secondary athletic teams and individuals enjoyed a banner year. Literally. This summer, the school is hanging five new, purple state championship banners in the Don Sanderson Gymnasium to recognize teams that won the top spots in the state despite adversity. As well, individual athletes earned spots on the state championship podiums--some for the first time in school history.

The preponderance of purple banners also carry a pinch of pink this year with four of the five banners have been achieved by girls teams. In the fall, ladies volleyball three-peated--their third Div. III banner in three years. During that same season, the ladies on the Crusader Cross Country team also placed as State-Runners Up. In the winter, the girls soccer team won their second state championship in four years. In the spring, Reagan Hope and Mackenzie Wise won the school's first beach volleyball state championship banner while the relatively new boys volleyball team won their first Div. II state-runners-up banner.

Aside from the banners, other Crusader teams drove deep into state tournament brackets with quarter final finishes from football (Div. IV!), baseball, boys basketball, and softball.

On the individual side, after a huge amount of work and discipline, senior Alex Hernandez won the school's first ever state championship for discus within Track and Field. Senior Tanner Wisely also finished as state-runner-up on the podium for wrestling.

High school athletes were not the only ones who experienced the thrill of victory. Middle School football finished 2nd in their league and softball won the league championship.
The Great Commission doesn't take a summer break! A team of aspiring and inspiring Crusader missionaries have just returned from Imuris, Sonora where they hosted a Vacation Bible School for children within the Kids Kingdom orphanage as well as the surrounding community. To learn more about all of the great Missions Learning trips that will be available to Northwest Christian students this next year, click here!
Crusader Nation, let's get ready! Excitement for a 'normal' season of football is running high as Crusader Football readies for August. Having won both the Arizona Christian University Passing League Tournament and the Mingus High Passing League Tournament, the team is performing very well in Summer 2021 in summer competitions. On the way to these wins, the Crusaders have beat Notre Dame Prep, North Canyon, Cactus Shadows, East Mark, Westwood, Valley Christian, Tolleson, and San Tan. In the Mingus High tourney, although they ultimately won it all in pool play, the team also came within a touchdown of beating Liberty High School.
Meet the New Teachers: Northwest Christian Welcomes Both Veteran Crusaders and Teachers New to the Community

When the 2021/2022 school year kicks off in August, the Crusader community will enjoy welcoming back into the teaching ranks some vets. As well, there will be several other teachers, altogether new to the Crusader community.

Northwest Christian is excited to welcome back both Colleen Pfitzinger and Patty Johson. Colleen, who took a year to help lead the establishment of the curriculum for Northwest Christian School Online Elementary will be coming back to the on-the-ground classroom as a member of the 3rd grade team. Patty, who is returning to the first grade classroom, a grade level she has previously taught for Northwest Christian, after working within administration and (thank you, Patty!) bringing stability to classrooms impacted by Covid-driven teacher quarantines last year.

J.T. Barnes is also no stranger to the Crusader community. Fresh from a stint as a member of YoungLife staff in San Diego, Barnes has previously taught within the Northwest Christian Middle School. While in San Diego, J.T. assist middle school Wyldlife sponsor Kathy Gonzales to develop the YoungLife Leadership courses that are now part of the Frameworks program.

In addition to the three returning veterans, we have four new teachers joining the Crusader instruction team. Below, please take a few minutes to meet them all!
The adventure continues! We are only just past the midpoint in June and Adventure Cru already has two events in the books! First, Adventure Cru hit the Arizona Archery Club where they were joined by archery instructors who helped the beginners get started and the advanced archers to hone their skills. Then, on Friday, June 18th, a group of intrepid Crusader adventurers hit the Phoenix Rock Gym.
A Bumper Crop of Babies! The littlest Crusaders--part of the Northwest Christian Mini-Crusaders--are the infants. And, the 2021/2022 school year will be a banner year for babies on campus. In fact, so much so, the room is being relocated and completed refurbished and renovated this summer. In addition, when the room re-opens this fall, it will be rechristened as the "Taking Cara Babies" Baby Room.
Northwest Christian, RightNow Media is Your Virtual, Video Yearbook of 2020/2021--all FREE of charge

Imagine reliving key, memorable moments from the unforgettable 2020/2021 school year--all free of charge and via your phone, smart television, desktop computer, or tablet. RightNow Media is the Netflix of Bible studies and family-friendly movies and children's programming. It's also the home to a huge amount of video-based Northwest Christian content from the 2020/2021 school year. On Northwest Christian School's RightNow Media page, available at this link, you can enjoy chapels, concerts, senior graduation, eighth grade promotion, Crusader's Got Talent, missions trips, and so much more.

And, we are excited to announce, that beginning Friday, May 21st, the NCS RightNow Media page is providing access to the NXNW 2021 student film--"Do-Gooders".
Remember, when you shop at smile.amazon.com, AmazonSmile donates to Northwest Christian School at no cost to you!
Partnership with Tuft & Needle!
[NCS receives 25% of the purchase price!]

You can start shopping and sharing this link at anytime.

NCS will receive 25% back on all sales that come in through our school!

Why not share with family and friends? The price is the same whether or not you choose to give to NCS!