NCS ELEMENTARY K-5TH GRADE

Pursuing His Purpose

Since 1980 Northwest Christian School has been a light in this valley and in recent decades, a model for Christian schools in Arizona and the surrounding states. I know this because I’ve been one of those Christian school administrators who has learned from NCS and the great people here, people like Dawna Underwood, Samantha Maszton, and Geoff Brown! It is a privilege for me to follow Mrs. Underwood in her role, and for me to join what God and this community have established here at NCS. It is also a privilege to begin this journey with your children as they are encouraged to pursue the plan our God has for them by discovering the gifts and talents He has given them!

As our students experience struggle, challenge, and success during the course of a school year (while in the context of this covenantal Christian community), let’s encourage them to know these are important opportunities for our God to shape us so we can proceed thereafter with confidence and courage according to His will and the Word of God. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purposes” (Phil 2:13). Thankfully, we can trust Him to accomplish these purposes in us.

Even though we still have some time before school begins on August 7, we are already excited to meet you and launch the beginning of our 2023-2024 school year. Mrs. Bree Tarbutton (Director of Early Education and Kindergarten), Mr. JT Barnes (1st-8th Assistant Principal) and I are excited for the opportunity to greet you at the MeettheTeacher event on August 3rd!

Meet the Teacher Event – Thursday, August 3rd Kindergarten – 5th grade students and their families are invited to the Don Sanderson gymnasium!

● If your last name begins with A-L, please join us at 9:00!

● If your last name begins with M-Z, please join us at 10:00!

We begin in the gymnasium where class rosters will be posted and you learn the name of your child’s teacher for the first time. You may also pick up the Elementary Handbook, and learn about the After School Advantage Program (ASAP), or other enrichment opportunities that might interest you and your child After you have received this information, please visit your child’s classroom and meet his/her teacher for the first time! We want to thank Mrs. Bo Hovda for facilitating this extensive event for our elementary students and families!

Eric Dowdle

Elementary Principal Northwest Christian School

Welcome to Kindergarten and First Grade!

Our teachers are excited to begin the new school year with your children! In preparation for the upcoming year, we ask that you plan to attend our Kindergarten and First Grade Information Night This meeting is scheduled on the Thursday evening before school begins for teachers to share about the Kinder and First Grade entry points into school. The teachers will help you all begin the year with the information you will need for a strong and confident start to the school year.

On Thursday, August 3rd there are two separate meetings for you to attend. We are asking that you attend both events as you prepare for Kindergarten and First Grade at NCS.

● Meet the Teacher is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This is intended for both you and your child to attend. Feel free to come any time during this time frame. This is an opportunity for your child to meet their teacher, enjoy the classroom and see friends that will be in their classroom.

● Kinder and First Grade Back to School Night is scheduled from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM This evening is intended for parents only. It will help parents prepare their children for the first day of school. There are so many new things for our Kinder and First graders to know that we provide a time to educate parents about lunches, homework, curriculum and even where kids play and line up before the first day of school

During the evening session on Thursday, August 3rd at 6:00 PM your child’s teacher will cover important topics such as:

● How to help the first week be a special one for your child.

● Classroom management and general expectations for your child in class.

● Lunch ordering and what is available for lunch for your child.

● Volunteering in the classroom.

● Homework expectations and Math Fact Mastery

● Reading Rangers, RAZ Kids and IXL

● Reading logs and grade level expectations.

● Red Word lists for reading.

● Curricular expectations for the year.

Please join us on these events to best support you and your child in the upcoming school year. We look forward to talking with each of you. Parents of Second through Fifth grade students will have their Back to School/Curriculum Night on the evening of Monday, August 14h from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Families!

As mentioned in the Welcome Back Letter, we are made on purpose, for a purpose. One of the goals in the Elementary Program is to provide a rigorous program of education to help the students at NCS become strong students in order that they enjoy the purpose for which God made them. During Back to School Night the teachers provide information on what is taught, classroom academic expectations, classroom management and things to look forward to throughout the year

Please join us on Monday, August 14th at Back to School/Curriculum Night. During this time your child’s teacher will cover important topics such as:

● Projects and presentations expected during the year.

● Classroom management and general expectations for your child in class.

● Lunch ordering and what is available for lunch for your child.

● How you can support the educational plans on campus each day.

● Homework expectations and Math Fact Mastery.

● Accelerated Reader and Math Online opportunities.

● Curricular expectations for the year

The following will provide the times for events that will be covered that evening.

5:00 PM

AR info in the Library and Specials Teachers available to meet in the library. Set up your Canvas Account as a Parent Observer

5:00 PM

August 14th

Elementary Back to School Night for Parents of 2nd through 5th grade Students

Kinder and First Grade Parents met the evening of Meet the Teacher on Aug 3rd.

5:30 PM

3rd & 4th Grade Floating Lab Information Band Room

5:30 - 6:40 5th Grade Camp Info

Curriculum Information Band Room for all sessions

Session One: Curriculum Night in the Classrooms: Grades 2nd – 4th 6:45 PM

6:00 PM

Session Two: Curriculum Night in the Classrooms Grades 2nd – 4th

*Repeat from 6:00 PM time

As always, we look forward to getting to know you better Thank you for choosing NCS for your child’s education!

In His Service, The Elementary Team at NCS!