Brian  Louden is the president of Northland Christian School Board of Trustees. The Louden family came to Northland in 1998 in search of a school that could provide a Christian environment and  challenge their children at the highest academic level. The unexpected benefit of NCS was the    comfort they felt knowing their children were loved and in a safe environment.

The best thing about NCS, according to Brian, is the people. “Northland is a family. Once you know what NCS can mean in the lives of you and your children, you want to remain a part of it.”

Brian has been married to his wife, Vicki, for 23 years. Vicki has worked as the Director of Admissions and Communications at NCS for the past 5 years. They have three sons: Patrick – 19, Parker – 15 and Peyton – 13. He has worked for Prudential Insurance for 16 years as National Sales Director for National accounts for 25% of the country. He is a deacon at Bammel Road Church of Christ, and was appointed to the Northland Christian School board in 2004.

Twenty-seven NCS Middle School students gathered at Lutheran High North to compete in this year’s Academic Quest. Categories ranged from grammar, geography, and math, to open events such as The Cold War, Bible memory and inventors. Students were given a written test and competed against seven other local private schools. The final event of the day was a team event where teams of five from each school competed in a timed test of both academic and logical skills. NCS placed 2^nd in this event.

NCS took four 1^st place awards, seven 2^nd place and three 3^rd place at the meet. They also took twelve 4^th-6^th place awards. Top Overall Student Awards went to 6th Grader, Chandler Fleming—4th place; 7th grader, Bethany Dennison— 1st place; 8th graders, Jacob Behling—1st place, Vincent Nguyen— 4th place, and Linda Wu— 5th place. By placing in so many events, Northland accumulated enough wins to take 2^nd overall at the meet! Congratulations Cougs!

 

 

Elementary Christian Leadership Council has had a busy year! This service based Friday Club is made up of 6 students in grades 3-5 whose mission is to serve those in our       community. Take a look at all that this club has organized and accomplished thus far:

•  Fall Food Drive which brought in more than 500 lbs. of food for NAM;

•  All activities for Red Ribbon Week – A “Just Say No” program against drug, alcohol & tobacco use;

•  Advertising the Terracycle recycling program, which reuses packaging from Caprisun-style foil drinks pouches to make other items (managed by PTO volunteers);

•  Organized more than 100 students to make motivational posters and placemats to send with the KAIROS Christian ministry during their local prison outreach seminars;

•  Clothing Drive which brought in more than 4,500 pieces of clothing to donate to local charities such as Dress for Success, MANNA House, Salvation Army, CareNet, Champions Forest Baptist Ministries, and the newly organized Northland Christian School Teens Stepping Up program;

Northland Christian School Holds First “Town Hall” Meeting

In the fall, storms were brewing in the 3^rd grade Science Lab! Mike Fuori, a meteorologist from Iberdrola Energy, visited the lab and explained the job of a meteorologist. Following the visit, students were assigned a storm which they had to report on as if they were a meteorologist. Encouraged to dress the part, students were ready for all types of weather as they presented their “forecast” using their powerpoint skills.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful Christmas Break! I enjoyed spending quality time with my family.  Over the break I was thinking about my time spent at NCS as a student just a few years back…..well….maybe it was a little longer than that. I am so thankful that I was blessed to have had such wonderful teachers and mentors. Even today God is still blessing me and my family through NCS. I couldn’t imagine having my children being taught and molded by anyone other than their teachers. Sometimes I take for granted how lucky I am to be able to send my kids to a place where I know they will be loved and protected. I just want to say thanks to all our teachers and thank God for their commitment to educating our students. NCS is truly blessed to have such a wonderful teaching and coaching staff.

As we embark upon the spring semester I encourage all of us to put our best foot forward and to strive for excellence in everything we do. I know God has great plans for each of us this semester and I pray that he will reveal those plans to us. Please know that you are prayed for daily and that you are loved and appreciated.

“To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

The words from Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes, remind us of our ever changing world. We all like to have stability in our lives. Change can be scary. But we know that in organizations, as well as in life, change is inevitable. Even nature is set up for change as we see the seasons come and go. Sometimes we even have to promote change when it is needed.

So we can fight change, accept change or embrace change. I believe that this year will be one of change at Northland Christian School. For the last eight months we have been evaluating everything that we do by asking some of these questions: How can we be better at what we do? What do parents expect of us? What value do they perceive for the cost of education?

If we take a hard, honest look at the answers, we see that improvements can be made and should be made in some areas. In others it may simply be a matter of perception, which means we have to do a better job at communication.

Whatever is done, it should be in the best interests of Northland Christian School and the young lives that we are entrusted to positively impact. 

Students in Jennifer Keily’s Anatomy and Physiology class are getting a hands on look at, well, hands. Students have been studying the muscles in the arms and hands and how they must work in conjunction to perform simple tasks. To put their knowledge into practice, Mrs. Keily assigned these Juniors and Seniors the project of

FRESHMAN:  You have completed the first semester of your high school career.  Continue to work hard and earn grades that you will be pleased for colleges to see on your transcript, which is your permanent record. Begin to look at various college entrance requirements and set goals for yourself, visiting college campuses when you have the opportunity to do so.

SOPHOMORES: PSAT test results have been mailed along with your PLAN test results. Please review your test results and define areas in which you would like to improve.  Continue to compete with yourself to improve upon the grades you earned in the 9^th grade. Colleges like to see that you are consistently improving.

JUNIORS:  You are allowed two college visitation days this year.  If there are colleges you wish to visit, arrange to make those visits before Spring Break. Also, register to take the SAT and the ACT early in the spring so that there is time to retest by early June, 2010, which is the last testing opportunity for the current school year.

SENIORS:  Complete all college applications ASAP. Check application deadlines carefully. The FAFSA is now available online.  Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible, as many universities award aid on a first come-first served basis. Plan to make your spring semester the best yet – good grades and good times with friends and family.

 

 

Everyone needs to feel the love on Valentine’s Day! Ms. Wiley and Ms. Kellogg’s 4-year-old classes decided to spread a little love this year by making sure no one was forgotten. These classes created homemade valentines to decorate the doors at Atria Assisted Living Center on     Cypresswood. Not only were they putting their cutting and pasting skills to the test, they were also learning one of  Jesus’ most important lessons—caring for others. What a great way to bless those in our community.

It’s been a busy Fall and Winter for PTO at both the elementary and secondary campus. The elementary has been busy with Great American Fundraising, Chuck E Cheese nights, Donuts with Dad, Teacher Appreciation Brunch, Christmas Concerts, and the annual Scholastic Book Fair.

Additionally, the secondary PTO started the year with Parent Coffees, Student Socials, Homecoming Dance, Campus Beautification Projects, Teacher Conference Day Luncheons, Christmas Teacher Buffet, and Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Sales.

The efforts of both campuses were rewarded with the most successful Family Reading Night ever hosted at Barnes & Noble. Together we earned more than $3,000 for library improvements. More importantly, our students impressively represented NCS in our community.

The true spirit of Christmas was evident in the generosity of Northland parents when the PTO’s coordinated Christmas gifts for the fabulous faculty and staff in our Northland Christian School family. 

These are just a few of the events that kept our kids, teachers and PTO volunteers busy. Each one of these events was a tremendous success, from creating cohesiveness between the two PTO boards, fostering relationships within our NCS families, to raising much needed funds for enhancements to our school. None of this would have been possible without the support and countless service hours from our incredible Northland parents and staff.  A great big thank you for all you do.

2010 has some exciting events as well. Mark your calendars for the Black & Gold Gala, P.E. Show, Grandparents Day, Elementary Spring concert and grade level art auction, Mother/Daughter & Father/Son Banquets, and School-wide Spiritual Renewal Events. As always, we’d love to have involvement

from as many parents who are able. 

Contact any PTO board member for volunteer opportunities or join us at either campus for our monthly PTO meeting.  Meeting Dates are posted online on the ACTIVITY CALENDAR. We have plenty of volunteer opportunities for you to contribute to the success of our school.

Again, many thanks for your commitment to our school and the PTO.  It is truly appreciated.

Pam Winder, Elementary PTO president pam@houstonkidstuff.com

Noelle Hill, Secondary PTO president noellehill11806@yahoo.com

 

 

As we enter into our time of re-enrollment, I wanted to share a couple of thoughts with you. Thank you for your investment of time, money, and most importantly, your child at Northland Christian School. As a father of four boys, two of which have graduated from NCS and two that are still at the secondary, I have always counted it an incredible blessing to be at a school that supports my prayers, values, and mission for my kids. I want all of our children, mine and yours, to build their lives on a strong foundation of God’s presence, being Christ centered, and eternally focused. From that foundation a successful life grows. NCS is a place that helps us build that kind of life in our kids. Along with that foundation, we have been blessed at NCS to experience daily what I call life pillars. A pillar is a vertical structure used to support a super structure—that super structure is the life of your child and mine. 

What pillars at NCS help support our children’s lives? First, our children are supported and taught from a perspective of God’s biblical truth. Second, our kids are exposed on a daily basis to living examples of what it looks like and means to be a Christian man or woman. Third, our kids experience a school community of Christ-like love and compassion. Fourth, our children experience vision creation for their lives. Who they are in God’s eyes, who He has created them to be, what gifts and talents He has given them, and inspiration to develop those gifts and talents will be used for His glory and for the blessing of other peoples lives. And the fifth pillar, our children experience sacrifice and service which helps them come to the realization that they are and will be the hands and feet of Christ to their world.

Thank you once again for investing in NCS. In the words of a famous credit card commercial, it truly is “Priceless”.

Encouraging NCS 3rd graders to dream big, NASA engineer Dr. Mark Khavat visited Mrs. Owens Science Lab to tell students about the new Constellation program that is in progress at NASA. Dr. Khayat is helping design communication systems for both astronauts, rockets, and space shuttles as the Constellation program works on sending people to the moon and mars. He let the kids try on genuine astronaut gear that had gone into space and let them view space shuttle tiles and astronaut food. By using their science and math skills and working hard these 3rd graders might be the next great rocket scientists!

Bammel:

· Feb. 26th -28th: Soul Link—to register and for more information: http://www.soullink.org/2010/Home.html

· April 24th: Girls 13-103 will enjoy this Beth Moore event “So, Long Insecurities” simulcast live from Atlanta.

Champion Forest:

· Feb. 21st & Feb. 24th: Arctic Slam — 4 on 4 Volleyball Tournament ,

· Check out how to register for this and other events at: http://championforest.org/guide/students/

Faithbridge: 

· March  19-21: Middle School Retreat at Pinecove,

· For more information and to Register online:  http://www.faithbridge.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=41389&PID=537557

Fallbrook:

· http://www.fallbrookchurch.org/ministry.php?pid=43

To have your church’s events listed, please send information to aeller@northlandchristian.org

February 2010

Reaching For The Sky and Beyond!

Setting Our Faces

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:7, NIV)

I am so grateful for all of the parents that came to our informational meeting on January 11.  It was extremely cathartic for me to have a forum to explain where Northland Christian School is headed academically in the future.  In order to achieve the brand that we are trying to create we are going to have to face many hurdles and tough decisions in the coming months and years in order to become the premier school in Houston, Texas.  I am proud to announce that I have never seen a more steeled resolve on the part of the NCS administration and faculty to negotiate the obstacles ahead.  We are augmenting academics, addressing enrollment, improving facilities, and trying to find the best personnel to instruct our students.  There are many other exciting happenings going on behind the scenes that we are looking forward to revealing once they come to fruition.  NCS has set its face “like flint” to carry out the mission that was presented, and we are continuing to move forward.  With God’s help, we will not be put to shame!

 

 

LOVE is in The Air

Buddy Ellisor

NCS Middle School Takes 2^nd Overall at Academic Quest

David Nelson

Brian Louden with wife, Vicki, and three sons, Patrick, Parker and Peyton

Elementary Christian Council

Elementary Christian Council unites with Secondary’s  Teens Stepping Up Council  for Spring Food Drive

NCS Board of Trustees Spotlight

Middle School Sports — Got Championships?

Girls Volleyball A Team—District Champions

Boys Basketball A Team — District Champions

 

Girls Basketball A Team — 3rd in District Tournament

Boys Basketball B Team —  District Champions

 

David Nelson was recently named Head Football Coach for the 2010-2011 school year. He is excited to get back on the field ministering to young men. Coach Nelson has a true love of the game and is committed to not only to cultivating true football players, but true men. For Nelson, becoming head coach is “… like putting on a big comfy sweater – it’s going home – it’s what I love.” Coach Ray Waddy has been named as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. Go Cougs!

Nelson Named Head Football Coach

DEBATE Continues to Take National Honors

MS Boys Football Team —  District Champions

 

100^th  Day of School

High School

IRONMAN

David Nelson completed his first Ironman triathlon November 22, 2009 in Arizona.

Swimming 2.4 miles, then cycling 112 miles and finishing the triathlon with a 26.2 mile run, Nelson finished in 12:23— well below his 13 hour goal he had set for himself. There were times when he could actually feel the prayers being lifted up for him. 

Reaching the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, the Boys Varsity Soccer team defeated Brentwood Christian, of Austin, 3-1 in Bi-District play before losing to eventual State Champions Plano Prestonwood in Regionals. “Even in the loss the boys displayed class and character that is expected of a Cougar team,” Coach Norwood said of his team.

Ultra Marathon

November 21, 2009, Campus Minister Rich Reaves completed his first 50 mile Ultra Marathon. In January he ran a 100KM (62M) in Bandera, TX. On February 6th, Rich participated in a 100 mile Ultra Marathon to raise awareness and funds towards clean water projects. Rich completed 80 of the 100 miles before his body could simply go no further. The run raised $1750 for this cause.

 

Southern California Championship Tournament  - UCLA January 2-4, 2010
1st Place Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate:  Josh Roberts
3rd Place Public Forum Debate: Jonathan Crews-James Cossey
Octofinalist Public Forum Debate: Tim Goodwin-Dustin Martin

First Place in the Overall Team Sweepstakes                Mayde Creek HS Tournament - January 22-23, 2010
Northland took top honors at this tournament earning them first overall. Tim Goodwin, Dustin Martin, Jonathan Crews and Maegan Odenweller qualified for State at this tournament. In total, Northland walked away with 23 Wins!

 

Elementary and Secondary PTO Have a Busy Fall

Coach Martin and Coach Abt are gearing up for the annual elementary PE Show on Thursday, March 4, at 7:00 PM. The theme for this year’s show is “Out of This World”. The students are getting excited about this Sci-Fi theme and  the coaches have been working hard teaching the kids various skills needed perform at the show. 

Kindergarteners will be doing a gymnastics routine. Our LEAPsters will be showing us some tricks with the large parachute. The first graders will amaze us, once again, with their hula hoop skills. Second graders will be modeling some fancy moves on their mini jogging tramps. The third graders

Varsity Girl’s Basketball — Advanced to Regionals

Varsity Boys Soccer  - Fourth Year at Regionals

COUGAR ATHLETICS— BE THE BEST!

Hands on Learning

Cougar Kudos

CHURCH ACTIVITIES:

P.E. Show will be Out of This World

Rachel Partin

Kent Hart

Cliff Kraner

In Our Next Issue:  Spiritual Renewal    Patriotic Program    Valentine’s Day 

Join NCS families for a fabulous and fun evening, Saturday, March 6th at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott for Northland Christian’s 2010 Black and Gold Gala. Don’t miss incredible Silent and Live Auction items and the opportunity to help Northland provide the education that you and your student have come to appreciate at Northland Christian.

Just click on the invitation to purchase your tickets for this event!

The NCS Varsity Girl’s Basketball team traveled to Corpus Christi to compete in the Regional Basketball Tournament. They were defeated by the number one seed, John Paul 2nd out of CC. The girls gave valiant effort and played with heart and character. They finished district basketball play in 4th place with a 5-3 record. Great job Cougars!

NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

ONLINE NEWS FOR

PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY,

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL

Kindergarten, LEAP, and First graders eagerly entered school Friday, January 29, to celebrate their 100^th day of school. Students spent the day doing various activities all relating to the number 100.

Kindergartners lined up 100 toothpicks and other objects seeing just how far they would stretch. LEAP students gathered 100 autographs, decorated their “100 page” with 100 items and participated in the 100 Olympics. First graders each brought in a bag filled with 100 items for a mystery guessing game.

The funniest part of the day was when First grade students had to finish the sentence  “I would never…” with a 100 answer. “I would never want 100 scorpions in my pants!” and “I would never want to eat 100 brussel sprouts!” were among Mrs. Kraner’s favorites! They spent the day looking cool in their 100 day glasses.

The students had a great day celebrating 100 days of school!

creating a prosthetic arm and hand that could actually function. Each group had to present their project and “sell” their arm to a medical company.  While presenting, they explained what muscles are being used and how they work together to perform a certain task.

“Learning to work in groups is important, it is where students realize that different strengths come into play to complete a project. One student might be more mathematically/technically geared, while another is more creative. It takes both to complete a project and make it great,” explained Keily.

will show off their abilities on scooters. Fourth graders will dazzle us with an amazing aerobic dance routine! Our fifth graders will top off the show with their famous ripstick and rollerblade routine. Coach Martin and Coach Abt have put many hours into preparing the children for this much-beloved show!  NCS salutes them for a job well done!

 

•  “Bake Sale for Books”  which raised more than $300 to help provide more than 150 new books to a low-income school in Alvin.  The donation was made through the FirstBooks Program and Pi Beta Phi;

•  Spring Food Drive which brought in more than 4,000 items for the NCS Emergency Food Bank (run by the NCS Teens Stepping Up Council),        Bammel’s MANNA Food Bank, and Houston’s “Souper Bowl of Sharing” drive.

“The students in this club are a blessing because they spread their excitement for helping others.  They are naturally motivated to identify needs and organize solutions.  It’s refreshing to see this young generation is interested and willing to develop the skills needed to make a difference in their community. They inspire me weekly to be more service-minded in my daily life,” said Stephanie Williams, the club’s faculty sponsor.

 

 

Don’t Forget:

Go Texan Day, February 26^th, wear western clothes and visit the longhorns.

Throughout the month of February the children will explore Texas and the rodeo. There will be opportunities to play a horse shoe game, cook on a campfire, find critters in the sand pile, and fish in a tank. Come and visit Room 138. You will be in for a real treat. The three year old classes studied a unit on bears and hibernation.  They were so excited to show off their teddy bears during the Bear Parade and celebrate hibernation by wearing their pajamas to school.  Your children are blessed to have numerous opportunities to learn by doing and that is what Northland Christian Preschool provides for them. 

 

The children are happily engaged in learning activities, playing in our preschool classrooms. Through play, they are learning developmental skills, such as: social, fine motor, large motor, creative thinking, exploring, etc. The Discovery Room is a place for hands-on learning. Themes change each month to expand the three and four year old curriculum. During January, the children had the opportunity to play in an igloo, skate on the floor, play in the snow, and decorate a snowman.