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 2013 Jog-A-Thon

Dear NCS family,

For years, before I was part of the NCS family, I was on the receiving end of NCS Jog-A-Thon fliers from family and friends.  It wasn’t until 2011 that I had my first opportunity to be part of the Jog-A-Thon as an official member of the NCS family.  And, given my new perspective, what moved me the most as we moved through the process was a keen appreciation of the support and vision that our families have for the mission of Northwest Christian School.  As we prepare to launch Jog-A-Thon 2013, I want this letter to serve as an expression of our gratitude for that support and vision and a reminder of the good things that result from your effort and generosity.

I also want our school family to understand that we do everything possible to operate a “black” budget without fundraising based strictly on the funds collected through tuition.  The school exercises tremendous fiscal discipline to that end.  For that reason, we are able to provide assurance that the funds received through Jog-A-Thon directly benefit the student experience.  This past year, the Jog-A-Thon provided for new shade structures, misters, portable coolers for outside lunch areas, and a host of new technology tools to enhance student learning and engagement.  This included two mobile IPad carts, a laptop cart, new projectors, document cameras, and technology to support a growing multimedia curriculum.

Similarly, this year’s annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser presents a tremendous opportunity to dramatically improve students’ experiences in the classroom and throughout the campus.  Having visited with our families and reviewed our recent online parent survey very carefully, the school has elected to use the funds that we raise for Jog-A-Thon in three ways that I believe will speak to the desires of our community:

(1)     Campus Security.  Recently, the school secured the services of a school security consultancy group that has made specific recommendations that will allow us to increase the profile of safety on campus.  Among the several changes that our security plan calls for, families can expect changes that will increase safety in the parking lot as well as campus entry points.  Incorporated within the security recommendations, our families will see additional physical improvements on the elementary portion of our campus.

(2)     Technology improvements in the classroom.  As part of the second year in five-year technology plan that we have developed with our teachers and curricular leaders, our families can expect to see dramatic improvements in terms of integrated technology across the content areas at all grade levels.  As well, we are bringing a special focus to updating technology curriculum.  The NCS technology plan will ultimately position the school to be a tech-learning leader in the valley.

(3)     Service Learning.  Beginning last year, teachers at every grade level began pulling developmentally appropriate Christian service opportunities into the curriculum at every grade level.  A portion of the Jog-A-Thon proceeds each year will be contributed to this program resulting in a net reduction in the amount of fundraising we do as a school and allow students to focus on the hands-on elements of service.

As your students bring home Jog-a-Thon forms shortly, please trust that your generosity in terms of time and resources will be applied directly to improving our students’ experiences and education.  I am extremely grateful for your effort and support of Jog-a-Thon 2013!

Geoff Brown

Superintendent

Northwest Christian School

(623)225-5573 (cell)

gbrown@ncsaz.org