ID:Me – Freshmen and Sophomores At Leonihttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IdMeComp.jpg20001125Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
February 3- Over 300 Freshman and Sophomore students from the Pacific Union met at Leoni Meadows for a weekend of worship and training. This year’s theme focused on training young people to serve God in small groups and become leaders in their social groups.
Eddie Heinrich, director of youth and young adult ministries, said, “The ID: Me weekend was amazing. We were blessed with a historic number of students that didn’t let a little rain get in the way. They were committed and blessed with the fellowship.”
School Roof Collapseshttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/EchoRidgeComp.jpg19241008Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
March 5-Echo Ridge Christian, our Pre-Kindergarten through 8th-grade school in Nevada City, was dealt a severe blow over the weekend when the gymnasium roof collapsed under heavy snow and rain.
The building, in use, since 1963, collapsed sometime between 6:00 PM Saturday and 4:30 PM Sunday. Patti Osborne, the principal, stated, “We are thankful that school was not in session nor any of entities who use the space were there. Our gym was a critical part of the education program because it was not only used for physical education, but also housed the library, music department, chapel, art, and cooking class.”
Osborne continued, “Our gym was recently remodeled, including coverings for the gym floor. Additionally, for safety, and to protect the gym, we also spent $10,000 to cut down trees—and it was the snow that destroyed our gym. With the renovations, we rented the space to five local entities including a Sunday Church. We have all lost the space and the financial support so crucial to our small school.”
Laurie Trujillo, director of communication and development, stated, “The snow accumulated quickly and mixed with the rain; the roof could not withstand the weight. The destroyed gym will significantly impact the 42 students and teaching staff of four. However, all classrooms are on a separate part of the campus and sustained no damage. The school will remain in session during cleanup and rebuilding.”
Osborne concluded, “The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services declared a local state of emergency after the recent snowstorm that took our gym, so permitting could happen sooner than normal.” If you wish to support the school, click here.
Preschoolers’ Learning Ignited By Fire Safetyhttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GilFayardComp.jpg19481080Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Gil Fayard is an alum of Sacramento Academy and a soon-to-be Pacific Union College graduate. A kind and compassionate hard worker, Fayard is determining his professional path. Currently, he works as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for the Angwin Fire department. His sister Natalie recently invited him to talk to her preschool class of youngsters at Sacramento Academy.
The children sat on the carpeted floor for circle time, a place used for special presentations and worship. With excitable attention, the children watched as he donned his turnouts (fire retardant overalls), firefighter’s jacket, and helmet describing the purpose of each piece of clothing.
Aided by a PowerPoint presentation, Fayard explained fire safety to the children, including how to dial 911 in an emergency and “stop, drop, and roll” to extinguish a fire on your clothing.
Fayard said, “Even though preschoolers are very young, this foundational safety lesson will stick with them for life. It’s also important to explain why they shouldn’t be afraid of first responders. We’re always there to help them.”
Shari Thompson, Sacramento Academy preschool director, said of Fayard’s presentation, “You can’t communicate this kind of information just being a teacher. To have somebody like Gil from the community present information from his work life is more vital to the education of our children. To see the kids’ faces light up is just amazing! We are thankful for people like Gil for serving as a first response worker and taking time for our children!”
Lodi Schools Avert Disaster!https://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lodi2.jpeg800600Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
The 22-day storm that recently bombarded California did not leave Lodi Academy and Elementary schools unscathed.
Lance Lemos, business manager, said, “We had about 9 inches of rain that completely saturated the soil. With that sogginess, the accompanying wind took down about six trees on the two campuses.”
The more significant trees included mature cedars and spruce that music teacher Jeanine Hanson remembers from the boarding school era – decades ago.
After the storm passed, cleanup started immediately. Volunteers and staff began cutting the trees into fireplace-sized wood to sell in a future fundraiser. The logs too big to cut were removed on trailers by volunteers.
Elementary principal Lisa Nuss said, “We hated to lose our beautiful trees out in front of the school. But God has a reason. What is amazing is that one tree fell just a foot away from our music building!”
Lemos concluded, “God sent all those trees in the right direction, thankfully avoiding building damage.”
Pine Hills Choir Wows Capitol Crowdhttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pine-Hills-comp.jpg1200626Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
December 6- Pine Hills Academy Choir helped Sacramento Capitol visitors ring in the Christmas Season by performing a selection of sacred and secular holiday music.
As part of the Capitol Holiday Music Program, the Choralaires performed in the Capitol Rotunda. According to David Carreon, principal, “It is amazing and satisfying to have our talented students perform in such a public setting.”
Carreon continued, “It is a privilege to be able to share the story of Jesus’ birth through song in such a secular setting. To see our young people minister through music and interact with the community is what Adventist education is all about.”
Back From The Ashes With A Winhttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Redwood-Comp.jpg1200675Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
December 9- Redwood Academy celebrated the opening of its new gymnasium by hosting a basketball game. The former gym was burned along with the school during the Santa Rosa Tubbs fire in 2017.
According to Lisa Paulson, principal, “Redwood has so much to offer our community, excellent education, our food farm program, and now our gymnasium with events lined up one after another. We are so blessed and ecstatic to have it ready!”
Receiving their occupancy permit on December 6, they promptly had their first basketball practice on Wednesday in preparation for a game on Friday. And play they did! The 7th and 8th-grade boys battled back from a 12-point deficit to win their game against a local undefeated team.
According to Matthew Beehler, financial chair, and coach, “We were definitely the underdogs in this game, so winning 42 to 38 may have been sparked by being on our new home court.”
Paulson concluded, “It’s been an extraordinary week, the end of a long wait. Winning this game was a great way to inaugurate our shiny new home.”
<em>Featured in Northern Lights, December 15, 2022</em>
Acts Of Kindnesshttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ChicoComp.jpg1908993Ken MillerKen Millerhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3312de0a6ac11bed6f94a82593d43da3?s=96&d=mm&r=g
On October 7, students from Chico Oaks school served their community in unique ways.
Each class team chose an act of kindness for someone in their community.
The kindergarten class collected donations for the Butte Humane Society and delivered them to the animals. Students in first and second grade gave out flowers and appreciation letters around the neighborhood. Third and fourth graders picked up trash, and grades fifth to eighth cleaned up a local park and wrote letters to local veterans.
Principal Leslie Bartsch said, “These types of service opportunities set Adventist education apart from the rest. When academics and acts of service show love to our neighbors, we can foster an atmosphere of quality instruction and spiritual growth.”
Academy In The Mountainshttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/JrSrComp.jpg1200625nccsadminnccsadminhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b4dec890e987b80064e272ab1a0b05af?s=96&d=mm&r=g
By Rio Lindo Junior Kaia Miller
Almost 200 Junior and Senior academy students from Northern gathered at Leoni Meadows on the weekend of October 22 for an annual spiritual retreat.
Students enjoyed worship services, group discussions, and time outside in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains forming friendships and learning how to be community-relevant at their schools.
Rio Lindo Senior Isabella Wilmes said, “This weekend taught me much about who I am and how I best connect with God.” Lodi Academy Junior Madie Johnson shared a similar sentiment; she said, “The musical worship part of the event really made me feel the presence of God.”
Eddie Heinrich, director of youth ministries said, “The Junior Senior Retreat is a way to bring a personal relationship with Jesus into focus, nurturing contagiously kind students with a servant’s heart.”
Northern teachers met at Gracepoint church Monday morning for a conference-wide in-service.
According to Lodi Elementary principal, Lisa Nuss, “We have four new teachers this year at Lodi so quick team-building success and conference procedural help is very important.”
Education superintendent Albert Miller said, “Our territory is large geographically and spread out. We set up several of these gatherings every year to support our teachers, discuss important issues, and promote a flow of information going in both directions.”
The day’s activities include new employee orientation and many breakout sessions that offer continuing education credits.
One of three teachers in an eight grade school, Yreka kindergarten teacher Diona Lowery noted, “I was a walk-on teacher last year so these meetings are my crash-course in education management. I loved Keith Jacobson’s message at worship and God has blessed our fifty-student school. I can’t wait to see my little ones next week!”
Lodi Academy Schools in Parade of Lightshttps://nccsda.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lodi-Xmas-Dave-Marson.jpg720480Julie LorenzJulie Lorenzhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/002a07232e8f3faf045c0eac8820b7a7?s=96&d=mm&r=g
On Dec. 2, Lodi Academy Schools again participated in the annual Lodi “Parade of Lights,” joining nearly 80 floats moving through Lodi’s quaint Christmas-decked downtown. Spectators started lining up in the morning for the evening parade, during which more than 15,000 people waved at the participants and enjoyed the holiday event.
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Lodi Academy’s float was pulled by a bright-red 1947 truck decked out with a Christmas tree in the back! Covered in lights and shimmering tinsel, the younger students piled onto hay bales down the center of the float and waved bells while the onboard sound system played variations of “Joy to the World.”
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More than 150 Lodi SDA Elementary and Lodi Academy students, family members, and friends joined the contingent, waving and wishing spectators a “Merry Christmas” from Lodi Academy Schools.
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“Seeing that people enjoy seeing the truck and all the energy from the crowd makes this a really special event and worth the work,” said Kevin Haesche, Lodi Academy’s facilities manager. “Lodi Academy really gets to show people what we are all about in a very public way.”
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Local churches and schools share the float fun of spreading Christmas cheer through other events as the joy of Christmas month continues! Galt SDA Elementary used the academy’s float as part of a parade they joined in Galt, and Lodi’s English Oaks and Fairmont churches will use it for caroling in the surrounding neighborhoods during the holidays. Members can join caroling groups on Sunday, Dec. 19 with English Oaks, and Wednesday Dec. 22 with Fairmont.
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(Credit for first photo: Dave Marson Photography; Other photos: school supplied)
