INTERMOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BLOG
Meet Mr. Wittstock!
Meet Mr. Wittstock, ICS new middle and high school faculty!
Meet Mr. Wittstock!
Q: What’s your new position at ICS?
My title is MS English/HS Government/HS Debate. I'll be teaching middle school English, high school government and economics (11th and 12th grade) and coaching the high school debate team.
Q: Where are you from? If you're not originally from UT, how did you end up here?
I am originally from the Chicago area in Illinois, but while I was in college much of my family moved to Utah. After graduation, I wanted to be near my family and was excited to see the opportunity at Intermountain Christian School!
Q: Tell us about your family!
My parents both grew up in Chicago but now live in Heber City full time. My brother is a sophomore at University of Utah studying marketing.
Q: What is something most people don't know about you? OR What are you most passionate about?
I am a huge NASA nerd and watch almost every space launch! I am also very passionate about running and being outdoors and participated in many ultramarathons during college. I know there are many ultramarathons out west as well and I look forward to training in the mountains!
Q: What are you looking forward to most in your new role at ICS?
I'm looking forward to so much at ICS! Most of all I'm looking forward to meeting the students and their families, learning more about the school, and helping others grow closer in their relationship with Christ as well as myself! I can tell from my visits that this school is a great place to be with so many people who love Jesus, and I can't wait to be a part of that.
Q: What else would you like the ICS community to know about you?
I love collecting full size flags and always pick one up if I see the opportunity!
Meet Mrs. Biel!
Meet Mrs. Biel ICS new PE and health faculty!
Meet Mrs. Biel!
Q: What’s your new position at ICS?
A: I am the new K-12 PE and health teacher
Q: Where are you from? If you're not originally from UT, how did you end up here?
A: I am from South Carolina originally. I moved to Utah in 2017 so my dad could be the pastor at Gospel Hope Church.
Q: Tell us about your family!
A: I have 3 siblings— older brother, older sister, and younger brother. My sister lives in Utah and just recently got engaged. My older brother lives in Alabama and got married last summer. So, I have a sister-in-law now! My younger brother lives in Hawaii and volunteers at a Christian non-profit called Surfing the Nations. My parents live in Utah and my dad is the lead pastor at Gospel Hope Church. I am engaged and will be getting married August 6, 2022! My family has a German shepherd named Bristol.
Q: What is something most people don't know about you? OR What are you most passionate about?
A: I have always loved sports and over the past few years I have enjoyed playing on a co-ed soccer team, playing sand volleyball, and getting outside whenever I can.
Q: What are you looking forward to most in your new role at ICS?
A: I am most looking forward to working with every grade level and getting to know the whole student population. I can’t wait to build relationships with the students!
Q: Where do you go to Church?
A: I go to Gospel Grace Church downtown Salt Lake City, UT.
Q: What else would you like the ICS community to know about you?
A: I attended ICS for my senior year of high school so I can’t wait to be back as a teacher. In my spare time I enjoy getting outdoors whether that’s through hiking, going for walks, or playing sports with friends.
I AM INSPIRED: CONNECTING TO THE REAL WORLD
“Now the language has taken its own life and my hope is that these students will continue to learn, not only Spanish but many languages as they have learned that this is one more way to connect to others in God’s great world.”
The relational connection through language is the biggest reason I teach Spanish at ICS. This Spring, I was able to accompany many of my high school students to Ensenada, Mexico where we were able to make relational connections. ICS offers credits to students for field studies each year. Our group went to the impoverished communities near Tijuana to minister to orphanages, health clinics, and field worker families in joint efforts with several ministries already in operation there.
At first, our students were shy and hesitant to use their Spanish but it didn’t take long until they were conversing about everything they could think of with every person they could talk to. The children at the orphanage where we were staying would come alive when our students spoke Spanish with them, even though many of them could converse in English.
One of the days, we were playing VBS type games with some of the children from Central America who were stuck at the border with their families in one of the caravans. Words cannot describe the interactions that went on that afternoon of face painting, bean bag tossing, and coloring. My students were talking with kids who hadn’t seen a coloring book or toy for months. The tension in their watchful parents’ eyes relaxed just a little as our kids were able to love on them and speak to them in their own language.
Many of my students came away from that trip with a determination to learn more of the language. They got to see first-hand the power of those connections. It’s no longer a boring class where confusing conjugations droll on one after another.The relational connection through language is the biggest reason I teach Spanish at ICS. This Spring, I was able to accompany many of my high school students to Ensenada, Mexico where we were able to make relational connections. ICS offers credits to students for field studies each year. Our group went to the impoverished communities near Tijuana to minister to orphanages, health clinics, and field worker families in joint efforts with several ministries already in operation there.
At first, our students were shy and hesitant to use their Spanish but it didn’t take long until they were conversing about everything they could think of with every person they could talk to. The children at the orphanage where we were staying would come alive when our students spoke Spanish with them, even though many of them could converse in English.
One of the days, we were playing VBS type games with some of the children from Central America who were stuck at the border with their families in one of the caravans. Words cannot describe the interactions that went on that afternoon of face painting, bean bag tossing, and coloring. My students were talking with kids who hadn’t seen a coloring book or toy for months. The tension in their watchful parents’ eyes relaxed just a little as our kids were able to love on them and speak to them in their own language.
Many of my students came away from that trip with a determination to learn more of the language. They got to see first-hand the power of those connections. It’s no longer a boring class where confusing conjugations droll on one after another. Now the language has taken its own life and my hope is that these students will continue to learn, not only Spanish but many languages as they have learned that this is one more way to connect to others in God’s great world.
Written by: Danielle Pimentel, 1st-12th Grade Spanish Teacher
FIND A NEED, MEET A NEED
We looked around - find a need, meet a need ringing in our ears. We had been given $10 as a group and told we had two hours to meet someone, get to know them, and see if there was a need we could meet with the money. With all of those people and so many potential overwhelming needs, who did God have for us and how could $10 be any help?"
{An account of courage on an ICS Field Study trip}
We walked along Mission Street. The dirty, graffitied concrete stared intensely back up at us, making us shift our eyes to the black, boarded up and barred storefronts also colored with layers of grime and graffiti. It was oddly hot as we stepped onto the street and the past three days of pouring rain still did not clear the stench of urine from the air. People stood or sat along the streets, smoking, vacant, waiting. Even the yellow, red, and blue on the Chinese take-out store was sad, tired, and dim. I walked up to the student in front of the group and asked, “What is God saying to you?” “I don’t know,” he responded. “We need to go to 17th Street.”
The intersection of 17th and Mission was an open plaza where several bus stops converged. People sat or stood around the plaza, waiting for the bus, waiting to meet someone, waiting for something. Music came from a two-foot by three-foot speaker hooked to a phone held by what I guessed was a 70-year-old homeless man in a homemade wheelchair - an ancient furniture dolly attached to a chair that looked circa the 1940s. We looked around - find a need, meet a need ringing in our ears. We had been given $10 as a group and told we had two hours to meet someone, get to know them, and see if there was a need we could meet with the money. With all of those people and so many potential overwhelming needs, who did God have for us and how could $10 be any help?
The student leading our group walked over to the music and we all followed. People were sitting and listening, a few were attempting to dance. Our group walked into the middle of the music and spontaneously started dancing. At first, people looked at us strangely, but then God showed up. People began to stand up and join us. They came off the busses and joined us or stopped for a quick dance before they boarded the bus. We clapped and cheered those dancing and encouraged those on the sidelines to dance. The music went on and we continued to dance. We found out the homeless man in the homemade wheelchair was a dance instructor from Cuba and he stood up and gave some lessons. We met a man from Guatemala that had a daughter with the same name as a student in our group. He joined in the dance. We met a woman who was widowed two years ago and refused to speak her husband’s name because he was so abusive. She danced with us. A young woman in her 20s took over the music and we continued to dance. We met a Hispanic woman who was on drugs but danced with us. The music went on. Another man in a wheelchair attempted to stand and dance with us. People were now standing, clapping, singing, and dancing. The joy and freedom that permeated the plaza created a tangible presence and people responded.
The conversations we had after an hour and 15 minutes of dancing showed that money isn’t necessary to help the homeless. People kept coming up to us and thanking us for the joy they experienced while dancing. God had brought the walls down and we were all people, regardless of our nationality, ethnicity, skin color, or living situation. The need was that the tired, sad, hot, and angry conditions be replaced with God’s joy. Find a need, meet a need. God wanted to give more than $10. What He gave was Himself and it was priceless.
Written by Jacqueline Croswhite, HS English, Debate, Social Sciences, and International Program Coordinator
August 2022 Student of the Month
Congratulations to Makenna Stoddard, ICS Upper School August Student of the Month!
August 2022 Student of the Month
Congratulations to Makenna Stoddard (11th), the August ICS Upper School Student of the Month!
Makenna went above and beyond this summer in her eight weeks working for Camp ICS. She did a great job connecting with campers, jumping in to help whenever a problem came up, and was an indispensable help to her Lead Counselor. Her work ethic, kindness, and joy made her a great counselor this summer! Congrats, Makenna!
December 2021 Employee Spotlight
Mr. Begg, high school Bible teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
This is my 9th year at ICS and I teach HS Bible.
What brought you to ICS?
I was exiting a full time ministry position with Young Life and beginning a new part time ministry position with Nexus International. My name was passed along to ICS, and they contacted me about a part time HS Bible teaching opportunity and I jumped on it!
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
There are always fun 'aha' moments with students as they learn different things about the Bible that they didn't know. A highlight would be going through the Bible with the class and discovering not only what God’s word says about following Christ, but where it says it as well.
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My hope for the students every year is that they fall more in love with Jesus each day.
January 2022 Employee Spotlight
Mrs. Combe, prekindergarten teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
I've been at ICS for 16 years and I am the prekindergarten teacher.
What brought you to ICS?
I came to ICS to be a kindergarten classroom aide in 2005, when my youngest son Kyle was starting school. The following year I had the privilege of joining the ICS faculty and began teaching prekindergarten. God definitely led me to this position and I have so cherished my relationship with the children in the classroom, the parents, and the staff.
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
Being part of the Teaching for Transformation early adopters this year has been a fantastic learning experience. I’m super excited to see how this program impacts our already incredible school in the years to come.
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
Teaching my little students that they are deeply loved by God and created for a purpose has been my passion for the last 16 years! I treasure every memory I’ve made here and am grateful for the friendships I’ve been blessed with.
February 2022 Employee Spotlight
Mrs. Pimentel, spanish teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
Our family has been at ICS for fifteen years. We will have our sixth child graduate from ICS this spring. I have been teaching here for 6 years.
What brought you to ICS?
I love that ICS is a non-denominational school that strives to lead people to Jesus while maintaining strong academic rigor.
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
I have had the privilege of being an early adopter of the Teaching for Transformation training that our school is implementing. This training combines "best practices" in teaching with a Kingdom mindset. As an educator, it is exciting to see our school implementing evidence based teaching practices that will benefit our students and families. As a Christian, I get more space and support to frame everything that I teach with the good news of Jesus Christ.
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My hope for myself and my students is that we would remain in awe of God, framing all things with and responding to His love for us.
April 2022 Employee Spotlight
Mrs. MacAvoy, second grade teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
I’ve been teaching second and third graders for five years and this is my first year at ICS. I am the second grade teacher.
What brought you to ICS?
I joined the ICS family with the desire to provide Christ-centered, Christian education for young children.
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
On St. Patrick’s Day, our class had fun doing math activities with Lucky Charms cereal! We made bar graphs and pie charts using the marshmallows. It was a fun and tasty time!
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
I hope that my students will gain a love for learning, grow in their God-given strengths, and develop a greater understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
March 2022 Employee Spotlight
Mrs. Banta, kindergarten teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
This is my first year teaching at ICS and I teach kindergarten!
What brought you to ICS?
I was at another school and was looking for a different teaching opportunity. I had two friends that worked at ICS who reached out to me and then Mitch contacted me as well. At first, I wasn't sure about teaching Kindergarten since I hadn't done it before, but I am so glad and grateful that I work here now. I love it!
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
In my classroom we are always on the lookout for ways that we can love like Jesus. Watching my students grow as they live out acts of grace, kindness, and love to each other has been amazing. There have been words of comfort shared with those who are hurting, help offered to others, and even the giving up of things for classmates. I also found out recently that some of the students are implementing the same things at home. It's an encouragement to watch them grow in Christlike character.
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My goal for my students is that while they learn basic skills in school, they are also learning about Jesus. My hope is that as they learn, they fall in love with Him, and as they get older that love grows into a lifelong relationship.
May 2022 Employee Spotlight
Mrs. Smith, Middle School Science Teacher
How long have you been at ICS and what do you do?
I have been at ICS since January 2018 when I joined the faculty as a 4th-grade teacher. I currently teach middle school English, Middle School Leadership Team (MSLT), and Study Skills.
What brought you to ICS?
I came to ICS looking to continue my career in Christian education with a school that was a better fit for my experience, skills, and abilities. I had heard some great things about ICS, which drew me here. God confirmed that this was where He wanted me to be and opened the door for me to join the faculty here.
What is one thing that has happened at school recently that you'd like to share?
I do not have a specific story, but I enjoy getting to know my students. Each day there is a story or something that a student says that makes me laugh. It could be about a student losing their voice or something silly they did over the weekend. It could also be something that I said in class and the student cannot stop laughing about. There are so many moments of joy.
What is your hope for your students and/or our school this year?
My deep hope is for my students to be image reflectors of Christ by showing love and respect for each other within our school community and sharing that same love and respect with others outside of school as well.
Mr. H Takes Boston. Again.
Many dream of participating in the Boston Marathon even just one time, but ICS’ very own PE teacher, Ben Hulin, just got back in town from participating in it for the 5th time
For many, the dream of competing in the Boston Marathon is just that, a dream. Getting to participate in this historical race is not just signing up and paying an entrance fee. There are stringent qualifying times that need to be met in order to even be considered. There are ways to run the race without a qualifying time, but this requires large sums of raised funds to approved charities. It’s fair to say that running the Boston Marathon is for only the most dedicated and elite athletes. Many dream of participating in the event even just one time, but ICS’ very own PE teacher, Mr. Hulin (Mr. H), just got back in town from participating in it for the 5th time. Mr. H took place in the wheelchair division and was one of just 41 wheelchair athletes to participate in the 2022 Boston Marathon.
Mr. H first garnered an interest in completing the Boston Marathon because for many runners and athletes, this race is a bucket list race. He first competed in Boston in 2012. He qualified for Boston during the Utah Valley Marathon with a time of 1:53. Year after year it’s been a goal for Mr. Hulin to qualify for Boston and to experience all that is the Boston Marathon.
Mr. H went back to compete again in 2013, which was the year of the Boston Marathon bombing. This obviously had a great effect on all the athletes, and he knew he wanted to return after that awful event.
Coming back in 2014 and participating the year after the bombing was a powerful experience for Mr. H. To see the city and the athletes rebound and persevere after the awfulness from the year prior is something that will stick with him for a long time. A large part of the Boston experience is the spectators that show up and cheer on the participants. It is a large, rowdy crowd, with the entire city realizing the excitement and importance of this race!
Mr. H took a break from returning to Boston for a few years, but he was not sitting still. He completed an Iron-Man, which he says doesn’t even compare to completing a marathon. After this massive achievement, Mr. H decided to go for a Boston qualification again. Of course, he made it. This was 2020, and this race was virtual, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. H returned to Boston in person this year for the first time since 2014. Experiencing the camaraderie of one of the oldest marathons in the country is a feeling he is willing to pursue year after year. Mr. H is accomplishing athletic feats that many able bodied people will never even consider attempting. He has to keep moving. He desires to do so to stay in shape and to just keep pushing himself physically. Mr H’s “no excuses” attitude translates into his gym classes as he pushes the students to try their hardest to remain active.
When asked what’s next for Mr. H he answered, “Stay in shape and see what happens!”
Your ICS community can’t wait to see what you do next, Mr. H!
April 2022 Students of the Month
Congratulations to Weston Williams (Pre-K), the April ICS Lower School Student of the Month!
Weston has such a big heart! Kind, hardworking and thoughtful are just a few ways to describe what an outstanding student he is. Weston actively participates in class discussions and has worked hard to accomplish our Pre-K goals. He is a good friend to many and frequently offers a helping hand to his classmates. Weston is very active and loves running, BMX biking and skiing! We are proud to honor Weston as our student of the month!
Congratulations to Rebecca Curtis, the April ICS Upper School Student of the Month!
Rebecca selflessly gives of her time as the stage manager for ICS Theater Department productions. She also kindly helps her peers in class and is a wonderful example of having a servant’s heart. Rebecca's teachers admire her humility and maturity! She truly reflects the heart of Jesus in all that she does!
A Jazzy Friday Night
By Jennifer Adema, ICS admissions director
Miss Potter has been on staff at ICS for 27 years. She has carried a love for the Utah Jazz for 35 years. Earlier this year, her calling and her passion collided on a special night. Miss Potter put in a request for tickets to a Utah Jazz game through the player donation program sponsored by team members of the Jazz.
Miss Potter’s request was honored! She received 30 complimentary tickets to the Jazz vs Clippers game on March 18, 2022. This meant the entire class could be included, as well as a few lucky chaperones! The night proved to be a fantastic time of building community and celebrating one of Utah’s beloved professional sports teams.
Some of the Jazz key players were unable to compete against the Clippers due to injuries. However, this proved not to be a problem as the Jazz dominated the entire game. The final score was 121-92.
For the majority of the students and chaperones, this was their first professional basketball game. What a fantastic night of staying out past bedtimes, riding the school bus downtown, feasting on arena snacks and cheering with friends.
For Miss Potter, this night wrapped up her birthday week! She was thrilled to share one of her favorite pastimes with her entire class. As important as learning is in the 3rd grade classroom, it’s also important to learn under the influence of a lifelong Jazz fan how to fully support the team! What a fun and special evening this was for our 3rd graders and their teacher. We celebrate our student’s “wins” in and out of the classroom. This Utah Jazz win on the court will not soon be forgotten!
Meet Our New Head of School Gabe Pethtel
The ICS community is excited to welcome its new Head of School Gabe Pethtel! Gabe began his career as a middle school English teacher and wrestling coach, and since then, his resumé in the world of education as well as his passion for Christian education has only grown. Read a Q&A below to get to know Gabe and see why we are greatly looking forward to him joining our ICS community this May!
Q: Why are you passionate about Christian Education?
A: I am passionate about Christian Education because I firmly believe in the words of Psalm 24 that, “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world, and all who dwell therein”. Trusting God through the grace of Jesus Christ as the foundation of all truth has opened my eyes to the amazing ways that our Christian faith integrates into all areas of learning and life. My wife, Dana, and I have been blessed to have two children attend Christian schools from pre-kindergarten through high school graduation with one graduating from the US Air Force Academy and one attending Baylor University on a full scholarship. We now have two younger children attending Christian school at the elementary and high school levels. Christian Education, the living witness of the teachers, the family atmosphere, the academic rigor combined with individual attention, the outstanding extracurricular opportunities, and the legacy of true faith in Jesus Christ and God’s Word have all been the greatest investment we could make as parents. My goal as Head of School is to partner with parents, students, teachers, and staff who feel called to lCS, so that they may receive the robust blessing of investing in the mission and vision of Christian Education.
Q: What're you looking forward to most in your new role as ICS Head of School?
A: I am most looking forward to getting to know the staff, teachers, parents, and students of ICS. My greatest desire is to listen to what they love about our school, and also what they would like to see grow and develop.
Q: What motivates you?
A: I am motivated by a great mission and a compelling vision that displays the love, power, and mercy of Jesus Christ to people who are seeking Him. I also love seeing people achieve their dreams through prayer, hard work, and perseverance.
Q: Tell us about your family!
A: My wife, Dana and I met our sophomore year in college. We both were college level athletes who decided to begin learning more about Jesus and met with Campus Crusade for Christ. We both dedicated our lives to Jesus and education at the age of 20 and realized that God was guiding us to such a similar mission and vision that we were better together. We have now been married and pursuing our passion as Christian educators for 27 years. God has blessed us with four wonderful children, Logan (pilot in the US Air Force), Caleb, (Junior at Baylor University), Emma (rising ICS Junior), and Hudson (rising ICS second grader). Our family loves music, dance, skiing (water and snow), and outdoor activities, including cooking outdoors. We look forward to living among the beautiful landscape of Utah, and meeting new friends.
Q: What is something most people don't know about you?
A: Most people don’t know that my brother and I started a band in college with two other friends that got to be a pretty big regional act around our college town and the greater Indianapolis area. We began by playing coffee house gigs for free on weekday nights, then practiced a ton, recorded a bit, and started playing larger and larger venues until a branch of MCA records asked us to tour with some up and coming groups. We eventually all decided to take jobs in the “real world” though, and now I just play guitar and sing for family and friends.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: I want people to know that I believe in three simple rules. Be Godly, be gracious, and be gritty!
March 2022 Students of the Month
Congratulations to Harper Parrish (K), the March ICS Lower School Student of the Month!
Harper Parrish is new to ICS this year. She is a very joyful girl, who loves God and worships in chapel with all of her heart. She made friends quickly because she is so fun to be with. She is always kind to her friends and plays well with lots of different friends. Harper is a very hard worker. She focuses on her work and doesn’t give up if things get difficult. She is amazingly flexible, ask her to do a split for you! Her smile is contagious and she brightens the room when she comes in. If you haven’t met her yet please make it a point to, you will be so happy that you did.
Congratulations to Claire Carpenter (6th), the March ICS Upper School Student of the Month!
Congratulations to Claire Carpenter, the March ICS Upper School Student of the Month! She is a 6th grader who loves singing, acting, and dancing! She also enjoys boogie boarding and skiing. She was born in California and moved to Utah in the summer of 2021. She has three siblings, all of which attend ICS as well. Claire is an exceptional and enthusiastic student who demonstrates a positive attitude in and out of the classroom. Her smile and love for learning are infectious. We are so grateful to have her as a new student in our middle school community this school year!
Meet the Cizik Family!
After Googling “Christian Schools in Salt Lake City” the Cizik family found Intermountain Christian School. The Cizik’s were moving from Seattle to Utah and finding a Christian school for her son, Luke, was important to Amy. Upon touring ICS during the summer of 2019, Amy was struck by the natural light in the hallways and the friendliness of everyone she met while at the school. The spiritual emphasis of the school solidified Amy’s desire to have Luke attend. The Ciziks moved to Salt Lake on August 11, 2019 and Luke started kindergarten on August 14! The family is grateful for the experience they’ve had thus far.
For Amy, the strong community at ICS is vital. She is assured that Luke’s teachers are caring and that he has great friends in his class. Amy appreciates that parents are able to connect and talk amongst themselves. The fact that there are 14 grades on one campus is a bonus, too, as Amy’s family likes to support the school’s sports teams and theater productions! Luke looks forward to when he is old enough to participate in ICS sports! The Ciziks attend Hope Church and see many of their church friends at school, too, solidifying that sense of community.
The Ciziks feel well supported at ICS and Amy says she knows of many teachers, administrators and staff that she could call/text if she were to ever need anything. Amy trusts that while at ICS, Luke, among his teachers and his friends will continue to “increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52
February 2022 Students of the Month
Congratulations to Petra Mauer (Pre-K), the February ICS Lower School Student of the Month!
Petra has such a kind and helpful spirit. When she sees her classmates or her teacher in need, she is always the first to offer a hand. She exemplifies one of her first memory verses beautifully, "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). She is a very bright and eager student; always happy to participate in class discussions. Mrs. Saullo is so excited to see how God will continue to mold and grow Petra in the months and years to come.
Congratulations to Joey Menning (12th), the February ICS Upper School Student of the Month!
Joey worked as the production manager of Mr. ICS, coordinating and communicating with STUCO, contestants, and hosts. He spent much of his free time working to make the pageant a fantastic show for the whole community. Joey opts out of his study hall to work with and tutor an elementary student twice a week as well. Joey is a fantastic leader with a servant’s heart!
January 2022 Students of the Month
Congratulations to Jackson Hobbs (2nd), the January ICS Lower School Student of the Month!
Jackson Hobbs is a new student at ICS this year! He comes to school each day with a smile and an eagerness to learn! When he’s facing something new and challenging, he works hard and keeps a good attitude. He’s even asked to take his assignments home so that he can keep working on them. He treats his classmates with kindness and loves to lend a helping hand to others. “Thank you,” are words he often uses in the classroom to show his appreciation to his teacher. ICS is a better place because of Jackson’s enthusiasm for learning and his kindness toward others.
Congratulations to Olivia Frazee (8th), the January ICS Upper School Student of the Month!
Olivia steps up to lead in all areas of middle school. She excitedly serves as a student ambassador to welcome new or interested students to the class. She takes initiative by asking and answering questions in class and handles herself with a grown up level of maturity. Olivia's knowledge and understanding of God’s word is evident in the classroom and in the hallways. She shows leadership through her involvement in sports, dance and theater. Olivia's God-given talents run deep through singing and dancing! Congrats, Olivia!
Elementary Creates Hygiene Kits for Afghan Refugees
Intermountain Christian School’s 2021 Elementary Fall Service Project successfully met its donation goal this year. The project focused on creating hygiene kits for Afghan refugees settling in Utah and other struggling communities. The kits were created in partnership with and distributed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) of Salt Lake City. Together, the ICS community collected over 800 items to be included in hygiene kits, twenty-eight completed kits total.
Refugees receive care items from IRC. Photo by Marc Gardner
After the hygiene kits were packed and sorted, students and teachers gathered in Chapel and prayed for the individuals and families who would receive the kits. ICS community’s eyes were opened through this project to various needs in the area, and as they seek to continue to serve others, the school hopes all thanks and praise is redirected to Christ’s name and His agape love for all. Miss Potter says concerning the project, “To God be the glory!”
The IRC in Salt Lake City helps refugees and new Americans regain control of their future and positively integrate into the community. For more information or how to get involved, click here.
Photo by Marc Gardner