Embracing Holistic Development: Unlocking the Potential of Student-Athletes

This year we celebrated the Academy’s 10th anniversary. Like many schools, our athletic program has played an important role in the lives of our students and seen some significant successes! Since our establishment in 2013, our school athletic program has produced championship teams, celebrated all-conference players and league MVPs, and garnered admiration from players, families, and fans alike. However, what truly sets us apart is our holistic approach to player development. “We are not solely trying to build athletes,” says head soccer coach, Jason Roufs. “We’re trying to build well-rounded individuals who enjoy sports, who aren’t afraid to engage in sports as adults, and who have the understanding, strength and coordination.” Our philosophy revolves around the belief that by encouraging student-athletes to participate in multiple sports until the age of 16, we foster comprehensive growth, strength-building, intellectual maturation, and the development of invaluable life skills.

Coach Roufs (far right) celebrates an incredible 2023 soccer season with his high school team after they finished as runner-up in the division tournament.

A key biblical passage for Coach Roufs comes from Ephesians 4:1-13. This text highlights the many various roles that are required for a well-functioning team. “Sports culture celebrates just a few positions. Look at the stats that are kept: most points scored, most assists, or most saves. But what gets overlooked is how every single player plays an integral part. The life skill to be learned is that the goal is not for everyone to become the highest scorer: the goal is to figure out your giftings and the role that you play best, and contribute that to the success of the team.” 

Phoenix athletes participate in cross-country, volleyball, basketball, and soccer. At the heart of all these sports are two key values: 1) giving one’s whole heart and energy to the learning process, and 2) embracing mistakes as integral to growth. We acknowledge the reality that sports are temporary. Even if a student wants to go pro, it will be a temporary season in their life. But what the students will always take with them is the attitude of approaching every practice time, every game, with focus and whole-heartedness. Mistakes are normal. Necessary, in fact. What is to be celebrated is the humility and resilience to push through mistakes and come out stronger on the other side. 

A great example of that this year was freshman Camden Cole, who nervously tried out for the Phoenix soccer team. Unsure as to whether or not he had the skills and experience to be on the team, coaches encouraged him to to try out, and he made the team. “At the beginning of the season I placed him all over the field, to figure out his skill set. He started out as an outside mid, then forward, then outside back,” Coach Roufs shared. “By the end of the year he was our starting goal-keeper, filling a crucial need on the team.” Camden’s coaches and teammates alike were impressed with his unwavering commitment and willingness to step into a very difficult position. “That’s the kind of person we need in our athletic program. People who are willing to give their all for the team, and trust their coaches to place them in whatever position best serves the team.”

Coach Olson instructs his high school volleyball team during a regular season match. Learning to trust the authority and direction of a coach is emphasized in our sports program.

Junior Moriah Olson says that sports have offered her valuable life lessons on leadership: “One of the key values I have learned through Phoenix sports is that leaders are servants. I have been playing volleyball longer than my other teammates and so naturally I have been put into a leadership position over the past 3 years. As a result, I have had to learn that being a leader is more than just instructing and correcting others, but it is about making sure your team is doing well as a whole (spiritually, interpersonally, interpersonally, academically, etc.). It’s about sacrificing your time and energy for the betterment of the team.”

Jr High basketball player, Nanozi Nyago, takes a free throw during a semifinal tournament game. Nanozi is learning to take lessons from her bible classes and apply them to her team dynamic and skill development as a basketball player.

Phoenix athletes also learn how scripture applies to every aspect of their lives, both on and off the court. 7th grader Nanozi Nyago says this has been the most valuable lesson she’s learned in her athletic experience with the Academy: “A valuable lesson I have learned playing with our athletics program that I have carried into other areas of my life is biblical application. Our coaches have taught me and my teammates how to apply scripture to any situation, good or bad. I’ve been able to apply this value to academic, social, spiritual, and emotional situations.” 

Moriah Olson further emphasized this point.  “A verse that Coach Olson often brings up on the court is ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬. In volleyball, it is important that we have what’s called “a short memory”, where we learn and then move on from the mistake we made. It is a fast paced game and each rally ends in a mistake (made by your team or the opposing team). This verse is a great metaphor for the game of volleyball but it’s great for life too and I have learned to apply that “short memory” in school, at home, and with my friends. Mistakes are going to be made, it’s a part of being human, but when we can learn from them and then move on, it is going to do a lot more good than holding on or feeling shame for the mistake made.

Off-season training has begun for the 2023-2024 year for Phoenix athletes! Students are preparing to take the court and field again, representing their school and the Lord. We hope to see you there cheering them on!

How to Keep Children Busy and Mentally Sharp During Summer

List of Fun Summer Educational Activities for Elementary-aged Kids:

Writing 

Writing comes in many fun forms. Whether it's updating a pen-pal, composing a song, penning a short story, or writing a script for a short play, there’s an array of avenues to pursue when trying to get your kids to write. List blogs are another great way to get kids to write, and because it typically has to do with things they like, they may find it more enjoyable than other forms of writing; this could be as simple as them writing down their top ten favorite movie characters, bible verses, pokemon, etc. and then they must explain why each one is worth liking. Or, if they and some friends share a passion for writing, they could start a writers club. Even if they prefer making videos for their youtube channel, having them practice writing out an outline for their script. Keeping them writing during summer months will help ease the transition from the summer break back to the classroom.  

Reading 

Books are great, and if you have time to make library runs or have reading apps on your digital device, then those are fantastic. Age appropriate reading is beneficial for a growing mind. While there are some bookworms who you may have to pry a book from just to get them to eat, others may run away screaming at the sight of a book. If that’s the case, don’t forget that reading doesn’t have to be limited to books. If you have parental controls on their devices, you could have your kids research topics they are interested in. There are many kid-friendly websites with information on a wide variety of topics, and there are even blogs for kids.  If so, may be difficult to get some kids to sit down and read

Math Projects

While it would be useful to keep their minds sharp, it’ll likely be hard to convince most kids to work on math sheets during the summer. However, there are other ways to get your kids to do math without resorting to worksheets. Having them plan out simple projects that involve numbers can help them show how practical math really is. Whether they help count up the cost of a meal, measure the garden bed to approximate how many stones they’ll need to line it, rework a recipe to feed the entire family, measuring out how much wood is needed to build a doghouse, or start a summer business with something as simple as a lemonade stand. Even having them calculate how long it will take to save their allowance to purchase something they’ve had their eye on could be an activity that gets their mind in the mood for math. 

Presentations

Getting kids used to giving presentations can be a big help for their future in academics, but they don’t have to start practicing in front of strangers. Getting them comfortable performing in front of family and friends can build their confidence and prepare them for the times they must do it in front of peers and teachers. By starting with simple topics like a family night presentations of their summer plans, a bible memory verse competition or joke contest they perform in front of their friends, or standing in front of relatives and explaining all the awesome things they learned and did at school that year. Getting kids familiar with having the spotlight on them, can ease the stress in future years by making it a common activity.

Strategy 

Games are great for children, not only because they are a lot of fun, but also because they teach strategy. Every game has its own unique methods of play which help children learn to think of efficient strategies to win. Whether it is one of the classics like checkers or chess, throwback games like Mastermind or Monopoly, or some modern favorites like Catan or Codenames, there exists a wide variety of games that kids are sure to fall in love with, while at the same time exercising their brain.

Review

There are plenty of educational apps which can keep your kids working with numbers, playing with words, or developing their problem solving skills throughout the summer months. While they may not be your kid’s favorite apps, you could try implementing rules such as before playing their favorite game they must first play the one you pick, or they have to play an educational game for an equal amount of time as their choice of game. Kids are a lot more likely to engage an app than a worksheet, thus if you are trying to get your kids to participate in educational activities during the summer months, check out what the app store has to offer. 

Puzzles and Brain Teasers 

Word searches, crossword puzzles, sudoku, rebus puzzles, and anagrams require brain power while also being fun. Add in a little competition, like word search races, and it can even become addictive. However, you don’t have to stop at just playing the games, challenge your kids to make them. Obviously this will be easier for some than others, but if the kids are familiar with simple typing programs, developing a word search or scrambled letters game can be done rather quickly. Have friends compete against each other by making simple crossword puzzle games to trade with each other or see who can complete a one month sudoku-a-day challenge. 

Sources: 

Shoemaker, John. “8 Types of Word Puzzles to Keep You Sharp.” Bar Games 101. July 31, 2020 (visited 27 May 2022)

https://bargames101.com/types-of-word-puzzles/ 

5 Reasons Your Child Needs to Attend a Private Christian School

The world is full of various educational institutions, and while the spectrum is wide and varied, for those who are called to walk according to God’s word, a Christian school has a multitude of benefits. While we don’t have the time to list all of them (and you likely don’t have the time to read all of them), we chose our top 5 favorite reasons why you should consider a private, Christian school for your child. 

1. Accept being Set Apart. Christian schools are obviously distinct from secular public schools, and while elementary aged kids may not understand, as children turn to teens they often become more aware of this difference. According to Matthew 5:14-16, it’s not just good to be different from the world, it’s our vocation; a vocation that can be nurtured as children continue their formation according to God’s word. This can instill a valuable Christian lesson, which makes accepting our calling to be a light to the nations easier to grasp.

We are a school that prays. Students learn the value of prayer and worship as taught in scripture in their earliest levels at the Academy.

2. Shared Standard. Children desire connection and acceptance, and while this is great, when a child is spending the majority of their day among people who hold themselves to a different standard (or even worse - no standard), the child may be tempted to do what it takes to fit it. However, if that child is surrounded by people who are promoting healthy peer pressure and cultivating an environment where strong morals are respected, then it not only benefits the mental and moral stability of the child, but it gives their parents some peace of mind as well. Maybe this is why Paul encouraged people to have the same love, being in full accord and of one mind (Philippians 2:1-2).

3. Christ-Centered  Curriculum. The world God made cannot be rightfully understood if you try to remove him from his creation (Romans 1:18-23). His word gives insight into all facets of life, but in secular education, this is left out. Knowing God affects the way we understand history, explore the sciences, and apply mathematics. It changes how we utilize our language and think about health. There are revelations in every subject when we approach them using God’s word as a lens, that those who attend public educational institutions may never learn.

4. Healthy Social Structure. A private school who is living out God’s word will make sure their staff will be held to a high standard based on Biblical values. Not only will this set the students up for success by giving them wholesome role models, but the interactions those teachers have with each other can set an example for a healthy social structure that those children can enact even among their friends. 

The Academy strives to nurture a positive, encouraging learning environment for students and families.

5. Holistic Development. The faculty at a private school wishing to follow God will be concerned about the holistic development of your child. It is not just about what grades you see on the paper. While there may be focus on their mental progress, the staff will be considering their social and spiritual maturation as well, encouraging your student to love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27).