A Message from our Founders
The idea of North Shore Christian School budded in the fall of 2021. We were simply two moms, who were quickly approaching having school-aged children and were praying for a Christian education opportunity within the valley. After a lot of thought and prayer, we decided that for this dream to become a reality, we were going to need to take matters into our own hands.
The school blossomed in the summer of 2022. We were grateful and humbled to have found the perfect location for our school within Sower’s Community Center. We had hired our first teacher; Kiley Dixon, we were registered as a non-profit in the state of Washington and had begun to form our board of directors. We started our first school year with 12 students enrolled and were excited to hit the ground running.
We learned a lot during our first school year. We stayed steadfast and true to the path that God had laid, even though it was not always easy. We adapted and molded our program as our vision for the future expanded.
We are now in our second school year and we feel as though our program is now blooming. We have added Brooke Marshlain to our teacher’s roster and have expanded to encompass three different grade levels. We have seen growth within our enrollment numbers and expect a greater increase for the following year. Our board now consists of experts within their fields and we are more efficient than ever before.
If you haven't heard yet, North Shore Christian School was voted "Organization of the Year" by our community! We accepted our award at the Manson Chamber of Commerce Event on 11/8. It was a wonderful evening to share more about what we are doing!
So much of our success is because of your financial contributions to our school. We have been able to add music, art, puppeteering, and more to our weekly schedule. We are also working diligently to update and improve our security measures. Most importantly to our mission, we have been able to expand our scholarship program to ensure North Shore Christian School is accessible to all. We cannot thank you enough for putting your faith in us and allowing us to grow this school within the Lake Chelan Valley.
Thank you,
Hillary Belton and Kelsey Chavez
Co-Founders
Updates from the Teachers
We have worked on so many things in our first couple of months of school. We start each morning with circle time, where we say a prayer, recite the pledge of allegiance, keep track of the weather, practice numbers, sing songs, and learn about the calendar. This is a really special time as it creates a time for each student to speak and feel heard.
In phonics, we have learned all of our vowels and many of the consonants. Students are getting really good at blending a consonant and a vowel. This is one of the beginning steps in learning to read.
Math is one of the kids' favorite times of the day. We use lots of manipulatives (beans, toy cars, bingo chips, small plastic toys, and blocks) to aid in counting, adding one more, creating groups of 10, and finding the sum of story problems.
We are also currently learning the characteristics of different 2D shapes.
Science has been really engaging. So far we have studied apples, salmon, pumpkins, and bats. We have been learning a lot about life cycles and how to label different parts.
Each day we get to go to a different "specialist". Specialists include puppets, P.E., music, library, and cooking class. The kids really look forward to traveling to a different space or classroom to learn each day. :)
This year is going great! I am so happy to see the growth in our school and continue to learn and tweak things in order to get better and better. - Mrs. Dixon, Kindergarten
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First and second grade students have been learning to apply North Shore Christian School’s 4 Personal Standards. As their teacher, it has been so rewarding to watch each student memorize, apply, and hold each other accountable of each standard every day.
Honor Christ
Show respect
Make good decisions
Solver problems
NSCS students recently learned about salmon. We learned about the anatomy and life cycle of the salmon. Students then capped their learning by experiencing salmon within the field at our salmon festival field trip. Being able to apply their knowledge to real life makes their learning all the more powerful. Our students love to learn about science!
First and second grade students are focusing on Washington State grade level standards in math, reading, and writing. With our small class sizes, we are able to utilize small groups and individualize instruction for each student. Teachers are able to focus on each student and the level they are at in math and reading. It is our goal to have all students reach grade level standards by the end of the school year.
As students exit NSCS, we desire our students to enter into their next level of education with the upmost work ethic, integrity, and knowledge in academics and a love for Jesus Christ.
Thank you so much for your support and donation to help make NSCS a success!
- Mrs. Marshlain
1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Please join us for our Annual Christmas Program!
https://www.facebook.com/northshorechristianschoolmanson
https://www.northshorechristianschool.com/
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 839 Manson, WA 98831
Join us as we celebrate the kickoff of our annual Village of Lights celebration on Saturday, November 25th. The day begins at Mountain View Lodge at 10:00 am. The kids will be writing letters to Santa to deliver when he and Mrs. Claus arrive via helicopter at Leffler Field at 12:00 pm.
The festivities will continue as we parade down the main street of Manson following Santa and Mrs. Claus in their sleigh to Radiance Winery and Coffee for photo opportunities and visits with Santa. The night will end with fireworks at 6:30 pm at Manson Bay Park.
Many of our businesses will be participating with fun-filled family events and warm holiday cheer from SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH - SUNDAY, JANUARY 21ST!
NOVEMBER 25TH SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- 9:00am - 3:00pm Manson Grange Holiday Extravaganza - Shop for unique hand crafted items!
- 10:00am - 11:45am Write letters to Santa with hot cocoa & candy canes at Mountain View Lodge.
- 12:00pm Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive by helicopter at Leffler Field. Hand deliver your letters to Santa and his Elves!
- 12:30pm Parade down the main street of Manson following Santa & Mrs. Claus in their sleigh.
- 12:45pm Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Radiance Winery & Coffee will begin.
- 6:30pm Look to the sky for a celebratory firework display at Manson Bay Park!
A Discover Pass is not required to park on state-managed lands for 12 days next year
OLYMPIA — Nov. 20, 2023 — The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated the Discover Pass free days for 2024. On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The 2024 Discover Pass free days are:
More on the free days
New Year’s Day, the first free day of 2024, provides people the opportunity to participate in Washington State Parks’ annual First Day Hikes event. First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to ring in the new year surrounded by nature. Last year, more than 1,500 participants hiked, biked and snowshoed 2,652.67 trail miles at Washington state parks. Distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family.
Billy Frank Jr. (1931-2014) was an environmental activist and former chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. His lifelong dedication to protecting endangered salmon and restoring justice for the Nisqually Tribe helped shape Washington's environmental laws and expand treaty rights for Native Americans nationwide.
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Black communities since June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. The news reached them two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth became an official federal holiday in 2021.
National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. It celebrates the connection between people and green spaces in their communities – inspiring environmental stewardship and encouraging the use of open space for education, recreation and health benefits.
World Mental Health Day was designated as a free day to acknowledge the power of nature to restore mental health. Studies show time spent in nature boosts serotonin, dopamine and vitamin D and lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, helping our bodies combat stress.
About the Discover Pass
State land free days align with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $30 to $35 annually, or $10 to $11.50 for a one-day visit, depending on the point of purchase. The pass is required to park on state lands managed by Parks, DNR and WDFW. Purchasing a Discover Pass helps all three agencies preserve and conserve public lands for future generations. The Discover Pass legislation directed Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state-managed lands.
The free days do not apply to Sno-Parks. During the winter season, November through April, visitors to Sno-Parks will need a Sno-Park permit. These permits are available for purchase online or from vendors throughout the state. For more information about winter recreation permit requirements, visit our website.
EAST WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON – Grateful to be able to help! That’s how Sarahbeth “Sarah” Simonson describes her work with the Douglas County Veterans Assistance Program. As a former Air Force Staff Sergeant E-5, her mission now is to connect local Veterans who have honorably served their country with local, state, and federal resources to deal with personal hardships, obtain medical care coverage, and access other Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and programs.
Easier said than done; but no one is more motivated to fulfill the mission than Simonson.
The Douglas County Veterans Assistance Program began in January 2019 as a state mandate to connect Veterans with critical benefits, resources, and programs. Since the Office began, Simonson has led the day-to-day efforts – assisting more than 1,950 Veterans and Veteran’s families throughout Douglas County. “I am grateful to be able to help Veterans access things they’re eligible for – benefits they may not know about, or they may not have thought that they deserve,” she said.
As part of her role, Simonson helps her clients understand their federal eligibility for things like VA healthcare, pension, records support, and end of life planning in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. There is even a local Douglas County relief fund to help Veterans who have hit hard times with things like rent, mortgage, car payment, and more.
“Whether it’s a small Douglas County Veteran’s relief claim that will offer stopgap help for a couple of months, or a renewing, continuous benefit from the VA that will offer sustained support for their family,” said Simonson. “These benefits bring encouragement.”
Firsthand experience
Before working with the Veterans Assistance Program, Simonson had firsthand experience of what it was like to try and navigate the complexities of Veteran benefits as an individual. After serving overseas in the United States Air Force, she was wrapping up her time in active duty in 2004 when she started researching medical benefits options.
“My husband and I were expecting our first child, and we were figuring out what we’d do for medical coverage since he had recently finished active duty in the Army and was attending college full time,” said Simonson. Thankfully, an acquaintance told her that she could get healthcare from the VA before wrapping up her time in active duty so there wouldn’t be a gap in their growing family’s healthcare coverage. “That’s how I found out that I had benefits that I’d be able to access as a Veteran.”
Over the years, Simonson noticed many fellow Veterans were either unaware of the federal benefits available to them or unsure about how to navigate the system. When her family moved to the Wenatchee Valley in 2009, she soon became an active member of the Wenatchee Valley Women Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3617. Through these memberships, Simonson developed a passion for helping fellow Veterans apply for and understand their earned benefits.
“We’re all individuals and we all have our own experiences,” she said. “We may fall under a general umbrella of ‘Veteran’ but we’re still individual people working through a process that’s not designed for individuals.”
An increase in demand
Simonson has seen an increase in demand for the Veterans Assistance Office since the 2022 passing of the federal PACT Act, which expanded VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances within combat zones. “Not only did the PACT Act increase the demand for claims, but I think more people became aware of the fact that this assistance exists to help with those claims,” she said.
“I am so excited when I get to see claims approved for Veterans,” Simonson said while acknowledging that it unfortunately isn’t always the case. “However, if we need to re-address a claim through an appeals process, I am here to guide clients through that process and to help them if they become discouraged.”
Simonson recalls one time when a fellow Veteran’s description of his active duty led her to guide him toward seeking benefits he didn’t know existed. “As he related his experience to me, I recognized it as a legitimate claim for the injuries he’d sustained in active duty,” she said.
“We did an intent to file, which is the first step to hold your place in line, and about a month before his intent to file was going to expire, he came in and asked me, ‘Are you sure it is worth it?’” Simonson recounts. “I told him, ‘Well, the worst-case scenario is we’ve wasted some time doing paperwork and you waste a couple of hours going to a follow-up exam.”
In that case it took the VA almost a year, but they ultimately decided in her client’s favor. “He was able to get the service-connected disability ratings that were appropriate for his conditions so it’s a financial benefit for his family.” According to Simonson, that came as a welcome surprise to the client. “He had closed that door.”
Veterans encouraged to reach out
Simonson wants every Veteran in Douglas County to know about the benefits they earned and the assistance that may be available to them. She encourages all Veterans to reach out to the Veterans Assistance Program, whether they are recently returning from active duty or have been retired for decades.
“Even if you don’t have any physical or behavioral health disabilities at this time, there are still some baseline benefits that you might be able to access,” said Simonson. “It’s always worth throwing out the question to someone who knows what they’re talking about and whose job it is to help you understand and navigate those processes instead of just taking the word of a family member, an old friend, or some random person on YouTube.”
The Douglas County Veterans Service Office is in East Wenatchee but several times a month Simonson packs up her laptop and supplies to take the Office on the road to Waterville, Bridgeport, Coulee Dam, and other locations within Douglas County for appointments with Veterans or family members seeking assistance.
When asked what motivates her work in the Veterans Assistance Program, Simonson said for her it comes down to the possibility of helping a Veteran and Veteran’s families. “One of my clients says that I ‘radiate possibility’ as part of my role. That possibility and hope is something that I appreciate being able to do for Veterans.”
Connect with the Veteran Services Office
To learn more about local Veterans services or to get involved, visit the Douglas County website or follow the Douglas County Veterans Service Office page on Facebook.
WATERVILLE, WASHINGTON -- Douglas County Elections will open an additional in-person Voter Service Center in East Wenatchee on Election Day -- Tuesday, November 7. Eligible voters will be able to register to vote, update voter information, request replacement ballots, access ADA compliant voting devices, and ask Elections staff for help with any other voting-related questions.
The temporary Voter Service Center will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the Douglas County Public Services Building located at 140 19th Street NW in East Wenatchee. This is in addition to the regular Voter Service Center that operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, at the Douglas County Courthouse at 213 S Rainier Street in Waterville.
“Since Washington allows same day voter registration on Election Day, Douglas County is opening an additional in-person Voter Service Center in East Wenatchee where our largest population resides,” said Douglas County Auditor Thad Duvall. “Eligible voters looking to register or update their voter information for this election will need to go in person to a Voter Service Center.”
Voters may return their completed ballot at an in-person Voter Service Center, by mail, or at one of the County’s eight official ballot drop box locations.
Additional Election Information
Replacement ballots
If a voter didn’t receive a ballot, it was lost, or their ballot was ruined, they can request a replacement ballot in-person at a Voter Service Center.
There are protections in place to ensure that a person may not vote more than once. If a person’s ballot has already been counted, the system will not allow a replacement ballot to be issued. Similarly, if a person was issued a replacement ballot and then tried to also vote with their original ballot, the system would show they had been issued a replacement ballot and will not allow for more than one vote to be processed.
Elections machines & results accuracy
Before each General and Primary Election, the Douglas County Auditor’s Office is required to perform a test of the machine’s accuracy known as a “logic and accuracy test.” A representative from the Office of the Secretary of State is on site to observe the process and verify results.
After every election, the Douglas County Auditor’s Office selects, at random, five batches of ballots that have been processed and staff hand count these to compare the results to the machine count to ensure accuracy of the results.
Election results
Preliminary election results will be posted on the Douglas County website and the Secretary of State website on election night. The Douglas County Auditor’s Office has until November 28 to certify the election results with the Office of the Secretary of State.
OLYMPIA – Nov. 1, 2023 – Washington Sno-Park permits are now on sale. The State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 130 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state for recreators to enjoy during the winter season. Parking at these sites requires special permits.
Seasonal or daily Sno-Park permits can be purchased online or through a licensed vendor.
Snowmobilers also must register their snowmobile through the Washington Department of Licensing and receive a free Sno-park parking permit.
In addition to the seasonal permit, a special sticker is required to park at several high-use Sno-Parks, including Crystal Springs, Cabin Creek, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Chiwawa, Nason Ridge, and Mount Spokane. The Special Groomed sticker helps pay for more frequent trail grooming, snow removal, sanitation and staffing at locations. The Special Groomed sticker is not required with a daily permit.
A Discover Pass is not required at Sno-Parks, and the Sno-Park permit is still required, even on the 12 days a year when the Discover Pass is not required for parking on state lands.
Washington State Sno-Parks provide access for a variety of winter recreation activities like cross-county skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, tubing and more. Some Sno-parks are also designated for use by motorized vehicles including snowmobiles. Sno-Park permits are required from December 1 through April 30.
Each year we celebrate those who go above and beyond for our community at Manson’s Annual A Night to Remember. The following individuals and organization were nominated and then voted for by the community!
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
- Norm Manly - Volunteer of the Year
- Jeff Conwell - Most Inspirational of the Year
- North Shore Christian School - Organization of the Year
The Manson School District will also be presenting two Blue and White Excellence Awards to the following staff members:
- Dane Johnson - 5th Grade Teacher
- Margarito Barrios - Head Elementary Custodian
Please join us for a night of recognition and celebration on Wednesday, November 8th from 5-8pm! This event has always sold out in the past so don't wait and get your tickets today!
Your ticket includes dinner and the menu is:
Prime Rib carving station
Grilled Chicken with basil tomato sauce and provolone cheese
Italian Meats
Antipasto Platter
Caesar Salad
Penne pasta with roasted garlic cream sauce
Sauteed yellow squash and zucchini
Garlic Bread
Drinks will be sold separately and we will have our famous dessert dash at the end of the evening!
Fire District No. 1 Commissioner race mistakenly included in City of Waterville ballots; Voters can still use ballots to vote in November 7 General Election
WATERVILLE, WASHINGTON – The Douglas County Elections Office discovered that a fire district commissioner race was mistakenly included in the November 7 General Election ballot sent to 832 voters within the City of Waterville.
Thad Duvall, Douglas County Auditor, explained that the Fire District No. 1 commissioner race between two candidates—Samuel Tonseth and Adam Brown—was inadvertently included on the ballot based on an incorrect election boundary map.
“The boundary for Fire District No. 1 was created a long time ago and the City of Waterville is not within the boundary,” Duvall said. “Even though the fire station is located within the City of Waterville, the City contracts with Fire 1 for fire services but they are not within the fire district.”
The error is confined to ballots issued within the City of Waterville. “Given the limited time before Election Day, it isn’t feasible for us to issue new ballots to voters in the City of Waterville,” said Duvall. “Voters in this precinct can still use the ballot they received to vote in the November 7 General Election.”
Since the Fire District No. 1 race was not intended to appear on the precinct 205 City of Waterville ballot, Elections staff will not count votes cast in that race while ensuring the accurate count of all other measures appearing on the ballot.
As of Friday, October 27, there have been 2,200, or approximately 8% of ballots returned in Douglas County. Voters are encouraged to return ballots either by mail or at one of the eight drop box locations across the County.
For more information about the November 7 General Election, visit the Current Election page on the Douglas County website or call 509-888-6402.
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