Northwest Christian Moves To New Quarters

There’s a deer behind the science wing plucking at dandelions and Mount Spokane is the view from cafeteria windows.

If peacefulness promotes theology, Northwest Christian High School’s new Colbert campus is divine.

“Except for the gophers,” said headmaster Lew Button. “We’ve got a gopher problem.”

Rodents on the newly-planted soccer field seem to be the only wart in the development of the school’s 116-acre site, atop a prairie hill off Bernhill Road.

“It’s peaceful and tranquil,” said Gwen Klein, parent of a freshman. “We are really blessed.”

The school’s governing board bought the property last spring for $2 million and this summer poured $500,000 into renovations.

The site used to be a Catholic seminary, so cramped bedrooms were remodeled into classrooms and fitted with fiber-optic wiring. The mildewed chapel was cleaned. Athletic fields were put in.

The staff is invigorated by the move, said science teacher Bobbi Romine. “We went from a World War II army barracks to this,” she said, referring to the school’s cramped former quarters at 1412 W. Central.

“When the kids have space, it lessens frustration. Before, we were like a can of sardines,” said Button.

Students agree. “I think the teachers go a little easier,” said freshman Shawn Gilliland.

The campus’ serenity belies the flurry of protest that surrounded the campus two years ago. Spokane County had proposed a juvenile jail for the site, sparking an angry reaction by Colbert residents concerned about safety. The plan soon died.

School officials were surprised by enrollment growth this year. They figured some parents may withdraw their students when faced with the 25-minute drive to Colbert.

“It really is a long drive in the morning,” said freshman Jason Huffman.

The 177-student school is up about eight, Button said.

The school buses about 50 students from the North Hill neighborhood campus, which still houses kindergarten through eighth grade. There have been no transportation problems thus far, but icy North Spokane county roads may offer a test of faith.

“I say a prayer for safety every morning,” said Button.

The beauty and spaciousness of the campus leave school officials optimistic. Button speculated that the campus may eventually hold a K-12 school. “The Lord has been good to us,” said Button.

Do you have shamrocks?

The Shadle Park High School flower shop sells romance. Sandwiched between the copy center and the boys bathroom, the Future Farmers of America-run flower shop has dozens of varieties of roses and carnations.

The flowers are grown in Shadle’s greenhouse by a horticulture class, and sold as corsages and loose flowers to students and teachers.

“Dances are just a lot of fun for us,” said junior Meriah Allour, rolling her eyes. “We also get teachers who buy things for their wives.”

Interpretations of the flowers read like a harlequin romance. Lavender means love at first sight; orange is fascination; coral is enthusiasm; purple is “capriciousness.” Luckily, no one yet this year has bought two roses taped together - signifying engagement.

Middle school changes

Mead School District is hosting workshops for parents to discuss planned middle school schedule and curriculum changes.

Ninth graders will attend high schools beginning in September 1997, with the opening of the district’s second high school, Mount Spokane High. Parents have been invited to help the district make the transition.

These workshops, for parents of fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh graders, will be Tuesday at Northwood Junior High and Wednesday at Mead Junior High. Both workshops run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call Jim Hoffman at 468-3077 for more information.

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MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the North Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side school or about the achievements of North Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Jonathan Martin, Education Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call: 459-5484. Fax: 459-5482. E-mail: jonathanm@spokesman.com.