Skating through school in Sublimity
Lessons are rolling along quite smoothly at Cascade View Christian School in Sublimity thanks to an unexpected donation.
The Cardiff Skate Company, based in Cardiff, Cal., presented the school with 20 pairs of skates, valued at close to $3,000. It was a surprise for the staff but they managed to keep mum about it and the students were unaware that a donation of any kind had been made, let alone skates.
All they knew was that they had been asked to bring in pads and helmets if they had them for some sort of “project.” It wasn't until P.E. class on Thursday, Jan. 26, that the students discovered what the mystery activity was all about. Gauging by the excitement that followed the announcement and their first glimpse of the skates, teacher Kristin Tschida said, “The kids are going to love these.”
The gift began as a simple phone call.
“We bought a pair of skates for our daughter and she absolutely loved them,” Tschida said. “I called the company to ask about something else and then asked if I could get a discount if I bought 20 pairs. The representative said she'd check with her supervisor and when they called back, they said they would make it a donation.” The skates arrived on Friday, Jan. 20.
Cardiff skates have a unique design that provides extra flexibility and stability. Rather than being boot based, skaters wear their own shoes and when stepping in, the skates automatically adjust to the length and width of the users foot. The skates provided to the school can accommodate boy's and girl's size 2 up to men's 13/women's 14, meaning everyone can participate.
For added stability, there are three wheels mounted on the outside of the base rather than four underneath, plus a braking wheel in back.
"I was very pleasantly surprised by the donation,” Principal Lynn Starkey said. “From what I understand, a gentleman from the company came out to observe the school first and, for me, this means they believe in what we are doing. It's such a blessing and far more than we could ask, especially for a school our size.”
“A school our size” in this case means 110 students and 8 teachers. Cascade View began as a pre-k/kindergarten school in 2001 and as students grew, so did the school. This is the third year that the middle school grades have been open. While the younger classes remain separate, other grades are consolidated.
Whitney Smith teaches grades 2 through 4 and appreciates the structure.
“I thoroughly enjoy it,” she said. “The students really encourage each other. They work with each other's strengths and weaknesses and help each other along at all ability levels. They are part of 'community' not a grade level. It also helps to refresh what the older students have learned and provides a look ahead for the younger ones. They emerge more confident.”
Tschida, who teaches grades 5 to 8, says she “loves it on a different level.
“The variety of ages allows for standards I couldn't expect in one grade level,” she said. “Nobody is left out and nobody is bullied because they may be behind in one area. It also allows for one-on-one teaching and we can attend to each individual's needs since we have all different levels.”
In terms of the school in general, Tschida said, “We work really hard to contribute to the community, provide a safe place for students, remain academically rigorous, maintain a strict moral code and still have fun.
“In this case, skating,” she added with a laugh.
And the student keep rolling along.
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- Annual dinner/auction fundraiser
Cascade View is currently accepting donations of goods and services for its annual dinner/auction fundraiser to be held March 18. Donations may be made at the Cascade View Free Methodist Church or sent to Cascade View, c/o Lynn Starkey, P.O. Box 157 Sublimity, OR, 97385. Tickets for the event are not yet on sale. For further information, call 503-769-3356 or email dinnerauction@cascadeviewfmc.org.
