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Head of School’s Message
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 We are off and running and it is gratifying to see that we have grown to over 490 students—our biggest opening-day enrollment since I have been here. It appears to be a great start of the year and I hope everyone will watch our student created video that started our year off. It got me pumped up.
No pithy words of wisdom today from the Head of School but I do want to touch on some housekeeping details that should make things easier.
Pick-up and drop-off are always hot topics around this time of year and I promise that as we get past the first couple of weeks, all things will relax and traffic flow will improve. That being said, let me offer a couple of tips that may help us out.
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North Cross Welcomes New Families
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You'll notice several new faces on campus when school starts back. We are excited to have so many new students and families joining the North Cross community, and we cannot wait for you to meet them on Wednesday. Until then, take a look through the gallery from New Student Orientation that was held Monday, and when you see these new Raiders on campus, be sure to give them a big North Cross welcome! For new families, our orientation guide matches some of the many faces you'll see with the appropriate name and position so you can jump right in to the school year.
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onCampus Classroom Pages
We realize that with any new system, there is a learning curve (just remember how long it took to master long division!), so we want to thank students, parents and staff for their patience as we move our classroom websites to onCampus. Ultimately, it will be an excellent tool, but our teachers are new to it and have just completed training. Soon, the class pages will be filled with information, pictures, assignments, and other items of interest. In time, it will be like any other new tool; something that takes a bit of time to learn how to use well, but once we do, we will wonder how we got along without it!
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 Save the Dates with onCampus
Hopefully, most of you have logged onto onCampus by now. If not, please do in order to verify your family's contact cards and poke around. As a way to familiarize families with the application, in the coming weeks Crossties will provide a series of tutorials.
This week, we'll focus on how to add your school calendars to iCal, Outlook or Google Calendar. onCampus allows you to customize your calendar to see the information that applies only to you and your family (such as individual sports). Follow this tutorial to get started. You can add as many calendars as you'd like. Should you have any questions during this process, you can contact your division's administrative assistant, or e-mail the onCampus Help Desk at oncampus@northcross.org.
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Shaping a Creative Perspective
In June, returning Upper School Art Teacher Amy Jackson (pictured left) attended the 2016 Women Working with Clay Symposium at Hollins University, directed by Donna Polseno (shown with Mrs. Jackson above). Renowned ceramic artists and teachers Syd Carpenter, Michelle Erickson, Liz Quackenbush, and Tara Wilson demonstrated their work and processes, and Louise Cort and Silvie Granatelli gave opening and closing talks.
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Creating for a Cure
On October 1, the American Cancer Society will host the Cure by Design Gala. Last spring, Upper School art students contributed their interpretations of angel wings, 8" x 8" works shown tiled above, which are among the 47 paintings being sold to raise money for cancer research, educational support programs, and patient services. Check out all of the paintings here: https://acssark.ejoinme.org/wingsofhope.
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An Ocean’s Worth of Learning
This summer Middle School Science and Outdoor Education teacher Sandy Patterson (center, above) attended the Educator Workshop at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). Ms. Patterson received the Lawrence Award for faculty enrichment this past spring and used the funds to attend an intensive program comprised of lectures, laboratory exercises, and field work.
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Second Grade Gains a Class
Growing pains aren't always that painful; just ask the kids in the second grade. The grade's incoming class had enough students this year to warrant an additional classroom; now there will be two classes of 10 students each. Sharon Daly (who formerly taught in the Early Childhood Program) and Miranda Greear will head the two classes and collaborate to bring their experience and talent to these young minds.
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Athletics off to a Winning Start!
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Before the first book was cracked, the first pencil sharpened, or the first iPad screen swiped, our student athletes have represented North Cross at several tournaments and events. Girls Varsity Volleyball made quite an impression at last weekend's Pathway Preseason Classic. The Raiders took the title with a 6-game to none against Temple Christian, Parkway Christian, Pathway Christian, Appalachian Christian, Ballard and DaySpring Christian—a complete shut out. But they weren't the only ones to make strides.
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A Rivalry Renewed—on the Field, Not off
 With the start of the school year also comes the renewal of school spirit. What better place to let out your inner Raider than at the North Cross/Roanoke Catholic football game tonight? The game marks the renewal of a historic rivalry between the two teams—one that hasn't taken place in seven years. However, in an exhibit of true sportsmanship, the two teams placed their competition aside and came together last weekend to volunteer their time cleaning up the historic Gainsboro neighborhood in Roanoke.
The game at 7 o'clock tonight takes place at Roanoke Catholic's home field—Vinyard Park, 150 Berkley Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012. Mayor Sherman Lee will be recognizing both teams for their service to the community before the game.
Be sure to check out our Athletic Calendar to see where else you can spread the Raider spirit this weekend.
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Correction: Last week, we stated Alexander Vance had been named the new Aquatics Director for the Carter Athletic Center. He is the Assistant Aquatics Director. Our apologies for the miscommunication.
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Stay Connected on Social Media
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