|
|
|
|
It has been a while since I have written a blog about our SAT scores and with the college admissions season winding down, it’s an opportune time to talk about how our senior classes perform. This reflection is definitely not the end all-be all of why we do what we do, but SAT’s are frequently used as an important measure, and as such, we must pay attention. For parents, SAT scores are a source of reassurance that they have made a good investment in their children’s education, as well as making for good sideline conversation.
This past year marked the end of the three-part SAT exam which measured ability in reading, mathematics, and writing. Each section was worth a potential 800 points making a perfect total of 2400 points. With the arrival of the new two-part exam and its significantly different question types, it will be more difficult to compare scores in the near future, so let me provide you with data from the last three years.
North Cross SAT Averages Compared to School Types
|
|
Big Flea's Volunteers Lead to a Big Success
|
|
 Thanks in large part to a massive volunteer effort, the Big Flea was a great success. Over 2,500 shoppers came to the CAC last Saturday to hunt for bargains. Many returning visitors complimented the new streamlined checkout system and all of the helpful volunteers. A special thank you to our Big Flea co-chairs, Elise and Zack DeMoss, for organizing a wonderful event for the school and the community.
The Big Flea grossed over $35,000, and after expenses we expect to surpass our financial goal. The school and the Parents’ Association will split the net revenue evenly. This marks the second year of our partnership with the PA in Big Flea, and it again proved to be a success.
|
|
After-Prom Party-Goers May Get a Free Ride
The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) is again sponsoring their After Prom Grand Finale—a drawing for area students who stay until the end of their school's after-prom party. North Cross' prom is this Saturday at the Jefferson Center, and afterwards students can attend a free after-party until midnight at Thunder Valley. As RAYSAC's website points out, "In the past 28 years of After Prom Grand Finale, none of the participating schools has experienced the tragedy of a drunk-driving accident on the night of their prom."
|
|
Colonial Day
As is the tradition for our third-graders, Thursday marked North Cross' annual celebration of "Colonial Day" which is the "hands-on" portion of their unit on Colonial history. With a trip to Monticello in a couple of weeks, Mrs. Clark's and Ms. Martin's classes will be prepared having explored the topic firsthand—and in costume! Mr. Lamas started the day off by greeting carpool in costume (three-point hat and all). Parents volunteered to steer students through different activity stations including crafts, quill writing, period games and metal lanterns—so much fun even Dr. Proctor joined in. The entire school enjoyed a Colonial menu at lunch, P.E. featured games of the era, and the festivities concluded with a recorder concert and folk dance presentation for families.
|
|
Alum Holds a Torch for Mini-Metric Olympics
 The first Mini Metric Olympics, hosted, run and judged by CrossWalk fifth-grade math students Blake Shaner (far left), McKayla Hartman, (center left) and Rex Owen (far right), had fellow fifth-graders competing as countries to win a gold (math) medal by estimating and measuring using the metric system. The students competed in the Lower School's multipurpose room. CrossWalk math teacher Patrice Sanders and alumnae Jack Fishwick ’16 (center right), assisted with setting up, running, and judging the Olympic Games. Mrs. Sanders was particularly impressed with her students' excitement and leadership.
|
|
Shakespeare As It Should Be
Thanks to funding from the Parents Association, eighth graders were able to see a production of Romeo and Juliet at the American Shakespeare Center (ASC) in Staunton, VA. ASC hosts an internationally-acclaimed acting company who perform Shakespeare's works under original staging conditions—on a simple stage, minus elaborate sets, and with the audience sharing the same light as the actors.
The students had read the play in December during their six-week Shakespeare unit. In addition to reading the play, students learned about Elizabethan England and its theater and even did a bit of acting themselves (scroll down to Academic Update). True to the style of theater during that time—if you were a rich noble, at least—Chloe Hunt ’21 had the opportunity to sit directly on stage with fourteen other students from different schools. In describing the experience, Chloe said, "It was so cool to see the actors up close while delivering their lines. Their facial expressions added so much to their performance; plus, they interacted with us a little more."
|
|
|
As the spring ramps up, so do the number of DeHart speeches. This week, senior Helen Schmedtje discussed the benefits of Green tea in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Charlie Lemon pondered the question of terraforming as a reality (often seen in science fiction literature and movies where an uninhabitable planet is transformed into a place humans can live); and Miles Lowman recounted the rise of ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Middle East.
|
|
Staff Story: Rebekah Gunn
 Pictured: Rebekah and her husband Daniel on the day they moved to Roanoke from North Carolina.
Position: Associate Director of Development; Director of Social Media
Hometown: Waynesville, NC
Education: B.A., North Carolina State University
Year Appointed: 2015
What is something that most here wouldn't know about you? I have the most embarrassing taste in music. My Pandora stations range from Spice Girls Radio to 90's Country.
What’s your passion here? What motivates you to do what you do? Every so often, I will grab a camera, walk around campus, and see what I find. I am always impressed by the day-to-day at North Cross—the things that are hard to capture on camera, but give genuine meaning to the "more happens here" message that we promote.
|
|
|
|
Get a sneak preview of the music from this year's spring musical Aida as performed by our middle and upper school students.
|
|
Scorecard
More scores can be found in the Scorecard section of onCampus
|
|
Stay Connected on Social Media
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
