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Messages from the Headmaster
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Prioritizing Character and Leadership
 Last summer, at our annual Board retreat, I asked each of our Board members to choose an individual they felt best represented who they wanted a North Cross graduate emulate. This is always an interesting icebreaker as it tells you something about the interests of each Board member. Most importantly, though, for the purposes of our retreat, it provided us with a list of characteristics we felt should be valued at North Cross.
Interestingly enough, for a school that prides itself on college admissions, AP test scores, and academic rigor, the overwhelming majority of Board members chose individuals who demonstrated strong character and leadership skills. Not to downplay the former, but issues of character seem to always dominate discussions as to “Why North Cross?â€.
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SWOT Meetings for Parents
During the month of May, I will be hosting four SWOT meetings for parents. The two-hour sessions will give parents the opportunity to meet in small groups to provide personal insight regarding the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats facing our school. These meetings will help the school evaluate challenges and possibilities for the purposes of strategic planning.
We have tried to provide a variety of times during the day to accommodate as many schedules as possible. I hope you can join us for one of the following sessions:
- Monday, May 2 from 4–6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 5 from noon–2 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 10 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 12 from 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Click the button below to sign up for a session.
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Big Crowds, Big Impact, Big Success
A big thank you to the Big Flea committee, led by Elise and Zack DeMoss, and thank you to the parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of North Cross who volunteered, donated items, and all who shopped our 2016 Big Flea Sale. Through your combined efforts, the Big Flea Sale raised over $30,000 after expenses. In addition to the $30,000 raised, we truly helped and served our community. Through items donated, Big Flea was able to donate over $2,500 to teachers' classrooms, to after prom, and to other school areas of need. From donations to the Flea we were also able to serve the greater community, donating another $2,500 in items to organizations such as Child Health Investment Partnership, Turning Point, Ronald McDonald House, and Goodwill. This year was record-setting for the crowds brought to campus. Over 4,500 shoppers arrived as early as 5 a.m. and our cashiers recorded over 1,750 sales transactions.
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Welcome to Harrison Kephart
Lee Kephart and her husband Zak welcomed their son Harrison Taylor Kephart into the world on Wednesday afternoon. Harrison weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was born at 3:57 p.m. Mom and baby are doing well!
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Buddy Bench T-shirts
You can help support this project by purchasing “North Cross Strong†t-shirts online, based on a design by Robin Sells. Prices range in price from $20 to $25.50 depending on the size ordered. For each shirt purchased, the Buddy Bench fund will receive $11.70 to help purchase and install the bench.
Orders will be accepted online through Wednesday, April 20. After your order is processed, which can take up to 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation email. All shirts will be delivered to campus on Wednesday, May 4 and will be distributed that week.
If you wish to simply make a donation to the project, you can drop off a check in the Development Office. Be sure to make the check out to “North Cross School†and include “Buddy Bench Project†in the memo line.
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SCA with the PB&J
Last week the Eaton Hall SCA took part in their annual drive for the Rescue Mission. The students needed to collect 200 jars of peanut butter and jelly to earn a jeans day. The group collected 246 jars and exceeded their goal!
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Development Update
Click the button below to read about our year-to-date goals for Annual Fund, Gala and Big Flea. Find out about our results, and what you can do to help.
* Big Flea proceeds will be shared 50/50 with Parents’ Association this year. Revenues and expenses are still being reconciled.
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Celebrating Old School in the Lower School
One of the hallmarks of third grade at North Cross is Colonial Day. Over the course of the year, students study colonial Virginia, and take field trips to Monticello and Natural Bridge.
On Thursday, students in Ms. Martin and Mrs. Clark's classes dressed in colonial attire and got a real glimpse of what it was like to live in the 1600's as they made candles, wrote with quills, learned embroidery, and made hats and bonnets.
A photo gallery and video clips are posted on the Crossties Blog.
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“I'll take Grammar for 400, Mrs. Hollandsworth.â€
CrossWalk students had the opportunity to "show what they know" during an exciting game of Language Jeopardy. The categories included “Syllable Types,†“Grammar,†“Spelling Rules,†“Syllable Division,†and “Blend or Digraph?â€. The format of the game allows students to reinforce concepts in a way that is fun and engaging.
The CrossWalk Program provides individualized instruction in language and math for bright students with dyslexia and similar language-based learning differences in grades ECP Level 3–Kindergarten through 8th grade. The goal of the program is to return students to a mainstream education fully prepared to realize their highest potential by ninth grade. Students in the program spend part of their school day in the classroom with their grade level peers.
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Fifth Grade in Washington, D.C.
Fifth grade students are in Washington, D.C. for two days this week as part of the annual visit to our nation’s capital. The students have visited the National Zoo, the Smithsonian, and monuments around the city.
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Teacher Feature: Mark Thompson
Hometown: Scarsdale, New York
Education: Bates College—B.A., Boston University—M.A.T.
Current Position: Director of the Upper School
Appointed: 2008
What's one thing your students don't know about you?
I am an Eagle Scout.
What’s your teaching passion? What motivates you?
I love learning about how historical events impact contemporary issues. Likewise, I am curious about how contemporary events may impact future events or issues. Working with students and sharing my passion for all things related to the social sciences is fulfilling for many reasons.
In photo: The Thompson family enjoying a hike. From left: Tyler ’23, Carolyn, Mark, Spencer ’25, and Kaile.
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Oklahoma! Tonight and Tomorrow
After a robust production of Oklahoma! for students this afternoon, two more shows are scheduled for tonight and tomorrow in Fishburn Auditorium at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:40 p.m., admission is free, and open to the public.
Raffle tickets for the FOTA picnic basket, valued at $300, will be available for purchase both nights before the performances and during intermission. Tickets are $5 each, or three for $10.
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Piano for the Choir Room
A second refurbished Yamaha piano was delivered to the choir room earlier this week. The piano was largely funded by a gift from the Newberry family, the FOTA piano fund drive, and insurance money from the old piano that sustained water damage. The Fine Arts department hopes to add a third piano next fall which will mark a significant upgrade for our music and theatre programs.
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Star-Spangled Singers
Last Friday afternoon, members of the North Cross School Chorale performed the Star-Spangled Banner before a Naturalization Ceremony. Alison Burton ’16, Jack Fishwick ’16, Tristin Johnson-Hodges ’16, Walter Mann ’16, and Adrienne Spring ’16 performed under the direction of Choral Director Mr. Andrew Miller. The ceremony, at the Poff Federal Building in downtown, welcomed 40 new citizens from 25 countries.
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Combined Band Day
 On Friday, April 22, students from area private schools including Holy Cross Regional Catholic School, James River Day School, and Liberty Christian Academy, will be coming to North Cross School to have a workshop and final performance with approximately 50 members of the North Cross Concert Band and Symphonic Band.
Dr. Kathryn Voelker, (in photo from liberty.edu) Associate Professor of Music Education at Liberty University, will be our guest conductor for the day. This is the 14th year for Combined Band Day and everyone who would like join us for the final concert is welcome. The performance will begin at 2:40 p.m. in Lemon Dining Hall.
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Soccer Balls and Basketballs
 If you have gently used soccer balls and/or basketballs (the balls must be able to hold air) taking up space in your home, and you would like to give them a second life, please drop them off in Willis Hall or Ellis Hall by Friday, April 22. The balls will be collected by Gay Pollock and distributed to Inner City Ministries for summer camps.
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Spring Athletic Scores on Twitter
Athletic team results submitted by team coaches are available on our Twitter account with the tag #NCSAthletics. Highlights from the previous week are included below. |
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Stay Connected on Social Media
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