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No School on Monday
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, school and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 19. Classes will resume on Tuesday morning at their regular times.
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“Education: 2025â€
A panel of local leaders in education will convene in Fishburn Auditorium on Thursday, January 29 at 5:30 p.m. The panel will discuss the impact of technology in the classroom, the influence of globalization in our schools, and how these changes will impact a liberal arts education. The forum will be moderated by Roanoke native, TED speaker, and North Cross graduate Katherine Fulton ’73.
Katherine will be joined by distinguished panelists Dr. Rita Bishop, Superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools; Dr. Robert Sandel, President of Virginia Western Community College; and Dr. Christopher Howard, President of Hampden-Sydney College. This community event is being hosted by North Cross School. The event is free and open to the public. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to join us for this important look at the future of education.
Click here for more information about “Education: 2025.â€
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Video State of the School Address
This year, the “State of the School†address by Dr. Proctor will be distributed to the North Cross community by email. Due to the large number of events taking place during Founders’ Week, we will not hold the traditional address in Fishburn Auditorium. Instead, you will receive an email from Dr. Proctor on Thursday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. The email will include a link to his video address, which will be posted on the North Cross School YouTube channel. In his remarks, he will discuss the current state of the school, provide a brief update on current and future initiatives, and announce the tuition rates for the 2015-16 academic year.
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Re-enrollment Packages
Re-enrollment packages will begin arriving in mailboxes on January 28. The re-enrollment process will be the same as last year. Each family will be required to complete the form online. When completing your re-enrollment contract, you will also need to enter a username and password. That information will be included in your letter of invitation from Dr. Proctor.
The re-enrollment deadline is Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Please note that in order to view the re-enrollment forms properly on the school website, you must use Google Chrome as your web browser. If you do not have Chrome, please click here to download the browser. If you have any questions or need assistance during the re-enrollment process, contact Katherine Kelly, Re-enrollment Coordinator, at kkelly@northcross.org or (540) 989-6641, ext. 245.
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 Big Stuff to Big Flea
Been busy remodeling? Replacing old things with new things? Ready to make room by moving some furniture out of a room? We have a great way to help—give your “Big Stuff to Big Flea.â€
Big items like these—we'll pick them up. Just call Jenn Mitchell at 540-230-8584 or email her at jmitchell@northcross.org to arrange a convenient time. We'll take your Big Stuff and turn it into big dollars at the Big Flea Sale on March 28. Donations are a great way to help you get rid of unwanted items, to help someone else who wants to buy it, and to help North Cross students because all proceeds from the sale directly support the education of every student on our campus.
Don't give your Big Stuff away to anyone else but Big Flea!
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 Pre-order Slam Dunk Supper Tickets Today
Pre-orders are due to your division assistant today. Your “Slam Dunk Supper†ticket includes spaghetti, lemonade, water, garlic bread, salad, and cookies.
The family-friendly evening also offers three basketball games in the CAC and a free performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest†by Oscar Wilde in Fishburn Auditorium.
- Pre-order Supper Tickets: $7 for children and faculty/staff, $10 for adults
- Supper tickets at door: $10 for children and faculty/staff, $12 for adults
Make plans to join us on Friday, January 23. Click here to download an order form. All proceeds benefit North Cross School Athletic Boosters.
Please note this event will replace the Founders’ Dinner originally scheduled for Friday, January 30. That event has been canceled.
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New 1/2 Day Option for Students Entering ECP Level 2
Next fall, due to popular demand, the Early Childhood Program will offer a 1/2 day option for students in ECP Level 2. Click here for a complete list of ECP enrollment options for 2015-16.
Please note our upcoming Winter Admission Events and share them with families who might be interested in learning more about North Cross School.
Visit Days for Prospective Students
- February 2, 2015 and February 10, 2015
- 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Prospective students in grades 1–11 are invited to shadow a current student, visit several classes, and eat lunch.
Early Childhood Program Tour
- February 10, 2015
- 8:30–9:30 a.m.: Prospective parents are invited to learn more about the NCS Early Childhood Program while observing our child-centered and academically rich environment in action.
To reserve a space, or to learn more about the 1/2 day option for ECP Level 2, please contact Amy Jackson, Interim Director of Admission, at 540-989-6641, ext. 257 or ajackson@northcross.org.
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Senior Buddies
On Thursday morning, seniors gathered with their ECP buddies for some reading time. ECP Level 2 teacher Sharon Daly said, "I don't know who enjoys it more, the children or the seniors." The Senior Buddy Program has been a long time tradition at North Cross and one that encourages a strong sense of community on our campus.
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The Life of a Logistician
Damien Moloney, a Logistician with Doctors Without Borders, met with upper school students during assembly on Monday morning. Damien has been with the organization for about seven years. He told students about his job which requires him to organize the team that sets up operating theaters for the doctors, makes sure materials like radios and computers are on site, and makes sure security is in place for the team. His work, which pays $1,000 per month (the same amount doctors and other members of the organization receive), has taken him to hot spots around the globe including Chad, Niger, Haiti, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Mozambique, and the Philippines.
Click here to watch a video of Damien on CNN with Anderson Cooper.
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Teacher Feature: Erin Jones
How did your career begin with North Cross School?
I come from a strong Catholic family. I grew up going to Catholic school in Erie and Grand Rapids, both of my children attended Catholic school, and I had worked mostly in Catholic schools. When we moved to Roanoke, my son, Chris ’04, was about to start ninth grade, so the first obvious choice was to look at Roanoke Catholic and we were also looking at Cave Spring. Not only were we looking for a new school, but we were also looking for a new home. Our realtor was North Cross alum and board member, Anne Lee Stevens. Anne Lee has a long history with North Cross; her mother, Dottie, was a teacher and staff member for over 20 years and she and her son, Peter, both attended North Cross. She encouraged us to at least visit and tour with North Cross. When we met with Carol Funderburke in Admissions we were immediately impressed and knew North Cross would be a good fit for Chris. I had been offered a job with Roanoke City Schools; but while going through the admission process with Chris, Carol asked what I did for a living, I told her I was a high school math teacher, and she said they were looking for someone for upper school and middle school math. The rest is history!
Click here to read the full Teacher Feature on Erin Jones.
Photo: Erin Jones with her family on a recent trip to Russia. From left: Evan, Ally, Erin’s mother Marjorie O’Connor, Erin, and Chris ’04.
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Middle School All-District Band
Last Saturday at William Byrd Middle School, 11 North Cross students, studying with Ms. Jimmie Donnini, auditioned for Middle School All-District Band. The top scores were placed into two bands—Symphonic (first band) and Concert (second band). The All-District Band Weekend is February 20 and 21 at Patrick Henry High School. Congratulations to the following students:
- Nalin Jha ’19—4th Chair, alto saxophone, Symphonic Band
- Brian Bao ’20—17th Chair, soprano clarinet, Symphonic Band
- Michael Habib ’20—1st Chair, trumpet, Concert Band
- Lauren Daniel ’20—4th chair, soprano clarinet, Concert Band
- Davin Hansen ’19—4th chair, tuba, Concert Band
- Patrick Daly ’20—4th chair, trombone, Concert Band
- Caroline Lystash ’20—9th chair, flute, Concert Band
- Alternate positions were awarded to Aaron Richardson ’20, Nathalie Lemon ’20, Natalie Lorens ’21, and Mashall Rasul ’21.
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Two Performances Next Week
Theatre at North Cross School presents “The Importance of Being Earnest†by Oscar Wilde. There will be two performances in Fishburn Auditorium—on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m., are free, and open to the public.
In the lobby before each performance, FOTA is hosting a Victorian Tea at 6:45 p.m.
Make it “Dinner and a Play†on Friday, January 23. Click here to download a pre-order form for dinner. All proceeds benefit North Cross School Athletic Boosters.
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“From Provence—With Love†in Logan Gallery
“From Provence—With Love†is an exhibit based on a two-week painting tour in the south of France. The trip was led by Vera Dickerson and Robin Poteet of The Studio School and the exhibit features the work of several local artists. The show, including “France #1†by Lu Burks (in photo) will be on display in Logan Gallery until February 27. Click here for more information about the show.
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 Seniors Featured on “Hometown Hoopsâ€
Kennedy Nwabia ’15 and Bennett Holley ’15 were featured during the Hometown Hoops segment earlier this week on WDBJ7. Click here or the video image to watch the clip.
The team travels to Harrisonburg tomorrow to take on Eastern Mennonite at 2:30 p.m.
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 Swimmers Strong at All-Timesland Event
Last Saturday a contingent of Raider swimmers competed at the annual All-Timesland Invitational. The event includes teams from around the Roanoke Valley (VHSL 2A to 6A schools). The Girls’ Varsity swam to a 4th place overall finish (out of 16 schools) and the Boys’ Varsity swam to an 8th place finish (out of 15 schools). The following swimmers finished in the top three during the invitational: Joseph Cartledge ’16 (two 2nd place finishes), Margo Winn ’18 (two 3rd place finishes), and Maddie Robinson ’16 (one 3rd place finish). The Girls’ 200 Yard Free Relay team, in photo from left, of Emma Cartledge ’18, Maddie Robinson ’16, Helen Schmedtje ’17, and Margo Winn ’18 swam to a 3rd place finish.
Both teams will swim against VES, Roanoke Catholic, and Carlisle School next Tuesday at the CAC. The meet begins at 5 p.m.
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“I've changed my mind.â€
After the merger of the Wellington School, Eaton School, and North Cross Country Day School, was completed in 1961, a headmaster was needed to lead the new academic entity. For Emerson Johnson III, the thought of becoming a headmaster at age 29 seemed a daunting task. Even though the Highland County native had experience as the assistant headmaster at Norfolk Academy, an undergraduate degree from Hampden-Sydney College, and a master’s degree in mathematics and education from the University of North Carolina, he remembers getting cold feet when he was hired. “After I agreed to come, I took the train up from Norfolk and the further I got, the more I realized I couldn’t do it.†Thomas Slack met him at the railway station, and Emerson said, “Mr. Slack, I've changed my mind. I'm not coming.†The two sat in Mr. Slack’s Mercedes in front of the First Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street for three hours. “He concluded that I would see it through,†Mr. Johnson recalled.
He took office in midsummer and led the school until the end of the 1968-69 school year. During his time as headmaster, Emerson Johnson taught math, humanities courses, and coached basketball. He even taught mini-courses in subjects like Economics because he felt it was important for students to gain that knowledge. Chris Moore ’71, Director of Development, was coached by the headmaster as a member of the JV basketball team. “He was an imposing, intellectual leader. He commanded respect from the students on campus and the members of our team,†Chris recalled.
Emerson Johnson’s tenure oversaw the construction of buildings, the development of athletic fields, and he is credited for starting traditions like the senior speech and Field Day. Mr. Johnson ended up getting the school into the right frame of mind for the future.
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