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“At North Cross, our children do not know what is on afternoon TVâ€â€”Part 2
 Last week, you “walked†with me that Tuesday and I’m sure you were proud of what you “sawâ€â€”so many of our students actively involved in a wide variety of co-curriculars, and very few with time for afternoon TV. It was a sunny day, and, as a big sports guy, I smiled at all the athletic activity—and there was more than that the very next day.
After watching our 55 students perform the musical, Aladdin, Jr., images of all the students we have involved in our arts programs popped into my brain, so I went for another stroll with my notepad to do some more counting. What I observed was impressive.
We have a vibrant fine and performing arts program. Jimmie Donnini smiled as she told me that we have 80 students participating in the Spring Art Show, 71 performing in the Chorale Concert, and 87 who will entertain us in our Band Concert this spring—a total of 293 students. As I said, pretty impressive arts participation for a school our size, but I am not at all surprised.
Why? These same kids are on our athletic fields and excel in our classrooms. This isn’t a school just for “Jocks,†or “Brainiacs,†or the “Artsy†crowd, it’s a place for students who want all of that and more. Independent schools create an environment where all of these crowds co-mingle and support one another. It’s hard to get that in a school of 1,600, with 25+ students per teacher. What we offer to our students is much deeper than to be challenged in the classroom. We invite them to experience the arts as a creator, not just an observer, to make music, not just listen to it, and to confidently perform and grow artistically. While they roam our halls and when they graduate with that North Cross School diploma, they will have a well-rounded academic, artistic, and athletic base upon which to build their careers and their lives.
I invite you all to come walk our halls, sit in our auditoriums, crowd our bleachers, and observe all that our students do each day. You’ll be proud, like me, and confident that this is the right place for your children!
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Field Day Order Forms Due May 1
 Big Flea and the Olde-Tyme Family Fair is right around the corner on Saturday, May 11. Mark your calendars, gather your donations, and get your order forms for wristbands, t-shirts (shown at right), class pictures, family dinner, and bake sale to your division office by May 1.
Click here to download order forms.
If you are able, please consider volunteering to help with this important fundraising event and please also consider making donations that can be sold at Big Flea. If you would like to help, please contact Jennifer Burtch at jburtch@northcross.org.
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Celebrating Earth Day with a Special Presentation from Bruce Rinker
 Many of you remember Dr. Bruce Rinker, a beloved biology teacher in our upper school. In honor of Earth Day, this Monday, April 22, Dr. Rinker is returning to North Cross School to spend the day cleaning the Roanoke River of plastics and pollution with a group of our students. In addition, he will be speaking to middle and upper school students about the global problem of water-borne plastics. Though his time will be focused on working with students at the river in the morning, Rinker’s lecture will be very interesting for students and for other members of the greater Roanoke community. Dr. Rinker's presentation will begin at 2 p.m. in Fishburn Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. We are thrilled to have Dr. Rinker back on campus for the day!
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Next Wednesday is International Day
 Sample delicious international-themed dishes prepared by middle and upper school world language students and enjoy an evening of entertainment as we honor our international students and North Cross School's global perspective.
The dinner is free and open to world language students in grades 8–12 and their families. The evening’s events are hosted by the World Language Department and the Horace G. Fralin Program for Global Studies.
Then after dinner please join us for an exciting performance in Fishburn Auditorium by guitarist and musician, Bukuru Celestin, performs original Afro-beat Gospel songs, with his sisters, that he developed at the Jefferson Center's Music Lab. Cyrus Pace, Jefferson Center Executive Director, and Dylan Locke, who is the Jefferson Center’s Artistic Director and helps emerging artists in the Music Lab, will join Celestin in the performance.
The performance will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Fishburn Auditorium. This performance is free and open to the public.
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Combined Honor Band Day Next Friday
On Friday, April 26, students from area schools will be coming to North Cross School for the eleventh year of a multi-school band day. Band students from Liberty Christian Academy and Cave Spring High School will participate together in a workshop, rehearsal, and performance with members of the North Cross School Concert and Symphonic Band.
Mr. Barry Tucker, Roanoke County Fine Arts Coordinator and former band director at Cave Spring High School and Hidden Valley High School, will be the guest conductor for the combined band students.
The rehearsal and performance will be held in the Lemon Dining Hall in New Slack Hall at North Cross. The combined performance will begin at 2:40 p.m. and is open to the public.
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Raiders Win VIC and BRC Championship
  Evans Schmedtje’14 won the Blue Ridge Conference Girls’ Singles Tournament on Saturday, April 13th. Evans defeated Ella Janvier of VES (Virginia Episcopal School) 8-1. Evans is undefeated in Conference and Non-Conference singles this season.
Joseph Cartledge ’14 lost just three games in three matches en route to winning the Virginia Independent Conference singles title. In the final, Joseph had to defeat his teammate, Michael Fleming ’14, who advanced to the final on a bad ankle. Joseph is undefeated in singles and doubles this season.
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Bittle Porterfield Delivers Leadership Message
“I challenge each one of you to be the leaders you can be by letting your talents, your knowledge, your principles, and your visions for a better future lead the wayâ€, Roanoke leader and philanthropist, Bittle Porterfield told the assembly of middle and upper school boys at North Cross School. “Leadership begins with self-respect and respect for others. We can have differences of opinion while at the same time relating to others and being open to their ideas. However, never abandon what you know is right.â€
Click here for full story.
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