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 The first trimester is in the books and it was a good one. I think the warm sunny weather has kept everyone in good spirits and carpool today was no exception. We are all ready for, and deserving of, a nice vacation.
Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday because, for me, it involves four of my most favorite things: food, football, family, and spending time in the woods—not necessarily in that order. But more than that, Thanksgiving means spending time reflecting on the good fortune in your life, and showing appreciation for all that makes your life special. I am fortunate to work with an incredible faculty and staff, to have a parent body that sacrifices for their children, and to be able to come to school with some of the most fascinating and creative students imaginable. It all comes together in the form of North Cross School and there has never been a better time to be here.
I hope that you enjoy our Turkey Tango, have a restful vacation, and that we all return in nine days ready to learn once again.
Warmly,
Christian J. Proctor, PhD
Head of School
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Students Deliver Thanksgiving Meal Baskets
This morning, bright and early, student volunteers led by Alex Hash, our Community Outreach Coordinator, loaded turkeys (with a little help from Dr. Proctor) and laundry baskets, each filled with essential ingredients to make a complete Thanksgiving meal for a family of 5. Twenty-three North Cross volunteers then delivered them to Central Baptist Church in Roanoke and stayed to assist in the giveaway.
For the past four years, we have partnered with Central Baptist Church, and this year, Save-A-Lot grocery store is joining the organizational efforts. As a result of this extended partnership, we were able to deliver 75 meals this holiday. Thank you to all of the families who contributed to this truly collaborative effort, the fruits of which will make many families in the area truly grateful this Thanksgiving.
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Holiday Toy Drive
The Parents' Association is hosting a holiday toy drive again this year. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be brought to Turning Point, a shelter for families escaping domestic violence, and to CHIP (the Child Health Investment Partnership) in Roanoke. Boxes are stationed in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools (brightly wrapped in holiday paper, so there's no missing them!), and will remain there until our Holiday bonfire (weather permitting) and tree lighting on December 2. If you are unable to bring in a donation prior to that day, you may also bring items to the bonfire that evening. Thank you for helping us serve families most in need of a happy holiday.
Making (School) Spirits Bright
We are pleased to announce our new school spirit store, a partnership with Café Press, where families can purchase North Cross branded apparel, gift items, and accessories. We've conveniently located the link on our website, along with our athletic spirit store, Raidergear.org—true one-stop shopping. Deck out your favorite Raider for the holidays while supporting the school.
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The entire North Cross community would like to congratulate our Associate Director of Development and Director of Social Media Rebekah (Bradley) Gunn on her marriage this past weekend to Daniel Gunn. The couple held the ceremony at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, and the reception was at the Patrick Henry Hotel. Dr. and Mrs. Proctor represented the North Cross contingent that day. We wish them both many years of happiness and health—and if they have kids, we know of a great school they could attend!
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Fractions you Can Gobble, Gobble
While perusing the brightly colored construction-paper turkeys and Thanksgiving narratives lining the hallways of the Lower School, you'll hear a more serious discussion of turkey feathers. Mrs. Osbourne's math classes are creating turkeys using equivalent fractions to determine the color and number of feathers. Though the worksheet gives feather decoration instructions according to sixths, students must decipher how to apply the decorations since the turkey has twelve feathers instead. The kicker? Adding the numerators will equal more than twelve, so students have to get crafty with how they divide their decorations among the twelve feathers given. That's one tricky turkey.
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Harvesting Some New Tastes
This morning students enjoyed a Thanksgiving harvest all their own as they tasted items from our Lower School garden prepared deliciously by Betsy Cook. Included on the menu was Bok Choy (prepared with some teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds), kale chips (both curly and Russian Red), and a green salad. We're happy to report that many kids tried things they had never eaten before. Bok Choy was the surprising favorite, along with the kale.
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Staff Story: Dr. Christian J. Proctor
 Pictured from left to right: Wife Ellie Proctor, son Andrew ’14 and daughter Katherine with Dr. Proctor at Katherine's graduation.
Current Position: Head of School
Education: Colgate University—B.A.
Duke University—M.S.; University of North Carolina—Ph.D.
Year Appointed: 2011
What is your hometown and what was it like growing up there? I was born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. My father was a Professor of Surgery and our lives revolved around the university. We watched Chapel Hill grow from a small southern university town into a cosmopolitan city with people from all around the world. It was a great place filled with progressive values during the Civil Rights movement and the Women’s movement of the 70’s.
What, or who has been the biggest influence in your life? The obvious and correct answer is my father, one of the smartest and most accomplished men I have ever known; but to keep it more interesting, my Department Chair when I was teaching college was Aidan Dunleavey, a left-handed Irishman who showed me that there was always a creative solution — It only needed to be found.
Looking back on the past 5 years as Head of North Cross, what do you think is the most important thing North Cross has accomplished? I believe we have stabilized and then further improved the quality of the education at North Cross School. Our students are regularly taking more difficult classes and doing better on their standardized tests than ever before. I love the fact that we had 33 AP Scholars last year, an 800% increase in 8 years. I mean an 800% increase! Where do you see a number like that?
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Middle School’s Got Talent
On Tuesday afternoon the Middle School and other community members gathered in Fishburn Auditorium for the most entertaining way to end the school day: The Annual Middle School Talent Show. Student vocalists, dancers, and pianists gave some impressive performances. We commend all of the students who shared their talent with us and thanks to Andrew Miller for running the sounds and lights for the show. Performers included: Ryan Huddleston ’21, Natalie Lorens ’21, Mariah Eakin ’22, Amaria Ford ’22, Daniel Byrnes ’21, Ivy Mitchell ’23, Lanaya Cephas ’23, Anna Lemon ’21, Lea Almahameed ’22, Myah Dent ’23, and Julia H'Doubler ’21 (pictured above). The show was emceed by students Chloe Hunt ’21 and Jessica Helmer ’21.
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How Do You Get to Wonderland?
Audiences were delighted by their trips down the rabbit hole this past weekend during the two performances of the Lower School Musical Alice in Wonderland, Jr. If you were unable to make it, or just would like to go back to Wonderland, visit the photo gallery on the Crossties Blog.
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Sturm ’17 Commits to Miami University
Surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and teachers, Morgan Sturm ’17 formally announced her college intentions and signed her National Letter of Intent to play Division I field hockey for Miami University (OH) today. At the table with her is the representative from the University, coach Lilly Judge (standing), mother Kathy Sturm, and brother Leyton ’25. This fall, she will join her older sister Avery Sturm '15, who is already a sophomore on the Red Hawks women's field hockey team.
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Support our State Champion Finalists!
 At 1:00 on Saturday, on our own Thomas Field, Football faces Blue Ridge for their run for the VISAA State Champions title. This is a big game, to say the least, and could lead to the team's first state title in five years. Raider Joe's will be open, too. Remember, the louder the Raiders' cheers are, the better, so come out and support our team in this final match of the fall athletic season.
Go Raiders!
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