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 Tree Lighting and Holiday Bonfire Rescheduled
Due to the forecast of rain last Friday, the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Bonfire has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 17. Since it is a school night, the event will be from 5–7 p.m. on Hooper Field.
Click here to download a flyer with more information.
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 Special Lower School Holiday Performance
Immediately following Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day next Friday, students in the lower school will have their traditional holiday performance in the Carter Athletic Center. This year, a special musical guest will be performing with the students.
Nationally renowned jazz musician Bradley Sowash is a composer, creative pianist, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, author, and educator. He has been performing and composing for over thirty years and is best known for his appearances on seven seasons of the PBS-TV series, The Piano Guy and his best-selling jazz piano method, “That’s Jazz,†published by Kjos Music.
Mr. Sowash has arranged six selections specifically for North Cross lower school students, in grades 1-3, to perform in their holiday program. He will also conduct a lecture and demo workshop for students in grades 4-12 on Thursday, December 18 in Fishburn Auditorium.
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Thank You Bridge Builders!
We want to thank the 252 people who joined the Annual Fund Bridge Builders by making your gift or pledge. Against our goal of $340,000, we are currently at $163,014.56. There are many Ways to Give to the Annual Fund—any gift of any size at any time helps and supports every current student at North Cross School.
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iGive Raises over $140 in less than 24 hours
This morning we received a note from iGive. Whoever shopped online through iGive after receiving our email yesterday afternoon, thank you! Your shopping generated $2.73—that might not sound like much, but if more people shopped through iGive, it would sure add up quickly.
Take note of the $5 reward just for signing up. The deadline to sign up and receive the $5 reward for North Cross is Monday, December 15—and be sure to use the iGive button before February 15. Click here to give it a try and thanks for helping North Cross! |
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Student Accident Insurance
The school does not carry medical insurance to cover students’ accidental injuries or illnesses. A voluntary student accident insurance policy is available for purchase on an individual basis and covers medical costs up to $1,000 due to accidental injury, on or off campus, during the course of the school year.
Click here to download a brochure with additional information.
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Academic Awards
One hundred and ninety-nine students in grades 6-12 were recognized for their academic effort during the fall term. Students who earned First and Second Honor Roll each received certificates from Dr. Proctor at the Fall Academic Awards Assembly on Thursday morning in Fishburn Auditorium. Director of the Upper School, Mark Thompson, reminded students of the importance of “drive†as an academic trait—a trait that each and every student can employ in school. Director of the Middle School, Ed Dickenson, told the story of soldiers during World War II who read small editions of books like “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.†The books were printed in miniature so soldiers could carry the books anywhere. The lesson reinforced for students the idea that opportunities for growth and learning can happen anytime and anywhere.
Click here or the image above for a larger version of students who earned First Honor Roll. |
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French Honor Society Induction Ceremony
On Tuesday, December 9, seven students were inducted into the French Honor Society.
The aim of the Société Honoraire de Français is to stimulate interest in the study of French, to promote high standards of scholarship, to reward scholastic achievements, to create enthusiasm for and an understanding of francophone culture and civilization, and to reward efforts toward furthering solidarity in the French-speaking world. In order to be eligible, the candidates must have maintained an average cumulative grade of A- or higher for all French work at the secondary level. Moreover, they must also have maintained an average cumulative grade of B- or higher in all other subjects at the secondary level.
In photo above, Mrs. Greenwell (far right) welcomes (from left) Mary Kate Graeff ’16, Tristan Johnson-Hodges ’16, Daniel Habib ’18, Gabrielle Peppers ’18, Narmeen Rasul ’18, Ashtyn Gerhart ’17, and Meghan McDonnell ’15. These students join seven other members who were inducted in May 2014.
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Middle School Mall
As the sixth graders study the transition to the new manufacturing processes of the Industrial Revolution, they are tasked with creating their own businesses and products to be sold at the Middle School Mall. Students had to come up with a business plan, calculate the cost of their products, and also what their profit will be. In addition, they design a logo, develop a slogan, and create a unique name for their business. The Middle School Mall will be open next week and the sixth graders will be selling their products to faculty, parents, and other students in the morning, during break, and at lunch.
In photo above, Cole Barnard ’21 created an ornament business called Trim a Tree. His ornaments will be sold for $1.50.
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Global Studies Speaker
As part of the Global Studies year long theme of "War," Naval intelligence officer, Lt. Carsten Belanich spoke to upper school students as part of Global Studies Speakers Series on Thursday in Fishburn Auditorium. He discussed the role of integrated air defense systems and how they have reshaped the way the United States conducts naval aviation strategy and exercises.
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Chestnut Grove Planted
Last Saturday teachers Sandy Patterson and Ed Dickenson; parents Declan Daly and Jeff Kennard; and students Alex Dickenson ’24, Patrick Daly ’20, Elliott Kennard ’19, and Charlie Lemon ’18; helped finish planting the chestnut trees in the designated grove along the cross country trail behind the Thompson residence. In total, twenty-one trees were planted in the required fashion, as demonstrated by Carl Absher, Chestnut Program Coordinator. The grove has three different varieties of chestnut trees on the site, which will make for an interesting study in the years to come.
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 Teacher Feature: Mary Semler
What was your first impression of North Cross?
I loved it right away. I automatically felt like I was right at home. I was teaching fourth grade with Victor Lamas, who was just starting his second year at North Cross and he was full of great ideas. I loved working with such a special group of people in the lower school, but what stood out to me the most was the fact that every single person in the lower school embraced me and I immediately felt that I was part of a big family here.
Click here to read the full feature.
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Holiday Music Performances
Under the direction of Mr. Andrew Miller, the choral students—Lower School Chorus (4th-5th); Concert Choir (6th-7th); and Chorale (8th-12th)—each performed a number of holiday selections on Tuesday evening in Fishburn Auditorium. The students were accompanied by Stephen D. Wills on piano.
The holiday instrumental music concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, at 7 p.m. in Lemon Dining Hall. The concert will feature students performing under the direction of Jimmie Donnini, Director of Bands.
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Holiday Favorites CD Supports FOTA
If you need a little help getting into the spirit this season, vocalist Nicole Chaney ’14 and pianist Ben Smith ’15 have produced a CD with five holiday favorites that will help you get ready for the season. Nicole and Ben donated these CDs to Friends of the Arts (FOTA), a group that gives back to the Fine Arts Department at North Cross, and helped enhance their experience here. The CDs are only $10 each and 100% of the proceeds go to FOTA. FOTA representatives will have CDs for sale at the the Instrumental Music Holiday Performance in Lemon Dining Hall next Tuesday and at the Lower School Holiday Performance next Friday in the CAC.
Click here to listen to an mp3 sample of “White Christmas†from the CD.
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Spring Musical Auditions begin Monday
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 Girls’ Varsity Swim Undefeated
At the first home meet of the season on Wednesday, the girls’ team defeated Chatham Hall and Salem High School to reach a record of 5-0 on the young season. The boys’ team lost to Hargrave Military Academy and Salem High School and is currently 2-3 on the year. At Wednesday’s meet, five swimmers including Andrew Lorens ’18 (top photo) and Margo Winn ’18 (bottom photo) posted VISAA state qualifying times.
- Joseph Cartledge ’16 (50 Free & 100 Free)
- Zach H’Doubler ’17 (100 Breast)
- Andrew Lorens ’19 (200 IM & 500 Free)
- Maddie Robinson ’16 (100 Free)
- Margo Winn ’18 (200 IM)
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 Nwabia Named to Regional Team
Following their state championship win last month, Kennedy Nwabia ’15 (left in photo with Raiders Head Coach James Brown) was named to the All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team for Fall Boys High School Soccer. The team is named by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Click here for the full list of players.
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Willis Hall
Gordon Willis served as the chairman of the North Cross School Board of Trustees for 14 years. He held a position on the board for more than 49 years either as board member, chairman, or trustee emeritus. During his time on the board, the campus grew from one building housing students grades kindergarten through seven to a 77-acre complex, which includes six buildings and several athletic fields.
When the old high school, now Eaton Hall, became overcrowded in the early 1980s, Jerry Maycock was sent out to tour a number of high schools in the East. His task was to help create the best possible space for laboratories with flexible space for experiments and lectures. The new bulding included 13 classrooms, a small workroom, faculty lounge, conference room, a college counseling office, publications room, darkroom, senior lounge and a commons area.
Generations of the Willis family have attended the school and continue to give back through the gifts of their time and resources. Since the founding of the school at the Colonial Avenue location, a member of the Willis family has been closely involved with its success. This family tradition all began with the vision and commitment of one man: Mr. Gordon C. Willis. Four of Willis’ children attended North Cross School: Julia Willis Crump ’64, Cynthia Willis Creamer ’66, Gordon C. Willis Jr. ’68, and Mary Vaden H. Eisenstadt ’78.
Other members of the extended Willis family who attended or currently attend the school include: Tom Rutherfoord ’67, Elizabeth Willis Revette ’74, Keith Willis ’76, David D. H. Willis, Sr. ’77, Mary Vaden Eisenstadt ’78, Mary Holman Willis ’80, Marie Shockley Waller ’87, Sarah Woolwine ’90, Benjamin Shockley ’92, David D. H. Willis, Jr. ’04, Marshall Willis ’06, James Willis ’09, Taylor Woolwine ’12, Emily Woolwine ’14, Keith Willis ’15, Blake Willis ’17, and Lucy Woolwine ’17.
In 1985, the upper school building was completed and named in honor of Mr. Willis.
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