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Parents’ Association Message
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 The Parents’ Association and the Upper School SCA would like to thank everyone for all the fun and spirited events last Friday—Red & White/Field Day (click to view photos). It was a beautiful day, which started with games for the lower school, Intramurals for the middle school, an all-school Pep Rally and a NCS Community Bonfire (click to view photos) and dinner Friday evening! Days where all the students come together are rare and special, and nothing says more about our school community than seeing the upper school soccer players playing soccer on Hooper Field Friday evening with the lower school soccer stars, and volleyball teams made up of upper, middle and lower school students working together and having a super time! The Pep Rally highlighted all our spring sports teams with skits and contests and fun for all! A huge thank you to Kathy Callis, Jill Woltz, Susan Wenk, and all the coaches and players for their hard work organizing a great day!! It was, as one lower school student told me at the bonfire, "the most super-fun, best day ever!!"
Susan Card
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Special Message from PA
Parents, this weekend be looking a special email message from your Parents’ Association class representative about supporting the school.
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“Finance and Budget 101†Monday
Please plan to attend a session in Fishburn Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. Monday evening led by Dr. Proctor and our board regarding our school’s finances and budget. Dr. Proctor will focus on “North Cross Finances and Budget 101â€â€”the cost to educate each student and the cost to operate the school. Following his talk will be a brief question and answer period.
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 New South Entrance Sign
When Colonial Avenue was widened several years ago, the original sign at the south entrance of campus was taken down and put into storage. Shawn Lee and the maintenance staff repaired and repainted the sign and returned it to the original look. They are in the process of reinstalling the sign and will have it completely installed very soon.
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Book Fair Ends Monday
The book fair at Barnes and Noble continues through Monday, May 18. Purchases will still count toward our book fair until then, as long as you let them know that you are supporting the book fair at North Cross School. Taking along our voucher is the easiest way to be sure we receive credit for your purchase. Click here to download a book fair voucher with our book fair ID number. Our Hancock Library "wish list" table is at the Tanglewood Barnes and Noble. If you would like to purchase a book for donation to our library, please stop by and take a look.
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Dads’ Hoops Season is Over
Thanks to all the dads who came out to play basketball the last two months. After starting with sessions of 2 on 2, we graduated to full court games. With summer right around the corner, and everyone's busy travel schedules, we will take a break and start this up again in the fall. There will be no more games until then, so stay tuned in September for announcements about our new season!
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 5th Grade Battle
This morning on Thomas Field, North Cross held the inaugural games for the Flavian Amphitheater, better known to the public as The Colosseum. There were beast hunts with an elephant from the Africa province, lions from Syria, and the best gladiators from all over Italy fought under the gaze of the divine Titus, Emperor of Rome.
Click here to view photos posted on our Facebook page. |
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Founders’ Scholars for 2015-16
 The Founders’ Scholarship program was developed to attract and retain the best and brightest students in the Roanoke Valley and to assist these students in their efforts to attend North Cross School. Applicants are expected to demonstrate excellence in academics, extra-curricular interests, leadership, and community service.
Congratulations to the following students who will join the current group of Founders’ Scholars for the 2015-16 academic year: Joseph Cartledge ’16 (left), Albert Newberry ’17 (center), and Enkhee Dendev ’17 (right).
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 “Peace Path†Project
Deborah Jessee and Nani Moskal have created a group for students called “Project Kindness†that will begin at the start of the school year and will be available to all lower school students.
For the initial planning period of this project, a few students were asked to discuss social issues that may be occurring amongst peers, characteristics our students should strive to obtain, and ideas on how to work better with one another. One result from the ideas of Project Kindness included creating a way for students to resolve peer conflict called the “Peace Path.†Students helped Nani paint the Peace Path this Wednesday.
Nani will explain how to use the pathway during Guidance classes next week, as well as discuss the purpose during Raider Roundup next Thursday. The Raider Peace Path is located outside on the blacktop in between Ellis Hall and the cafeteria and will continue to be painted over the next few days.
Thank you to the students who helped paint the Raider Peace Path this week: Attilio Ciccozzi ’24, Thomas Greer ’24, Elle Williams ’24, Nilaa Elangovan ’24, Ned Tower ’24, Tanner Vogel ’22, Rees Wenk ’22, and Erika Storm ’22.
Caution: Wet Paint & Conflict Resolution Ahead!
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 Teacher Feature: Jennie Potter
What do you enjoy most about teaching in the Early Childhood Program?
I love teaching the four-year-olds. They are like little sponges and always so excited to learn new things. It amazes me how much they grow as students from the beginning of the school year to the end. They are also so loving and want to share stories with you about what happens outside of school. When I first started teaching I thought I wanted to teach second or third grade, but I have really fallen in love with my students and wouldn’t change a thing.
Click here to read the full feature.
Photo: Jennie Potter with her husband, Shawn, and their daughter, Madelyn.
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 Spring Choral Music Concert
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 Instrumental Music Awards
Four upper school students were recognized this morning at assembly for their participation in District VI symphonic and concert band. From left, Nolan Wages ’16 (concert band), Kevin Bao ’18 (concert band), Caroline McGimsey ’17 (concert band). Not pictured, Helen Schmedtje ’17 (symphonic band).
Next Tuesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in Lemon Dining Hall, instrumental music students will perform their spring concert under the direction of Ms. Jimmie Donnini.
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Spring Playoff Results
Varsity Baseball, Girls’ Varsity Soccer, and Boys’ Varsity Tennis each advanced out of the quarterfinal round of the VISAA tournaments on Tuesday afternoon. Click here, or on the image, to see the coverage from the Roanoke Times—including a front page article on the baseball team! Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse played a tough game against Nansemond-Suffolk but lost by one goal in triple overtime.
The Varsity Baseball team dropped their semifinal game 6-2 yesterday against Walsingham Academy. Congrats to all of our Raider athletes, especially Girls’ Varsity Soccer and Boys’ Varsity Tennis as they head to the state semifinals! |
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Windscreens Added
 Mr. Jack Burrows (right), a member of the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame (tennis) and grandparent of Tanner Vogel '22 and Eliza Vogel ’26, donated windscreens for the Fishwick Tennis Center. Jim Schaefer (left), parent of Kylie Schaefer '23 and Sam Schaefer '26 installed them for the team last week. The windscreens have improved the playing conditions at the tennis center, and improved the visibility of our Raider branding. |
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Baseball Senior Day
 The Varsity Baseball team recognized (from left) Ben Coleman ’15, Brij Patadia ’15, Edwin Saunders ’15, Gaurav Patadia ’15, and Keith Oddo ’15 on Senior Day last Saturday. The Raiders went on to defeat William Fleming 4-3. Photo by Tonya Benson.
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Sports Physicals on Wednesday
Check-in will begin in the CAC at 4:30 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. Physicals should be completed by 6:15 p.m. Student athletes need to bring $20 (cash or check) and a signed copy of the VHSL physical form. Please fill out all the information ahead of time (except for the physician's portion), and have it signed by a parent or guardian.
Click here to download the current form.
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Fall Athletic Opportunities
There are new tennis options being offered this fall. To sign up for a sport and to be included in all future sport-related communications, register as soon as possible via email to the coach for each sport. Sign-ups are due by July 31.
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Building a Better Battle
When he came to North Cross School in the fall of 1998, Victor Lamas wanted to find a way to make his history lessons come alive for his first group of fifth grade students. His first class, the Class of 2012 (in top photo) took to the grass outside Ellis Hall, dressed as soldiers, and marched in formation. His goal was to let students actually feel what it was like to be a soldier. “I marched them as Greek soldiers with their spears and swords,†he said. “I wanted them to feel what it’s like to swing a sword, lower a spear, or have a shield in your hand. It makes for a memorable experience outside the classroom.â€
When asked what motived him to try this approach with his students, Victor said he was inspired by the freedom he received in the classroom. “I was given so much freedom to try things, so a lot of my ideas began by asking ‘Wouldn't it be cool if...’†His ideas continued to grow and develop each year.
 A few years later he turned that marching into the full-fledged themed performance we enjoy today. “I wondered if I could have the students simulate a battle and not get hurt, but also have it look real.†With the Class of 2015, Victor had the students act out the Romans versus Celts, featuring the tortoise formation and shield wall. Other themes have included Vikings, the Trojan War, and the revolt of Spartacus.
As the performances have grown, Victor has asked parents and other students on campus to help add elements to the performance. “One year Mr. Martin Pruitt (father of Meagan ’16 and Chester ’18) built us a Trojan horse.†Another year a parent built a trebuchet.
While the students enjoy practicing, the performances are not meant to glorify battle. They do provide a chance for students to perform. “When you take a look at the girls this year, doing the opening games of the Colosseum, they are into it because it is a performance,†he said.
Click here, or on the image, to view a pdf of a newspaper article about the re-enactment in 2012.
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