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 It has been a difficult and exhausting week for North Cross and I am thankful for the well wishes of so many. The response of our community in support of each other was amazing and although I know there is still a lot of anguish in many quarters, I believe we have made healing strides.
I also appreciate so many appreciative emails and would like to publicly thank Leigh Ann Hamlin, Jeff Kennard, and Rebekah Bradley for the time and attention they put in to create and coordinate our response to Saturday morning’s bad news. Leigh Ann, our school counselor, spent the weekend identifying local mental health resources to meet our student and faculty needs and continues to act as a contact should you have further need. Rebekah and Jeff coordinated all of our communication, including dealing with numerous requests from local press. The result of their efforts was a well-informed and active community.
As we turn toward the return of Tom and Lindsay to Roanoke, we will continue to be in touch with you regarding school efforts to help. For now, we encourage you to visit the websites to find out more information and to make donations to help them out.
Once we have a better idea about how we can help, we will make further suggestions.
So that we can head in to the holiday weekend on a good note, let me congratulate Annie Robertson on the birth of her first child, Neil Everett (see photo later in this issue). And also, let me report that Gracie is thoroughly exhausted but well loved after an active first week at North Cross. She is aware that she has big shoes to fill, both literally and figuratively.
Thank you again for your support and there has never been a better time to be at North Cross.
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Spring Long Weekend
As a reminder, school and administrative offices will be closed for the Spring Long Weekend on Friday, March 25, and Monday, March 28. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 29.
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Buddy Bench Memorial
One of the memorials to honor Patrick and Logan McKinnon will be a “Buddy Bench†created by Twist & Turns. The bench will be installed outside Ellis Hall. The bench is part of a project initiated by Blake Shaner ’24 with assistance from Zander Theoharis ’16. The concept of the “Buddy Bench†is simple. If a lower school student wants to find a friend to play with at recess, sitting on the bench is a signal to other students. To support the bench project, the school plans to sell “North Cross Strong†t-shirts based on a design created by Robin Sells. Together we plan to use all the money raised on campus for the McKinnons to support this project. Additional funds raised beyond the cost to purchase the bench will be allocated after consulting with the family. A memorial committee made up of North Cross community representatives will be appointed for this effort. Linsday and Tom McKinnon were touched to hear that this bench was being designed and created to remember their sons.
More information about purchasing shirts will be communicated when details are finalized.
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Community Service Update
Submitted by Alex Hash, Community Outreach Coordinator
We started off the year by having our athletic teams help install the garden for the lower school by filling the beds with soil. There also was a car wash organized by Davis Call ’17 that raised money to help with a classmates tuition.
In November we donated over 60 complete Thanksgiving meals to needy families in Roanoke City. Also, in November our school was a sponsor volunteer group with the Salvation Army Drumstick Dash.
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Development Update
Click the button below to read about our year-to-date goals for Annual Fund, Gala and Big Flea. Find out about our results, and what you can do to help.
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SCA Blood Drive
Students, teachers, and members of the North Cross community, organized by Helen Schmedtje ’17, took time out of their busy schedules to donate blood with Virginia Blood Services yesterday in the CAC. The students and faculty members (many included in bottom photo) donated nearly 40 pints of blood to the worthy cause.
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Share the Big Flea on Facebook
If you follow us on Facebook you can help support the Big Flea Sale by sharing our event or inviting your Facebook friends. The sale starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 9 in the Carter Athletic Center.
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Teacher Feature: Ryan Cook
Hometown: Salem, Virginia
Education: Radford University—B.A.
Current Position: Middle School History, Head Coach Boys and Girls Middle School Soccer
Appointed: 2013
What's one thing your students don't know about you?
I attended NCS as a student. I like to cook in my free time.
Above: Ryan Cook (left) with his father Richard Cook.
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Meet Neil Everett Robertson
This week we welcomed Neil Everett Robertson to the North Cross School community! First grade teacher, Mrs. Annie Robertson, gave birth to this precious baby boy. Mom and dad are both doing great!
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Winter Academic Awards
This morning in Fishburn Auditorium, students in grades 6–12 who earned First and Second Honor Roll were recognized at the Winter Academic Awards Assembly in Fishburn Auditorium. A complete list of students who earned Honor Roll recognition is available on the Crossties Blog.
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SEAD Project Featured on WSLS 10
Last week, reporter Jenna Zbitton from WSLS 10 was on campus to film an “Education Matters†segment on the lower school SEAD project. The project is teaching lower school students how to communicate, collaborate and work toward a larger goal.
Please note that the final presentation for the project has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. in front of New Slack Hall. All members of the North Cross community are invited to attend.
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Glass Blowing
On Thursday, March 17, a group of Upper School art students stepped out of their North Cross studio space with teacher Amy Jackson and traveled to The Rocky Mount Center for the Arts to experience glass blowing. The Rocky Mount center is the closest glass studio within 100 miles. |
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Jones Commits to Emory and Henry
Brett Jones '16 will continue his football career at Emory and Henry College next fall. Jones, a VISAA All-State performer on the offensive line, started every game of his four-year career at North Cross. Jones made most of his 43 offensive line starts at center. He was also a stalwart on the Raiders’ defensive front, earning Second Team All-VISAA as a defensive lineman.
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Spring Athletic Scores on Twitter
Athletic team results submitted by team coaches are available on our Twitter account with the tag #NCSAthletics. Highlights from the previous week are included below. |
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Stay Connected on Social Media
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