Elwyn Murray III and George B. Cartledge III, Co-Chair Members of the Core and Steering Committee. — Courtesy of North Cross School

Courtesy of North Cross School

A rendering of the northwest corner.

North Cross School officially kicked off a $6 million campaign to build a new middle school that will meet the unique needs of middle school faculty and students and reinforce North Cross School's ongoing commitment to being a school of distinction.

The public announcement took place at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 in Fishburn Auditorium. The campaign, called "Inspiring Minds: A Campaign for North Cross School," is being led by NCS parents George Cartledge III '82 and Elwyn Murray.

Thanks to the generosity of 100 percent of the Board of Trustees, 100 percent of the faculty and staff, and 50 other members of the NCS community, the School has already raised $2 million toward its $6 million goal.

"Our goal is for North Cross School to be recognized as one of the premiere schools in all of Virginia.

"Every such school shares three elements: an outstanding faculty, a talented and diverse student body, and a breath taking campus, a campus that says 'something special is going on here.'

"We currently have a first-rate faculty and a strong student body, who better represent the greater Roanoke Valley than at any time in the school's history.

"The lower school and New Slack Hall were beautifully redone eight years ago; the upper school continues to serve students well, and the Carter Athletic Center rivals the athletic facilities at any school in the country," said Headmaster Timothy J. Seeley.

"Now it is time to bring the middle school building up to the same standard of excellence, and to provide our middle school faculty with a facility designed to enhance and support their work with our middle school students. We will build a middle school that will be a model for middle years education in the Roanoke Valley for years to come."

"We've made considerable progress in reaching our $6 million goal in what has, no doubt, been a very challenging economic time.

"Our ultimate success will depend on the contributions of many and the reward will be even greater knowing that our new middle school was built, not by the generosity of one, but rather from the collective effort an entire community of givers," said Murray.

Built in 1962, the current middle school, Eaton Hall, has served as both upper and middle schools. It is now home to 122 students in grades six through eight.

The new building will replace the existing middle school and will provide an improved space for learning. At 19,200 square feet, the new building will offer 40 percent more square feet than the current one and will accommodate the plan to move fifth grade to the middle school.

The building will be air conditioned throughout and will feature larger classrooms, three new science labs, a computer lab, a common gathering space for students to meet, and wider hallways with locker zones that provide more storage space for students.

The building will be an integral part of the Schools' effort to be a more responsible steward of the earth's resources. Designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Counsel's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards, the building will be constructed in an environmentally responsible way and will be efficient in its energy use.

"Its design will make the building itself an educational tool, and as such it will serve as an example to our students, families and greater community. It will be one of only three school buildings in all of Virginia to have a Silver LEED certification, the only one west of Arlington, and will be one of only 19 such school buildings in all of the South. It truly will be an emblem of North Cross School's status as an educational leader," said Cartledge.

"North Cross School has always been at the forefront of education for middle school students. This new building, through its design, equipment and beauty, will enable us to serve them even more effectively, preparing them to do well in high school and beyond," said Board of Trustees Chair Anne Lee Stevens.

Additional details about the campaign, including information about how you can help NCS reach its goal, are available at www.northcross.org/inspiringminds.

Roanoke County parents can now pay for school lunches online

Roanoke County Public Schools has begun using myLunchMoney.com, a new service for parents to prepay for their child's school breakfast, lunch, and a la carte food items using a credit or debit card.

"Using www.myLunchMoney.com is easy and convenient for parents. Enrolling and adding money to a lunch account is simple and completed online," said Ed Tutle, supervisor of Nutrition Services for Roanoke County Public Schools.

"Once a student's account is established, parents can check balances, view student purchases and add money to their child's account via computer, phone or fax," Tutle said.

All transactions are kept secure. All personal and payment card information is protected by the most advanced internet security.

Best of all, with the recurring payment option, money will always be in a child's account. When a child's account balance is low, money can be automatically added to the student's account.

To enroll in the program, parents should go online to www.myLunchMoney.com and click "enroll now." Parents should create an account for themselves and their children. Parents will need to know their child's lunch ID number.

Parents needing assistance can call the toll-free customer support center at 1-800-479-3531 for questions or assistance with enrollment. Support personnel are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parents needing assistance also can send an email to mlmsupport@ sl-tech.net.

Faith Christian School holds Convocation Service

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. students, parents, and faculty gathered together for a Convocation Service at Faith Christian School, something they do each year. Although the service is usually held at the beginning of the school year, this year it was postponed a bit.

The service was full of hymns, prayers, and celebration. Rhett Adams, Class of 2010 and SGA President gave the invocation and Sarah Graninger, also Class of 2010, gave the Scripture reading on I Thessalonians 1:2-10.

John Seel, Ph.D and President of TRI Core Entertainment, a good friend of Head of School, Samuel P. Cox, served as the guest speaker and gave the message

"It's a good time to assess the big picture," Seel said. "This school is built on every noble vision, a mind for truth, a heart for Christ, and a will to serve -- an impossible mission apart from God. For this school to be successful, prayer has to be at the heart."

"We need each other. We are made to be in community," he said during his message.

Seel spoke of two different parents, those that are hands off parents and those that are hands on.

"The goal," he said, "is to embrace both simultaneously."

"Life is so demanding. It's hard. Studying is hard. We invite you into the pain and suffering of learning," he told the students. "Welcome to reality. If you are distracted all the time you won't appreciate reality. We need to be reality based and respect based."

Guests, the Rev. David Blugerman, a pastor at Wellspring Presbyterian Church, Mr. Corey Paxton, youth and young adult minister at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Tim McClymonds, pastor at Garst Mill Presbyterian Church, prayed on behalf of the faculty, staff and board, the students, and parents and the home, respectively.

The service ended with a benediction by Thomas Mann, head of Middle and Upper School.

Faith Christian School participates in 'See You At The Pole'

It wasn't just the students who came out Wednesday, Sept. 23, for the annual "See You at the Pole" event around the country. This was especially at Faith Christian School where parents, teachers, friends and faculty participated with the students.

In many places, like some schools in Arizona, teachers and faculty were told they could not attend "See you at the Pole" to pray with their students.

This year's theme was "Engage: Go and Pray" which focuses on the biblical verse, "Go and pray to God for me and for the people," 2 Kings 22:13.

Sam Andree, a senior at Faith Christian School, said, "I was required to come because I'm in SGA, but it's good to be out and worship with the school. It's a good start to the day."

Andree said that last year they had about 100 people come and pray with them during the event at Faith Christian School.

"I think it's close to that many again this year," he said. "We had a list of things we prayed for, President Obama, and leaders of our country, and our school leaders, and our school in general."

Andree also mentioned that he thought it was a good idea that in some places teachers and faculty could not participate in at See you at the Pole.

"It's a good idea. Even here it's student led. I think it's a good thing students are leading it themselves."

According to ninth-grader, Ciara Craddock, See You at the Pole is an important time because, "this is our school and God is the one who deeds it so we just want to thank him for all he does. He holds our country and school in his hands."

Ninth-grader Kaila Carter said, "We are praying a lot for our country and the ones who give their lives and fight for our freedom and the people who keep our school running and the students and faculty."

Taylor May, also a ninth-grader, said that she believes that teachers and faculty all over the world should be allowed to pray with the students at 'See You at the Pole.

"I think it's important to spread the Word and show that they love God," May said.

"If you believe in something you shouldn't be told you can't," Carter said.

Oak Grove Elementary School is searching for its extended family

In preparation for its 50th Anniversary Celebration in November, Oak Grove is hoping to find former students, teachers, and staff who can share their memories of the last half century.

Fifty years ago, the current Oak Grove Elementary School opened its doors. Current students, faculty, staff and alumni will celebrate the anniversary with a parade, video remembrances, class reunions, and a reception on Nov. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the school. The entire community is invited to celebrate this special event.

Organizers will videotape recollections of people who were affiliated with Oak Grove from 1959 to 2009. They will be shown at the celebration.

If you can make your own video talking about your memories of Oak Grove, we can provide a Web link for you to upload the video so it can be included in the production. If not, we can come to you to record your memories.

People with memories to share should contact Gwen Vieth at 776-1101 or Vieths@cox.net.