The Knightly News: October 2, 2025

Contents

Featured Items

Early Relase
for K-12
October 3 

School Closed
for Fall Break
October 6 – 17

Quarter 2
Classes Begin
October 20

A Prayer for Fall Break

We remember, dear God, that on the last day of creation, you rested and told us to do the same. Give us rest from our routine during this Fall Break. Fill us with joy. Keep us safe and be with us as we play together and enjoy quiet time alone. Amen. 

– Holy Comforter Episcopal School prayer, adapted 2020

School-Wide Information

Important Dates

    • Where: West Canopy (near the Student Parking Lot)
    • When: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

TOMORROW – Friday, October 3 – Early Release for Fall Break – Last Day of Classes for Quarter 1 – All-School Spirit Day – On Early Release Days, there is no lunchtime and no After-School programs are provided. Students need to bring a substantial snack and water bottle. 

Dismissal Times:

    • Grades 9-12: 11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
    • Grades K-8: 12:15-12:45 p.m. 

Monday-Friday, October 6-10 & October 13-17 – Fall Break (School Closed)

Monday, October 20 – First Day of Classes for Quarter 2

Tuesday, October 21 – Monthly Board Meeting – 

    • Where: Theater
    • When: 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 22 – Quarter 1 Report Cards – Available on the Parent Portal after 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 23 – Yearbook Ads Are Due – Consider purchasing a yearbook ad to advertise your business to the entire CCS community. Funds go to support Community Development within our school.  Contact: Ellen Wentz.

    • Yearbook Ad (full-color):
      • Full-Page Ad – $350
      • Half-Page Ad – $250
      • Quarter-Page Ad – $150

Friday, October 24 – CCS Annual Christmas Card Art Contest – Submissions Due – All K-12 students are invited to participate. Students will submit fully colored 5×7 sized designs focused on the theme: “Peace on Earth.” The winner’s art will be featured on this year’s school Christmas card, and he or she will also receive $25 to the Spirit Store. Click here for details.

Friday, October 24 – No Classes – Optional Parent-Teacher Conferences:

  • Lower School Parents – Sign up on the Veracross Parent Portal.
  • Upper School Parents – Contact teachers via email to arrange.
Monday, October 27 – 25th Annual CCS Golf Classic – Register to Play or Become A Sponsor – Click here for our new webpage to register or become a sponsor for the event. Interested in volunteering? Contact Ellen Wentz.
 
Tuesday, October 28 — Smile! Class Group & Individual Re-Take Picture Day Is Coming Soon! – Lifetouch will be on campus to photograph Homeroom classes (Lower School) and Grade Level groups (Upper School). Logic and Rhetoric Band and Chorus classes will be photographed during class.
  • Pre-order photos:  mylifetouch.com.
  • Flyers & Ordering ID Codes:
  • Avoid scheduling off-campus appointments this day.
  • CCS Dress Uniform is required attire for Picture Days. To avoid violations, check the fit of your Dress Uniform over Fall Break – sew on any missing buttons; practice tying the men’s tie; ensure that shoes, hair, and accessories meet dress code standards. 

Health & Safety

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Quarter 2 Events Calendar – Click here. (This is always available on the CCS Portals.)

2025-26 Yearbook Order Reminder – Fall Break is a great time to order your yearbook. This item must be pre-ordered before it is published. Use the link in the Parent Portal. The price is now $57.00. 

Reaffirm Your Covenantal Commitment – As a covenantal school, Cary Christian School’s enrollment policy requires that each parent review and sign the Corporation Membership on an annual basis. This is a great opportunity for each parent to reaffirm their commitment to the school’s values, which set Cary Christian School apart from other schools: Statement of Faith, Educational Philosophy, Organizational Philosophy, Corporation Membership, Mission, and Statements on Christian Values (Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender; Sanctity of Life; Final Authority).

Click here to read and sign by November 1. (On November 15, everyone will be auto drafted their related fee.)

NOTE: At least one parent or guardian of each child attending Cary Christian School must be a member of the Corporation.

Lower School Teacher Assistant Position Available – Seeking a parent to serve in the role of Part-Time Teacher Assistant working in one of our K-2 classrooms, supporting the teacher by loving our students and pointing them to Christ. This position will be from 7:40 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, following the school calendar with weeks off at the same time as the students.  Contact Kelly Gardner, Lower School Dean, for more information or to express your interest.

Beginning after Fall Break – Collections for Senior Service Practicum (SSP) – Set aside ANY cold weather items (blankets, coats, hats, gloves/mittens of all sizes, new socks), and new or gently used backpacks that you wish to give away for our “Coats for the Cold” collection for our annual trip to Tennessee. These items should be gently used and freshly laundered then bagged. Walmart gift cards are also greatly appreciated for purchases being made for those we serve. Deliver your items, beginning after fall break, to these collection zones:
    • Grades K-5: Mr. Shane Tharrington’s security desk
    • Grades 6-12: Mrs. Diane Hillsgrove’s office

Lower School (K-5)

Important Dates

TOMORROW – Friday, October 3 – Third Grade Greek Olympics – The third-grade city-states of Armstrongopia, Douglasia, and Allenos will compete in the CCS Olympics. There will be some notable changes from Ancient Greece: We plan on wearing clothes and don’t intend to fight to the death! Also, you can expect our athletes to give all of the honor and glory to the one true God instead of Zeus.

TOMORROW – Friday, October 3 – Fourth Grade Body Systems Day – To complete their study of the human body, fourth graders will hear from Dr. Hartman as he uses an echocardiogram on Mr. Seitz’s heart, dissect an animal heart specimen with our Rhetoric School biology students, and demonstrate the function of the diaphragm by building a model of the respiratory system.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

K-5 CO-CURRICULARS

Upper School (6-12)

Important Dates

SAVE THE DATE – Wednesday, October 29 – Grade 8 Pilgrim’s Progress Art Show in Conjunction with Grade 6 The Book Behind the Book Exhibit – 

  • Where: Gym
  • When: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, November 8 – Rhetoric School Hoedown – 
  • Where: Back Lawn
  • When: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

College Counseling

Important Dates

Tuesday, October 21 – PSAT Digital Readiness Test – Grades 9 – 11 Students – Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 must bring their charged laptops to school. Personal Chromebooks are not allowed per College Board.

Wednesday, October 22 – Sophomores and Parents College Counseling Meeting – At this required meeting, Ms. Smith will provide important information to help prepare sophomores for their future.

    • Where: Theater
    • When: 7:00-8:15 p.m.

Thursday, October 23 – Grade 9 – Digital Adaptive PSAT Practice – Freshmen have already been registered. Bring your charged laptop (no personal Chromebooks) to school that morning.

    • Where: Seminar Classrooms
    • When: 8:00-11:00 a.m.
    • Helpful Links: PSAT NMSQT FAQs

Thursday, October 23 – PSAT/NMSQT for Grades 10 and 11 – Students must bring their charged laptops (no personal Chromebooks). Use the time over break to practice the Digital Adaptive Practice Tests available on Bluebook.

    • Where: Gym
    • When: 8:00-11:00 a.m.

Thursday, October 23 – Grade 12 – Three-Hour Delay for All Seniors – Classes start at 11:00 a.m. Report to school no later than 10:50 a.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AP Exam-Only Registration for Grades 10 – 12 – November 1 Deadline – There are 2 steps to registering:

  • Students must register here for AP Exams Only on their College Board.
  • Students or parents must pay the $115 through the Parent Portal.
  • NOTE: Students who are in AP Classes at CCS (AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Physics) are already registered and have paid for the corresponding AP Exam. No further action is needed from these students.
  • QUESTIONS – Refer to the AP Dual Enrollment PowerPoint on the College Counseling Dashboard on the CCS Portals.

Dual Enrollment Registration for Students in Grades 11 – 12 –November 1 Deadline – Students need to register and pay on the Colorado Christian University Site. Course list is posted here and outside of Ms. Smith’s office.

NC Governor’s School – Juniors and Sophomores – Click here for information. If you are interested and available to attend NC Governor’s School, you must complete your application to be a CCS nominee and turn it into Mrs. Kent by November 6.

Seniors – Sign up for an individual 30-minute College Counseling meeting with Ms. Smith.

Co-Curriculars

ARTS

2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards – This is now open for registration and submission of your work.

UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Fall Sports Playoff Information – 

    • Gold – Soccer, Volleyball: CAMSC Playoffs: October 6–9
    • Varsity – Soccer, Tennis, Field Hockey, Volleyball: NCISAA Playoffs – begin October 14

Please note: These games fall during Fall Break. All Fall athletes are expected to be available.