The Knightly News: November 20, 2025

Contents

Featured Items

All-School Spirit
Night at Shake Shack
November 20

Thanksgiving Pies
& Early Release
November 25

Thanksgiving Break
School Closed
November 26-28

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer  

“O, heavenly Father: We thank thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank thee for health and remember the sick. We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.”

— Abigail van Buren, a.k.a. “Dear Abby”

School-Wide Information

TODAY! – Thursday, November 20 – All-School Spirit Night at Shake Shack – Mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATE online and 25% of your total meal purchase will be donated to CCS! All donations go toward teacher appreciation efforts!

    • When: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    • Where: Shake Shack – Waverly Place

TOMORROW! – Friday, November 21 – Operation Christmas Child – Upper and Lower School students will partner together to pack shoeboxes for the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. Thank you for your generosity of time and money to make this a successful service project!

TOMORROW! – Friday, November 21 – Lost & Found – If you cannot find your belongings in the hallway bins, check the K-2 stairwell anytime. Unclaimed items will be donated or discarded. Contact Ellen Wentz with questions.

    ◦    Where: West Canopy (near the Student Parking Lot)

    ◦    When: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

TOMORROW! – Friday, November 21 – Varsity Football State Championship Game – Come cheer on our Varsity Football team as they battle for a repeat State Championship title! They will face rival Arendell Parrott Academy in this final game of the season. We need ALL of our Knights to pack the stands and show our support for these hardworking players and coaches.

    • When: 7:00 p.m.
    • Where: John Paul II Catholic HS; 2085 Quail Ridge Rd., Greenville, NC 27858
    • Theme: BLACK OUT 
    • Admission: Tickets are now available – Purchase on GoFan (Cash admission at the gate is $15)
      • Adults $11.50 | CCS Students & Children – Free
Monday, November 24 – Last Day for Senior Service Practicum (SSP) Collections  –
  • ANY cold weather items (blankets, coats, hats, gloves/mittens of all sizes, new socks), and new or gently used backpacks (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 to these collection zones:
    • Grades K-5: Mr. Shane Tharrington’s security desk
    • Grades 6-12: Mrs. Diane Hillsgrove’s office

Tuesday, November 25 – Thanksgiving Pies for Teachers – Eighteen years ago, a sixth-grade student began a sweet tradition at CCS of blessing her teachers with homemade pies before Thanksgiving. Ever since, CCS families have carried on this tradition, blessing our teachers and staff members with pies as a small way to say thank you. We invite all parents, students, and grandparents to join in!

Tuesday, November 25 – Early Release Day/CCS Spirit Wear Day – On Early Release Days, there is no After School Care and no lunch. Please bring a healthy snack and a water bottle.

Dismissal Times:

    • 11:45 a.m.  Rhetoric School (Grades 9-12)  
    • 12:15 p.m. Logic School (Grades 6-8) and Lower School (Grades K-5)

Wednesday – Friday, November 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break – School is closed.  

SAVE THE DATE! – Monday, December 15 – Alumni Luncheon – We invite our most recent graduates to return to campus for a time of fellowship to enjoy a Chick-fil-A lunch and reconnect with friends and faculty.

    • When: 12:00-1:30 p.m.
    • Where: Commons

Important Dates

Health & Safety

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcement from the 25-26 Yearbook Editor Mya Huss — Exciting news! Starting this year, yearbook will move to a Fall 2026 delivery.  This change makes it possible for the yearbook staff to capture the full story of our school year’s traditions and events. Seniors will have the option of pickup or mail delivery. Don’t miss out on this special keepsake!

Lifetouch Photo Order Discount for November Orders – As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

  • 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code: 50THANKS
  • 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code: 40THANKS
  • 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code: 30THANKS

Valid through 12/01/25

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account to find your student(s). Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

Lower School (K-5)

Important Dates

Monday and Tuesday, November 24-25 – Fifth Grade Ocean Days – Students will present their Ocean Animal Research Projects and participate in ocean-themed crafts, games, and activities to celebrate what they have learned about God’s creation of our amazing oceans.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

K-5 CO-CURRICULARS

Upper School (6-12)

Important Dates

SAVE THE DATE! – December 17-18 – Rhetoric School Fall 2025 Final Exams –

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Midpoint of Quarter 2 – As a reminder, Upper School does not issue midterm progress reports. Instead, grades are always available in the CCS Portal, providing a live and easily accessible view of your child’s progress. We ask you to review your child’s current progress together and to help him/her set personal goals for the remainder of the quarter. Encourage your child to take the initiative in communicating directly with teachers, especially regarding making up a missed assignment or strategies in order to improve their grade. 

Winter & Spring Driver’s Ed Teen Courses - I Drive Hand over Hand Driving School is pleased to offer CCS students a special discounted rate for any of their 30-hour Zoom Teen Driver Education courses, which includes the 6-Hour Behind-the-Wheel training. Register online directly with  I Drive Hand Over Hand under Teen Classes. Be sure to note your school - Cary Christian School – to get our special discounted rate. Note: Starting January 1, 2026, the discounted rate will increase. Read our letter sent to CCS parents of 14–15-year-olds.    

Electives Change Requests for Semester 2 – To make changes, a completed Elective Change form can be submitted to the Upper School Front Desk starting on Monday, December 1, until Thursday, December 4, for review and approval. After that time, no more changes will be made.  All changes will be completed before Christmas break. A current list of elective options for Semester 2 can be found on the Parent Portal: Logic School and Rhetoric School. Schedules for Semester 2 can be found on Student Portals.

College Counseling

Important Dates

TONIGHT! – Thursday, November 20 – Freshmen Students and Parents College Counseling Meeting – This meeting will cover pertinent information for freshmen to be well prepared for the college application process. Students and at least one parent should attend.
    • When: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
    • Where: Theater

TOMORROW! – Friday, November 21 – Sophomores – If you missed the Grade 10 College Counseling Meeting, complete these action items:

  1. Review the Powerpoint in your Student Portal under College Counseling, click your grade level, scroll down and click on College Resources.
  2. Complete the Assignment in your Scoir account by Friday, November 21.
  3. After completing the Assignment, stop by Mrs. Kent’s desk to pick up your folder and transcript

SAVE THE DATE! – Monday, December 15 – Alumni Luncheon for Graduates from 2022 to 2025 – Alumni are encouraged to RSVP to Mrs. Kent. If you are a parent of a graduate, please share this with them.

    • When: Lunch (12:20-1:30 p.m.)
    • Where: Commons

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Seniors –

    • The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened a month ago. You must create a FAFSA ID before you can apply, receive, and manage federal aid:  Click here.
    • Many private colleges use the CSS Profile to make preliminary or final college financial awards. Be sure to check your application portal or with your college financial aid office to see if this is required. Note:  There is a fee for this application.
    • Be sure to keep Scoir updated. To schedule meetings via Calendly, use these links: Mrs. Kent or Ms. Smith.

Juniors and Sophomores –

    • PSAT Results – These are on your College Board Portal. If you didn’t meet a benchmark, Ms. Smith encourages you to hire a tutor in that area. You can find a tutor list outside of Ms. Smith’s office.

Co-Curriculars

ARTS

SAVE THE DATE! – Saturday, December 13  Instrumental & Choral Arts Presents Christmas Beyond the Oak Tree – Join our talented band and choir students for a brand-new Christmas performance that celebrates the birth of Christ with music, joy, and community. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this special evening! Tickets for this event are not required. Additional details below.

  • Instrumental Arts:
    • 4:00 p.m. in the Gym
    • Reception in the Gym after the program
  • Choral Arts:
    • 6:00 p.m. in the Theater
    • Reception in the Gym after the program

UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS