Featured Items
Join Us at the
Family Festival; July 31
from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Meet the Teacher Day
Tuesday, August 1
Dear Cary Christian School Family,
As a close friend of mine prayed for our school, he thanked God for “this sweet island of God’s grace and goodness that we get to enjoy.”
July is coming to an end, and the start of the school year quickly approaches. It is going to be a great year. Because God has blessed us with many new blessings, simply returning to life on this side of the oak tree and our “sweet island of God’s grace and goodness” excites me.
Being away from our community reminds me, that while we too are sinners and yes, our community will have strife and moments of frustration, it is sweet to be with friends who know the love of Christ and desire to enjoy His presence together.
Over the summer, we made several improvements to security. As a parent you have a right to hear our general plan. At points, the information below is intentionally vague. First, we will not over promise. We are stating what we plan to do. Second, some details are not wise to share with the public.
Goal: Deter and delay entry of a potential intruder until a threat can be eliminated.
An intruder should not be able to get into classrooms before police arrive.
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- We are in the final stages of developing a Real-Time Information Partnership with the Cary Police Department.
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- Cameras: We are working to integrate our cameras into the Cary Police Department’s surveillance system. In case of an emergency, they have immediate visual access to our surveillance cameras.
- FOB System: Cary Police will have access to our door locking system. In case of an emergency, they have immediate access to our building.
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- Police Presence: We are scheduling off-duty armed police officers to be on campus in uniform.
- Facility Improvements: We made improvements to campus that will slow an intruder trying to force entry.
- Cameras: We are adding and repositioning cameras to enhance external visibility and eliminate blind spots.
- Gravel Lot: We increased visibility to the gravel lot.
- Active Shooter Protocols: Faculty and Staff will practice implementing our active shooter protocols and discuss the drills with students in an age-appropriate manner. Your student’s teacher will inform you of what is being discussed with your child.
- Classroom Door Locks: Emergency door locks are being installed on all classroom doors.
The following changes require your support:
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- Traffic Flow: After morning carpool, access to the back of the building will be blocked until the start of afternoon carpool. To enter the building during the day, traffic will flow in both directions in front of the school. We will direct student drivers how to enter campus after carpool ends.
- Science/Theater Door: The back door to the science hall and theater serves as an emergency exit only. It will alarm immediately if opened. For approved events, the alarm will be disengaged.
- External Door Locks: If a door is unlocked, an approved individual will be at the door.
- Upper School students going to the Science Hall and Theater will need to go through the gym.
- If you discover an unlocked door that is not being monitored, report it to the security guard immediately.
- Co-curricular events will need to provide ushers to monitor doors.
We love you and we love your children. What a blessing it is to be in community together. What a blessing it is to be in a place where several law enforcement officers choose to bring their children. More importantly, what a blessing it is that our children are the children of God Almighty!
As you prepare to return to campus, meditate on John 16:33. “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Over the summer, we also added a new Portico on the East side of the building. (No more standing in the rain for drop off or pick up.) We renovated the restrooms, and we replaced the air conditioning in the gym. Campus is going to be beautiful. We cannot wait for your return.
In Christ,
Robbie Hinton
Headmaster
We are so excited to have them join our team.
Stephani Aycock – Kindergarten Teacher Assistant – Mrs. Aycock, a North Carolina native, attended North Carolina State University where she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Management and Spanish. She and her husband Michael have been married for 25 years and have four children – a 2023 CCS graduate, two fourth graders, and one 2nd grader. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being at the beach, running, and cheering for the Wolfpack at NC State football games.
Samantha Ortiz-Lokwa – 2nd Grade Teacher – Mrs. Ortiz-Lokwa was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida which she says contributes to her love of the beach and having fun in the sun. She attended the University of South Florida for undergrad and obtained her M.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University in Elementary Education. She recently moved to Raleigh in June after getting married in May to her loving husband who is such a blessing. She loves God and is passionate about teaching others about His amazing love as well. She has a heart for children, teens, and young adults. She has been working with children in foster care, church ministry, school, and summer camps for almost 13 years. Mrs. Ortiz-Lokwa delights in being a positive impact for young children and being a light that shines bright for the Kingdom of Glory.
Leah Vinson – 2nd Grade Teacher – Leah Vinson has called North Carolina home her whole life. She graduated from Meredith College with a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she spent the summer teaching at a school in Africa where she found a love for teaching once again and decided to pursue it as a full-time career. She is getting married in September of this year. Her fiancé, Carver Goetz (Class of 2016), grew up in Cary and graduated from Cary Christian School. In her free time, Ms. Vinson enjoys exploring local parks, flea market finds, going to the beach, and spending quality time with her Bible study girls and family.
Jaime Wilbur – 4th Grade Teacher – Mrs. Wilbur was born and raised in South Florida where she has taught 3rd grade in a Christian school for the last 5 years, and enjoyed being a middle school volleyball coach for 3 years. Jaime and her husband, Justin, are newly married, and have moved to Raleigh for her husband to accept an Assistant Pastor position in the area. She enjoys reading, volleyball, baking, traveling, and going to the beach.
Judy Ruggero – 4th Grade Teacher Assistant – Mrs. Ruggero is originally from the Philadelphia area, but she considers North Carolina her home, having lived in the town of Cary for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. She has taught general music in the classroom for grades Pre-K through 8th Grade. She has also been a private piano teacher for 25 years. She has been married to her husband, John, for 15 years and together they have 3 children. All 3 children are students at CCS. When she is not working or chauffeuring her kids to activities, she enjoys reading, playing piano, watching Korean dramas, and walking her dogs, Jade and Mollie Meatball.
Rebecca Webb – 5th Grade Teacher – Mrs. Webb was born and raised in western New York where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Education from SUNY Geneseo. She and her husband, Steve, previously lived in Cary and have recently returned to the Raleigh area after seven years in Michigan. They have two daughters and one very fluffy cat. In her free time, Mrs. Webb enjoys spending time with family, reading, exploring new places, and visiting the beach.
Noah Emery – 5th Grade Teacher – Mr. Emery comes from the state of California, where he spent most of his life. He attended the University of California, Irvine to earn his B.A. in Education and B.A. in Language Science. He then moved to North Carolina where he received his Masters of Arts in Teaching, specializing in Elementary Education from UNC Chapel Hill. He married his college sweetheart, Haylee, in January of 2023. Mr. Emery loves trying new coffee shops, watching football & basketball games, and reading a new book.
Darren Powers – Lower School and Logic School PE Teacher – Mr. Powers graduated from UNCW with a BA in Middle Grades Education. He taught two years in public education before enlisting the US Navy. He was able to complete his MBA while serving, but his greatest achievement was meeting and marrying his wife, Maria, of 20 years now. They have three children: Owen, a rising 11th grader here at CCS, Darby, a rising 8th grader entering her first year at CCS, and Kendrick, who will be starting Kindergarten at CCS in 2025-26. Over the past 10 years, Mr. Powers has taught K-12 Art and PE as well as numerous coaching responsibilities in basketball, cross country, and soccer at Haw River Christian Academy. He loves spending time with family but tries to work in exercise and making artwork when given the chance. He is very excited about this new chapter in his life on staff with CCS and can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned.
Megan Ganzert – Lower School Events – Megan grew up in nearby Granville County and graduated from East Carolina University, where she studied Elementary Education. She and her husband Matt have four children at CCS in 1st, 3rd, and 5th Grades. Megan is a self-proclaimed foodie, loves her dog Leroy (most of the time), enjoys traveling, and is always up for hanging out with friends and family!
Will Rieke – Logic School Biblical History Teacher – Mr. Rieke was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Most recently, he taught middle school Bible at Delaware County Christian School. He earned a BA at the University of Virginia in History and is currently in seminary through Liberty University. He enjoys writing, studying the Bible, sharing the gospel, and tennis.
Jon Rife (Class of 2015) – Rhetoric School Seminar and Medieval Literature Teacher – Mr. Rife attended Catawba College and majored in literature while minoring in religion, philosophy, and history. After Catawba, he attended graduate school at the Kenan-Flagler Business School within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, spending time in public accounting to obtain his CPA. However, he thankfully chose to return to his passion: education. Mr. Rife loves teaching the humanities because it allows him to be a student of everything, and he gets to learn something new every day. He has had the privilege of instilling this passion into the students who enter his classroom. When he takes a break from contemplating the complexities of life, you can find him traveling, buying too many books, making sure his dog, Jake, isn’t misbehaving, and playing hide and seek with his 3 nephews. His biggest accomplishment is marrying his wife, Kellie (Sims) Rife (Class of 2016), and making her laugh most of the time. He is honored to return to his alma mater and instill a passion for learning but more importantly for discipling students under the yoke of Jesus.
Anna Fox – Rhetoric Teacher (10th and 11th grade) – Ms. Fox grew up in Raleigh, but she headed to Virginia to get her B.A. in Literature from Patrick Henry College. She is thrilled to be returning home to NC. She loves reading, writing poetry, acting, and drawing. She is a firm believer in the importance of cultivating wonder, and she can often be found wandering in woods or fields admiring God’s creation.
Kelly Butler – Director of Communications – After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, Kelly spent 10 years working in various aspects of the advertising and marketing field. In 2004, she started a small business as a professional freelance photographer, which is still going strong. Before her children were school age, Kelly dove deep into classical Christian education. She and her husband, Sean, launched a classical Christian school in Pittsboro. She has worked in various roles at Haw River Christian Academy, most recently as Director of Enrollment and Development. She is now looking forward to how she can best serve CCS. With her administrative and parenting experience, she can testify to the lifelong value of a classical Christian education. Her daughter, Riley, is a CCS graduate (class of 2021) and her son, Reece, is a senior at CCS (class of 2024). She is excited to contribute to CCS’ mission as Director of Marketing and Communication and to work with outstanding leadership, faculty and staff. Through the love of Christ, She is committed to connecting the CCS community of families as the school strives to equip students to become sturdy, eloquent, and wise in a lost and confused world. Classical Christian education is vital, now more than ever! Kelly is an active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Chapel Hill and is a small group host. Her favorite pastimes are traveling, reading, trail running, hiking, backpacking, van life, and scrapbooking. Most of all, she treasure making memories with family and friends.
Important Dates
Thursday, July 13 – Class Assignments Available – Parents, you may log onto your Veracross Parent Portals today to see who your Lower School child(ren)’s teachers are! On July 27, you may expect a formal welcome letter from them. They are so excited to see you! If you cannot access your Parent Portal, please reach out to helpdesk@carychristianschool.org.
Monday, July 31 – Kindergarten Meet & Greet – We are excited to invite our Kindergarten families to come and enjoy meeting their teachers and classmates. Parents will walk to the classrooms with their kindergartner, drop off their supplies, and then head to the playground for some fun!
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- When: 9:00 – 10:30 A.M.
- Where: Kindergarten Classrooms & K-2 Playground
Monday, July 31 – New Family Picnic – New Families, bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on our Upper Field. Our teachers, board, and champion families are looking forward to meeting you. Drinks will be provided.
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- When: 5:00 – 6:00 P.M.
- Where: CCS Upper Field
Monday, July 31 – Family Festival – Join us for a time of fellowship to kick-off the school year! We will have lawn games and novelty ice cream. We can’t wait to see you!
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- When: 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
- Where: CCS Upper Field and Pavilion
Tuesday, August 1 – Meet the Teacher Day – 1st-12th Grade Families, stop by anytime between 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. to drop off school supplies and meet your children’s teachers! We look forward to greeting you and welcoming you to your new class! Lower School teachers will have a special welcome at 8:30 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. and will make the information available in a handout on the first day of school. No uniforms required.
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- When: 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. (Session One: 8:30 A.M./Session Two: 9:30 A.M.)
- Where: Cary Christian School
Wednesday, August 2 – First Day of School– Welcome home, students! We can’t wait for you to be here! Remember your dress uniform. Start times:
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- Kindergarten – 9:15 A.M. (First day only)
- 1st-5th Grade – 8:15 A.M.
Wednesday, August 2 – Kindergarten Kiss & Cry – Following drop-off, kindergarten parents are invited to join us for coffee, conversation, and to hear from Mrs. Kelly Gardner, Lower School Dean. Give your little one a kiss at their classroom door, shed a few tears, then join us for a sweet time of first-day fellowship. (Tissues provided.)
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- When: 9:15-10:00 A.M.
- Where: CCS Pavilion
Announcements
Parent Square – We are so excited to launch our new communication app, Parent Square! This app will be available for all parents and 9th-12th grade students. All school communication, grade level communication, and classroom communication (co-curricular communication coming soon) will be available through the app all in one place! Download the app to join in the fun and stay connected!
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- Click here to watch the Parent Square Introduction Video!
- Click here to learn how to register your account and download the app!
- To register, use the email address you have on file in Veracross.
Important Dates
Thursday, July 13 – Logic School Class Schedules (6-8) are posted on your Parent and Student Portals.
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- If you notice an error in your schedule, please email Mr. Seitz, at kseitz@carychristianschool.org, and Mrs. Stewart, at jstewart@carychristianschool.org.
- Elective change requests will not be accepted until Meet the Teacher Day. Students will have until August 12, to make elective changes with their parent’s signature.
Thursday, July 28 – Rhetoric School Class Schedules (9-12) will be posted on your Parent and Student Portals.
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- If you notice an error in your schedule, please email Mr. Seitz, at kseitz@carychristianschool.org, and Mrs. Stewart, at jstewart@carychristianschool.org.
- Elective change requests will not be accepted until Meet the Teacher Day. Students will have until August 12, to make elective changes with their parent’s signature.
Monday, July 31 – New Family Picnic – New Families, bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on our Upper Field. Our teachers, board, and champion families are excited to meet you. Drinks will be provided.
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- When: 5:00 – 6:00 P.M.
- Where: CCS Upper Field
Monday, July 31 – Family Festival – Join us for a time of fellowship to kick-off the school year! We will have lawn games and novelty ice cream. We are looking forward to being together and to see what the Lord has in store for the new year!
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- When: 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
- Where: CCS Upper Field and Pavilion
Tuesday, August 1 – Meet the Teacher Day – 1st-12th Grade Families, stop by anytime between 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. to drop off school supplies and meet your children’s teachers! We look forward to greeting you and welcoming you to your new class! Lower School teachers will have a special welcome at 8:30 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. and will make the information available in a handout on the first day of school. No uniforms.
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- When: 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. (Session One: 8:30 A.M./Session Second: 9:30 A.M.)
- Where: Cary Christian School
Tuesday, August 1 – Senior Dinner and Parking Space Decorating – We are excited for this time to reconnect and kick off your senior year! Seniors who plan to drive this upcoming year will be assigned a parking space. Students will have an opportunity that evening to decorate their parking space or back parking lot area with sidewalk chalk (provided by CCS). Bring your own chairs. Thank you, Aimee Glupker and Rebecca Raughley, for agreeing to chair this event. Please reach out to Aimee (aimeeglupker@gmail.com) or Rebecca (rraughley@yahoo.com) directly to join in the planning fun.
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- When: 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.
- Where: 3-5 Playground & Senior Parking Lot
Wednesday, August 2 – Senior Breakfast – Seniors will come early, park in their newly decorated parking spaces, and gather for grab and go breakfast food and photo fun. Thank you, Milvia Caban, for agreeing to chair this event. Please reach out to her directly at milviav.caban@gmail.com to join in the planning fun.
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- When: 7:00 – 7:45 A.M. (Class photo will be taken at 7:30 A.M.)
- Where: 3-5 Playground
Wednesday, August 2 – First Day of School– Welcome home, students! We can’t wait for you to be here! Remember your dress uniform.
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- When: 8:00 A.M. (6th-12th Grade)
Wednesday, August 16 – Friday, August 18 – Rhetoric School Retreat at Camp Sea Gull– Click here for more information and to RSVP by Friday, August 4.
Monday, August 21 – Eighth Grade Retreat at Camp Agape – Click here for more information!
Announcements
Parent (and Student) Square – We are so excited to launch our new communication app, Parent Square! This app will be available for all parents and 9th-12th grade students. All school communication, grade level communication, and classroom communication will be available through the app all in one place! Download the app to join in the fun and stay connected!
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- Click here to watch the Parent Square Introduction Video.
- Parents, click here to learn how to register your account and download the app.
- To register, use the email address you have on file in Veracross.
- Rhetoric students, click here to learn how to register your Student Square account and download the app.
- To register, use your student email address.
Student Engagement (Click Here) – Learn more about the Upper School Student Leadership Program and our 2023-2024 student leaders.
Senior Parent Letter (Click Here) – We are excited for a great year with the Class of 2024! Click here to check out specific volunteer opportunities and ways to celebrate!
Student Parking – Student Parking priority is given to seniors, juniors and then sophomore drivers. Please fill out this survey by Friday, July 24 to let us know if your student will be requesting a parking space for the 2023-2024 school year. We will email student parking applications the week of July 21 to those who fill out the survey. Student Parking applications will also be available in the July 27 Knightly News. In order for your student to park on campus, they must have an approved application on file.
Respect, Responsibility, Thoughtfulness, and Our Keys to Success – We truly believe that every student is mysteriously and wonderfully made and while they are prone to ere, they are capable of glory.
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- Hope for our Students: Grow in their faith and understanding of Christ and his love for them.
- Hope for Cary Christian School: Strengthen our school culture by focusing on the habits of respect, responsibility and thoughtfulness.
- Hope for our Community: To function well, we all (students, parents and staff) need to commit to interacting with each other in this way. We have all agreed to certain standards and it is up to all of us to help our students see the beauty and benefit of these standards.
As we prepare ourselves to live in community together as well as prepare our students for their life after Cary Christians School, we will continue to focus on our ten Keys to Success (add link here).
Arts
Athletics
Athletic Handbook – Click here to access the Athletic Handbook. You may also access it on your Parent Portal!
Cary Christian School Athletics Page – On the left side of the page you will find information regarding our athletic program. Included on this page are some of our accomplishments, our purpose and mission, contact information, and a list of our sports. On the right side you will find links to our calendars, handbook, “Food for Thought” (articles written by our Athletic Director), and our Spirit Store.
Athletic Bulletin Board – When you go to your Parent Portal in Veracross, click on the ATHLETICS tab at the top left. It will take you to the Athletic Bulletin Board. On this page there are a series of links on the left. They will offer you several pieces of information, including: athletic calendars, fall sports information guides, schedule subscriptions, Rhetoric school standings and playoff brackets, health forms, and more!
Fall Sports Information
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- Physicals Required – Students are required to have a preparticipation physical before starting practice in the Fall.
- On-Campus Physicals – CCS will offer a Physicals on July 31, from 8:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. There are limited spots, so please sign up here.
- You MUST bring the correct form with you when you come. You will take completed form and have parent sign. Then upload this form into the Veracross/magnus system.
- Preseason Practices Began in May – Teams have practiced through the summer in their preseason practices. If you are new and have not been a part of these practices email Jeff Poore (jpoore@carychristianschool.org) for information on how to begin working with a team.
- Monday, July 31 – Daily Practices Officially Begin for Logic and Rhetoric School – Logic School Practices begin at 2:40 P.M. Rhetoric School Practices begin at 4:00 P.M. weather permitting.
- Friday, August 4 – Final Rosters Posted – Decisions will be made based on skills and practice attendance over the summer. Cuts are possible if a student is not ready to compete at the appropriate level and/or if the number of students is too large for our roster to manage. This varies by sport.
- Weather Monitoring – We will monitor the weather daily to determine whether we need to adjust practices.
- We may look at doing later practices for teams during the hottest time of the year.
- We may cancel or truncate practices due to storms.
- First Responder on Campus – We will have a first responder available daily to assist with any athletic injury related issues.
- Uniforms – Athletes will be given uniforms the week of August 7.
- Monday, August 14 – Athletic Picture Day – Parents may purchase individual and team pictures. A form will be sent to you via email for you to make purchases. Senior banners pictures will also be taken this day.
- Sports Fees – The sports fee auto draft will be on or about September 1, for Fall sports. Sports fees will be $275 for varsity sports and $250 for middle school sports. Some sports may have higher fees in addition due to specific approved team camps or social budgets (meals).
- Team Gear Websites – Each sport will receive a link through team snap so that players may purchase gear associated with their team. This gear is predominately performance gear and supplies. Parents may purchase these items for themselves. These stores close on July 24 so that teams can get their gear by the 2 or 3 week of August. Fan wear (tee shirts and sweatshirts, sport specific) will always be available as well as embroidered items.
Lower School Offerings – We are planning on offering various lower school sports clinics during the Fall. Look for more information in the Knightly News as we get closer to the start of school. Most programming will begin in late August after school has begun.
Spirit Store – The online spirit store has NEW items online. Also most Thursdays the spirit store located in the concession stand at the pavilion will be open from 2:30 until 4:00. In the store will be NEW tees, crew neck sweatshirts, and hooded sweatshirts for youth and adults. There are also other items like hats, umbrellas, and tumblers.
Parent Resources
Our prayer for our school is that the Lord would use Cary Christian to call each of our students to be rooted and grounded in love . . . filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19).
