The Knightly News: July 30, 2026

Contents

Featured Items

New Family Picnic
& BTS Ice Cream Social
August 3 

Meet the Teacher 
Days
August 3 & 4

Welcome Back!   
First Day of School   
August 5

As we begin a new school year, let us pray for:

Our Students –

“Lord, give our children a thirst for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.”

Our Teachers –

“We thank you for our children’s teachers! We pray you would strengthen them with your power this school year. Give them guidance on instruction, strength to complete all the tasks and energy to joyfully interact with their students. God give them efficiency as they work. May they find times of rest.” – Lauren Gaines

Our Administration & Staff – 

“O God, you who have promised wisdom to all who would ask it, we pray today for school administrators (and staff), that you would grant them clarity of mind, unity of spirit, strength of will, a heart of wisdom and the gift of your truth-bearing Spirit, so that they might be enabled to make decisions that lead to the flourishing of their teachers, staff, and students and to the wellbeing of the whole community.” – W. David O. Taylor

School-Wide Information

Keys to Success – As we prepare ourselves to live in community together as well as prepare our students for their life after Cary Christian School, we will continue to focus on our ten Keys to Success.

  • 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 err, they are capable of glory.
    • 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.

Important Dates

Thursday, July 30 – Yay, Lunch! Menu Available and Ordering Opens – See our new CCS Lunch Menu and place your orders now on the CCS Portal. Lunch is now available for all grades M-F. Discount for Yay Bucks available for a limited time. 

Monday, August 3 – New Family Picnic – New families, bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the third-fifth grade playground. We are looking forward to welcoming you into the CCS family. Drinks will be provided. 

  • When: 5:30–6:00 p.m. 
  • Where: 3-5 Playground 

Monday, August 3 – Family Ice Cream Social – All families are invited to a time of fellowship to kick-off the school year! We will have lawn games and ice cream. We can’t wait to see you! 

  • When: 6:00–7:30 p.m. 
  • Where: 3-5 Playground 

Tuesday, August 11 – Monthly Board Meeting

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

Health & Safety

Please update ALL Magnus forms for each student. 

Medication Disbursement Policy* – CCS follows NC laws with the disbursement of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications. Furthermore, these policies differ between Lower School and Upper School. Review these policies:

  • Lower School students (Grades K-5) are NOT permitted to have over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications on them at school unless medically necessary and with approved documentation. This includes cough drops. If a Lower School student requires medication (OTC or prescribed) during school hours, it must be brought to the Health Office in its original packaging with instructions for administration.
  • Upper School students (Grades 6-12) may carry a single daily dose of an over-the-counter medication (OTC) if the medication is properly labeled and in its original container.
    • Upper School students may NOT self-carry any prescription medications without completion of the proper forms and approved documentation from the Health Office. These forms are available through the Magnus Health Portal. They must be completed and signed by a parent, then reviewed by a CCS Health Office staff member prior to a medication being sent to school. 

* No loose medications are permitted regardless of type per the CCS Health & Safety policy.

*If unidentified or unauthorized medications are found, they will be collected, discarded, and parents will be notified.

*It is also against school policy for a student to distribute medications to a classmate or other student.

*Refer to Medication Disbursement Policy in Parent-Student Handbook.

For further questions contact Amber Boger, Medical Wellness Director.

Medication Drop-Off – Parents or Guardians may drop off all medications required for administration at school (including EpiPens, inhalers, etc.) with Mrs. Blondin, at the front desk downstairs, or to Mrs. Boger or Mrs. Edwards in the Health Office from August 3, or soon thereafter.

Note: No medications will be administered without proper labeling, instruction, and parental consent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2026-27 Sponsorship Opportunities – Interested in advertising your business to the CCS community while benefiting the school’s budget for community development? Click here to learn about these opportunities.

SAVE THE DATE! – Friday, September 18 – Homecoming Festivities – You won’t want to miss this year’s annual Homecoming event!  Get ready to cheer on the Knights, enjoy food trucks, games for younger kids, and the alumni tailgate. If you would like to volunteer, contact Ellen Wentz. Stay tuned for additional information. 

SAVE THE DATE! – Monday, September 28 – 26th Annual CCS Golf Classic Each year, friends of CCS lace up their spikes for a fun day on the links to support our amazing school! If you would like to be contacted in August regarding limited sponsorship opportunities, contact Ellen Wentz.

Lower School (K-5)

Important Dates

Monday, August 3 – 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! 

  • When: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. 
  • Where: Kindergarten Classrooms & K-2 Playground 

Tuesday, August 4 – Meet the Teacher Day for Grades 1-5 – Families can 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!

Teachers will have two identical welcome sessions in their classrooms 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. 

  • When: 8:00–11:00 a.m. (Session One: 8:30 a.m./Session Two: 9:30 a.m.) 
  • Where: Lower School Classrooms 

Wednesday, August 5 – First Day of School– Welcome new students and welcome back returning students! We are excited for you to be here! Remember to wear your dress uniform. Start times: 

  • Kindergarten – 9:15 a.m. (First day only) 
  • 1st-5th Grade – 8:15 a.m. 

Wednesday, August 5 – 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.) 

  • When: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
  • Where: Gym

Wednesday, August 5 – Kindergarten Proof of Immunizations Due – If you have not submitted your kindergartner’s immunization information (including religious or medical exemptions) before this date, you will have 30 days to become compliant according to NC law.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2026-27 Supply Lists – 

  • Grades K-5 
  • To save time, click here for the School Toolbox program, which offers pre-packaged supplies delivered to your door!  
  • If utilizing School Toolbox, orders must be placed by TOMORROW in order to receive supplies on time.

Yay, Lunch! – We’re excited to partner again this year with Yay for tasty, healthy lunch options. Click here to register or update your account information with your student’s assigned teacher. Don’t miss out on the menu that will be released soon.

Summer Reading –  We hope you enjoyed your summer reading! Remember to return your book the first day of school and be ready to participate in some fun, book-related activities and discussions.

    • Rising 3rd grade:Stuart Little by E.B. White 
    • Rising 4th grade:The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo 
    • Rising 5th grade:Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 
    • Rising 6th grade:The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis 

Classical Learning Test (CLT) – Results are in.

  • For the CLT 3/4/5 (current 4th, 5th, and 6th grade): If you are interested in having the results from this test that was administered in May, email Jeff Bates, and he will email the results to you. 

K-5 CO-CURRICULARS

Lower School Offerings – We will be offering various Lower School sports and arts clinics during the fall. Look for more information in the Monday folders once school begins. Most programming will begin in late August.

Upper School (6-12)

Important Dates

TOMORROW! – Friday, July 31 – Rhetoric School (Grades 9-12) Student Schedules* will be posted on the Parent and Student Portals, no later than 9:00 a.m.

* Additional details:

Electives (Logic and Rhetoric School) – If you did not get your requested electives, the class was either full or canceled. If you would like to make a new request or be added to a waitlist, you can meet with Mrs. Stewart at Meet the Teacher Day (Commons Area). Beginning Wednesday, August 5 – Tuesday, August 11, changes can be requested by submitting a completed form with a parent’s signature. Forms can be found on the portal or picked up at the Upper School front desk. 

Monday, August 3 – Meet the Teacher Day – Grade 6 Parents and Students – Families can stop by anytime between 9:00–10:30 a.m. to drop off school supplies, set up your lockers, and meet your children’s teachers. We look forward to greeting you and welcoming you to your new class! No uniforms required. 

  • When: 9:00–10:30 a.m. 
  • Where: Sixth Grade Classrooms 
  • Note: Arrive with a printed copy of your student’s schedule. 

Tuesday, August 4 – Meet the Teacher Day for Grades 7-12 – Families can stop by anytime between 8:00–11:00 a.m. to drop off school supplies, set up your lockers, and meet your children’s teachers. We look forward to greeting you and welcoming you to your new class! No uniforms required. 

  • When: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
  • Where: CCS Campus  
  • Note: Arrive with a printed copy of your student’s schedule. 

Tuesday, August 4 – Senior Family Dinner and Parking Space Decorating – We are excited for this tradition of reconnecting and kicking off the senior year! Seniors who plan to drive this upcoming year are assigned a parking space. Students can get creative and have fun by decorating their parking space or the parking lot area with sidewalk chalk (provided by CCS). Bring your own chairs.  

  • When: 6:00–7:30 p.m. 
  • Where: K-2 Playground & Student Parking Lot  

Wednesday, August 5 – Senior Breakfast – Seniors arrive early, park in their newly decorated parking spaces, and gather for grab-and-go breakfast food and photo fun. 

  • When: 7:00–7:45 a.m. (Class photo will be taken at 7:30 a.m.) 
  • Where: Gym

Wednesday, August 5 – First Day of School – Welcome new students and welcome back returning students! We are excited for you to be here! Remember to wear your dress uniform.

  • When: 8:00 a.m. (6th-12th Grade) 

Wednesday, August 5 – All 7th and 12th Grade Students Proof of Immunizations Are Due. If you have not submitted your child’s immunization information (including religious or medical exemptions) before this date, you will have 30 days to become compliant according to NC law.

Wednesday, August 12 – Friday, August 14 – Rhetoric School Retreat at Camp Sea Gull – Information will be emailed the first week of school directly to those who registered. As a reminder, all consent forms for the retreat must be signed in Magnus by Friday, August 7.

Friday, August 21 – Eighth Grade Retreat at Camp Royall – Information will be emailed the second week of school directly to those who registered. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Reading –Click hereto access the Upper School Summer Reading Program. We are excited to provide more opportunities for students to engage with great books! Your child should have received their summer reading book this week. When we return in the fall, students will participate in class discussions based on their grade-level novel.  

Yay, Lunch! – We’re excited to partner again this year with Yay for tasty, healthy lunch options. Click here to register or update your account information with your student’s Period 4 teacher. Don’t miss out on the menu that will be released soon.

2026-27 Supply Lists -  

Senior Parent Letter – We are excited for a great year with the Class of 2027! Please refer to your email for a letter sent specifically to senior parents on July 16 and is also posted on the Class of 2027 Senior page on your Parent Portal.

Student Parking – In order for a student to park on campus, a signed form from both parent and student must be on file.

  • Seniors and Juniors: The process is two steps: parents will complete this form on their Parent Portal and then students will sign a hard copy form to receive their permit. 

If you are interested in a parking permit for this school year, you must have a current driver’s license or anticipate getting one before the end of the school year. Parent forms must be completed by Friday, July 31, to guarantee your parking space; student forms can be turned in starting on Tuesday, August 4 at Meet the Teacher Day.

  • Sophomores: Parking permits for sophomores will be issued based on availability. Once you have your driver’s license, you may request a parking permit form at the Upper School front desk. For more details, parents of sophomores should reference an email sent from Mrs. Stump on Thursday, July 23.

Off-Campus Lunch – Only Juniors and Seniors have the privilege of leaving campus for lunch with parent permission. If your student is allowed to go off campus for lunch, complete this form

Classical Learning Test (CLT) – Results are in.

  • For the CLT 6/7/8 (current 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students): If you are interested in seeing the results, contact Kevin Seitz, and he will email you the results.  
  • For the CLT 9/10 (current 10th and 11th grade students) administered in April, log into Classic Learning Test (CLT) – Alternative College Entrance Exam – Online (cltexam.com). Use your child’s school email address as the username. If your child does not know his/her password or forgot the password, reset the password. The reset will be sent through an email to your child’s school email address. Once the username and password are set, you will be directed to the results. 

College Counseling

Important Dates

Monday, August 17 – Senior Parent Meeting – Mr. Sam Cady, Director of College Counseling, and Mrs. Jenna Kent, College Counselor, will cover pertinent information for parents of seniors as they navigate the college admissions process. 

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parent and Student Portals – We are continuing to provide important information on our Department Page on the Veracross Portals. We have designed the College Counseling pages to give you pertinent information regarding college counseling activities throughout the year. We will update them regularly and encourage you to bookmark these useful resources. 

Rhetoric Students, the College Counseling Department looks forward to working with you this year! 

Co-Curriculars

ARTS

UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Athletics Department Page  Included on this page in Veracross are our Sports Information Guide, medical forms, athletic reminders, upcoming events, and a link to the Spirit Store. You will also find links to our calendars and to the livestream service for home games in the gym and the field.

Fall Sports Information – Click here for the full Sports Information Guide.

  • Physicals Required – Students are required to have a preparticipation physical before starting practice on August 3 if playing a fall sport. CCS does not offer on-campus physicals.
    • Make sure you select ATHLETE in Magnus for your student under Conditional Questions.
    • Upload this form into Magnus through your Veracross Parent Portal.
  • Preseason Practices Began in May – Teams have practiced through the summer. If you are new and have not been a part of these practices, email Jeff Poore for information for how to begin working with a team.
  • Monday, August 3 – Daily Practices Officially Begin for Logic School and Rhetoric School
    • Logic School Practices: 2:40 p.m. 
    • Rhetoric School Practices: 4:00 p.m. or 4:15 p.m. (Check with the coach. Some Gold practices end at 4:00 p.m. and some at 4:15 p.m.)
  • Weather Monitoring  We will monitor the weather daily to determine if we need to adjust practices. Communication will be through ParentSquare/StudentSquare.
    • 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.
  • Uniforms  Athletes will be given uniforms the week of August 10.
  • Wednesday, August 19 – Athletic Picture Day – Parents may purchase individual and team pictures. A link will be sent to you in ParentSquare for you to make purchases. Senior banner pictures will also be taken this day.
  • Sports Fees – The sports fee auto draft will be on or about September 1 for fall sports. There is a $310 athletic fee for each sport. Some sports may have higher fees in addition due to specific approved team camps or social budgets (meals).
  • Team Gear – Teams will have the opportunity to purchase team gear. This information will be communicated in ParentSquare/StudentSquare. Sport specific t-shirts and sweatshirts, as well as embroidered items, are always available on the Spirit Store online site.
  • Sports schedules are available for download to your phone or computer with this link. Please do not print this schedule as dates and times may change due to weather or other school requests.