Wolfpack Pride
March 17th, 2023
Principal's Message
Hello Wolfpack!
North Central has a fun tradition sending off state qualifiers. We gather in the Commons, announce their accomplishments, and celebrate as a community. Students’ names are called out as they run through a tunnel with confetti. Celebrating students is an opportunity to create community in a positive way. I love seeing the students' excitement and the serenade at the end of the tunnel with the NC fight song. Congratulations to wrestling, debate, ProStart, cheer, and debate who have had recent celebrations. I look forward to future opportunities to celebrate the amazing things our students are accomplishing.
March Madness Challenge has seen improvement in some students and classes – we are on the right track! However, I see students still struggling with regular attendance. When students are grappling with friends or social anxiety, as parents, we want to protect them by keeping them home. However, the negative impact of absenteeism may actually worsen these problems. Many parents are not aware of how quickly absences add up to academic trouble. When students fall behind academically, the desire to avoid school is even greater. If your student is struggling, NC has many supports to help students stay at school. We have mental health and academic support. Please reach out to an administrator or your student’s counselor if these barriers are preventing your student from attending school regularly.
The strength of the wolf is in the pack.
Tami McCracken, Principal
This Week's Events
Friday, March 17th
- Baseball at Shadle Park, 6:00 PM - Battle of the Boulevard
Saturday, March 18th
- Soccer vs. Shadle at Dwight Merkel, 8:00 PM - Neon Glow Theme
Monday, March 20th
- Tennis vs. Rogers, Boys at Home, Girls Away, 3:30 PM
- Softball vs. Gonzaga Prep, 4:00 PM
Tuesday, March 21st
- Baseball vs. LC at Hart Field, 4:00 PM
Wednesday, March 22nd
- Softball at Central Valley, 4:00 PM
- Soccer at Ferris, 5:00 PM
Thursday, March 23rd
- Jostens Passing out Grad Announcements at Lunch
- Tennis vs. Central Valley, Boys at Home, Girls Away
- Baseball vs. Lewis and Clark, 4:00 PM
- Softball at Mt. Spokane, 4:00 PM
- NEWESD Regional Art Show Reception, 4:00 PM
- Painting with a Purpose, 5:30 PM in the Commons
Friday, March 24th
- Red & Black Con, 1st Period
- Baseball vs. Central Valley, 4:00 PM
- Soccer vs. G Prep at Merkel, 4:00 PM
Saturday, March 25th
- Track at West Valley for the Dolphin Invite, 9:00 AM
- Track at Ephrata for the Ray Cross Invitational, 10:00 AM
- Cocoa & Cram Saturday Study Session, Library, 12:00 - 3:00 PM
Community Celebrations
IST Competes at Regional Science Fair
This week our IST sent 20 student projects to the Eastern Washington Science and Engineering Fair. There were 18 high school and 2 middle school research projects presented. This is the biggest group we've ever sent and represents a tremendous amount of work from all of the students and their teachers in doing great science and presenting their research reports for the judges.
Results were posted this morning on the Science Fair Website:
- Ellie Smith (Senior) made it to the Finals with her project - "Evaluating the pollen from bumblebee pollen baskets to examine their floral trends" (Pictured above right)
- Emily Richardson (Senior) won the Regeneron Biomedical Award, which comes with a cash prize of $375 for her project - "Evaluation of CgA Levels in Nurses after 12-hour Shifts to Analyze Stress"
- Audrey McCann (7th Grade) was invited to compete at Nationals in Washington, DC, for the ThermoFisher Scientific Junior Innovator Award, and won the Lemelson Early Inventors Prize of $100. Her project is "Improving Compost Activity Using Slime Mold."
- All three of our middle school students were invited as Junior Observers to the International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas in May. Congratulations to Selje Larson, Audrey McCann, and Faith Wanless.
Great job to everyone who competed and represented our school so well!
NC Thespians Off to States
Class Points Update
Thank you to all the people who have participated in recent spirit days and Red and Black Fridays! Our current points standing is as follows:
- 1st Place: Seniors - 2720 points
- 2nd Place: Sophomores - 2075 points
- 3rd Place: IST - 1305 points
- 4th Place: Freshman - 1225 points
- 5th Place: Juniors - 1125 points
Announcements and Events
NC March Madness Continues
Vape Detectors
Vape detectors are integral intervention to give students their bathrooms back. These devices serve as a deterrent for students from vaping in school restrooms. Our goal is to reduce student vaping and to instill a sense of safety and privacy for students using bathrooms at school. With the support of SPS Board of Directors, NCHS now has active vape sensors in every bathroom. Please talk to your student about the dangers of vaping and the presence of vape detectors.
Track Season Starting
Our Spring Track season is underway, with a huge number of athletes coming out to represent the Pack. The students below are all throwers that competed last week at Shadle Park High School. Everyone had great marks on Thursday and some are first year track and field athletes, so we are excited for the upcoming season!
NC Soccer vs. Shadle Park
NC soccer takes on SP Saturday March 18th at 8:00pm at Dwight Merkel Complex. The theme is Glow/Neon so make sure to show out in your bright clothes and glow sticks! There will be a barbecue before the game so come out and support our Boys against Shadle.
ASB Campaign Week and Elections
Associated Student Body (ASB) campaign week is this next week, March 20th-24th! During this time, you will see election posters and flyers throughout the school, so please be respectful of the candidates' campaign materials.
ASB elections for the 2023-2024 officers will take place the following week in Advisory, so please be sure to be in attendance! More information to come as we get closer to elections!
Senior Announcement Orders
The Seniors Announcement orders have shipped! Jostens will be here to pass them out during lunch on Thursday, March 23rd, in the Commons. If you put in an order, make sure to stop by the table and pick it up.
Additional graduation regalia such as caps and gowns, cords, medallions, and pins will be passed out closer to graduation. Thanks!
NC Soccer Expectations
The Inland Empire Soccer Referee Association (IESRA) has put in place a new Zero Tolerance Policy for our upcoming season of high school games regarding unsportsmanlike conduct from fans and players alike. Fans are not to have any interaction with officials besides thanking them for their service so our team can play. The consequences for statements such as “you missed that call,” “that’s a foul,” and even visual displays of dissatisfaction may result in parents/guardians/spectators being escorted off the premises. In repeated instances, the officials may abandon our soccer games and walk away prior to a contest finishing. This could be very detrimental to our team and their success this season.
It is important for us all to embody the GSL motto: Cheer positively for our own team, no exceptions! As a community, let’s be respectful and encourage our team and the individuals around us to do the same for the sake of our student-athletes, team, and their season.
Red and Black Alumni Convocation
Just a reminder that the Red and Black Alumni Convocation will take place next Friday, March 24th, during 1st period. It is a formal convocation in the Theater that will honor both NC Alumni and current NC students, so please be ready with your best NC etiquette to promote a positive and respectful environment for all of our honorees.
Single Point of Entry
NCHS has established a single point of entry system to better safeguard student safety. We have seen an increase in the number of students not following the single point of entry protocols. Please help your student understand the importance of this safety procedure.
Get Connected Conference
The annual Get Connected Conference will take place on Wednesday, March 29th at Spokane Falls Community College . This is a one-day college & career conference for students of diverse backgrounds grades 9 -12. If you are interested in attending, please stop by the library to see Ms. Shamerica Nakamura or Ms. Sarah Myers.
Band Fundraiser
The band is currently raising money to help buy new music and equipment. Our goal is to raise $1,500 by the end of the year, which you will see in action during our performances in the fall. The fundraising site shows various items the band would like to purchase and how much they cost. Please consider supporting your NC band!
Creative Writing Workshops
Creative Writing Workshop and Voices will be hosting creative writing workshops on Mondays in room N345 from 2:45-4:00. This is a chance to work on your writing, workshop with others and submit for publication. Contact Mary Fruchter, maryfr@spokaneschools.org with questions.
Community Resources & Events
Spokane County Parks Hiring
Spokane County Parks is hiring! Come join our team for the summer and work outdoors in Spokane County’s beautiful parks. Full-time or Part-time. Flexible schedules are available. Must be 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. Apply online.