A Brief History of dogs at north cross

Throughout the history of North Cross School, there have been many dogs, who have been loved by many students. Founded in 1944, North Cross was originally located in Salem before the opening of the new North Cross campus on Colonial Avenue on September 13, 1961. The first North Cross dog belonged to Margaret (Billy) Northcross Ellis. Ellis is a founder of North Cross School. She taught the first grade in the founding years of this school and is such a legend here at NCS that both the Lower School (Ellis Hall) and the school itself is named in her honor. 
Ellis’ dog was Suzette, a small blond cocker spaniel. “She was a sweet dog, and as you would expect [she] minded her manners, she was always happy to see us,” Anne Stevens said. Stevens started at North Cross in Kindergarten in 1954. “Suzette was there to greet me on my first day, so dogs were a part of our family/community for quite a long time,” Stevens said. “She had a bed in Mrs. Ellis's classroom, and would stay there most of the day except when we were on the playground,” Stevens continued, “We would stop in Mrs. Ellis's classroom each morning to say hello to her before heading to our classroom.” Not only did Ellis help establish North Cross, she established a 81-year long tradition of having dogs at this school.
In the past, North Cross has been home to Dr. Proctor’s dog Ripken, who arrived at North Cross in 2011 when Dr. Proctor became the ninth headmaster of North Cross School. After Ripken died of old age, Raider, who is another one of Dr. Proctor’s dogs joined the North Cross community. Raider happens to be the father of  the Lawerences’ dog, Debbie. Debbie is a Chocolate Lab and has been coming to school since she was a puppy. Currently, Debbie spends most of her days with Eric Lawrence in the administrative offices, but she visits Wendy Lawrence’s 4th grade class for Fun Fridays. Cathy Albright, an instructor at CrossWalk, brought her dog, Sadie, to school up until this past year. 
Today many other furry friends can be found roaming around campus including Betsy Cook’s dog, Pip, in the lower school. Pip is a Yellow Labrador Retriever who has been visiting the lower school daily since she was just eight weeks old. Toby, Victor Lamas’ dog can also be found in the Lower School. In the Upper School, Jackson, Amy Holley’s dog, Finley, Stephen Belderes’ dog, and one of the newest additions to North Cross, Moose, Sarah Cocowitch’s dog, all reside in Willis Hall. 
Founder’s Day was on Feb. 6 this year. It is a day to celebrate the many teachers, students, coaches, janitors, kitchen staff,  administrators,  parents, and all of the people who have worked hard to make North Cross the school it is today. However, the people are not the only ones who have left their mark here at North Cross. North Cross School’s many furry, tail-wagging, loving, smiling, and energetic friends have also made their mark and continue to make their mark on North Cross School’s legacy.