CALENDAR OF EVENTS     

We’re the #1 Small Business in Charlotte
Business Leader Media crowned Davidson Day School the #1 small business in greater Charlotte and #6 in the state in its 2010 Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina rankings. Davidson Day was the only school in the state to make the Top 100 list. School Marketing and Communications Director Kathryn Thier accepted the award at a ceremony held Thursday evening in Charlotte. The award recognized our school for its strong enrollment growth despite the overall economy, for its leadership in community involvement and for its high achievement.

“Being recognized for outstanding excellence in our field is an incredible honor for us,” said Head of School Bonnie Cotter. “Our faculty, staff, trustees and families have made our amazing growth possible during this difficult economy and have enabled us to continue delivering excellence in academics, arts, athletics and service to our community. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished and look forward to our bright future.”

As part of the award, the school will be featured in the August issue of Business Leader magazine.

Summer Reading (Parents)
This week’s faculty book suggestion is Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, suggested by Director of Marketing & Communications Kathryn Thier. The novel interweaves two stories: that of Sarah, a 10-year-old Jewish, Parisian girl, who is arrested by French police in a large-scale roundup in 1942 and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris in 2002, who researches the events of the 1942 roundup for a magazine story. Said Thier: “This is not your typical Holocaust story. I was totally drawn in not just by the new history I learned, but also by the artful way de Rosnay blended the two tales. I won’t give away too much of the plot, but as a parent this book raised powerful questions that left me thinking for weeks.”

The Clock is Ticking  
Don’t miss your last chance to donate to this year’s Annual Fund. Just a few days remain until the fiscal year ends. All donations received through June 30 will be listed in the Advancement Report, which is distributed in August. If you’ve already made a donation this year, thanks again for your commitment to our continued success. Questions? Contact Dr. Judy Reese, Director of Development, at 704-237-5228 or jreese@davidsonday.org.

The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round and ‘Round
Interested in our transportation program? We need your input to plan next year’s routes and equipment purchases so we can serve you better. Please take a few minutes to complete the this survey by July 5. The cost per child for bus service is $200 a month. Questions? Contact Dr. H. Michael Seward Jr., Transportation Manager, via email at mseward@davidsonday.org. 

Let’s Get Physical
It’s a great time to schedule your child’s Back-to-School doctor appointments. Immunization and athletics physical forms will be posted on the Back-to-School Web site by July 1 and mailed shortly thereafter.

Buried Treasure
Our student archeologists digging through Mayan ruins in Belize with new History Teacher Mat Saunders return home June 26. Want to know what they found? Catch up with their adventures online. (http://www.davidsonday.org/goafar)

Patriot Accounts Reminder
Final Patriot account drafts for any outstanding May charges, including lunches, will be July 15. Parents will receive a statement of these charges prior to the draft. Questions? Contact Rebecca Slay at 704-237-5274.

Student Spotlight

Gifted Student-Athletes Join DDS
When you have a reputation for strong academics and talented and charismatic coaches, it’s not surprising that you are able to attract some of the area’s best and brightest student-athletes to your school.

DDS welcomes to our school two excellent students, who are also noted basketball stars: Keith Belfield Jr., ’11, and Bernard Sullivan, ’11. Both young men are standout scholar-athletes excited to be part of the Davidson Day family.

Sullivan said he chose to transfer from North Mecklenburg to Davidson Day not just to prepare for college ball, but also for collegiate academics. The top-notch player has offers from both ACC and Ivy League schools. “Davidson Day will also prepare me academically for the next level,” said Sullivan (Huntersville Herald).

Belfield, who’s also attracted the attention of ACC and Ivy League schools, is leaving Cannon to play again for Coach Ron Johnson. “I transferred to Davidson Day because he can help push me to become an impact player at the college level,” said Belfield  (University City Weekly).

Small Team Wins Big
Some students shine their brightest in activities and interests they pursue outside of school. Theresa Tolar, ’18, is a quiet, friendly 10-year-old that has found her passion and self-confidence through her love of horses. Theresa and her pony, Twix, were recognized in The Charlotte Observer for earning more than 200 ribbons so far in riding competitions. Congratulations Theresa!

Camp News

Fun in the Sun
The past two weeks have been scorchers, but the Patriots kept cool with water games such as sprinkler soccer, bucket brigade, sponge tag and water balloon fights. The Eaglets cooled down by splashing and sliding on the front lawn. Campers also enjoyed sliding on Jumpin’ Jacks’ giant water slides as an end-of-week treat. Fields trips to Ray’s Splash Planet and Discovery Place were huge hits. At Lego Robotics Camp, campers built and programmed robots to complete a snail race. Another challenge was to make the most creative robots with the most turns, displays and sound.

Next week’s camp theme is “Animal Planet.” We’ll take a trip to Lazy 5 Ranch and receive visits from Raptor Center birds and A Walk in the Woods reptiles and amphibians. To join the summer fun here at Camp DDS, contact Emily Griswold at egriswold@davidsonday.org.

Davidson Day Institute for Educational Excellence

Get Ahead this Summer
 Space is still available in the following workshops:

• MS Writing Workshop – 12:30-2 p.m., July 12-16 or July 19-23.
• MS Reading Review (Grades 5th-8th) – 9-10:30 a.m., July 12-16 or July 19-23.
• MS Math Review (Grades 5th-8th) – 10:30 a.m.-noon, July 12-16 or July 19-23.

All workshops are $250. The Summer Academy also offers 1:1 academic tutoring, SAT and ACT prep and Headsprout early reading and reading comprehension programs for Transitional Kindergarten-Grade 2. Contact Ben Putnam at 704-237-5281 or bputnam@davidsonday.org for more information or to register.

Athletics

Future World Cup Players?
The accolades keep coming for soccer standout Brianna Wills, ‘11. The rising senior was named 1st team All-Observer and 1st team All-Mecklenburg by The Charlotte Observer on June 15. Katy Leonard, ‘11 was named 2nd team All-Mecklenburg.

Get Your Pom Poms Ready
Football season is just around the corner. Stay turned for more on the campus kickoff at the Patriots’ first home game Aug. 27. For now, check out this story about the team. (Davidsonnews.net)