CALENDAR OF EVENTS     

The school year is in full swing. All divisions hosted Curriculum Nights this week, giving parents a chance to learn more about our academic philosophy, meet their children’s teachers and review Edline, one of our online communication tools. Last Friday, students grades 5-12 signed our Honor Code at a special assembly. Click here to read student speeches from that occasion.

Welcome, New Admission & Financial Aid Director
Kate Smith joins the DDS administrative team as our new Director of Admission and Financial Aid, replacing Lauren Marlis who is moving on from our school to pursue new opportunities that will enable her to attend to family concerns.

Ms. Smith has more than 10 years of experience directing admission and financial aid operations at the Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, Fla. and Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Col.  Her background with boarding and day schools has allowed her to work with a diverse cross section of families from all over the world and she's excited to bring her global perspectives to DDS.  “I truly enjoy helping to build a community of inspired learners with students representing a wide range of backgrounds,” she said. “This diversity creates a more dynamic and powerful learning environment for students and faculty.” We are excited to have Ms. Smith here, along with her husband, Michael Smith, our new Head of the Upper School and grades 7-8, and their son, Parker ’26.

TK & K Students: Bring a Friend to School
We’re planning a special event in early September where TK and Kindergarten students can bring a friend to school and show them all the fun they have at DDS. So parents, please start thinking which of your child’s friends might like to spend a morning here. TK friends can come on Wednesday, Sept. 15 and Kindergarten friends on Friday, Sept. 17. More details, including times and other important information, to come in next week’s Roundabout and teacher newsletters.

Parent Portal Fixed
The Parent Portal is now fixed. We apologize for any inconvenience our technical difficulties this week may have caused you. All parents should have received an email Thursday about changes to September lunch orders due to this issue. For any questions regarding lunch orders, contact Dr. H. Michael Seward Jr. at mseward@davidsonday.org.

Get Certified in First Aid and CPR/AED at DDS
Development Director Dr. Judy Reese and US History Teacher Mr. Charles Coddington are offering a Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid course 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at school for interested parents and students (grades 5-12). The CPR/AED certification you will earn is valid for one year and the First Aid certification is valid for three years. Cost: $65, the same amount charged by the Red Cross to take the class at their facilities. Space is limited and registration and payment must be received by Dr. Reese (704.237.5228 or jreese@davidsonday.org) by Sept. 10. Payments may be made in cash or checks payable to SFR). Click here for more details.

Student Spotlight
Bernard Sullivan ’11 has committed to play basketball at Clemson University. The power forward was recruited by several schools, but said he chose Clemson because, “they have a great coaching staff, strong academics and a solid basketball tradition.” Click here to learn more.

Elizabeth Earp ‘20 is participating in the Miss Junior PreTeen Charlotte Pageant on Sunday at Queens University. Half of her score is determined through an interview and half from modeling casual and formal wear at the pageant. If Elizabeth places in the Top Ten in her age group, she will earn a spot to compete at the national pageant in December. Click here to read more about Elizabeth’s quest.

New Faculty Faces
As the school year starts, it’s time to welcome our new faculty and staff members. This week, we’ll meet Priscilla Saunders, a new Transitional Kindergarten teacher. She comes to us with seven years of experience, most recently teaching second and third grades in Palm Coast, Fla. “The energy is alive here and the staff is eager to embrace the growth and changes, making it a year to look forward to,” she said. In addition to Ms. Saunders, we also would like to welcome her husband, Mat Saunders, our new Archeology, Mythology and Religion teacher and their children, Owen ‘25, and Sophie ’26, to the school. Mr. Saunders also runs our Belize archeological field research program. On their trip there this summer, Ms. Saunders formed a relationship with a village school in need of age-appropriate books for teachers and students. “Please keep your eye out for the Books for Belize drive you may hear about this year,” she said.

Flag Football Starting
Co-ed flag football for grades 1-3 is starting soon. For more information, to sign up or to volunteer as a coach, email Chris McKay ‘11 at chris.mckay@davidsonday.org. Space is limited to 20 students.

Parent Council

Get Involved
This year’s first Parent Council meeting is Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons. Parent Council volunteers help coordinate and plan Teacher Appreciation Week, Graduation, SummerFest and more. Don’t miss this great opportunity to get involved.

Support School While you Shop
A reminder to link your Harris Teeter VIC card to our school. (If you've done it in the past, it must be renewed each August). Go to www.harristeeter.com/community and under “Together in Education” select “Link To Your School.” The code for DDS is 3520. You can also send your 11-digit VIC card number to Deanne James at deannej02@yahoo.com.

Athletics

Patriots Exceed Expectations in Inaugural Home Game
Patriot history was made Thursday night at Wolter Field as our JV football team defeated Charlotte Latin by a score of 50-0 in Davidson Day’s inaugural home football game. The day’s events included a student pep rally with eating and dance contests, family-friendly tailgating and the dedication of Wolter Field. Quarterback Will Grier ’14 scored three touchdowns, along with interceptions for touchdowns by Aaron Seward ‘13 and Jordan Young ‘14. After two games, the Patriots (2-0) have not allowed any points. Special thanks to Head Coach Chad Grier and the rest of the coaching staff for developing a team full of talent, character and integrity and to the Wolter Family for our wonderful field.

Keep up with the Patriots—Online
Keep up with all our athletics events online—schedules for Patriots competitions are now available on our Web site’s sports page. (www.davidsonday.org/athletics). More improvements are also on the way for the sports page, so stay tuned. You can also keep your finger on the Patriots pulse through our Fan page on Facebook and on Twitter @davidsonday.

Patriots Athletic Club Needs Your Help
If you’d like to help the school, please consider volunteering at the concession stand operated by the Patriots Athletic Club daily after school and at athletics events at school. The club is looking for a semester commitment. Please email Heidi Uzinski at hju62@mi-connection.com if interested.

Club leaders this year are: Megan Lynch, president; Kimberly Buck, vicepresident; Rebecca Slay, treasurer; and Susan Tyburski, secretary. More volunteers are always welcome. PAC meetings are the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. on campus. The next meeting is Sept. 22. Please join them and get involved.