CALENDAR OF EVENTS     

2009-2010 Annual Fund
Thanks to the support we have already received, the 2009-2010 Annual Fund is gaining ground toward achieving this year's plans for growth and innovation in all areas of the school.  Davidson Day's Board of Trustees set the bar high, achieving 100% Board participation prior to the official launch of the Annual Fund. 

However, we are still a long way off from bringing our plans to fruition.  Please consider whatever gift you and your family are comfortable with.  It is not the size of your gift that is so important, because when all gifts are pooled together, each one gains in magnitude.  Our ultimate goal is to follow the lead of our Board and achieve 100% participation among our staff, faculty and families as well.

Thank you to our trustees and the growing list of staff, faculty, and families who have come forward and given to the Annual Fund.  You have already had a hand in enriching our children's school experience.

Click here for the Annual Fund Giving List as of October 9, 2009.

Davidson Day Welcomes Sean and Isabel Davis
Davidson Day is happy to welcome Sean and Isabel Davis to our family. Sean will be coordinating our new International Studies Abroad curriculum as well as providing additional assistance in AEC. He will also be a part of our MS division by teaching 8th Grade Social Studies. Isabel will be our new LS and MS Spanish teacher. They both arrived last week from Malaysia. “We are quite pleased to have Sean and Isabel onboard,” Davidson Day Head of School Bonnie Cotter said. “I’m very confident that the great experience and positive attitudes they both possess will have a profound effect on our kids.” Sean and Isabel are joined by their son Chris, who is a new 7th Grader.


New Addition to the IT Department
DDS would like to welcome Stacy Hillen as our new IT Assistant. She will be reporting to our Director of Technology, Allan Reed. Stacy brings a wealth of IT experience from previously working at IBM Global Services for over 10 years. She brings a wealth of experience to the IT department that will be very beneficial.

Legacy of Hope Comes to Charlotte
The Dilworth Center is co-hosting a unique event in October for Middle and Upper School students.  On October 20th and 21st, Susie Vanderlip will be the center’s honored guest speaker. She is the author of the award-winning book, 52 Ways to Protect Your Teen – Guiding Teens to Good Choices and Success. Click here if you would like to learn more about this event.

November 21st is Casino Night 2009 -- Save the Date!
In just a little over a month, Davidson Day will be presenting Casino Night 2009! This exciting event will be on Saturday, November 21st at Race World USA. The action begins at 7:00 p.m.

The Casino Night 2009 Committee would like to thank the following new sponsors: StrataForce, Cunningham Wholesale and Davidson Chocolate Factory. We are very grateful for your generous support.

If you or a family that you know or a business you admire that would be interested in donating to this year’s event, please contact Susan Sandler (Casino Night 2009-Chairperson) at sandler411@mi-connection.com.

Academic and Enrichment Center Update
Extended Day is beginning another session of After School programs. Click here to download a list of programs and start dates. Registration forms will be going home with the specified grades and will also be located in the front lobby of the school.

For more information about these programs, please contact Candy Mazze, Director of Programming, AEC at 704.237.5281 or email at cmazze@davidsonday.org.

The AEC would like to announce that after school tutoring is in full swing and we invite all students from Davidson Day School and out in the community to take advantage of our one-on-one tutoring from 3:30-7:30 Monday-Thursday in the AEC.

Upper School News

Take Me Home, Country Roads
DDS Seniors spent three days nestled in the heart of the Appalachians and West Virginia’s southernmost city, War, working with an organization called Big Creek People in Action. This organization’s mission is to “provide help to those who help themselves.”

Working on a home that was built in the 1920’s, one group installed insulation and vinyl siding.  This home sustained fire damage two years earlier, and the occupants were forced to reside with the damage since that time. A second home, belonging to a blind and deaf Vietnam Veteran, also received new insulation and vinyl sliding. The owner was so thrilled with the students' hard work, he gave his hat to them as a token of his deep appreciation. The third group of students worked on a home with a three-foot hole in a child's bedroom ceiling which was a result of water damage. 

Aside from all the hard work, our students still had time to play. Demond Gates and company learned to dance the "flatfoot" during a personal blue grass country music concert. 

Juniors Return from College and Washington, DC Trip Inspired
The Juniors took a four day trip to Virginia Tech, Georgetown University, Howard University, and Randolph Macon College. Along the way, the students took in sites in Washington, DC such as the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the National Aquarium, the National Art Gallery, the National Museum of American History, and the Holocaust Museum. A trip to DC wouldn’t be complete without a look at the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and other historic documents at the National Archives.

The highlight of this trip was the group's walk from the Washington Monument to the Vietnam Veterans wall and back to the Metro; all lit by the city lights. Chaperone Mrs. Gracely noted, “The trip was an excellent experience for students and teachers alike. The sights were incredible, but the most noteworthy experience was the chance to get to know one another outside of school." Mrs. Schall's English students will take their trip a step further by writing an explorative narrative essay about their experiences.

2nd Annual Literary Magazine Seeking
Talented US Art and Literature Students
The Individual, created last year, is a way for the Upper School to show off their works of art and literature. This is a student-run magazine to show off their artistic abilities and their talents. Student submissions of work should be turned in by November 6th, 2009.

College Counseling News

PSAT is Next Week
The PSAT will be administered here at Davidson Day School on Wednesday, October 14th in the morning to all 9th-11th graders.  The charge for the exam is $13 payable by check or using the Patriot Account.  If you are paying by check, please submit your payment to Ms. Rand as soon as possible.  Please feel free to contact Ms. Rand at mrand@davidsonday.org or at (704) 237-5222 if you have any questions.

Middle School News

Birds Plus Ropes Plus Whitewater Rafting Equals Fun For Middle School Kids
The 7th and 8th Grade students spent three fun-filled days enjoying the great outdoors. Both grades visited the Raptor Center, where they got a chance to see wild and exotic birds up close and personal. The following day consisted of a visit to Davidson College where DDS students climbed the college’s famous rope course. Several students -- Bella Toothman, James McLean and George Barder -- were able to climb the 55-foot tower in less than two minutes. On the last day, the students visited the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Everyone enjoyed activities such as whitewater rafting, mountain biking and zip-lining. Even faculty braved the outdoor adventures as Daniel Matena, Chad Metzler and John Tobias all fell from their boat while dodging a steep wave.

It was an overall exceptional experience that everyone will remember for a long time.

Early Childhood News

ECH Classes Join Jumpstart’s "Read for the Record"
Davidson Day School’s ECH Division is starting their celebration of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®, a national campaign designed to break the world record for the largest shared reading experience ever, while also working to break the cycle of illiteracy.

“Current research overwhelmingly supports the importance of facilitating early and emerging literacy skills in preschool-age children as a critical foundation for literacy development,” said Dana Sommer, ECH Division Head. “Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a positive way to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood literacy skills.” The Early Childhood teachers encourage readers of all ages to visit www.readfortherecord.org and register to read the campaign’s official book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, on October 8th.

Sports News

Athletic Calendar
Look at Davidsonday.org/sports for next week’s schedules.

October 13th is Senior Day for Boys Soccer & Girls Volleyball
Tuesday, October 13th will be a special day for some very special student-athletes. Several Seniors will be donning the Patriot uniform for the last time during the regular season. In volleyball, the team’s most decorated players, Elizabeth Buehler and Jade Cotter, will be playing their final regular season game. “It’s been an honor coaching these young ladies,” said head coach Tamara Gallen. “Elizabeth and Jade are not only our two best players, but also captains of this year's team. They will truly be missed.”

Switching over to soccer, kicking the ball for their final regular season game will be the following Seniors: Drue Allen, Demond Gates, Jordan Hunter, Wesley King, and Brian McGrath. Assistant coach Ryan Manzullo, “All of these seniors have demonstrated tremendous leadership. We wish them continued success.”

A presentation honoring the Seniors will be held prior to both games. The soccer game begins at 4:00pm, followed by the volleyball game at 5:00pm

Valiant Comeback From the Girls MS Volleyball Team Comes Short
The Girls Middle School Volleyball team was on the verge of one of the biggest comebacks in team history, but they fell just two points shy, losing yesterday to United Faith. After taking the first game and losing the second, the girls trailed 14-3 in the deciding game before going on a 9-0 run to make it 14-12. It was an amazing comeback. “I’m so proud of the way our girls fought back and never gave up," said head coach Thomas Whaley.



Parent Council Corner

Parent Council Meeting
Thanks to everyone who attended both of our Parent Council October meetings this past Wednesday.   We were especially pleased that so many of you could attend our first evening meeting of the school year!  For those of you who couldn’t make either of them, the presentation and minutes are linked for your convenience.  Please mark your calendars for our next Parent Council Meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th at 8:30am in the Commons.

Please click here for the presentation.

Walking Wednesday
Walking Wednesday is coming up in two weeks on October 21st! The theme of our walk is Farmer’s Harvest! All walkers are asked to wear their flannel shirts, jeans, and even overalls if you got ‘em for the walk and the rest of the day to show their support for this great program! We meet at the Sadler Square shopping center/The Egg on Griffith St and leave at 7:45am to “walk and roll” to school.  Join in the fun and show off your Farmer’s Harvest attire! For more information, please contact Laurie Dennis at laraz@live.com.

Blankets, Bulbs & Cider
Mark your calendars for our second annual Blankets, Bulbs and Cider event which will be held on Tuesday, October 27th from 5:00-6:30pm.  Bring your family, plan to picnic on the lawn, and help make our school more attractive by planting pansies and bulbs.

Box Tops for Education
Our first Box Tops collection date is coming up on October 28th!  Please clip your box tops and put them in the collection boxes located in your child’s classroom. The classroom collecting the most box tops will receive one week of free dress down and a pizza party!

Used Uniform Closet
As promised, we will be having a Used Uniform Winter Sale!  It will be held during the Blankets, Bulbs & Cider event on October 27th.  In preparation for this sale, we will be collecting donations of gently used school uniforms. All donations can be dropped off in the bin by the front desk.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sheila Brady at lmbsmom@bellsouth.net. And be sure to visit the racks of used uniforms on the 27th to stock up on any uniform items your children need.

Patriots Athletic Club News

After School Concession Stand Now Open
The Patriots Athletic Club Concession Stand is open after school (Monday - Thursday 2:45-4:15pm).  Stop by to purchase a delicious snack right outside the DDS Gym before heading out to practice or other after school activities; located just outside the gym.