CALENDAR OF EVENTS     

DDS Health Update
In the wake of many of our students in the past few weeks having become susceptible to the flu, swine flu, strep throat and other contagious illnesses, we would like to reinforce to you that we as a school, are going through every critical measure to help minimize the spread of these illnesses. Not only are we educating students and faculty on the preventative measures during this cold and flu season, but we are also providing the necessary resources as well. In addition to us having a full surplus of disinfectant wipes, we’ve also ordered disinfectant spray bottles for every class.

From a facility standpoint, we will be physically installing hand sanitizers in each classroom. We also disinfect materials that everyone commonly uses like light switches and door knobs on a daily basis. The custodial team also uses a bleach based solution when spraying down the rooms. From a transportation standpoint, we decided to take a proactive approach weeks ago by sterilizing the vans on a regular basis.

If you would like more information on how to help prevent swine flu and other highly contagious diseases as well as what proper steps to take once you are infected, please click on the link below. We love to see everyone’s smiling faces everyday, but in order for that to happen consistently, we need to help keep everyone healthy.

http://www.childrensnational.org/Pressroom/cnmc04300901.aspx

Annual Fund 2009-2010
Davidson Day School has extraordinary plans to realize growth and innovation in all areas of the school, from academics to athletics, from arts to community service, and from technology to trips abroad. What makes all these plans possible? The Annual Fund. Annual Fund donations are precisely what enables Davidson Day to deliver enriching opportunities and program enhancements to your children.

We give our sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees (100% participation), our staff/faculty (57%), and our families (19%). Click here for the Annual Fund Giving List as of October 16, 2009.

We are asking those of you who have not yet given -- please do. Our goal this year is not to ask for large donation amounts. Small gifts, when pooled together toward the common cause of educational excellence, will make Davidson Day's great plans a reality.

If you have any questions, please contact this year's Annual Fund co-chairs: Stephanie Pierce at 704-895-5583, and Ginny Remmey at 704-987-0764.


The Blog is Back!
After a brief hiatus to accommodate the short summer and a busy start to the school year, Bonnie’s Blog is back. Check out the newest installment of the Blog by noon on Sunday, October 18th.

Handshakes on Hold; Lunch Anyone?
In an effort to contain the spread of illness that has already begun and will continue throughout the remainder of the fall and winter, Headmaster Bonnie Cotter has reluctantly suspended her morning hand-shaking with students until further notice. “Greeting the kids each morning was the highlight of my day,” Ms. Cotter explained. “I’ll just have to be more creative in finding ways to stay connected with our students while we work towards keeping everyone healthy and happy this flu season.”

Ms. Cotter has already scheduled times to eat lunch with students from Toddler through 8th grade in their classroom over the coming weeks. She will be taking Upper School students off campus for lunch as well. In addition, Ms. Cotter will be involved in morning meetings with Middle and Upper School students and will be popping in and out of classrooms on a regular basis.

“I love it that the students know me as someone they can share a laugh or proud moment with. There’s no fear factor there,” Ms. Cotter said. “I don’t want to lose that.”

Casino Night 2009 - Invitations Coming Soon
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.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors: StrataForce (The Greene Family), Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (Bernie Sandler), Cunningham Wholesale (Gina and Mike Nichols), Piedmont Bank, L. Gordon Iron & Metal (The Gordon Family), Davidson Chocolate Co., and Troy and Della Stafford and family.  We are very honored to have your valuable participation in this grand event.

If you or a family that you know or a business you admire are interested in donating to this year’s event, please contact Susan Sandler (Casino Night 2009-Chairperson) at sandler411@mi-connection.com or Deanne James at deannej02@yahoo.com or Nancy Rosato at n.rosato@roadrunner.com.

Important DDS Lunch Program Information
The DDS Lunch program is available to all students. The lunch menus will be available on the 3rd Thursday of every month and are due on the 4th Thursday at 8:30am of every month (no exceptions). Menus can be obtained from a link in the Roundabout or hardcopies are available at the magazine rack located by the front desk.

Please be mindful that the completed lunch menus should be turned into the student’s teacher for Early Childhood and Lower School students. For the Middle and Upper School students, they are to turn in their menus to the Services Office - Room 701 by placing them in the lunch menu basket.

Prior to completing your child’s lunch menu, please do the following:

• Review any external school activities that may affect your child’s lunch selection on the calendar located on the parent portal.
• Make a copy of the lunch menu for yourself.

Any child that does not have a lunch will be served saltine crackers, fruit, and vegetables. Please direct all questions and concerns to the Lunch Coordinator/ Dr. Seward at 704.237.5266.

You can download this month's menus from the links below. It is due no later than 8:30am Thursday, Oct. 22nd:

ECH Lunch Menu November 2009
LS/MS/US Lunch Menu November 2009

Important Photo Information
Fall and winter team sports photos will be taken on Monday, November 9th after lunches. The specific schedule will come out closer to the date, but please save that date for sports photos.

Also, sibling/family photos will be taken on Monday, November 9, starting at 3:00pm. If you would like to schedule a sibling/family photo session, please email Amy Hallman at ahallman@davidsonday.org for a time slot.

Yearbooks are on Sale! 
Until October 31st, yearbooks are on sale for just $40. On November 1, the price goes up to $50.  You may charge your yearbooks to your Patriot Account by emailing Amy Hallman at ahallman@davidsonday.org.  Be sure to let her know if you would like any accessories (world yearbook, name stamped on it, etc.). You may also order online at www.jostens.com.

Senior parents: if you have not ordered your senior ad for the yearbook, you still have time.  Email Amy Hallman at ahallman@davidsonday.org with questions.

Don't forget to order your school photos from St. John online at www.stjohnphotography.com.

Bottle Cap Collection Contest!
Bring in those bottle caps again! DDS is part of Aveda Salon's efforts to keep our oceans and waterways clear of bottle caps. Over 50,000 caps were collected in all last year from DDS alone. Please note that only rigid plastic screw-top caps are collected.  NO medicine lids, NO screw top that is part of a pump (i.e. hairspray, spray salad dressings), NO soft, flexible lids (i.e. margarine). The TOP 3 classrooms will earn pizza parties. Middle School and Upper School will participate by advisory group rather than grade. The competition concludes on Friday, December 11th. The pizzas will be dished out when we return from Christmas break in January.

Please go to http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp for more information.

Academic and Enrichment Center Update
The AEC is excited to announce a new program for students Pre-K through 2nd Grade.  The program is called Headsprout Early Reading and it is a Pre-K though 2nd Grade supplemental program that ensures reading success for every child, guaranteed.  Headsprout teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.  It also ensures segmenting, blending, decoding in context, and reading for meaning. 

This program takes a non-reader or beginning reader up to mid-2nd Grade reading skills in less than 30 hours of individualized online instruction.  Eighty printed stories (including chapter books) and automated performance reports accompany the program.

Please contact Dawne Kakitsis at dkakitsis@davidsonday.org for more details.

Upper School News

Ninth Graders Had an Xtreeme Time in Monroe
The Freshmen class enjoyed their trip to Xtreeme Challenge in Monroe, NC.  While they were there, they focused on effective communication with each other, teamwork exercises, and trust building events and exercises.  During the trip, the students not only had to focus on the challenges of the high and low ropes courses, but also their small groups cooked all the meals (for 30 people) and did all of the cleaning around the property.  It was a great opportunity for them to learn more about each other's goals, strengths and fears as well as their own.

Georgia Opens its Arms to DDS Sophomores
The sophomores went on a great college tour in the beautiful state of Georgia.  After touring Furman University and hearing about their individualized learning concepts, the group toured the University of Georgia, including its Ramsey Student Recreation Center.  Mrs. Noe and Mrs. Hallman were ready to enroll!

After spending the night in Athens, the group spent the day in Atlanta, touring the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola Museum, and CNN. 

The final day in Georgia allowd some college-bound girls to visit Spelman College, while the rest of the sophomores explored Georgia Tech.  Sophomores finished the trip at lunch at the famous Varsity restaurant, where everybody loaded up on chili cheese dogs, burgers, and onion rings before the long ride home.  Ironically, despite Georgia being known as the Peach State, the sophomores decided to pass on peaches. Many naps made the return journey seem quicker.

College Counseling News
The December 5th SAT registration deadline is Friday, October 30th.  Registration is available at www.collegeboard.com.  Please contact Meaghan Rand if you have any questions at mrand@davidsonday.org or at 704-237-5222. 

College Representative Visit Schedule:
Wed., 10/21, 11:15am—Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC
Tues., 10/27, 10:00am—Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Wed., 10/28, 10:30am—Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
Thurs., 10/29, 9:00am—Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Thurs., 10/29, 12:00pm—Furman University, Greenville, SC

Middle School News

Camp Kanuga was a Blast for 5th and 6th Graders
The 5th and 6th Grade classes enjoyed an outdoor experience of a lifetime at Camp Kanuga on October 5th-7th. Students had the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as orienteering, canoeing, and rock climbing. They also worked in homeroom teams to complete challenging tasks on the cooperation trail. Everyone enjoyed getting “up close and personal” with a variety of critters that call the NC mountain region home. (See Photo Gallery)

The night hike was once again a favorite activity. Groups hiked on trails in the dark with no flashlights and learned about nocturnal animals and triboluminescence. Everyone agreed that this was a fun way to start off the school year!

Something Smells Fishy in 5th Grade
DDS is once again participating in the Trout in the Classroom program sponsored by the Rocky River Trout Unlimited Chapter. The 5th Grade recently traveled to the Marion Fish Hatchery to collect rainbow trout eggs for the school aquarium. David Deaton of the Wildlife Resources Commission gave the students a tour of the facility. Students saw thousands of trout eggs hatching in the large trays. They also learned about our state's stream conservation efforts. We returned to school with about 300 newly hatched fry with their yolk sacs. The fifth grade will be the fish guardians, but LS students will follow the growth and development of the trout when they attend LS science lab. Come visit “our little fellas” any time!

Lower School News

Student Art Displayed at Davidson Public Library
Congratulations to fourteen LS students who have been selected to represent our school in the Davidson community!  A variety of drawings, paintings, prints and collages are on display at the Davidson Public Library during the month of October.  Go by and check out the beautiful artwork by Katherine Brown, Lexi Justice, Kennedy Nemechek, Charlie Caputo, Emma Lott, Sheridan Elliott, Rees Payne, Emma Lindquist, Zack Mandel, Taylor Bennett, Aicha Kaouss, Tyler Cook, Blair Nemechek and Maisie Rees.  Great job everyone!

Project Runway
A special congratulations goes out to Elizabeth Earp. This fashionable 1st Grader has been chosen to model in the American Girl Fashion Show. The show is a fun-filled event for girls five and over that features a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. The show will be on Saturday, November 21st at 6:00pm, and Elizabeth’s model number will be #1353. Proceeds will benefit Project Bloom, a charity dedicated to helping girls be the best that they can be. While tickets are available for the shows, anyone can make a donation on her behalf (just put her model number on the donation). No matter how small or large, your gift would be greatly appreciated by the charity.

Animal Planet
First Grade has begun their study of nocturnal animals by focusing on bats and owls. In fact, each student has been assigned a nocturnal animal to research and will present their creature and findings to their class the week of October 26th! To top that, the students will be lucky enough to have the Carolina Raptor Center join them with many of their nocturnal friends here at Davidson Day on October 29th. Be sure to stop by both rooms to check out all of the fun nocturnal animal projects.

Early Childhood News

Montessori Class Replaces Green Acres as the Place to Be
Apples, Pumpkins and Farming!  The Montessori Class is learning all about farms and the kind of things we can grow.  They have made booklets for the Life Cycle of Apple Trees and Pumpkins.  To take it to the next level, the class will go on a field trip to Patterson Farms on Friday, October 23rd, where they will feed animals and learn how to plant vegetables! They will also get a chance to choose their own pumpkin for Halloween!

The Wonderful Neighborhood of TK
Last week in Ms. Dana’s class, the students began learning about neighborhoods and communities and how they all relate to one another. The students began building their own TK community by ‘brainstorming’ all the things that a community needs. Needless to say with all of the brainstorming, an impressive list was generated. The entire class later rolled up their sleeves and began painting, cutting, and forming their own buildings. It looks great! It is on display in front of the classroom. Come check it out!

TK Goes on the Hunt for Red October
Ms. Dana's class had to complete fun fall homework by searching their neighborhood and community for signs that the seasons are changing. They discovered many leaves that are changing colors, some that have already fallen, and all the changes that are beginning to appear in nature. The children are also learning about the fog and condensation that is happening on these cool mornings.

Kindergarten Excels at the Amazing Maize Maze
Mrs. Noble’s Kindergarten class showed their school spirit at the Amazing Maize Maze last Friday.  A total of six room parents helped students tie dye and decorate t-shirts "DDS spirit wear style" to be worn on the field trip (see photo gallery). The children used red and blue to tie dye their shirts and decorate them with our DDS mascot (the eagle) or their actual hand prints. A fun time was had by all as everyone got lost in the maze. These great Kindergartners are a perfect example that you’re never too young to show school spirit. (See Photo Gallery)

Sports News

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

Varsity Volleyball Update
The Lady Patriots have been working hard these past two weeks competing in four matches. After a week of tough play losing to Statesville Christian and Elon School, the Patriots were led by Jasmine Hamilton, Janine Grabowski, and Cidney Garrett in a five-set win against Gaston Day on Friday (10-9). Jessica Zammitti and Cat Buechler stepped up to compete with the varsity team in the win. After the three day break, the Patriots came back home to honor Jade Cotter and Elizabeth Buehler on Senior Day. Paul, Ben, and Bonnie Cotter along with Nellie, Thomas, and Katherine Buehler and Effie Hall were in attendance to escort and celebrate their student athletes in this very special presentation. Starting the game with a 2-0 lead the Patriots ended up falling to United Faith 2-3 in the match. This was a tough loss but a good learning experience for the Patriots.

Please come out and support your Lady Patriots in the SPAA Tournament next Thursday, October 22nd. This will be your last chance to see these great young ladies in action.

Varsity Soccer Finishes Their Final Home Game
with Heart and Determination
Varsity Soccer continues to work hard and represent the school with pride as the regular season comes to an end this week.  Brian McGrath scored on an assist from Demond Gates for the lone Patriot goal in a 7-1 loss against a very tough UFCA team.  Seniors McGrath, Gates, Drue Allen, Wes King, and Jordan Hunter and their parents were recognized prior to the game for their hard work, leadership and dedication through the years.
 

Southern Piedmont Athletics Association Volleyball Tournament at Davidson Day
The SPAA Tournament will be at DDS next Thursday, October 22nd (2:30-8:30pm).
Come out and support your Lady Patriots and see four fantastic volleyball matches as the SPAA championship gets decided on our home turf!  Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students.

Fall Sports Varsity Awards Ceremony
Parents and families are welcome to celebrate our varsity athletes’ successful seasons in the auditorium on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to Lisa Morgan at lmorgan@davidsonday.org by Friday, October 30th if you plan on attending.  Semi-formal dress is requested (shirt and tie for young men, game day dress for young women).

Fall Sports Middle School Celebration Dinner
An informal pizza party and celebration of very successful MS cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball seasons will be held in the Commons for players and coaches on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:00pm. Please RSVP to Lisa Morgan at  lmorgan@davidsonday.org if your child will be attending.  $5 will be charged to the players’ Patriot accounts.

Patriots Athletic Club News

Volunteers Needed for SPAA Volleyball Tournament
Davidson Day will be on full display as the school host for the October 22nd SPAA Volleyball championship.  Please volunteer to help work admissions, set up, concessions, or clean up for one of the games.  If you can help, please email Megan Lynch (MeganML65@aol.com) or Heidi Uszenski (hju62@mi-connection.com) with your availability.

Parent Council Corner

Walking Wednesday
Next week is Walking Wednesday!  Please walk and roll with us on Wednesday, October 21st. The theme of our walk is Farmer’s Harvest.  All walkers are asked to wear their flannel shirts, jeans and overalls, if you’ve got ‘em, for the walk and the rest of the day.  We will meet at the Sadler Square Shopping Center/The Egg on Griffith Street 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.

Donations of Gently Used Uniforms Needed
We are in need of your gently used school uniforms for our next Used Uniform Sale which will be on October 27th from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. during Blankets, Bulbs & Cider.  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.