CALENDAR OF EVENTS     

100 People Expected at DDS Admission Open House
Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about our Admission Open House being held this Saturday, November 21st from 10:00 am-12:00 pm in the Commons. Your word of mouth and personal recommendation about our school are still the best way for us to continue building our student enrollment with amazing families like yours. If you are a Davidson Day parent that would like to volunteer tomorrow, please contact Kelly Spiggle at kspiggle@yahoo.com.

Christmas in Davidson:  It's that time of year again! 
Christmas in Davidson will take place Thursday, December 3rd – Saturday, December 5th on the Green in downtown Davidson.  For those of you that are new to the school or the Lake Norman area, this is a wonderful community-building event, and Davidson Day is again a proud sponsor.  We will host a booth in the tent on the Green, selling gingerbread cookies to benefit our community partner, the Ada Jenkins Center. 

Our talented choral, band and theater students will also perform on Thursday and Friday evenings.  Here is the schedule of when they will perform on the stairs to Davidson Library:

DDS Choral and Band - Thursday, December 3rd – 7:00-7:30 p.m.
All Choruses and Select Band Members will perform as The Gingerbread Singers and Players.

DDS Theater – Friday, December 4th – 6:00-6:30 p.m.
Upper School Theatre students will be performing "Fruitcake & Santa Claus - the Game Show," a portion of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told...And Then Some!"

Please make time to attend, as this is a special event you don’t want to miss.

Facebook Mobile Updates from Davidson Day!
Be the first one to know what is going on at Davidson Day School. You can get up to the minute mobile updates about events and notices from the Davidson Day School's Facebook Fan Page. If you are interested, please click here for instructions.

Annual Fund 2009-2010
Board of Trustees - 100%. Faculty/Staff - 100%. DDS Families - 35%.

We are nearing our goal of 100% participation from all in our DDS communities. We need your support to get us to our goal. By making your gift before December 31st, you will receive a tax deduction this year.  Or, you can make a pledge and take until May 1, 2010 to fulfill your commitment.

A gift of any amount will go a long way, and your participation now will ensure that current and future enrichment programs move forward. Please click here for a donation form.  You may return the completed form in an envelope to the front desk or send to school in your child’s book bag.

Thank you to the following who have already given:

Note:  Board members and Staff/Faculty who have children attending DDS are also listed under Families.

Michael Cerkovnik Excels on Fox News Morning Show
Last Tuesday, November 18th, Michael Cerkovnik, Head of Lower and Middle School, appeared on the popular local TV morning show, Fox News Rising. Michael did a fabulous job explaining the book The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle as well as promoting the school’s lecture series that kicked-off this past Wednesday. If you were unable to watch Michael’s interview, please click here to view it online.



EXL Project Update
The EXL program allows our students to practice problem solving and project based learning both within the context of the regular curriculum and through real world simulations. During the first semester, teachers focused on developing skills needed to become a global leader. 

In the second semester, students will be able to choose EXL projects and groups based on interest and ability.  Students in grades K-8 will be participating in various real world simulations such as the creation of a city and the creation of a toy company.  Upper School students will work on a business model in which they will choose and research a real world problem, define solutions, and defend their propositions to the headmaster.

We are very excited about the continuous development of the EXL program here at Davidson Day School, and encourage our parents and community to become involved in our program.  If you have any questions, please email Dana Gillis at dgillis@davidsonday.org.



Progress Reports Have Been Posted to the Parent Portal
Progress Reports are now ready to be downloaded. Please visit the parent portal and click on "Grade Book" to log in to view them. If you have trouble accessing the gradebook, please email support@davidsonday.org.

Middle School News

Doing Good for the Community
Monday, November 23rd marks the end of the Loaves and Fishes Food Drive. The Davidson Loaves and Fishes set a record in October for the number of people served: 1,671. Let’s do our part to help make the month of November memorable as well. Keep in mind that students will get extra credit for bringing in canned goods (vegetables, meat, fruit, or soup). Let's finish strong.

Future Stars Shine Bright in Seventh Grade Journalism
The Seventh Grade Journalism class is full of students that are eager to share their work not just to their peers, but to the entire DDS family. Throughout the year, we will be featuring articles that have been written by students in the class. This week our feature writer is James Rees. He writes about one of our newer students, Christopher Davis. James does a fantastic job by giving you an inside look at one of our bright new kids. Click here to read the article.

Lower School News

Turkey With Dressing
This week Kindergarten students, along with their families, are helping some turkeys make it safely past Thanksgiving. The students thought of things that made their families unique and then "dressed" turkeys to represent their families. Stop by any Kindergarten room to see if you recognize the families represented.

What Thanksgiving Means to Two Special Second Graders
During this wonderful time of the year, two of our second graders, Liza Mitchell and Emma Lindquist, would like to share their poems on what Thanksgiving truly means to them.
Click here to download the poems.

Sports News

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

Boys Varsity Basketball Team Dominates
In front of one of the largest and most festive crowds in DDS history, our Boys Varsity Basketball team certainly didn’t disappoint as they defeated Trinity Academy of Raleigh by a score of 88-16. 14 out of the 15 Davidson Day players scored at least one point. If last night’s game is any indication of this team’s potential, we are all in for a fun ride this season.

Girls Varsity Basketball Team Triumphs!
The first basketball game of the year could not have started any better for our Girls Varsity Basketball team as they defeated Trinity Academy of Raleigh by a score of 38-24. Sophomore Jasmine Hamilton led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds. “I’m very pleased with how hard our girls played” said head coach Kevin Buechler. “We still have a lot of work to do, but this was an excellent start to the season.”

Jenny Falcone Featured in the Charlotte Observer
Tennis sensation Jenny Falcone was featured in Wednesday’s edition of the Charlotte Observer. Jenny won the N.C. Independent Schools state championship last month and finished the season undefeated. Click here to read the article.

Thank you, Jenny, for continuing to make us proud!

Parent Council Corner

Parent Council Meeting
Mark your calendars for our next Parent Council Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, December 2nd at 8:30 am in the Commons. We hope to see you there! For more information, please contact Whitney Y.R. Yates at whitneyyates@bellsouth.net.


Walking Wednesday: A Rainy Success!
Our third Walking Wednesday was met with 25 dedicated walkers who braved the rain and gave thanks for the downpour holding off.  Everyone had a great time with our “Giving Thanks theme.” The group walked to school together wearing a wide range of things we are thankful for such as family, friends, Davidson Day, sports teams, and just getting to dress down!  A job well done is in order for our walkers.

Walkers: Brian Bennett, Taylor Bennett, Jake Breunig, Mark Breunig, Jake Buechler, Nell Buechler, Brennan Bull, Sean Confoy, Katie Cusick, Alexandra Deane, Nicholas Deane, Justin Dennis, Evan Dennis, David Dennis III, Tylar Dunham, Carter Dunham, Jackson Dunham, Madison Dunham, Ewan McAloon.  Roller: Trevor Dennis. Faculty: Danielle Cusick (a special thanks for her support).  And of course a big thanks to all the moms and dads who joined us: Erin Breunig, Mark Bull, Tricia Confoy, Laura Deane, Laurie & David Dennis, Allison Dunham, and Rob McAloon. 

Stay tuned for a very special walk next month on December 16th at 7:45 am at the Sadler Square Shopping center. We hope to see you there! Any questions please contact Laurie Dennis at davidlauriedennis@gmail.com