CALENDAR OF EVENTS    

Just Think: This week's Open House for ECH-LS was a big success. Please help us make the next one great too by inviting propsective families. It's on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m.

Robotics Takes Second in Programming Event at States
Congratulations to our MS Robotics team for an outstanding performance at last week’s State Championships, where they placed second out of 60 teams in the programming portion of the competition. The Patriots second-place was on the “game table,” where teams showcase the robots they designed and then program them to do specific tasks, such as make turns and spin. In another event, team members presented to judges their findings from their months-long research project about extending the shelf-life of milk.

“I am really proud of these kids,” said Science and Math Teacher Fred Haas, the team’s faculty advisor.  “They came up with an original idea, developed it and then followed through with it to the end. When things got tough at the competition, they stuck together and pulled out a great performance.  They should be very proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Thank you to Mr. Haas and all of the parent coaches – Ray Catlett, Mike Ransom and James Sommer – for helping our students shine. A special thanks also to team sponsors Apiary Security Advanced Security Technologies, Commercial Credit Group, Inc. and Roush Yates Engines. And way to go, Nine Notorious Bionic Bananas!

Thirty Students Accepted for Belize Research Project
For the third year in a row, DDS students will work alongside professional archaeologists this summer on a research project in Belize. But this year, students who’ve already participated in the program will double their time in the field to one month to continue their excavation of a previously undiscovered royal tombcontaining some of the most significant artifacts found in the last decade. Their project was extended due to grants from several archaeological organizations based on their groundbreaking work last summer. Several other DDS students will also now have the opportunity to work for two weeks at the site, called Cahal Pech in Western Belize.

Last week at a special assembly, thirty students in grades 8-11 learned of their acceptance into this summer’s program based on their applications and work in relevant mini-term courses. To prepare for this summer, accepted students must complete mini-terms in Maya pre-history I and I and hieroglyphics, pass an entrance exam and participate in the Maya at the Lago conference April 26-29. (Stay tuned for more information in the next few weeks about this conference of international scholars held on our campus.)

Congratulations to the following students who will represent Davidson Day in Belize:

• Class of 2013:Jason Chinuntdet, Marissa Davidson, Hunter Iocco, Matt McDonough, Sierra Thorson and Maria Woodrow
• Class of 2014: Veronica Burkhart, Sarah Echols, Maxlyn Foster Finleigh Goyette, Jessi Harris, George James, Micah Monticello, Jonathan Pace, Emmy Roberts, Sebastian Soria, Zach Wolter andSami Zoobi
• Class of 2015: Lucas Barber, Emma Brennan, Grayson Buck, Steven Green, Hudson Harris, Andrew Lukacs, H Strachan andSarah Toothman
• Class of 2016:Jorge Bush, Chandler Parrott, Fitz Robertson andJack Strachan

Don’t Forget Moving Upward Events Next Week
The final Moving Upward events are next week: Rising 5th Grade on Monday, Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m. and rising 6th Grade on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 8:30 a.m. Attending these events is one of the most important ways you can partner with us to prepare your child for success as they transition upward through our academic program and the Davidson Day experience. If you missed your child’s event, please check the Parent Portal and click on “Moving Upward Documents” in the left margin for curriculum guides by grade.

Try Out Sunday for the Talent Show
Students in grades 1-12 are invited to try for the Feb. 2 DDS Talent Show this Sunday, Jan. 29 starting at 1:30 p.m. Please click here for all the details on how you can be a part of this talent extravaganza.

MS Girls and 7th-8th Boys One Game Away from Conference Titles
Both our MS Girls and 7th-8th Grade Boys Basketball teams have a shot to be conference champions if they win their final regular season games on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The Patriots host Trinity Episcopal: the Girls (7-1) at 4:15 p.m. and the Boys (7-2) at 5:30 p.m. For the Girls, it will be a rematch of their only conference loss this season, a game decided by one point in overtime. So come to Yates Gymnasium and cheer your MS Patriots.

College Counselor Strengthen Ties With Duke
College Counselor Stacy Elliott recently attended a counselor workshop for high school counselors from the Carolinas at Duke University where she learned from Duke's Dean of Admissions how Duke reviews applications and makes admissions decisions. This visit was also a wonderful opportunity for Mrs. Elliott to forge an even better relationship with DDS’ Duke Admissions Representative, Margi Strickland.

Upcoming Parent Council Events
Please mark your calendars with these upcoming Parent Council events:

• This month’s Parent Council meeting on is Wednesday, Feb.1 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commons. 
• The next DDS Family Night is at Chick Fil-A, 457 River Hwy., Mooresville, on Feb.8from 5-8 p.m. The School will receive 10 percent of all sales that night.
• The Father Daughter Dance is Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m. Please contact Ginny Remmey for more information.
• Next week is Staff/Teacher Appreciation Week, so please be sure to let them know how much they mean to us. 

Blackout Shirt Orders Due Monday
Click here for all the info you need to order your limited edition Blackout Shirt for the Feb. 10 Blackout Night/Senior Night. The front of the shirt glows in the dark and was designed by parent William Steiner.  The back of the shirt is the winning design of Aslan Freidline ’15. Her design was picked in a competition of the three sections of Digital Illustration class due to its “strong visual concept along with the professional execution,” said Art Teacher Michael Thomas. The students developed their ideas, submitted it to class critique and then modified their designs before the students voted the winner.

This Week’s Photo Credits: Paul Cotter, Fred Haas, Ann-Marie Harp, Carrie Lott, Susan Loveday, Laura Mueller Photography, Laura Novia, Kenya Smith ‘15, Carter McLellan ’15.