The new principal of Bailey Middle School is inviting representatives of churches in Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville to a special meeting about student programs and partnership possibilities. Jennifer Dean, who took over as the head of Bailey Middle last month, told DavidsonNews.net that she is looking for ways to work with area churches, which “provide such a wealth of services for our community.”

See below for more on this meeting, and also a listing of upcoming school open houses for incoming students and, gulp, start dates.

Bailey to host meeting with churches

Bailey Middle Principal Jennifer Dean is seeking representatives from area churches for a meeting at the school Thursday, Aug. 14, starting at 6 p.m.

Ms. Dean told DavidsonNews.net that the meeting “is part of my vision for connecting with the community.” She said the format will allow time for discussion of services currently offered by churches that might serve the need of local middle school students and their families. School officials are hoping to learn more about such services – such as counseling and tutoring – and how to refer students to them. After a general discussion of current programs, Ms. Dean said the Aug. 14 meeting will also address ways to expand current programs and explore partnerships.

“We could also look at what other services they have been wanting to provide and how we could support those programs,” Ms. Dean said, adding that she hopes to open communication lines between Bailey and local churches so that both can be aware of events and happenings. “Those are just a few of the things that we hope to discuss that evening. I am excited about the opportunity and I hope that we have a great turnout.”

Ms. Dean said that she expect school staff and also Amy Diamond, the academic facilitator at Bailey to be in attendance. The meeting would be appropriate for church representatives, youth program coordinators and also family outreach committee members.

For more information, contact Bailey at 980-343-1068 during the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The school is located at 11900 Bailey Road in Cornelius.

Back-to-School Open House schedules for new and returning (as opposed to prospective) students:

• Bailey Middle School, a public middle school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system serving grades 6-8, will hold an open house for new sixth graders on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 4-5:30 p.m.  An open house for grades 7-8 will follow on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5-6:30 p.m.
• Children’s Community School, a state charter for elementary and middle school students, will hold an open house for parents on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 2-3:30 p.m. for middle school grades, and from 3:30 – 5:45 p.m. for elementary grades. The school will also host its final ice cream social of the summer on Thursday, Aug. 14, starting at 6 p.m. on the Davidson village green.
• Davidson Day, a private school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, will hold an open house for current and incoming students on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the following times: 9:30 – 11 a.m. for the pre-kindergarten and Montessori program students, 1-2:30 p.m. for grades K-6, and 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. for grades 7-12.
• Davidson Elementary School, a public CMS school serving grades K-5, will hold an open house for new students on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The school will also host a picnic on Sunday, Aug. 24.
• Davidson International Baccalaureate Middle, a CMS magnet school for grades 6-8, will have its open house on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6-7:30 for new sixth graders (this includes time for picnicking from 6-6:30 p.m.), and from 7:30 – 8:30 for 7th and 8th graders.
• McKinney Academy, a private school serving grades K-4, will have an open house on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 5-6:30 p.m.
• Pine Lake Prep – This state charter is finishing construction and will be moving this month into its new facility on Hwy. 115, just north of Davidson. The school will serve grades K-11.
• Woodlawn School, a private school for grades 2-11, held an open house for new students in June.

Start Days for Area Schools:

• Monday, Aug. 18 – Children’s Community School
• Thursday, Aug. 21 – McKinney Academy
• Monday, Aug. 25 – All CMS schools, including Bailey Middle, Davidson Elementary, Davidson I.B. Middle and North Mecklenburg High School. (This is also the beginning of the fall term for Davidson College.)
• Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Davidson Day, Pine Lake Prep and Woodlawn School

Send calendar items and press releases about local school news to us at lauriedennis@bellsouth.net . Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.