Kittery Neale, senior captain of the Davidson College women's volleyball team, raced Davidson Elementary students as part of the Tiger on the Prowl kickoff event.

It wasn’t just kids running laps around the Davidson Elementary School fields last Thursday – members of the Davidson College women’s volleyball and men’s track teams also worked up a sweat.  The college athletes were some of the “local heroes” recruited for the kick-off of the school’s annual Tigers on the Prowl program.

We have a report on that, along with news of an open house at Davidson Day, a flu shot clinic and free internet safety class at Bailey Middle, and a full calendar of upcoming events.

Tigers on the Prowl kicks off a new year of running

Davidson Elementary School kicked off its sixth year of the Tigers on the Prowl program Thursday, Oct. 2.

The Davidson Elementary School mascot Tiger offered lots of "high fives" to runners.

“We had an amazing day Thursday!” event coordinator Gennine Davis reported.  She said about 1,000 students and staff participated, along with 260 parents and guest.

Tigers on the Prowl, launched by P.E. teacher Walter Rabb, involves students running laps in designated places on school grounds. Teachers record laps run during recess as part of the goal of completing a marathon (or 26.22 miles) over the course of a school year. Students earn prizes along the way, culminating in the coveted “Tigers on the Prowl” marathon-club t-shirt.

“Local Heroes” who joined in the kickoff event included Davidson Mayor John Woods, Davidson Commissioner Laurie Venzon, Davidson College Track & Field Coach Gary Andrew, Volleyball Coach Tim Cowie, members of both the Wildcat track and volleyball teams, and officers from the Davidson Police Department.

Sixth grader Thomas Brennan shows his pride during Spirit Week (Sept. 29 - Oct. 3) at Davidson Day School. The school will hold a fall open house Oct. 22. (Photo submitted by Paul Cotter.)

Davidson Day holds fall open house

Davidson Day School will host a Fall Open House Tuesday, Oct. 21, starting at at 6:30 p.m. for parents of students in grades pre-K through 12.

Families will be able to tour the school, meet teachers, enjoy free pizza, and get a peek at the new Arts & Athletics Center ready to open in November.  Davidson Day is a private, non-sectarian school founded in 1999, and holds dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.  It is located at 750 Jetton Street.

Interested families should RSVP for the open house by contacting Anne Buechler, Director of Admission, at 704-237-5223 or at abuechler@davidsonday.org.

Bailey PTA hosts internet safety class

The Bailey Middle School Parent-Teacher Association will host a free class on internet safety Monday, Oct. 27, starting at 6:45 p.m. in the school’s media center.  The class will discuss how social networking can be used to stalk children, what safety precautions parents can take, and other parent concerns.  Babysitting will be available for those who RSVP by Oct. 23 to failedebbie@yahoo.com.  Light refreshments will be served.

Sign up now for Bailey flu shot clinic

Bailey Middle School’s PTA is now accepting registration for its upcoming community flu shot clinic.  The PTA is partnering with Flu Busters, a leading provider of on-site vaccinations, to hold the clinic at the school Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 – 10 a.m.  Space is limited, so registration is recommended.

Each vaccination will cost $30. Medicaid and Medicare Part B will be accepted from those who are eligible.  Participants will also be able to receive tips on staying healthy during the influenza season.  Schedule your flu shot on-line or call 1-866-FLU-BUST.  For more information, visit the Bailey Middle School PTA website.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Friday, Oct. 10 - No classes at Woodlawn due to a teacher in-service day.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Columbus Day.  Davidson Day and Woodlawn will be closed for this holiday.
• Tuesday, Oct. 21 - Representatives of North Mecklenburg High will be at Bailey Middle for an informational meeting on the International Baccalaureate program.
• Wednesday, Oct. 15 - Walk to School Day for Davidson Day.
• Tuesdsay, Oct. 21 – Open house at Davidson Day School, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  (See above for more.)
• Wednesday, Oct. 22 – Community Flu Shot clinic at Bailey Middle School (see above for more information).  This is also Walk to School day for Children’s Community School.
• Thursday, Oct. 23 – Community meeting about local public schools, to be held at the Davidson Town Hall starting at 7 p.m.  Representatives of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be available to answer parent questions and also to talk about new technologies available to track student and school performance.  Davidson Mayor John Woods will host the event.
• Thursday, Oct. 23 – Cannon School, a private school in Concord for students in grades K-12, will hold an open house Thursday, Oct. 23, starting at 7 p.m.  Families will hear from Head of School Matt Gossage and also be taken on tours of the campus.
• Monday, Oct. 27 – Internet Safety Class for parents at Bailey Middle School.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 - Children’s Community School will host an auction and “BBQ Social” at Oehler’s Mallard Creek BBQ in Charlotte.  The event will feature live music by Davidson Express, raffles and more, with proceeds benefiting the school’s planned expansion into the high school grades.  Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the 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.