Alexis Solorzano from Davidson Elementary won the top award and a
cash prize from ArtStamps as part of the school’s recent art fund-raiser. Meanwhile, Davidson Day School is hosting a conference of Mayan archaeology scholars in April. Plus other news from Davidson IB Middle School, Christ the King Catholic, and CMS’s Parent University. Also, Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board member Kaye McGarry hosts another coffee hour Thursday at Birkdale.

ARTSTAMPS WINNER

ArtStamps announced winners of its 2010 National Artistic Achievement Awards recently. The company honored 50 students throughout the nation in five age categories, who won based on the originality and creativity of their artwork.

Davidson Elementary’s Alexis Solorzano received the award in the category for students ages 6 and younger.

ArtStamps converts student art into US postage stamps, note cards or other products, which are then sold by students to raise funds. All students who participate in an ArtStamps fund-raiser are automatically eligible to win the National Artistic Achievement Award.  ArtStamps developed this awards to promote creativity in schools and build children’s self esteem. The winners were chosen from thousands of pieces of artwork.

First place award winners in each age group, including Alexis, receive $250.  The ArtStamps program is available to schools, school districts, educators, parents, parent/teacher organizations, non-profits and other groups across the U.S.

DAVIDSON IB BAND TO PLAY FOR BOBCATS

The Davidson IB Middle School eighth-grade band will perform National Anthem at the Charlotte Bobcats game on March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Parents and students can order tickets to the game at school now through Feb. 25. Ticket orders will be collected at the school in the hallway by the front office between 7:40 and 8 a.m. each school day until Feb. 25. No orders will be taken after Feb. 25. No refunds are allowed.

DAVIDSON DAY HOSTS MAYA CONFERENCE

As part of its ongoing global studies initiative and in conjunction with its Belize research program, Davidson Day School will host the inaugural annual Maya at the Lago Conference, a gathering of more than 20 of the nation’s top Maya archeologists and scholars.

From April 14-17, researchers from institutions such as Harvard University, Boston University and National Geographic will deliver lectures and workshops on campus. The event will be open to the public.

In addition to the traditional educational opportunities, participants can attend social events such as a Contemporary Maya Feast that will help fund Davidson Day student research this summer at the Belize campus extension.

Mat Saunders, U.S. Archaeology Teacher and Belize campus extension director said no degree in archaeology is required to participate in the conference.

Conference passes and dinner seats are limited. Visit www.mayaatthelago.com for more details.

Also, a Belize summer student research meeting will be held this Thursday, Feb. 17, for all students in grades 8-11 interested in participating in the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project in June. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Saunders will lead the trip, which includes archaeological research, cultural immersion and educational excursions. Students don’t need to have taken Saunders’ classes to go to Belize.

The school also is planning a week-long journey to Belize, Honduras and Guatelmala during spring break and invites students, parents and grandparents to join the trip. The trip will be March 13-20. The itinerary includes Maya sites, beaches and waterways and Spanish colonial cities. The cost is $1,900 for individuals and $1,750 for people traveling with companions (air fare not included).

CHRIST THE KING STILL SEEKING STUDENTS

Christ the King Catholic High School, a new private school proposed for Huntersville, met with interested parents and students Tuesday in an effort to increase the number of applications it receives by Feb. 28.

The school is scheduled to open in August with a freshman class and possibly a sophomore class if there are enough applicants, according to organizers.

Don Dolan, project developer, has been meeting with parents and prospective students over the last two months to answer questions about the new school, the Accredited Charlotte Catholic Curriculum, and the Charlotte Catholics Athletic Program.

The Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools will oversee operation of the school. Applications and the $100 application fee are due by Feb. 28.

All Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools admit students of any race, color, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin to all programs and activities at its schools.

For more information, visit www.christthekinghs.com.

PARENT U: UNDERSTANDING POVERTY

On Feb. 28, CMS Parent University will hold a workshop focused on understanding the barriers families face today by creating an English as a Second Language poverty simulation.

The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church-Huntersville at 119 N. Old Statesville Road. The workshop is designed to provide information to those interested in gaining a better understanding of the barriers families face each day in today’s tough economic times.

The simulation is an interactive, experiential workshop to help school administrators, teachers, school staff members, and community leaders/volunteers better understand the daily challenges faced by many of the community’s most economically disadvantaged families. The simulation is designed to provide an understanding of how to engage and work with students and their families in a more effective manner.

To register online, click on www.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=bc7f8d28-fdf8-4d34-a011-cfc353529995 or call 980-343-0318 for more details.

COFFEE WITH McGARRY

School Board member Kaye McGarry will be at the Starbucks Coffee in Birkdale Village Thursday, Feb. 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

McGarry will be available to discuss school-related issues and to answer questions citizens may have regarding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 18 – Make up day for Jan. 11