By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net
Students at Bailey Middle and Davidson Day schools return to find new leadership this year, and Lake Norman Christian School has named a new associate dean. Meanwhile, Lake Norman Learning Center plans an open house, and parents are invited to register for this year’s Parent Engagement Conference with keynote speaker CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison. Also, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools buses hit the road this week to practice routes before the first day of school Monday.
NEW LEADERSHIP AT LOCAL SCHOOLS
As the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district gets a new leader in Superintendent Heath Morrison this year, so do students at Bailey Middle School and Davidson Day School, which start the 2012-13 school year with new leadership.
Chad Thomas
Chad Thomas, formerly principal at CMS’s Long Creek Elementary School, is the new Bailey Middle School principal, replacing Jennifer Dean, who headed to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Charlotte. Mr. Thomas holds a master’s degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Also, Kendell Berry, former headmaster of Evansville Day School in Evansville, Ind., is the interim head of school at Davidson Day School. He has more than 30 years of educational, managerial and administrative leadership in independent education – as a teacher, coach, dean, business manager and head master. He replaces former head of school Bonnie Cotter, who left because of “fundamental disagreements” on the school’s current and future direction, according to the board of trustees.
Kendell Berry and wife, Buffy
Both men attended the Aug. 14 Davidson Town Board meeting to introduce themselves to commissioners, along with Superintendent Morrison, Davidson Elementary Principal Dana Jarrett (who replaced Terry Hall in March), District 1 School Board Rep. Rhonda Lennon, and Northeast Zone Superintendent Dawn Robinson.
LAKE NORMAN CHRISTIAN NAMES JAMES HALL ASSOCIATE DEAN
Lake Norman Christian has named James Hall as the associate dean of the middle and upper schools. The K-10 private school announced the appointment on the first day of school Friday, as it kicked off its first full academic year in its new location, on South Street in Davidson.
In addition to Mr. Hall’s administrative role, he will teach history and Bible classes. A resident of Davidson, he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education degree in curriculum and instruction from Gardner-Webb University. He previously earned a Master of Arts in middle grades education from GWU and received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stetson University in Florida.
Mr. Hall has 14 years of experience teaching in Christian schools.
“Almost my entire life has been influenced by, shaped by, and devoted to Christian education,” he said. “I am dedicated to the cause of Christian education by influencing and shaping young hearts and minds in the image of Christ. I chose this role at Lake Norman Christian because it is clear that this school is dedicated wholeheartedly to the same goal.”
OPEN HOUSE AT LEARNING CENTER FRI.
The Lake Norman Learning Center, at 21106 Catawba Avenue, will hold an open house Friday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Community members can learn more about the center’s curriculum, tour the school, and meet directors, students and parents.
The learning center welcomes children ages 3 to 10. Classes begin Aug. 29. Website: www.lakenormanlearningcenter.com
PARENT ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE AUG. 25
Superintendent Heath Morrison will be the keynote speaker at the 2012 Parent Engagement Fall Conference hosted by the Mecklenburg PTA Council, Arts & Science Council and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators Aug. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UNCC Center City Bldg., 320 E. Ninth St. All parents are welcome to attend.
Workshops will include sessions such as “Male Involvement and its Impact on Education,” “Communities and Schools Working Together to Prevent Bullying,” “Healthy Lifestyles/ Healthy Eating” and more. Dr. Morrison will speak during the 12:30 p.m. General II Session. Organized student activities for children ages 6-18 also will be available.
The event is open to the public and includes special workshops for PTA leaders and principals. Free parking will be available at First Ward Creative Arts School. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. RSVP to https://memberplanet.com/meckptacouncil/2012fallconf.
CMS BUSES BACK ON THE ROAD, HOTLINE OPEN FOR QUESTIONS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools busses hit the road this week, practicing routes in anticipation of the students’ return to school Monday. The district expects about 140,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades, and about 3,100 student in pre-kindergarten classes.
Bus drivers on 953 busses will make 5,810 trips daily, according to district officials, stopping at 24,000 bus stops and carrying about 122,800 students.
Also, the district has opened a “back-to-school hotline” for parents with questions about bell schedules, district contact numbers, before- and after-school care, and open houses. The hotline will be closed on labor day, Sept. 3, but will be available through Sept. 14. The number is: 980-343-3628, and the hours are: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Aug. 21-24), 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Aug. 27-Sept. 7), and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sept. 10-14).
Parents with questions about enrollment and school assignments can call the student placement office at 980-343-5335. For transportation questions or information about bus stop assignments, call the transportation office at 980-343-6715 or contact the student’s school.
Other useful 2012-13 Information:
Contacts
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools 2012-2013 telephone directory: http://bit.ly/CMS2012TelephoneDirectory
Additional CMS contact information located at: http://bit.ly/CMSImportantNumbers
CMS Facebook account: www.facebook.com/CharlotteMecklenburgSchools
CMS Twitter handle: http://twitter.com/CMS_Schools
CMS media-specific Twitter handle: http://twitter.com/CMS_MR
Important Website links
CMS back-to-school online headquarters: http://bit.ly/CMSB2S
The CMS back-to-school online HQ offers up-to-date information and resources related to back-to-school. The page includes a link to handbooks, forms and notices; zone listings; calendars; bell schedule; meal prices and open house dates. Families can review the back-to-school checklist, with student assignment, immunization, transportation and school supply information. Parents can also link to tools and resources, including a toolkit, Parent Assistant and Parent University.
CMS and DNC: http://bit.ly/CMS-DNC
Calendars: http://bit.ly/CMSCalendars
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education: http://bit.ly/CMSBOE
Management team: http://bit.ly/CMSManagementTeam
Severe weather policies: http://bit.ly/CMSSevereWeather
Budget information: http://bit.ly/CMSBudget
