Professor Mike Dorcas (right) and student assistants showed off a 14 1/2 foot python at Reptile Day in 2012. (Cristina Mourao/DavidsonNews.net)

Davidson College Herpetology Lab presents its annual Reptile Day on April 6, a day to see, touch and learn about reptiles and amphibians. It’s free and open to the public and a local favorite among kids and adults. The day runs from 10am to 1pm at the college’s Blanche Knox Parker Garden, between Watson and Dana Science buildings, off Concord Road.

Info on the events calendar on Davidson.edu. See also our stories and photos from previous Reptile Days, under the Reptile Day tag.

First place Senior Piano Duet winners Hannah Wang (left) and Clara Gerdes (right) are congratulated by competition sponsors, Dallas Weekley (back left) and Nancy Arganbright. (Guqi Wang photo)

By BRENDA BARGER
DavidsonNews.net

The piano duo of Hannah Wang of Charlotte and Clara Gerdes of Davidson brought back the big prize this week from a national competition in Anaheim, Calif. Read the full story

Jennifer Jakubecy and Kathleen McIntyre of Davidson Green School. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Local educators with an interest in the environment are teaming up this year to start a new private school in Davidson to teach children in grades K-8 through “the lens of environmental stewardship.” The Davidson Green School has been holding meetings with parents of prospective students in the past couple of weeks to begin promoting the new school, with an eye toward opening in the fall. Read the full story

By ANNE VARI
DavidsonNews.net

Pine Lake Prep’s robotics team is ready for another season of competition, not just in robotics, but with a new team video set to the tune “Harlem Shakes.” At W.A. Hough High School this year, a new computer app is being used to help check orchestra members‘ pitch. Also, Beginners Day for incoming kindergartners is coming up in May at Davidson Elementary School. Woodlawn School students beat their teachers Tuesday in a student-faculty basketball game. And Cornelius Elementary recently named its teacher of the year and assistant of the year. Read on for stories and photos from local schools. Read the full story

Davidson Elementary School has announced its “A” and “A/B” honor rolls for the 2nd Quarter, for students in third to fifth grades.

Read the full story

Lindsay Greene got fourth at Monday’s competition at ImaginOn.

Updated 3pm
Bailey Middle School sixth grader Lindsay Greene finished fourth among 27 of the area’s top spellers at the 59th annual Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee in Charlotte Monday.

Lindsay, who was this year’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ champion, lasted 25 rounds. She got knocked out on the word “disavowed.”

Lindsay is the daughter of Gretchen and Brian Greene, and lives in Davidson’s McConnell neighborhood. “We are so proud of her,” Gretchen Greene said in an email. Read the full story

Community School of Davidson students used new flags at Griffith and Watson streets to lead a group of public works employees back across the street Wednesday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We celebrate lots of innovations and traditions here in Davidson, and this week has certainly brought some unique firsts: New crosswalk safety flags on Griffith Street and new trash and recycling cans on Main Street.

That’s right: We had a dedication for new trash cans. Turns out that project has been in the works for a few years, since being proposed by a group of Community School of Davidson students. Meanwhile, the new crosswalk flags also came out of a project at the school.

CROSSING FLAGS

Drivers on Griffith Street in Davidson this week are finding a new crosswalk safety tactic in use: Bright orange flags that pedestrians can wave to get the attention of passing drivers. Read the full story

The owner of Concord Mills is planning a $10 million aquarium at the regional shopping mall off I-85. On Tuesday night, Cabarrus County commissioners approved economic development incentives up to $238,000 to help the project, according to the Charlotte Business Journal. Read the full story