Ron Johnson

Davidson Day School has hired Ron Johnson, a former Barry University college player and now an administrator at the University of Georgia, as boys’ basketball coach and Dean of Student Life.

Athletic Director Kevin Buechler had coached the team while the school searched for a permanent coach. Davidson Day announcement follows … Read the full story

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Summer vacation is about a month away and schools are gearing up for end of year tests and activities.  We have a full plate of school happenings to report on, including a new interim principal for Davidson Elementary, the need for volunteer test proctors at several local schools, McKinney Academy‘s efforts to become a charter school,  literature contest winners at Davidson Day, band honorees at Bailey Middle, and Darfur fundraising at Davidson IB.

All that plus the chance to watch President Obama chatting with a Woodlawn student, and a full calendar of upcoming events, including this weekend’s performance of “Suessical” by Pine Lake Prep students. Read the full story

Ron Bishop (left) congratulates Mal Murray, who was named this year's winner of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity's Bishop Award. (David Boraks photo)

Our Towns Habitat for Humanity recently gave its 2009 Ronald E, Bishop Leadership award to volunteer Mal Murray. The award is named for longtime volunteer Ron Bishop, and was given to Mr. Murray this year for exceptional leadership.

Mr. Murray has served many years with our affiliate working on the Land Committee, Finance Committee, the Community Council, two terms on the Board, and 3 1/2 years as chairman. “He is the quiet person in the background that is always available to staff in offering his sage advice,” the group said in an announcement.

Also in this column: News about how a 12-year-old Woodlawn School student has organized a fund-raising dog show to aid local shelters. … Read the full story

Runners line up at the beginning of South Street for the Day Care Dash Saturday morning. (David Boraks photo)

Updated Monday, May 4, 2 p.m.

Woodlawn School sophomore Sawyer Bowman won the Day Care Dash 5k through the streets of Davidson on Town Day Saturday, May 2.

Sawyer crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 44 seconds.  Dr. Stephanie Elkins of Davidson, finished 9th overall and was the first woman across the line, in 22:49.

The race brought hundreds of runners to the Village Green early Saturday and kicked off a day of fun at Town Day 2009. The event also raised money for Davidson Cornelius Day Care. Read the full story

A Super Sod truck heads back north on South Street, passing cars in the school drop-off line, after turning around Friday.

Why was an 18-wheeler turning around in the driveway of Davidson Elementary School during peak drop-off time Friday? The incident backed up dozens of cars and buses queued to deliver students around 8:50 a.m.

The truck was one of at least two carrying lawn turf that used South Street Friday morning to reach the Antiquity Cornelius development just across the town line. That’s in violation of an agreement between Cornelius, Davidson and Antiquity’s developer that promises South Street won’t be used as a construction entrance for the mixed-use development. Read the full story

Fabrice Fresse received a teaching award at a ceremony Wednesday at Bailey Middle School.

By LAURIE DENNIS
DavidsonNews.net

Shortly after the new year, Fabrice Fresse pulled Bailey Middle School Principal Jennifer Dean aside to tell her about a student exchange program that could bring French kids to Bailey.

“This was a conversation between classes,” Ms. Dean recalled.  She told Mr. Fresse the idea sounded like a good one, and gave the matter no more thought until a few weeks later, when Mr. Fresse sat down in her office to talk about the details.  It would bring about two dozen students to Bailey from a school outside of Paris, he told her.  And soon.
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