Bailey Middle holds a family forum with Northeast Zone Superintendent Dawn Robinson Friday, Sept. 2, at which parents are invited to ask questions about school-related issues. Also in this column, W.A. Hough High announces a new Theater Booster Club, Davidson Day students pledge to uphold the honor code and Cannon School plans fall open houses. Read the full story

CORNELIUS – As practices began this summer, Hough High football coach Bobby Collins welcomed his first-ever senior class (the school had only grades 9-11 last year). Returning players are now a little more comfortable with Huskies’ system, allowing the Hough coach to concentrate on fine-tuning. But even with a senior-laden roster, Collins did not turn to a 12th-grader to lead the offense. Instead, he chose a sophomore – Josh Stilley. Chris Hunt reports in SPORTS»

Huntersville Police continue to look for two people who fled the scene of a car crash last Thursday morning after a chase. Police pursued the car after North Mecklenburg High School staff member reported a suspicious vehicle in the student parking lot Thursday morning, and found a loaded handgun and drugs in the vehicle. Read the full story

By LISA MILLER
WFAE-FM

In a year of controversy, the CMS board’s decision to close 11 schools last year was perhaps the most controversial.  The public was told the action would save money. And, in the long-term, that’s still expected to be the case.

But the first-year savings have fallen far short of what CMS administrators projected. In fact, there weren’t any savings at all. Read the full story

The W.A. Hough High School PTSA is holding its first fundraiser of the school year Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Birkdale. The book store will donate a percentage of its sales during that time to the Hough PTSA. Read the full story

Davidson Elementary School students and parents are invited to celebrate the new school year at the annual Back to School family picnic Sunday, 4-6 p.m. on the Davidson Village Green. Read the full story

Davidson Elemenary 1st grade teacher Lindsay Hannum hugged a trio of girls Thursday morning. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Davidson Elementary School teacher Lindsay Hannum gave her first graders a choice of greeting as they entered her classroom on the first day of school Thursday: a hug, high five or a handshake. A trio of girls picked a group hug, and the 2011-12 school year was off and running.

Kindergarten classrooms had just a few students, as the start for newcomers was staggered, as usual. In Teri Brooks K/1 class, only the Read the full story

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools buses are back on the roads this week, practicing their routes for the Aug. 25 start of school. Also in this column, incoming freshmen at North Meck High School head to “Viking Training Camp” this week, Cannon School athletes are honored for sportsmanship, and schools offer open houses and other back-to-school activities. Read the full story