A Charlotte woman was surprised to learn last week that she had backed into a Davidson Elementary School employee after dropping children off at the school. Police investigated after a complaint from the school. Police also are investigating two auto break-ins where thieves stole owner’s manuals and loose change. In one incident on Magnolia Street, someone took two plastic containers of gasoline from the victim’s yard as well. Other items on the blotter this week include theft of a game system and laptop computer from a Central Park Circle home, and a Jetton Street woman’s report of credit card fraud. Details on these stories and more (along with a tally of the week’s arrests, citations, and traffic enforcement) may be found below. Read the full story

First grade students at Davidson Elementary School collected 106 Teddy bears during April for patients at Levine Children’s Hospital. The Teddy bears will be used to comfort children during their stay in the hospital and to teach them about some of their medical treatments. Read the full story

Updated Tuesday, 7:31 a.m.

11-year-old Aidan Murphy was returned home to his family Monday night after going missing for several hours on Monday afternoon.

His mother, Michelle Murphy, said Tuesday he was found curled up, half asleep and shaking, against the wall of a dugout in Smithfield Park, off Catawba Avenue in Cornelius. Read the full story

Our “PaddySmack” columnist, 14-year-old Paddy Millen, is filling in while Brenda Barger takes a week off from Around Davidson. Last week he interviewed Davidson Elementary School’s new principal, Dana Jarrett, who started the job on March 1. The following are excerpts from this interview.

Paddy Millen:  Where did you grow up and what was your elementary school experience like?

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By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Runner Anthony Famiglietti has his sights set on making his third U.S. Olympic team this June. As he chases that goal, he’s also reaching out to his adopted community of Davidson, both for support and to share his philosophy.

On Monday, “Fam,” as he is affectionately known, was at Davidson Elementary School, where he answered questions from second graders. They wanted to know what he eats, how many miles a day he runs, and this one: “What does it feel like to run?”

“It’s a great feeling,” he told students of teachers Dana Higgins and Tina Brock. But, he added, “It hurts.” Read the full story

Davidson Elementary School held its annual Artfest art and music celebration on Thursday night, featuring the creations of students. Hundreds of friends and family members roamed the art-covered hallways, sat for musical performances in the gym and bid in a silent auction on items ranging from family photo sessions to arts and crafts.

See more photos below.

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Davidson Elementary School will hold Beginners Day for rising kindergartners on Thursday, May 3, at 8:45 a.m. The special event is designed to give parents/guardians and future students the opportunity to learn more about Davidson Elementary School and its kindergarten program. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson Elementary School officials said Friday they’re reversing a policy change that had ended the longtime local tradition of fifth-graders’ walking to the Village Green on Friday afternoons. The announcement came as a horde of schoolkids and their parents, along with TV cameras and reporters, gathered for a celebration and demonstration billed as “Occupy the Green.” Read the full story