For years, Lincoln Heights Elementary was TCE's partner in School Mates, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools program that pairs up schools to provide each with the opportunity to work together to benefit each other. Last year's closure of Lincoln Heights left TCE without a partner, but now Nathaniel Alexander Elementary has filled that gap.
Plans are already in the works for a fundraising faculty basketball game at NAE and faculty members, parents and students at TCE have started two separate collection drives to assist students at NAE.
A food drive to help the more than 30 homeless students who attend NAE is TCE's first 2012 School Mates priority. The school is collecting peanut butter, canned fruit, canned vegetables and similar items to donate to the students. The drive is targeting food items that don't require cooking and the food will be sent home with the needy students on Fridays to provide weekend nourishment.
In addition, TCE has started a book drive to collect new and gently used books for students in kindergarten through the fifth grade. The books will be donated to NAE for distribution to selected students.
TCE will be collecting items through the end of May. Clearly marked School Mates collection bins are located in the lobby at TCE on Ranson Road.
Area students earn MLK contest honors
Three students from north Mecklenburg were among those from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recognized for outstanding entries in the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Writing Contest.
Essays and artistic creations by 142 students representing elementary, middle and high schools from throughout the district were submitted in this year's competition, which followed the theme of "Defending the Dream." Winners and top performers in each category were saluted during a conference held at West Charlotte High School.
In the writing competition, Elizabeth Russell, an eighth grader at Bailey Middle School, finished second in the 6-8 grade category, and Giulia Girboni, a second grader at Cornelius Elementary, finished third in the K-2 group.
Among the art entries, Zahria Patterson-Nwaorgu, a first grade student at Cornelius Elementary, finished second in the K-2 group.
All entries were displayed at the gathering at West Charlotte High. In addition to special recognition at MLK ceremonies throughout the weekend, first place winners in the competition received cash scholarships from Food Lion. Second and third place finishers, and those who received honorable mention recognition, were given medallions featuring the image of King.
Academic recognition at Elon for Baulieu
A student from Huntersville has earned academic recognition at Elon University.
Jennifer Baulieu, the daughter of David and Gillian Baulieu of Huntersville, has been named to the President's List at Elon for the recently completed fall semester. Baulieu is in her freshman year.
To qualify for the President's List, an Elon student must make no grade below an A-minus while taking at least 12 hours of course work during the semester.
In addition to excelling in academics, Baulieu is a member of the Elon University Dance Team, which performs at football and basketball games.
Local school day schedules unchanged
North Mecklenburg public schools are not among those expecting adjustments in bell schedules for the 2012-13 school year.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced last week that school day schedules will change at 10 facilities as part of an ongoing cost-cutting program, but no schools in the northern end of the county are impacted by the changes.
CMS has altered school start and dismissal times in recent years as part of a new transportation schedule to allow buses to double-up on routes and generate savings. During the last four years, the schedule adjustments have resulted in a savings of more than $15 million in transportation costs and earned CMS an efficiency rating of 95.52 from the state.
The 2012-13 changes will generate $624,000 in annual savings by cutting buses and bus drivers and lowering the system's fuel costs.
— Compiled by Lee Sullivan
Art Club and Spanish Club students at Hough High School have put their talents to use to prepare for a week-long fundraiser targeting hunger. The student clubs are co-sponsoring the school's second annual "Empty Bowls" sale and fundraiser in February. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort initiated to raise awareness about hunger in individual communities.
Students and staff members have made ceramic bowls that will be available for purchase during all lunch periods Feb. 22-24. Funds from the sale of the bowls will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Also at Hough, the Huskies Athletic Booster Club is in the early stages of planning for its first fund-raising golf tournament. The tournament will be held June 11 at NorthStone Country Club in Huntersville. Activities will include golf plus lunch, a silent auction and dinner. All proceeds from the event will be distributed to the athletic department's capital improvement fund and the athletic scholarship fund.
This is the organization's biggest fundraising project of the year and volunteers are needed for a variety of duties. An event chairperson and co-chairperson are being sought as well as volunteers to collect and coordinate auction items and those interested in securing sponsorships. Volunteers are also needed to recruit participants and serve as check-in and host duties on the day of the tournament.
Those interested in getting involved, or those requiring additional information, are urged to contact Gina Story at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
