Charlotte Teachers Institute hosts ‘Exploding Canons’ at the Bechtler

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Teachers Institute is presenting the next installment of its discussion series, ‘Exploding Canons,’ on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. with “The Planets in Outer Space and Beyond” at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

Faculty members from Winthrop University, Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, along with a WDAV program director, will participate in an interdisciplinary panel discussion that examines new ways of looking at outer space.

“We’ve planned a full evening of planetary exploration,” Molly Shaw, the institute’s director, said.

The event begins with a reception in the lobby of the Bechtler Museum, featuring a planetarium show hosted by Discovery Place, followed by a panel discussion in the Wells Fargo Auditorium at 5:45 p.m. The evening will conclude with the Charlotte Symphony’s performance of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Knight Theater.

The reception and panel discussion are free and open to the public; however, tickets must be purchased for the symphony performance. The Charlotte Teachers Institute and the Charlotte Symphony will provide free tickets to the concert for the first 150 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers who e-mail info@charlotteteachers.org by Monday, Oct. 18. Others may contact the Charlotte Symphony ticket office at 704-972-2000 for concert tickets.

For more information about Charlotte Teachers Institute, contact Molly Shaw at 704-687-0078 or info@charlotteteachers.org

Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy holds information session

MOORESVILLE – Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy, a University Model School, holds an information meeting for the 2011-12 school year Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.

The school meets in the Harbor Church facility on Williamson Road in Mooresville, between exits 33 and 36, just south of Brawley School Road. For more information or to register for the session, e-mail registrar@libertyprepnc.com.

CMS Board continues community forums

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education has planned six public forums in school auditoriums to discuss changes for area schools. The changes, proposed by district staff at the board work session Sept. 28, would take effect for the 2011-12 school year.

During each forum, board members will discuss changes relevant to schools in the surrounding area. The dates and times of the remaining forums are as follows:

• Thursday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. Vance High, 7600 IBM Drive.

• Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. East Mecklenburg High, 6800 Monroe Road.

• Thursday, Oct. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. West Mecklenburg High, 7400 Tuckaseegee Road.

• Monday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. South Mecklenburg High, 8900 Park Road.

For more information on the forums and the proposed changes, visit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website, www.cms.k12.nc.us.

Parent University class rescheduled

CORNELIUS – Parent University’s seminar Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students has been moved from Tuesday, Oct. 19, to Thursday, Oct. 21. The class will take place at J.V. Washam Elementary School, 9611 Westmoreland Road at 6:30 p.m. in the media center.

Parents and caregivers of gifted and high-ability students are invited to discuss some of the major social and academic issues facing gifted students including overachieving, perfectionism, underachieving and academic development.

To register, complete and return a registration form, available at your child’s school or in any Parent University catalogue; register online at www.cms.k12.nc.us under the Parent University link; or register at the door on the class day.

North Meck hosts annual barbecue fundraiser Nov. 5

HUNTERSVILLE – North Mecklenburg High School is gearing for its 32nd annual pig roast Nov. 5.

Sponsored by the PTSA, funds raised will allow the association to provide student scholarships, teacher support and capital purchases, among other things. This year’s barbecue theme is “New Era ... Same Attitude.” The PTSA invites the community to volunteer and to enjoy barbecue with the school on Nov. 5. You may also pre-order food. For more information, contact northmeckbbq@gmail.com.

• Bailey Middle: The school holds a pep rally Thursday, Oct. 14, at 1:40 p.m. … The PTA board meets Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. … Parent-teacher conferences are Oct. 29.

• Blythe Elementary: The school hosts Autumn Fest on Friday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Cannon School: The school hosts open houses for all grade levels in Taylor Hall on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. Visiting families have an opportunity to tour the campus, speak one-on-one with teachers and students about the school’s academic, arts and athletics offerings, including a new varsity football program, and learn more about the admission process.

• Children’s Schoolhouse: The school holds its landmark designation ceremony Thursday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 17616 Caldwell Station Road in Huntersville. … Students will go on a field trip Oct. 19. … Oct. 29 is a teacher workday.

• Davidson Day School: The school asks people to help it win $100,000 from Bing.com to finish furnishing its theatre with sound, lights, curtains and more. Visit http://ourschoolneeds.

discoverbing.com and click through to the school’s project to vote through Oct. 24. … The school hosts an admission open house Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Davidson Day auditorium. For more information, contact the school’s admissions office at 704 237-5200 or admissions@davidsonday.org.
• Davidson Elementary School: The PTO meets Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the media center.

• Grace Covenant Academy: Pre-K students head to Patterson Farms for a field trip Monday, Oct. 18. … First-grade students visit the Carolina Raptor Center on Tuesday, Oct. 19. … The kindergarten class visits the Nature Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 21. … Students participate in the Fun Run, a school fundraising event, Oct. 22. Each class will run laps together in the school lot to earn money from sponsors. It will also be Silly Sock Day and students are encouraged to wear their own unique or silly socks.

• Hopewell High School: The school’s leadership class sponsors a school beautification day Saturday, Oct. 16, from 8 to 11 a.m. The school needs student and staff volunteers to help with general trash clean-up while volunteers from Rubbermaid work on landscaping. Volunteers should bring work gloves and meet in the cafeteria courtyard at 8 a.m. Trash bags will be distributed at that time. ... The PTSA meets Monday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. … The school’s barbecue fundraiser is Oct. 23.

• Hough High School: The Cornelius Police Department, in partnership with United Family Services and the B.R.A.K.E.S. program, presents a teen awareness and safety seminar Thursday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. Space is limited. RSVP to Officer Williams at 704-892-1363.

• Huntersville Elementary School: Tenders restaurant holds Huntersville Elementary night Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 9 p.m., with proceeds going to the school … The PTA board meets Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. … The Scholastic book fair runs Oct. 28 through Nov. 4. … The school holds a fall festival Oct. 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

• J.M. Alexander Middle: Eighth-graders head to Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 20, for a field trip. … The school presents the play “The Ice Cream Man” to eighth-graders Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

• Long Creek Elementary: The Scholastic book fair runs through Friday, Oct. 15. ... The school hosts family fun night Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Phoenix Montessori: The school celebrates United Nations Day on Oct. 26. The students prepare for this day by researching the customs and people of different countries. Students wear clothing to represent their countries and present their findings as the school community gathers to discuss the importance of the United Nations and peace. Following the gathering, students will march in the “Parade of Nations” and eat food from the different countries.

• St. Mark Catholic: The St. Mark Fall Book Fair begins Thursday, Oct. 14, and runs through Oct. 22. The fair is open to the public Sunday, Oct. 17, after the 9 and 11 a.m. Mass. … Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools and St. Mark Catholic host an open house for prospective students Sunday, Oct. 17, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. During these times, all Mecklenburg area Catholic schools will be open for tours and information. … Students enjoy Philly Pretzel Day on Oct. 22. Pretzels are on sale during all lunch periods.

• Torrence Creek Elementary: The school holds a beautification day Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 5 p.m. … Students in third through fifth grades audition for the talent show Oct. 28 at 4 p.m.

– Compiled by Christina Ritchie Rogers