School news

Bailey Middle

Habitat for Humanity project: Bradley Middle and Alexander Middle are partnering in building a new Habitat home for the Betty Jones family on Palomar Drive in Huntersville. The school is seeking volunteers ages 18 and older to help Jan. 12 at the construction site. For details or to sign up, visit www.ourtownshabitat.org.

Huntersville Elementary

Coat drive: Huntersville Elementary is collecting items through Jan. 11 for the school’s annual Winter Warmth Drive. Clean and gently-used coats, scarves, socks, hats, gloves and blankets can be donated in the boxes located inside the school at 200 Gilead Road, Huntersville. Donated items will be distributed to children and families in Huntersville.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg

IB workshop: A team of Lake Norman-area educators representing the International Baccalaureate program, from kindergarten to the 12th grade, traveled to Bethesda, Md., Dec. 7-9 to attend a workshop at the International Baccalaureate Americas headquarters. The workshop focused on strategies for combining the Common Core State Standards with the International Baccalaureate program’s objectives at all grade levels. The Lake Norman group explored ways their neighboring schools can work together to maximize educational opportunities for students. The team also looked at ways to provide professional development to teachers and administrators in all 15 International Baccalaureate schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system.

The group included Matt Hayes, principal of North Mecklenburg High School; Katie Crompton, International Baccalaureate coordinator at Blythe Elementary; Mary Kendrick, International Baccalaureate coordinator at J.M. Alexander Middle; Kathleen Koch, director of Advanced Studies for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Patricia Johanson, principal of Blythe Elementary; Harriet Regen, International Baccalaureate coordinator at North Mecklenburg High and Angela Richardson, principal of J.M. Alexander Middle.

Compiled by Gina Smith