Updated Wednesday, Aug. 9
When the new school year begins in a couple of weeks, Davidson IB Middle School will be strangely silent. But there will be a louder buzz at J.M. Alexander Middle School in Huntersville, where the Davidson IB magnet program will become a school-within-a-school. Saturday, Aug. 13, the newly combined school’s Parent Teacher Student Association will hold a “Back to School Fair” to welcome both IB students and their returning J.M. Alexander classmates.

The event will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Alexander athletic field, off N.C. 115. (See the “Back to School Fair” event page on Facebook.)

Jo Karney

This Saturday’s fair is the latest in a series of events that Principal Jo Karney and parents have organized to help build a new school community amid the transition.

“We thought this would be a great way to kind of help the schools get integrated, but to do it in a fun way,” said David Dworak, an organizer and parent of Sara, a former Davidson IB student who is entering the eighth grade at Alexander.

“The idea is to welcome the Davidson students and then have a full day of fun,” he said.

Mr. Dworak said last year’s closing of Davidson IB was a “trauma” for the community. With Saturday’s event, organizers say they are trying to create an atmosphere where new and returning students, teachers and parents can meet one another and interact “in a really positive way.”

The Davidson site closed in June as part of series of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools closings to cope with big budget cuts.

“While there were a lot of emotions tied to the Davidson closing, Dr. Karney has been doing a great job of leading the transition,” Mr. Dworak said.

Ms. Karney is the former Davidson IB Middle School principal. She was named in January to run the combined school.

Ms. Karney and parents have been working hard to bring the two school families together since the closing was announced. Last spring, parents and students from both schools gathered for a work day at Alexander.

Saturday’s fair will be a sort of carnival, with games, a “meet the teacher” contest, appearances by the football team and cheerleaders from nearby North Mecklenburg High School and an opening ceremony featuring Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain and school officials.