Rachel Ann Williams
By ANNE VARI
CorneliusNews.net
The Charlotte Mecklenburg school board on Tuesday settled on a name for the new elementary school nearing completion on Stumptown Road in Huntersville: Grand Oak Elementary School. The board also named Rachel Ann Williams as principal at J.V. Washam Elementary School in Cornelius. She replaces Raymond Giovanelli, who is moving to Grand Oak as its first leader. Also in this column: News about upcoming events, including Hough High’s production of the musical “Honk” this week and the Run Too Overcome March 9 on the Davidson Village Green.
NEW SCHOOL IS GRAND OAK
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education announced the name the new school on Stumptown Road in Huntersville, which is being built to relieve crowding in the area. The new Grand Oak Elementary is named after the large and distinctive tree on the school site. Grand Oak was the top choice of the community, which was invited to make recommendations on the name in January.
The 39-classroom elementary school is scheduled to open in August 2013. ADW Architects designed the school as a two-story classroom wing, similar to River Gate Elementary. The new school will relieve overcrowding at Torrence Creek Elementary on Ranson Road. The construction project was funded through a 2007 bond referendum. Grand Oak is the first new school in CMS since the opening of Hough and Rocky River high schools in August 2010.
Community members can learn about the school’s construction updates and view the architectural renderings and a map of the attendance zone by visiting the Torrence Creek Elementary PTA website.
NEW PRINCIPAL AT J.V. WASHAM
CMS announced in December that Grand Oak’s principal will be Raymond Giovanelli, who is currently principal at J.V. Washam Elementary in Cornelius. On Tuesday night, the school board approved the appointment of Rachel Ann Williams to succeed Mr. Giovanelli at J.V. Washam.
Ms. Williams has been an assistant principal at Nathaniel Alexander Elementary since 2011. She also worked as an assistant principal in Newton County Schools in Covington, Ga., from 2008-2010. Ms. Williams was a teacher in DeKalb County Schools in Georgia from 2002-2008 and in Richland Two Schools in South Carolina from 2000-2001.
She has a doctorate in educational leadership from Clark Atlanta University in 2013. She also earned a specialist certification in educational leadership in 2007 and a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2005 from the University of West Georgia. In 2000, she earned a bachelor of arts from Columbia College.
The school plans a “meet and greet” reception with Ms. Williams on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4pm, in the media center.
Meanwhile, after six years at J.V. Washam, Mr. Giovanelli’s last day on the job will be this Friday, March 1. The school’s PTO is inviting students, staff, and families to write notes of appreciation for the outgoing leader. “We have purchased a large bucket that will be engraved with a special message for him to take along to encourage him on his road ahead,” the PTO said in a note to parents this week. Notes may be left in the parent center, beside the front office.
“HONK!” THE MUSICAL AT HOUGH
Hough High presents “Honk!” a musical tale of the ugly duckling, beginning this week. Showtimes are Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7pm, Friday, March 1, at 7pm, and Saturday, March 2 at 2 and 7pm. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults, and are available at the door. This show is appropriate for all ages and takes place in the Hough High Auditorium off Bailey Road.
RUN TOO OVERCOME AIDS SPECIAL NEEDS
The fifth annual “Run Too Overcome” races will be held on Saturday, March 9, on the Davidson Village Green. Run Too Overcome’s mission is “to provide awareness and support for the children, families, and teachers who meet the daily challenges, and celebrate the joys, of supporting our special needs community,” according to organizers. The event raises funds to help teachers at participating schools buy specialized equipment and supplies.
The 10K race begins at 9am, the 5K at 9:10am, and the Kids’ Fun Run starts at 9:45am. Kids’ Run participants will receive medals, and awards will be given to top male and female 5K and 10K finishers, and top male and female participants in each age group.
To donate or to register for one of the races visit run2overcome.com. Early registrants will get RTO Race Day T-shirts.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 6-7:30pm, Bailey Middle School media center – Parent University: “Understanding and Using CMS Tool Parent Assistant” to monitor attendance and academic progress of students.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15 – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fundraising Walk, St. Mark Catholic School
