In a bold statement of solidarity with an Alcuin School classmate, and all  kids with cancer, more than 20 volunteers shaved their heads at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraising event at the school, located at  6144 Churchill Way, to raise money for childhood cancer research on Friday, May 30. Alcuin School raised locally more than $55,000 as part of a global effort to Conquer Childhood Cancers.

Why all the shaved heads? Worldwide a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation volunteers, supporters and donors are needed to continue the battle against this devastating disease.

Alcuin Middle School student Gregory Yared, along with his mother Cindy, helped lead the effort to recruit fellow students to raise funds by shaving their heads to honor their brave classmate.  “I continue to be amazed by the strong community school spirit and the sincere level of support that we have at Alcuin School to rally behind efforts to help others and serve,” says Cindy Yared.  

The participation was tremendous and so many stepped up to raise funds or volunteer as shavees including Alcuin Head of School Walter Sorensen and Luanne Samuel, Director of Development, as wellas students, parents and Alcuin School supporters from the community.  The event, which was held on the Alcuin’s last day of school in the gym, was emceed by 106.1 KISS FM Radio Personality Billy the Kid, and included fun festivities as the shaves were sheared and cheered on by supporters.   

“We are deeply honored that so many from our school community participated either as shavees, volunteers, or by making donations,” said Walter Sorensen, Head of School.  “Thanks to these efforts, everyone truly helped make a difference and offered hope to so many children that need our support.”

To learn more about Alcuin School’s St. Baldrick’s initiative contact Bunny Ridenour at 972.239.1745; or to donate visit    http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/AlcuinSchool/.

About Alcuin School

A vibrant, nurturing, coeducational academic community serving students from toddler to 12 grade, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. St. Baldrick’s coordinates its signature head-shaving events worldwide where participants collect pledges to shave their heads in solidarity with kids with cancer, raising money to fund research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $127 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the new International Scholar grants train researchers to work in developing countries. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

Davis Honored to Serve in Statewide Capacity to Promote IB Education Across Texas

Today, Dallas’ Alcuin School announced that Margaret Davis, Director of International Baccalaureate, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Texas IB Schools (TIBS).  In this capacity, Davis will serve TIBS in its mission to support the general improvement of education for students enrolled in IB programmes in the state of Texas.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student.  The IB's four programmes for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.​

The tremendous growth of IB education in Texas has resulted in the establishment of Texas IB Schools (TIBS), which Davis has been involved with for several years in various leadership roles. Today, the state has one of the highest concentrations of IB World Schools in the world.  If Texas were a country, it would be ranked 5 out of 144 in total IB World Schools, behind the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Davis comes to the TIBS Board with a wealth of experience.  She has served as a Head of an IB School.  More recently, she has worked extensively with TIBS as a Director and Coordinator for IB Programs regionally as well as with independent school districts and schools. Davis has been a consultant in setting up the IB Diploma Programme, including admissions, application, college counseling and curriculum, prior to assuming her current post as Director of IB at Alcuin School. 

As a member of the school’s leadership team, Davis works with Alcuin students from admission to college counseling.  She also assists with authorization of the Alcuin Upper School IB Diploma Programme. Alcuin School, which until now has served the educational needs of students in early childhood through the eighth grade, is adding a fully accredited coeducational Upper School program this fall. 

Alcuin Upper School will be among only eight schools in Texas providing both the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. “Combining the excellence of Alcuin School with the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offers unprecedented opportunities for our students,” says Davis.

Davis credits her extensive experience in IB education to her valuable work with students and her participation with renowned professional organizations like TIBS.  “I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to join the TIBS board,” says Davis. “Given my prior experience with the organization, I hope to bring continuity and commitment to the standards of performance espoused by the International Baccalaureate Organization, as well as facilitate quality program development, curriculum improvement and effective implementation to benefit students across Texas,” she adds. 

Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Baylor University.  She has also participated in the Doctor of Education program at. Texas A&M University-Commerce. In addition, Davis has completed post-graduate work at the University of California, Berkley Lawrence Hall of Science Great Explorations in Science and Mathematics (GEMS) and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education under the Art of Leadership and Urban Leaders Institutes.    

She has been a contributor to several publications including 2003-04 Smart Teaching: Aligning Daily Curriculum and Instruction with TAKS.  Davis also created the concept and guided the development of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Book Series.  Davis has received numerous honors including 2010 International Best Practices Award for Administrators Working with At-Promise Youth 2008 Raise Your Hand Texas Harvard Principal and the National Phoebe Appears Hearst Outstanding Educator Award.

About Alcuin School

An enriched, nurturing, coeducational academic community, Alcuin School uses the Montessori and International Baccalaureate program methods to foster critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning. With faculty support, students at Alcuin School are eager to embrace change, question the status quo, and prepare for their future as leaders in a global society. For more information, please visit www.alcuinschool.org.

About Texas IB Schools (TIBS)

TIBS, a 501(c)(3) organization, remains active in spreading the message of IB, as well as staying involved in events that play a role in shaping its future. Visit: www.texasibschools.org.