NCDPI Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates

Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Launches Training Camps for Low-Performing and Continually Low-Performing Charter Schools - Save the Date

As part of our new professional development model, OCS is launching Training Camps. Training Camps are intended for schools categorized as low-performing or continually low-performing. 

Please see the OCS Training Camp dates below:

OCS Training Camp @ Henderson Collegiate (Henderson, NC)

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

OCS Training Camp @ Sugar Creek Charter School (Charlotte, NC)

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Please use this link to register for these opportunities by Monday, March 6. To ensure a productive training camp for attendees, the Office of Charter Schools will host a pre-camp webinar Wednesday, March 8 from 9:00-10:00 am. Webinar access information is provided below.

Please join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/808290941

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (571) 317-3122

Access Code: 808-290-941

 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Craig Tucker at craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov.

Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Monthly Audible (Webinar) and NC School Job by PeopleAdmin   This month’s OCS Audible (webinar) will be held Tuesday, February 28 at 10:30 am. Wendy Hinson, Technology Support Specialist at NCDPI, will provide updates and training on the NC School Jobs by PeopleAdmin system.   Please register for the webinar at:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4865623007649205761 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.   Schools interested in utilizing the NC School Jobs by PeopleAdmin system must complete a quick workbook that will allow for a final system configuration. Please contact Mr. Craig Tucker at craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov to get this workbook or if you have any questions or concerns. Please include NC School Jobs in the subject line.

Office of Charter Schools (OCS) at the Collaborative Conference on Student Achievement (CCSA)

If you are planning to attend the Collaborative Conference on Student Achievement (March 20-22, 2017, Koury Convention Center, Greensboro), please make sure to join us for the “Moving Forward” focus session on Tuesday, March 21 from 8:00 - 11:30 am. This focus session will feature valuable information for charter schools. See the session information below:

• Digital Learning Initiative for Charter Schools – Dr. Jeni Corn (Friday Institute) and Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin (NCDPI)

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) – Amy Jablonski (NCDPI)

• NAIP: A New and Improved Process to Teacher Evaluation – Jonathan Bryant, Tiffany Moceri, Kyle Pierce and Melissa Peterman (Lincoln Charter School)

If you’re interested in attending the conference and have not registered, please use the following link to learn more and register: CCSA

2017 Charter School Performance Framework Submission Dates   OCS collects evidence of operational, financial, and academic compliance through the Charter School Performance Framework (PF). January 2017 begins the collection process for the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework .    Based on feedback, submissions for the 2017 PF are staggered to allow extended periods of collection and review.  The 2017 Charter School Performance Framework document library is now open for submissions. Your school’s username for the 2017 SharePoint system is the same as your 2016 PF.        Deadline- February 28, 2017- All Schools                   A1- School Report Card and Letter Grade                 A1- Parent Letter (only for schools receiving D/F in 2016)                 A13- Evidence of Fire Inspection                 A15- Civil and Liability Insurance Certificate for 2016-17     Performance Framework Upload Center Instructions - How to Submit Performance Framework Documents     1.     Review Performance Framework Criteria under the “Criteria” section. Click the small triangle next           to each category to read the descriptions.   2.     Before uploading any documents ensure all files are prepared in PDF format using the naming          convention “SchoolName_MeasureName_YY”.   3.     Under “Upload Documents” section, click “Add Document”. Click “Choose File”, navigate to the          file’s location, and affirm your selection. Uncheck “Overwrite existing files”.   4.      Another dialog box will appear with required fields. Select the “LEA” and “Measure”. Enter            “Contact Name” and “Contact Email”. Click “Check-In” to complete upload process. The uploaded           documents will display under the “Upload Documents” section.   5.     Repeat Steps 1-5 for all documents. A confirmation email will be sent for each uploaded          document.   Please refer to the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework Resources for item specifics (included in the document list). To access the system, please go to https://leadpincgov.sharepoint.com/sites/lea/Pages/pfp.aspx.   For questions regarding the 2017 Charter School Performance Framework please contact Cande Honeycutt at (919)807-3493 or cande.honeycutt@dpi.nc.gov.    Moving forward we are asking that all Charter School requests for SharePoint assistance be requested through the Support Center by calling 919-807-4357 to help ensure you are getting the assistance you need as soon as possible.      Attachment:    PF Resources

State Employees Credit Union Foundation (SECU) High School Scholarship Opportunity

Since the SECU Foundation was established in August 2004, it has awarded annual $10,000 “People Helping People” four-year scholarships – increasing from two to three in 2014 – to graduating seniors attending North Carolina Charter Schools.  These scholarships will be awarded to students attending one of the 17 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina. These funds are made possible through the contributions to the Foundation by members of State Employees' Credit Union.

In order to ensure that each charter high school’s graduating seniors are able to be considered for this opportunity, each charter school must establish a Scholarship Selection Committee.  The Committee from each charter high school will be responsible for nominating a graduating senior for the scholarship.  Each school must submit its nominees to the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools.  The nominee information for each school will be reviewed/evaluated and the SECU will award scholarships to three candidates statewide.

The attached information will provide each school’s Scholarship Selection Committee with eligibility criteria, procedures, and information. 

Key points in the attached information:

• Each school has flexibility in establishing its formal application process, but should ensure that every graduating senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 is considered for the SECU Foundation “People Helping People” Scholarship

• Scholarship recipient information from each school must be received by 5:00 pm EST on April 13, 2017 to the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools.

• Each school should submit an alternate or first runner up student in the event the first nominee is unable to accept the scholarship (if selected).

• Each school must submit  copies of nominations and any accompanying information to Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith via email at deanna.townsend-smith@dpi.nc.gov. 
  
      

The Office of Charter Schools appreciates the dedication and hard work by the members of each school’s Scholarship Selection Committee.  Your diligence and integrity enable the “People Helping People” scholarship program to continue providing important support to our college-going students. Please contact Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith @ deanna.townsend-smith@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the program.

Note:  

The SECU Foundation also provides each North Carolina Community College two (2) $5,000 scholarships.  Recipients are selected by the Scholarship Selection Committee at the community college.  If you have a student who will be attending a community college and exemplifies the membership philosophy of credit unions, “People Helping People”, please direct them to the Financial Aid office at the community college.  

Attachment:    SECU Documents 

NC Department of Public Instruction Updates

Exceptional Children Accountability Tracking System (ECATS)

Please see the attached announcement regarding the new Exceptional Children Accountability Tracking System (ECATS).

If you have questions, please contact Bill Hussey (bill.hussey@dpi.nc.gov / 919 807-3970) or Sherry Thomas (sherry.thomas@dpi.nc.gov / 919 807-3992).

 Attachment:     Memo+-+ECATS+0217.pdf

Disaster Recovery (Hurricane Matthew Oct 2016 / Wildfires Nov 2016) Reporting - Charter Schools - Past Due Reminder   The Disaster Recovery Act of 2016 (SL 2016-124 Section 5.7) provided flexibility to charter schools affected by Hurricane Matthew or wild fires on making up instructional days in 2016-17. The Bill requires charter schools to provide information to the Department of Public Instruction on the implementation of the legislation. The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TVBR83N and is to be completed by each charter school. This survey was due by February 10, 2017. If you have questions, contact Gwendolyn Tucker at gwendolyn.tucker@dpi.nc.gov.

Remedy Maintenance Weekend Scheduled to begin February 24, 2017

Remedy, NCDPI's official system used for logging tickets and tracking support issues, is scheduled for maintenance Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m. through Monday, Feb. 27 - 6:00 a.m. EST.  During this time, the customer self-submit web portal will be unavailable for submitting or managing tickets. 

If there is a delay in bringing up the system, users will be notified.

Questions concerning this maintenance may be addressed to the Home Base Support Center at (919) 807-4357 or through the Remedy Portal.

Finance Officers’ Webinars The Finance Officers’ Webinars will continue to be lead by Philip Price on Tuesday, February 21 and 28 from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. Beginning March 7, Alexis Schauss will continue the Webinars each Tuesday.  Below is the registration information in the event you should need to re-register.  If you have already registered you do not need to re-register. Finance Information Sharing & Questions Join us for a webinar beginning on Oct 11, 2016 at 9:00 AM EDT. Register now! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/881312823461402369 Weekly opportunity for finance staff at DPI to share updates and for finance officers to ask questions. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. View System Requirements Note:  These Webinars have been scheduled thru September 19, 2017.

2017 Summer Camp Directory - Family Support Network

Please see the attached information regarding 2017 Summer Camps for Families with Children with Disabilities. 

Attachment:     2017+Camp+Directory+FSN+0217.pdf

NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Spring Course Enrollment Update   The  North Carolina Virtual Public School's spring enrollment has closed. The available options for schools are outlined below:  Credit Recovery: Credit recovery enrollment will remain open until March 24, 2017. Schools can continue to enroll in our registration system for credit recovery courses that have open seats.      Occupational Course of Study (OCS): Schools can continue to enroll into their existing OCS sections throughout the semester. New sections cannot be opened at this time.   1/2 Credit Health and 1/2 Credit PE Courses: Registration for our 2nd 9-week health courses will remain open until March 21.   Transfer Students: NCVPS is now accepting transfers for students who meet its transfer criteria. Transfer students must already be enrolled in a traditional course at the school with an instructor and have a grade to transfer . If a student has a grade to transfer in with, open a ticket with the virtual support center at this link. NCVPS is able to accept transfer students through March 24, 2017, for traditional calendar courses.   Flex Learning (formerly Mastery Learning): The NCVPS Flex Learning program will help students who have a special or hardship situations. If any of the above options work for a student, you will need to use those options, but when you are out of options, check out the details here for Flex Learning enrollment.   If you have any questions about NCVPS, please contact Adam Renfro at  adam.renfro@ncpublicschools.gov.

State Board of Education Meets Next Week

The State Board of Education will meet next week, March. 1-2, in the 7th Floor Board Room, Education Building, 301 N. Wilmington Street, Raleigh.

The agendas for this meeting and executive summaries are available online (under Meetings tab). Please note that Board members will discuss all agenda items (unless otherwise noted) in their committee meetings on Wednesday, March 1. Board members will summarize their Committee discussions and take action on agenda items as appropriate during their full Board meeting on Thursday, March 2.

The State Board’s committee meetings and full Board meeting are audio streamed for those who can’t attend. To provide comments or feedback regarding specific agenda items, please email State Board members individually or email general comments/feedback.

NCDPI Newsletters    Weekly Legislative Update - Friday, February 17, 2017   Feb. 20, 2017 Superintendents' Weekly Message   February 2017 - News from the State Board of Education   Feb. 23, 2017 - Home Base Biweekly Update   Five NC Districts on AP Honor Roll

Charter Schools In the News

NEAAAT NETS $200K GOLDEN LEAF GRANT - Daily Advance

ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOL AIDS BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

ROCKY MOUNT PREP GRANTED RENEWAL

Other News

NCHEP Announcement

Please note that new phone numbers have been assigned to the NCHEP program specialists effective immediately. 

·         Patricia Lentz's office number has changed to 336-315-7402. 

·         Paullett Wall's office number is 336-315-7407.

Email addresses remain unchanged. If you experience any difficulty in reaching anyone, please contact Ms. Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator, at lphillip@serve.org or 336-315-7491 (unchanged).

NC Department of Health and Human Services - Train the Trainer Opportunity in Youth Mental Health First Aid

Please open the attached memorandum from NC Dept. of Health and Human Services Mental Health Program Coordinator Rachel Johnson regarding Train the Trainer Opportunity in Youth Mental Health First Aid. 

Attachment:     Youth+Mental+Health+First+Aid+Training.pdf

North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools Names New Executive Director

The North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools (NCAPCS), the state’s unified charter school support organization, announces charter school co-founder Rhonda Dillingham as its new Executive Director.

Dillingham co-founded Uwharrie Charter School and brings a decade of teaching and leadership experience from both public charter schools and district schools.

“Mrs. Dillingham is a perfect fit for our consolidated organization’s renewed focus on providing valuable, accessible member services to public charter schools and their teachers. Her experience as a charter school co-founder and a teacher bring great understanding of current, on-the-ground issues and needs of our members,” states NCAPCS Co-Chair, Lisa Gordon-Stella.

Dillingham will begin her duties on March 10, 2017.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – EDDIE is the authoritative source for NC public school numbers and demographic information, is used by multiple NCDPI technology systems including; Accountability, PowerSchool, NC School Report Cards, and is used to meet federal reporting requirements.  LEAs and charter schools are responsible for ensuring their data in EDDIE are complete, accurate, and current.  EDDIE is located at: http://apps.schools.nc.gov/eddie