New Charter School Leaders Institute - Reminder

Registration is now open for the  2017 New Charter School Leaders Institute.  This 2-day event will be held June 13-14, 2017 at the NCDPI Building in downtown Raleigh (301 N. Wilmington St.).  

Participants will have an opportunity to hear from experts from NCDPI, DHHS, DPS, and local charter schools on various topics.  Some of the topics will include the Multi-Tiered System of Support, School Safety, State Health Requirements, Building Culture Through the Hiring Process, and more! 

Please use this link to register: Registration Link

The registration deadline is Sunday, May 21.  

Please contact Dr. Kebbler Williams at kebbler.williams@dpi.nc.gov or 919-807-3598 if you have any questions about the Institute.

Cash Management and MSA Training (Charter Schools) - Reminder

We will have a Cash Management and MSA training class for Charter Schools on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC, Room #564 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

There is no registration fee for the class, but you must register in order to attend.

The class is designed for those who work in the charter school finance office.

The class consists of "Hands-on" training with the emphasis on understanding the monthly financial reports, a brief lecture on Compliance & Monitoring, and a brief overview of the Cash Management System. Instruction is geared to the beginner or new user and as a refresher for others.

There are only a certain number of seats in the training room, so limited space is available on a first come, first serve basis.

If you would like to attend this class, please provide your name, your email address, and charter school name and charter school number and email Roxane Bernard at roxane.bernard@dpi.nc.gov. The training class is for current year charter schools.

If you have questions, please call Roxane Bernard at 919-807-3725. You will be notified by email when you have been successfully registered for the training class.

Advanced Placement (AP)/ International Baccalaureate (IB) Updates

AP/IB EXAM FEE INFORMATION

Please see attached the NC AP Partnership Exam Registration and Fees Guidance document that was originally sent out in November 2016 for general information regarding this year’s AP/IB Exam coverage.

AP INVOICES DUE JUNE 2

With AB exams approaching, it is very important to make sure that the testing/AP coordinators at your schools are aware of the AP Exam invoicing due date of June 2 NC public schools. If your schools do not submit their invoices to College Board by this date, DPI will not be responsible for your students’ test fees and invoices will be the school’s or district’s responsibility. Note that late fees or other fees remain the responsibility of the school or district.

All testing/AP coordinators should watch a short instructional presentation which explains the invoicing process for NC public schools this year: http://www.ncappartnership.org/nc-ap-invoice-instructions---2017.html.

Districts that do not submit their AP Exam invoices to College Board by June 2 will be responsible for AP exam costs in their districts. You do not need to send DPI a copy of your invoice.  Please make sure your school AP Coordinators know how to submit the invoice and do so before June 2.   .

NC AP HONOR ROLL DISTRICTS

Five North Carolina school districts have earned recognition by the College Board for boosting both participation and performance on Advanced Placement exams during the last three years.

The five districts are among 433 nationwide named by the College Board to its 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement courses for a greater diversity of students while also increasing or at least maintaining the passing rate (score of 3 or higher) on AP exams, including among minorities underrepresented in higher education. Because improvement in AP results typically takes sustained efforts, the District Honor Roll is based on three years of AP data.

Honor roll districts defy the expectation that expanding access automatically results in a decline in the percentage of exams earning scores of 3 or better. North Carolina’s AP honor roll districts for 2016 are:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Clinton City Schools
• Columbus County Schools
• Duplin County Schools
• Wilson County Schools

Congratulations to each of these school districts! Overall, the state’s participation and performance continue to increase on Advanced Placement exams. This is a testament to the great work you all do.

Attachment:     AP/IB EXAM FEE INFORMATION

Courtesy Bus Inspections offered by NCDPI Transportation Services

NCDPI Transportation Services offers an inspection on the safety of the school bus fleet for each LEA and charter school once a year.  The purpose of the inspections is to give school leadership a picture of the overall condition of the bus fleet and its ability to provide safe transportation for students. 

Please send an email to Teresa.West@dpi.nc.gov in Transportation Services to let her know that (1) you do not operate any school buses, (2) that you request this courtesy inspection and how many school buses you operate, or (3) that you operate school buses but do not want the inspection. 

Questions can be directed to Transportation Services Section Chief, Kevin Harrison  at (919) 807-3579 or Kevin.Harrison@dpi.nc.gov.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation at NC Charter Advisory Board Meeting

Approaching the work with a sense of urgency and intentionality, fifty Charter Schools are engaged in MTSS implementation thru the DPI professional development plan. These Charter Schools are designing a Multi-Tiered System of Support in order to strategically meet the needs of every student. The focus of building an MTSS begins with a foundation of  strong Core instruction. We are especially appreciative of Beverly Sipe and Tiffany Moceri from Lincoln Charter who provided an implementation update to the Charter School Advisory Board on  April 10th.

Lincoln Charter demonstrates how clear understanding of teaming structures and innovative access of state support can move installation from a stated vision to actionable and measurable goals. This school, of over 2000 students, is focused on building a system of support for all students across instruction, curriculum and environment, because they “want to do what is right for all kids, and by all kids.”

For more information on this presentation, go to NC Charter Advisory Board Meetings. For information on MTSS, please contact Amy Jablonski, Director, Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems. at Amy.Jablonski@dpi.nc.gov. 

Spring Regional HS Math Implementation PD Sessions

In preparation for Year 2 of Implementation of the High School Mathematics Standard Course of Study, the Spring Regional Face-to-Face sessions will focus on supporting LEAs and charters with implementation needs specific to their districts or charter. This support can include any activities that will inform summer work and preparation for the second year of implementation of the revised standards. 

This session is intended for math district and charter leaders. Districts and charters may bring three-four participants including coaches, directors, coordinators and/or math department heads. LEAs and charters with an average daily membership (ADM) of less than 10,000 may register three participants; LEAs and charters with an ADM of 10,000+ may register four participants.

There will be four sessions covering all eight regions. The four sessions are grouped by region. Please chose your respective regions:

• Regions 1 & 2: Friday, May 26, Teachers Memorial PD Center, 500 Marcella Dr., Kinston
• Regions 3 & 4: Thursday, May 25, CCRESA, 7208 Falls of Neuse Rd #104, Raleigh
• Regions 5 & 6: Monday, May 22, RCC Corporate Training Center, 413 Industrial Park Dr., Asheboro

Regions 7 & 8: Wednesday, May 10, NC School of the Deaf, 517 W. Fleming Dr., Morganton. Please contact Ms. Lisa Ashe with questions or concerns at 919-807-3909.

NCDPI Newsletters

May 8, 2017 Superintendents' Weekly Message

Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin Named NC Deputy State Superintendent

NC Superintendent Thanks Teachers during 2017 Teacher Appreciation Week 

Finance Officers' Newsletter May 11, 2017

Perquimans Principal Named Year's Top School Leader

Weekly Legislative Update - Friday, May 12, 2017