NCDPI Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates

From the Desk of Mr. Dave Machado, Director, Office of Charter Schools

This week’s tragic shooting at a school in Florida reinforces our school community’s vulnerability and the need to reassess our school safety procedures. Our office is constantly being asked by media and stakeholders about charter school legal responsibilities and what charter schools are doing to ensure the 100,000 students attending charter schools are safe. Below is the legislation detailing this……

Legislation about lockdown drills passed the General Assembly back in the 2015 Session. It is an annual requirement for district schools and an annual recommendation for charters. Charter language is at NCGS 115C-218.75(b):

(b)        School Risk Management Plan. - Each charter school, in coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, is encouraged to adopt a School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) relating to incidents of school violence. In constructing and maintaining these plans, charter schools may utilize the School Risk and Response Management System (SRRMS) established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.49A. These plans are not considered a public record as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6.

Charter schools are encouraged to provide schematic diagrams and keys to the main entrance of school facilities to local law enforcement agencies, in addition to implementing the provisions in G.S. 115C-105.52.

I strongly encourage all our schools to reassess your lockdown procedures, conduct monthly drills, and work with your local law enforcement agencies to make sure your school community is safe and as prepared as possible. As always, thank you for all you do to educate your students in a safe environment.

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

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 16 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.

Below are the steps for applying for this scholarship opportunity:

 - Review the ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA and share scholarship information with eligible students and their parents. New for 2018: The SECU People Helping People Scholarship is only available to graduating public high school seniors who are either members of SECU or the child of a parent/guardian who is a member of SECU.

 - Develop a school-level scholarship selection committee comprised of three or more members who will make the final decision on the school-level nominee. The scholarship selection committee must also identify an alternate (runner up) for each school-level nominee in the event the named nominee becomes ineligible (i.e., receives a full scholarship, declines the scholarship, chooses to attend a private or out of state university, etc.).

 - Submit the following information for the school-level nominee:

• Completed Student Application and Essay. Note: This document must be sent as a Word Document only. The document is enabled to allow SECU Foundation to import student data into our database directly. Please do not send this document as a PDF or Google Doc.
• Copy of University Acceptance Letter
• Photo of Nominee (head shot only)
• A Brief Bio Written by Nominee with Accomplishments and Awards Noted. A guide for writing them bio is provided HERE.
• Written Scholarship Selection Committee Statement (signed by all committee members verifying the selection of the nominee). In this letter, include the name of the selected school-level alternate nominee.
• Signed Consent Form. Each recipient of the scholarship and their parent/guardian must sign the Consent Form to release their names and images for press releases to the local news media as well as within State Employee’s Credit Union and the SECU Foundation. In addition, the nominee and their parents are asked to complete all the information on the Consent Form which will be used to verify their eligibility as an SECU member.
• Scholarship recipient information from each school must be received by the NCDPI Office of Charter Schools by 5:00 pm EST on March 9, 2018. Application information must be sent via email to Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith at ocs@dpi.nc.gov. Schools should only submit application information for the school-level nominee. Application information should be collected for the alternate nominee, but the information should not be submitted until requested.

 - Schools should notify the Office of Charter Schools if the school-level nominee or alternate are no longer eligible for the scholarship.

The Office of Charter Schools appreciates the dedication and hard work by the members of each school’s Scholarship Selection Committee. Please contact Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith @ ocs@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the scholarship opportunity.

Note:  

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.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Updates

Over 100 Cohort 5 charter schools are currently accessing the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) School-Based Modules. The first of these modules begins by establishing understanding of the components and changes necessary to establish a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Simultaneously, members of the Division of Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems continues to work collaboratively across the state to ensure a common understanding of an MTSS as a total school improvement framework, NOT a process for struggling students.  Whether in an MTSS Cohort, or not, it is imperative each staff member has an understanding of this concept for the establishment of a sustainable MTSS in your school. 

Please review and share the latest MTSS Communication Brief made available to help convey this message.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qVk0l88UX2vqFrpH6B8uWEpLV1_mYgj5/view?usp=sharing

Details for how to join Cohort 5, can be found here. If you have other questions about MTSS please contact us at integratedsystems@dpi.nc.gov.

2018 March Institute

Please see the attached information regarding the 2018 March Institute, March 5-8, 2018 in Greensboro.  Registration deadline is February 16, 2018.

Registration questions should be directed to Melinda Tomlinson (Melinda.tomlinson@dpi.nc.gov / 919 807-3925).  March Institute questions should be directed to Sherry Thomas (sherry.thomas@dpi.nc.gov / 919 807-3992).

Attachments:      

• March+Institute+Agenda.pdf
• March+Institute+Breakout+Sessions.pdf
• March+Institute+Session+Descriptions.pdf

Driver Education Advisory Committee Meets Feb. 20

The Driver Education Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.via video conference for its quarterly meeting. The committee will discuss proposed changes to the state's driver education policy.

The meeting can be accessed from computer, tablet or smartphone: 
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/281468773 

Access by phone:
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 

Access Code: 281-468-773 

First GoToMeeting? Let's do a quick system check: https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check

Federal Programs/Support and Educator Support Services - Free Professional Development (PD) Opportunity

The divisions of Federal Program Monitoring & Support and Educator Support Services will be joining forces for a Family & Community Engagement workshop on Thursday, March 15th at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro from 8:45 am – 11:45 am. 

There is no charge for this opportunity and you can register at the link below. This is separate from the Connecting Communities of Education Stakeholders Conference and will require separate registration. 

Please forward the registration link to anyone you know that could benefit from this professional development. Presenters will be Alessandro Montanari & Dr. Susan Silver.

Register Here for Family & Community Engagement : https://goo.gl/forms/9Qmy0g0qZ5ITiSxL2

School Safety Message from Superintendent Mark Johnson

As a society, we must find long-term solutions. As school leaders, we must continue to take the actions we have in our power to prevent such tragedies in our schools.

More will follow from my office as we enter the upcoming legislative session, but here is a reminder list of actions you can reemphasize at your schools today:

• The small procedures add up. Strictly follow the entrance and visitor check-in processes. Make sure doors are never propped open and that students/staff do not open doors at-will for others.
• Encourage students to report odd behavior and odd social media trends. Students should tell someone immediately and know there are no consequences for being concerned.
• Don’t think it can’t happen in your town or at your school. We have seen that these tragedies can happen anywhere. Remain vigilant.
• Your SROs are trained first as law enforcement officers. Work with them, allowing their training and instincts to define their daily schedule, interactions, and priorities.
• Schedule a lockdown drill. District schools are required to hold a lockdown drill at least once a year. I know many schools are drilling more often than that, but if you have not had one in a while, please schedule one soon.

Here are more steps to take in the weeks ahead:

• Mental Health First Aid training: Please see the flyer linked below for information about MHFA training and resources.
• Critical Incident Response training for faculty and staff: Training manuals and presentations are available here. The Center for Safer Schools can also schedule trainings for districts or schools as available. Email Mike Anderson for more information.
• Online PD for educators: Training is available on the following topics here.

o    Understanding Student Behavior in the Classroom (6th – 12th grade)

o    Understanding Young Student Behavior in the Classroom (PreK-5th grade)

o    Understanding the Role of School Resource Officers in Schools

o    Understanding the Schools’ Role in Suicide Prevention

o    Preventing Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Among K-12 Students

I know you care deeply about your students’ safety and mental health. Thank you for all that you do, and while we remain bewildered and shocked by these kinds of events, let us work together to prevent more.

NCDPI Newsletters

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February 2018 From the Board Room

Weekly Legislative Update - Friday, February 9, 2018

February 2018 NC Public School Partners' Newsletter