FAST NC

Florence Aid to Students and Teachers of North Carolina - FAST NC - is an effort led by a bipartisan group of current and former North Carolina education leaders to help the state’s public schools as students and educators struggle to return to normal following Hurricane Florence and its impact.

The steering committee for FAST NC is:

• June Atkinson, former State Superintendent
• Eric Davis, State Board of Education Chairman
• Henry Johnson, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education and former Mississippi State Superintendent
• Mark Johnson, State Superintendent
• Phil Kirk, former State Board of Education Chairman
• Mike Ward, former State Superintendent

FAST NC will take donations through the existing NC Education Fund. FAST NC will work with local superintendents, charter school directors, and statewide associations to identify needs and direct funding. The steering committee will make decisions about funding requests submitted from educators and administrators across the state that have the approval of the superintendent or charter school director.

To donate online, please use the following link to donate to the Hurricane Florence Recovery.

To donate by check, please complete this form and mail the check, payable to NC Education Fund, to:

NC Education Fund

State Board of Education

6336 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699

Use this link for resources on how to conduct your own school supply drive with FAST NC.

Let's Chat about Ratios!

NCTM: Jessica Lynn Jensen

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Jessica Lynn Jensen will lead a discussion on "Ratios, Rates, Unit Rates, and Debates!" This discussion stems from an activity, the "Four Corner Debate, in which students work their way around four corners to reach mathematical consensus. This activity can be found in the text, NCTM Mathematics Teaching In the Middle School: Debating Rates and Ratios, Vol. 24, No. 2, October 2018, pp. 74-80.

 Join at #MTMSchat.

Jessica Lynn Jensen is an assistant professor of elementary mathematics education at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. She is interested in helping students make sense of mathematics through collaborative problem solving and high levels of student discourse.

Keynote Speaker Profile: Sue O'Connell

Sue O’Connell has years of experience as an elementary classroom teacher, math coach, district school improvement specialist, and math speaker/consultant. She is the lead author for Heinemann's Math in Practice series and is the author of such titles as Putting the Practices Into Action and Mastering the Basic Math Facts. She has written numerous other books that support the teaching of K-5 mathematics and is particularly focused on instructional practices that support the development of mathematical thinking. She is a frequent speaker at math conferences and is Director of Quality Teacher Development, providing on-site professional development for schools and school districts across the country.

REGISTER NOW!

The National Science Foundation is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science (including computer science) teaching. Since 1983, more than 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Awardees serve as models to their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Up to 108 awardees may be recognized each year.

The PAEMST program is open to outstanding STEM (including computer science) teachers in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Education Activity schools; and the U.S. territories as a group. 

Anyone--principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public--may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. To submit a nomination, you will need the teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. If you know more than one teacher deserving of this award, you may submit more than one nomination. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org. 

Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States; a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on the behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The nomination deadline is March 1, 2019 and the application deadline is May 1, 2019, for secondary school teachers (grades 7-12). Elementary school teachers (grades K-6) will be eligible to apply during a future cycle.

World View 
K-12 Global Education SYMPOSIUM

WHEN: October 17 - 18, 2018

LOCATION: The Friday Conference Center, Chapel Hill, NC
COST: $175 per person, $600 for a team of four
CEU: 1.5 CEUs will be awarded upon completion of program study guide 

(NEW! Earn Digital Learning Competencies CEUs!)

Join us as we explore global issues, learn best practices and collect resources to implement global education activities in your classroom, school and district! 

With 

• Six keynotes, 
• 20 dynamic break-out sessions,
• Action plan team meetings, 
• CEUs and DCL renewal credits offered, 
• Exhibitors and peers to network with from across the state, 

the symposium offers something for everyone.

Please use the link to find more information about the Agenda, session descriptions and registration.

Math Legislation HB986 Webinar Recording

On September 19, 2018 the Math and Advanced Learning/Gifted Education teams held a webinar for Understanding and Implementing Session Law 2018-32 (Enrollment in Advanced Mathematics Courses) in which critical information was shared and questions answered to help districts understand and implement the new mathematics legislation (SL 2018-32).  

We realize that many individuals were unable to attend the session, due to unforeseen circumstances and/or the impact of Hurricane Florence. The webinar was recorded and a link to the webinar recording is now available. Please click the link to register and listen. Be sure to visit the following link to review the actual legislation. 

We would like to thank those who were able to attend for your thoughtful questions during the webinar. If we can support you further, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the state consultants in either Mathematics or Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Divisions.

FREE MTSS K-4 Measurement Tools

If you want to learn more about the NC ENSI and Math Computation measures for K- 4, the NC DPI Integrated Academics & Behavior Systems (IABS) and the Exceptional Children Divisions have developed, validated, and normed FREE measurement tools for K-4 and made them available for ALL North Carolina LEAs and charter schools.

The 2018 October Communication Brief includes information on:

• What the NC ENSI & Math Computations measures are
• How these tools can help teachers
• How these measures are accessed
• Who can access those measures

Please click the following link to learn more about the NC Early Numeracy Skill & Math Computation Measures.

STEMtastic News!   

Get in on the news and updates that relate to statewide STEM initiatives and don't let another DPI communication pass you by. 
NCDPI is now publishing a monthly newsletter for STEM happenings and information that will serve teachers, schools and districts. 
A brand-new subscription option has been created for anyone who would like to receive this monthly electronic publication. 
If you would like to receive future releases of STEMtastic News, please visit the NCDPI Subscriptions webpage to register.