Number 10

Important Advanced Placement Updates

We're getting closer to the Advanced Placement exam windows for 2021. Thank you for all you are doing to ensure an optimal testing environment for your students.

Thanks to Kathleen Koch, Senior Director from the NC AP Partnership, with the following important AP updates:

AP exams:

• Fee Reduction Status deadline
• New Research
• Managing Student Digital Exam Readiness
• Digital Practice

Click here to read the entire bulletin.

Number 9

NC Schools Earn U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Awards

The U.S. Department of Education released the names of the 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. Four North Carolina honorees are among a host of schools and districts nationwide named today as U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools for their efforts to reduce environmental impact, improve health and wellness and ensure effective sustainability education.

Wrightsville Beach Elementary School and DC Virgo Preparatory Academy, both in New Hanover County, each received the Green Ribbon School Award. The Wake County Public School System received a District Sustainability Award in recognition for its district wide efforts and UNC Wilmington received a Postsecondary Sustainability Award for achievements at the university level. All of this year’s honorees have earned the prestigious recognition in North Carolina.

Click here to read the complete press release. 

Number 8

N.C. Jr. Chefs Compete in First-Time Virtual Cook-Off

Four high school teams competed in the state’s first-ever virtual North Carolina Jr. Chef cook-off this month to create unique school lunch entrée recipes. 

Clyde A. Erwin High from Buncombe County Schools won first place with their Holy Smoke Show Waffle. The “Waffle Warriors” said they created their recipe to elevate their schools’ game for Taco Tuesday all the way to Waffle Wednesday as an innovative variation on the typical taco. The school lunch entrée created by the “Waffle Warriors” included a homemade cornbread, cheddar, and jalapeno waffle; local Brasstown beef sautéed with tomatoes and spices; chilled, diced, roasted sweet potato; spicy kale chips; and a drizzle of honey.

Click here to read the complete press release. 

Number 7

U.S. Supreme Court Wary About Extending School Authority Over Student Internet Speech

Education Week-April 28, 2021-Mark Walsh

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday spent nearly two hours wrestling with its first case about schools’ regulation of student speech in the Internet era. The justices seemed to be searching for a way to rule as narrowly as possible while protecting young people’s right of self-expression, yet giving schools leeway to respond to threats and bullying that originate off campus.

“That sharp line … between on campus and off campus, how does that fit with modern technology?” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked during arguments in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (Case No. 20-255).

Click here to read the entire article. 

Number 6

NCcareers.org Provides Interactive Online Career Planning Tools

NCcareers.org is an excellent resource for students, parents, career advisors and job seekers. Their resources include high-quality information and fun, interactive tools that help users plan for both short-term and long-term futures. For a short video that highlights the main aspects of NCcareers.org, click here.

They’ve recently added even more features including: 

Skills Matcher: a short quiz that identifies your skills and careers that are a good match for them.  

What can I do with my Education?: When users enter their degree program and level of completion, they can see occupations with education requirements that match their course of study. This feature helps users find good potential career matches, as well as know if they are underqualified for a certain career. 

Be Your Own Boss: By answering a questionnaire, Be Your Own Boss helps users determine their entrepreneurial spirit, and if starting their own business would be a good fit for them.

Number 5

Governor's School Employment Opportunities Summer 2021

The North Carolina Governor’s School has several vacant positions for instructors and support staff for the upcoming summer session, which is anticipated to be in-person with robust safety measures at its two campuses (Governor’s School East at Meredith College in Raleigh; Governor’s School West at High Point University in High Point). This is a unique opportunity to instruct and interact with some of North Carolina’s brightest and most talented high school students in an enriching learning community, free from the pressures of tests and grades. All employees receive a modest salary and the option for full room and board on campus.

Please share details with teachers and support staff in your school/school system. Visit https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/governors-school-north-carolina/employment for specific vacancies and the employment application. Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis as applications are received; interested individuals should not delay applying.

Number 4

NCDPI & NCDHHS Joint COVID Updates Webinar

Tuesday, May 4, 2021  |  8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Topics Include: DHHS updates: statewide COVID updates, testing updates, vaccine updates, and K-12 guidance

Audience: Communications Leaders, Superintendents, Principals, Charter Leaders

IMPORTANT! Please use this login to access the webinar: https://ncvps.zoom.us/j/84765208675 Or iPhone one-tap  US: +19292056099,,84765208675#  or +13017158592,,84765208675# Webinar ID: 847 6520 8675

Number 3

NCDHHS Releases Summer Camp Guidance 

NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Overnight Camp Settings (Spanish) (April 30, 2021)

NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Day Camp Settings (Spanish) (April 30, 2021)

Number 2

Partner with North Carolina Education Corps to Accelerate K-3 Literacy Recovery--applications due May 20

Since launching in September 2020, NCEC has partnered with 20 North Carolina school districts to recruit, train, and support over 200 corps members who are supporting students and school personnel as tutors, mentors, and contact tracers.

Moving into the 2021-2022 school year, Education Corps members will work as high-impact literacy tutors grounded in the science of reading and reading instruction. They will work with K-3 students to improve phonemic awareness and phonics skills, in order to accelerate learning recovery. 

School districts can apply to partner with NCEC for the 2021-2022 school year through www.nceducationcorps.org by May 20, 2021. Districts are encouraged to contact the NC Education Corps team as soon as possible to discuss partnership details prior to submitting an application.

For more information, contact John-Paul Smith, Executive Director, at john-paul.smith@nceducationcorps.org or Pam Hartley, Director of School Partnerships, at pam.hartley@nceducationcorps.org. 

Number 1

When can schools lift mask restrictions when outdoors?  

NCDHHS is working to update all state guidance, including the StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit, in alignment with Governor Cooper’s updated executive order that will lift mask requirements when outside beginning Friday, April 30^th. The Toolkit should be updated in accordance with the updated executive order by Tuesday of next week, May 4^th. Schools may lift mask restrictions when outdoors beginning tomorrow, April 30 when Executive Order 209 takes effect.

See the text below for the updated masking requirements for schools outlined in the executive order. 

2.1.Face Coverings Required In Public Places, Indoors Only.

The undersigned enacts the following restriction on the movement of people in public places and restriction on the operation of offices, business establishments, schools, and other places where people may travel or congregate: for any place outside the home or living accommodations, including but not limited to businesses, schools, and other establishments and spaces, Face Coverings must be worn indoors if anyone else is in that space who is not a member of the same household.

These requirements shall apply to all people at least five (5) years old, unless an exception applies. These requirements are recommended for all people over the age of two (2) years old.

2.8 Schools.

In all public school units, as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1 l 5C-5(7a), and all nonpublic schools covered by Article 39 of Chapter l 15C of the General Statutes, all workers, teachers, Guests, other adults and children five (5) years or older must wear Face Coverings when indoors, at all times, unless an exception applies.