Number 10

Follow-Up-Monthly NCDHHS Joint COVID Call

Click here to access the call recording, slide decks, and additional resources. 

Number 9

Looking Ahead to Leandro Implementation

EdNC-May 3, 2021-Mary Ann Wolfe
Looking Ahead to Leandro Implementation 

The following is Mary Ann Wolf’s “Final Word” from the May 1, 2021 broadcast of Education Matters: “Looking Ahead to Leandro Implementation.“ 

Number 8

Why Every High School Student Needs a Work-Based Experience

The Hechinger Report-May 6, 2021-Lucy N. Freidman
Even before the pandemic shunted them into online learning, many high school students failed to see a connection between their work in the classroom and their real-world futures. The rare exceptions? Young people whose education included a work-based learning experience — and with it a sampling of career opportunities they might never have imagined. Click here to read the entire article. 

Number 7

Rethink Education Grant (AKA: Light the Way)

Light The Way (LTW) is a new state-wide effort to strengthen remote learning across North Carolina’s K-12 schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is funded through a US Department of Education grant. The three year program will build teacher capacity through a high-quality professional development certification process, provide new standards-aligned virtual course content that focuses on K–8, offer mobile-friendly learning resources and technical assistance for parents, and prioritize implementation of both online and offline learning options. LTW will position NC to be adaptively resilient: able to immediately address the extraordinary effects of COVID-19 while preparing for a future where students, families, schools, and PSUs can seamlessly transition between remote and in-person schooling.

Please note: This grant is also referred to as the Rethink Education Grant.  Moving forward, we will be using Rethink instead of Light the Way; however, it is important to note that this change is being made after the regional job postings.  The postings refer to this as Light the Way. 

Kickoff Webinar Recording Links

Specific questions: rethink@ncpublicschools.gov

Melissa Davis, Rethink Director 
Email: melissa.davis@ncvps.dpi.nc.gov

Rachel Wright-Junio, Rethink Manager
Email:  rachel.wrightjunio@dpi.nc.gov

Number 6

Reminders: Statewide Corrective Action

Click here to access the revised LEA Written Assurance (5.5.21) document. This document has been simply streamlined with the list of required activities and a checklist column.

Click here to access a “NOTES” version of the LEA Written Assurance. This document is a duplicate of the required LEA Written Assurance, however, it now includes a column with the hyperlinks, both to the specific item used to meet the requirement or website link if hyperlinking to the EC Division or IABS/MTSS websites.

All activities remain the same with the exception of an addition to Action #12. This action now includes a note regarding an error on SLD Fact Sheet #2 that has been corrected and re-posted to the EC Division website. If LEAs linked to this location rather than the specific fact sheet, it is unlikely that further action is needed because the location remains the same on the EC Division website. If an LEA linked to the specific pdf, please refresh the link with the revised SLD Fact Sheet #2 dated April 9, 2021. As a reminder, if LEAs did not link to this document previously or post on its website, there is no expectation to do so at this time.

Note: For LEAs that have already submitted the signed LEA Written Assurance, the updated (5.5.21) LEA Written Assurance does not need to be re-submitted. However, please be advised that the corrected SLD Fact Sheet #2  will now be understood as included within the original requirement “Action #12: LEA will link local MTSS documents to the revised SEA MTSS LiveBinder and EC Division website as appropriate.”

FINAL EC Office Hours - Statewide Corrective Action
Friday, May 21, 2021 - 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
https://ncgov.webex.com/meet/carolann.hudgens

The signed LEA Written Assurance must be submitted to the shared folder on or before June 15, 2021. This is the only item required from LEAs. Any local artifacts verifying the completion of corrective action should be maintained locally until June 15, 2022,  in the event there are further questions or disputes that require evidence related to this statewide activity. 

Note: The LEA Written Assurance document is formatted best for editing when downloaded as a word document from the shared GoogleDrive or by using the attached word document

Number 5

TeachNC Rolls Out New PSA Campaign

TeachNC rolls out new PSA campaign, "The Future Depends on Teachers," which highlights the important role our teachers play in shaping the next generation of leaders, while lifting the profession up as a possible career path. To learn more about this campaign, click here.

Number 4

Sample Contract - Summer Temporary Employment Update

From: Thomas Tomberlin, Director, Educator Recruitment and Support Office of the Deputy State Superintendent for Educational Equity North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

The Legal Department at NCDPI/State Board of Education has made some revisions to the sample contract for temporary employment in the Summer Learning Program.  Please note that districts are not required to use the sample contract, but employees in your Summer Learning Program must have a temporary contract.  I have highlighted the changes (from the original version) to the sample contract in blue.  Highlights in yellow are an indication that you should make changes based on the individual with whom you are contracting.

Temporary Contract S.L. 2021 Summer Program_20210504.docx 

Number 3

CTE Local Application Due Date: May 14, 2021

The Career Technical Education Local Application System has been developed in compliance with Perkins V – The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. The Local Application serves as a district’s planning document and application for CTE state/federal funding. The completion and approval of the Local Application also serves as a compliance document which meets all requirements of Perkins.  For assistance or additional information please contact your CTE Regional Coordinator.

Number 2

StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit-Updated

Click here to review the May 5, 2021 updates in the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.

Number 1

Highlights of Teacher Appreciation Week

ICYMI: Below are some highlights from Teacher Appreciation Week:

• Superintendent Catherine Truitt shares Teacher Appreciation Week Video Message, to watch the video click here.
• Read State Superintendent Catherine Truitt's perspective piece with EdNC here.
• Zandrea Eagle, 12th grade English teacher at Holly Springs Highschool in Wake County, was named one of ten finalists for Live with Kelly and Ryan’s search for the Top Teacher for 2021, see her interview here.
• DPI recognizes the 2021 Burroughs Wellcome NC Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists and 2021 NC Teacher of the Year, Eugenia Floyd with a video.
• Tar Heel Teachers at Home: Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 spotlights 3 NC educators who are representing our state and profession on the national stage, see the interviews here.