Number 10

Governor's School 2022 Nomination Process Now Open

The Governor's School of North Carolina is a multi-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on two college campuses. The academic content focuses on the exploration of contemporary ideas and concepts in each discipline with no pressure of grades or tests. High school students are selected to attend through a competitive process after being nominated by their PSU.

The 2022 Nomination Packet, Student Application, and Recommendation Form are all now available here.

State Nominations are due by close of business on Monday, December 13, 2021. Please reach out to Sneha Shah-Coltrane with any questions.

Number 9

Opportunity for Community-Based Organizations Promoting Educational Attainment

The Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State University is accepting applications from community-based organizations that are actively working on successful efforts to improve postsecondary educational attainment rates for students between the ages of 11 and 25. This can include–but is not limited to–efforts focused on postsecondary educational readiness, access, persistence and completion. IEI is especially looking for programs focusing on closing educational attainment gaps, such as those by income, race/ethnicity, geography or gender.

Selected organizations will join the “Educational Attainment” cohort highlighted at IEI's Feb. 8, 2022 Emerging Issues Forum. Applications are due no later than Friday, November 12, 2021.

Learn more and apply here. If you have any questions, please contact IEI Assistant Director, Pat Cronin.

Number 8

NCDPI ELA Setting the Standard PD Series

The Setting the Standard series will consist of four sessions offered by grade-band. The sessions will cover the following topics: Understanding the ELA Standards, Learning Progressions and PLCs, Read Alouds and Text Sets.

Register below:

Grades K-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

Number 7

EdNC Perspective Piece: In Roanoke Rapids and Beyond, Teachers’ Impact Echoes Through Students’ Lives

"Every single teacher who is teaching right now is the teacher that our COVID-19 kids will remember as the one who helped them get through this time — their Obi-Wan Kenobi, their Gandalf, their Yoda, their Dumbledore.

The story of our teachers and the role they play in the lives of our students is a story of the cyclical nature of our common human experience, a story of courage, a story of thankfulness, and one that embodies the 'hero’s journey.'"

Read this piece from NC DPI Director of Government and Community Affairs, Freebird McKinney. 

Number 6

FAFSA Day Drive-In Event: One-on-One FAFSA Help

College and university campuses across the state are hosting FAFSA Day drive-in events on October 23rd!

North Carolina’s Drive-In FAFSA Day aims to provide support for students completing FAFSA. Any student who needs FAFSA assistance is welcome. Students should bring a charged laptop or mobile device to work on their application. 

Find locations near you and learn more here.

Number 5

NC State Capitol Offering Free Virtual Program for Students

The North Carolina State Capitol is offering virtual programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Programs are live, free, and offered weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. through Nov. 19.

To learn more, contact Natalie.Rodriguez@ncdcr.gov.

Number 4

NCSciFest Opportunity for Outreach in Middle Schools

NCSciFest is launching a hybrid edition of their SciMatch program for 2022! In April, 50 North Carolina scientists from all walks of life will share their love of what they do with 50 middle schools across the state. Because virtual visits can occur regardless of the conditions of the pandemic, participants are encouraged to plan for a virtual visit. However, if an in-person visit works, participants are welcome to meet in-person.

The deadline to apply is Nov 30. A virtual orientation for selected teachers and scientists will be held in December and Professional Development webinars will be held in February and March.

Learn more and register here.

Number 3

College Application Week: October 18-22

College Application Week, part of CFNC's Countdown to College, is October 18-22, 2021! During College Application Week, many North Carolina colleges and universities waive application fees.

NC Countdown to College's initiative is to increase the number of high school seniors who pursue postsecondary education by assisting them with the college admissions process (residency, FAFSA, and applications) and ensuring that each participating student submits at least one admissions application.

For details on NC Countdown to College and up-to-date information about the event and available resources, click here.

Number 2

#DistrictVisitsVoices: Superintendent Truitt Visits Kannapolis City Schools and Gaston County Schools

This week, NCDPI's District Visits and Voices team traveled to Kannapolis City Schools and Gaston County Schools!

Check out photos from these visits here and here!

Number 1

National School Lunch Week

It's National School Lunch Week! This week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of school lunch and the critical role School Nutrition professionals play in helping children succeed in and out of the classroom. Thank you to all school nutrition professionals and farm to school heroes!

For National School Lunch Week information and resources, click here.