Number 10

MacKenzie Scott Gives $18 million to Durham Public Schools, No Strings Attached

"Another Triangle organization has caught the eye of MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist who has been steadily giving away her fortune since pledging to do so in 2019.

Durham Public Schools is set to receive an $18 million donation — entirely unrestricted — from Scott through the National Philanthropic Trust, the district announced Tuesday.

'Ms. Scott’s recent gifts to public and charitable organizations have been focused on fostering equity, opportunity, and achievement for American communities,' Superintendent Pascal Mubenga said in a news release. 'We are pleased and humbled that Ms. Scott has taken note of DPS’s commitment to embrace, educate, and empower each student.'"

Read the full story here. 

Number 9

Quarterly PIO Call December 6

Public Information Officers and Charter School Communication Leaders are invited to join the Quarterly PIO Call on Tuesday, December 6. A Zoom link and more details will be shared closer to the date of the call.

Please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov with any questions.

Number 8

Request “Know Before You Go – To Gather with Friends and Family” Communication Materials

Free, printed COVID-19 vaccine educational materials are available in English and Spanish for all North Carolina K-12 schools. The materials have a winter theme and encourage everyone 5 and older to get a free updated booster that targets COVID-19 variants. To order your printed materials, please complete the online ordering form by November 30.

Learn more about the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Know Before You Go campaign and available materials here.

Number 7

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Nominations Now Open

It’s time to nominate outstanding 7th-12th grade math or science teachers for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest national honor for K-12 educators in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science.

Nominations close January 9 and applications are due February 6. Learn more here.

Number 6

Wake Approves Changes to Help More Employees Drive, Monitor School Buses Amid Shortage

"Current Wake County Public School System employees will have a chance to earn extra money as bus drivers or bus monitors under a plan approved by the school board Wednesday night.

The change, approved without opposition, provides employees with a path to take on new work while the district struggles with worsening bus driver shortages and concerns about student behavior on those buses. The district identified 48 routes involving 19 schools in which it wants to hire a bus monitor to handle behavioral issues.

The district, as of Wednesday, is short 274 drivers, out of 882 total positions — nearly a third all bus drivers. It’s a number that keeps growing, as the district has made gradual improvements in other higher-shortage areas with wage increases. It was short 50 bus monitors, out of 180 monitors."

Read the full story here.

Number 5

North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant for 2022 NC High School Graduates

With the North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant, money no longer has to be an obstacle to gaining post-secondary education. 2022 high school graduates in the North Carolina can access up to $2,800 per year for two years so students have the potential to earn a degree from any of the 58 community colleges across the state tuition for free.

There is no application for the grant. Students must complete the FAFSA and enroll in an NC Community College. If the student is eligible, the financial aid office at their community college will inform them of their grant award.

To learn more about the grant and who is eligible, click here.

Number 4

International Education Week 2022 Student Showcase

This week is International Education Week! International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. IEW offers the chance to expand awareness of and interest in global education, and to gain a new cultural understanding by sampling a small part of life beyond the shores of America.

The NCDPI IEW Student Showcase is a great way for students to demonstrate their global competency! It provides them an opportunity to share their interest and understanding of global issues, global learning, and cultural awareness.

Students can then develop a plan of how they can inform others about what they have learned in a creative way, such as student/school performances or presentations, student work narratives, visual or fine arts, music, or student interviews are welcome.

Submissions will be accepted through November 30. Learn more about the 2022 IEW Student Showcase and how to make a submission here.

Number 3

Resource from No Kid Hungry - Staff Wellness: Strategies To Promote Staff Wellness, Motivation And Retention

Supporting staff is essential for success at both the individual and team levels. We all wish for our staff to be valued, healthy, productive, happy and less stressed.

In this resource, No Kid Hungry shares strategies on how to promote wellness among staff, some ways to show staff appreciation, details on staff retention and how to maintain good morale. This resource features at least four Food Service Professionals who are taking care of their staff through team building, wellness activities, recognition opportunities, financial incentives and more.

Find the resource here.

Number 2

Call for Event Hosts for the 2023 Statewide Star Party

The NC Science Festival is seeking event hosts for the 11th annual North Carolina Statewide Star Party, a signature event of the 2023 NC Science Festival. The Statewide Star Party will be held Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, 2023. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Night Sky.”

Hosts will be provided with a free Star Party kit so they can lead hands-on astronomy activities with their visitors. 

The deadline to apply to be a Star Party host site is November 30 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more about the 2023 Statewide Star Party, requirements to host and how to apply here.

Number 1

National Career Development Week

This week is National Career Development Week!

The workforce is rapidly evolving, and more jobs than ever before require post-secondary education and durable skills like strong communication and leadership. Our students are our greatest hope for building strong communities and a talent pipeline for a vibrant North Carolina, but they need to be well-prepared to compete for high-wage, high-demand careers.

Learn more about the career development opportunities and resources available to North Carolina's students here.