Number 10

NCDHHS Launches New Mental and Behavioral Health Training and Consultation Support in K-12 Schools

"This winter and spring, 130 public schools across North Carolina will receive mental and behavioral health training and consultation through the North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL). The services are designed to ensure participating K-12 school staff have the support they need to help their students who may be dealing with mental and behavioral health concerns. The program is free to local schools as part of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services StrongSchoolsNC COVID-19 Testing Program."

Read the full press release here.

Number 9

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts High School Visual Arts Applications Now Available

UNCSA’s Visual Arts Program is a residential program designed for high school juniors and seniors who have an artistic interest, dedication and enthusiasm they wish to pursue in a structured course of study. 

Tuition is provided free of charge for in-state high school students, and the majority of their other billed educational costs (e.g., textbooks, health and wellness services, room and meal plan, activities, etc.) are covered by the North Carolina High School Artists Grant.

Rising high school juniors or seniors are invited to apply here. The application deadline is January 18, 2023. Learn more here.

Number 8

52nd Annual North Carolina Reading Conference Registration Now Open

Educators can earn up to 2.0 literacy CEUs attending sessions led by NC DPI staff, nationally recognized speakers/authors, classroom teachers, and more at the 52nd Annual North Carolina Reading Conference.

Learn more and register here.

Number 7

Resources for Assisting Families with Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program

To help schools and districts as they assist with Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) sign-ups, the Office of Educational Technology (OET) developed FAQs and resources to facilitate communication with families about their eligibility. This includes a template letter to let families know their child receives free or reduced-price school meals and therefore meets the ACP’s eligibility criteria. OET also provides a sample form that can be used to obtain families’ consent to share their child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals with ACP-participating providers.

Learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and view the support resources here.

Number 6

Kenan Fellows Program Applications Now Open

Applications for the 2023-24 fellowship year are now open and will close Jan. 13, 2023. Fellowships will be awarded to North Carolina K-12 teachers working on projects related to workforce development and STEM education.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 5

Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Participates in School Violence Webinar

"N.C. Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley on Thursday, Dec. 1 served as a panelist for a Homeroom with Education Leaders webinar hosted by The Hunt Institute, a Cary, N.C.-based nonprofit that pursues research, educational partnerships and events related to improving education policy.

The webinar – titled “A Growing Epidemic: Addressing Violence in American Schools” – discussed how school violence impacts students and educators; its disproportionate impact on students of color; and what states, districts and organizations across the country are doing to prevent future incidents in schools.

Fairley spoke about current and future CFSS school safety initiatives. She said those initiatives are the result of solid relationships with both N.C. Department of Public Instruction leadership and the N.C. General Assembly."

Read more here.

Number 4

District Highlight: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools - She’s the Go-To Principal for School Turnaround

"At one West Charlotte elementary school, students from various backgrounds enter its doors with odds overwhelmingly against them. Yet, one beacon of light with a recipe for success is helping students break down the notion of “benevolent oppression” and helping kids understand their potential in becoming high academic achievers.

Students at Allenbrook Elementary have a unique story in that they’ve been living in their shared pandemic their entire lives: poverty. For Principal Kimberly Vaught, supporting their academic journey is their best chance at changing the narrative."

Read the full story here. Thank you, Mrs. Vaught for all that you do for your students and making a difference!

Number 3

2023-2024 Distinguished Leadership in Practice Application

The North Carolina Principals & Assistant Principals' Association (NCPAPA) is now accepting applications for 2023-2024 Distinguished Leadership in Practice (DLP) cohort.

This professional development model, entitled Distinguished Leadership in Practice (DLP), is aligned to the performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders.

The application period runs through February 3rd with applicants being selected and notified by February 17, 2023.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 2

Quarterly PIO Communications Call Follow-Up

If you were unable to make the quarterly PIO and Communication Leader call on December 6 and did not receive a follow-up email, please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov for follow-up call materials.

Number 1

Hour of Code Student Expo at NCDPI

To highlight Hour of Code Week the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Digital Teaching and Learning and Superintendent Truitt hosted an Hour of Code Student Expo! 

Student computer science teams from across the state showcased skills they are learning in coding and computer science with presentations and hands-on activities. The expo represented students from 26 schools, 13 districts, and all grades K-12!

During the expo, Code.org also announced a partnership with NCDPI to provide professional learning in computer science to ensure more than fifty of North Carolina’s school districts will have a qualified computer science teacher at every one of their high schools at no cost to the state, districts or teachers.

Read the media advisory here. See the full list of student project descriptions here.