Number 10

Pender County Elementary School Teacher Surprised with National Award, $25,000 Prize

"When Jessica Barnette gathered her kindergarten and first-grade students this morning to walk to Rocky Point Elementary’s multi-purpose room, she thought they were attending a preview of the school’s winter concert. She must have been a bit puzzled by the presence of the district superintendent and several unfamiliar adults. After all, the big event was the following evening.

But the big event, Barnette quickly learned, was right then, and it was for her – and not because today also happened to be her birthday. She was in the limelight herself and being handed an early Christmas gift – a $25,000 check that comes with being named a national Milken Educator Award winner. She is among up to 40 elementary educators across the nation who will receive the Milken award during the 2022-23 school year."

Congratulations, Ms. Barnette on such an incredible achievement! Read the full press release here.

Number 9

Local AIG Plan Reviews Released

Local AIG Plan Reviews for this three-year cycle (2022-25) will be sent to LEA AIG Coordinators through the NCCCIP platform on Monday, December 19. Please work with AIG Coordinators to review the feedback. There is progress to celebrate as well as work to continue to improve AIG programs across the state. NCDPI will be providing support and technical assistance beginning in January.

Please contact Sneha.ShahColtrane@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions or comments.

Number 8

UNCG Joins Effort to Track COVID Impacts on Students

"UNCG researchers and their collaborators have received approximately $500,000 to study the impacts of COVID on student learning. The funding is part of the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and North Carolina Collaboratory’s $6.73 million investment in 20 projects rooted at universities across North Carolina.

'This unique program will strengthen partnerships between state education leaders and academic researchers on a priority issue that impacts many North Carolinians,' the NC Collaboratory said in their announcement.

UNCG faculty from multiple disciplines are spearheading two projects and contributing to a third. Across these projects, they are bringing their dedication to community-engaged research, real-world impacts, and diverse learners to this state-wide effort."

Read the full story here.

Number 7

New Round of Grants for Digital Teaching & Learning Available for 2023-24

Digital Teaching and Learning in North Carolina’s public schools will benefit from a new round of competitive grants approved December 1, 2022, by the State Board of Education.

Up to $1.25 million in grants funded by the General Assembly through the state’s Digital Learning Initiative will be available to school districts, charter schools, lab schools, and regional schools during the 2023-24 school year. During the past six years, the Department of Public Instruction’s Digital Teaching and Learning Division has committed more than $8.8 million in similar grants to help schools and districts
develop and strengthen digital-age learning initiatives.

These competitive grants are intended to support North Carolina districts and schools as they address challenges, harness opportunities, and leverage resources for digital-age teaching, and learning. As specified in the state’s Digital Learning Plan, this grant
program is intended to support the development and dissemination of local innovative digital teaching and learning across North Carolina.

Learn more here.

Number 6

NC General Assembly Accepting House Page Program Applications for 2023 Long Session

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to apply to the House Page Program for the 2023 Long Session. This program allows students to learn and participate in the NC legislative process.

It is a four day long experience that allows high school students to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working in the House Chamber in the midst of legislative action.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 5

District Highlight: Randolph County School System  - Trinity High School Students Learn to Weld, Find a Cool New Career Path

"Michael Harmon’s Agriculture Mechanics class at Trinity High School is always at capacity with students. These days, you will see a lot of females signing up. One of the biggest draws for the class is the students learn how to weld.

Rebecca Brown says it’s become her favorite thing to do. 

'Every time I get to school it’s what I am looking forward to,' she said.

Her classmate Alexandria Lannarone agrees. 'Every day I come in and I’m like, I’m ready to weld,' says Lannarone. 'I just want to get in there and weld. I want to practice, practice and practice.'"

It is so exciting to see students explore, engage and experience such unique skills and career paths in the classroom! Read the full story here.

Number 4

Portrait of a Graduate Playbook - Collaboration

This month’s Portrait of a Graduate Playbook focus is COLLABORATION. The updated playbook includes new activities by grade span to reinforce this competency.

The playbook is a living document and feedback and suggestions to improve it are welcomed. For additional resources including a video, graphics and English/Spanish versions of the Portrait, please visit the NC Portrait of a Graduate webpage.

Number 3

Feedback Requested for 2023 K-12 Science Standards Draft

Draft 1 of the proposed 2023 K-12 Science Standards is available for public review and comment. Stakeholder input is valuable to the process as it may inform additional revisions to the draft standards.

Review and comment here by December 18.

Number 2

NCDPI "A Time to Celebrate" Holiday Student Performance Series

As part of NCDPI's "A Time to Celebrate" series, several students from multiple districts have put on amazing performances at NCDPI. We have enjoyed their artistry so much, and are so grateful to have them with us! 

Check out photos from performances here. You can see videos of performances on the NC Public Schools Facebook page.

Number 1

Happy Holidays from NCDPI!

From everyone at NCDPI, we hope you enjoy a joyful, restful and safe holiday season!

The Weekly Top Ten will take a two week hiatus through the holidays until after the new year. Look out for the next newsletter Thursday, January 5!