Weekly Top Ten - January 19, 2023

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/19/2023 05:00 PM EST

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January 19, 2023

Number 10

Portrait of a Graduate Playbook - Communication

This month’s Portrait of a Graduate Playbook focus is COMMUNICATION. The updated playbook includes new activities by grade span to reinforce this competency. Updates to Resources and Example Activities by grade span begin on page 16.

The Portrait of a Graduate Playbook is a living document. Each month, another competency will be added until all seven are reflected in the document.

For additional resources including a video, graphics and English/Spanish versions of the Portrait, please visit the NC Portrait of a Graduate webpage.

Number 9

ESSER Tracking Tool

How is your PSU tracking your ESSER III 20% set-aside? The Office of Learning Recovery & Acceleration has created an optional tracking tool that aligns to US Department of Education reporting requirements.

Access the tracking tool here. Pleaser reach out to Richard.Lewis@dpi.nc.gov should you have any questions about the tool.

Number 8

Applications Open for Camp Corral Military-Connected Students Summer Camp

Camp Corral offers summer camp opportunities to children of wounded, ill and fallen military and veterans. Kids will find adventure, build confidence, challenge their fears and make lifelong friends.

The week-long camp is open to children ages 8-15 and is offered at no cost to the family. Applications are now open and are available on a first come first served basis.

Learn more about the multiple location and date offerings available and apply here.

Number 7

NC Virtual Parent Orientation

All NC Virtual parents and those interested in NC Virtual are invited to the next Parent Orientation! The presentation includes how to use the Canvas Parent App, what to expect during the semester, student supports, and an opportunity to chat live with NC Virtual teachers and students.

The first session is Tuesday, January 24 at 6 p.m., and the second session is Thursday, January 26 at 11 a.m. Information for joining can be found on the NC Virtual Open House page.

Number 6

Alternative Learning Programs and Schools (ALPS) Reminders and Updates

As a part of the plan to support alternative learning programs and schools, please share this memo with your Alternative Education district and school-level administrators within your PSU.

Please remember to:

Add/update the ALPS Contact in EDDIE
Complete the survey by January 31, 2023 (survey participants include ALPS school administration and staff)
Join optional Alternative Education Office Hours on January 19 from 4-5 p.m. or January 31 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Number 5

Statewide Portrait of a Graduate Featured in NC Music Educators Association Music Educator Journal

North Carolina's Statewide Portrait of a Graduate was featured in the Winter 2023 North Carolina Music Educator! Each Issue of the North Carolina Music Educator contains timely and important information related to music education in the state.

Check out this edition of the North Carolina Music Educator here, and be sure to check out the Portrait of a Graduate feature on pages 32-33!

Number 4

2023 NC Jr. Chef Competition Accepting Applications

Teams of high school students (grades 9-12) currently enrolled in a North Carolina public school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are encouraged to work with their teachers and local School Nutrition Program to create a school lunch entrée recipe that adheres to NSLP regulations, features at least two North Carolina grown ingredients and one USDA Foods item, and appeals to students for the 2023 NC Jr. Chef Competition. Student members of the top three teams win scholarships to attend Sullivan University. The 1st place teams advances to the Southeast Jr. Chef Competition.

Applications with recipes and permission forms are due February 3. Learn more and apply here.

Number 3

Survey for February PIO Call Scheduling

Public Information Officers and Charter School Communications Leaders received a link to complete a survey for scheduling the February Quarterly PIO Call.

If you did not receive this survey, please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 2

Fidelity Investments Launches Invest In My Education (ME)^SM, Providing Access to Education and Support to Historically Underserved Students

"As part of its long-standing commitment to financial education and inclusion, Fidelity Investments today announced a $250 million commitment that will provide access to education and support for up to 50,000 Black, Latinx, and historically underserved students through the launch of its Invest in My Education (ME)^SM program. The social impact initiative is the latest step in Fidelity’s ongoing commitment to historically underserved communities. In tandem, the firm is continuing to take deliberate steps to strengthen its commitment to diversity and inclusion at every level within its own organization and maintaining its focus on delivering relevant products and services to its increasingly diverse customers.

Invest in My Education (ME) will build upon Fidelity’s culture of associate volunteerism and focus on financial wellbeing, bringing together scholarships, mentoring, student success and education expertise, as well as experienced nonprofit partners to improve the long-term outcomes of thousands of Black, Latinx, and underserved students. The success of the initiative will be measured through students’ college completion rates, their capacity to graduate without student debt, and their ability to secure good-paying jobs that facilitate greater economic mobility and financially firm futures."

Read the full press release here.

Number 1

State Superintendent Truitt and General Assembly Award $3 Million for Modernization of CTE Programs

"In an effort to continue to modernize Career and Technical Education programs and classrooms across North Carolina, the General Assembly allotted $3 million in 2022 for State Superintendent Catherine Truitt to award funds to school districts via two grant programs: CTE Modernization and Support in Grades Six through Eight ($2 million) and Ancillary Items Necessary for the CTE Program ($1 million). In all, 66 school districts statewide and have been awarded funds from one or both of the grant programs.

Funding priority was given to districts with at least one school that received low-wealth supplemental funding in the previous fiscal year and districts with a large population of at-risk students or students with disabilities."

Read the full press release here.