Number 10

NCDPI Recognizes the 510 Educators Leading NC into the Future as Rethink Education Facilitators for Blended Learning

"Today, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) announced the second cohort of educators who will help create a more resilient, tech-savvy future for North Carolina schools. These 510 educators have completed 40 hours of professional development provided by Rethink Education, an initiative of the Office of Virtual Instruction Support Services at NCDPI. This professional development equips educators to become experts in the new statewide blended learning models, which combine in-person and online instruction, as well as trainers and leaders in their communities.

Rethink Education partners with North Carolina districts and schools to improve blended and virtual learning, access and content for students in grades K-8. Eighty-one school districts, 41 charter schools, and one lab school are part of the Rethink Education initiative."

Read the full press release here.

Number 9

State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council Now Accepting Applications

High school juniors are invited to apply to serve as a Student Advisor on Superintendent Catherine Truitt's Student Advisory Council. If you are interested in state education issues, advocating on behalf of your fellow peers, and serving as an advisor to decision-makers in K-12 education, this opportunity is for you!

Advisory members meet monthly and serve a two-year term that concludes at the end of senior year of high school. At the conclusion of each year, advisors will present a proposal to address an evolving state education issue to the Superintendent among other state leaders. 

The deadline to apply is February 7. Learn more and apply here.

Number 8

Summer Employment Opportunities with NC Governor's School

Are you interested in working with exceptionally talented, intellectually engaged high school students in a thriving learning community this summer? If so, come join the NC Governor’s School! NCDPI has openings in a variety of positions ranging from Instructors to support staff to Teacher Assistant/Counselors (TACS).

Being on staff allows you to play a role in a life-changing summer for amazing students. It’s an opportunity to work with students in an environment where creativity and curiosity are valued and learning takes place without the pressures of grades or tests.

The summer session will be from June 12-July 15 for staff (June 18-July 15 for students) and will be at two campuses: Meredith College and Winston-Salem State University.

NCDPI will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews through an on-going process. Position availability, job descriptions, and application are available here. If you have questions, please contact Rodney Allen at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 7

Financial Aid February - "How to Pay for College" Free Webinar Series

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! As part of Financial Aid Awareness month, NCSEAA and CFNC are pleased to bring you the "How to Pay for College" webinar series. Students and their families are often confused about how to bridge the gap between family funds, financial aid and the total cost of paying for college. Funding a college education shouldn’t be a mystery. Having a better understanding of the funding landscape can help families build a sound plan so students can focus on their studies.

The first webinar of the series, on February 2 at 6 p.m., is How to Pay for College where participants will learn how many families and students pay for college. Experts will also share insider tips on lesser-known sources to pay for college.

Learn more about the webinar series and register here.

Number 6

Portrait of a Graduate Exemplars

The Office of Innovation at NCDPI is interested in showcasing exemplars of the Portrait of a Graduate Competencies as an extension of the Promising Practices Clearinghouse.

The competencies include Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Learner’s Mindset, and Personal Responsibility. The exemplars should spotlight these competencies from various perspectives, such as leaders being collaborative, teachers being critical thinkers, students being adaptable, etc., with a  special interest in student-based exemplars.

This information is being collected via the Portrait of a Graduate Exemplars Google form. Please feel free to share this flyer that outlines this information. Questions can be directed to Angie.Mullennix@dpi.nc.gov. 

Number 5

January 2023 Edition of NC High School Counselors Newsletter

Vol. 5 of the NC High School Counselors Newsletter includes Financial Aid and FAFSA information, Standardized Testing Updates, New Advising Tools and UNC System Campus Tour and Admissions Information.

The newsletter can be found here.

Number 4

NC Superintendent Catherine Truitt on Staffing Shortages, Teacher Pay and More

"The new legislative session begins in earnest this week, and at the top of the agenda is to figure out what — and how much — to spend on public education.

Nearly 40% of the state budget typically goes to fund K-12 education.

Catherine Truitt has some ideas on how that education budget should look. She's entering her third year as state superintendent. Truitt, a Republican, started her career as a high school English teacher, and has also been an education adviser to former Gov. Pat McCrory and a chancellor at Western Governors University, an online university.

WUNC education reporter Liz Schlemmer recently sat down with Truitt for a wide-ranging conversation."

Read the transcript of the interview here.

Number 3

District Highlight: Randolph County School District Unveils New Electric School Bus

"The wheels on an all-new, electric school bus will soon be going round and round in Randolph County.

The Randolph County School District is the first public school district in the state of North Carolina to test out a new, all-electric school bus.

The bus was unveiled Tuesday morning.

'I'm just thrilled we were chosen to be the first one to get this bus,' said Randolph County Schools Superintendent Stephen Gainey. 'And we will try it out and see where it goes.'

The new bus is the first of its kind in the state. It was funded by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement."

Read the full story here.

Number 2

Center for Safer Schools Opens Temporary Training Facility at Samarcand

"The N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) on Tuesday, Jan. 24 officially opened its temporary training facility at Samarcand.

The facility – housed at the Department of Public Safety’s Samarcand Training Academy in Moore County – features a newly renovated academic building, including two classrooms and two offices with seven adjacent cubicles. Plans call for the CFSS to offer classes monthly in support of its mission to promote safe learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools."

Read the full press release here.

Number 1

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The United Nations has designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism.

Explore The Holocaust Museum for more information and teaching resources here.