Number 10

Earth Day is April 22!

Did you know that North Carolina has had 18 recipients of US Dept. of Education’s Green Ribbon Award?

Learn more about the award and how to apply here.

Number 9

REMINDER: Please Complete CCRG Survey

NCDPI and the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) are seeking to gather feedback on the Career and College Ready Graduate (CCRP) Program. The optional surveys were launched April 10, 2023 via email to curriculum leaders and CCRG leads and will remain open until May 10, 2023. The surveys will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Regarding the student survey, a sample parent letter is linked here to provide a guide for communicating the survey intent to parents and students. 

The surveys will close on May 10 at 11:59 p.m. 

Staff Survey Link | Student Survey Link

Number 8

District Highlight: Bertie County Schools - Askewville Pre-K Recognized for Excellence in Physical Activity b y REACH

Congratulations to Askewville Pre-K in Bertie County on being recognized for excellence in Physical Activity by Recognizing ECE's Advancing Children's Healthy Habits (REACH). 

The development of a child’s body and motor skills affects multiple areas of development. As children play, they develop body awareness, spatial sense, the ability to cross midline, eye-hand/foot coordination, and directionality. Each of these pieces connects to cognitive development and will impact our students as they grow and learn throughout the years. 

Congratulations, Askewville! 

Number 7

Recovery Analysis Shows NC Students Made Gains on Pandemic Losses in 2021-22

"A new analysis of North Carolina test results from the 2021-22 school year shows that students made significant strides from the previous year in recovering instructional time lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest evidence of post-pandemic recovery in the state’s public schools was presented today to the House K-12 Education Committee by Dr. Jeni Corn, director of research and evaluation in the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration.

Corn told legislators that on average, the analysis found students showed signs of academic recovery in nearly every subject, with the strongest gains measured in middle and high school math, with notable gains also found in third- and fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade science and high school Biology. Only high school English (English II) remained unchanged from 2020-21."

Read the full press release here.

Number 6

Superintendent Truitt's Parent Newsletter

The first edition of Superintendent Truitt's newsletter for parents, Coffee with Catherine, went out last week. Check out the newsletter here. 

To sign up for the newsletter, click here and enter your email address. When prompted, select "Superintendent Truitt's Parent Newsletter."

Number 5

Center for Safer Schools April Trainings

This month, the Center for Safer Schools is hosting two training sessions: Human Trafficking for School-Based Professionals and Reunification Planning for Schools.

Human Trafficking for School-Based Professionals
Tuesday, April 25 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Registration is free and closes at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 21.

Reunification Planning for Schools
Thursday, April 27 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Registration is free and closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25. 

Learn more about the training sessions here.

Number 4

Summer Employment Opportunities at NC Governor's School

The NC Governor’s School is the oldest program of its kind in the nation and has inspired similar programs throughout the United States. Bright and talented high school students from across the state undergo a competitive application process to be selected to attend.
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 (East campus) and Winston-Salem State University (West campus). We currently have openings for Fellows and Instructors (see more information under the headings for Fellows and educators below).

Being on staff at NC Governor’s School will allow you to play a role in a life-changing summer for these amazing students. It’s an opportunity to work with high school students in a residential environment where creativity and curiosity are valued and learning takes place without the pressures of grades or tests.

NCDPI will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews through an on-going process until all positions are filled. Position availability, job descriptions, and application are available here. Please contact Rodney Allen with your questions at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 3

Purple Up! For Military Kids Tomorrow, Friday April 21

Annually, April is the Month of the Military Child.

To show support for their service to their parents, and sacrifices with the military culture, we have one day where we ask everyone to "Purple-Up for Military Kids." Purple is the color for military children; when you mix the Army Green, Navy Blue, Air Force Blue. Marine Red, and Coast Guard Blue together, they turn purple.

So, we ask that you "Purple-Up" this Friday, April 21, 2023 in support of military kids. If you would like, please upload pictures here.

Number 2

Summer 2023 P-EBT Timeline and Toolkit

The first issuance of summer P-EBT benefits, to include the majority of eligible families, is targeted to begin at the end of July, with one catch-up payment in August. A crucial change this summer is that only students attending school in-person are eligible; young children/fully virtual and homeschooled students are NOT eligible to participate because of the federal rules for the program this summer. The benefit will be a one-time payment of $120.

The Summer 2023 P-EBT Toolkit was shared with district and charter school communications leaders earlier this week. The toolkit can be found here.

Number 1

Chapel Hill High School English Teacher Wins NC’s Top Honors for 2023

"Kimberly S. Jones, a veteran English teacher at Chapel Hill High School, was named the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year during an awards luncheon today at the Umstead Hotel in Cary. Jones was selected from a field of nine finalists representing the state’s eight education districts and charter schools.

Jones is known in her school and across the Chapel Hill-Carrboro district as a teacher-leader who champions equitable access to advanced courses and academic success for all students."

Read the full press release here. Congratulations on being named 2023's Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Kimberly! Thank you for your service and dedication to the students of North Carolina.