Number 10

School Nurses Day

School Nurses Day was yesterday, May 10. School nurses lead the way to advance health and support education by ensuring that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Join us in celebrating our school nurses this week, and always!

Number 9

Unlocking Opportunity: Evidence-Based Literacy Investment is the Key to our Children’s Future

"Of the dozens of questions included in the 1908 West Virginia Teachers’ Examination, there are two that resonate most: 'What do you understand to be the ultimate aim in the teaching of reading?' and 'What should be the teacher’s preparation in this subject?'

These questions are no less relevant today than they were over a century ago, particularly as the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores revealed further declines in student reading proficiency. While these declines are troubling, reading proficiency rates prior to the pandemic were already cause for concern.

In 2019, only 35% of 4th graders and 34% of 8th graders met or exceeded NAEP reading proficiency rates. As further research reveals the nuances of learning loss in literacy — particularly in the crucial kindergarten through 2nd grade years, and among students of color and students with disabilities — we must take decisive action."

Read the full joint op-ed from Superintendent Truitt and former governor of West Virginia, Bob Wise, here.

Number 8

Ashe County Schools Educator Named 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee Educator of the Year

"The 2023 Educator of the Year, presented by SugarBee® Apple, is Gina Calhoun. An 8th grade language arts and social studies teacher at Ashe County Middle School in Warrensville, North Carolina, Mrs. Calhoun is passionate about going above and beyond to celebrate her students’ success!

Mrs. Calhoun says, 'I love seeing the pride on students' faces when they spell a difficult word correctly, or are declared the winner and get to represent our school at the next level. Spelling bees are another opportunity to give one more student their moment to shine!'"

Congratulations, Gina! Thank you for your dedication to encouraging and showcasing your students successes.

Read more about the award and Mrs. Calhoun here.

Number 7

Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) Data Updates

The Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) Team is excited to announce that 22-23 data from Amplify, including DIBELS 8 data, are live in the ECATS Early Warning System (EWS) MTSS Module! These data inform the Literacy Early Warning Indicator in grades K-3 and are visible in the student profile and in intervention plans using DIBELS 8 as progress monitoring tools. Benchmark and progress monitoring data from the 22-23 school year are included. mCLASS data will be updated in the ECATS MTSS system weekly.

The data coming into the EWS are directly from Amplify and mirror the data in mCLASS. These data are not certified for accountability purposes. Additional details about the Amplify data are linked here.

Therefore, the EWS now can automatically import third-party assessment scores for the following assessments:

• DIBELS 8
• NC ENSI
• iReady
• iStation
• MAP
• STAR - (*LEAs who use STAR must opt in via the STAR platform to participate.)
• aimswebPlus - (*LEAs who use aimswebPlus must ensure their LEA code in aimswebPlus is correctly configured.)

If you have any questions, please reach out to your regional IABS consultant.

Number 6

Order Free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Advertising Materials from NCDHHS by May 26

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with North Carolina schools and community-based organizations to increase awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. ALL North Carolina middle and high schools, and community-based organizations serving middle and high school youth and their families, can order free, printed campaign materials. Shipments will include posters, flyers, magnets, stickers, tote bags and other materials to share with students and staff.

Orders must be placed using the 988 Printed Materials Order Form by May 26.

Number 5

2023 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year to be Announced Friday, May 19

The 2023 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year will be announced Friday, May 19, during a luncheon at The Umstead Hotel.

Again this year, with support from Equitable Advisors and PBS North Carolina, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. The ceremony will start at 12:30 p.m., with the livestream beginning 30 minutes before, with video featuring sponsors and regional winners. The winner is expected to be announced between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m.

Number 4

2023 READCamp Challenge

Since 2016, Share the Magic Foundation has been dedicated to transforming the lives of children through literacy.

READCamp is Share the Magic's free virtual summer reading training camp for kids grades PreK-8th. During READCamp, kids participate in literacy based training, drills and practice in order to maintain reading skills over the summer to tackle the summer slide.

READCamp opens Memorial Day May 29 and runs through Labor Day September 4, 2023. Learn more and sign up here!

Number 3

Five NC Educators Selected as NCDPI Fellows to Advance STEM Education in Computer Science

"Five Eastern North Carolina educators have been named 2023-24 Kenan Fellows. Their fellowships were made possible through a collaboration between the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the Office of Career and Technical Education’s #IAmComputerScience campaign, and the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University.

The teachers are part of the 2023-24 Kenan Fellows cohort of 38 statewide educators. Their fellowship projects will be to advance STEM education and build a Northeastern North Carolina-based ecosystem of teacher leaders that will support career and workforce development in the computer science fields. This is the second consecutive year NCDPI has supported this initiative. As part of the fellowships, the educators will be immersed with statewide and local industry partners: Fleet Readiness Center East, Hitachi Astemo, Nucor Steel, and TCOM. The Fellows will receive customized professional development in computer science and computational thinking specific to the Northeastern part of the state."

Read the full press release here.

Number 2

Four North Carolina High School Seniors Named Presidential Scholars

Four high school seniors from North Carolina were named U.S. Presidential Scholars today, among 161 recipients recognized nationally for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.

The North Carolina scholars are:

• Clara Cecilia Brodey, a senior at East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
• Josiah Hailey Young, a senior at Hickory Ridge High School, Cabarrus County Schools (Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education)
• Elizabeth Greene, Cleveland Innovation Academy, Cleveland County Schools (Presidential Scholar in Arts)
• Nipun Gorantla, Marvin Ridge High School, Union County Public Schools

Congratulations Clara, Josiah, Elizabeth and Nipun! Read the full press release here.

Number 1

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12. We could not be more proud of or thankful for North Carolina's teachers. The work you all put in, both inside and outside of the classroom, to be the best educators you can be for the 1.4 million students our public schools serve is invaluable. Thank you for everything that you do. 

Watch Superintendent Truitt's Teacher Appreciation video message here.