Number 10

Action Requested: Voluntary Reversal Process for ESSER II PRCs

This week, local superintendents and CAOs received a note from the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration in regard to unused ESSER II summer programs funding. In an effort to support PSUs who are still facing challenges with spending these funds, NCDPI has created a process to allow for PSUs to voluntarily revert their funds to NCDPI if they do not think they will be able to effectively spend the remaining funds before the September 30, 2023 ESSER II deadline.

Read the full letter and find the ESSER II Voluntary Reversion Process form here.

Number 9

Nominations Open for National Career Clusters Framework Industry Advisory Groups - Deadline June 9

The ideal candidate for these advisory groups is an individual who has a long-standing history in a given sector, can speak broadly to both national and regional workforce needs, and thoroughly understands the hiring and training opportunities and challenges of that sector. For that reason, public institutions, private businesses, associations, unions, training organizations, and other groups are viable participants.

These nominations are open to the public and shareable. You may nominate industry members or industry members may nominate themselves or a representative. These groups will meet at least twice with a time commitment of no more than ten hours over the next twelve months. 

For more information about the Industry Advisory Groups, including their purpose, a list of the IAGs, how these groups were designed and other Frequently Asked Questions click here. For any remaining questions, please email careerclusters@careertech.org.

The nomination form is available here and will close this Friday, June 9.

Number 8

NC Summer Nutrition Programs Offer Food, Fitness, Farm to Summer, and Fun At No-Cost for Kids and Teens

More than 900,000 North Carolina students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the School Breakfast, School Lunch, and Afterschool Snack Programs. When school is out, Summer Nutrition Programs provide nutritious meals at no cost for children and adolescents ages 18 and younger.

To find nutritious summer meals at no-cost near you for kids and teens who are ages 18 and younger:

• Text "Food" to 304-304 for information in English or “COMIDA” to 304-304 for information in Spanish
• Use the N.C. Site Finder Map
• Check your local school district website, social media or other communications
• Learn more at summermeals4nckids.org

Read the full press release here.

Number 7

Vol. 6 of the High School Counselor Newsletter

Read the latest edition of Counselor's Corner, the High School Counselor Newsletter, here.

Number 6

NC Museum of Natural Sciences Cretaceous Creatures Registration Now Open

Eighth grade science teachers are invited to participate in learning experiences with real fossils through Cretaceous Creatures with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. 

From the comfort of their classrooms, students will sort through 66-million-year-old sediment from Montana to discover and identify microfossils (small bones, teeth, scales, and shells) that no one has seen before (not even scientists)! Eligible classrooms receive:

• Free lessons + materials
• Access to real fossils + real science

Click here to apply. Contact Dr. Elizabeth D. Jones with questions. 

Number 5

NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Edvantage Tutoring

North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is preparing for yet another upcoming, exciting, and highly beneficial semester of Edvantage Tutoring. We would love to have middle and high schools on board across the state!

NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring will be offered in the following curriculum areas:

• 7th & 8th Grade ELA, Math and Science
• 8th Grade Math I
• High School Math I & Math III
• High School Biology
• High School Chemistry

Browse a quick overview of Edvantage Tutoring here to learn more. 

Tutoring for the 2023-24 academic year begins September 18, 2023 and will be available Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. nightly. Daytime tutoring is also available per school/district request. In order to adequately prepare with the correct number of staffed tutors, please submit the form by or before August 11, 2023.

Read the full note with more information and contact information here.

Number 4

Healthful Living Draft 1 Surveys Now Open

NCDPI seeks public input on K-12 Healthful Living standards. Participate in surveys by selecting the links below.

• K-5 Health Education
• 6-9 Health Education
• K-9 Physical Education

Surveys will close September 18. 

Number 3

PD Opportunity: Interpretive and Expressive Literacy Practices Inherent in Arts Education

A new self-paced professional development course is available for Arts Education teachers! "Interpretive & Expressive Literacy Practices Inherent in Arts Education" modules will be released monthly and earn CEUs.

Learn more and register here.

Number 2

Superintendent Truitt's Parent Newsletter

The second edition of Superintendent Truitt's newsletter for parents, Coffee with Catherine, will go out next week!

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

Number 1

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Attendance, Grades, Grade Retention, and Suspensions in North Carolina Through the 2021-22 School Year

Evidence of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student outcomes, particularly test scores, has been documented nationwide. Prior work from the Education Policy Initiative at Carolina (EPIC) also shows widespread negative effects on attendance, test scores, and
grade retention in the 2020-21 school year.

The purpose of this brief is to provide updated statewide descriptive data on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student outcomes into the 2021-22 school year. In particular, the brief will answer the following research questions:

• How has student attendance changed from pre-pandemic through the 2021-22 school year?
• How have course grades changed from pre-pandemic
  through the 2021-22 school year?
• How has grade retention changed from pre-pandemic
  through the 2021-22 school year?
• How have suspensions changed from pre-pandemic
  through the 2021-22 school year?

Read the full brief here.