Number 10

12 School Districts Earn $800,000 in Grants for Coding & Mobile App Development

"This year, a dozen North Carolina school districts will benefit from a total of $800,000 in grants aimed at developing student skills in computer science through coding. The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant program, launched in 2017 with funding from the General Assembly, supports partnerships with local businesses to help schools develop computer science, coding and mobile app development programs for middle and high school students.

The grants, which range from $27,000 to $80,000 this year, help districts and schools purchase equipment, digital materials and cover the costs associated with teacher professional development to build capacity in coding, computer science and mobile application development initiatives."

Read the full press release here. 

Number 9

2023 School Safety Grant Applications Open October 20

The 2023 School Safety Grant application opens Friday, October 20, 2023, at noon and closes Monday, November 13, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. School districts and charter schools can access the School Safety Grant application through CCIP under “FY 2024, Funding application: Safer Schools.”

The grant categories included in this application are Safety Equipment, Services for Students in Crisis and Safety Training. Please note that funding for the hiring and training of school resource officers is not included in this application.

Before applying for this grant, make sure to read N.C. Session Law 2021-180 and Parts II and III of N.C. Session Law 2019-222. If you have questions, please email schoolsafetygrants@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 8

Webinar on the Restart Model for all Districts with Schools Designated as Recurring Low Performing

An information webinar on the Restart Model is being held for all districts with schools designated as Recurring Low Performing. The State Board of Education offers districts with these schools the opportunity to submit an application requesting authority for this Reform Model (General Statute 115c-105.37b) to operate the school with charter-like flexibility. To apply for the Restart Model, the school must be designated as Recurring Low Performing according to the Accountability definition - A recurring low-performing school is identified as low-performing in any two of the last three years as found listed on the NCDPI Accountability website on the tab entitled Recurring LP Schools 22–23. A low-performing school has a school performance grade of 'D' or 'F', and a growth status of 'Met' or 'Not Met'

Click here to register for the webinar that will take place Monday, November 6, from 9-11 a.m.

Number 7

District Highlight: New Hanover County Schools - Hoggard High Named ESPN Honor Roll High School for Special Olympics Program

"JT Hoggard High School has been named an ESPN Honor Roll high school for the Southeast region of the United States for its work as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School.

'The school’s work on inclusion and collaboration among students with and without disabilities has made Hoggard a place where every student can experience the joy of participation and teamwork,' a New Hanover County Schools social media post from Oct. 18 states."

Watch the video here. Congratulations, Hoggard High! 

Number 6

It's College Application Week!

As a reminder, October is NC Countdown to College month and this week is College Application Week! Many North Carolina colleges and universities will offer free applications.

Learn more here.

Number 5

North Carolina Student AP Exam Performance Tops Previous School Year

"More high school students across the state of North Carolina have been taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams.

After participation fell during the pandemic, the boost in students sitting for AP tests has now outpaced the national average. As performance went up, the gap also closed for Black and Hispanic students.

In data collected by the College Board, the number of North Carolina students taking at least one AP exam last school year increased by 11.2% from the 2021-22 school year. The state outpaced the nation as a whole, for which AP participation increased last year by 7.6% from the previous year."

Read the full article here. 

Number 4

Fidelity Scholars Program Applications Open

The Fidelity Scholars Program (FSP) is back for year two! The Fidelity Scholars Program combines a generous annual needs-based scholarship with robust wrap-around services that support students’ persistence to degree or certificate attainment.

FSP provides a last dollar scholarship opportunity to high school seniors and GED recipients, ages 16-24, who will be enrolling at a 4-year college/university for the first time in Fall 2024.

If a student meets the eligibility criteria listed below, they can apply:

• 2.5 – 3.5 unweighted GPA or GED
• Demonstrate financial need
• Enroll at a 4-year, not-for-profit college or university in your home state
• Come from underrepresented populations and historically underserved communities

Learn more about the program and apply here. 

Number 3

Honors Level Courses – Updated Policy and Resources

Reminder: In July, CCRE-001 was amended to include Honors Level Courses. The new policy amendment and supporting resources will improve the fidelity and implementation of honors level courses across North Carolina. To support Public School Units (PSUs) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of honors level courses, NCDPI has developed the Honors Level Course Guide. Full implementation of this policy is expected by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Please visit Honors Level Coursework | NC DPI for additional information, including dates for Office Hours to ask questions and discuss the implementation.

Number 2

Superintendent Truitt's School Nutrition Message

Superintendent Truitt recorded a message encouraging schools to celebrate Farm to School Month (#F2SMonth), the #NCCrunch and National School Lunch Week (#NSLW), students and staff to eat school meals, and everyone to thank our #NCFarmtoSchoolHeroes and #NCSchoolNutritionHeroes!

Watch the video message here.

Number 1

Career Development Plan Pilot

To ensure that we have a student-centered approach to career development, NCDPI is seeking participants for the Career Development Plan pilot, which will run from January until June 2024. 

If your PSU would like to participate in the pilot, read more here.