 The Office of Charter Schools is proud to announce the 2024 NC Charter School Teacher of the Year, Lee Haywood from Uwharrie Charter Academy Middle School, in Asheboro, NC (Randolph County).
Lee Haywood hails from Uwharrie Charter Middle School, located in the city of Asheboro, Randolph County as a Middle School Art Teacher, and has been a mentor of teachers for over a decade; has served on the NC Art Education Association board and was previously awarded NC Middle School Arts Educator of the Year.
Her passion for Arts Education was heard as the Charter School Selection Team conducted their day-long in-person interview at Uwharrie Charter, where parents said “Mrs. Haywood connected to students like no other teacher they knew”; students shared that Lee was the “Mom of Art” at the school; and her colleagues noting that she is a “gifted art teacher who cares more about students than their grades”.
Thank you to the selection committee including Dr. Brandi Gill (OCS), Ryan Henderson (2023 CS Teacher of the Year), and Keegan Storrs (CS 2022 Teacher of the Year) who interviewed the following 10 candidates for our final top two nominees, Mrs. Lee Haywood, and Mr. Dennis Abline from Roxboro Community School! It was evident through this interview process that we have highly talented educators in our charter schools who are the epitome of extraordinary! We congratulate each of you and all of the Charter School Teachers of the Year for your outstanding commitment to education in our state.
Congratulations to these candidates who made the final round of interviews and were recognized by your local charter school:
- Brittany Weaver, Carolina Charter Academy
- Kinsey Steere, ArtSpace Charter School
- Marcus Blankenship, IC Imagine Charter School
- Jessica Day Clarkson, Mountain Island Charter School
- Susan Westbrook, Oxford Prep Academy
- Dennis Abline, Roxboro Community School
- Katherine Sutton, Tiller Academy
- Jorge Giraldo, Union Academy
- Lee Haywood, Uwharrie Community School
- Dennis Baker, Voyager Academy
Threat Assessment Update (House Bill 605)
The Center for Safer Schools wants to update public-school units on processes related to House Bill 605. For more information, see the attached letter from CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley.
If you have questions, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
About the Center for Safer Schools
The Center for Safer Schools serves to promote safe learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools. The CFSS serves as a hub of information and technical assistance on school safety to school faculty and staff, law enforcement, youth-serving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians and students. CFSS staff focuses on school climate, school discipline and emergency preparedness concerns for North Carolina’s public K-12 schools. CFSS staff is available to provide training, guidance and technical assistance upon request for school faculty and staff and those working with children and adolescents. The CFSS is headed by Karen W. Fairley, Executive Director.
Parent’s Guide to Student Achievement Overview
School Business – December 21, 2023
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
LEAs and Remote Charter Academies Funding Update
S.L. 2023-134 Section 7.26(d) amends General Statute to extend the two virtual charter pilots through the 2025-26 school year. It also allows virtual charters to receive low-wealth and small county supplemental funding. The session law lifted the $790 per student cap on local funding as well. As a result, LEAs are now required to fund the full local appropriation.
January Teacher Bonus Update – all PSUs
The Third Grade Read to Achieve Teacher Bonus (PRC 046) and the Principal and Other Teacher Performance Bonuses (PRC 048) will be allotted in January. The staff qualifying for the bonus will be posted to the normal sites; the HR Secure Shell and CTE should be communicating that bonus information.
PSUs are responsible for ensuring that those employees on the listings provided by DPI qualify for these bonuses based on their internal records. You cannot solely rely on the DPI file to ensure compliance. Please contact Michael Ray (michael.ray@dpi.nc.gov) should you have any questions. Please be aware that Michael will have to check with the appropriate program areas to provide you those answers, as SBS compiles the information based on the accountability data and information from other sources. However, SBS is happy to be a single source of contact for you.
New Federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant – all PSUs
Do not prepare a budget in the CCIP system for the new federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant. The CCIP system will not process the federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant budgets. Please prepare journal entries to post your federal PRC 146 allotments.
If you have questions, please contact Roxane Bernard at roxane.bernard@dpi.nc.gov.
From the Center for Safer Schools
School Safety Grant Update – all PSUs
This year we had an unprecedented number of grant applications, which is incredibly encouraging. The cumulative grant request amount is almost four times the amount of funds that the General Assembly allocated to the School Safety Grants this session.
This makes our review process more critical. We wanted to take a deep, detailed look into the applications since we recognize that we simply don’t have enough money to fully fund the requests. Each application has been reviewed and assessed multiple times, and that review is ongoing for the reasons already stated.
We recognize that this year’s legislative session lasted much longer than anticipated and, in fact, the budget was only recently certified by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. Rather than try to expedite the award process, we would like to take the rest of this year to finalize the assessment process to ensure we have been as diligent in our review as possible.
Letters of award will be sent out in early January, which will provide us time to align the awards more closely with the Department of Public Instruction finance process. We understand that this might be later than usual, but this year has provided unique circumstances that led us to this decision.
We remain steadfast in our dedication to serve each of you so you can best serve our children statewide. We look forward to awarding this funding as soon as possible.
Upcoming Deadlines
Real Property Status Surveys (all PSUs) are PAST DUE, submit ASAP.
Details are in the November 13, 2023 newsletter *
Financial Statement Audits (all PSUs) are PAST DUE, submit ASAP with an explanation for the delay.
Details are in the September 15, 2023, November 3, 2023, and December 1, 2023 newsletters *
Federal Grant Liquidation and Closeout (all PSUs) - grants expired on September 30, 2023 must be liquidated by December 29, 2023, excluding ESSER II funds with an approved extension.
Details are in the September 15, 2023 and October 27, 2023 newsletters *
After School Robotics and Plasma Games Competitive Grant Opportunities (all PSUs) - Applications for After School Robotics grants are due December 31, 2023 and applications for Plasma Games are due January 15, 2024.
Details are in the December 8, 2023 newsletter *
*View prior newsletters online: Newsletters and Guidance | NC DPI.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which raises awareness about human trafficking and serves to educate the public about how to identify and prevent it. The Center for Safer Schools is doing its part by hosting eight simultaneous screenings of the film “Choices” across each of its eight educational regions.
The screenings will be held at the following locations on Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.:
Western: Minitorium, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville
Northwest: Bowman Middle School Auditorium, 410 S. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville
Southwest: West Cabarrus High School, 4100 Weddington Road, Concord
Piedmont-Triad: Morehead High School, 134 N. Pierce St., Eden
North Central: Room 150, Education Building, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh
Sandhills: Turlington School Auditorium, 116 W. Prospect Ave., Raeford
Southeast: Odell Williamson Auditorium, Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road NW, Bolivia
Northeast: Northampton County High School, 152 Hurricane Drive, Gaston
Following the screenings, Center for Safer Schools staff will facilitate a discussion about the film and how it relates to human trafficking.
RSVP at https://forms.gle/gzmgVUiZAFWkiaRK7. If you have questions, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
SRMP Training
The Center for Safer Schools announces dates for School Risk Management Plan training during the 2024 spring semester.
In-person sessions at the Training Center in Moore County will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 10; Wednesday, Feb. 7; Wednesday, March 6; and Thursday, April 4.
Online sessions via Webex will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9; Tuesday, Feb. 6; Tuesday, March 5; and Wednesday, April 3.
After completing SRMP training, attendees will be able to:
- Input site-based school data to develop a comprehensive schematic diagram and plans into the SRMP portal.
- Both identify and discuss vulnerabilities and training gaps in their individual plans.
- At least once annually initiate a full schoolwide tabletop exercise on the procedures documented in the SRMP portal.
To obtain the most beneficial training within the SRMP system, charter school personnel should ensure that their school has been loaded into the SRMP and that they have an active NCID and are able to log into SRMP. LEA personnel should make sure they can log into SRMP using their NCID.
If you are not able to log in, click here to try to reset your NCID password first.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop, as they will receive technical guidance to ensure their plans meet the necessary state requirements. Please register for only one session, as they’re all the same.
For more information on SRMP training, send an email to CFSS Assistant Director-Physical Security Karen Everett.
New Round of Grants for Digital Teaching and Learning Available for 2024-2025
"Digital Teaching and Learning in North Carolina’s public schools will benefit from a new round of competitive grants that were approved December 7, 2023 by the State Board of Education.
Up to $1.25 million in grants funded by the General Assembly through the state’s Digital Learning Initiative will be available to school districts, charter schools, lab schools and regional schools during the 2024-2025 school year. Over the past seven years, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Digital Teaching and Learning Division has committed more than $10 million dollars in similar grants to help schools and districts develop and strengthen digital-age learning initiatives.
'This agency has had a long history of prioritizing and securing funding for Digital Teaching and Learning grants, and I’m excited to see us continue these efforts today,' State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said. 'As our world continues to become more interconnected, technology embedded within North Carolina classrooms will better help our students prepare for the wide range of opportunities upon graduation. I look forward to the creative proposals that will be put forth by schools across the state and seeing how they will enhance teaching and learning for all students.'”
Read the full press release here.
OCR/CRDC - SY2021-2022 - Status Updates - Submission Begins
Note: PSUs that were not open in the school year 2021-2022 are not required to participate in this collection.
NCDPI Uploads to CRDC Federal Submission Tool
NCDPI will begin uploading data to the CRDC Federal Submission Tool this week. PSUs are advised to wait until after notification that uploads are complete to begin updating data uploaded by NCDPI. NCDPI plans to complete the data upload December 15. PSUs must complete the federally mandated collection by February 26, 2024.
CRDC Submission Tool User Accounts
User accounts and user privileges for CRDC Coordinators and Superintendents will be activated the week of December 18, 2023. CRDC Coordinator Contacts and Superintendents whose information was updated in EDDIE before November 1, 2023, should expect a communication regarding access to the Federal Submission Tool from the PSC. Staff who receive an account may create user accounts in the Federal Submission Tool at their discretion.
NC CRDC Canvas
The NC CRDC Canvas course contains modules that cover the NCDPI/PSU collaboration for this collection. Staff working on the CRDC must access this course for NC Specific information.
Included in this course:
- Documentation specific to data collected and submitted by North Carolina.
- NC CRDC Course List
- CRDC 2021-2022 Collection by Entity – identifies data PSUs must collect and submit on their own and the data NCDPI can upload on behalf of PSUs.
- NCDPI upload timing and procedure. Learn when to begin updating data in the Federal Submission Tool.
- Tools from the CRDC Resource Center. Download the LEA and School forms. Review Excel template tools for uploading data, instructions for flat file submissions, Federal Submission Tool user guides, error resolution and more.
To enroll in and access the CRDC Course in Canvas, please use this link: https://ncdpi.instructure.com/enroll/J4FD4R
NC CRDC Webinars
This 1.5-hour session will provide an overview of the NC DPI process that facilitates the transfer of data to the federal submission tool for the CRDC. This session will also focus on resources at the federal level that support the collection, validation, and certification of the data in the federal submission tool.
This webinar will be hosted from 2pm – 3:30pm on the following dates:
Office Hours
CRDC Coordinators can book an hour meeting to ask specific questions about their CRDC. Office hours will be held Tuesday through Thursday from 1pm to 5pm until February 26, 2023. Use this link: Book time with Terra
Please email nc.ocr.crdc@dpi.nc.gov with any questions you may have.
Want information about the CRDC, but are not the CRDC Coordinator contact? Add your information here: 2122 CRDC – Info Only Contacts List
Healthful Living Standards Draft #2 Surveys
The NC State Board of Education Standard Course of Study Manual specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) will formally collect feedback from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies on each draft of the revised K-12 Health and Physical Education Standards.
This process began with a review phase, conducted through the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2022. The review phase included gathering relevant research and analyzing data obtained through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The data obtained was analyzed by the NCDPI Office of Learning Recovery and provided to the Health and Physical Education Standards Data Review Committees (DRCs) for further review. The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations. The report was provided to the Health and Physical Education Standards Writing Teams (SWT) as the basis to start the revision process and the creation of Draft 1. A survey was released to gather feedback on the first draft of the proposed 2023 K-12 Health and Physical Education Standards. The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations for Draft 1. The report was provided to the SWT as the basis for the creation of Draft 2.
A survey has now been released to gather feedback on the second draft of the proposed 2023 K-12 Health and Physical Education Standards. The purpose of this survey is to obtain input from all stakeholders regarding the proposed K-12 Health and Physical Education Standards and to inform any additional revisions, which may include changes, clarifications, additions, deletions, or replacements to the draft standards. The surveys will close on January 14th, 2024.
Thank you for you participation. Your feedback is extremely valuable to the Healthful Living standards revision process.
Health Education Draft 2 Standards Survey
https://forms.gle/dDtzqNGv513uxQck6
Physical Education Draft 2 Standards Survey
https://forms.gle/dUZ2RRjfbAAx5GaZ6
Burt Jenkins
Healthful Living Consultant / Athletics Consultant
Division of Academic Standards
NC Department of Public Instruction
(W) 984-236-2816
Burt.Jenkins@dpi.nc.gov
The NC SECU People Helping People scholarship application is now open, due March 5th
NCSECU Foundation Scholarship
SECU Foundation takes an active role in assisting communities across North Carolina because we believe in “People Helping People®.” To support this commitment, the People Helping People scholarship was established to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. A scholarship award of up to $10,000 over four years will be awarded to 10 Charter High School Seniors across the state. The Application Process will open on December 1st. Please share this scholarship opportunity with your high school guidance counselors and deans to promote this scholarship opportunity. Applications will close on March 5th, 2024, with selection interviews starting March 22nd, 2024. All final nominations are due to Dr. Natasha Norins by March 5th via email with PDF attachments from applicants. For further assistance, please contact Dr. Natasha Norins, natasha.norins@dpi.nc.gov.
Teaching the Craft of Writing PD
The NCDPI ELA Team invites teachers to participate in professional learning on Teaching the Craft of Writing. This one-day PD will be grounded in the Literacy Instruction Standards, ELA Standard Course of Study, current research, and the recommendations and guidance in the NCDPI ELA Team’s writing guidebook (to be released in January 2024). Collectively, participating teachers can use this learning to make informed and effective decisions when developing their vision for teaching writing.
Professional learning will be held face-to-face on the dates, times, and locations below. Participants are encouraged to bring a device.
East: February 1, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Lenoir County
West: February 13, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Burke County
Central: February 15, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | DPI
Central: February 16, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Hoke County
Central: February 21, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | DPI
Virtual: February 29, 2024 | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Please note priority registration will be given to districts attending PD closest to their region.
Spots are limited for the in-person option. Once a location’s registration is full, registrants will be put on a waiting list. Registration is not finalized until registrants receive confirmation from the NCDPI ELA Team.
Register Today!
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Trainings
Are you new to offering Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or do you want to know more about CTE? Check out our Charter Schools: Getting Started with CTE guide (https://bit.ly/CTEcharter) to connect with CTE resources, including course standards, required CTE proofs of learning, credentials, and reporting requirements.
The CTE Regional Services team is implementing a charter school user group during the 2023-2024 school year to provide training and support for charter schools who offer CTE programs or have student enrollments in CTE courses through NCVPS. Our charter school user group will meet quarterly to provide CTE updates, information about CTE programs, and training for administering and reporting student results for CTE proofs of learning, credentials, and CTE concentrator status for WorkKeys participation. We invite you to mark your calendar for the following dates and plan to join us online to learn more about CTE.
*This session will include a CTE State Assessment training refresher and full training required for schools administering spring administrations of CTE State Assessments who did not attend fall training
Questions may be directed to Misty Wolfe (misty.wolfe@dpi.nc.gov) or your CTE Regional Coordinator.
Important MEMOs:
Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates
OCS Office Hours
The purpose of the OCS Office Hours is to allow Charter School Leaders to connect with NCDPI department representatives virtually. NCDPI departments will share information and resources. Please see the upcoming session below.
January 11 at 10 am: Office of Learning Recovery. RSVP HERE to receive a calendar invite with the connection link.
OCS Lunch+Learn
Mark your calendar! Our next quarterly Lunch+Learn is scheduled for February 19 at Pine Springs Preparatory from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. School tours will begin at 10:30 am. The topic of discussion is Navigating Charter School Legislation. Please RSVP HERE.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events. For questions, contact Dr. Brandi Gill at brandi.gill@dpi.nc.gov.
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
School Counselor Cohort resource
Any school counselors who wish to network may share their information in this form.
You may also view the current list through this link.
 
Fresh Take 2024
Community School of Davidson is excited to host the 11th Annual Fresh Take Conference on Friday, March 1st 2024. This conference is planned BY teachers and FOR teachers, and we are very excited to host Charlotte area educator Emily Francis as our keynote speaker this year!
From now until Wednesday, January 10th, CSD will be accepting presentation proposals for the 2024 conference. As CSD was founded and believes in research-based best practices, we strongly encourage the inclusion of any related research in presentation proposals. For accepted presenters, we are pleased to share that the conference fee will be waived, and both breakfast and lunch are included!
If you would like to join the conference as an attendee, please complete sign up here: Fresh Take Attendee Registration is $85 until Jan 12th. Registration increases to $100 after Jan 12th. Please feel free to share this link with your colleagues!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Erika Bowen & Leslie Bragg
ebowen@csdspartans.org
lbragg@csdspartans.org
CSD Fresh Take Team
Fresh Take 2024 Mission Statement: At the heart of every thriving educational community are inspired and empowered educators. Our mission is to facilitate a transformative conference, one that reinvigorates the spirit of teaching, fosters meaningful connections among educators, and equips them with cutting-edge best practices to enhance classrooms and schools.
Charter School Job Postings
If you have current teaching/leadership positions open and wish to share them in this newsletter, reach out to Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov and provide a link to the posting/s.
Lab School Opportunities
Whom Should I Contact at the Office of Charter Schools?
Please forward
School leaders, we encourage you to forward this newsletter on to your staff so they can subscribe to DPI bulletins directly through this link. They will enter their email and then it will bring them to another page where they can select “Charter School Comms Contacts” and any other public listserv to sign up for.
|
