Number 10

Registration Open Now for NCVPS In-Real-Time Synchronous Program and Live Info Session

The new North Carolina Virtual Public School’s In-Real-Time (IRT) synchronous learning program is specifically tailored for middle school students. IRT offers live, interactive classes in core subjects such as English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science, conducted by certified NCVPS instructors. The program’s flexible scheduling accommodates various school timelines with multiple session windows between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The hybrid learning model blends synchronous instruction with self-paced asynchronous modules provided through the NCVPS Canvas system. This approach is particularly beneficial for schools new to online education or those looking to supplement limited teaching resources while maintaining direct instructor-student interaction.

Launching with a successful pilot for 8th-grade students in Fall 2023, the IRT program is set to expand to include 7th-grade courses in the 2024-2025 academic year. For the upcoming academic year, NCVPS is offering pilot courses for 7th graders at no cost, making this an ideal opportunity for schools to explore the benefits of synchronized online learning.

Interested schools are encouraged to join an upcoming online information session scheduled for June 5 at 10 a.m. or June 6 at 2 p.m. For more information, schools can fill out the IRT Synchronous Program Interest Form or contact Dr. Lashaundon Perkins at lashaundon.perkins@ncpublicschools.gov.

Number 9

Registration for 2024 RISE Safety Summit Now Open

The 2024 RISE Back to School Safety Summit – the Center for Safer Schools’ signature event – will be held July 29-August 2 at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington.

RISE training focuses on the resiliency, information, support and empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. This training offers a range of sessions covering the issues of bullying, suicide, opioid and substance use, critical incidents and other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents, and how these various dynamics impact school climate and school safety.

Learn more and register here. 

Number 8

EdNC Ask & Answer | What You Need to Know About School District Fund Balances

"Last month, EdNC published a 10-year look at school district fund balances, which essentially operate like savings accounts for public school districts.

In the face of school choice expansion, the federal funding cliff, and more, fund balances are playing a key role in budget planning for districts in the 2024-25 school year.

Following our report, we received a lot of questions from district and school leaders about fund balance data. Given the anticipated importance of the funds this year, we’ve compiled a list of questions and answers on the topic — including what fund balances are, where the data comes from, and more."

Read the full story here. 

Number 7

Next NC Scholarship Offers Students Money for College that Doesn't Have to be Paid Back

Seniors are finalizing their plans for life after high school. For those planning on college, most NC students from households making $80,000 or less will qualify for the Next NC Scholarship, a financial aid program that combines the Federal Pell grant and state aid into one, easy to understand scholarship.

Eligible students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000 per year, which means qualifying North Carolinians can choose from any of the 58 community colleges across the state and have all of their tuition and fees 100% covered. Those attending a public university in North Carolina will get a minimum of $5,000 per year. That pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state. Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more to help make paying for college more manageable.

Students apply for this scholarship by completing the FAFSA. Encourage students to go to nextncscholarship.org for more information. School leaders can find Next NC materials to share with students here.

Number 6

NC Virtual Public School Offering Free Summer School Classes

The NC State board has extended special funding for NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) summer classes. Be sure your school maximizes its funding! Enrollment is open now and classes begin June 25.

Learn more on NCVPS' Summer 2024 webpage.

Number 5

Teacher Working Conditions Promising Practices Resource

NCDPI has created a Teacher Working Conditions Promising Practices resource to assist schools and districts with utilizing survey data. The resource features Clay County Schools, Brunswick County Schools and Wake County Public Schools. 

Find the resource here. 

Number 4

Submit a Proposal to 2024 AIM Conference NC K-12 Research Roundtable Session

Join NCDPI for a “Research Roundtable & Reception” at the Raleigh Convention Center on the evening of Monday October 7, 2024 at the 2024 AIM Conference.

NCDPI is interested in highlighting research and evaluation studies conducted in NC public school settings since 2020. This convening will provide an opportunity for researchers from around the state to engage directly with state education leaders, policymakers and district and school practitioners about their K-12 research and findings.

If interested, please complete this AIM Proposal for Research
Roundtables form by June 30, 2024.

Number 3

2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year to be Announced and Livestreamed May 24

The 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year Ceremony will be named on May 24 and will be livestreamed.

The livestream begins with a pre-show salute to our sponsors and finalists at 12 p.m., with the ceremony honoring our nine regional and charter school finalists beginning at 12:30 p.m. The event concludes with the announcement of the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. 

The livestream can be watched on Facebook or YouTube. Learn more about the 2024 Principal of the Year finalists here. 

Number 2

Cabarrus County Schools Becomes First NC District Awarded Full Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal for Data-Privacy Practices

"Cabarrus County Schools has been awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal by Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). This prestigious national recognition is bestowed upon school districts that implement rigorous privacy policies and practices to help protect student information. Cabarrus County Schools is the first North Carolina school district to win the full TLE seal from CoSN.

The CoSN TLE Seal Program requires school systems to implement high standards for student data privacy protections around five core practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development and Classroom."

Read the full press release and learn more here. 

Number 1

North Carolina High School Students Place First in the Southeast Jr. Chef Competition

"Students from Durham Public Schools’ Northern High School won the 2024 Southeast Jr. Chef Competition with their Crispy Taquitos with Chipotle Sauce recipe. At the competition held last week at Nashville State Community College in Tennessee, Miles Bates, Salomon Garcia, Aiden Lankford and Isaac “Brody” Terry brought home the regional title for North Carolina and demonstrated that they have a bright future ahead as they pursue their aspirations of culinary degrees and careers.

Students were challenged to collaborate with their teachers and local school nutrition programs to develop a school lunch entrée recipe that adheres to national nutrition standards, includes at least two ingredients grown in their state and one USDA Foods item, and appeals to student taste preferences. Students from high schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southeastern Region are eligible for the Southeast Jr. Chef Competition."

Congratulations to the Northern High Flaming Knights! Read the full press release here.