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Number 10
Nominate Your Librarian for the National I Love My Librarian Award
The I Love My Librarian Award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college or university librarians. Each year, the American Library Association celebrates up to 10 librarians. They are honored at a ceremony and receive a $5,000 cash award.
Since the award was established in 2008, 160 librarians have received this distinguished honor. In that time, library users nationwide have shared more than 23,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond in their commitment to inclusivity, literacy, and digital access.
Each nominee must be a librarian with a master’s degree from an accredited program. Nominees must be currently working in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at at library at an accredited K-12 school.
Learn more and nominate your school librarian here. The deadline to submit nominations is September 30.
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Number 9
NC Museums Super Summer Passport Program
When it’s too hot to be outside, escape the heat at North Carolina’s coolest museums! The Super Summer Passport program is a partnership between the North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of History and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Pick up a free passport—a pocket-sized activity book—at any of these institutions, then participate in scavenger hunts, explore exhibits and take part in other activities to earn stamps. Once you’ve visited all three museums, you’ll get a special North Carolina Traveler patch!
Learn more here. The program runs through August 31.
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Number 8
"National Conference Convenes Education Leaders Around ‘Future-Focused Schools’"
"Hundreds of education leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., last week for Successful Practices Network’s (SPN) 2024 Future-Focused Schools Conference.
The three-day conference discussed a shifting education landscape, changing student and employer needs, and successful strategies being implemented across the nation — including in North Carolina.
This shifting landscape includes generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), a different generation of students, and the desire for more relevant career planning and postsecondary opportunities, said SPN Founder and Executive Chair Dr. Bill Daggett."
Read the full story here.
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Number 7
NCBOLD 2024 July Regional Conferences and NCSIS Training
NCBOLD returns this summer as a two-day conference in each of the eight educational regions. Explore engaging instructional sessions, Data Manager training, Digital Literacy, AI for Teachers and E-Rate Boot Camp. This year’s NCBOLD will include training on the new NCSIS! Session topics will include the gradebook, learning management system and attendance features of the new system.
Conference dates will vary by region, but will be between July 15 and July 25.
Learn more, including specific regional conference dates, here.
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Number 6
North Carolina Aquarium Mini-Grants Available for Title I Educators
NC Title 1 Teachers, it's time to apply for an Aquarium Scholars grant! The program provides immersive STEM experiences from the NC Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier at little to no cost.
Learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is September 6.
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Number 5
New Updates to Global Educator Badge
NCDPI has streamlined the process for Global Education Recognitions. New updates to the Global Educator Digital Badge (GEDB) and Global Ready designations are now live.
Start planning for the 2024-25 school year with our new resources! Learn more here.
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Number 4
Register for the 2024 Academic Standards Institute
The Office of Academic Standards is pleased to share that after receiving many requests from the field for standards-based professional development we will be providing PSUs with the Standards Institute!
During the NC Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) content area sessions, participants will be guided through all content area standards, from unpacking to instructional practices. These sessions aim to provide new and veteran teachers, coaches and leaders a comprehensive understanding of the NCSCOS.
Learn more and find registration information here. The Institute will be held August 1-2 at the Durham School of the Arts.
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Number 3
"NC High School Graduates Set to Soar in Drone Industry"
"A groundbreaking partnership between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous delivery service, is paving the way for high school graduates to launch careers in the rapidly expanding drone industry.
The new program, set to begin in the 2024-25 school year, will create a pathway for students to pursue professional careers in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) operations. More than 60 high schools across North Carolina that offer drone technology courses in their career and technical education departments will participate in the new initiative.
The program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience and knowledge in drone technology. Participants will study the fundamentals of drones, legal requirements, simulations, drone flight training and mapping, among other essential skills. The program will offer students valuable skills and knowledge but also a direct path to potential employment with Zipline."
Read the full story here.
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Number 2
New Portrait of a Graduate Arts Education Performance Tasks Now Available
Two new Portrait of a Graduate performance tasks, both related to arts education, are now available:
As a reminder, you can view all performance tasks at go.ncdpi.gov/POGPerformanceTasks. These learning experiences were created by teachers for teachers, incorporating the Portrait's durable skills with academics aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study.
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Number 1
"NC Portrait of a Graduate Skills Meet Critical Workforce Needs, NC Commerce Analysis Finds"
"Durable skills included in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Portrait of a Graduate are essential to every occupation in the state, and jobseekers need these skills to meet employer demand, according to a new analysis from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division (LEAD).
The findings were presented to the State Board of Education today. The data highlights the need to continue integrating durable skills into everyday learning across North Carolina classrooms, said State Superintendent Catherine Truitt.
'Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders and I share a passion for workforce development. This research echoes what both of us regularly hear from employers and underscores the importance of our Portrait of a Graduate work,' Truitt said. 'In addition to academic knowledge, our graduates must also develop the ability to collaborate and communicate with others, adapt to challenging situations and think critically about the information presented to them to excel in the 21st century workforce.'
The Portrait’s seven durable skills, as launched in the fall of 2022, are adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, learner’s mindset and personal responsibility. The NC Portrait skills were synced with data from the national Occupational Information Network (O*NET) on skills and abilities that influence job performance."
Read the full press release here.
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