Number 10

New Teacher Working Conditions Survey Interactive Dashboard and Interpretation to Action Guide

NCDPI released the *NEW* NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey (NC TWC) Interactive Dashboard AND Interpretation to Action Guide. Educators can now access these new resources to explore and use their local data in new ways.

Available on the Resources Page of the NC TWC Website.

Number 9

NCEDConnect Conference - Save the Date and Call for Proposals

The 2024 NCEDConnect Conference, brought to you by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning, will take place January 21-23 in Greensboro.

This event is tailored for district and school leaders, SIS coordinators, data managers, librarians, instructional technology facilitators and instructional coaches. The conference will feature sessions on the North Carolina Student Information System, all Homebase applications, instructional technology pedagogy, AI in Education for school leadership and teachers, data privacy and school media programs. 

Presenter proposals are being accepted now through November 1. Learn more and apply here.

Number 8

Exciting Learning Opportunities Coming to NCCAT in January, February and March

NCCAT will be hosting a variety of learning opportunities January through March. See a list of offerings below:

• Science and Engineering Practices & New Science Standards
• Applying MTSS Practices to the Secondary Classroom
• The Power of Picture Books
• Integrating NC Computer Science Standards in K-12
• Experiential Math Mindsets
• Beginning Teachers - Success from the Start
• Rev Up Your Teaching with the Power of AI
• ...and more!

North Carolina certified pre-K-12 grade teachers who are employed in North Carolina public schools are eligible to attend NCCAT programs. This may include school administrators, counselors, library media specialists, lead teachers and mentors.

Learn more and apply here. 

Number 7

Feminine Hygiene Products Grant (FY25) - Application Now Open

We are excited to announce that the application for the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program for the 2024-2025 school year is now available. The Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 per PSU to purchase feminine hygiene products. To receive this funding, your PSU will need to complete the grant application in its entirety. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. PSUs that did not receive a grant in the previous fiscal year will be given preference. Please review the allotment policy (page 77) for more information. Click here to access the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program Application.

If you have questions about the application or grant award process, please reach out to Lillian Pinto, Reproductive Health Consultant, via email: lillian.pinto@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 6

2024-25 Purple Star Award Submissions Now Open

The submission period for the 2024-25 Purple Star Award is now open through February 1. The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families.

Check out the webinar for 2023-24 Purple Star Award, which provides overview of the application process, and learn more about NC's efforts to celebrate schools that support military-connected students and families: Purple Star Award information.

Number 5

EdNC: "Robeson’s Freddie Williamson selected as 2025 N.C. Superintendent of the Year"

"Freddie Williamson, superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, was named the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2025 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at an awards ceremony on Thursday.

The award is presented by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), and the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). The state award ceremony and selections process is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF).

'In honoring the dedicated leaders vying for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Award, we celebrate the commitment to excellence in education that shapes the future of our students,' BWF President and CEO Louis Muglia said. 'Their unwavering passion and innovative leadership inspire us all to strive for a brighter tomorrow in our state’s public schools.'”

Congratulations, Superintendent Williamson! Read the full story here.

Number 4

College Application Week - October 21-27

College Application Week is next week, October 21-27! This is a great time for eligible students to submit their simplified applications as part of the NC College Connect program. Many NC colleges and universities will waive application fees during College Application Week, including most institutions participating in NC College Connect.

Find full eligibility requirements for NC College Connect and a list of participating colleges and universities at NCCollegeConnect.org.

Learn more about College Application Week.

Number 3

EdNC: "DPI’s AIM Conference Ushers in the Future of Education for Educators and Students"

“'You have now arrived at 500 Fayetteville Street.'

Many of the 2024 AIM conference attendees heard this phrase from their GPS as they arrived to the event. Little did they know, this was the start of AIM using technology to shepherd educators into the future.

For the past four years, the Department of Public Instruction has hosted a free, statewide conference for district leaders and teachers, with almost every district represented, as well as many charter schools and every lab school. Over 1,000 attendees spent three days at the Raleigh Convention Center for last week’s AIM Conference, which stands for accelerate, invigorate, and motivate."

Read the full story here.

Number 2

Good Morning America Interviews 2024 Teacher of the Year Heather Smith: "After Hurricanes, Impact on Kids from Trauma to Academic Struggles Likely to Grow, Expert Says"

"Heather Smith, North Carolina's 2024 teacher of the year, is a middle school teacher in Haywood County, where schools just reopened on Monday.

She said in the past five years, students in her district have been out of school intermittently due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hurricane Fred, a cyberattack on the school district and now Helene. In addition, last year, in 2023, a paper mill that was the livelihood of many students' parents shut down after more than a century in operation.

'To have Hurricane Helene hit again has really impacted our community,' Smith said. 'So not only is it [now] preparing our students to get back, but it's also, they've just experienced a catastrophic event, and for some of them, it's been multiple things in their life that have been catastrophic.'"

Read the full story here.

Number 1

"$800,000 Awarded to 18 Districts for Coding & Mobile App Development"

"A total of $800,000 in grants has been awarded to 18 North Carolina school districts to help develop student skills in computer science through coding.

The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant program, launched in 2017 with funding from the North Carolina 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 in size from $13,000 to $80,000 this year, are used by districts and schools to obtain equipment, purchase 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.