Number 10

NCVPS Current Enrollment Options Include Transfers, PE and Emergency Support

While the open enrollment window for fall classes has closed, there are still several fall enrollment options:

• Transfers – Transfer students are accepted after the open enrollment window has closed. Schools can transfer in individual students or enroll an entire class. Open a ticket with the NCVPS Virtual Support Center to begin the transfer process. Fall transfers are open through Nov. 27. This date is extended for schools impacted by the hurricane.
• Co-teaching – Schools can add students throughout the semester to their existing co-teaching OCS and intervention courses.
• PE/Health – Second session health and PE courses are still open for registration.
• Emergency Requests – NCVPS understands the hurricane disrupted regular operations for many schools, and each school has special circumstances. Contact the Virtual Support Center for help.
• Partnership Courses – NCVPS provides the online course and technology for the course, and the PSU provides the teacher. This program is a good option for schools with displaced teachers and students. Schools can continue to add students to partnership courses throughout the semester.
• Spring 2025 – Registration is open for all spring 2025 classes!

For more information, visit ncvps.org.

Number 9

2024-25 Purple Star Awards

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. Find more information here.

Number 8

Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund

The "Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund" is a program of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), in partnership with PBS North Carolina (PBS NC), that provides reimbursements to public schools throughout North Carolina to engage in enriching, experiential field trips at DNCR's 100+ locations around the state!

The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund will help ensure students from all regions of the state have the opportunity to engage in memorable educational experiences while cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation of North Carolina’s rich history, culture, arts, science and natural resources. By providing financial support through reimbursements for schools to visit DNCR locations around the state, the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund empowers students to connect to what it means to live in and love North Carolina, ultimately helping to cultivate our state’s future leaders and innovators.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 7

NC College Connect

With NC College Connect, North Carolina’s new simplified application program, public high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above can easily apply to participating colleges and universities with just a few clicks – including some UNC System universities and your local community college.

Learn more about NC College Connect here.

Number 6

Sign Up for NCDPI's Digital Accessibility Newsletter

NCDPI has a new Digital Accessibility Newsletter! See the most recent edition here.

Each issue will bring news, resources and insights on accessibility, along with topics like understanding WCAG standards, user experiences and upcoming events. Whether you are just starting to learn about digital accessibility or you are looking to deepen your knowledge, this newsletter has something for everyone.

Anyone is welcome to subscribe to the newsletter here.

Number 5

Applications Open for Keep North Carolina Beautiful Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grants

Planning your next outdoor beautification effort? Check out the Keep North Carolina Beautiful annual Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grants. These grants are for outdoor projects that enhance the beautification of campuses throughout NC, along with projects that educate students of North Carolina on the impacts of preserving and enhancing our state’s environmental sustainability.

Learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is December 20.

Number 4

Registration Open for NCED Connect Symposium

The 2024 NCED Connect 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.

Learn more and register here.

Number 3

Restart Reform Model Interest Webinar

NCDPI’s Office of School Improvement is offering a webinar on the Restart Reform Model for districts interested in pursuing authorization to implement the Restart Reform Model in the 2025-2026 school year for one or more of their schools designated as Continually Low Performing.

The webinar is Tuesday, December 3, from 10–11 a.m.

Please register using this link: Restart Eligibility Information Webinar registration

Number 2

Volunteers Needed for Math Standards Data Review Committee

The NCDPI K-12 Math Team is soliciting volunteers to participate on a Math Standards Data Review Committee (DRC) to review data and trends on the current K-12 Math Standard Course of Study, along with feedback collected from interviews, focus groups and survey responses from stakeholders.

The DRC will analyze this data to make recommendations for a separate Standards Writing Team (SWT) to consider. Individuals with experience in reviewing and compiling data including K-12 educators, school and district leaders, educators from institutions of higher education and business and community leaders are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and submit an application here. The deadline to apply is December 2 at 8 a.m.

Number 1

EdNC: "Meet the Winners of the NC Symphony’s Music Educator Awards for 2024"

"For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Symphony has collaborated with statewide music educators to deliver its curriculum-aligned music education program into the classroom. Today, the program engages more than 150,000 elementary school students across North Carolina and beyond.

Each year, the organization recognizes three educators that are helping to reach and inspire the future musicians and audiences that are in their classrooms.

The following awards are presented each year: Maxine Swalin Award for Outstanding Music Educator ($1,000 Award); Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special Achievement ($500 Award); North Carolina Symphony Musicians Award ($500 Award)

In addition to a monetary award, honorees also receive public recognition at a future NC Symphony concert, tickets to a 2024/25 Classical series concert of their choosing, a school visit from a NC Symphony musician and/or small ensemble, and complimentary registration to the 2024 NC Music Educators Association Conference."

Congratulations to the three awardees of the 2024 NC Symphony's Music Educator Awards! Find the list of recipients and learn more about them here.