Number 10

FAFSA 2025-26 Form Now Live

The 2025-26 FAFSA form is now live! FAFSA unlocks a variety of aid at the federal level such as Federal Pell Grants, work-study programs, scholarships and loans. Additionally, most colleges and universities in North Carolina use the application to divide and disburse state aid and scholarships.

Learn more and encourage students to complete the form here.

Number 9

NC AI Summit for Educators

Attention classroom teachers, coaches, media coordinators and school administrators! Join us for the NC AI Summit for Educators, a professional learning opportunity to help educators guide responsible implementation of AI in their practices and classrooms.

Two sessions will be available to reach teachers where they are in the state:

• East - Tuesday, December 10, at 9 a.m. at the Gentry Teacher Development Center in Erwin
• West - Thursday, December 12, at 9 a.m. at the Unity Center in Statesville

Learn more and register here.

Number 8

2024-25 STEM Schools of Distinction Application Request for Reviewers

Calling all STEM education leaders familiar with the STEM Schools of Distinction process! Your help is needed to review applications for the 2024-25 North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction Recognition Program. Nearly 20 schools have applied to be recognized as leading STEM schools in the state.

To be considered, individuals must complete the reviewer application by December 20. 

Number 7

WUNC: "NC A&T State University Partnering in $25 million Initiative to Boost AI Literacy Among Youth"

"North Carolina A&T State University recently became the only public institution in the state to offer a degree in artificial intelligence.

Along with teaching college students AI literacy, educators at the university are also working on doing the same with students under 18.

The public HBCU is part of a national Google Initiative to boost AI education. The $25 million project includes ten states across the U.S., all working to develop an AI curriculum for K-12 students.

Mark Light is the co-chair of the initiative and the 4-H STEM specialist at N.C. A&T. He said the curriculum will change depending on the students’ age.

Elementary to middle school-aged students will learn about the building blocks of AI, such as how it’s created, where the data comes from, and how it’s utilized. Light said one way they plan to teach this information to younger students is through the video game Minecraft."

Read the full article and learn more here.

Number 6

WFAE: "State Lawmakers Explore Ways to Regulate Cellphone Use in Classrooms"

"State Sens. Jay Chaudhuri and Jim Burgin co-sponsored a bill to study cellphone use in schools last spring.

That bill failed, but on Tuesday, Burgin told the state Board of Education they intend to refile it. Several states like Florida and Indiana have passed laws restricting cellphone use in schools in recent years.

In North Carolina, districts all set their own policies. Outgoing State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, who has opposed widespread bans, said Monday she does believe the state should set some guardrails."

Read the full article here. 

Number 5

WCNC: "Got a Nickel to Spare? Gaston County Schools is Raising Funds for Mitchell County Students"

"If you've got spare change lying around, Gaston County Schools says you can give it to help with a worthy cause.

The district is launching its "Nickels for Neighbors" initiative again this year, this time to help students in Mitchell County still reeling from the effects of Helene. Students are collecting nickels - or quarters, dimes, pennies, and dollars too - to try to raise $25,000 for Mitchell County Schools. For those counting at home, that's equal to about 500,000 nickels.

All 56 schools in the Gaston County Schools district have designated collections days running from Dec. 3-4. Students and staff are encouraged to bring in their spare change to support. The effort is being led by the Principals Leadership Team, headed by East Gaston High School principal Rebecca Huffstetler.

Parents who wish to donate should contact their child's school office for information."

Read the full article here. 

Number 4

EdNC: "Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin to Lead Transition of DPI"

"Superintendent-elect Maurice (Mo) Green announced his first appointment last week, naming Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin as deputy superintendent, effective Jan. 2, 2025. Pitre-Martin will lead Green’s transition of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI), according to a press release.

Pitre-Martin is highly regarded across the state and nation for her leadership. On Nov. 18, 2024, she was honored by the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation with the 2024 Friday Medal. The medal honors significant, distinguished, and enduring contributions to education through advocating for innovation, advancing education and imparting inspiration."

Read the full article here. 

Number 3

Digital Learning Initiative (DLI) Impact Grant Request for Proposals

The Digital Learning Initiative (DLI) Impact Grant offers an inclusive, supportive and sustainable opportunity for Public School Units (PSUs) to prioritize North Carolina Digital Learning Competencies and Digital Learning Standards for Students. This grant cycle supports a range of innovative and impactful practices, including:

• Blended Learning
• Innovative Digital Teaching and Learning Practices
• Coaching
• Data-Informed Instructional Practices
• Emerging Technologies
• Personalized Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Library Renovation, Programming, Collection Development and Community Support for areas affected by Hurricane Helene

To support applicants throughout the process, a series of webinars and office hours will be offered. 

Grant submissions open on Friday, December 6, 2024, and will close on April 11, 2025. For additional information or questions, contact
Lindsey Sipe, Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant.

Learn more and find additional details here. 

Number 2

EdNC: "The Next NC Scholarship Will Allow Many NC Students to go to Community College for Free"

"As the calendar year comes to an end, high school students are in the process of figuring out their postsecondary plans. Many will spend the next few months filling out the FAFSA, writing admission essays, and applying for scholarships.

One scholarship in particular, the Next NC Scholarship, will provide thousands of dollars to eligible students across the state, even covering tuition and fees for eligible students attending one of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges.

Read on to learn more about the scholarship, who is eligible, and how to apply."

Read the full article and learn more here.

Number 1

U.S. Department of Education: "U.S. Department of Education Calls on States, Districts, and Schools to Adopt Policies for Student Use of Cell Phones and Personal Devices"

"The U.S. Department of Education is calling on every state, district, and school to adopt policies that guide the use of student personal devices in schools, and today is issuing a new resource, Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies, which offers a model process that education leaders can use to design policies for use of cell phones and other personal devices in schools alongside educators, students, parents, and caregivers. It provides a set of step-by-step practices for building shared understanding of the needs and concerns surrounding cell phones in a school community, and recommendations for addressing them through clear and consistent policies."

Read the full press release here.