Number 10

Keep North Carolina Beautiful Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grant Applications Due Dec. 20

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 9

Catalyst Open House: Free High School Program Designed to Create STEM Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Catalyst, a free high school program for students with disabilities interested in STEM careers, is holding two open houses for rising 9-12 grade students who want to participate in the year-long program beginning in June 2025. Students can be in regular education, honors, AP, college-level classes or an Occupational Course of Study program.

Catalyst will host a virtual open house on January 16, 7-8 p.m. An in-person open house will be held on NC State University's campus on January 18, 10-11 a.m. The program is open to students attending public, private, charter and home schools.

Learn more and register here.

Number 8

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 7

PIO Quarterly Call Follow-Up

The Quarterly PIO Call was Wednesday, December 11. If you did not receive the meeting follow-up materials, including the slide deck and recording, please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 6

UNCSA High School Visual Arts Applications Available for 2025-26 Academic Year

UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) Visual Arts Program is a residential program designed for high school juniors and seniors who have an artistic interest, dedication and enthusiasm they wish to pursue in a structured course of study. Learn more about the program.

Tuition is provided free of charge for in-state high school students, and the majority of their other educational costs (e.g., textbooks, health and wellness services, room and meal plan, activities, etc.) are covered by the North Carolina High School Artists Grant. Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

Rising high school juniors or seniors are encouraged to apply here. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2025. 

Number 5

Feedback Requested for K-12 English Language Arts Academic Standards

The NCDPI English Language Arts team is seeking stakeholder input on the first draft of the academic standards for English Language Arts. Results from the survey will inform revision decisions and may include changes or clarifications to the draft standards and their objectives.

Learn more about the revision process and participate in the all-stakeholder surveys here. The survey closes January 9. 

Number 4

Register Now 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

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 2

EdNC: "Cedric Blow and Beryl Torrence are NC’s Nominees for the 2024 RISE Award"

"Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that Cedric Blow with Pitt County Schools and Beryl Torrence with Kannapolis City Schools are North Carolina’s nominees for the 2024 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award, according to a press release.

The award, passed by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service. In addition to their recognition at the statewide level, these two incredible public servants will be competing for the national RISE Award."

Congratulations to you both, Cedric and Beryl! Read the full story and learn more about the RISE Award here.

Number 1

"Amplify Launches Educational Leadership Award, Honors North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt as First Recipient"

"Amplify, a publisher of next-generation curriculum and assessment programs, today awarded North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt its inaugural Leader in Education Award. This Award honors and recognizes policymakers who have shown dedication, creativity, and leadership to improve the education system and enhance learning opportunities for all students.

Since taking office in January 2021, Superintendent Truitt has implemented innovative education policies, practices, and initiatives, raising the bar for student achievement and performance. North Carolina’s third-grade students have outperformed the national average on end-of-year literacy assessments for three years in a row. In the 2023 – 2024 school year alone, over 80,000 more students met or exceeded benchmarks. More broadly, North Carolina’s K-3 students consistently surpass the national average for students on track."

Congratulations, Superintendent Truitt! Read the full article here.