Number 10

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 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 9

District Highlight: Asheboro City Schools - "Inside Asheboro High School’s Unique Zoo School Program"

"Imagine getting to spend every day at the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. That’s what students at Asheboro High School get to experience as part of their school’s agriculture program and taking specialized science courses at the Zoo School.

Located in Asheboro, N.C., the North Carolina Zoo is home to more than 1,700 animals and covers approximately 2,800 acres of land. The Zoo School was established in 2015 and is the only FFA chapter in the National FFA Organization that’s headquartered at a zoo.

'Zoo school is a lot different from other high schools because we have the ability to actually use the North Carolina Zoo,' says Josh Snider, one of the chapter’s advisors. 'We get to work with them on various projects, and the latest one we’ve been working on is developing a new zoo app so guests who come to the zoo have an educational opportunity just like our students do.'"

Read the full story here. 

Number 8

Sponsors Needed to Help Provide N.C. Summer Meals

"The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is seeking schools and fiscally responsible community organizations to serve as sponsors for Summer Nutrition Programs in 2025 to help ensure children who have limited access to food at home get the educational enrichment and nutritious meals they need for optimal growth, development and overall well-being.

Of particular need are schools and community organizations in rural areas, Indian Tribal Territories and areas with a concentration of migrant farm workers, where access to summer meal sites or transportation has been an issue.

'Summer Nutrition Programs offer children not only nutritious meals but also educational enrichment critical for continued growth, development, learning and social emotional support when school is out,' said NCDPI’s Senior Director of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services Rachel Findley. 'Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. School and community partners are key to helping make sure no child goes hungry during the summer.'”

Read the full press release here. 

Number 7

Quarterly PIO Call February 12

Public Information Officers and Charter School Communications Leaders are invited to join the quarterly PIO call on Wednesday, February 12.

Please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov if you did not receive the meeting information and Zoom link that were shared last week.

Number 6

NC Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Secondary Support and Research Project

The Integrated Academic and Behavior Support (IABS) Team spent two years researching and working alongside district and school teams to provide a comprehensive view of MTSS installation and practices at the secondary levels in North Carolina.

The NC MTSS Secondary Updates and Release of Resources document includes an overview of the secondary project, newly released MTSS secondary resources and how to access additional secondary content through the NC MTSS Professional Learning Library.

If you have any questions about secondary MTSS implementation or the secondary resources available through the NC MTSS Professional Learning Center, please feel free to contact your IABS Regional Support Consultant. To provide feedback or for inquiries specifically regarding The NC MTSS Secondary Support and Research Project, please contact: Dr. Holly Williamson (Holly.Williamson@dpi.nc.gov), Mr. Jade Tornatore (Jade.Tornatore@dpi.nc.gov) or Mrs. Angel Goodwine Batts (Angel.Batts@dpi.nc.gov).

Number 5

Five High School Teams Compete in 2025 North Carolina Jr. Chef Competition

"Five teams of high school students from across the state will cultivate culinary creativity in the 2025 North Carolina Jr. Chef Competition this spring. Based on applications and recipes submitted, teams from Ashe County High (Ashe County Schools), Garinger High (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools), Martin County High (Martin County Schools), Northern High (Durham Public Schools) and Thomasville High (Thomasville City Schools) will compete as finalists in the statewide cook-off.

For the NC Jr. Chef Competition, teams of two to four students (grades 9-12) enrolled in North Carolina public schools are challenged to work with an adult team supervisor, a public school educator or School Nutrition administrator, to develop a creative recipe for a school lunch entrée. The recipes must meet the National School Lunch Program nutrition standards, include at least two North Carolina-grown products and one USDA Foods item, be replicable by School Nutrition Programs and also appeal to student tastes."

Read the full press release here. Congratulations and good luck to the finalists! 

Number 4

Student Advisory Council Applications Reopened

Calling all high school juniors! The application for State Superintendent Mo Green’s Student Advisory Council has been reopened.

High school juniors interested in state education issues, advocating on behalf of their peers and serving as an advisor to decision-makers in K-12 education are encouraged to apply. As a member of the Student Advisory Council, students will meet monthly and serve a two-year term that concludes at the end of their senior year. The Advisory Council is open to all students in North Carolina.

Learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is February 19. 

Number 3

WUNC: "Meet North Carolina's new State Superintendent Mo Green"

"What José Oliva remembers most about Mo Green, when he was Superintendent of Guilford County Schools a decade ago, is that he was patient. Oliva, then 15, had recently arrived from Guatemala, when he was invited to be on Green’s student advisory council. The group of mostly valedictorians and student body presidents would gather in a school library.

'Then there was me,' Oliva recalled. 'Who did not speak English, who had to use a translator.'

Oliva was chosen to be on the council as a representative of Guilford County’s school for recent immigrants. At the time, he knew only a few words in English. Oliva’s mom had bought him a pocket translator the size of a calculator. He could type translations from Spanish, threading together his thoughts word by word. Green would wait as long as it took for Oliva to craft his question.

'He was always willing to just listen,” Oliva recalled. “He actually cares, and he wanted to hear what students had to say — including me.'

This was the beginning of a long friendship between Oliva and Green, who went on to become his mentor and friend."

Read the full profile on Superintendent Green here.

Number 2

Consolidated Data Report Shows Decrease in School Violence, Dropouts

"North Carolina public school units reported decreases in school violence and high school dropouts in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the annual Consolidated Data Report presented today to the State Board of Education.

While the number of alternative learning placements as a disciplinary action also decreased, the report found an increase in the number of both in-school and long-term suspensions.

The report’s findings provide opportunities for school districts to identify and target interventions and increase safety awareness and protocols in their schools and communities."

Read the full press release here. 

Number 1

Regional Principal of the Year Finalists Announced

"Nine principals from across North Carolina have been chosen as regional Principals of the Year. On Nine principals across North Carolina have been selected as North Carolina Regional Principal of the Year finalists. On May 16, one will be named the 2025 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year at a ceremony hosted at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary.

'Principals are critical in building a culture of learning and growth for their students and staff,' State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said. 'Each of these finalists has demonstrated their ability to uplift the students, teachers and community around them, and challenge them to reach their full potential. This is an outstanding group of regional finalists who elevate the education profession through their example and leadership in their schools daily.'”

Read the full press release here. Congratulations to all nine of the regional Principals of the Year!