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Number 10
Register for 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit
The 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit will be held from Monday, July 28, to Wednesday, July 30, at the Statesville Civic Center in Statesville, NC.
The Center for Safer Schools is also accepting session proposals and sponsor applications.
Learn more about the RISE Back to School Safety Summit and register here.
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Number 9
Education Matters Podcast: Innovating School Nutrition in NC
"On this episode, we’re exploring the importance of school nutrition and the innovative strategies being used to ensure every student has access to healthy, consistent meals. We’re joined by leaders from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and bold ideas shaping the future of school nutrition.
Guests:
- Dr. Jessica Soldavini, Research Specialist at the Carolina Hunger Initiative/School Meals for All NC, and Assistant Professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Rachel Findley, Senior Director of School Nutrition at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- Heather Lifsey, Marketing Specialist at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Listen to the podcast here.
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Number 7
Registration Open for Fall Professional Development Opportunities at NCCAT
Join the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) for professional development this September through December. NCCAT works with educators through hands-on learning experiences that directly support classroom success. Their residential programs provide educators with the tools, strategies and support. Each week, teachers engage in content-rich instruction, collaborate with colleagues around the state, explore proven methodologies and receive coaching to implement new insights effectively.
Learn more about program offerings and apply here.
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Number 6
Join the NC DLAC Portal: Connect with North Carolina’s Digital Learning Community
The North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), the state’s official affiliate for the Community Advancing Digital Learning (DLAC), invites educators and administrators across North Carolina to join the new DLAC Community Portal. This free platform is designed to bring together the state’s digital learning community—educators, administrators, and edtech leaders—committed to improving student outcomes through innovative use of technology.
By joining the North Carolina group, you can engage in meaningful discussions about digital teaching and learning, share resources and best practices and build professional connections that support digital education statewide.
Getting started is straightforward:
- Click the Portal link to create your account.
- Once logged in, select the ‘Groups’ icon.
- Find the North Carolina group tile and click ‘Ask to Join.’
For assistance, a step-by-step infographic is available.
This platform offers an opportunity to build a stronger statewide community dedicated to digital learning. Your participation and expertise are crucial in shaping the future of education in North Carolina. We look forward to seeing you in the portal.
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Number 5
District Highlight: Onslow County Schools - "Onslow County Schools Receive Model Global-Ready District Recognition"
"Onslow County Schools was recognized as a Model Global-Ready School District.
On Monday, May 19, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction officially recognized Onslow County Schools (OCS) as a Model Global-Ready School District. This prestigious recognition celebrates OCS’s commitment to preparing students for success in an increasingly diverse and globally connected world.
Kelly Schultz, representing the NC Department of Public Instruction, presented the banner along with OCS students and principals, to mark the district’s achievement.
Onslow County Schools was recognized as a Model Global-Ready district because they offer their students the opportunity to excel in learning more about global competencies, such as offering world language courses, building international partnerships through school and classroom initiatives, and providing opportunities for students to engage in the discovery of career pathways."
Read the full story here. Congratulations, Onslow County Schools!
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Number 4
NCDPI's Office of School Nutrition Senior Director Rachel Findley on Spectrum News "In Focus"
NCDPI's Office of School Nutrition Senior Director Rachel Findley, joined Spectrum News 1 recently to talk about the Agency's work to provide healthy meals for students during the school year and summer break.
Watch the video here. Findley's segment begins at 3:31 in the video.
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Number 3
Next NC Scholarship Graduation Toolkit
Money is still available to help graduating seniors! The Next NC Scholarship can cover the cost of tuition and fees at any community college or half (if not all) the cost of tuition and fees at any public university in the state. Funding can be applied toward tuition, fees, books, food and housing — and doesn't have to be paid back.
To help get the word out, you'll find the following in the Next NC Scholarship graduation toolkit folder:
- Commencement Materials Promotional Ads
- One-Page Flyer
- PowerPoint Slides
- Graphics
- Short Video
The Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award. Most North Carolina students from households making $80,000 or less are eligible. Students have to fill out their FAFSA to qualify. Learn more at NextNCScholarship.org.
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Number 2
District Highlight: Cleveland County Schools - "North Shelby School Named a 2025 National School of Character"
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is proud to announce that North Shelby School has been named a 2025 National School of Character by Character.org, a national leader and advocate for character development in schools and communities.
North Shelby joins a prestigious group of 71 schools and 3 districts across the nation to receive this distinction for 2025. This recognition celebrates schools that demonstrate a dedicated commitment to fostering character development and cultivating a school culture where students thrive as learners, citizens, and leaders.
Character.org’s National Schools of Character program is grounded in the 11 Principles Framework for Schools, a nationally recognized guide that outlines key practices for creating and sustaining a culture of character. Schools that apply for this recognition undergo a rigorous evaluation by trained reviewers who assess the implementation and impact of character initiatives.
Since its inception, the National Schools of Character program has impacted more than three million students, educators, and families nationwide. North Shelby’s recognition is a testament to the school’s intentional and inclusive approach to character education, and its ongoing efforts to empower students to make ethical choices and positively contribute to their school and community. This recognition highlights the school’s unwavering dedication to building a strong, caring community centered on core values like respect, responsibility and integrity.
For a complete list of the 2025 National Schools and Districts of Character, and to learn more about the program, read the press release here.
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Number 1
Orange County Principal Named 2025 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year
"Jason Johnson, Orange High School principal, is the 2025 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. The announcement was made today at an awards luncheon honoring Johnson and eight other regional finalists at the Umstead Hotel in Cary.
A 27-year veteran educator, Johnson has been a leader across North Carolina not only in Orange County Schools, but also served as a teacher and principal in Chatham and Guilford County Schools, respectively. Additionally, Johnson spent time at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) as a School Transformation Coach before returning to Orange County Schools."
Read the full press release here. Congratulations, Jason!
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