Number 10

Last Chance to Register for Western Session of Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) Summer Conference and The Standards Academy - Empowering Educators, Elevating Outcomes

NCDPI's Office of Teaching and Learning is merging The Standards Academy and Growing Success for Multilingual Learners into one comprehensive event in Summer 2025!

This year's Standards Academy will feature engaging sessions, including:
🌍 Initial Implementation of the 2024 Standard Course of Study (SCoS) for World Languages
🌐 World Language Honors Level I and II courses with guidance from Advanced Learning and Gifted Education

Join at one of two locations:
🌄 West in Buncombe County: June 24 - 26
🌅 East in Chatham County: July 22 - 24

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and support multilingual learners!

Learn more and register here.

Number 9

74th Annual Conference on Exceptional Children Accepting Session Proposals

NCDPI's Office of Exceptional Children is now accepting session proposals for the 74th Annual Conference on Exceptional Children, November 19–21 in Greensboro.

This year’s theme—“50 Years of IDEA: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future”—invites educators, administrators and stakeholders to submit proposals for presentations that showcase evidence-based and promising practices supporting improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Learn more and submit a proposal here. The submission deadline is July 18.

Number 8

Register for the NCASA 2025 School Law & Policy Symposium

Get the latest updates on K-12 education laws and policies at both the state and federal level at NCASA’s 2025 School Law & Policy Symposium! Dive deep into pressing topics such as AI in education, Freedom of Information Act requests, FLSA/FMLA requirements and court rulings impacting public schools.

Presented by some of NC’s top education-law attorneys and state-level policy experts, this September 8-9 event in Raleigh is a can’t-miss opportunity to help prepare you for navigating the legal and policy challenges in the year ahead.

Learn more and register here.

Number 7

NC College Connect is Now Direct Admissions

NC College Connect is a groundbreaking initiative offering direct college admission to eligible high school seniors across the state for the 2025–2026 school year! Open to public high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher who meet course requirements, students will be matched with colleges where they already qualify — no traditional application needed. Eligible students will be notified this fall.

Check out the website to learn more, or attend one of the webinars below.

Educator Webinars

• June 25, 10 a.m.
• July 15, 1 p.m.
• August 20, 1 p.m.
• September 3, 10 a.m.
• October 7, 1 p.m.

Student/Parent Webinars

• August 5, 6 p.m.
• September 16, 6 p.m.

Student/Parent Office Hours

• August 26, drop in between 6-7 p.m.
• September 30, drop in between 6-7 p.m.

Number 6

District Highlight: Wayne County Schools - "Wayne County Graduates North Carolina’s First K-12 Teacher Apprentice"

"Wayne County Public Schools and Wayne Community College recently honored the first graduate of their teacher apprenticeship program — who is also the first K-12 apprentice in North Carolina, according to the college.

Angela Lamb, a recent East Carolina University graduate, completed the Educator Registered Apprenticeship, which was piloted by Apprenticeship Wayne to address the need for qualified teachers.

'We appreciate the strong and long-standing partnership that we have with Wayne Community College, as it has positioned Wayne County Public Schools to help cultivate a ready teacher workforce from within our district and county,' Dr. Marc Whichard, WCPS superintendent, said in a press release from the college."

Read the full story here.

Number 5

District Highlight: Stokes County Schools - Stokes County Schools Recognized as ISTE Distinguished District

Congratulations to Stokes County Schools for being named one of only three districts worldwide to receive the 2025 ISTE Distinguished District Award. Distinguished Districts are school districts that are driving change in big ways throughout a school system. These districts search out and embrace change to improve the learning experience for all students and serve as a lighthouse for other schools to follow.

Dr. Kimberley Thompson-Hairston (Director of Instructional Technology & Media Services), Dr. Bradley Rice (Superintendent), Dr. Jared Jones (Assistant Superintendent) and Brooke Johnson (District Instructional Technology Facilitator) will represent Stokes County Schools at ISTE Live 25 in San Antonio, where the district will be officially recognized.

Learn more about the award and this year's awardees here.

Number 4

How to Find Summer Meals for Kids and Teens

School’s out for summer, but healthy meals are still in! NC SUN Meals ensure youth 18 and under stay nourished — with free meals at schools, community sites and even to-go options in some rural areas.

Find nearby summer meals at no-cost for kids and teens:
🍽️ Use the N.C. Site Finder Map at SummerMeals4NCKids.org.
🍽️ Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish).
🍽️ Check your local school district website, social media or other communications.

Learn more here.

Number 3

District Highlight: Buncombe County Schools - Buncombe County Schools Nutrition Program Highlighted in National Publication

Buncombe County Schools' Nutrition Program was highlighted in the recent May 2025 School Nutrition Magazine article, “From Impact to Action." The article highlights how the nutrition team came together with strength, heart and resilience in the wake of Hurricane Helene. 

Read the article to learn more about their story from the storm.

We are humbled by the passion and dedication of the Buncombe County School Nutrition Program and all School Nutrition teams impacted by the adverse weather events experienced in North Carolina this school year. We honor your unwavering commitment to your students and communities.

Number 2

Statement of the State Board Of Education Chair and State Superintendent Of Public Instruction Regarding House Bill 832 and Senate Bill 254

Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education Eric Davis and North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green are deeply concerned by the Charter School Review Board provisions in the latest versions of House Bill 832 and Senate Bill 254. Charter schools are public schools. While we remain steadfast in our support for high-quality charter schools as valuable choice models within our public school system, we believe that several provisions in the bills violate the North Carolina Constitution and risk undermining public confidence in the integrity, oversight and unity of North Carolina's public school system.

Read the full statement and read more about the bills here.

Number 1

Finalists Announced for NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year Award

"Twenty-four outstanding educators from across North Carolina have been named finalists for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Teacher of the Year Award. These educators exemplify outstanding commitment, excellence, and ability to inspire and empower their students.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), in partnership with NCDPI and NCACTE, developed the CTE Teacher of the Year award to honor outstanding CTE educators, promote teacher leadership, and elevate the importance of CTE in North Carolina public schools. John Kirkman, NCACTE Executive Director shared, “These CTE Teachers represent the outstanding CTE programs across the state. They provide innovative opportunities for students to prepare and engage their career interests while supporting their communities. These finalists are building tomorrow's leaders today.”

The prestigious award honors Career and Technical (CTE) teachers and promotes their growth as outstanding educators and leaders in North Carolina public and charter schools. One finalist will be named the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Teacher of the Year following a competitive selection process led by a panel of education leaders."

Read the full press release here.