Number 10

ABC11: "State Leaders Lay out Ambitious Plans for North Carolina's Public Schools"

"State leaders will lay out their vision for the future on improving North Carolina's public schools.

The plan sets bold targets, including achieving a 92% graduation rate.

Leaders, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green and others from Wake County will unveil the five-year plan.

On Wednesday, they started with a tour at Centennial Magnet Middle School in Raleigh. Green, Wake County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor and other state and county leaders were on hand inside classrooms."

Read more and see accompanying video footage here.

Number 9

2025-26 Purple Star Award Applications Open Sept. 1

In 2019, The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction launched the Purple Star Award Designation initiative to recognize the state’s strong military presence and its support for military families. The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families.

2025-2026 Purple Star applications open on September 1. Applications are due on February 1, 2026.

To learn more about the Purple Star Award Designation, email Howard.Lattimore@dpi.nc.gov or visit the Purple Star Award webpage. 

Number 8

Quarterly PIO Call Wednesday, Sept. 10

Public Information Officers and Charter School Communications Leaders are invited to join the quarterly PIO call on Wednesday, September 10.

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

Number 7

CFNC Countdown to College Regional Trainings

CFNC is kicking off the college application season with Countdown to College (C2C) Regional Trainings. These free, in-person trainings are designed for high school counselors, college access professionals, educators and youth-serving community organizations who support students on their college and career journey.

Join one of eight locations across the state this fall to receive updates on state and federal financial aid, learn best practices from local experts and explore new tools to help you and your students navigate the application process. 

• Sept. 19: James Sprunt Community College
• Sept. 23: Forsyth Technical Community College
• Sept. 25: Pitt Community College
• Sept. 25: UNC Charlotte
• Sept. 30: Wake Technical Community College
• Sept. 30: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
• Oct. 13: Catawba Valley Community College
• Oct. 14: Sandhills Community College

Number 6

NCVPS Fall 2025 Parent Orientation

NCVPS is hosting an orientation for new NCVPS parents and guardians. Topics will include how to best support students, how to access the NCVPS Virtual Support Center and how to use the Canvas Parent App and Observer Access to monitor student progress. Also included will be student engagement opportunities like the NCVPS Peer Tutoring Center, clubs and guest speaker series.

Presenters will include NCVPS Staff, teachers and students.

To better serve attendees, orientation will be offered on two different dates and times. Please share the registration links below with parents and staff:

• Thursday, August 28 at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, September 11 at 11 a.m.

Number 5

EdNC: "‘An Incredible Investment in NC’: Superintendent Green Discusses Golden LEAF Schools initiative"

"Superintendent Maurice 'Mo' Green highlighted the new Golden LEAF Schools initiative’s potential to improve school performance in an interview with Golden LEAF Foundation President Scott Hamilton published last week.

In the interview, Green said Golden LEAF Schools held their kickoff conference with all 15 participating rural middle schools this summer. Hamilton and Green both attended the conference.

'I’ll just say from that, the enthusiasm, the electricity, the participation, the determination of those attendees was just phenomenal,' he said.

That conference marked the beginning of a five-year $25 million initiative that aims to improve these schools’ performance with a focus on mathematics and career development."

Read the full story here.

Number 4

Public School Matters Podcast: "Key Challenges and Opportunities Facing Leaders Ahead Of The New School Year"

In the most recent episode of North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) Public School Matters Podcast, the NCASA Advocacy Team welcomes Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools and President-Elect of the NCASA Board of Directors; Beckie Spears, Principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School and the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year and Kimberly Jones, an English and Humanities teacher for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

The three guests discuss the excitement of opening the new school year, the current challenges affecting public education from their unique perspectives and the importance of being a champion for local public schools.

Listen to the podcast here. 

Number 3

Back to School Video Message from State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis

North Carolina State Board of Education Chair Eric C. Davis welcomes back educators, administrators, staff, students and families to the 2025-26 school year.

"This school year promises to be one of meaningful learning, unforgettable experiences, and strong connections among students, educators, families and communities."

Watch the video here.

Number 2

"Seven NC Summer Nutrition Program Sponsors Receive USDA Turnip the Beet Awards"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced recipients of the Turnip the Beet Awards for the 2024 Summer Nutrition Programs. Recognized this summer by the USDA, 199 sponsors qualified for either a gold, silver or bronze Turnip the Beet award. Seven North Carolina Summer Nutrition Program sponsors received Turnip the Beet Awards.

Gold

• Boys and Girls Club of Wake County
• Halifax County Schools

Silver

• Catawba County Schools
• Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
• YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina

Bronze

• Beaufort County Schools
• Elizabeth-City Pasquotank Public Schools

Congratulations to all Turnip the Beet awardees! Read the full press release here. 

Number 1

North Carolina Unveils Strategic Plan to Become Best in Nation for Public Education by 2030

"The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and State Board of Education (SBE) launched 'Achieving Educational Excellence,' a comprehensive strategic plan that sets an ambitious goal: making North Carolina's public schools the best in the nation by 2030. The plan, unanimously approved by the SBE at the August board meeting, marks the first joint strategic initiative between NCDPI and the board in more than ten years.

Today, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green welcomed state dignitaries, members of the public and the media to two events held at Wake County public schools to celebrate the launch of the strategic plan. Green will host regional events throughout the fall for people to learn more about the plan and how to be involved.

The strategic plan, developed through extensive statewide engagement including Superintendent Green's 'Mo Wants to Know' listening tour, establishes eight pillars for transformation with specific, measurable goals and timelines for implementation. The plan addresses critical areas including educator compensation, student achievement, mental health support, infrastructure modernization and community engagement."

Read the full press release here.