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Some Upcoming Dates of Note:
See below for details
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OCS September Virtual Office Hour: Thursday, September 4th at 10:00 am
Join the Office of Charter Schools Team and NC DPI's Office of School Business and Finance for our Back To School, September Virtual Office Hour, where we will hear about the Enrollment and Funding models for this year, along with budget updates and the Blue Book.
OCS is gathering annual opt-ins for Paid Parental Leave funds through Epicenter beginning September 3rd
If and only if your school board of directors has decided to opt in to the parental leave reimbursements, check the certification box in the Epicenter task and submit this item prior to October 1st.
Following the deadline, NCDPI School Business will be notified of those schools electing to participate in paid parental leave and substitute reimbursement. A school electing to participate will be required to submit evidence of substitute costs to School Business.
In compliance with G.S.§ 150B-19.1(c) the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted rule 16 NCAC 06C .0408 Parental Leave.
Updating Homeless Liaison Contact Information
The McKinney-Vento Act requires all LEA[Charter Schools included in federal designation] to appoint a local homeless liaison to support the educational needs of their students experiencing homelessness. To ensure that your charter’s homeless liaison is receiving communications from our office, please review the Homeless Liaison Contact List. If the contact information is incorrect, the Liaison Contact Information Form must be completed as soon as possible.
Updating Contact Information for Foster Care Point of Contact
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all LEAs to appoint a local foster care point of contact (POC) to support the educational needs of their students in foster care. To ensure that your charter’s foster care POC is receiving communications from our office, please review the NC Foster Care Local POC Directory. If the contact information is incorrect, the NC Foster Care Local POC Form should be completed as soon as possible.
Updated School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2025 SASA Manual
Read to Achieve and K-5 Literacy Support
As you begin to prepare for the quickly approaching 2025-2026 school year, please review the information below and share as needed. The Office of Early Learning Charter Team will continue to provide professional development opportunities and literacy support for North Carolina Charter and Lab Schools.
Please see the Read to Achieve and K-5 Literacy resource document and share as needed.
We will continue to keep you informed and updated as we have additional guidance and information that pertains to NC Literacy efforts this year. If at any time you have questions or need support related to Read to Achieve and K-5 literacy, please contact tonia.parrish@dpi.nc.gov. OCS Presentations from the Wilmington conference:
Important DHHS Resources for Charter Schools
Please click on each link and read thoroughly.
2024-2025 School-Based Mental Health Policy Report
Dear Charter School Contacts,
In accordance with North Carolina SL 2019-245 and SL 2020-7 and with State Board of Education Policy SHLT-003, each K-12 school unit is required to upload a copy of their School Mental Health Improvement Plan for the upcoming school year and answer questions in the School Mental Health Policy Report.
In the online reporting portal, you will indicate that you are a charter school, and you will be directed to the SMH policy questions. To make it easier for you to assemble your report information prior to going online, a Word version and PDF of the online survey is attached to this email. Please complete the online survey to submit your report.
*New this year – Upon completion of your SMH report, you will be redirected to a separate Qualtrics survey titled “Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Annual Report - PSU Level”. If you are not prepared to complete your SMH report and the SISP Annual Report in the same sitting, you can use the following link to return to the SISP Annual Report at another time: https://ncdpi.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Ei0Qd21ZI944Z0. Word and PDF versions of this data collection are also attached, and more information is available on our School Mental Health Policy Reporting page. The best contact for questions related to the SMH report and the new SISP Annual Report is Pachovia Lovett, School Social Work Consultant, Pachovia.Lovett@dpi.nc.gov, 984-236-2821.
The survey platform is setup to allow respondents to leave the survey and resume their progress later, so long as they return on the same browser where they started the survey and do not wait longer than a month to return to the survey. This feature works by placing a cookie on the respondent’s browser that keeps track of the survey progress.
The information needed to complete the SMH progress report will come from your School Mental Health Improvement Plan, which is required to upload and must include the mental health training program and suicide risk referral protocol.
Please note the deadline to complete the School Mental Health Policy Report is September 15, 2025.
You can access the reporting portal through the link below.
2025 School-Based Mental Health Policy Report
If you have questions or challenges in completing this online survey, please contact Les Spell at Les.Spell@dpi.nc.gov.
We appreciate the time and energy spent in completing this report and look forward to reading each submission.
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School Business August 28, 2025
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
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Allotments Update - All PSUs
FY2025-26 Allotments
The following items of interest will be allotted this week:
- PRC 0025 – Advanced Teaching Roles Salary Supplements – Allocations as provided by the Office of Educator Preparation and Licensure
- PRC 0120 – LEA Financed Purchase of School Buses - LEA Allotment Deliveries #6 as provided by the Office of District Operations
The following item is being revised this Tuesday, 9/2/2025:
- PRC 0017 - CTE Program Improvement is being adjusted to reflect the partial GAN received by NCDPI for these federal funds. We inadvertently allocated 100% of the planning allotment. We are pulling back 55 percent of the funds so that the initial allotment will reflect the approved federal funding allowed at this time. We anticipate the remainder of the funding and final approved GAN from USED prior to the end of September. Once the final authorized funding is received, we will allocate the remainder of the funds for this PRC.
Budget Update
Per the notice from Superintendent Green, unless action is taken by the NC General Assembly, DPI plans on preparing to execute contracts and distribute funds after September 2nd that were previously paused due to the absence of a ratified budget. We will provide more information next week.
If you have general questions, please email allotments@dpi.nc.gov.
Add a link or survey button! Click the link button to add the URL.
From the Office of Federal Programs
Consolidated Application Initial Submission Extension - All PSUs
An initial submission extension is being granted to all PSUs due to the withholding and late release of federal funds along with some adjustments that needed to be made in CCIP. These issues may prevent you from meeting the initial submission deadline of August 31, 2025. The initial submission deadline will now be September 30, 2025.
If you are still able to submit your application and budgets by the original deadline of August 31, 2025, please do so. Our goal is to ensure the prompt release of funds to you, so you are able to continue to serve your students in the new year. If you have any questions, please contact your Program Administrator.
21st CCLC Allotments Updates
For GY2026 NCDPI will launch a new process for how our department submits requests for allotments. An allotment log will only be submitted bimonthly to the Allotments Section.
Allotments are how the 21st CCLC grant funding is made available. Upon approval of your initial/continuation application and budget in CCIP, a request to allot 34% of your total school year award will be made by our office to the Allotment Section. Please be reminded that funds allotted can then be requested on a reimbursement basis and must be based on actual expenditures. Expenditure documentation to support reimbursement requests is required to be submitted to NCDPI on the same day as the request for cash is made.
Subgrantee’s will only be placed on the allotment log for funds based on the submission of a quality application and budget. If an applicant’s application is returned, based on 2 CFR 200.208 specific conditions, and NCDPI 21st CCLC requirements, you will be notified of any specific corrections and once these have been satisfied, your application will be processed and placed on the allotment log.
Our office will only submit allotment logs to the Allotments Section on the following dates:
- August 15th and August 29th
- September 12th and September 26th
- October 10th and October 24th
- November 14th and November 28th
- December 19th
- January 16th and January 30th
- February 13th and February 27th
- March 13th and March 27th
- April 10th and April 24th
- May 15th and May 29th
* Please note that these are the dates the log will be submitted so any applications that have been reviewed and approved prior to these dates will be added. Therefore, programs should strive to have their applications submitted for review well in advance of these submission dates.
*All funds for the academic year and summer must be requested by May.
Questions? Contact SBS
Deadline Reminders
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DUE DATE
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TOPIC
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NEWSLETTER
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09/30/2025
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Expenditures for Ending Federal Grants
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08/15/2025
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10/31/2025
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Annual Audit Report
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07/17/2025
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10/31/2025
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SS200 Full-Time Personnel Report
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08/15/2025
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Looking for Literacy Professional Development? Need to earn CEUs?
NEW! During the 2024-2025 school year the Office of Early Learning is offering a virtual Literacy for Educators webinar series focused on content aligned to the science of reading for charter and lab schools.
These sessions are open to All educators, coaches, and administrators.
Each monthly session will be held from 3:30 pm-4:30 pm.
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NCSIS 2025 Conference
We are excited to invite you back to the NCSIS 2025 Conference, taking place October 20-22, 2025 at the Raleigh Downtown Marriott. This year’s event will bring together leaders, educators, and technology professionals from across North Carolina to collaborate, learn, and shape the future of student information systems in our state.
Registration Options:
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Early Bird Registration – $150
On Sale Now through September 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM
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General Registration – $200
Available September 18 – September 30, 2025
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Late Registration – $250
Available October 1, 2025 until capacity is reached
Space is limited! We anticipate strong participation, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.
Location: Raleigh Downtown Marriott **New Location this Year!
Dates: October 20 - 22, 2025
Intended Audience: SIS Coordinators & Lead Data Managers
This conference will feature Infinite Campus trainers on site, SIS Experts from the field, breakout sessions & workshops, and networking opportunities designed to support you in making the most of NCSIS during this critical phase of statewide implementation.
Register Now by visiting the DTL Hub - www.dpi.nc.gov/dtl Full hotel information is available in the hub as well.
We look forward to seeing you in Raleigh this October for an engaging and impactful conference.
Warm regards,
Matthew & Team
Matthew C Mayo, CeCTO, IPT, CETL
Director of Digital Teaching & Learning and School Connectivity
BOY Sessions for ML/Title III Stakeholder
This is the last chance to sign up for our BOY NEW ML Stakeholders Meeting. Join us!
This session is designed for new ML Coordinators or lead teachers, as well as experienced ML Coordinators seeking a refresher. Similar to the ML Data meeting, we will reserve time at the end of the session to address questions about Infinite Campus.
Thank you for joining us for the ML/Title III New Data Managers Professional Development session on Wednesday, August 27. We appreciate your participation and the thoughtful questions you shared during our time together.
We hope these resources support you in your important work, and we look forward to continuing this learning journey together!
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Unlock the Power of Writing for Multilingual Learners
Two 2-Day Workshops | Elementary & Secondary Tracks
Join us for this dynamic 2-day workshop designed to spark powerful writing growth for multilingual learners! Using the Teaching and Learning Cycle, we’ll explore how writing instruction can do more than prepare students for academic success—it can empower them to share their voices, connect with others, and advocate for what matters most to them.
Designed for both elementary and secondary contexts, the workshops focus on how intentional, language-rich instruction empowers multilingual learners—not just to succeed in academic writing, but to use writing as a powerful tool to understand the world, express themselves, learn from one another, and advocate for what matters most.
Both workshops guide participants through a pedagogical approach that apprentices students into academic genres, showing how authentic, content-based writing tasks foster deep understanding of how language works in written form. Educators will leave with ready-to-use strategies that support multilingual learners in becoming confident, capable writers across disciplines.
Elementary Track: September 29 and 30, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
- Explore writing instruction grounded in science content with applications across subjects.
- Learn how to build knowledge, analyze mentor texts, co-construct writing, and guide students’ independent practice.
- Engage students in reflection and revision cycles to strengthen writing skills and voice.
Secondary Track: October 2 and 3, Bladen County
- Centered on social studies writing, with connections to ELA and science.
- Focus on disciplinary genres that prepare students for secondary-level academic demands.
- Emphasis on building background knowledge, unpacking mentor texts, co-writing with students, and supporting independent application.
- Includes cycles of review and revision to refine student writing.
- Note: This workshop focuses on disciplinary writing and does not address foundational literacy for SIFE/SLIFE students.
Key Outcomes for All Participants:
- Build background knowledge so students can write with confidence.
- Use mentor texts to uncover the language of specific genres.
- Co-create writing with students as a scaffold for success.
- Guide students in applying language strategies independently.
- Foster reflection and revision to grow student voice and effectiveness.
Register to attend one of these sessions by completing this form. The ML/Title III team will contact you via email to confirm your reservation or inform you that you are on a waitlist. Please email ESLTitleIII@dpi.nc.gov with any questions. NCED Connect Opt-In (formerly Home Base) is now OPEN!
The NC Department of Public Instruction is pleased to announce that the NCED Connect (formerly Home Base) Opt-in Process is now OPEN ! Finance officers and charter school directors/principals may begin opting into NCED Connect for their PSU once the window opens. Click on the following link to see the full announcement and share with the appropriate staff: hb_pricing_memo 2025-26.
Note: Only finance officers and charter directors/principals should opt-in for their PSU.
Please visit the Opt-in Website for detailed information concerning the NCED Connect Opt-in Process. Questions may be directed to ncedconnect@dpi.nc.gov or jennifer.causey@dpi.nc.gov. Charter schools have a dedicated SIS professional contact!
We are pleased to introduce Jennifer Fogleman as your new dedicated NCSIS Professional Learning Consultant for Charter Schools, effective immediately.
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in the Student Information System (SIS) and is committed to providing you with the same high level of service you've come to expect from our team.
The NCSIS Professional Learning Consultant team is here to support you, please don't hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or concerns.
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Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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A New Path to Stronger, Ready-to-Lead Teachers
Want More? Do More! – Teacher Readiness Program
Interested in becoming a licensed teacher in North Carolina? Join the Want More? Do More! Teacher Readiness Program to get the training, support, and mentorship you need to succeed.
Upcoming info session: Tuesday, August 19 at 2:00 PM – Join our Zoom call HERE
Learn more in the attached one-pager and take the first step toward your teaching career today!
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GSNC Grant Opportunity
Charter school leaders: Great Schools North Carolina (GSNC) is opening the application window for its School Quality Grant from August 26 to September 9.
This 18-month program includes:
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Up to $150,000 in direct funding per school
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Cohort-based learning and community
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Tailored coaching and partnership support
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A full year of implementation resources to move your school from good to great
This opportunity is for independent, non-profit public charter schools that:
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Have a school leader in place for at least one year
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Have two years of state testing data (SY23–24 & SY24–25)
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Have a rating of D or higher on the most recent NC School Report Card
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Met or exceeded growth on the most recent NC School Report Card
Want to learn more? Join the Info Session on August 19 to explore how GSNC can support your next chapter. Register here!
Fall 2025 AI Webinar Series 🧑💻
NCDPI's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning offers a Wednesday webinar series to support AI literacy and the implementation of AI in North Carolina.
All webinars are held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Upcoming offerings include:
- August 20 - Back-to-School with Custom GPTs: Time-Saving Tools for Teachers with Meredith Hill
- August 27 - AI and Assistive Technology with Josh Barton
- September 3 - Amazing AI Updates: Back to School 2025 with Vera Cubero
- September 17 - Part 1: Traditional to Transformative: Realizing the Promise of Education in an AI-Enabled World- with Vera Cubero
- September 24 - AI Literacy for K5 w/ RoboWunderkind
- October 8 - Part 2: Traditional to Transformative: Realizing the Promise of Education in an AI-Enabled World with Vera Cubero
Learn more about the webinar series and find registration links here.
Sign Up for NCDPI Newsletters
Did you know NCDPI produces a variety of newsletters on various topics across North Carolina K-12 education? Whether you’re looking for news on school counseling, digital teaching & learning resources, middle school science or K-12 education legislation updates, there is something for everyone.
A few examples of subscription offerings are:
- K-12 Education Legislative Update
- News Releases
- Digital Accessibility Newsletter
- Exceptional Children Information for Parents
Click here and enter your email address to see all the subscription lists and newsletters available to receive.
NC College Connect Informational Webinars for Educators, Parents and Students 🧑🎓
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
Student/Parent Webinars
Student/Parent Office Hours
NCVPS Live, Certified Instruction Now Available for Middle Schools
North Carolina Virtual Public School launched In-Real-Time (IRT) with tremendous success. This live, synchronous instruction program is designed specifically for middle school students. IRT brings certified NC teachers directly into your middle school classrooms—supporting schools that are facing vacancies, working with substitutes, or simply seeking stronger instructional options. With flexible scheduling and real-time lessons in core subjects, IRT is already helping districts deliver the teaching their students need—right when they need it.
👉 Learn more and register for our upcoming informational webinars: https://conta.cc/44jtmRW
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NCVPS 2025-2026 Enrollment Now Open!
NCVPS has opened registration early to support schools and districts as they prepare for the transition to the new statewide student information system. Schools and students can now explore our updated course catalog and plan for summer, fall, and spring enrollment. We recently added Honors 1 and 2 options for French, Latin, and Spanish, and we have a new filtering feature in our registration system to make finding courses easier. As you register, consider Early Start vs. Standard Start options to align with your school’s academic calendar. Don’t wait—secure your enrollments today! See all the details in our latest NCVPS E-lert.
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Share excellence in education!
Post exceptional student work or exciting happenings at your NC Charter School. Then tag or mention OCS on Social Media for others to see!
Remember when you share on social media to use #WeAreNCCharters or @NCCharterOffice
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Standards of Professional Conduct
Please download and distribute this OCS guidance document.
Charter School Job Postings
Job postings will include the posted date and will be deleted after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.
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Ashley Baquero • Director, Office of Charter Schools
Please send general inquires to ocs@dpi.nc.gov
Contact information for area specialists can be found on the Office of Charter Schools Directory.
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