Number 10

NCVPS Fall Registration Extended

North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) has extended registration for Standard Start classes to September 19. This extension gives schools and students extra time to finalize schedules and make sure all students are placed in the right courses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your students enrolled in high-quality, teacher-led online classes!

Learn more here. 

Number 9

NC AI Solve-a-Thon Statewide Challenge 🧑‍💻

NCDPI's Office of Digital Teaching and Learning is launching the NC AI Solve-a-Thon—a first-of-its-kind statewide challenge for students in grades 6–12! This initiative offers students an opportunity to build creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and responsible technology skills.

Teams will:
🔍 Identify a local issue
🧠 Create an AI-powered solution
🎤 Pitch ideas this November; finalists compete Feb. 11, 2026, at the NCED Connect Symposium.

Learn more and find additional details here.

Number 8

District Highlight: Buncombe County Schools - EdNC: "Building Belonging at Fairview Elementary in Buncombe County"

"'You Belong Here' hangs on a board inside of Katie McCracken’s classroom.

The letters are meticulously placed, except for the 'G,' which sits at an angle with a scribbled note that says, 'Even if you are like this unique G.'

McCracken is one of two counselors at Fairview Elementary School in Buncombe County. In addition to her counseling duties, McCracken teaches a 'Friends and Feelings' class to various age groups, embedding curriculum and practices that help students develop critical social and emotional skills.

'One of the healthiest things about any of our lives is that we have relationships — and knowing what it feels like to have relationships and belong,' McCracken said.

McCracken’s number one focus this year is belonging, and she’s starting the school year with lessons on belonging for her third, fourth, and fifth grade students."

Read the full story here. 

Number 7

English Language Arts (ELA) Standard Course of Study Draft 3 Survey

North Carolina Educators, we need your feedback!

State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on Draft 3 of the Proposed 2025 English Language Arts Standard Course of Study from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives and other education agencies.

Review the standards and complete the survey here. The survey closes on Oct. 1. 

Number 6

Register to Crunch! 🍎

Plan ahead for the 2025 #NCCrunch - registration is now live! Through the NC Crunch, kids and adults can taste and learn about North Carolina-grown fruits and vegetables with their schools, early care and education sites, organizations, families and communities for #FarmtoSchoolMonth in October. The NC Crunch is also an opportunity to thank all those involved in feeding our communities.

Sign up to receive a free guide with tips and resources to help you plan for the NC Crunch. In addition to the guide, the NC Crunch logo, flyer, “I crunched” sticker template, social media graphics and more are available at the link below.

Learn more, access free resources and register for the #NCCrunch.

Number 5

NCVPS 2025-26 Edvantage Tutoring Program

NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring is still accepting (ongoing) middle and high school enrollments for the 2025-26 school year. See the list of course offerings here.

Tutoring is available October 13, 2025, through May 21, 2026. There is a flat fee of $35/hour for tutoring. All tutoring slots are available in 30-minute increments. Any unused purchased minutes automatically roll over to the upcoming semester of the next school year.

Please take a few moments to complete the  to

Let NCVPS know how to best serve your students by completing the 2025-2026 Edvantage Tutoring Districts/Schools Partnership Form.

Number 4

Register for 2025 Character Education Summit

At this inaugural Character Education Summit on Nov. 3 in Raleigh, attendees will:

• Gain insight into the 11 Principles of Character Education and practical ways to apply them in their school.
• Be inspired by success stories from State and National Schools of Character and learn how they revitalized their school communities.
• Connect with experts and fellow school leaders to deepen their understanding of Character Education.

Learn more and register here. 

Number 3

"Transformational Scholarships Program Announces Fourth Cohort of Scholars"

"Fourteen students from across Eastern North Carolina have been selected to join the fourth cohort of the NC State College of Education’s Transformational Scholarships Program.

This program—made possible due to a generous charitable grant from the Anonymous Trust— provides scholarships of a minimum of $40,000 over four years to promising high school students from Eastern North Carolina who will return to the region to teach after graduating from NC State’s College of Education."

Read more and see the full list of scholars here. 

Number 2

Rockingham County Schools Educator Named 2025 National History Teacher of the Year ⭐

Congratulations to Rockingham Early College High's Valencia Abbott, who has been named The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 2025 National History Teacher of the Year!

Abbott is an educator with over two decades of experience and serves as the Social Studies Department chair and a civics teacher. Her dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2024–25 Rockingham Early College High Teacher of the Year She is also a 2024 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow.

As the national winner, Abbott will receive a $10,000 grand prize at a special ceremony on November 5 in New York City.

Congratulations, Ms. Abbott! 

Number 1

State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green to Host Strategic Plan Regional Tour

Superintendent Mo Green is hitting the road! In September and October he’s visiting all eight education regions to share NCDPI’s bold strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence, with parents, students, educators, public officials and community leaders.

Can’t make it in person? A virtual event is coming in November!

Learn more about the strategic plan and register to attend an event in your region here.