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Number 10
Applications Open for 2025-26 Purple Star Award
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.
Applications for the 2025-25 Purple Star Awards 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.
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Number 9
EdNC: "Does Your Student Enjoy the Arts in our Local Public Schools? Check out These Guides"🎨🎭
"The public schools of North Carolina provide access to a comprehensive arts education for students from kindergarten through graduation, including dance, music, vocal and instrumental music, theatre arts, technical theatre and visual arts.
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has released guides for parents by artistic discipline and by grade.
The guides help parents understand the major concepts in the NC Standard Course of Study as well as how 'to partner with their student’s teacher, school, or district at home,' according to the website."
Find the Arts Education Parent Guides here.
Read more from EdNC here.
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Number 8
Restart Eligibility Information Webinar
NCDPI’s Office of District & School Support Services is offering a webinar on the Restart Reform Model for districts interested in pursuing authorization to implement the Restart Reform Model in the 2026-2027 school year for one or more of their schools designated as Continually Low Performing. This webinar will give a general overview of the Restart Reform Model and available flexibilities, reporting and monitoring requirements, supports offered by NCDPI and the application process.
The webinar is Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 10-11 a.m. Learn more and register here.
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Number 7
Celebrate the Good Blog: "Supporting Agriculture, Nutrition and Health"
"Did you know there are two special October observances that support learning, nutrition and health? In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a joint proclamation with Congress designating the second full week of October as National School Lunch Week to champion the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom.
In 2010, Congress officially established October as Farm-to-School Month to promote the importance of farm-to-school activities in helping to improve child nutrition, support local economies and connect youth and communities with the source of their food. In North Carolina, Governor Stein proclaimed October 2025 as Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month."
Read the full blog post here.
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Number 6
Explore NCcareers.org – North Carolina’s Comprehensive Career Information System
NCcareers.org is the state’s one-stop resource for career planning and exploring, designed to support all North Carolina citizens. The platform offers robust tools including the Career Development Plan Builder, ready-to-use lesson plans, a variety of career assessments, and access to more than 800 North Carolina occupation profiles with details on education requirements, salaries, job openings and career videos - plus much more.
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Number 5
News and Observer: "NC Superintendent Tells Chapel Hill Crowd how State’s Schools can be Best in US"
"The voices of parents, students, teachers and local officials rattled the walls Wednesday at Chapel Hill High School as state Superintendent Mo Green brought them to their feet with an exhortation to embrace success.
'I am a champion of public education,' the crowd shouted, louder each time, as the school’s band marched in through the doors to a rousing, pep rally-style medley.
Green, on the last stop of a statewide tour to advocate for 'the best public schools in the nation,' smiled as he left the stage and greeted the crowd gathered at the front to shake his hand and share a few words."
Read the full story here.
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Number 4
212 North Carolina Schools Selected to Participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
"For the 2025-26 school year, 212 schools across North Carolina have been selected and approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). Every North Carolina school that applied was selected and approved to participate.
The FFVP is a federally assisted program providing fresh fruits and vegetables to children during the school day at eligible elementary schools at no cost. The purpose of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, include new and different varieties, in an effort to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children.
North Carolina was among the first states to participate in the FFVP, and for the past 20 years, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FFVP grant."
Read the full press release here.
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Number 3
Register to Attend State Superintendent Green's Strategic Plan Regional Tour Virtual Session
Superintendent Mo Green is hitting the road! Join us as he kicks off the statewide tour to share NCDPI’s bold strategic plan, "Achieving Educational Excellence."
Parents, students, educators, community members and leaders - this is your chance to hear firsthand how we’re working to make NC’s schools the best in the nation.
💻 Virtual Session Registration
📅 Nov. 3 | 5:30 p.m.
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Number 1
A Letter of Appreciation to Principals from 2025 NC Principal of the Year Jason Johnson
"As National Principals Month comes to a close, I want to take a moment to personally thank you for all that you do and for all that you continue to do, often without recognition.
As you know, the principalship can be a lonely calling. You may have a team of assistant principals, one assistant principal, or perhaps none at all, but at the end of the day, the weight of the building rests on your shoulders. Few truly understand what you experience, what you carry, and what you sacrifice to lead your school community forward.
Most people only see what happens on the surface. They see the hallway walk-throughs, the classroom visits, the assemblies, the ball games, the concerts, and the board meetings. They see you standing tall, smiling, and steady. What they do not see are the quiet moments behind the scenes, the late nights, the difficult decisions, the phone calls that keep you up, and the personal sacrifices that come with leading a school. Unless someone has sat in that seat, they cannot truly understand what it demands of you.
So this letter is to say thank you in the most honest and authentic way I can."
Read the full letter of appreciation to principals from 2025 NC Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Jason Johnson here.
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