Number 10

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.

Number 9

K-5 Social Studies Family Fun Curriculum Night - Dec. 4

NCDPI and the NC PTA are teaming up to host a dynamic and interactive webinar specifically designed for parents and caregivers of students in NC elementary grades.

Get ready for a night of family fun, learning, and “aha!” moments as we introduce the new NCDPI K–5 Parent & Caregivers’ Guide to Social Studies! This guide highlights what your child is learning in social studies in each elementary grade and offers quick, fun activities you can do with them at home.

K-5 Social Studies Family Fun Curriculum Night will be Dec. 4, 6 -7:30 p.m. Learn more and register here. 

Number 8

REMINDER: Principals - Identify 2026 Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey Coordinator

The 2026 Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey is just around the corner, and planning is now underway. At this time, we need your help updating school contact information.

On Monday, Nov. 10 an email was sent to all school principals asking them to identify a TWC Coordinator for their school. If you did not receive this email, please reach out to nctwc@dpi.nc.gov. 

We will hold the first TWC webinar on Wednesday, November 19 for all principals and TWC Coordinators. Meeting information will be shared on the morning of Monday, Nov. 17. 

Number 7

NCDPI’s Global Languages Endorsement (GLE) Team Seeking Student Spotlight Submissions 🌎

NCDPI’s GLE team is seeking Student Spotlight submissions from all public school units to recognize students who have satisfied the requirements of the GLE, North Carolina’s Seal of Biliteracy!
Help us celebrate and elevate student language achievements!

Submit a student spotlight here.

Number 6

PIO Office Hours - Nov. 19

Public Information Officers and Communications Leaders are invited to join open office hours hosted by NCDPI's communications team Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. The topic of this office hours session will be public records requests.

Meeting information will be shared in the PIO newsletter that will be shared tomorrow, Friday Nov. 14.

Number 5

District Highlight: Cumberland County Schools - "Cumberland International Early College Student Brings Local History to Life in New Children’s Book — and It’s Anything but Boring"

"Cumberland International Early College High School ninth grader Jackson Coker has turned a class project and a lifelong fascination with local history into a published children’s book titled Jackson's Time Tangled Adventure.

The story follows Jackson, a young boy who reluctantly visits the 1897 Poe House in Fayetteville with his family. Despite his protests that he doesn’t want to tour a 'musty, dusty, crusty' old house, Jackson’s boredom quickly turns into an unexpected adventure. After inserting a coin into an antique coin bank, he is transported back to the late 1800s, where he is mistaken for a servant. To return home, Jackson must complete a list of chores while learning about life, social roles and race during that era."

Read the full press release and learn more about the book here.

Number 4

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 3

November is North Carolina American Indian Heritage Month

Did you know that North Carolina is home to eight state-recognized tribes and has the largest American Indian population in the eastern United States? More than 13,000 American Indian students attend North Carolina public schools.

This month, we honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories of native tribes and individuals across our state and the U.S., and their influence on our food, medicine, economy, culture and more.
NCDPI is committed to supporting the educational success of our American Indian students and celebrating the voices and traditions of Indigenous peoples.

Click here to learn more about American Indians in North Carolina.

Number 2

EdNC: "Welcome Home: Valle Crucis School Opens its Doors after Damage from Hurricane Helene"

"The smell hit first — that unmistakable scent of fresh paint, new flooring, and possibility that​ only exists in a building waiting to be filled with life. But on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 22,​ Valle Crucis School wasn’t waiting anymore.

The front doors were held open wide by their teachers and school community, welcoming them​ home with hugs and high-fives. The hallways erupted with sound as nearly 350 students poured​ through the doors of their brand-new school, their voices bouncing off the pristine walls that had​ never heard laughter before.

In the cafeteria, breakfast trays clattered as children discovered their​ new gathering space, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing picturesque views of the​ 'Valle' — rolling mountains and the natural beauty that gives this community its name. In the​ library, small hands reached for books on shelves that gleamed under soft lighting. The building​ hummed with an energy that had been missing for far too long.

'We have ice cream back!' one student announced, grinning ear to ear as she clutched her​ breakfast tray and walked past the ice cream cooler."

Read the full story here.

Number 1

Celebrate the Good Blog Post: "The Northeast: Where Our Roots Run Deep"

In September and October, State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and other leaders hosted launch events in each region of the state for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education’s joint strategic plan, “Achieving Educational Excellence.” Educators in each region are sharing their reflections about the tour stops.

"For me, the highlight of the day was welcoming Superintendent Green to my home district of Pitt County Schools. There, I had the honor of sharing the work of our Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council, where every school’s Teacher of the Year serves as a direct voice to district leadership. Teachers like Elyse McRae, who also serves on the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council, spoke passionately about the desire to connect with NCDPI and turn the goals of the strategic plan into action. Their words reminded me that the strength of our schools lies in the collaboration between teachers, leaders and policymakers who share a common mission: ensuring every child in North Carolina has access to an excellent education."

Read 2025 NC Teacher of the Year Rachel Candaso's full reflection post here.