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Some Upcoming Dates of Note
- December 17th- Math Standards Stakeholder Review and Feedback due
- December 31st- Transportation Grant application due in Epicenter
- January 1st- Wireless Communication Policy Plan submission due
- January 16th- Remote Charter Applications due
- February 9–11th- NCED Connect Symposium
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Pursuant to SESSION LAW 2025-38/ House Bill 959, all Public School Units (PSUs) are required to annually submit a Wireless Communication Policy to NCDPI.
Please submit your Wireless Communication Policy Plan[aka Cellphone policy] through this submission form.
All PSUs should have an adopted policy by January 1, 2026. You may use this form[above] to submit revised policies as well for your PSU.
Reminder: The deadline for the Remote Charter Academy (RCA) application is January 16, 2026. If you plan to apply, please review the RCA application information in the charter school leadership blast, obtain board approval, and contact julie.whetzel@dpi.nc.gov to request an Epicenter task to submit your application materials.
RTO Planning Session IV: Special Populations & Student Supports
Approved 2026 Ready to Open/Planning Year Schools will meet virtually on December 17, 2025, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. School board members have received the registration information and are required to attend on behalf of their RTO school. Questions: email Natasha.Norins@dpi.nc.gov
Updated School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2025 SASA Manual
Important DHHS Resources for Charter Schools
Please click on each link and read thoroughly.
Draft 1 of K-12 Math Standards Stakeholder Review and Feedback *UPDATE*
Thank you to everyone who has already taken a moment to provide feedback on the first draft of proposed NC K-12 Math standards revisions. Your feedback is essential to the revision and improvement of the NC Math standards. Due to the busy nature of this time of year and Thanksgiving week, the deadline for submitting responses has been extended. The feedback window will now close at 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025.
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The NCDPI K-12 Math team is excited to announce the release of the first draft of proposed revisions to the K-12 Math Standard Course of Study. North Carolina State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on the proposed draft standards from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies.
The purpose of this survey is to obtain input from all stakeholders on the proposed K-12 Math Standards to inform any additional revisions, including changes, clarifications, additions, deletions, or replacements to the draft standards.
This process began with a review phase conducted throughout the 2024-2025 school year. The review phase included gathering relevant research and analyzing data obtained through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The data obtained was analyzed by the K-12 Math Standards Data Review Committee (DRC). The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations. The report was provided to the Standards Writing Team as the basis for starting the revision process.
This first draft of the proposed 2026 K-12 Math Standards is based on the analysis in the DRC Report. The K-12 Math team requests your thoughtful input and comments on Draft 1 of the proposed K-12 Math academic standards. To help in reviewing the draft standards, the K-12 Math team is sharing several resources to provide additional background information. These include:
Please feel free to choose which grades and courses you'd like to provide feedback on. You can choose as many grades and courses as you would like. Please submit your responses by 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025.
Thank you; your feedback is extremely valuable to the K-12 Math Standards revision process.
*******Draft 1 K-12 Math Standards Stakeholder Survey*******
NCSECU People Helping People Scholarship 2026 Now Open!
The SECU Foundation People Helping People Scholarship process is now open. Charter schools across North Carolina may recommend one high school senior per campus based on the eligibility criteria linked below.
The Office of Charter Schools Selection Team will choose 10 outstanding seniors from the applications submitted between December 2025 and March 13, 2026.
Final applications must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026 to the External Support Lead Consultant, Dr. Natasha Norins, via PDF formats. Applications should include all required eligibility forms, essays, transcripts, and proof of acceptance to a North Carolina college or university. -
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School Business December 11, 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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Holiday Cash Calendar Deadlines - All PSUs
All State, Federal and Local cash requests are processed through the PSU Cash Application (PCA). Friendly reminder that the deadline to request State, Federal and Local cash is on Mondays at 11:45 PM, unless stated otherwise.
The cash request calendar on the homepage of the PCA has been adjusted to reflect the holidays below. Please review and plan accordingly with your team to ensure your PSU does not miss any deadlines. As a reminder, PSUs may request cash for any FRD at any time up until the deadline. PSUs do not need to wait until the day of the cut off to request cash.
Christmas Week: The cutoff is Monday, December 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM. NO emergency cash requests will be processed. The Funds Requirement Date (FRD) will be Monday, December 29, 2025.
New Years Week: The cutoff is Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM. NO emergency cash requests will be processed. The Funds Requirement Date (FRD) will be Monday, January 5, 2026.
The cash schedule will return to a normal schedule for the January 9, 2026 FRD.
There should be more than one person subscribed to the PCA who can request cash. For cash inquiries, please contact CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov.
GY 2024 Grant Liquidation and Cash - All PSUs
Cash will be provided on a reimbursement basis for GY24 or prior funds that ended September 30th through the monthly zero-out process. If you encumbered funds, please ensure that encumbrances are converted to expenditures as you liquidate those funds. Cash will be provided for valid expenditures within the encumbered amount in each month's zero out.
All liquidation expenditures must be recorded by December 31, 2025. Please review your encumbered amounts to be sure that you are liquidating those funds.
Cash Updates - All PSUs
Cash App - Funds Available to Request
Please review your Funds Available to Request in the Cash App. If there is a negative amount under the column for "Over Request", please create a negative entry in the Cash App of the amount of the cash overage.
Please prepare the negative entry by the last FRD of December 29, 2025. There are two remaining FRD for 2025 - FRD December 19, 2025 and FRD of December 29, 2025.
Please contact CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions.
Refunds and Repayment Forms
Refunds and Repayment Forms are used for refunding allotted state and federal funds, sales tax refunds, questioned costs and TD-19 refunds. The form is not to pay invoices for workshops, conference/event payments, or Power School cost recovery invoices. If you are unsure how to pay, please email CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov.
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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12/31/2025
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GY24 Expenditures for Encumbered Federal Grants
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10/10/2025
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Join Us for the NCED CONNECT Symposium 2026!
We invite you to join us in Greensboro as we connect, learn, and lead together—now with an even stronger focus on keeping our systems and communities secure.
Event Details
See Where You Fit in Our Leadership Pathway
Discover how your current role—and your future goals—align with our Leadership Pathway.
Take a sneak peek at featured sessions, speakers, and experiences in our NCED Connect Symposium Highlights Flipbook.
We look forward to seeing you at the NCED Connect Symposium 2026!
Ticket Categories & Pricing **New!**
Early Bird Registration (extended through Dec. 22)
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Individual Registration: $250 – Save before the early bird deadline!
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SOLD OUT: Team Builder 5-Pack: Buy 4, get 1 free ($250 each) – perfect for small teams.
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SOLD OUT: Buy 8, Get 2 Free + 1 Hotel Room: Register 8, get 2 free registrations plus one complimentary hotel room for three nights – ideal for larger district teams.
General Registration (Dec 23–Jan. 13)
- Individual: $350
- Group: $350 each (invoiced together)
Late Registration (Jan. 14–Feb. 9): $450 each
Presenter Registration: Please see separate email.
**Invoices are automatically emailed upon registration and should be paid within two weeks.
Hotel Information
The event will be held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Discounted room rates and booking links will be shared upon registration. Teams purchasing the Buy 8, Get 2 Free + 1 Hotel Room package will receive details for their complimentary stay via email for the first attendee registered. Hotel information and registration is located HERE. Learn More & Register
Registration is OPEN! Full details Here.
We can’t wait to connect with you in Greensboro, where innovation meets collaboration!
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Looking for Literacy Professional Development? Need to earn CEUs?
NEW! During the 2025-2026 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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Charter schools have a dedicated SIS professional contact!
Jennifer Fogleman is your 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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RISE 2026 Call for Proposals
The deadline to submit the Call for Proposals form is Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. If you have questions, send an email to CFSS@cfssnc.gov. RISE 2026 Registration
Registration is now open for the 2026 RISE Back to School Safety Summit! The Center for Safer Schools' largest event will be held from Tuesday, August 4 to Thursday, August 6 at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, N.C.
Join us for sessions including bullying prevention, suicide prevention, critical incidents and threat assessment. We will use the Whova app for scheduling and to engage with attendees leading up to RISE.
Check the Center for Safer Schools newsletter and social media for more details over the coming months. If you have questions, send an email to CFSS@cfssnc.gov. 
Spread the Word: Civics Bee for Middle School Youth in North Carolina!
Greetings!
❄️ 'Tis the season to spread the work about the National Civics Bee 🐝 in North Carolina! Please help us spread the word to students in your school!
🐺 NC State is proud to host the Civics Bee in North Carolina. Here's our announcement. We have regional partners with the Chambers of Commerce in Clayton, Fayetteville, and Roanoke Valley, and the YMCA of the Triangle. ❓ What is the National Civics Bee? It's like the Spelling Bee but about civics education. All NC Middle Schoolers are eligible to participate, and students progress from an essay contest to a regional, state and national contests. Student winners are awarded $$ and the winner of the National Bee wins $100,000 for their 529 Education Fund. Learn more here.
How to Apply:
👫 All Middle School youth in North Carolina are eligible for the Civics Bee Essay Contest. This Essay Application Guide is a step-by-step guide to support the essay writing process. The Essay Portal is open until February 4th
Please help NC State spread the word across North Carolina about this opportunity for middle schoolers!
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Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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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
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NOTE- To sign up for the Office of Federal Programs listserv, please contact your assigned Consolidated Program Administrator. Contacts can be found by clicking this link and selecting your region at the bottom of the page.
NCVPS Expands Course Offerings for Spring 2026
NC Virtual Public School is expanding its catalog for the Spring 2026 semester to give districts additional options in world languages and advanced coursework. These updates are designed to support schools facing staffing gaps or looking to broaden opportunities for students.
Three new world language courses—Arabic I, Japanese IV Honors, and Korean I—have been added to the Spring Standard Start calendar and are now available in the registration system. These additions strengthen access to less commonly taught languages and help districts meet growing demand for global studies.
Two new Advanced Placement courses are also being offered: AP Computer Science A will be offered for both Spring Early Start and Spring Standard Start, and AP Precalculus for Spring Standard Start.
These new offerings expand pathways for students statewide and provide districts with more flexibility in meeting local academic needs. For more information, visit the NCVPS full catalog webpage.
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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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 Join NCAPCS for an all-day training that focuses on Charter School Finance! The training will take place at TMSA Triad at the Elementary Campus in Greensboro, on Thursday, January 8th. The event will be from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Speakers include: Claire Wilson from Piedmont Community Charter School, Jay Sharpe, Jennifer Fogleman, and staff from the Office of School Business. Catered lunch included with registration.
The Community School of Davidson is seeking proposals for Fresh Take 2026.
Please feel free to share and help spread the word!
Calling all educators:
Are you an educator who can inspire, empower, and equip fellow teachers with practical strategies?
We invite passionate presenters to join our educational conference!
🗓 Conference Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
⌚️Session Length - 50 minutes
📍 Location: Community School of Davidson Upper School
🎯 Target Audience: Educators, Teachers, Administrators, Parents
🌟 Goals:- Inspire and Motivate Educators- Provide Immediate Classroom Takeaways- Reinforce The Message That Educators Make a Difference Every Day
👩🏫 Presenter Qualities:- Innovative Teaching Methods- Passion for Education
🚀 What We Offer Presenters:- Exposure and Networking Opportunities- Free attendance for presenters outside of CSD
📝 Submission Deadline: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
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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