|
Dear Public School Communicators,
Thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s quarterly PIO meeting. I hope the conversations and resources were helpful as you continue the vital work of supporting our public schools, students, families and staff across the state of North Carolina.
You bring passion, expertise and resilience to your role, and our team is grateful for the opportunity to support you as you navigate the complexities (and joys) of school communications.
This holiday season, we hope that each of you are able to slow down, rest, reflect and get excited about what’s to come in 2026! We are looking forward to working alongside each of you as we continue Celebrate the Good to Galvanize Champions for public education in North Carolina.
NCDPI Communications Team
Quarterly Call Follow-Up
Resources:
2026 Quarterly Meeting Dates:
*Please note new meeting schedule based on feedback provided in the December PIO survey.
- Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Monthly Office Hour
Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 8:30 a.m.
Focus: Consolidated Data Report
Updates and Reminders
Submit Student Testimonials to be Featured in NCDPI Press Release on NC College Connect
After the Jan. 2 NC College Connect deadline, NCDPI plans to share a press release with the (incredible!!) number of students who have accessed college through this program in the 2025-26 school year. We are looking for students from each of the state’s eight regions to share their experience with College Connect via short written testimonials.
Please email Holly at holly.west-pauley@dpi.nc.gov if you know of any students in your district who would be interested in being featured.
January 2026 Meeting of UNC School of Government Public Records Working Group - Records Management Software
The UNC School of Government will be hosting its quarterly Public Records Working Group meeting on Jan. 12, 2026 from 12-1:30 p.m.
This quarterly meeting is designed for government professionals whose regular responsibilities include public records-related tasks such as responding to requests and handling retention. Through these meetings, the group hope to bring together government practitioners from a variety of different units to connect over questions, experiences and tricks of the trade.
Each meeting will focus on a particular topic within public records law and practice. After a brief overview of the topic, the meeting will transition to Q&A and small group discussion. The January meeting will focus on various records management programs and software. If you have specific questions you’d like addressed during the meeting, please send them in advance to wilson@sog.unc.edu.
Find the Zoom information below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://unc.zoom.us/j/95356982819
Meeting ID: 953 5698 2819
---
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,95356982819# US
+13092053325,,95356982819# US
---
Join by SIP
∙ 95356982819@zoomcrc.com
Join instructions
https://unc.zoom.us/meetings/95356982819/invitations?signature=voYgE1hHkQ-rMn84j--CLXoY8Wh1A-pGYc9DQMgXb50
Recent GovDelivery Messages
Communication Leaders Resources
-
Resource Folder: Find resources for state-wide campaigns, templates, PIO webinar recordings/slide decks, external resources and more.
-
Office Hours: Regular opportunities to ask questions, brainstorm and learn from each other.
-
PIO Quarterly Call: Updates from NCDPI leadership about statewide initiatives, reports, federal updates, etc.
 Have a good news story to share?
Thank you for all the fantastic ideas you’ve submitted for our blog, Celebrate the Good!
Have a story to share? Fill out our story form or email Holly at holly.west-pauley@dpi.nc.gov. We’re hoping our blog can be a repository for all the positive stories about schools that don’t necessarily get traction from traditional media.
Additional Resources and Links
The Communications Team at NCDPI is eager to help you in any way we can. Please feel free to reach out to us.
Mark Dessauer, Chief Communications Officer
Email: mark.dessauer@dpi.nc.gov
Phone: 919-451-1150 (Call or Text)
Jeanie McDowell, Director of Communications and Public Information
Email: jeanie.mcdowell@dpi.nc.gov
Phone: 984-212-1157 (Call or Text)
Holly West-Pauley, Communications Specialist
Email: holly.west-pauley@dpi.nc.gov
When to Contact/Areas of Expertise: NCDPI "Celebrate the Good" blog, storytelling, media relations
Mary Lee Belz, Communications Specialist
Email: marylee.gibson@dpi.nc.gov
When to Contact/Areas of Expertise: Complex community or political issues, social media, organizing and planning
Corrie Byrd, Communications Specialist
Email: corrie.byrd@dpi.nc.gov
When to Contact/Areas of Expertise: Weekly Top 10, building newsletters, general communications help
Elaine Darby, Web Marketing Specialist
Email: elaine.darby@dpi.nc.gov
When to Contact/Areas of Expertise: Storytelling through social media, photography and videography
|
