Number 10

The 2026 NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey Opens Next Week!

The 2026 NC Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey will open on Monday, March 2 and will close on Tuesday, March 31. 

Educators will take the survey using a unique survey code that they will receive from their school-level coordinator. 

Find additional information on the 2026 NC TWC Survey here. 

If you have specific questions that are not answered on the website, join the weekly TWC Survey Lunch Hour virtual sessions every Thursday through March 31, from 12:30–1 p.m., giving educators and staff a convenient drop-in opportunity to ask questions and share feedback about the TWC Survey.

Participants may join at any time during the session at this link. Additional information on the 2026 NC TWC Survey can be found at nctwcs.org.

Number 9

NCDPI Office of District and School Support Session: "The Next Generation of School Improvement: Goals. Research Aligned Effective Practice. AI Powered Planning."

School and district leaders are invited to join a professional learning session, "The Next Generation of School Improvement: Goals. Research Aligned Effective Practice. AI Powered Planning." led by NCDPI's Office of District and School Support Service on April 23 in Raleigh.

This active working session is designed to strengthen the substance of school improvement planning. Participants will refine clear, measurable goals, develop meaningful performance measures, intentionally select research aligned effective practices, and apply newly developed tools, including the Research Aligned Effective Practice Checklists and AI Power Planners, to assess implementation and build aligned action steps that drive measurable student outcomes.

This is not an NCStar platform training. The focus is on elevating how we design, implement, and monitor improvement work so that plans translate into real impact.

Principals are encouraged to attend with their School Improvement Team Chair and additional team members, if possible, to maximize learning and strengthen shared ownership. District leaders are also encouraged to participate to deepen coaching capacity and better support schools in increasing overall student outcomes.

Seating is limited. Registration and full session details can be found here.

Number 8

11 Principles of Character Education: Building School Cultures Where Every Student Thrives

Join NCDPI for a full-day, interactive professional development session designed to help schools learn how to use the 11 Principles to create a culture of character in their classrooms, schools, and districts. This session will introduce a wide range of approaches, strategies, and practices that school leaders can implement immediately to transform their school climate and culture. Whether your school is beginning its journey or seeking to deepen its implementation, this workshop will provide:

• A clear overview of each principle
• Examples from NC Schools of Character
• Practical strategies for improving school culture
• Tools for assessing progress and gathering evidence
• Support for completing the School of Character Application

The workshop is March 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Erwin (Harnett County). Register here. 

Number 7

Governor Stein Proclaims This Week Public Schools Week

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed Feb. 23-27 as Public Schools Week in North Carolina. Public schools are the heart of every North Carolina community, serving each and every student. Public Schools Week is a time to celebrate that shared commitment while showcasing the incredible work happening in classrooms and communities across the state.

Read the full proclamation here.

Number 6

2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners Summer Conference Call for Proposals

The call for proposals is open through March 1 for the Growing Success for MLs Conference, inviting K–20 educators to share effective practices, innovative ideas and strategies that strengthen student outcomes.

This free conference takes place in-person, June 23–25 at Cleveland High School (Johnston County Public Schools), and virtually July 13–16.

Learn more and submit a proposal here. The proposal submission period closes March 1.

Number 5

Resource: 2026 ELA Standard Course of Study (SCOS) Communications Toolkit

The 2026 English Language Arts (ELA) SCOS Communications Toolkit is designed to help public school units (PSUs) communicate the newly adopted 2026 ELA SCOS to stakeholders. It provides ready-to-use templates, key messages, an FAQ, and visual materials to assist with timely and effective communication. The resources included may be adapted to fit PSU needs, helping PSUs keep all stakeholders informed.

The NCDPI ELA Team strongly encourages PSUs to use the provided resources to inform their stakeholders of the 2026 standards adoption.

Find the toolkit here. 

Number 4

Next Week is National School Breakfast Week

March 2-6 is National School Breakfast Week!

Join us in celebrating the incredible school nutrition professionals who help North Carolina students start their day fueled and ready to learn. School breakfast supports academic success, attendance and overall well-being — and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated teams of school nutrition professionals who prepare and serve meals with care each morning.

Learn more and find National School Breakfast resources here.

Number 3

Video: Find Your Fit, Build Your Future - How High School Sports Shape Leaders

As part of NCDPI’s Find Your Fit, Build Your Future initiative, this week’s Student Supports theme highlights how athletics builds confidence, resilience and belonging. For Davis Whitfield, Rosewood High (Wayne County Public Schools) Class of 1988 and now Chief Operating Officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations, high school sports and community launched a journey from small-school athlete to Division I baseball and national leadership.

Watch the video and hear from Mr. Whitfield here. 

Number 2

Governor Stein Celebrates Public Schools Week at Bluford STEM Academy

"[Today] Governor Josh Stein and Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green visited Bluford STEM Academy in Greensboro to celebrate Public Schools Week and highlight the need for a comprehensive state budget that invests in teachers and public schools.

'Our public schools open doors of opportunity for students, providing them with the education to learn new knowledge and skills, explore their passions, and prepare for the workforce,' said Governor Josh Stein. 'If we believe our children are our future, then we must invest in them – starting with raising starting teacher pay to the highest in the Southeast and ensuring all students receive an excellent education.'

'Celebrating public schools means recognizing the real results our students and educators are achieving,' said North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green. 'North Carolina's strength has long been rooted in public education, and this past year proves it. Our students achieved our highest four-year cohort graduation rate ever, set all-time participation and performance records on college level Advanced Placement exams and earned the most industry recognized credentials through Career and Technical Education courses ever. When we invest in our public schools, our students can achieve educational excellence.'"

Read the full press release and see photos from the visit here.

Number 1

CHASE High Team Wins 2026 NC Jr. Chef Competition

"While five high school finalist teams competed in the annual North Carolina Jr. Chef cook-off this month to create unique school lunch entrée recipes, the 'Gold Standard' team from CHASE High School (Rutherford County Schools) won first place in the 2026 NC Jr. Chef Competition. Their 'Egg Roll in a Bowl' recipe won top honors in the competition and a silver medal.

The CHASE High team worked to create a recipe that takes the best parts of an egg roll, savory chicken, crisp veggies and tangy sauce and serves it up in a nutritious way. Packed with protein and whole grains, this dish is lighter, fresher and just as flavorful. The recipe featured North Carolina cabbage, onions and peppers along with USDA Foods chicken and long grain brown rice. The team also showed off their knife and presentation skills by pairing with a North Carolina apple cut into a swan."

Read the full press release here. Congratulations to the 2026 NC Jr. Chef winning teams!