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Number 9
Specially Priced Tickets Available for University of North Carolina (UNC) Teacher Appreciation Football Game
North Carolina teachers and educators can score specially priced tickets to see the UNC Tar Heels take on East Tennessee State University in their home opener at Kenan Stadium Sept. 12 at noon.
Tickets start at just $25.21, while supplies last. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 11. Educators must verify eligibility through ID.me before purchasing.
Find more details and get tickets here.
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Number 8
Nominate a Summer Meal Sponsor for a Turnip the Beet! Award
Help recognize summer meal program sponsors that go above and beyond to serve nutritious, appetizing and appealing meals to children.
Submit a nomination for the USDA’s Turnip the Beet! Awards and celebrate sponsors helping address summertime hunger, support children’s health and connect families with healthy food.
Learn more about the Turnip the Beet! Awards here. Nominations are due to summernutritionprogram@dpi.nc.gov by Sept. 14.
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Number 7
NCVPS Helps Students Explore What Comes Next with iWork@NCVPS
The iWork@NCVPS Speaker Series connects students with professionals and organizations that can help them better understand career pathways, college options, and the opportunities available after high school. Through live virtual sessions, students gain firsthand insight, hear practical advice, and have the opportunity to ask questions as they consider their next steps.
This fall, iWork@NCVPS is featuring a special College Choice series throughout September. Students can hear directly from representatives from public and private colleges, universities and community colleges in North Carolina to learn more about the different paths available to them
In October, the series will feature Student Development Coordinator–Fraternity and Sorority Life, giving students another look at the people and roles that shape the college experience.
School leaders and counselors are encouraged to share these free virtual opportunities with students and families.
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Number 6
2026–27 Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Program Accepting Applications
NCDPI is helping more high school students find their voice! The new 2026–27 Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Program will provide $250,000 statewide to help North Carolina public schools develop, maintain or expand speech and debate teams for students in grades 9–12. Schools may receive up to $10,000 per participating high school team to support coaching stipends, competition fees and travel.
Teams receiving funding must participate in both the Tarheel Forensic League and National Speech and Debate Association. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process, with consideration given to applications that expand access, support broad geographic representation and include a clear plan for measuring the program’s impact on academic achievement and other student outcomes.
Applications are due Sept. 19 by 5 p.m. Learn more and apply here.
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Number 5
CFNC Offers 2026–27 Student and Parent Webinars
College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is offering a series of free webinars to help students and families navigate college admissions, scholarships, financial aid and other higher education topics.
Upcoming webinars include:
- NC College Connect: Simple College Admissions Without the Essays - Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.
- How to Pay for College: Find Scholarship Money to Help Pay for College - Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.
- How to Pay for College: Three Ways to Pay for College - Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.
- Over 130 Scholarships; Just One Application - Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
- How to Pay for College: Step-by-Step Guide to the 2027–28 FAFSA - Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.
- HBCU Scholarship Opportunities - Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
How to Pay for College: College Financial Award Offers Made
- Simple - Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
Visit CFNC.org/events to register.
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Number 4
Students Can Check NC College Connect Eligibility Beginning Sept. 15
Beginning Sept. 15, students can log in to their CFNC student account to check their NC College Connect eligibility. Eligible students will also receive a letter by mail this fall.
Through the NC College Connect portal, students can:
- View the colleges and universities where they have been directly admitted
- Complete the NC College Connect form to accept an admission offer
- Receive next steps from the college about enrollment, financial aid and more
Learn more about eligibility, the process and participating schools at nccollegeconnect.org.
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Number 3
EdNC: "Exponential Scholars Funds Thousands of Teacher Projects Through $2.25 Million Donation"
"As teachers across North Carolina finish setting up their classrooms for the new school year, they often spend their own money to fill in the gaps of what is needed for their students. Some teachers share their classroom needs with the public, adding donation requests to a site called DonorsChoose.
Last month, Exponential Scholars — a nonprofit foundation focused on unlocking hidden talent across North Carolina schools — fulfilled every single open project request for North Carolina teachers on the site, according to a press release.
The commitment covers 3,233 classroom projects in more than 1,000 schools, says the release. The total investment by Exponential Scholars was approximately $2.25 million."
Read the full article here.
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Number 2
New North Carolina Competency-Based Education (CBE) Innovation Grant Program Accepting Applications
NCDPI is launching the North Carolina Competency-Based Education (CBE) Innovation Grant Program, a multi-year initiative to help schools reimagine teaching, learning and assessment. Ten North Carolina schools will each receive $330,000 to plan and implement competency-based education models focused on student mastery, personalized learning and innovative assessment.
The initiative focuses on four key areas: redesigning learning pathways, innovating assessment practices, building educator capacity and developing promising practices that can help expand competency-based education across North Carolina.
Participating schools will use $95,000 each applicable school year for CBE implementation training, with remaining funds available to support transition costs such as travel and CBE resources.
Learn more and review application materials here. Applications are due Oct. 18 by 5 p.m.
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Number 1
NCDPI Celebrate the Good Blog: "STEM Schools Of Distinction Among Many Recipients Recognized During North Carolina State Board Of Education September Meeting"
"The North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction Program recognizes the best in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education throughout North Carolina, elevating content standards and preparing the next generation of problem solvers, innovators and creators. Schools receiving this honor demonstrate outstanding leadership and learning that empowers keen creative thinking, reasoning and teamwork.
Nine schools from across the state were recently acknowledged at the North Carolina State Board of Education’s September meeting for their exemplary leadership and instruction in STEM education. The following schools, which have demonstrated a high-quality culture of STEM education, consistent with the North Carolina STEM Schools Progress Rubric, were recognized:
- Hertford Grammar School – Perquimans County Schools
- Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy – Davidson County Schools
- G.R. Edwards Elementary – Nash County Schools
- Red Oak Elementary – Nash County Schools
- Rock Ridge Elementary – Wilson County Schools
- Greene County Middle School – Greene County Schools
- Oakhurst STEAM Academy – Charlotte-MecklenburgSchools
Northwest Elementary – Pitt County Schools
- Rea Farms STEAM Academy – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools"
Read more about the STEM Schools of Distinction and other notable celebrations recognized at the Board meeting, such as the National World Language Award, English Language Development Recognition Award and Hometown Hero Awards, here.
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