WHAT'S NEW

MESSAGES 2009 :: NOVEMBER 13, 2009

NOVEMBER 13, 2009 - NCDPI WEB HIGHLIGHTS


New Web Site Features ARRA Information and Resources
Information on funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to North Carolina's public schools is available at www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/arra. The ARRA Web site includes an introductory page and links to federal program funding areas including Title I, IDEA, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance, State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, Race to the Top, Investing in Innovation Fund and additional grant opportunities. Each page includes a brief description of the funding area, federal dollars dedicated to that area nationwide, North Carolina's estimated funding amount, and links to distribution and expenditure charts by local districts and schools. Additional resources are linked including PowerPoint presentations, answers to frequently asked questions, ARRA Legislation, and contacts for further information.


Latest Draft for Science Essential Standards Online
Draft 3.0 of the NC Standard Course of Study Science Essential Standards is now online to review at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/. Updated drafts of the Essential Standards are based on continued refinement of the first and second drafts. Feedback on draft 3.0 is requested by Nov. 27 in order to present responses to the State Board of Education meeting in December. The feedback form and the email address to submit responses are available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/.


Training Information for FACS Teachers on the Web
The Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) staff is offering Modules 1 - 8 in the 11th annual cycle to meet NCDPI staff development requirements for provisionally-licensed family and consumer sciences teachers. New and returning family and consumer sciences teachers are encouraged to participate, and experienced FACS teachers are welcome to register for selected modules. Training dates and registration information are available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/cte/family/update/profdev/.


Staff Learning Resources for Student UID Added to the CEDARS Web Site
Training materials for the Unique Identifier for Student System (Student UID) have been added to the CEDARS Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/cedars/uniqueid/student/training/. New resources include two presentations:

  • A Train-the Trainer presentation designed for designated personnel at the school district- and charter school-levels and;

  • A presentation for secondary users in central offices and charter schools as well as primary users at the school level.

More information about the Unique ID project for staff and students, plus additional training resources, are available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/cedars/uniqueid/.


E-Newsletter for Student Support Services Now Online
November's edition of the Student Support Services e-newsletter is now available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/studentsupport/enewsletter/. The newsletter provides a wealth of information to all professionals who provide support services to students.


Child Nutrition's Weekly Update on the Web
The latest edition of Child Nutrition's Weekly Update is now online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/childnutrition/weeklyupdate/. The update includes a variety of state and federal news for Child Nutrition administrators.


News from the USDLC Teacher Series

  • The Great Conversation Goes Virtual: Exploring the Paideia Seminar in 3-D Web
    Can the Paideia seminar be effective in an online 3-D virtual world? Join Terry Roberts, executive director of the National Paideia Institute, in the United Star Distance Learning Consortium's (USDLC) 3-D virtual world of Second Life, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. This event will be USTREAMed for participation by not-yet Second Life residents. To learn more, visit http://www.bookosphere.net/.

  • Laurie Halse Anderson: Virtual Authors Study Continues
    Join John Wood and Lauren Nicholson as they discuss two exceptional books by Laurie Halse Anderson - "Thank You Sarah" and "Catalyst" - Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. in USDLC's Second Life. This event will also be USTREAMed. "Thank you Sarah" is geared for upper elementary and middle school students, and tells the story about Sarah Hale, a woman who lobbied five presidents to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. "Catalyst" is a novel with a science connection for older teens. Wood, an English teacher at Clayton High School, will share his experience teaching "Thank You Sara" with sixth - grade students. Nicholson will user her experience as a member of an award winning - teen literature program and a librarian at the Wake Forest Library to lead a lively discussion for "Catalyst." Visit http://www.bookosphere.net/ for details.

 


Featured Publications at NCDPI

To order, please call 800.663.1250 or visit Publication Sales on the Web at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/publications/.


Education Directory
The Public Schools of North Carolina Education Directory is a comprehensive guide to the professional staff in the state education department, education associations and organizations, individual school systems, and all public elementary, middle and secondary schools in the state. The directory includes materials- and equipment-vendor listings. The directory is also spiral bound with tabs for easy access.
DR101, 2009, $17


AfterSchool Energizers
Afterschool Energizers is the third edition of classroom energizers and developed specifically for 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The afterschool environment is different from the in-school environment. Students often arrive at afterschool programs after a day of structured learning and they need time to move around. The goal of Afterschool Energizers is to provide activities and movements that students will enjoy doing as they learn. Students can learn character development, life skills training and academic enrichment through the use of AfterSchool Energizers activities and reflections. AfterSchool Energizers provides ideas for more than 50 activities including "Bring the Noise, Bring the Funk," "Oh No You Didn't!" and "Racing to Good Character."
HS137, 2009, $14


Did you know that the NCDPI sells a variety of publications to educators, administrators, school and central office staff, students and parents? Check out the agency's inventory of more than 200 manuals, brochures, posters, CDs, videotapes and more at our Publications Sales site: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/publications.