TO:
NC Public School Principals
FROM: State Superintendent June Atkinson
DATE: May 22, 2015
The House budget released earlier this week demonstrates a commitment to improving
educational opportunities for the state’s public school students and educators. I was
pleased to see that eight of the State Board of Education’s 12 primary requests were
included in the House budget. In addition, the House budget contained much-needed
pay raises. This will help improve our competitiveness. The process is far from over
however, and it is difficult to say what the final outcome will be. I hope that you will keep
in touch with your legislators and ensure that they have a good understanding of your
school’s priorities and needs.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Principals’ Message:
1. Changes Coming to mClass:Reading 3D Written Response
2. Tracking and Reporting the Global Languages Endorsement
3. Greetings from 2015 NC Principal of the Year
4. EVAAS Meetings for Inquiring Teachers
5. Summer Opportunities 2015: Facilitated Online Courses
6. NCVPS Offers Peer Tutoring Program
7. Free Personalized Learning Workshops for Educators: Using Digital Tools to
improve Instruction in your Classroom and Beyond
8. BB&T Leadership Institute
9. Register Now for NCPAPA Summer Symposium
1. Changes Coming to mClass:Reading 3D Written Response - As a result of
collaborative conversations held with teachers statewide and the state’s periodic review
process, DPI staff have made adjustments to refine the alignment of the
mClass:Reading 3D™ Written Response to Text with the North Carolina Standard
Course of Study. These materials include continued alignment to our state standards,
updated questions anchored in the standards, refined scoring rubrics, and enhanced
exemplars for teachers to use as a guide. Announcements will be sent to central office
contacts and elementary principals this week including instructions on the disposal of
the current written response materials. The new materials, including a video introducing
teachers to these materials, will be available to all schools by mid-June for
implementation in the 2015-16 school year. Questions may be directed to Carolyn
Guthrie at carolyn.guthrie@dpi.nc.gov.
2. Tracking and Reporting the Global Languages Endorsement - The 2014-15
interim solution for tracking and reporting the High School Diploma Global Languages
Endorsement (GLE) has been completed and is available in Power School at
http://gled.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Global+Languages+Endorsement.
3. Greetings from 2015 NC Principal of the Year - Greetings, colleagues! I am
honored to serve as the Wells Fargo 2015 North Carolina Principal of the Year. It is very
humbling to speak on behalf of all principals across our great state. Over the next year
we will share in this experience together. I am most excited about visiting schools
across all eight regions and learning from exemplary school leaders. While on these
visits, I look forward to hearing about your school’s successes, challenges, and the
impact of educational policy and decision making relevant to your region. This will aid
me in speaking candidly and intelligently while serving as Principal Advisor to the State
Board of Education and as a member of the State Superintendent's Principals' Advisory
Council. I look forward to this exciting journey that we will take together over the next
year. Best wishes to your students as they take end-of-grade/course assessments.
Have a great summer! Steve Lassiter, principal, Pactolus School and 2015 Wells Fargo
NC Principal of the Year
4. EVAAS Meetings for Inquiring Teachers - Many LEAs asked Department staff to
host some regional sessions where teachers may attend to receive information and ask
questions about EVAAS. Below are the session dates; and we ask that you help us
make sure your teachers are aware of this opportunity. The sessions begin at 9 a.m.
and end at 3 p.m. Lunch is provided. Your teachers may register for the session that
best fits his or her schedule. Registration is limited so early sign-up is encouraged.
Monday, June 15
Greenville Hilton Hotel
207 Greenville Blvd SW, Greenville
Wednesday, June 17
Durham Hilton Hotel
3800 Hillsborough Rd., Durham
Friday, June 19
Crowne Plaza Hotel
1385 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602
To register, please visit
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mesxxKA7Ua1fakl0Ct0x5o1Vy8nWbZcHhdi4m9Z7ZY/viewform
5. Summer Opportunities 2015: Facilitated Online Courses - Looking for highquality professional development and the opportunity to interact with peers? Summer is
a great time to take online courses at your own pace. Below is a list of facilitated online
courses offered this summer. Registration opens June 1. Courses start June 22. For a
full description of the courses and associated CEUs visit https://rt3nc.org/.
- Digital Literacies in the Classroom (seven weeks) 1.5 CEUs
- Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects: Part 1 (five
weeks) 0.5 CEU
- Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects: Part 2 (seven
weeks) 1.5 CEUs
- Introduction to Data Literacy (five weeks) 1 CEU
- Data Literacy in Action (six weeks) 1.5 CEU
- Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (four weeks) 1 CEU
- Universal Design for Learning: Part 2 (four weeks) 1 CEU
- Connecting with our 21st Century Learners (five weeks) 1 CEU
- North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (six weeks) 2 CEUs
- Building and sustaining PD (six weeks) 1 CEU
- Responsibilities of the 21st Century Educator (seven weeks) 1 CEU
These courses are available at no cost to North Carolina educators and will be
facilitated by DPI professionals. The courses are completed entirely online. Participants
are expected to meet all weekly deadlines in order to receive CEUs. Partial credit will
not be given. Registration is limited to 35 participants per course. To register, follow
the instructions below to log into Home Base to self-register for a course.
 Log in to the NCEES system using your usual PowerSchool log in or the alternate
log in https://ncees.homebase.ncpublicschools.gov/alternateLogin.html
 Click the Professional Development tab.
 You can search for the course, or list all opportunities to find the course for which
you wish to register.
 Click on the course title, you are then presented with the course screen. Click on the
section.
 Click on the register button.
 Directions on how to register are available at
https://ncees.homebase.ncpublicschools.gov/content/Searching%20and%20Registe
ring%20for%20Courses.mp4
Contact Geetanjali Soni at geetanjali.soni@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions.
6. NCVPS Offers Peer Tutoring Program - Did you know that NCVPS has a
nationally recognized peer tutoring program? The NCVPS Peer Tutoring Center is
staffed by student volunteers who have proven themselves in the online
classroom. Peer tutoring teacher mentors match student tutors with students who are
under performing or are new to online learning.
The Peer Tutoring Center offers three levels of support:
- Peer Tutoring - Peer tutors provide tutoring in specific content areas.
- Virtual Buddy - Virtual Buddies are student volunteers who have agreed to work with
NCVPS students who need more than content help in their online classes.
- Quick Questions - Services are available to all students at the start of the semester to
help them get started.
Peer tutors go through an extensive application and interview process before they are
selected as tutors. Tutoring takes place in a secure online environment that is monitored
by NCVPS teachers.
How can a school get involved? Have your school’s advisor request peer tutoring help
with the student’s NCVPS teacher. The teacher will connect the student to the Peer
Tutoring Center. Students can ask their teachers directly, and NCVPS teachers will
recommend it to the student and advisor, as well.
7. Free Personalized Learning Workshops for Educators: Using Digital Tools to
Improve Instruction in your Classroom and Beyond - Beginning in July, the NCDPI
will be able to utilize remaining RttT funds to provide principals and teachers with a
series of free, day-long professional learning sessions featuring digital tools to improve
instruction in the classroom.
As you continue to make your district summer plans, please consider this free,
optional learning experience. These sessions will be offered multiple times at various
locations across the state. We anticipate hosting these one-day sessions during the
weeks of July 13 - 17 and July 20 - 24. Exact locations and dates are forthcoming.
Registration will be on a first come-first serve basis. Stipends for participants will be
available. For more information, please contact Susan McKinney at
Susan.Mckinney@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3828.
8. BB&T Leadership Institute - BB&T is offering a tuition-free Leadership
Development Institute for North Carolina public school principals and central office
leaders.
Over 100 North Carolina principals have completed Mastering Leadership Dynamics
for Educational Leaders - a highly experiential program where participants engage in
learning how beliefs drive behaviors, and ultimately create results. Each has walked
away equipped to make a significant difference in their leadership – and in their schools.
Several sessions of the workshop are scheduled this summer and throughout the 201516 school year. This program is a perfect complement to your existing professional and
leadership development initiatives, and also stands on its own as an effective way to
focus on the one constant in every leadership interaction – YOU!
For additional information or to register, please contact Ros Guerrie at
rguerrie@bbandt.com or visit the BB&T website at
http://www.bbtleadershipinstitute.com/programs.php.
A special invitation for those who have already attended: don’t forget to register for
Leading Change with Purpose, the first in a series of summer leadership development
workshops at The BB&T Leadership Institute. The BB&T Leadership Institute is honored
to support your contribution to developing and shaping the future of our children by
providing these leadership development experiences tuition-free!
9. Register Now for NCPAPA Summer Symposium - The NCPAPA Summer
Symposium, High Impact Strategies for Improving Teacher Quality, will be held July 2022 at The New Hanover Executive Development Center, Wilmington. This
conference will identify and explore the 23 themes of skillful teaching. School leaders
will learn to use the “Artisan Themes” to enhance observation, feedback and coaching
of teachers. Teachers will benefit through gaining insights for instructional improvement.
Each participant will receive a copy of The Artisan Teacher: A Field Guide to Skillful
Teaching. There is a registration fee for NCPAPA members and non-members. To
register, please visit https://goo.gl/lvYSny.