A Time of Thanksgiving!🍁 

We are incredibly thankful for our volunteers and community partners who always answer the call when there is a need for our students.

Yesterday, members of Centenary United Methodist Church, led by Oaks Road Academy H.U.G. Volunteer Coordinator and church member, Ms. Gayle Midyette, delivered 100 meal bags through a drive-thru service created specifically for ORA families in need. All items were donated by local businesses and community members. Their generosity, compassion, and commitment to our students make a tremendous difference, especially during this week of Thanksgiving.

We are so grateful for their continued love and support for our school community.

GRANT DOLLARS IN ACTION

Bob Husson, President of the English-Speaking Union Colonial NC Branch, along with Nancy Childs, an ESU Board Member, visited a multilingual learner class of Taylor Steward, ESOL teacher at Trent Park Elementary to see their grant dollars in action. The grant purchased both big books to accompany the ELD curriculum and headsets to support the Lexia English program. Principal Ashley Faulkenberry and Director of Student Programming Betsy Gatchel welcomed the visitors to the building. Community partnerships play a valuable role with Craven County Schools.

K-12 Math Standards Draft 1 Stakeholder Review and Feedback -

Deadline to Provide Feedback Extended to Dec. 17

The NCDPI K-12 Math team is excited to announce the release of the first draft of proposed revisions to the K-12 Math Standard Course of Study. North Carolina State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on the proposed draft standards from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations and other education agencies.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain input from all stakeholders regarding the proposed K-12 Math Standards and to inform any additional revisions, which may include changes, clarifications, additions, deletions or replacements to the draft standards.

Provide feedback on the proposed K-12 Math Standards here.

Gateway to Greatness

This month, The Beginning Teacher Coordinators celebrated the nominees for Gateway to Greatness. This recognition highlights school mentors who go above and beyond to support our Beginning Teachers, guiding them with wisdom, encouragement, and care. By opening doors and paving the way, these mentors serve as true gateways to greatness—helping new educators unlock their full potential. In addition to being celebrated as our monthly honoree, the recipient will also receive a special surprise gift as a token of appreciation for their invaluable support and impact.

Nominees:

Gateway to Greatness Honoree of the Month

The District Beginning Teacher Mentors are proud to recognize Nicole Avolis, 2nd Grade Teacher, A.H. Bangert Elementary

10 Years of Service | Licensed in Elementary Education (K–6), as this month’s Gateway to Greatness Recipient, honoring her outstanding dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to both her students and colleagues.

Nicole’s impact is felt daily, especially by the Beginning Teachers she so generously supports. One of her BTs shared a heartfelt nomination describing Nicole as “an incredibly supportive and inspiring presence” during their first year as an educator. From day one, Nicole has offered her time, patience, and steady guidance—helping new teachers feel confident and uplifted as they navigate their journey.

Her calm presence, deep wisdom, and genuine care for others truly set her apart. She is known for checking in regularly, sharing valuable resources, celebrating small and big victories, and being available for anything her colleagues may need. Her BT shared, “I am grateful every single day that I get to learn from someone as dedicated and kind as her.”

Beyond her role as a mentor, Nicole is a highly skilled and passionate educator in her second-grade classroom. With ten years of experience and a strong foundation in Elementary Education (K–6), she exemplifies what it means to teach with heart, purpose, and professionalism.

Please join us in celebrating Nicole Avolis for embodying the spirit of excellence and for making Craven County Schools a place where teachers and students thrive. Congratulations, Nicole, and thank you for everything you do!

Take Action: Share Your Voice!

The ML/Title III Team from NCDPI invites Public School Units (PSUs) to participate in a statewide field survey. This survey will gather input from educators, administrators, and stakeholder partners across all regions to better understand current practices, challenges, and priorities in supporting multilingual learners. The insights collected will directly inform the development of a comprehensive statewide framework designed to strengthen program quality, compliance, and access for multilingual learners across North Carolina.

Field Survey