North Carolina School Boards Association

Win of the Week: Inspiring Future Engineers and Astronauts! ?? Ava Hourihan, a senior at the Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership (CCTL), led her first-ever model rocketry workshop at Lakeshore Middle School. Guided by her passion sparked at the R3 (Rockets, Rovers, and Robots) camp, Hourihan shared her love for rocketry with 22 eager elementary students from Iredell-Statesville Schools. Supported by STEM coordinator Debra Lester and CCTL’s aerospace club members, students learned to design, build, and launch their own rockets. Hourihan’s dedication to inspiring young minds showcased the incredible opportunities that public schools create for nurturing future STEM leaders. The event left a lasting impression, with students excited to continue exploring space and physics. Read more about this event in the Iredell Free News. #PublicSchoolProud #STEM #FutureLeaders #ModelRocketry IREDELL-STATESVILLE SCHOOLS

Win of the Week: Inspiring Future Engineers in Guilford County! This week, students from Smith and Southeast High Schools —home to Guilford County’s Signature Career Academies for manufacturing —explored career possibilities at HondaJet facilities. With support from Guilford County Schools Career & Technical Education and community partners like NC A&T State University, Guilford Technical Community College, and Junior Achievement, students gained an up-close look at advanced manufacturing and engineering pathways. This tour emphasized how Guilford County's robust Career & Technical Education programs provide hands-on experiences, preparing students for fields with growing opportunities. With a very high concentration of manufacturing jobs, Guilford County is at the forefront of preparing the next generation for careers in engineering and beyond. #WinOfTheWeek #PublicSchoolProud #CareerReady #FutureEngineers Guilford County Schools North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Guilford Technical Community College

Win of the Week: Celebrating Watauga County Schools' Dedication to Gifted Students! Watauga County Schools has been recognized as an AIG Promising District by the NC Department of Public Instruction for its commitment to supporting academically and intellectually gifted (AIG) students. This recognition highlights the district’s comprehensive plan to nurture advanced learners, led by dedicated educators like Hardin Park Elementary School’s AIG Coordinator, Jake Orange, and the district’s hardworking AIG specialists. As Orange noted, “This really goes to our AIG specialists that do the hard work in all of our schools. They do phenomenal work.” For more about this recognition, go to https://lnkd.in/emYxRqcH #WinOfTheWeek #PublicSchoolProud #EducationExcellence #AIG Watauga County Schools

Join us for crucial legislative agenda webinars & legal/policy sessions! Stay informed ahead of the 2025-2026 Legislative Biennium with sessions to learn more about the draft legislative agenda. NCSBA is hosting a webinar to review the agenda, helping all local school leaders prepare for the Delegate Assembly at the Annual Conference. Email [email protected] for information to join one of the below meetings. Webinar Dates ?? October 22 | 12-1 p.m. ?? October 23 | 2-3 p.m. ?? October 31 | 10-11 a.m. ------------------------------ Additionally, don’t miss the upcoming legal/policy sessions on NIL rules, navigating litigation, and alternative schools. Register now to secure your spot! ?? October 30 Session: bit.ly/policylaw1030 ?? November 7 Session: bit.ly/policylaw1107 #NCSBA #LegislativeAgenda #SchoolDistrictLeadership #Webinar #Education

Win of the Week: Fueling Futures with Hendrick Motorsports and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools! Fifty high school students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had an incredible opportunity to explore diverse career paths in the motorsports industry at the sixth annual Fueling Futures event hosted by Hendrick Motorsports and Ally. From data engineering to marketing, students learned firsthand about the many roles that support racing teams, showing how public schools provide a variety of pathways to successful careers. This event not only gave students insights into motorsports but also offered valuable lessons in financial literacy through Ally’s Money Matters workshop, empowering them with skills for life beyond high school. The day was a perfect example of how public education connects students to exciting industries and helps them prepare for the future. #WinOfTheWeek #PublicSchoolProud #FuelingFutures #CharlotteMecklenburgSchools #CareerOpportunities Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Ally

Don’t miss our upcoming legal/policy webinars! School board members, administrators, and board attorneys are invited to these valuable live online sessions covering important topics in local education governance while receiving training credit hours. Due to the 2024 Fall Law Conference cancellation in response to Hurricane Helene, some conference sessions will be offered in an online format over the next few weeks. More information on these sessions is available at https://lnkd.in/ewu4dXmj Join us for live, virtual sessions on Wednesday, October 30 and on Thursday, November 7. Each session will take place from 9 - 11:30 a.m., and these sessions will not be recorded.

Win of the Week: Celebrating Martin County Schools' 26 Years of Partnership with Special Olympics! For over three decades, Martin County Schools has proudly partnered with Special Olympics North Carolina to hold events that celebrate and empower special needs athletes. This year's event, held at the Tyner Road softball complex, brought together volunteers, families, and students for some fun and competition. A special shoutout to Hank Tice, a P.E. instructor who has dedicated 26 years to supporting this partnership. His participation, along with the help of student athletes and volunteers, makes a lasting impact on the lives of these incredible athletes. Thank you to all the volunteers for making this event such a memorable and uplifting experience. MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOLS #SpecialOlympics #WinOfTheWeek #InclusiveCommunity #CelebratingSuccess

Western North Carolina school districts are stepping up in the wake of Hurricane Helene, despite facing significant challenges. From washed-out roads and widespread power outages to damaged infrastructure, school district leaders and staff are working hard to restore normalcy for students and their communities. Although districts are navigating major obstacles to reopen schools, they are committed to bringing students back safely, knowing that schools provide much more than education—they offer meals, social interaction, and emotional support. In the western part of the state, schools have transformed their facilities into distribution hubs for essential supplies, while staff work alongside volunteers to deliver critical resources to families in need. Some districts are offering free meals to their community until schools reopen, ensuring that no child goes hungry during this challenging time. This support from school districts for affected communities in Western NC extends statewide, with local school leaders pulling together resources and volunteering their time to pitch in. A special shout out goes out to Brad Abate, pictured with NCSBA President and Cherokee Central Schools Board Member Jennifer Thompson. Abate, who is a member of the Harnett County Board of Education, has been dispatched in his role as Deputy Sheriff to help with the disaster response. The resilience and generosity of school leaders, educators, and volunteers in Western North Carolina serve as an inspiring reminder of the strength within these communities as they navigate rebuilding efforts together. To support the work of rebuilding, consider giving to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by United Way of North Carolina. Donations can be made at www.nc.gov/donate.

?? Win of the Week: Record-Setting AP Participation in North Carolina! ?? In the 2023-24 school year, North Carolina public school students set a new benchmark for success with a 12% increase in AP exam participation—bringing the total to over 84,000 students who took 155,000+ exams! Also impressively, 65.4% of exams earned a score of 3 or higher, surpassing the national average. This achievement reflects the hard work of our educators and school leaders across the state. Your dedication to student success is driving real impact! #NCSBA #PublicSchoolProud #WinOfTheWeek #APExams #FutureLeaders #EducationMatters North Carolina Department of Public Instruction | The College Board

As North Carolina prepares for an important election, The Board Table podcast is providing an exclusive look at the two candidates for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. In this special two-part series, we invite you to listen to insightful interviews with: ?? Maurice “Mo” Green – Former superintendent and nonprofit leader, discussing his experience and vision for the future of NC public schools. ?? Michele Morrow – Nurse and education advocate, sharing her perspective on public education leadership. These episodes are essential listening for anyone invested in public education and leadership in North Carolina. Gain valuable insights ahead of this critical election. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or at ncsba.org/podcast. #EducationLeadership #PublicEducation #NCpol #SchoolBoards #NCSBA #Podcast