Education – Moore County Edition

Jul

05

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

First ever homeschool prom in Moore County held

FeaturesEducation, high school prom, home school, Moore County, schools

WHISPERING PINES — On May 12, the first-ever Moore County Homeschool Prom was held for students in grades 9-12 in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. The prom was held at The Country Club of Whispering Pines from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets to attend were $75 and included a seated dinner, raffle ticket, mocktail celebration drink, and 4x6 commemorative photo. Chris and Betsy Miller, who are homeschool parents from Moore County, organized the event. “As parents who choose to homeschool, we know that our kids are missing out on certain things; that is WHY we homeschool,” the Millers said. “But…

Mar

01

2023

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By Jason Yang

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why students should explore global education opportunities

Opinionscollege, Education, global education, higher education, international travel, letter to the editor, opinion, students, study abroad, university

My study abroad journey in Hong Kong as a Phillips Ambassador is an experience I will cherish forever. When I arrived in Hong Kong, I was struck by the incredible skyscrapers, the mix of East and West influences in the city, and the beautiful natural landscapes. Everyone I met, from students and professors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to street food vendors, was friendly and welcoming. The demographics of the locals were similar to those of the “melting pot” that you would see in Chinatowns in the United States, and around every corner were restaurants, shopping centers,…

Feb

08

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Education nonprofit unveils top five priorities for 2023

News2023 priorities, Education, nc education, nonprofit

RALEIGH — Education policymakers, members of think tanks, elected officials and other stakeholders gathered for the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s (PSFNC) 2023 Eggs and Issues forum held at N.C. State’s McKimmon Center in Raleigh on Jan. 31. The top five priorities presented by PSFNC included: Ensure fair and competitive compensation for educators Address the root causes of mental health and school safety crises Grow, retain and diversify the teacher pipeline Prepare students for the world they live in Implement, monitor, and evaluate the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan Opening remarks unveiling the priorities were given by PSFNC’s senior director…

Jan

11

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

N.C. Treasurer delivers over half a million in found funds to state education officials

NewsDale Folwell, Education, NC Treasurer, officials, state funds

RALEIGH — Last week, N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell delivered a check for over half a million dollars to State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and N.C. State Board of Education chairman Eric Davis. “At a time when so many schools are in need of money and resources, especially in rural and inner-city districts, every penny found to further North Carolina’s educational mission is a blessing,” Folwell said in a press release. “I see that need not only as a member of SBE, but as chairman of the Local Government Commission, which reviews and approves financing for school projects throughout North Carolina.”…

Dec

07

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Under new management: Moore County Schools swears in new board members

NewsEducation, Moore County Schools, new board members

SEAGROVE — Moore County Public Schools installed three new school board members at a ceremony held at Westmoore Elementary held on Dec. 5. The full event can be viewed on the district’s YouTube channel. The new additions were touted on the district’s holiday parade float, which carried a banner that read “under new management.” A total of 83 school boards had elections this year in the state, with 41 of them being partisan races. Republicans swept all seats in 21 of those 41 races, while Democrats only swept three. Moore’s school board races were nonpartisan; however, the new members are all Republicans…

Aug

11

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Schools ends contract with Panorama; get refund

Government, NewsEducation, Moore County Public Schools, Panorama, public schools

RALEIGH — Moore County Public Schools has dropped its survey platform contract with Panorama Education, a company that produces “Social and Emotional Learning” data analysis, surveys, and related materials. Moore County School Board member David Hensley posted a graphic on his official Facebook page describing efforts he and board members Robert Levy and Philip Holmes had taken, resulting in an apparent refund of $122,280. In Spring 2021, the Moore County School Board voted 4-3 to sign and fund a three-year contract with Panorama. Hensley, Levy, and Holmes voted against it. Sometime in the months after that vote, the district’s superintendent…

Aug

11

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Public Schools built up meal fund balance over pandemic

Government, NewsEducation, meal fund, Moore County Public Schools, public schools

RALEIGH — During a recent Moore County Schools Board of Education work session, the topic of the disposition of the district’s school meals balance was raised. Apparently, the district’s meals fund balance has built up excess funds of $2.8 million as a result of the free meals paid for by the federal government over the last two years of the pandemic. The U.S. government pays $3.49 for qualified free and reduced lunch recipients. Moore County Schools charges around $2.50 for those who don’t qualify for those meals. That means close to $1 for each meal paid for by the federal…

Jun

15

2022

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By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Board Members make promises for improved safety in schools

NewsEducation, Moore County Board of Education, psychologist

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education met Monday, June 13 for a brief meeting where they approved contracts for psychological services and insurance plans as well as made strong promises about the safety of Moore County Schools. The board approved the contract for two psychologists to provide exceptional educational psychological services for the 2022-23 school year. For both positions, the total cost will be $129,600 which will come from ESSER funds. “The positions are for EC student psychological testing that is required by law,” said Interim Executive Officer for Academics and Student Support Services Dr. Seth Powers. The…

Apr

27

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

School choice expo will highlight education options

Businesscharter schools, Education, homeschooling, options, private schools, public schools, school choice

RALEIGH— A free event taking place on May 7 will offer information about a wide range of K-12 education options to Moore County parents. The Moore County School Choice Expo and Education Summit will be an open house style event being held from 1-5 p.m. at the Pinehurst Village Hall located at 395 Magnolia Road in Pinehurst. The expo’s description says it will “bring education providers and parents under one roof so that parents can learn about the variety of educational options in our county.” One of the expo’s lead organizer is Caroline Kelly, who grew up in the United Kingdom…

Feb

17

2022

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By Moore County Staff

North Moore senior wins Morehead scholarship

Government, NewsEducation, North Moore, school, UNC Chapel Hill

ROBBINS —A North Moore senior has received a prestigious scholarship to attend UNC Chapel Hill. Molly Smith has been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a four-year merit scholarship. The Morehead-Cain funds a full four-year scholarship covering tuition, books, room and board, a “Discovery Fund” for student-led projects, a spending stipend, and four fully-funded summer experiences known as the Morehead-Cain's Summer Enrichment Program. The program selects students based on the criteria of leadership, scholarship, character and physical vigor.