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On Friday, EdNC reported updated numbers from the NC Department of Administration’s Division of Non-Public Education, which show requests to operate a homeschool between July and November 2020 have risen to 16,570 across the state — up from just 6,220 requests during the same period in 2019. (Individualized county data is not currently available.)
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, local families have been faced with myriad challenges and decisions when it comes to public and private instruction for children aged K–12. Among those options, micro-schooling has become a popular “happy medium” for parents who want kids to have a more traditional group learning experience, while still social distancing or studying remotely.
Wait, what is micro-schooling? The first micro-schools were founded in 1989, as part of the Alternative Education Resource Organization. Also known as “learning pods,” they can be accredited, or not + home-based, or not. The common denominator is that it involves a small group of students of the same age and grade, instructed by a licensed — or in some cases, retired — teacher (opposed to homeschooling, where instruction is often led by parents or other family members). Often, the curriculum emphasizes student-led and hands-on learning.
What are the benefits of micro-schooling during the pandemic? Each family's needs are unique, and micro-schooling definitely isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some children, this educational format helps replicate the social element that is missing from remote or distance learning situations. And for working parents, the structure of micro-schools can be helpful for scheduling coursework.
If you’re interested in learning more about micro-schools for the Spring 2021 term, check out these resources:
• NC Department of Instruction — Innovative School Options
• Carolina School Hub — Best Micro-schools in NC
• Establishing Your Micro-school
• The Studio School of Durham
In related news, save the date: For parents looking to enroll their elementary school children in Wake County’s Virtual Academy — the remote learning option from our local public school system — registration closes Dec. 9. |
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Know some parents or kids who might benefit from this info? Use the links below to share all the deets about micro-schools with the families-with-schoolkids in your life.
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Weather
○ 61º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
Civic
○ The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets today at 6 p.m. The agenda includes updates on the Shared Streets Program + bike lane implementation at Hardimont and Milburnie roads. This meeting is open to the public — join here. 🚲
Biz
○ Today is the deadline for local small businesses to apply for aid from Wake Forward. The program offers loans to small business owners with up to 150 employees to provide revenue assistance for those struggling during the pandemic. Loan recipients are not required to make payments for the first 18 months + interest rates are set at 5.5%. Learn more and apply here. 🏦
Edu
○ NC State announced Friday that faculty and staff + all students returning to live or take classes on campus next Spring, will be required to show proof of a recent, negative COVID-19 test. Ongoing routine and surveillance testing will continue through the Spring 2021 semester. Find out more here. 🦠
Community
○ Wake County has announced the phased reopening of several local libraries — today, Cameron Village Regional Library + West Regional Library will open back up. Click here for more details. 📚
Cause
○ Need a new headshot? Wednesday, Dec. 9, Headshots for Good will connect participants with professional photographer Austin Dowd for 15–20 minute mini sessions. The cost is $85+ and proceeds benefit local nonprofit network Activate for Good. Reserve your time slot here. 📸
Apply
○ Cary Chamber and Hummingbird Creative Group are now accepting applications from local small businesses to win a branding package valued at $25,000. The winning business will receive a new logo, PR boilerplate, digital marketing planning + more. The deadline to enter is Jan. 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. and applicants must be members of the Cary Chamber to be considered. 📝
Family
○ Content from the Old North State Storytelling Festival is available virtually, now through Saturday, Nov. 21. Tickets are $25 per household + include access to stories and music from local and national storytellers. Click here to get a sneak peek. 🎤
Holiday
○ Enough doom and gloom, are we right? If you’re looking for holiday light shows to brighten up the holiday season in 2020, check out WRAL’s recent list — featuring 11 displays from around the Triangle and across NC. 🕯️
Health
○ NCDHHS is sending ~75,000 rapid antigen tests to public and private universities across the state, to help college students get tested for COVID-19 before returning home for the holidays. Local health departments located near college campuses are also coordinating to provide services to students who want to get tested. 😷
WaterCooler
○ On Saturday, NC State beat Florida State 38–22. Next up, the Wolfpack faces off against Liberty University this Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Watch via Charter Sports Southeast or check your local listings. 🏈
○ The Tar Heels also pulled a win this weekend over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, with a final score of 59–53. UNC’s next game is Friday, Nov. 27 against Notre Dame. Tune into ABC to watch live at 3:30 p.m.
Asked
○ ICYMI — we’re looking for holiday recipes from our readers to help us compile a RALtoday cookbook. While COVID-19 may make gathering in person difficult this year, we want to share our city’s love for food + community virtually. Send us an email to share your recipe and keep an eye out for our cookbook in the next few days. 🍗
Giveaway
○ There’s only one week left to enter our Local Giveback Giveaway. Click here to enter so you don’t miss out on having $1,000 + a RALtoday Highlight in our newsletter donated to your favorite local organization this holiday season. The winner will be announced right here in our newsletter on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Click the button below for more local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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This is the last week to view artist Glynnis Reed's The Spirit of Our Nature exhibit at the Triangle Cultural Art Gallery — located at 8320 Litchford Road in North Raleigh.
The show includes digital collages and photos from Glynnis' past collections highlighting nature abstractions + portraits of Black women. See it now through Saturday, Nov. 21.
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#DYK that your photo could be featured in our newsletter? Just use #RALtoday on social media.
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Civic
○ Dix Park Community Committee Meeting | Mon., Nov. 16 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The committee will meet to address manners related to the Dorothea Dix Park project and bring together residents of the park’s surrounding neighborhoods to provide perspective.
Edu
○ Art of College Applications Webinar | Mon., Nov. 16 | 6–7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Collegewise will walk students through each section of Common App and guide them through ways to make sure they stand out to college admissions offices.
PlanAhead
○ GIS Day 2020 | Wed., Nov. 18 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The City of Raleigh is celebrating geographic information systems and their integration into daily life for GIS Day 2020. The event will have presentations from experts in the field and include time for questions from participants.
○ Coffee with Lindsay Rice | Tues., Nov. 24 | 9–10 a.m. | Virtual | Free for members | Small business owners in the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce are encouraged to attend this event, network, and hear about how others are managing their establishments. This event’s speaker is Lindsay Rice, the local owner of Vita Vite.
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Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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Answered: On Friday, we asked you to tell us which local ACC basketball team you like to cheer for. Here's what you said —
○ 55% said NC State
○ 30% said UNC
○ 9% said Duke
○ 6% said all three
#RALremote diaries, day 184 — Erin is taking some #WellnessWindDown advice from @lindaeatsworld and being more mindful this week + Shari is counting down the days until Thanksgiving... just ten more sleeps.
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