📰We're opening this week's newsletter with a reminder of why we each do what we do.
During today’s "Listen and Learn" visit to Pender Innovative Learning Academy, Dr. Brad Breedlove spent time connecting with students, teachers, and staff, soaking in the energy and spirit of the school. One special moment was caught on camera (THANK YOU Ms. Braune) and captured what these visits are truly about.👫.
These visits aren’t just about observation—they’re about connection 🤝, understanding, and celebrating the heart of our schools. 🙌 "Listen and Learn," yes—but they also serve as a reminder that leadership isn’t just about decisions; it’s about relationships, understanding, and inspiring positive change. ✨ #OnePender
PCS STAFF SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER WITH GENEROUS DONATIONS! 🎄🎁
🎉 A heartfelt thank you to the Pender County Schools Central Office, Finance, Technology, Transportation, Maintenance, and Herring Resource Center staff for their generous donations! 🥳 Together, they contributed 200 pounds of food and Christmas gifts for a local family in need. 🎅🍽️
These donations were channeled through Pender County Christian Services, Inc. 🏠, led by Sandy Harris, and will help provide nourishing meals and support to families in need this holiday season. 🎄✨ Thank you for your kindness and for making a positive impact in our community! 💖
TOM REEVES JOINS BOARD OF EDUCATION; BETH BURNS ELECTED CHAIR
At the December 10 meeting, Don Hall and Tom Reeves were sworn in to represent Districts 3 and 5, respectively. Don Hall, reelected to District 3, was named Board Chair, and Tom Reeves, a long-time community leader, was elected to serve District 5. We look forward to their leadership as they continue to serve our students and community! 🌟Also during the meeting, Beth Burns was elected Board Chair, and Mr. Hall will serve as Vice-Chair.
STUDENT ART CELEBRATED ON ANNUAL PCS HOLIDAY CARDS
Congrats to the talented students whose artwork will be featured on the Pender County Schools Holiday Cards! 🌟
Eliza Salazar Bautista from Malpass Corner Elementary 🎁 Jazmin Morales from Heide Trask High School 🎅 Olivia Brown from Penderlea School 🎨 Abigail Smith from Burgaw Middle School ✨ Camille McEwan from Surf City Middle School 🌟 Geneva Streeter from North Topsail Elementary 🖌️
These amazing artists were celebrated at the Board of Education meeting and will help spread holiday cheer through their beautiful creations! 🎉 Thank you for sharing your creativity with us! ❄️
RUNNING AROUND THE DISTRICT🏃♀️
All of our (STE) speedy Stingrays made us so proud today at the Stride/Girls on the Run 5K! Rhodes Perry, 5th grade, came in 2nd overall at 23:35 🏃♂️ 🏃♀️
CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 to all of our (CFE) Stride & Girls on the Run team members, running buddies, and coaches on brining a successful close to the fall 2024 season with the William H. Craig Race for Life 5k at UNCW this weekend! We couldn’t be prouder! Way to work hard, set goals, and crush them! Can’t wait to see you back for the spring season! 🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃🏾💙🐻
Congratulations to our (RPE) Girls on the Run team! This amazing group of girls (and their equally amazing coaches) ran the William H. Craig Race for Life 5k at UNCW this past weekend! Even though it was chilly out, they gave it their all and had a blast!
🌟WHAT A DAY!🌟Our (SCE) Girls on the Run team crushed their 5K yesterday. To our amazing Coach Devon, families, running buddies, and cheerleaders - thank you for making this day unforgettable. And to our incredible girls who crossed the finish line, your hard work and determination inspires us all. 🏃🏼♀️
Congratulations to our (NTE) Girls on the Run and STRIDE participants! They finished their season with a 5K at UNCW! Thank you to the staff and parents that supported them this semester! #onepender
THS NAMES ALUMNUS AS NEW VARSITY SOFTBALL COACH🥎
🎉🏅 Topsail High School Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Coach Danielle Parks as the new Head Varsity Softball Coach! ⚾️👏🎓 A proud Topsail High School alum (Class of 2016), Coach Parks was a 4-year starter and earned multiple conference and statewide honors. 🏆 She continued her softball career at King University (Tennessee), playing for 4 years. 🏅💼 Coach Parks has coaching experience as an Assistant Coach at Yakima Valley Community College (WA) and King University (TN). We're thrilled for what she will bring to the THS Softball program! 💪💙
C⚽NGRATS!
Congratulations to TMS on winning the girls' tournament and regular season championships. SCMS boys also won both the regular season and tournament championships. WPMS was selected as the boy's team sportsmanship award winner, as was the BMS girl's team. Mateo Valencia and Luella Viskovic of SCMS and Carter McGee and Penelope Morales of TMS were recognized as our individual sportsmanship award winners at our tournament championship.
Thanks again to Coach Umphress and Coach Altergott for hosting an outstanding tournament and Coach Eakins and Coach Morgan for their part in facility prep and organization.
THAT'S A WRAP
Congratulations to our (PLE) 8th grade girls soccer players on a winning season! They finished it off today with a BANG! 😉 We wish you the best on all of your future endeavors on and off the pitch! 🖤🐝⚽️
🏀TRYOUTS
WPMS Basketball tryouts are after Christmas break! Athletic documentation must be submitted through Big Teams Student Central in order to participate in tryouts. ENGLISH LINK | SPANISH LINK #OnePender
FOUR COUNTY GRANT WINNERS AT MCE
Mrs. Hulon and Mrs. West are feeling extremely thankful this week as they have each received generous grants from Four County! 🙌
🎉 Mrs. Hulon’s Grant will be used to provide both introductory and culminating activities to support the new Wit & Wisdom curriculum. These activities will help enhance students’ learning experiences and foster deeper engagement in the classroom. 📚✨ We’re excited to see how this will enrich our educational journey!
🌳 Mrs. West’s Grant will help bring the outdoors into the learning process by funding picnic tables for outdoor learning spaces. 🌞🍂 These new tables will allow students to enjoy learning in the fresh air while connecting with nature, making learning even more fun and interactive!
A huge THANK YOU to Four County for their continued support and investment in our students and teachers! Your generosity is truly making a difference! 💙👏
SURF CITY MIDDLE SHINES BRIGHT (IDEAS) 🌟
It was a fantastic evening for Surf City Middle School at the Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation (JOEMC) Bright Ideas Education Grant banquet! 🌟 Several of our talented teachers received grants to bring innovative projects to life. 🎶📚🔬
🏆 Congratulations to our recipients: Trevor Judy: Making Cultural Connections with Bucket Drums 🥁 Jodi Council: Stimulating Creativity for Young Minds 🎨 April Kinlaw: Shark Science Splash Night 🦈
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bright Ideas program, which awarded $75,000 to fund 97 projects impacting over 26,000 students. Thank you, JOEMC, for supporting creativity and innovation in our classrooms! 💛
🎉 RPE TEACHER AWARDED STEM MINI-GRANT FOR PODCASTING PROJECTS 🎶
Ms. Laura Black, a music teacher at Rocky Point Elementary, has been awarded a $370 mini-grant from STEM SENC! 💰 This grant, supported by Corning and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, will help purchase microphones for exciting student podcasting projects. 🎤
Ms. Black plans to integrate podcasting into her 4th and 5th-grade music classes, where students will create episodes on topics like music history, personal compositions, and performances. 🧑🎤🎵
“We’re very excited for this technology integration!” said Ms. Black.
STEM SENC, a regional initiative, is dedicated to fostering STEM learning and preparing students for future careers. 🌟👏
BT COACH TEAM SHOUTOUTS🔊
The Beginning Teacher (BT) Coach team is thrilled to recognize some incredible educators going above and beyond to make an impact in Pender County Schools! These individuals shine as leaders, mentors, and innovators, creating positive change in their classrooms and schools. 👏💛
🏅 Ken Smith – December BT of the Month, West Pender Middle 🌟 Ken is making waves in his first years of teaching, showing exceptional dedication to his students and their success. His creativity and enthusiasm are inspiring!
🏅 Katie White – December Mentor of the Month, Malpass Corner Elementary 🏫 Katie has been a steadfast support for beginning teachers, guiding them with encouragement, expertise, and a passion for helping others grow.
🏅 Katie Dietzen – December BT Site Coordinator of the Month, Heide Trask High School 🎓 Katie plays a pivotal role in supporting new teachers and ensuring they thrive. Her leadership and commitment to fostering a collaborative environment stand out.
Click HERE to learn more about their outstanding contributions. Thank you, Ken, Katie, and Katie, for embodying the spirit of excellence in PCS! 💙 #OnePender
🎄✈️ PLE FIRST GRADE TAKES A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD! 🌍🎅
Ms. Brooks' first grade class at Penderlea School got into the holiday spirit by exploring Christmas Around the World! From crafting carry-on bags 👜 to stamping passports 🛂, students "traveled" to different countries, learning about unique Christmas traditions. Curious to see what they made? 🎨👀 Click to read more about this festive adventure! 🌟
From Burgaw Middle - The Negro Green Book Exhibit is on display in the BMS library now through THIS FRIDAY ONLY! Don't miss your chance to take a walk through history.
From Pender Early College - Salty the Seawolf made an appearance this morning at PECHS to give our students encouragement on the first day of testing and show off his fancy dance moves. 🌊🐺
From Topsail Middle - TMS 8th graders completed another milestone in the NC Career Development Plan by working on high school course planning. Topsail High School counselors and the THS career development coordinator visited classes to talk about how high school is different from middle school, tips for success, and to help students plan high school electives. Students stored their plans in a high school career development Google classroom so the plans can roll up with them. Ask them to show you their plan!
AND...Congratulations to the 6th , 7th and 8th grade bands as well as our Handbell Chime Club for their great performances last night in our Holiday Concert.
From Cape Fear Middle - PCS middle school math teachers spent a productive day with Jamie Manor and Natalie Farinholt exploring effective ways to use manipulatives and visual representations to enhance students' understanding of mathematical concepts. This session is the second in a series of four as part of an ongoing professional development initiative. Over the course of this year and the next, middle school teachers are working toward earning the NCCAT Math Badge recognition.
From South Topsail Elementary - STE students are getting creative in Media this holiday season!
From Surf City Middle - “King” Assistant Principal Jeremy Perkins and “Queen”Theatre Arts teacher Jodi Council participate in the Underground Spirit Week for staff only at Surf City Middle School, December 9-13. Thursday was Hats, Tiaras, and crowns Day.
AND...Students in Mrs. Smith's Engineering class were hard at work using blueprints, measurements, and tools to construct home models.
From Surf City Elementary - Lunch with the Law 👮🏼 Thank you to our awesome SC Police Department for sitting down to lunch with our second graders. This community program helps our police work on building trust and open communication with the younger generation.
AND...Check out Ms. Pierce's 1st grade class engaged in reading by using flashlights! 🔦📚
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Mrs. Midgette's class learning about weather at the Cape Fear Museum.
AND...Up in the Eagles Nest, K-2 Reindeer practice , with a Santa and elves and all! Check out the risers for students to stand - we just need your student to perform next week! Mrs. Barnes is putting together another extraordinary K-2 program. Come out to the Eagles Nest next Tuesday night, December 17. Kindergarten will perform at 5:15 and at 5:30 will be the 1st and 2nd grades performance. All the students in K-2 are practicing daily and there is plenty of room for your little Eagle to perform!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Our 2nd graders did an amazing job at their Winter Concert last night! Thank you to all who came out to see them! ❄️🎶
From Pender High - What an amazing concert last night! Our band program is ROCKING it out:) Super proud of our students and director, looking forward to your next concert. #PenderProud
From Topsail High - 🎉🐬 Congratulations, Vaden Norris! 🐬🎉For the 10th year in a row, Topsail High School has proudly designed the logo for Surf City's Dolphin Dip, a fantastic charity event where 7,500 people take the plunge into the ocean on January 1st! This year's winning design was created by the talented Vaden Norris—way to go, Vaden! 👏We’re so proud of our students for being part of this meaningful tradition. 🌊💙#DolphinDip #TopsailHighSchool
From Penderlea School - Today is Grinch Day. We have our very own Grinch!
AND...🚀 7th Grade Engineering Design Lab: Where Innovation Begins! 🛠️Our students are diving deep into the world of engineering with hands-on design challenges! From brainstorming to prototyping, they’re learning how to create solutions to real-world problems. Check out these young engineers as they use creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to design their projects. 💡🔧 Skills in Action:Design Thinking: From idea to blueprint! 📝Collaborative Work: Problem-solving as a team! 🤝Hands-on Prototyping: Building and testing designs in real-time! 🔨We can’t wait to see what these brilliant minds come up with next! 🌟
From Rocky Point Elementary - Today is the day! Science Fair projects are being judged - winners will be announced tomorrow!
From West Pender Middle - Ms. Wilson teaches students how to track and analyze their data—and help them confidently explain what it means!
AND...Warrior students rocked the night away at the North Pole Rock School dance! It was an evening filled with fun, music, and holiday cheer. Thanks to the Student Government Association and everyone who joined in to make it a memorable event!
🌟 Pender County Schools is seeking dedicated educators to join our team! ✏️ Be part of our mission to inspire and educate young minds. Retirees (meeting NC Return to Work laws) are also welcome to join us! #ExperienceTheExcellence 📚 APPLY HERE
🚍Join the team at Pender County Schools as a valued school bus driver! 🚌 Experience the pride of safely transporting students to and from school while playing a vital role in their educational journey. 🌟 With competitive pay and the opportunity to make a positive impact on young lives, driving with us is more than just a job—it's a rewarding experience! - APPLY HERE
Join us for CFM's Winter Concert on Monday, December 16th. Our Grizzlies have work so hard, so come out to support our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band students.
DON'T FORGET! The BMS School Spelling Bee 📚 will take place on December 17th 3:15 pm in the gym. Please come and support our Red Devils!
🌟 This holiday season, we (North Topsail Elementary) need your help! Join our PTA in our Cereal Holiday Food Drive to benefit Share the Table. Together, we can fill the Principal's Office with cereal for those in need! 🥣❤️ How many boxes can you donate? Let's make a big impact together! #Onepender
Next Week (12/19), we will host a FAFSA night for seniors & their families to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form helps students apply for financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college or career school. Hope to see you there!
PECHS students are invited to the Winter Dance sponsored by the PECHS PTA. It will be on Saturday January 25 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Burgaw Train Depo. Tickets are $15. Please see Ms Grable for tickets.
🔥 Pender County Schools is committed to engaging students in exciting experiential learning activities that will prepare them for their futures. These experiences are designed to equip our students with the skills needed for enrollment, enlistment, or employment upon graduation. We're proud to offer incredible opportunities in Career and Technical Education! 🛠️👩🔬👨🎓 Click HERE for the latest from CTE Director Dominique Bates #CTEforNC #ExperienceTheExcellence
PENDER-TOPSAIL POST & VOICE - Front Page
STARNEWS - Opportunity is knocking: What Wilmington-area schools are doing to improve graduation rates
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