NEW BOARD MEMBER SWORN IN
Jennifer Hansen has joined the Pender County Schools Board of Education, representing District 1! 🌟 With decades of dedication, including PTA leadership and service on key committees, she’s ready to make a difference. Learn more about her commitment to PCS ➡️ LINK
📢 HELP NAME OUR NEW SCHOOLS IN HAMPSTEAD🏫
Ten days after opening this to the public, we're approaching 500 responses 👏 but we'd love to have more!!
Submit your suggestions by February 2, 2025 using our online form. You can choose from pre-suggested names or propose your own. 🌟 All submissions will be reviewed, and final decisions will be made by the Board of Education. Let’s create names that inspire pride and represent our community for generations to come! 👉Submit your suggestion HERE
BUILD SITE UPDATE
Curious about how the new K-8 school is coming along? The latest construction photos are now available, showcasing the incredible progress being made on this state-of-the-art facility! 📸✨Stay connected and watch as we build a brighter future for our students.
🔗 Check out the updates HERE!
🎉CELEBRATING DON HALL DURING SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH 🌟
As a dedicated member of the Pender County Board of Education since 2016, Don Hall represents District 3 with a passion for supporting students, families, and educators. His current term (2024-2028) reflects the community’s confidence in his leadership.
Mr. Hall’s commitment goes beyond the boardroom—he also serves on the NC Mental Health Commission, championing student and family well-being statewide.
Learn more about his impactful service and dedication! 🔗 Read more HERE!
🚀 CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN TAKES OFF! 🎓
Staff from across Pender County Schools have joined forces to launch the Career Development Plan Implementation Team! 🌟 This exciting initiative is all about preparing our students for success by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in their chosen paths after graduation.
From career exploration activities to real-world learning opportunities, the Career Development Plan is designed to empower our students to dream big and achieve even more. We’re thrilled to see this vision come to life and can’t wait to support our students as they build bright, successful futures! ✨💼
TOPSAIL HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES JACK TEACHEY’S NEW CHAPTER WITH TEXAS TECH
After three years as head coach at Topsail High School, Jack Teachey is transitioning to a new role as Senior Defensive Analyst at Texas Tech University. Teachey’s time at Topsail was marked by growth and dedication, both on and off the field. While the scoreboard didn’t always reflect the hard work, Teachey made a lasting impact on the students, inspiring them with his coaching and leadership.
Before his time at Topsail, Teachey spent 20 years at Wofford College, primarily coaching the defensive line and serving as defensive coordinator. His extensive experience in collegiate football, along with his successful coaching partnership with Shiel Wood (now Texas Tech's defensive coordinator), made this new opportunity a perfect fit. Teachey’s dedication to his players, whether in high school or college, has always been his driving force.
As Teachey moves on to this exciting new chapter, we express our gratitude for his commitment to the program and the community. His leadership will be missed, but his influence will continue to resonate in the lives of those he coached. We wish Coach Teachey all the best as he embarks on his next coaching journey with Texas Tech!
WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULE
BASKETBALL J🏀NES
A lot of basketball information was shared by schools this week - so here it is in one place. SCORE!
OLD SCHOOL HOOPS
Join us for a nostalgic trip down memory lane! We will be hosting a Throwback Alumni Night at the old Penderlea School gymnasium on Friday, February 28th! There will be an Alumni cheer squad and basketball team! Please contact Mrs. Umphress if you are interested! (ashley_umphress@pender.k12.nc.us)
🎉 JANUARY SHOUTOUTS: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE! 👏
Each month, the BT Coach team highlights individuals going above and beyond in their classrooms and schools to make a difference in PCS. 🌟
🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Month: Julia Peters, Rocky Point Elementary School
🌟 Mentor of the Month: Ashlyn Hardwick, CF Pope Elementary School
🌟 Site Coordinator of the Month: Leah Smith, Surf City Elementary School
Thank you for your dedication and impact—you inspire us all! 💙✨You can read more about our educators HERE
👏 CELEBRATING RHONDA SMITH 🌟
On January 21, 2025, Assistant Principal Rhonda Smith will transition to her new role as Principal of Cape Fear Elementary School. While we will miss her at Pender High School, we are excited for the next chapter in her incredible journey.
Please join us in celebrating her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Her impact has been immeasurable, and she will always be a part of the PHS family. Let’s show some love and keep her in our prayers as she continues to inspire and lead in the years ahead.
Forever grateful, Pender High School 🙏💙
🌟 GRANT BRINGS MINDFULNESS TO WEST PENDER! 🧠💙
Congratulations to Sallie Gore and Ashley Wilson of West Pender Middle School for receiving the 2024 LAMB grant from the Knights of Columbus! 🎉 This funding will support the creation of Mindfulness Corners in EC classrooms, providing students with tools to manage sensory and emotional challenges and create a calmer, more focused learning environment.
Learn more about this amazing initiative ➡️ Read the full story here!
📚 REMARKABLE RAMS AT ROCKY POINT! ✏️✨
Rocky Point’s first-grade teachers are bringing learning to life with the Wit & Wisdom curriculum! Students explored the value of research using multiple sources, applying their skills in Social Studies to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 🌟
Through their research, students discovered Dr. King’s persistence, leadership, and peaceful fight for equality. They then wrote about him, sorting facts from opinions, and gained a deeper understanding of why we honor his legacy each January. 👏 Celebrate our young researchers! 🔗 Read more here!
❄️ WINTER INTERSESSION BRINGS LEARNING TO LIFE! 📖✨
Students in grades 3-8 had a blast this winter during the Winter Intersession program, combining fun and education with activities that strengthened reading, math, and STEM skills. 🌟
Students brought stories to life, building fluency, expression, and public speaking confidence while practicing teamwork. These sessions turned reading into a dynamic, collaborative adventure! 🔗 Learn more about this exciting program!
🎓 CFMS 8TH GRADE PREPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL! 🎉
The CFMS 8th graders were amazing, and lots of imaginary points were handed out during this week's planning session! 👏
A huge thank you to Mr. Barbour and Mr. Strong for hosting and a special thanks to Ms. Dennis, Ms. Davis, Ms. McSwain, Ms. Bowman, and Ms. Miller for their hard work helping our students transition to high school. We truly make a great team! 💪
In their sessions, 8th graders worked with counselors, the Career Development Coordinator, and the social worker to get ready for high school registration. They learned about elective classes, GPA, credentials, and more, and even created flexible plans in a high school Google classroom! 📚
Ask your student to show you their plan – it’s part of the NC State Career Development Plan! 📝✨
🎨 PECHS STUDENTS SHINE AT CFCC! 🌟
Congratulations to Jimmy Bash and Kelly Frailey from PECHS, who were featured in Cape Fear Community College’s press release on January 13, 2025! They are currently taking Art 132 Drawing II in CFCC’s newly transformed Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, a dual-purpose space that serves as both a public art gallery and a Live Art Lab.
This dynamic space offers our students a unique opportunity to enhance their art education in an exciting, hands-on environment! 🔗 Read more about this incredible opportunity!
MUSIC TO OUR EARS
🎶 Congratulations to Our All-County Band Students! 🎉
A big thank you to all 175 students who participated in this year's Pender County All-County Band Clinic! In just a day and a half, these talented musicians rehearsed and performed an incredible concert. Their dedication and hard work truly shined, and they represented their schools with pride. 👏🎵
We’re so proud of their amazing performances! 🌟🎷🎺
THS JROTC CADETS SAIL ABOARD U.S. COAST GUARD CUTTER MAPLE
Earlier this week, Topsail High School's Coast Guard JROTC cadets had a unique opportunity to sail aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MAPLE, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender based in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. The ship’s primary mission is maintaining Aids to Navigation (ATON), which is crucial for keeping the nation’s Maritime Transportation System safe and ensuring the flow of over $476 billion in maritime commerce annually.
While cruising near Shackleford Banks and Cape Lookout, cadets learned about the importance of ATON and had the chance to interact with the crew. They toured the ship, observed operations on the bridge, and witnessed the crew recovering and maintaining buoys in the ocean. Many cadets described the experience as their favorite field trip yet.
Cadet Ethan Houston, the unit’s Community Service Officer, shared his thoughts on the day: “I noticed the crew was a very tight-knit community, it was cool to witness. We saw a ton of dolphins around the ship. It was an awesome field trip.” The cadets are grateful for this hands-on learning experience and will remember it for years to come.
From North Topsail Elementary - We are so proud of our NTE Science Fair winners! They presented their projects at the District Science Fair today. Congratulations to Abigail and Emmalyn for advancing on to the Regional Science Fair! #onepender
From Cape Fear Middle - Thank you Deputy Cobb for the past two years of serving as SRO at Cape Fear Middle School. Your dedication has meant the world to us. Please know that you will be missed, and once a Grizzly always a Grizzly. Enjoy your next adventure.
AND...Congrats to our students who made the All-County Band. Last night was an amazing night listening to the band perform. Huge shout out to Hannah, Braelynn, Ivy, Tyrus, Jeffery, Grayson, and Nola.
From South Topsail Elementary - 5th grade celebrated the end of their The Phantom Tollbooth unit with an STE favorite tradition- the annual PUN PARADE! How many idioms can you figure out?
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Take a look at some of our Attendance Challenge winners for the month of January! These classes have succeeded in having 10 or more days of 95% attendance and earned a special treat and celebration! Way to go, Eagles!
AND...Mrs Robertsons class continued to study the topic of clothes. They prepared a series of questions for a special visitor today. Deputy James came to visit to talk about his uniform and its importance as they dive deeper into the purpose of clothes. Children continued to work on developing fine motor skills, counting skills, and sorting by weather.
From Penderlea School - 3rd Grade students in Mrs. Giarrusso's class carried out investigations to answer the question, "How do forces affect the motion of ping pong ball?" These students have been learning about balanced and unbalanced forces and that when the forces applied to the ball are balanced, the ball is at rest
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Congratulations to two of our 4th grade science fair teams for moving on to regionals! Peyton Hunter, Ava Zimmerman, Finley Nelson, Bella Porter, and Frances Jane Wilgis - Congratulations and way to show how Ospreys SOAR!
AND...Students are using math and engineering concepts combined with children’s literature to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. in all STEM classes this week. First grade students read the book “Martin’s Dream” by Jane Kurtz, which tells about MLK’s dream of equality for all people. Students learned how balance scales show equality through measurement and worked in teams to create their own balance scale models.
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - We are THRILLED to announce the first ever PILA regional Science fair participant!!! We are extremely proud of all your hard work and know that you will represent us well.
AND...We are EXTREMELY proud of our TWO district science fair participants!! They are the very FIRST PILA otters to EVER participate in the district fair. #onepender
From West Pender Middle - Ms. Cliffe's 7th grade ELA class engaged in a relay inspired by A Long Walk to Water, by carrying "water." Students used teamwork and critical thinking as they connected their experience to the story's deeper messages.
AND...Huge thanks to Westview Methodist Church for donating food boxes, which were delivered to families in need❤️
From Topsail Middle - 🎨📊 This week, our 6th-grade math class is diving into ratios and percents with a creative twist—exploring the works of Piet Mondrian! Students are analyzing the balance in Mondrian's iconic art by calculating color ratios and percentages, then creating their own masterpieces inspired by his style. It's a fun way to connect math and art while learning about proportions, fractions, and percentages. Stay tuned for some amazing student creations! 💡✨
AND...Huge shoutout to Woodmen Life Insurance for their generous donation of a new flag to Topsail Middle School today! This beautiful addition will proudly wave over our school, reminding us of the values we hold dear.
From Pender Early College - Congratulations Mr. Walles for earning an educator mini grant from Pender Education Partnership!
AND..PECHS welcomes our new English teacher Ryan Bogenschutz. Welcome to the team!
AND...PECHS music club meeting getting their jam on!
From Topsail High - 🎉 Congratulations to our December Pirates of the Month! 🏴☠️ Your hard work, dedication, and positive impact on our students, school, and community are truly inspiring. Thank you for all that you do! 🌟
From Surf City Middle - Congratulations to the band students who participated in the All-County Clinic concert on an AMAZING concert! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
From Pender High - Congratulations to our students who participated in the All County Band performance last night.
AND...Future Friday Feature....Congratulations to our seniors on their acceptances!
From Surf City Elementary - 3rd grade is deep into force & motion. Mrs. Holmes’ class used pendulums and a stopwatch to explore how the length of the string might affect the number of swings the pendulum can make!
AND...We're happy to share with you that Harper P. from Mrs. Horne's 5th grade class is our Sea Turtle of the Week for the week of January 13-17. Harper, your school is proud of you. 💙🐢💚
From Burgaw Middle - The BMS Band 🥁 at this week's All County Band Performance! Great job representing BMS, Red 😈 Devils!!
AND...A HUGE thank you to our Burgaw Businesses who help support our Red Devils Blazing the Trail celebration. This is a celebration for our students that are excelling g academically with straight A‘S or A/B for the first semester!
🌟 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
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
WECT - Pender County Schools drafts proposal for bus driver shortage
WECT - Local school districts provide update on PowerSchool data breach
WECT - Heide Trask High School hires former Topsail assistant Ty Lovette as new football coach
WWAY - Pender County Schools among top 10 in state for graduation rates
WWAY - Pender County School Board looks at possible solutions to its bus driver shortage
WRAL - Trask's next football coach will be Topsail OC Ty Lovette
STARNEWS - This Wilmington-area coach is leaving for a Power 4 college football program
Credits:
Created with images by Sebastian Duda - "Sports balls with equipment" • Andrii Zastrozhnov - "Address mailing of news by e-mail. Advertising message on red background."