STRETCH RUN
Can you believe it's the final day of the month!? 📆 After an unexpected "snowcation" last week, getting back into the swing of things may have taken a little extra effort—kind of like a cat waking up from a long nap, stretching every muscle before springing into action. 💤🐾
Whether you eased back in with a slow stretch 🧘♂️ or hit the ground running 🏃♂️, we’re all finding our rhythm again. Now that we’ve shaken off the snow and the sluggishness, let’s take a look at what’s been happening across PCS! 🚀✨
"IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO D🏀"
When tragedy struck South Columbus High School, the Pender High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team knew exactly how to respond. A simple but powerful gesture not only honored a fallen athlete but also brought two teams together in a way that words can’t fully capture.
Read the full story to see how this unforgettable act of support showed what community truly means. 🌟 #OnePender
CONGRATULATIONS!!
After many years of dedicated service to Cape Fear Elementary and Pender County Schools, Ms. Janice Nichols has officially retired! 🎉✨ Her kindness, dedication, and passion have left a lasting impact on students, staff, and the entire community. While we will miss her dearly, we are beyond grateful for the difference she has made and the legacy she leaves behind at CFE. 💙💛 Please join us in celebrating her incredible career and wishing her all the best in this exciting new chapter of life! 🥳🎊 Thank you, Ms. Nichols, for your unwavering commitment and the countless lives you’ve touched along the way! 💐👏 #EnjoyRetirement
DR. SONYA OATES TAKES ON NEW ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
A familiar face is settling in to a new role. 🌟 Pender County Schools is proud to welcome Dr. Sonya Oates as our new Director of Elementary Education! Previously the principal of Cape Fear Elementary, Dr. Oates brings a wealth of experience and a passion for student success. 🍎📚 Learn more about her journey and vision for PCS! ⬇️ Read More HERE #OnePender
WELCOME PRINCIPAL RHONDA SMITH🏫
✨ Pender County Schools is excited to announce Rhonda Smith as the new Principal of Cape Fear Elementary! Previously an Assistant Principal at Pender High School, Mrs. Smith brings over 25 years of experience and a passion for student success. 🏫💙 Learn more about her journey and vision for CFE! ⬇️ Read More HERE #OnePender
SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH WRAPS UP
As the month of January comes to a close, so too does School Board Appreciation Month. Throughout the month we have celebrated the five individuals who volunteer their time to serve on the Pender County Board of Education. In case you missed them, you can read their stories by clicking on their names. Beth Burns | Don Hall | Jason Spivey | Tom Reeves | Jennifer Hansen
WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULE
CELEBRATING A MILEST🏀NE
Congratulations to our very own PE teacher, Coach Ramsey, on her 100th win with the SCM Lady Sharks! We're proud of your hard work and we're lucky to have you as part of our team! 🏀🏆
SPRING SPORTS PARENT MEETING
Please Save the Date for Tuesday, 2.11.25 for our THS Spring Sports Parents Meeting. Spring Sports Parents Meeting: Tuesday, 2.11.25; 6:00 PM - Main Gym for General Session; 6:30 - 7:30 PM - Team Breakout Sessions (Various classrooms / locations - TBA)
Mandatory for all Parents and Student-Athletes who plan to participate in THS Spring Sports
Note: Our NCHSAA Spring Sports Season officially begins on Wednesday, 2.12.25
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 #OnePender
THS SOPHOMORE WINS PRESTIGIOUS ART AWARDS
✨ Pender County Schools is proud to recognize sophomore Esme Burnau for earning a Silver Key and Honorable Mention in the Eastern North Carolina Region Scholastic Art and Writing Awards! 🖼️👏 Her award-winning paintings, Roots and Spectacle, reflect her incredible talent and creativity. 🌟 Learn more about her journey and her impactful artwork! ⬇️ Read More HERE #OnePender
🎶TOPSAIL HIGH SHINES AT MUSIC EVENT🎵
Recently, 51 talented Topsail High School students traveled to Greenville to participate in a prestigious music event—and they certainly made their mark! 🌟 Out of the group, 25 students earned honors for their outstanding performances 🎖️, with 18 securing spots at the All-District Clinic 🎶. We’re especially proud to celebrate the achievement of 2 students who earned first chair spots 🎻🎺! To top it off, 7 students earned a coveted bid to the All-State auditions in March! 🎤🎉
What an amazing accomplishment for our students and a testament to their hard work and dedication! 🎉👏 #OnePender
👑 HOSA PRESENTING ANNUAL DADDY-DAUGHTER PRINCESS NIGHT💖
Topsail High School’s HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter is excited to host its annual Daddy-Daughter Princess Night on February 8th! ✨ This special event is a magical evening for fathers and daughters to dress up, enjoy a fun night together, and create lasting memories. 💃🕺
Whether it’s a twirl on the dance floor or a fun photo booth moment, this night promises to be full of laughter and joy! 📸👑 Best of all, this event supports the HOSA chapter’s mission and community involvement. 💙
Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of princess magic and family fun! 🌸👑 #OnePender
From Surf City Elementary - Thank you to the Historic Thalian Hall’s Pied Piper Theatre for continuing a tradition of introducing children to live theater so our 1st and 2nd grade classes could enjoy a special day watching "The Pirate Ants". Each year Pied Piper Theatre performs for over 6,000 first and second graders from across multiple counties at Thalian Hall. Students travel by bus and are treated to an original musical comedy featuring talent derived from the local acting community. 🎭
From C.F. Pope Elementary - 📚✨ Exciting classroom collaboration in Ms. Tindal's 4th Grade ELA class! Today, students dove into *Colonial Voices* by Kay Winters, exploring the lives and stories of Colonial America through different perspectives. 🏡✍️ Through group discussions and activities, they brought history to life and discovered what it might have been like to live in the early days of our nation. 🌟 History + creativity = unforgettable learning moments!
From West Pender Middle - ❄️ West Pender staff and students made the most of their snow days with 📚 virtual learning and a ⛄️ snowman challenge!
From North Topsail Elementary - 🌟 A huge shoutout to our PTA for helping us celebrate 95% responsible attendance! 🎉 Our "Top Banana" winners for Quarter 2 had an awesome popcorn party! 🍿🥳 Congratulations to Mrs. Gschwind, Mrs. Mulkusky, Ms. Fulcher, Mrs. Hogan, Mrs. Wells and Mrs. White's classes! Who will be our winners for Quarter 3????
From Pender High - Future Friday Feature....Congratulations to our seniors on their acceptances! #Classof2025
From Surf City Middle - Great games in Chess Club today! - We meet every Tuesday in the Media Center, right after school until 3:50. Kids of all skill levels are welcome. They learn how to be better chess players, be good sports win or lose, and get to play matches with their peers.
From Rocky Point Elementary - Our 1st and 2nd graders have learned all about civil rights and the positive character traits that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us about!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Attention Eagles: Our lost and found is overflowing! If your child is missing anything, please stop by and take a look. Let's reunite these items with their owners!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Some highlights from the 4th Grade Field Trip yesterday to the Ingram Planetarium and Coastal Carolina Museum!
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - This is just ONE of the MANY reasons why we LOVE SRO James at PILA. During indoor recess today, SRO James was building relationships with our middle schoolers by challenging them to a friendly game of UNO!!! Anyone want to guess who won?!!!
From Cape Fear Middle - Congratulations are in order. Earlier this week, there was a surprise party for 6th grade math students who had met their expected Math i-Rready Goal. Great job Grizzlies!!!!
From Topsail Middle - Huge thanks to our amazing PTO for treating staff to a delicious lasagna lunch today! Special shoutout to Lasagna Love for their generous donation! ❤️
From Pender Early College High - PECHS chemistry students show their knowledge in their element project #🥼🔬🧫🧪
🌟 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
Spring play auditions...this Monday!
BMS will begin offering after-school tutoring for interested students! For more info & to sign up, complete this form
Did you know that there are "snow" many programs available to help students pay for college? Join us on Feb. 6 to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) & find out if you're eligible to receive financial aid for your college endeavors.
We are excited to see everyone at our PTA's annual Dolphin Hop! If you are able to help with this event, please click | To prepay for tickets, please click | Our book fair will also be open next week and during this event! Please click to volunteer!
🎮 PRESS START: The Literati Book Fair is coming soon! 📚✨
Join us for a Story Arcade from 2/10-2/13! 🕹️🎉 Or shop online now 🛍️ (Psssst...we’re earning 5x the rewards from online sales until the fair! 💥) Every purchase benefits our school, so let’s make it an epic event! GLHF (Good Luck, Have Fun)! 🎮💖
Family Hours: Tues 2/11 from 3:15-5:15 PM 🕒✨ (Note: Please wait until carline is finished to enter the parking lot, and the building will open at 3:15! 🚗🚶♀️) Thurs 2/13 during our Glow Bash from 5-6 PM 🌟
We’re also looking for volunteers to help run the fair! 👐 Volunteers get a 20% discount on purchases! 💸 Please Note - Volunteers must complete a background check, If you’d like to run a cash register, you must be a paid member of our PTA 🏅
🔗 Sign Up Genius | 🔗 Background Check | 🔗 PTA Membership
Let’s come together to make this a fantastic event for our school community! 🎉
HELP SUPPORT THE TITANS!! It's that time of the year again! HTHS Annual BBQ Plate Fundraiser. Don't pack your lunch! Sign up and pay for your plate here!
We will add some of Mama Lou's famous BBQ sauce to enjoy with your BBQ for our Trask family!
The day is here! You can now sign up for our Surf City Elementary Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $60,000 for SCE. Signing up is easy and free on MYBOOSTER.COM ️
Key Dates to Remember: Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 02/11/2025 | Event Day – 02/21/2025
Capture the memories of the 2024-25 school year with the Surf City Elementary Yearbook! Order online at www.strawbridge.net using code YB29984. Get yours for $25 before 2/1 or $30 before 4/15—don’t miss out!
🔥 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 - Most area schools returning to normal, in-person operations Monday
WECT - Schools, law enforcement react to Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown
WHQR - Email: Pender principal tells teachers they'll face consequences if they don't post lesson plans
WHQR - How Cape Fear region schools are responding to new ICE policy, increased activity
PORT CITY DAILY - Pender County announces new leadership in schools district
Credits:
Created with images by Peter Sterling - "Cat stretching on the floor" • Sebastian Duda - "Sports balls with equipment" • Andrii Zastrozhnov - "Address mailing of news by e-mail. Advertising message on red background."