HERE WE GO'VEMBER🍂
As the weather cools and November settles in, there’s some good energy across Pender County Schools (except for maybe the time change ��). Everywhere you look, students and staff are learning, creating, and finding new ways to shine. It’s the kind of season that reminds us why our schools feel like family. 💙
Next Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, schools will be closed so our district may honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans. This week, we’re also celebrating the heart of our community, from students designing innovative projects and giving back through our district’s food drive, to teachers inspiring big ideas and classmates cheering one another on. Every story we share reflects the pride, compassion, and spirit that make Pender County such a special place to learn and grow. 🍂📚
🥫 PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS LAUNCHES DISTRICT-WIDE FOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES
This November, Pender County Schools is kicking off a district-wide food drive to support local organizations that provide meals and assistance to families in need. Throughout the month, every school across the district will collect non-perishable food items, with all donations staying right here in our community. Students, staff, and families are encouraged to join together to make a meaningful difference for their neighbors.
Requested donations include cereal, canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, condiments, and individually packaged snacks such as granola bars, Pop-Tarts, tuna packets, beef jerky, crackers, ramen noodles, pudding cups, Jell-O cups, fruit cups, Rice Krispies treats, and Cheez-Its. “This food drive is about more than filling bins—it’s about filling hearts,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove. “It’s a reminder that even small acts of generosity add up to something powerful when we come together.” Collection bins will be available at all schools throughout November, so let’s spread kindness and show support for the organizations that serve Pender County families every day.
SUPERINTENDENT'S TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL HOLDS INAUGURAL MEETING
The Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council held its first meeting of the 2025-26 school year, bringing together the Teachers of the Year from every school across Pender County Schools. This council provides a platform for open dialogue between classroom educators and district leadership, ensuring that the voices of teachers remain central to district decision-making. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration, noting that “we have to be on the same page... because it doesn’t work any other way.” Teachers shared celebrations from their schools including gains in literacy through Fundations, improved transportation timeliness, and strengthened parent partnerships, as well as challenges such as class size, resource needs, and special education supports. Dr. Breedlove expressed deep appreciation for the teachers’ honesty and insight, stating that the council’s purpose is to “work side by side... to solve problems and celebrate successes together.” The Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council will meet regularly throughout the year to continue these discussions and help guide the district’s ongoing efforts to support teachers and students alike.
🌟 PECHS CELEBRATES CFCC EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, NATASHA SNYDER
Pender Early College High School (PECHS) is proud to recognize Natasha Snyder, College Liaison and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) Partnerships Coordinator, who was recently named CFCC Employee of the Month. This honor celebrates her dedication, compassion, and the vital role she plays in helping students succeed in both their high school and college coursework.
Ms. Snyder’s commitment to excellence has earned high praise from both PECHS Principal Dan Sidor and CFCC colleagues, who describe her as an inspiring leader and a constant source of support for students and staff alike. Her hard work continues to make a lasting difference on the PECHS campus and beyond.
➡️ Read more about Ms. Snyder’s recognition and her impact on students HERE
PARTNERSHIPS PAYING OFF
For more than half a century, Fairway Ford in Burgaw has been a cornerstone of the community, and now, it’s helping Pender High School students get a head start in automotive careers. Through Cape Fear Community College’s Career & College Promise program, students are gaining hands-on experience and discovering real opportunities in a high-demand trade, all at no cost! 👩🔧 When Pender High students toured Fairway Ford, they saw what it takes to run a busy service shop and heard firsthand from owner Hugh Highsmith II and CFCC instructor Eric Fields about the value of skilled trades. With guidance from Career Development Coordinator Bevin Stokes, students like senior Gianina Orwat are finding their passion, and proving that career readiness starts with opportunity. 👉 Read more about the partnership and student experiences HERE!
💼 FROM PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: PENDER HIGH GRAD MAKES HER MARK IN REAL ESTATE
Just three years after graduating from Pender High School, Mia Fedoronko is already making waves in the Wilmington real estate market. A proud graduate of the Pathways to Careers Program, Mia discovered her passion for helping others while interning with Fritz Realty during her senior year, an experience that set her on the path to a thriving career with Intracoastal Realty’s Seacoast Realty team. Her story is a powerful example of how Career and Technical Education (CTE) can turn classroom learning into lifelong success. Known for her professionalism, compassion, and deep community ties, Mia continues to embody the values she developed as a student in Pender County Schools, integrity, service, and a commitment to excellence. Her journey from high school intern to successful Realtor is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when preparation meets opportunity. ➡️ Read more about Mia’s journey and the impact of CTE in Pender County Schools HERE.
💡 HEIDE TRASK SPARKNC LAB STUDENTS NAMED FINALISTS IN APP SHOWCASE
Innovation is shining bright at Heide Trask High School, where students in the new SparkNC Lab have earned a spot as finalists in the statewide Apple App Showcase. Just three months after the lab’s opening, students were challenged to design app prototypes focused on teen mental health, blending creativity, compassion, and technology. Their impressive ideas and teamwork led to a standout project by Harper Trochelman, Luke Germain, and Sergio Carreno Juarez, who will travel to Apple’s campus in Cary this December to present their app to industry professionals.
The SparkNC Lab, part of a statewide initiative to prepare students for future careers in tech, gives learners hands-on experience in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, and game design. Led by Lab Leader Penny Wolff and supported by district and community partners, the program is already inspiring students to think big and innovate boldly.
➡️ Read more about the SparkNC Lab and this exciting student achievement HERE
🎓 AN OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE SUPERINDENT
Pender County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove recently met with members of the newly formed Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, a group of high school students in grades 10–12 representing schools across the district. The council was created to give students a direct voice in district conversations, providing an opportunity to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas for making Pender County Schools even stronger. During their first meeting, students discussed both the positives and challenges within their schools, praising dedicated teachers and expanded learning opportunities like dual enrollment programs, while also addressing areas for growth, including outdated facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and the need for additional guidance counselors. Their honest feedback and thoughtful insights will help district leaders shape future plans and priorities. The council will meet regularly throughout the school year to continue these meaningful conversations, ensuring that student voices remain at the heart of decision-making in Pender County Schools. 💙
📚 PHS STUDENTS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE THROUGH FILM AND LITERATURE
Earlier this month, English II students deepened their study of The Holocaust by reading Night by Elie Wiesel and connecting their learning to the powerful film Fanny’s Journey at Thalian Hall, part of the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival. The movie follows a brave 12-year-old Jewish girl who leads a group of children to safety while escaping Nazi persecution — a story that mirrors the courage and hardship explored in Wiesel’s memoir.
The experience gave students a meaningful way to see history come alive, helping them better understand the human stories behind one of the world’s darkest chapters. Teachers said the combination of reading and film helped students build empathy and gratitude, reminding them not to take freedom and family for granted.
➡️ Read more about this powerful learning experience HERE
🍎SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS🍕
You can find school lunch menus for each grade level by following THIS LINK
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
PLAYOFF UPDATE
3A Football Playoffs
Friday, November 7 - Heide Trask at Farmville Central
Pender, Bye (Nov. 14 hosts winner of Hertford Co. vs. Northwood)
3A Men's Soccer
Nov. 4 - Pender 1, Farmville Central 0 F
Nov. 4 - Heide Trask 2, Beddingfield 0 F
Nov. 6 - Pender 0, NCSSM: Durham 2 F
Nov. 6 - Heide Trask 1, Greene Central 7 F
7A Men's Soccer
Nov. 4 - Cary 0 , Topsail 1 F
Nov. 6 - Topsail 1, Southern School of Energy and Sustainability (Durham) 3 F
From North Topsail Elementary - Happy National Sandwich Day!
From Surf City Middle - It's been Election Week at SCM! Speeches, campaigning, and voting have all happened this week.. These student leaders are ready to help our school get better and better!
From Penderlea School - Middle School Family Day!
From Cape Fear Middle - Presidential Power in the Media Center! Mr. Strong's classes visited the media center today to launch their exciting Presidents Research Project! Students will be diving deep into history as they select a U.S. president to research and analyze. The focus? Understanding how their chosen president's domestic and foreign policies shaped both America and the world. The final product: A formal five-paragraph research paper complete with MLA citations. Today's session equipped students with valuable research skills, exploring both print resources and online databases available for their projects. Our media center is ready to support these young historians every step of the way! We can't wait to see which presidents our students choose and what insights they discover! Go Grizzlies!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Mrs Robertsons preschool class began their tree study which included learning about parts of a tree, measuring the circumference of a tree, what trees provide, and more. Children engaged in a measuring activity pretending to be trees and measuring each others circumference then graphing measurements. They will extend the activity by measuring the circumference of the tree on their playground and making comparisons. Children also engaged in a write the room activity with tree study vocabulary using writing utensils on different surfaces and positions. This helps build fine motor muscles. Finally children engaged in a math activity where they cut and glued leaf shapes then counted how many of each shape they had (dividing the parts) and then adding up how many leaves they had in total.
AND… Today Mrs. Johnson’s class had fun using geometry concepts to measure the “circumference” of a tree and we also created shape trees!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - MCE is still buzzing with excitement from last week’s Character Parade and Spirit Week! Our teachers and students went all in—showing off their school spirit, creativity, and Eagle pride. We are so proud to celebrate MCE and the magic that happens here every single day!
From West Pender Middle - Science with a spooky twist! 8th grade students spent Halloween conducting fun experiments and exploring the magic of science.. Shout out to Ms. Harris for making learning fun!
From South Topsail Elementary - What a beautiful day to enjoy our South Topsail Stingrays in Ms Rodgers' chorus singing at the Spot Festival!
From Pender Early College - PECHS students participating in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's A big thanks to all those who came and participated!!
AND… The mayor of Burgaw came to Pender Early to speak to the students
From Surf City Elementary - Ms. Pleasants' PreK class began a new study — all about bread! To kick things off, our class made bread right in a crockpot. Students observed the ingredients, watched the changes as the bread baked, and of course, enjoyed tasting it with some butter afterward! This hands-on experience helped them to start thinking about where bread comes from and how it’s made.
AND… 50 Days Smarter! Today 1st grade celebrated the 50th Day of School in true 1950's style — poodle skirts, slicked hair, and all! Here’s to all the learning, laughter, and friendship that’s filled our first 50 days.
From Topsail Middle - Mrs. Marshall's 6th grade classes are exploring the fascinating world of cuneiform writing, one of the earliest forms of written expression! This ancient script is a window into history!
From C.F. Pope Elementary - Book Fair is here this week! There are so many exciting books and items to browse and add to your book collections at home! Adding books to your home is a great way to help encourage your students to read and grow as readers each day! Come see Mrs. Borders during the school day from 7:30-2:30 each day this week!
From Burgaw Middle - Here's a recep from students dressing as teachers and teachers as students from last week's spirit week!
AND… 6th and 7th graders get partnered together for a writing activity!!
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - BONUS WEEK! Our Topsail Annandale Elementary Fun Run was such a huge success we decided to keep keep myBooster.com open for one more week! With your help, we can EXCEED our goal and make an even bigger impact on the lives of our students at Topsail Elementary. And don’t forget, just one more week before those Reward Store orders are processed and shipped to our school. Place your final orders TONIGHT! Access the store through your mybooster.com page. Thank you to all of the friends and family who came out to support our students during the run and throughout our Boosterthon!
From Preschool - When you bought a new cell phone did you read the manual to learn about it? Or did you PLAY with it? Play is one way we ALL learn. Children at South Topsail are exploring and learning with all kinds of materials learning colors, magnification, float or sink concepts. So much fun!
From Topsail High - Huge shoutout to Pender Fire & EMS for supporting two field trips this week to accommodate all of our Public Safety I students! 🚒🚑 Students had an amazing hands-on experience — using the fire hose, navigating through a smoked-out building, climbing the ladder, exploring the fire truck and ambulance, practicing CPR and tourniquet use, operating a fire extinguisher, and testing their strength on the Kaiser sled! 💪🔥 Both days were a huge success, and we can’t thank Captain Addy and his team enough for their time, support, and for answering all of our students’ questions. 👏
From Rocky Point Elementary - Congratulations to our Students of the Month! We are so proud of you and the way that you show our school's values of Responsibility, Achievement, Manners, and Safety! #OnePender
Families, mark your calendars to join us on Tuesday, December 9th from 5:00–7:00 PM for our Holidays Around the World celebration! Each grade level will showcase a different country, and students will be sharing what they’ve learned through displays and presentations. We will then follow it up with our annual Winter Concert. We would also love for families to be part of the celebration! Use the QR code below to sign up to bring a traditional dish your family enjoys during the holidays. This is a wonderful way to share your culture and traditions with our school community. This will be a night full of learning, food, and fun, and we can’t wait to see as many families as possible!
🔥 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
WWAY - Pender County Schools starts district-wide food drive
PORT CITY DAILY - Pender schools host food drive throughout November
Credits:
Created with images by Thomas - "Green metal lockers along a nondescript hallway in a typical US High School. No identifiable information included and nobody in the hall. " • charles taylor - "random post it stickers" • photocrew - "Nachrichten" • NaMong Productions - "hand holding smart phone with application icons interface and globe networking system. concept technology social network communication."