📅ONE MONTH DOWN...
As we wrap up the first four weeks of the school year 📚✨, it��s clear that the 2025–26 journey is off to a strong start. From the excitement of the first day on August 25 🎒 to the routines now beginning to settle in, students and staff are finding their rhythm. Classrooms are alive with learning, teamwork, and discovery 💡🤝, while extracurricular activities and athletics are bringing energy and pride to our campuses 🏅🎶.
The first month of school is always a time of adjustment ⏰, but it’s also a time of promise 🌟. Students are building foundations that will carry them through the months ahead, and teachers are creating learning environments that inspire curiosity and growth 🧠🌱. As we look forward, we remain committed to supporting every student’s path to success 🎯.
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Along with wrapping up our first four weeks of school 📚✨, we are also proud to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 through October 15 🇲🇽🇪🇸🇵🇷🇨🇺🇨🇴. This month gives us the opportunity to honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our schools, our community, and our nation 🌎❤️.
Across PCS, students and staff are engaging in activities that highlight heritage, tradition, and learning 🤝🎶. This celebration is a reminder of the strength found in diversity and the importance of unity 🌟🙌. Together, we continue building a school community where every student feels valued and inspired to achieve success 🎯🌱.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE🏫
Construction is moving full steam ahead at the site of the new J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle School campus, a major investment in the future of Pender County Schools 📚🌟. Scheduled to open in August 2027, the K-8 facility will provide students with a modern learning environment designed to meet the needs of our growing community 👩🏫👨🏫.
From Highway 210, residents can already see exciting progress 👀. The towering steel framework marks the middle school area, which will include administrative offices, a media center, and classroom wings. Recent work included pouring the final foundation slab for the elementary school wing 🏫—with crews contributing more than 1,500 man-hours in a single day to keep the project on track 💪.
🛡️ PREPARED AND PROTECTED: ALICE TRAINING IN PCS🚨
In light of recent acts of violence on school campuses, including a recent false alarm campus lockdown at UNCW, Pender County Schools reaffirms its commitment to safety. Each year, PCS works in partnership with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office to provide ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training in all district schools. ALICE is a nationally recognized program that equips staff with strategies to respond effectively in the unlikely event of a school emergency.
HELPING KEEP OUR SCHOOLS HEALTHY
Cold and Flu season seems to be upon us (I know it's hit the newsletter staff 🤧) PCS nurses, along with CDC guidance, have outlined clear timelines for when students should remain at home, including being fever-free for 24 hours without medication, or symptom-free from vomiting and diarrhea. For contagious illnesses such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, or head lice, treatment must be started before returning. More serious conditions like chickenpox or pertussis require medical clearance before students come back to school. READ MORE HERE
🏆 PCS RECOGNIZED FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 🎓
Pender County Schools has been recognized at the state level for its strong Career Development Plan implementation. Mrs. Diane Simmons, Middle School Career Development Coordinator, and Mrs. Christine Smith, School Counselor at Surf City Middle School, were recently invited to present during a statewide Virtual Lunch and Learn hosted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Their session highlighted PCS as a model district, with strategies and success stories shared with more than 100 participants from across North Carolina, including representatives from NCCAREERS, CFNC, and the NCDPI Career Development team.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove praised the recognition, noting it reflects the dedication of PCS staff in preparing students for success beyond graduation. Dominique Bates, Director of Career Technical Education, added that the achievement underscores PCS’s commitment to meaningful career development at every grade level—equipping students to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed after high school.
🌟 ANNEMARIE WOOD NAMED EC EDUCATOR OF EXCELLENCE 👏
Pender County Schools is proud to celebrate Annemarie Wood, Speech and Language Pathologist at Surf City Elementary School, as our EC Educator of Excellence. Annemarie joined PCS in March 2021 and has made a lasting impact on students, families, and colleagues through her dedication, expertise, and compassion. Her work supports students in developing essential communication skills, helping them succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Annemarie will be honored at the 74th Conference on Exceptional Children during the Educator of Excellence Celebration on November 20, 2025, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. This recognition highlights not only her outstanding contributions but also the strength of PCS’s Exceptional Children program as a whole. We are thrilled to see her efforts recognized on the state stage and thank her for her commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. 🌟
🌊 TOPSAIL MIDDLE EC STUDENTS FIND CONFIDENCE IN THE WAVES 🏄♂️
For students in Topsail Middle School’s Exceptional Children program, a recent trip to Surf City was more than just a day at the beach—it was a celebration of resilience, joy, and new possibilities. With support from Indo Jax Surf School, staff, and parents, students experienced the ocean in a safe and encouraging environment. Some surfed for the first time, while others simply waded in, but each step into the water marked a personal milestone. Teachers and parents called the experience emotional and inspiring, reminding everyone that success looks different for every child.
Staff and volunteers reflected on how the ocean became the great equalizer, offering hands-on lessons in courage and growth. “It’s just kids in the water,” said Indo Jax’s Dave French. “The ocean levels all playing fields.” The day wasn’t just about surfing—it was about building confidence, overcoming fear, and showing that with the right support, students can thrive in ways that reach far beyond the classroom. 🌟
📖 WEST PENDER STUDENTS JOIN THE RESISTANCE TO “SAVE HISTORY” 🕰️
This school year started with an unforgettable twist in Ms. Alexis Christoff’s 7th grade social studies class at West Pender Middle. Students were drawn into an immersive simulation called Operation: Save History, where they faced “The Eraser,” a fictional villain determined to ban history education. With the support of teachers and staff who played along, the simulation felt real—launching students into an adventure that challenged them to think critically about the importance of learning from the past.
As part of “the Resistance,” students investigated case studies, created posters, and debated big questions: Why do we study history? What happens when voices are erased? How does the past shape the future? The experience sparked curiosity and powerful discussions, laying the foundation for global history studies ahead. Ms. Christoff’s creativity and passion transformed the lesson into a living story—reminding students that history isn’t just facts and dates, but the story of humanity and a guide to building a better tomorrow. 🌎✨ READ MORE HERE
🍎SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS🍕
You can find school lunch menus for each grade level by following THIS LINK
WEEKLY SCHEDULES
MAKING THE ROUNDS...
Our Grizzlies enjoyed Middle School Night at Heide Trask's football game this past Friday.
Come join us starting on the 23rd afterschool for our 2 Running clubs . Girls on the Run and STRIDE to build confidence, strength, and fun with every step!" Please feel free to contact Cali Stewart (cali_stewart@pender.k12.nc.us) or Natalie Tidler (natalie_tidler@pender.k12.nc.us) with any questions.
PECHS Athletes Gabby and Maritza sporting their PECHS Socks for the Pender High Cross Country Team.
There are still spots left to sign up to play in this years Powderpuff football game- sign up on Coach Burghardt's office door! Get your t-shirts today- $20 cash or check made out to THS to Coach Dickesen by October 1st.
From Topsail Middle - Dive into the wonders of our atmosphere! Mrs. Gonzales' 7th grade science classes recently embarked on a group project to explore the different layers within our atmosphere. Students not only gathered research, but added their unique creativity! 🌍
From Cape Fear Middle - Check out Mrs. Elmore's class!!! She used trashketball to help gamify her math lesson. Super high engagement and students were excited to learn. Who says math has to be boring? Great job Mrs. Elmore.
From Cape Fear Elementary - Mrs. Hollifield’s class completed their first Wit and Wisdom Focusing Question Task! Students had to choose one of their five senses and complete a sentence on how they use that sense.
AND...This week Mrs. Garvey’s 5th grade classes practiced their storytelling skills with the traditional Nez Perce tale, “How Beaver Stole Fire from the Pines.”
From South Topsail Elementary - Stingrays in Mrs McCubbins', Ms Inman's and Mrs Prevatte's classes celebrated Constitution Day by working together to make their own classroom Bill of Rights today!
AND...Kinder and 1st grade Stingrays were hard at work learning new math concepts today!
From West Pender Middle - 📚✈️ Mrs. Smith’s 8th grade Social Studies students are busy creating U.S. regional travel brochures with their partners! 🌎
From Surf City Middle - 8th grade scientists in Mrs. Smith’s class put their problem-solving skills to the test by devising and carrying out plans to separate mixtures using filtration, magnetism, evaporation, and sifting!
From Surf City Elementary - It's a great day to be in Mrs. Edwards' first grade class! 🌟
AND...🩺📖 Ms. Lagnese’s 4th graders turned into reading surgeons — dissecting The Circulatory Story to find the main idea, details, and figurative language! ❤️
From Rocky Point Elementary - Preschool is off to a great start this year! Students are working on writing their names, learning their letters and numbers, and playing with friends. The hardest thing so far? Learning to walk in a straight line! But the students are getting better and better at it every day!
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Operation Military Kids Club has kicked off for the year! We are so happy to be able to celebrate our military families all year long.
AND...4th grade participated in a gallery walk today sharing all they are learning about figurative language and all about the heart.
From Burgaw Middle - Having fun at BMS' Target Shopping Night!!
AND...8th grade students built their own marshmallow molecules in class today! They learned about chemical symbols, elements, molecules, and compounds. 😎
From North Topsail Elementary - Happy Constitution Day
From Malpass Corner Elementary - 👂 Mrs. Snyder’s class went on sound walks around campus last week—listening, learning, and discovering the world around them! 🌿📚
From Pender Early College High - PECHS students had the opportunity to learn more about the programs at NC State on September 4th.
From Penderlea School - 📚🐝 Intersession Magic at Penderlea! 💛 What an amazing week of fun and learning during Fall Intersession! From hands-on activities to skill-building lessons, our students made the most of every minute. 🎉 A huge thank you to our incredible teachers who went above and beyond to create meaningful and engaging experiences. 🙌 And shout out to our awesome students for bringing their energy, effort, and curiosity all week long! Even Mr. Harris and Dr. Goodlett stepped into the classroom to lead some lessons — proving that learning is a team effort at Penderlea! We’re proud of our Hornets for choosing to grow even during break. 💪🐝 — and guess what? ✨ There’s more to come! Get ready! Winter Intersession, coming soon…
From C.F. Pope Elementary - 🐾 🎉Congratulations to our outstanding Panthers who were chosen as Proud Panther students of the week! 🎉🐾
From Topsail High - THS band alumni and current band students attending ECU & NC State Band day over the weekend.
🔥 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
Credits:
Created with images by Vitalii Vodolazskyi - "Speech bubble with the phrase What is new.,Curiosity and communication." • 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."