NO TRICKS, JUST TREATS
It's the final edition of the month, Halloween 🎃 is just around the corner🦇👻be safe, have fun, and enjoy the treats 🍬🍭🍫And speaking of sweets, a personal thank you from the PCS Newsletter staff for all of the kind words about what we're doing - it means a lot!!💙💛 It's cliché, but knowing that just one of you finds joy in this makes the time putting it together worth it.📰
SURVEY SAYS...
Pender County Schools is developing a 5-year strategic plan to shape the future of education in our district, and we need YOU to help guide the way! 🎉✨ This is a unique chance for parents, staff, students, and community members to have a say in how PCS moves forward. 🚀💡 Your feedback is essential in identifying our strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring our goals truly reflect your priorities. The survey only takes 5 minutes and can be accessed HERE 📝
PCS CTE SHINES IN NC
We're thrilled to announce that Pender County Schools' Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is recognized among the top-performing programs in North Carolina! Ranking #9 in total credentials and #7 in credential attainment rate, PCS is the only district in NC to secure a top-10 spot in both categories for 2024! 🎓💪
👏 “Each credential opens new doors for our students, equipping them with real-world skills,” says Dominique Bates, PCS CTE Director. Read more to see how PCS CTE is setting our students up for success! 🌟
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS GOES NATIONAL
Earlier this week, Michele Simmons from Pender County Schools' Career and Technical Education (CTE) program proudly represented our district at the TransfrXR Futures 2024 Conference in New York! 🎉 This exciting event focused on how we can reshape education and training systems to prepare students for well-paying careers in high-growth industries.
During the conference, Mrs. Simmons joined experts and educators in exploring essential changes needed to create more accessible and impactful learning opportunities for all. The discussions emphasized moving beyond traditional methods to collaborative approaches that inspire innovation and growth. 💡 Together, attendees shared insights on developing life-changing opportunities that can propel students into bright futures.
We are proud of Mrs. Simmons' dedication to transforming CTE through cutting-edge technology, including her work with VR integration that enriches student learning experiences. Her participation in this pivotal event highlights Pender County Schools' commitment to staying at the forefront of educational advancement.👏✨
FREE FLU VACCINATIONS BEGIN NEXT WEEK
Just a reminder that the Pender County Health Department is partnering with PCS to offer flu vaccines for K-12 students and staff—right at school! 🌡️ With parental consent, students can get their flu shot during the school day, making it easy and convenient.
CONGRATS!!
Congratulations to our fall sports teams on a successful season. The Topsail and Cape Fear softball teams were co-regular season champions. Cape Fear softball won the tournament. The combined football team of Burgaw, West Pender, and Penderlea won the football championship. New this year, our sportsmanship awards go to Cape Fear for both football and cheerleading and the Burgaw and West Pender team for the softball sportsmanship award.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Many Hands make light work! Teamwork makes the Dream work! Excellent job by our Topsail High School Wrestlers in moving our wrestling mats to set up our new THS Wrestling practice facility! Excited to see these champions on the mat this winter! Go Pirates!
PATRIOT PRIDE!
Game day! Senior night, Pink Out, and last home game of the regular season! Sr Night begins at 6:45. AND...Super proud of our cross country team! Great finish to the regular season. Best of luck at regionals next weekend.
LOVE 🎾THIS
Cape Fear Middle students, as part of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools, were invited to participate in a Tennis Clinic provided by the tennis pros at Porters Neck Country Club. Unified Champion Schools integrate students with and without intellectual disabilities through sports and leadership opportunities, fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding. All of the students had a fun-filled day.
GAME NIGHT
DON'T FORGET to come on out 💫TONIGHT, October 25th for an exciting🏈event!! Bring the heat!!! 🔥🔥🔥 #onepender
WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
BT SHOUTOUTS!📢
The BT Coach Team is excited to share our monthly recognitions for October! Here’s who stood out this month:
🌟 Beginning Teacher of the Month: Megan Brown, Malpass Corner 🌟 Mentor of the Month: Heather Uhland, CF Pope 🌟 Site Coordinator of the Month: Kerriann Kokinda, South Topsail
To discover the reasons behind their recognition, check out the PCS October BT/Mentor Newsletter HERE! 📖✨
ROCKY POINT ELEMENTARY THIRD GRADE GOING STRONG 💪
Our 3rd graders have been busy exploring Module 1: The Sea with Wit and Wisdom, diving into the world of sea creatures and inventors like Jacques Cousteau! They've also kicked off a book tasting for their upcoming SPACE module! 🚀 In science, they've crafted models of various landforms and learned about the earth's patterns. In math, students have been mastering multiplication, division, and are now delving into measurement and data. Curious to learn more about their exciting projects? Click HERE to read the full story! 🎉
🚀 DELTA GEMS EXPLORE COLLEGE LIFE!
The Delta GEMS of Burgaw Middle School traveled to North Carolina Central University for an enriching experience! 🎓✨ The girls learned about the admissions process and scholarship opportunities, and they participated in breakout sessions that covered student life, educational programs, and various college areas of study.
The day included a campus tour and attending a football game, making for an unforgettable experience! 🏈🎉 Delta GEMS, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, focuses on empowering young girls to excel academically. 📚💪 The program provides tools for goal setting and future planning, aiming to develop compassionate and community-minded young women through service-learning and community service opportunities. ❤️🌟
TOPSAIL HIGH SCHOOL HOSA REGIONAL COMPETITION: A HUGE SUCCESS!
Topsail High School’s CTE Department hosted the HOSA Regional Competition and it was a huge success!! Loved seeing all of our HOSA students engaged in a fun and competitive learning opportunity! We had several Pirates who placed well in the competition and will move on to the State Competition!
Below is a list of their personal accomplishments in the event:
-Behavioral Health -Elizabeth Brinson Top 5; Biotechnology -Trinity Mcghee 1st; Clinical Laboratories Science- Ysabella Nejodera 2nd, Allaina Chase 3rd; CPR/First Aid- Miguel Quintero/LillianQuintero 2nd; Creative Problem-Solving- Shane Taylor, Dallas Smith, Owen Reese, Hudson Cannady, Hunt Tayloe, James Picklesimer 1st; Dental Terminology- Kendall Mills 2nd; Epidemiology- Isabelle Covington 1st; Extemporaneous Writing-Health Policy -Kiera McClain 3rd; Health Career Photography- Caiya Medlin 2nd; Research Persuasive Writing and Speaking- Cina Huston, 1st; Medical Law and Ethics -Ayden Harrington Top 5, Sophia Aker 2nd; Nursing Assisting- Carly Holmes 2nd, Clementine Perry 1st; Occupational Therapy- Lena Dunham 2nd; Pathophysiology- Benson Friedhoff 1st; Pharmacology- Hailey Roberts 1st; Prepared Speaking- Morgan Augustine Top 5, Anna Swan 3rd; Physical Therapy- Abigail O'Reilly 1st; Pharmacy Science- Charlie Kissick 1st; Sports Medicine, Mackenzie Bridges 2nd, Abby Hubbard 1st
We have two new Southeast Region NC HOSA officers - Caiya Medlin- Vice President; Odalys Plascencia-Rojo- Secretary
HELP US RAISE EVEN MORE FOR OUR STEM ROOM!
Topsail Annandale Elementary has met our first goal of raising $40,000 for our STEM room furniture and materials! 🎉 We're excited to announce that our new goal is $50,000, which will allow for more classroom upgrades, including Clear Touch Boards for every classroom! 🖥️✨
Don't forget to check out this year's Student Star Video—it's a fun and easy way to ask for donations! 🎥✨ Head over to mybooster.com to get your student registered, create their Star Video, and start spreading the word! 🌟💖
COVER STORY
We're (SURF CITY ELEMENTARY) excited to announce the Yearbook cover winners. Our front cover winner is Lexi G. in 5th grade. Congratulations, Lexi! Here are 9 more students who will have their art work on the back cover of the Yearbook. Congratulations to; Emma A. 4, Ryann B. 5, Charlotte S. 4, Penelope W. 3, Julia L. 5, Maverick L. 2, Elsie K. 4, Ryan L. 4 and Elijah M. 4. Well done everyone!
From Topsail High - Our Topsail High School - CACRAO College Fair was a huge success!! Even our Principal - Dr. Michael Sasscer was engaged in the learning process! An excellent way for our Pirates to learn more about future opportunities through the various colleges and universities in attendance! #TheTopsailWay #TheShip WE > me
From Cape Fear Middle - Here's a riddle for you: What's pink, blue and green; likes to move very fast; is a lot of fun; helps raise money; and needs to be signed up for? If you guessed the CFMS Zombie Color Run, you are one smart Grizzly. Don't forget to sign up at mybooster.com this weekend and help us reach our fundraising goal!!! #letsgogrizzlies
From Burgaw Middle - Ms. Boney is getting her students ready with spooky👻decorations in the classroom! From the likes of Dracula🧛🏽♂️, mummies, & Harry Potter🧹, students will learn about some of their favorite characters for Halloween🎃. @bms_reddevils @penderschools @bradbreedlove90 #onepender
From Heide Trask High - We are ONE WEEK AWAY from our FREE Trunk or Treat event next Wednesday, October 30. Reach out to Ms.Spivey (yury_spivey@pender.k12.nc.us) if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!!!
From South Topsail Elementary - Stingrays LOVED meeting author/illustrator Jonathan Miller today and hearing all about Sammy the Wonder Dachshund! Additional order forms were sent home today- form and money due back Friday if you're interested in a personalized, autographed copy.
From Surf City Elementary - Thank you to Officer Wyke and Surf City PD for handing out Halloween safety reminders and treats to our kindergartners! 👮🏼🎃
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Thank you to Jo Adcock and Modern Woodmen Financial for the contribution made to support our STEM Class at TAES. We have already started using so many of the items donated! We really appreciate the support from our community.
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Kindergarten started their first unit with the new Smithsonian science program. They are learning about force and motion and the first lesson was "Let's Get Moving"! Students did science station to experience how to make things move and talked about the difference between push and pull. These pictures are from Ms. Carroll's class. #LearningIsFunWhenWeAreTogther
From North Topsail Elementary - We hope to see everyone at our Fall Fest tonight from 5-7! Our office staff and student support teams are ready to go with the characters from Inside Out 2! #OnePender
From Rocky Point Elementary - Join us TONIGHT from 5-8pm for our annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration! $5 per family gets you free music, dancing, and games, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. We can't wait to see you there!
From Surf City Middle - Congratulations to Saelor, Jeffrey, and Ella for being selected as our SCM Students of the Month! Thank you to Daily Grind for providing gift cards and fun cups for our students.
AND...🌟 Virtual Field Trip to the NC Museum of Art! 🌟 Over the past two days, our Art students had an incredible opportunity to explore the North Carolina Museum of Art—all from our classroom! 🎨 Through a virtual field trip, students engaged with amazing pieces from the museum's permanent collection, focusing on the exciting theme of "Selfies & Usies." 📸 During this interactive experience, students explored historical and contemporary portraits, discussing how artists and sitters present identity in their works. This journey helped develop visual literacy skills as students closely examined and connected with 2-3 works of art. We’re thrilled we got to offer our students this FREE program, by bringing the world of art right to their screens! A huge thank you to the NCMA for this incredible opportunity!
From Pender Early College - On Saturday, a group of students from our Outdoor Club took a trip to Horton Rehab Ranch. A horse rehab and rescue center in Pender County which allowed students to learn about horse care, how the rehab center works and destress with some time leading and riding horses.
From Pender High - It is Free College Application week! Our college advisor, Ms. Hall, is working with students each day to complete college applications. Each senior has a scheduled appointment this week, with the opportunity to schedule extra time on Tuesday and Friday as needed.
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - This is the first senior selfie of the year!!! PILA has its first student that has met ALL graduation requirements!! Can't wait to watch him walk on January 3!! #seniorselfie #onepender
AND...The Otters spent the afternoon celebrating AMAZING 1st quarter attendance achievements!! Ice cream sundaes, corn hole, line dancing and soccer were just some of the fun activities!!! #onepender
From Penderlea School - Kindergarten read Spookly the Square Pumpkin then marble painted their own Spookly pumpkins as they learned about diversity and treating others fairly during our month of awareness.
From Cape Fear Elementary - 4th grade celebrated their Penny Wars win with a popcorn party!
🌟 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
🔥 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
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