Short week - short newsletter. 📰 This isn't to say that great things didn't happen across the district in a four day week - they most certainly did 🌟🤩From Teachers of the Year 🏫📚 to All-Conference honors 🏀📣to an unforgettable AG Day 🌱🌰 Here's a look back at quite a week and a bit ahead (spoiler alert, we have days off coming). #ExperienceTheExcellence
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY (3.29) OR MONDAY (4.1)
🔊Just a reminder that there will be no classes on Friday (tomorrow) for all schools. 🐰With the exception of Pender Early College, Monday is an optional workday - so no classes for students on April 1st (no joke) 🚫😜 Enjoy the break!! #ExperienceTheExcellence
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS HOSTS SUCCESSFUL AG DAY AT PENDERLEA FARMS
Wednesday of this week was just one of those days that sits with you for a while 🙂 CTE Director Dominique Bates and his cast of many pulled off an incredible AG Day at Penderlea Farms 🌱 bringing 5th graders from each Elementary School across the district out for a day of learning and fun. You can read more about the day HERE or watch the video below.
CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT - STEPHANIE BRINKLEY
Stephanie Brinkley is a veteran teacher with 13 years of experience but this is her first year teaching in Pender County. Stephanie is married and has two children, a second grader and sixth grader. When she is not at the beach or spending time with her family, she enjoys teaching 5th graders reading (and social studies) at Topsail Middle School and helping students find books they enjoy. Stephanie says, "I believe that making meaningful connections and building relationships with my students is one of the most important things I can do as a teacher."
In regards to Wit & Wisdom, Stephanie says, "One thing I really like about Wit & Wisdom is when students get to share their thinking with each other. I have heard some amazing conversations among my students and love how those conversations have led to more questions, inferencing, or sparked those 'Ah-Ha! Moments'!"
CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT - ASHLEY LASALANDRA
Ashley Lasalnadra has been teaching for 7 years and this is her 2nd year of teaching 5th grade at Malpass Corner Elementary after moving down here from little ole Rhode Island. Ashley says that working with students and children and helping them grow, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, has always been her passion. She says, "I can't imagine doing anything else! Building relationships, connections with my students is my number 1 priority to help them SOAR and succeed as a whole child!" In her free time, Ashley loves hiking with her golden retriever pup, running, or diving into a good book!
When asked about Eureka Math Squared, Ashley stated that she believes Eureka squared gives our students a better foundation for conceptual knowledge and ample ways to practice those skills using different strategies . She strongly believes that the curriculum fosters collaboration to strengthen the different ways of thinking and high levels of problem solving.
From County Athletic Director Matt Davis - Below is our scholar-athlete information for the fall semester. It was reported that roughly 25% of NCHSAA member schools completed this program for the fall semester. All 3 of our schools participated. This indicates the dedication coaches and athletic directors show to the athletic program as an integrated part of the high school experience for our student-athletes.
Pender - 70 individuals, 6 Teams: Cross Country (3.569), Boys Soccer (3.172), Volleyball (3.655), Girls Indoor T&F (3.729), Boys Indoor T&F (3.181), Girls Basketball (3.376)
Trask - 100 individuals, 11 Teams: Fall Cheerleading (3.558), Boys Soccer (3.215), Boys Cross Country (3.349), Girls Cross Country (3.625), Volleyball (3.551), Girls Basketball (3.145), Boys Wrestling (3.374), Girls Wrestling (3.219), Winter Cheerleading (3.583), Boys Indoor T&F (3.487), Girls Indoor T&F (3.540)
Topsail - 392 individuals 13 Teams: Boys Soccer (3.86), Girls Golf (3.87), Girls Cross Country (3.55), Girls Tennis (3.12), Football (3.64), Volleyball (3.73), Fall Cheerleading (3.52), Girls Basketball (3.75), Girls Swimming/Diving (3.51), Boys Swimming/Diving (3.5) Wrestling (3.59), Girls Indoor T&F (3.32), Boys Indoor T&F (3.21)
From Pender High - Congratulations on the players for the great 2023/2024 basketball season. Here is a list of POY and all-conference recipients. Go Patriots!
From Cape Fear Middle - Updated spring sports schedules. Go Grizzlies!
From Pender Early College - PECHS spotlight athlete Filip Zubrowicz chasing birdies on the Heidi Trask Golf Team! Filip is an example of how PECHS students play sports at their base school. Go Titians Golf!!
From Topsail High - Please see flyer for more information regarding Cheerleading Tryouts for the 2024-2025 school year.
On May 15, between 3:35 and 6:00, Topsail High School will host FREE physicals for students in grades 6-12 enrolled in Pender County Schools. Students must bring a completed Pre-Participation form signed by their parents
MAKING THE ROUNDS...
From Surf City Elementary - Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Emily Hitchens! We could not be more proud of her and all that she does for her students and our school each and every day! 🌟
AND...Fourth Grade students have been learning about the causes of the Revolutionary War in Social Studies, and are beginning Module 3, "The Redcoats are Coming!' in ELA classes. Students took field trips to Moore's Creek Battlefield to learn about this Patriot victory of the Revolutionary War. They also visited Poplar Grove Plantation to learn about early colonial life in our area.
From Rocky Point Elementary - Students from our 21st Century program had the opportunity to attend the Duke Energy Science Festival this past weekend at CF Pope! Students had so much fun learning through hands-on science experiments!
From Cape Fear Elementary - The votes are in congratulations to our 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year Ms. Younginer!! Well deserved!
AND...In social studies this week, first grade students explored mapping skills. Students used coding mice to practice cardinal directions (how will the mouse get to the cheese?).
From South Topsail Elementary - Congratulations to Ms. Cantrell for being names STES 23-24 Teacher of the Year! We are so proud of Ms. Cantrell and all of her many contributions to STES over the years! Please be sure to make her feel special on her very special day!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Today was our K-2 Super SOARing Eagle Day. (3rd-5th is weather postponed to next Thursday.) The students were running for "Eagle Eggs" filled with Eagle Bucks! Eggs have 1-5 Eagle Bucks inside. Here are a few pictures from Mrs. Sandi Jones' class.
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - The kids had a blast at the stunt show with Dane Britt today! A huge shout out to Coach Redd for putting it together.
From Pender High - Super proud of our teachers!
From Cape Fear Middle - Congrats to EmilyAnne Sewell for being named the CFMS 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Sewell serves our students and and staff in many roles and is always looking to make CFMS a great place to be. This is well-deserved for your effort and commitment to our school. Of course we have to include a video of her receiving her award... Congrats!
From West Pender Middle - Mr. Greenleaf Nominated as WPMS Teacher of the Year!
From Topsail Middle - Congratulations to Topsail Middle School 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Krystal Squires!
From Pender Early College - PECHS took over the Fort Fisher Aquarium today! #🐠🪼🐡
From Burgaw Middle - Check out the featured article on BMS' 🌼Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cheryl King!!🌼We are so proud of our very own Red💖Devil!!!🥳Link to article
From Topsail High - On Friday the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performed in our annual Music Performance Adjudication (or MPA) at Ashley High School. This is the performing arts equivalent to EOCs. Wind Ensemble - took grade 6 (the hardest literature available to a band) and received straight superiors from three judges on stage and a superior in sight reading. This is a process where the students have five minutes to study and perform a piece of music we have never seen before. Symphonic Band - took grade 4 and received straight superiors with an "A" in every caption from all three judges on stage and received an excellent in sight reading. This is the highest THS has scored and the hardest literature taken to MPA post-pandemic. Thank you all for your support of our hard working band students at THS!! Thank you Mr. Wentzek for all of your time and dedication to our program. We are so proud of our Pirates! Congratulations!
From Penderlea School - The Easter Bunny came for a visit! What a great way to start our final quarter of the year!
From Surf City Middle - DOT visits SCMS 7th grade on 3/27 to talk about Careers, provide information and discuss opportunities!
In preparation for April, the Month of the Military Child, we'd (SURF CITY ELEMENTARY) love all military families to be recognized in a slide show. OMKC will also be placing purple stars with student’s names out in the front of the school to recognize our military connected students! 💜
SAVE THE DATE‼️🍦On Monday, April 1 visit Boombalatti’s in Hampstead ANYTIME for our NTES Spirit Day and Night. 🍨A portion of the proceeds from the entire day comes back to the NTES PTA to use for staff and student events throughout the year. Can’t wait to see you ALL there‼️
Kindergarten registration is underway and screener days are scheduled.
South Topsail Elementary Kindergarten Screenings will be held at STES on 4/8 from 8 am-6 pm. Please see the flyer for more information and how to sign-up for a screening time! We can't wait to meet our newest Stingrays!
Attention rising 9th grade students!
🌸Our annual Spring Fling is around the corner and we hope you will JOIN US on Friday, April 12 from 5-7 PM. 🐰
Heide Trask High School Prom Committee will be taking appointments for the Prom Dress shop starting next week. Students, if you need a dress to ANY event, come see what we have!
WPMS is offering after school tutoring! Sign up weekly through this link
👀Check out this ✨AMAZING✨ upcoming opportunity for our rising 9th graders from🎓UNCW!!🎓 See flyer for specific dates and details.😎😈😎
We are so excited to hold a talent show at HTHS on April 30th! For more information and to receive an application, please see Mrs. Marshburn in Rm. 120. All applications are due no later than Friday, March 22nd.
Prom tickets are now on sale! You can purchase your tickets during lunch, before/after school only! Forms can be picked up from Ms. Lupton or Ms. McGowen.
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🌟 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
PENDER-TOPSAIL POST & VOICE - Front Page
WECT - Pender Co. Schools hosts annual Agriculture Day
WECT - Pender County Board of Education launches investigation into Topsail High wrestling program
WECT - Job fairs set for Brunswick Community College, Pender County Schools
WECT - Water main break in Pender Co. causes outage
WHQR - PCS launches "independent investigation" into the dismissal of Topsail High School wrestling coach
WWAY - Water main break impacts two Pender County Schools
WWAY - Pender County Board of Education launching investigation into Topsail High School wrestling program
PORT CITY DAILY - PCS to investigate high school wrestling program after coach is pushed out
PORT CITY DAILY - Pender schools to offer STEM summer learning program
WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS - Topsail High School wrestling program under investigation. Here's what we know.