HERE KITTY, KITTY, KITTY!!!
For those of you who were hoping for more kittens - sorry 😿 I have internet access, only one meeting, and a remote schedule so a newsletter you shall have 📰 I will say, the newsletter staff questioned putting another one together as so many of you enjoyed last week.
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS APPROVES BUS DRIVER BONUSES
🚍 Great news for our amazing bus drivers! 🚍 The Pender County Board of Education has just approved a well-deserved bonus for both active and substitute drivers. 💸 This one-time payment is a token of appreciation for their dedication to safely transporting students every day. 🙏 Read more about the bonuses and how they’re being funded HERE! #OnePender
RUSS GURGANUS JOINS PCS AS CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
🏗️ We’re thrilled to welcome Russ Gurganus as our new Chief Operations Officer, bringing years of experience in construction management, school operations, and public service. 🚧 From managing multi-million-dollar projects to enhancing school safety, Russ’s experience will be invaluable to our district’s future. Read more HERE! #OnePender
FULLY STAFFED!
🎉 A big shoutout to West Pender Middle School! 🎉 We’re thrilled to share that under the leadership of Principal Laurin Garza, West Pender is now fully staffed and ready to take on the school year! 🙌 This is a huge achievement, and we want to thank everyone who worked hard to make it possible. With a strong, dedicated team in place, the future is looking bright for West Pender students, staff, and families. Here’s to an amazing year ahead! 💪 #OnePender
NORTH TOPSAIL ELEMENTARY RECEIVES $10,000 ANONYMOUS DONATION
🐬 Exciting news from North Topsail Elementary! 🎉 Principal Jill Robertson has announced that the school has received a generous $10,000 anonymous donation to support our school fund. 💖 These funds will play a vital role in enhancing student support and addressing our technology needs. A heartfelt thank you to the anonymous donor for their incredible generosity! Together, we’re ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed. Let’s make the most of this opportunity! 🙌 #OnePender
Imagine Pender 2050: Help Shape Our Future!
Pender County is developing the Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and we need your input! 🗣️ This plan will guide the next 25 years of growth in our county, and your voice matters. Please take our short survey (10 questions) and share your thoughts on the Future Land Use Map, which influences rezoning and development decisions. 🏘️ The survey is available until October 22nd.
📢Community Information Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, October 2nd, 6-8 PM - Heide Trask High School Cafeteria (14328 NC 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457); Thursday, October 3rd, 6-8 PM - Moore’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church (60 Minuteman Rd, Currie, NC 28435)
🤝Let’s the county reach its goal of 2,000 responses—share the survey with family, friends, and community groups! 🔗 English Survey | Spanish Survey #OnePender
ON THE RUN
🏃♀️ Exciting news for Heide Trask High School! 🏃♂️ We’re proud to announce that HTHS has been selected as one of the recipients of the Brooks Running Cross Country Team Grant! 🎉 Out of 32 schools nationwide, Heide Trask will receive shoes and apparel for up to 50 runners, along with a $1,000 grant to assist with expenses. This incredible opportunity will help our cross country team stay equipped and competitive this season. A huge thank you to Brooks Running for their generous support! Let’s go, Titans! 💪 #OnePender
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS SHINE AT NCHSAA REGION 2 MEETING
The NCHSAA recently held its annual Region 2 meeting, showcasing strong representation from Pender County Schools athletics. Topsail High School was recognized for its outstanding achievement of being ejection-free during the 2023-24 school year. Additionally, Malia Fullwood participated as a member of the NCHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Council, highlighting the district's commitment to student-athlete engagement.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Bevin Stokes, a dedicated coach and teacher at Pender High School, who received the NCHSAA Special Person Award for Region 2. Since joining Pender High in 2005, Bevin has made a lasting impact, serving as a CTE teacher, cross-country coach, and athletic director. She has also played a vital role in starting and coaching the indoor track program and has been involved with track and field since 2006. Bevin’s unwavering commitment to public education and athletics has inspired countless students to discover their potential and embrace new challenges.
Heide Trask Titans named WECT Friday Night Football Team of the Week
🏈🎉 Huge congratulations to the Heide Trask Titans for being named WECT's Team of the Week! 🙌 The undefeated Titans put on an impressive performance last Friday, dominating West Columbus with a stunning 52-0 victory, bringing their record to 5-0 this season. 🔥 With an average of 48 points per game, they are truly living up to their name! 💪 Don’t miss their next matchup as they host Whiteville High this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Let’s keep the momentum going, Titans! Go, Titans! 🌟📣
JUNIORS who want to play D1 or D2 sports in college should go to https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/ to complete the NCAA eligibility form. You will receive a NCAA number that will be used for recruitment. Choose option 3 for Academic and Amateurism Certification.
Due to our PCS Remote Learning Day for Friday, 9.27.24, our THS Pirates Varsity Football Game vs New Hanover HS has been rescheduled for Saturday, 9.28.24 at 3:00 PM at Legion Field in Wilmington. Stay Safe and Go Pirates! #TheTopsailWay
WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
Building Success: Masonry Students Install New Whiteboards in Math Classroom
🔨✨ Exciting things are happening in the Masonry II class at Pender High School! Recently, students took their skills to the next level by helping install new whiteboards in Mr. Ballard’s math classroom. 📏📐 Under the guidance of Mr. Dixon, they measured, leveled, and aligned the boards with precision, turning classroom theory into practical experience. Not only do these new whiteboards enhance the learning environment, but they also allow students to collaborate and work through math problems more effectively. 🙌 This project showcases the real-world application of their education and highlights the impact they can make in their school community. Want to know more about this hands-on experience? Read on! 📚💪
From Cape Fear Middle - This week our Grizzlies had the opportunity to visit the media center during recess to participate in activities for Hispanic Heritage month. On Wednesday, students played Lotería and today, Thursday, students created tissue paper flowers.
From Topsail High - A huge thank you to Mrs. McGee and CTE for taking students to the Future Teachers Conference at UNCW this past Friday! The students had an amazing time and learned so much about the path to becoming future educators. We're excited to see where their journey takes them! #Enrolled Enlisted Employ
From Burgaw Middle - 👀Check out what 8th graders are doing in Mrs. Lawson's science classes!! This week, students built their own molecules and compounds out of ⚛Marshmallow atoms. How cool is that?😎 Way to go, Red😈Devils!! @bms_reddevils @penderschools @bradbreedlove90 #onepender
AND...A special thank you to John Robins and Harris Teeter for their donation of school supplies!! 🙏🏽
From Heide Trask High - Students had an awesome time at our CFCC Roadshow today! Students got to explore many different program areas including Veterinary Medical Technology, Geomatics, Computer Integrated Machining, and Automotive Systems Technology to name a few.
From South Topsail Elementary - Stingrays explored virtual reality this week to round out International Dot Day. 🔴🟣🟢🟠🟡🔵
From Surf City Elementary - Today the fifth grade students participated in their first Socratic seminar. The topic was comparing characters and their traits from the Nez Perce stories. They did an amazing job sharing evidence and defending their thoughts within their group.
AND...2nd Graders came up with the idea to pick up trash outside at recess and are keeping our school clean!
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - We want to extend a huge thank you to our PTA for getting mums donated to beautify our building and allow for all staff to take one home. We appreciate you getting such a tremendous donation and for showing your love for TAES staff.
From Malpass Corner Elementary - 5th grade science yesterday melted two different solids - beeswax and coconut oil - to make lip balm. Future chemists??? #learningisbetterwhenwearetogether
AND...Mrs. Boerigter's 3rd grade class had a Socratic seminar!! By using group discussion, they are learning how to share ideas and work as a team! #LearningIsBetterWhenWeAreTogether
From Rocky Point Elementary - 5th Grade had a blast on their Science field trip to Masonboro Island yesterday! They went crabbing and learned all about ecosystems! #OnePender
From Surf City Middle - We had a great morning welcoming our new students into their Frenzies! Congratulations to all of our new Tigers, Threshers, Spinners, Makos, Bulls, and Hammerheads!
From Pender Early College - CFCC counseling and PECHS participated in “The Pinwheel Project" where pinwheels were displayed on campus throughout September for National Suicide Prevention Month. Today students were able to take them home to continue to show support throughout our community #onepender
From Pender High - We had a GREAT CFCC Roadshow today! Over 22 different programs were here on campus for our students to discuss the various programs available after graduation.
AND...GREAT pep rally today! Rain will not stop that Patriot Pride!
From Topsail Middle - Last Friday, Mrs. Burgess and Mrs. Dinkins' classes got the opportunity to go surfing with IndoJax at Surf City. Thank you to the Surf City fire department for all their assistance and to the Lamb Foundation for making this trip possible!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Last night during our Curriculum Night Events parents and students had an opportunity to come in to the library and take home books and stop and read for a while. It was so great for parents and students to connect over books and enjoy some quiet reading time together.
AND...Students are really enjoying our new science curriculum. In first grade, we are using models to recognize differences in the features of the day and night sky and apparent movement of objects across the sky as observed from Earth.
🌟 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 County Schools approves $86,700 in bus driver bonuses
WECT - Multiple schools adjusting Friday plans due to inclement weather
WWAY - Schools around Cape Fear will move online or be canceled for Friday
WILMINGTON STAR NEWS - In advance of Helene, Brunswick County Schools closed Friday; New Hanover goes remote
WILMINGTON STAR NEWS - N.C. Report Cards: Here's the list of grades for Wilmington-area schools
PORT CITY DAILY - Pender, New Hanover schools move to remote learning Friday
PORT CITY DAILY - PCS retracing steps on book challenges, policy change consolidates power to school board
PORT CITY DAILY - ‘I, for one, ain’t having it’: PCS board chair against NCDOT’s staggered bell schedule advice for K-8 school