🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS! 👻
It���s been a spooktacular week across Pender County Schools as classrooms and hallways filled with creativity, laughter, and a little Halloween spirit! From themed lessons and costume parades to pumpkin projects and fall festivals, our students and staff have embraced the season with energy and enthusiasm. 🍂✨
As October comes to a close, we want to thank our teachers, students, and families for making this fall so memorable. Enjoy a safe and fun Halloween, and keep reading for all the latest district news and celebrations! 🎃🦇 Here's a look at some of the Halloween fun we've been having!!
PCS INVITES COMMUNITY TO HELP CHOOSE NEW MASCOTS
Pender County Schools is inviting community members to help select the mascots for its newest schools — J.H. Lea Elementary and J.H. Lea Middle School — scheduled to open in August 2027. Students from Topsail Annandale Elementary, South Topsail Elementary, and Topsail Middle helped generate ideas, and the top suggestions are now part of a districtwide community poll.
The online survey is open from October 29 through November 12, 2025, and everyone is encouraged to participate and help shape a meaningful part of the schools’ future identity. “These schools will represent a new chapter for many families in our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove. “We want our mascots to reflect the pride, spirit, and unity that make Pender County Schools special.” Visit the link provided to cast your vote and make your voice heard! 💙 https://forms.gle/4SJ6p5LUDSrqasUL8
💉 CTE HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS INSPIRE FUTURE LEARNERS ON ICU DAY
On October 31, PCS Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health Science classes teamed up with SERVE Pathways, a rural healthcare career education initiative, to host ICU Day for sixth graders from Burgaw Middle, Cape Fear Middle, Penderlea, and West Pender Middle schools. The event, led by Ms. Faison-Lambe of Heide Trask High and Ms. Garris of Pender High, brought together 54 high school students who led hands-on stations teaching CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, pulse checking, PPE use, and other key health and safety skills.
The collaborative event showcased the power of partnership and career exploration. With support from Burgaw Middle, SERVE Pathways, Cape Fear Community College staff, and the PCS Transportation and CTE teams, students experienced healthcare education in action. “The most important thing is that these sixth graders can see the amazing opportunities available to them through our schools and in our communities,” said CTE Director Dominique Bates. Teachers and students alike praised the event for its organization, energy, and inspiration — proving that the next generation of healthcare heroes is already taking shape right here in Pender County.
➡️ Read more about ICU Day and see photos from this hands-on learning event HERE
🎓 PENDER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 20TH INCOMING CLASS
Pender Early College High School (PECHS) has officially begun recruitment for the 2026–2027 school year, marking an exciting milestone — the school’s 20th incoming class! Located on Cape Fear Community College’s Burgaw Campus, PECHS opened in 2006 as part of North Carolina’s Cooperative Innovative High Schools initiative, giving students the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and college credits in a small, supportive environment. Over the years, PECHS has built a strong reputation for excellence, consistently earning an “A” rating on the state report card and receiving the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
Beyond academics, PECHS students gain real-world experience through community service, internships, and leadership programs, preparing them for success in college and beyond. The school’s 95% college course proficiency rate and millions in student scholarships reflect its commitment to helping students thrive. Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are now open, and families are invited to attend upcoming parent information nights in November to learn more.
➡️ Read more about PECHS programs, application deadlines, and events HERE.
⚙️ HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING TAKES FLIGHT AT CAPE FEAR MIDDLE
Students in Mr. Odom’s STEM classes at Cape Fear Middle School have been putting their engineering skills to the test this week through a series of hands-on design challenges. Seventh- and eighth-grade students explored the engineering and physics behind medieval siege warfare, studying how concepts like force, leverage, and trajectory powered massive machines in history. To bring those lessons to life, students began constructing their own trebuchets and catapults, applying math and science principles to better understand how these devices launch projectiles and convert stored energy into motion.
Meanwhile, sixth graders took to the skies with a unit on the basic principles of flight. After learning how lift, drag, thrust, and gravity affect an aircraft’s movement, they began designing and building their own gliders. Once completed, students will test and modify their designs to see how changes in shape and balance impact distance and stability. These engaging projects give students the chance to experiment, problem-solve, and discover the real-world applications of STEM — all while having fun learning by doing! ✈️🔧
FIFTH GRADE RAMS INVESTIGATE, CREATE, AND CELEBRATE LEARNING
Our fifth-grade Rams have been busy exploring, experimenting, and connecting their learning across subjects! In science, students dove into their first unit by identifying the properties of matter and investigating physical and chemical changes—including a sweet hands-on experiment roasting marshmallows to observe reactions in real time. Through creative activities and thoughtful discussions, teachers helped students see how science applies to everyday experiences in fun and meaningful ways.
In reading, students wrapped up their first Wit & Wisdom module, Cultures in Conflict, where they learned about the Nez Perce Indigenous tribe and how the land of Wallowa shaped their way of life. To celebrate their learning, students built miniature teepees using materials that represented the natural resources the Nez Perce relied on for shelter. These projects highlight how curiosity, creativity, and cross-curricular learning make every day in fifth grade an adventure.
➡️ Read more about these engaging lessons and see photos of our young learners in action HERE
FLU SHOTS CONTINUE THIS WEEK
Pender County Schools is partnering once again with the Pender County Health Department to provide flu shots for students this fall. This initiative will be available to all students across the district, with vaccines administered by health department nurses. To participate, students must be eligible to receive the flu vaccine and have written parental consent. For children without insurance, state-supplied vaccine will be available at no cost.
Consent forms will be sent home with students. Families also have the option to complete the online forms using the links below:
- Staff Consent Form
- Student Consent Form (English)
- Formulario de Consentimiento del Estudiante (Español)
For more information, please contact your child’s school or the Pender County Health Department.
🍎SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS🍕
You can find school lunch menus for each grade level by following THIS LINK
WEEKLY SCHEDULES
H🏀🏀PS ARE HEATING UP
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Our fourth graders carried out an investigation into whether fiddler crabs send more communication signals, by waving their large claw, when recievers are present.
AND...Color Run!!!
From Burgaw Middle - Pender Early College High School students visited BMS with a special presentation for eighth graders. Applications are due to Mrs. Cardell by January 16th. 🎓
From Penderlea School - Million Minute Challenge Kickoff! Penderlea is excited to join Pender County Schools’ Million Minute Challenge, a districtwide effort to promote reading at home and build a love of literacy across all grade levels. This initiative supports one of Penderlea’s key school goals: improving literacy for all students.
Our school kickoff runs October 27–December 5, and we’re challenging every Hornet to read at home each day and help us reach one million minutes of reading together! Parents reading to their younger students counts, too. Recommended Daily Reading Time:K–2: 15–20 minutes | Grades 3–5: 20–30 minutes | Grades 6–8: 30–45 minutes
Families can log minutes using the QR code on the flyer sent home or use this link: https://bit.ly/PLSMMRC
To celebrate our kickoff, we’ll have Storybook Character Day on Friday, October 31st, where students can dress as their favorite book character (must be from a book). Let’s show that Penderlea is the place to be for growing strong readers and leaders!
From C.F. Pope Elementary - 🐾🎉🥳Celebrating our Panthers is one of our favorite things to do! Congratulations to last week's Proud Panthers for standing out as outstanding Panthers of the Week! 🥳🎉🐾
From Pender High - Our seniors enjoyed a college tour of UNC-Chapel Hill in the rain this week! Students were able to learn more about the application process, dorm life, and the many subjects that Carolina has to offer! 🎉Thanks to our Next Step Advisor for this amazing opportunity!
AND...🎭The Theatre students went to see Little Shop of Horrors in a black box production. They got a backstage tour where they met the cast, and saw the set design and special effects up close.
From Rocky Point Elementary - Witches, Super Heroes, and Aliens - Oh, My! Our students are ready for a spooky day of learning!
From Topsail Middle - What an amazing day at Topsail Middle School! The Color Run kicked off with our enthusiastic 8th graders, and we couldn't be prouder of our Pirates for surpassing all previous fundraising totals! 💪💰 Pledging remains open through the weekend, so keep those donations coming! Kids can still earn raffle tickets until Sunday! 🎟️ We have more exciting prizes for Monday's raffle than ever before!
From Cape Fear Middle - ☕ Thank You! ☕ Thank you to all the parents and guardians who came out to today's Coffee with the Principal! We truly appreciate you taking the time to join Mr. Simmons this morning at Cape Fear Middle School. Your engagement, questions, and feedback mean so much to our school community. Together, we're making CFMS stronger! 🎓✨
From Surf City Elementary - 5th grade teachers found a creative way to teach idioms and figurative language! Students LOVED leading the Pun Parade this morning. The whole school lined the hallways to marvel at all the cleverness these 5th graders came up with. Can you figure out some of the idioms? Check out the parade video here 🔗 https://bit.ly/punparade
AND...Did you know that our school garden is a biodiversity hotspot for the Monarch butterfly? Our native flower beds have milkweed, the only food the caterpillars eat, and flowering plants for adults. These insects migrate 3,000 miles and we help them on their way twice a year by raising the butterflies in class. Students get to witness their life cycle, from egg to butterfly, and then release them on their way. You can help save these important pollinators by planting milkweed and native flowers in your own yard!
From South Topsail Elementary - Only at South Topsail! Coach D made car line ROAR-some on this chilly Halloween morning by showing up as a dinosaur! 🦕 🦖 What a DINO-mite start to our Fun Friday!
AND...5th Graders were honored to host Whitebull of the Nez Perce tribe today. He told stories, sang songs and discussed the history of the tribe. Students were excited to spend the morning with the storyteller featured in our Wit and Wisdom lessons for Module 1!
From West Pender Middle - 7th grade students in Ms. Cliffe's ELA classes are hard at work drafting their first literary analysis essays! They’re connecting ‘What Is a Community and Why It’s Important? ’ with ‘The War of the Wall’ to explore what community and belonging really mean. 💪📝
AND...From math to models! 🧮 8th grade students in Mr. Greenleaf's math class used transformations like dilations and rotations to design and build their own birdhouses.
From North Topsail Elementary - WOW! How much fun was the NTE PTA Fall Festival? Thank you to all our Dolphin family and friends for making this Fall Festival one of the best!! 🐬👻🎃
From Cape Fear Elementary - Fourth grade had an amazing adventure exploring North Carolina’s history at Tryon Palace!
AND...Huge thanks to our incredible teachers and staff for making this year’s Fall Festival such a success! Thank you to our PTO and families for their support. Everyone had a fantastic time!!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - 🐮🚜 First Grade Fun at the Farm! 🌾🐷
Our first graders had an amazing day at Hubbs Farm today! They learned all about farm life — from animals to crops — and got to see firsthand how a farm works. 🌻🐰 Just look at those smiling faces and all the excitement from our little learners! 🦅💛
AND...🎃 Pumpkins are Popping Up Everywhere at MCE! 🧡Our hallways are bursting with creativity and fall spirit! 🍁 Just look at these amazing Eagle Pumpkins — each one as unique and full of personality as our students. 🦅✨We’re so proud of all the hard work, imagination, and school spirit shining through these festive creations! 💛
From Surf City Middle - 🎃 Pumpkin Decorating Contest Results Are In! 🎃
Congratulations to all our talented student artists who made this year’s 2025 Pumpkin Decorating Contest a huge success! 🧡✨ 🏆 1st Place: Dahlia Kuchta — Coraline: Split Worlds 🥈 2nd Place: Harper Henry — Life of a Spa Girl 🥉 3rd Place: Stella Santos — Musical Soul 🗳️ People’s Choice: Maddilyn Christmas — Scoop of Strawberry Delight 🎨 Best Traditional: Maddison Ingel — Mouseketeer 💡 Most Creative: Julia Leasialagi — Harry Potter 🐭 Most Adorable: Zoe Fisher — Sweater Weather 😱 Scariest Pumpkin: Kaia Hart — The Scream. We’re so proud of every student who participated and showed off their creativity this spooky season! 👏🕸️
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - The otters have left the building!!! Fort Fisher Aquarium ... we are on the way!!
🔥 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
Credits:
Created with images by anoushkatoronto - "Trick or trunk. Happy baby in unicorn costume celebrating Halloween in trunk of car. Cute smiling toddler preparing for October holiday outdoors. Social distance and safe alternative celebration." • zef art - "Horror view of Halloween pumpkin with scary smiling face. Head jack lantern with spooky building" • banphote - "Halloween concept; Forest horror background with scary cemetery and full moon in the night sky." • bodnarphoto - "Cozy Halloween decorations with a fireplace and festive attributes. Photozone for Halloween. Background" • chinnarach - "black silhouette group of halloween icon such as pumpkin,tree,crucifix,spider,bat hagning from spiderweb on retro cement wall background for night party design concept concept" • lukbar - "Halloween grunge background" • zef art - "Spooky dark landscape showing silhouettes of trees in the swamp on misty night. Night mysterious landscape in cold tones - silhouettes of the bare tree branches against the full moon" • carballo - "background and concept of halloween"