WE'RE BACK!!
📢It's that time again – PCS News is back in action! 📰 We've got more stories than a middle school hallway and just as much excitement. 🎉 Every Friday, we'll drop the latest news and give you a sneak peek at what's around the corner (because, spoiler: there's always something). Whether you're in the classroom, the front office, or driving the bus, we're all in this together – #OnePender strong! 💪 So, buckle up for another year of learning, growing, and probably a lot of coffee. ☕📚
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS CELEBRATE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND GROWTH
🎉 We’re celebrating some serious academic wins, as highlighted in the latest reports from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. 📊 From elementary classrooms to high school halls, the data shows promising trends and successes that make our #OnePender family proud. 🙌 You can read the full story HERE
LAURA SCHLEGEL TABBED AS PCS BEGINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR
We are thrilled to announce that Laura Schlegel, a second-year CTE teacher at Topsail Middle School, has been named Pender County Schools' Beginning Teacher of the Year! 🏆Laura teaches Family and Consumer Sciences to students in grades 6-8, organizing her program to help students grow and learn valuable life skills throughout their middle school years. From designing a school store where students create T-shirts and apparel to covering a wide range of topics in her curriculum, Laura is dedicated to providing hands-on, engaging experiences. Her teaching philosophy centers on empowering students to take charge of their own learning, fostering inquiry and active engagement in everything they do. 🌟 We are excited to have Laura represent Pender County Schools and can't wait to see all she and her students accomplish! 🎓 #OnePender
JASON SPIVEY SWORN IN TO PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 4
On September 10, 2024, Jason Spivey was officially sworn in to the Pender County Schools Board of Education, filling the vacant District 4 seat. Appointed by the Pender County Republican Party, Spivey brings with him 15 years of law enforcement experience, a background in public communication, and a strong commitment to serving the community. As the Mayor of Atkinson and a dedicated public servant, Spivey will serve through 2026, succeeding Ken Smith. His leadership and problem-solving skills will be valuable assets in supporting public education across our district. #OnePender
MIRANDA WELLS NAMED FINALIST FOR NCCAT 2024 CTE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
🎉 We’re thrilled to share that Miranda Wells from Topsail High School is a finalist for the NCCAT 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina CTE Teacher of the Year Award. 🏆 Her commitment to student success and career readiness has earned her this well-deserved recognition. Way to go, Miranda! 👏🌟See her story HERE
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS JOINS NC STATE TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Pender County Schools is partnering with NC State’s “Building a New Digital Economy” (BAND-NC) program to address the digital divide. This initiative aims to ensure all students and community members have access to internet, devices, and digital skills. Through a community survey and collaboration, the goal is to create a tailored digital inclusion plan for our county. Help us shape a more digitally equitable future by participating in the survey! Take the survey HERE
PCS ACHIEVES PROJECT ADAM HEART SAFE STATUS ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS
💙💛Pender County Schools is proud to announce that all 19 schools have achieved the prestigious Project ADAM Heart Safe designation, making us the second district in North Carolina to earn this recognition. 🏅 This milestone highlights our strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our entire school community. Read more about this achievement HERE.
FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE IS IN FULL SWING
🏈🏐 As the leaves change and the weather cools, our teams are heating up with exciting games and competitions across the district. From thrilling football matches to intense volleyball tournaments, there’s plenty of action to look forward to. Be sure to catch the games and cheer on our student-athletes as they show their #OnePender spirit on the field and court! 🎉📣
Congratulations to our (Penderlea) football team on their impressive 35-0 victory last night! 🎉🏈 The team’s hard work and dedication throughout the pre-season were evident in their performance. Also, a special thanks to our amazing cheerleaders for their incredible support throughout the game. Your energy and enthusiasm were contagious! #FeeltheSting #OnePender #WestsideRising
Here are a few highlights from our first football game of the school this past Wednesday. The football team will be traveling to TMS on Wednesday, September 18th. Come out and support our Grizzlies. #letsgogrizzlies
Burgaw Middle School’s new athletic uniforms are here and they’re blazing hot! 🔥 With a fresh look for our Red Devils, the updated gear is sure to ignite school spirit and bring extra energy to every game. Go Red Devils! 🏀🏈
FLAG DUTY VOLUNTEERS MEET THE MARINES AT BMS
Some of America's finest paid BMS a visit to train our newly selected Flag Duty Student volunteers. These Marines from HDQTR and Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, taught the students how to properly raise, lower and fold the American and NC state flags. They even joined our school news broadcast! OOH-RAH and THANK YOU Marines!
EMILY TINDAL, 4TH GRADE TEACHER AT C.F. POPE ELEMENTARY, SELECTED AS FINALIST
Ms. Emily Tindal is a 4th grade ELA and Social Studies teacher at C.F. Pope Elementary. She was selected as her school's Beginning Teacher of Promise for the 2024-2025 school year. Last week it was announced that Ms. Tindal had been selected as a semi-finalist for the Pender County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year. After an intense interview process, we are proud to announce that Ms. Tindal has moved on to the top 3 finalists!
Ms. Moore, the school's principal, stated "Ms. Tindal is a passionate teacher with a charismatic personality that transcends throughout C.F. Pope Elementary. While she is s beginning teacher, you would not be able to tell walking into her classroom. Ms. Tindal empowers her students and holds them to a standard of excellence." Congratulations, Ms. Tindal!
WPMS TEACHERS NAMED 2023-2024 EDUCATORS OF EXCELLENCE
A big congratulations to two of our amazing WPMS teachers, Cassidy Miller and Angel Nelson, who have been named 2023-2024 Educators of Excellence! This prestigious award recognizes Beta Sponsors who are dedicated to expanding their Beta Clubs, engaging all eligible grade levels, participating in National Beta events, and committing to service within their clubs. It is the highest honor a National Beta sponsor can receive, with only 257 out of over 20,000 sponsors earning this distinction this year. These honorees come from just 87 of over 14,000 clubs across the U.S. and beyond. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishment!
SGA is BACK!
This year will be the first time in a while that Pender High School will have a Student Government Association. History teachers Ms. Barnhill and Ms. Evans are leading the charge to revamp this vital organization, aiming to spark student enthusiasm and empower them to shape their school community. Following student sign-ups and interest meetings over the past two weeks, we’re now launching into a week of dynamic campaigning to elect our new class officers. Ms. Barnhill's passion for history and government in action has fueled this revival, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact the SGA will have this year!
SHOUT IT OUT!!
Congratulations Stingrays, WE EXCEEDED Growth based on the 23-24 NC EOG assessments. We also improved from a 76 to 77 (B) school grade. We have big academic plans for this school year and cannot wait to see how awesome our students do at the end of the school year!
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
Our automotive program at Pender High School is on day 3 of class and are already learning to do oil changes. Amazing engagement and hands on learning happening today in Pender County Schools CTE!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Our Grandparent's Day celebration continued today with our 2nd and 3rd graders enjoying a special breakfast with their grandparents.
AND...First graders have been busy this week exploring new books and enjoy sharing their “notice” and “wonders” with their peers. #OnePender
From Topsail High - THS Carpentry 1 students spent an amazing day in Burgaw, putting their skills to work on a Habitat for Humanity home! They laid sod, planted shrubs, installed starter strips, and added soffit—making a real difference in the community. Huge shoutout to the Army for stepping in as chaperones and treating our students to lunch! It's so inspiring to see our students using what they've learned to give back. #EnrolledEnlistedEmployed #OnePender
From Penderlea School - Jason from Cripple Creek Corner Dance Studio was a tap-tastic guest in our Kindergarten classes! The students loved learning new steps and hearing his stories about dancing, inspired by the book "Rap a Tap Tap" from their Wit and Wisdom lessons. Thank you, Jason, for bringing the story to life! #PenderleaIsThePlaceToBe #OnePender #WestsideRising #ExperienceTheExcellence
From Heide Trask High School - You've heard of Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Now check out our Titan artists who are leaving their own great impressions in our student parking lot! Make your mark, Titans!
From South Topsail Elementary - It was wonderful seeing so many Stingray Grandmas and Stingray Grandpas this morning for a special breakfast 🍩
From Surf City Elementary - Grandparents Day breakfast for our 3rd through 5th graders was a hit. A big THANK YOU to our cafeteria staff for offering this and creating a great morning for our families.
AND...Our 5th graders got to participate in the annual 9/11 Bridge Walk in remembrance of the heroes of September 11th. While other students stood for a moment of silence followed by creating thank you cards for local firefighters to reflect on a day that changed history. 📜
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Our second morning of grandparents day was a huge success! We had many smiling faces and our students really enjoyed showing off their school!
AND...1st graders are currently into their first Wit and Wisdom unit "A World of Books". Mrs. Carlisle is bringing this connection into art class and they are learning how to make their own Biblioburros using different shapes and textures. We are excited to see them making connections across their classes.
From Surf City Middle - Ms. Muffett’s 6th grade social studies classes learned about movement of goods. Documenting different household products and their place or origins.
From C.F. Pope Elementary - PANTHERS ON THE PROWL #PROUDPANTHERS #OnePender #ExcellenceistheStandard #WesideRising #panthernation
From Pender Early College High - Future Gardeners of America 🇺🇸 Garden Club is one of the many clubs at PECHS as students start planting for their fall harvest. #🤠🍁🌱 #PECHSclubs
From Pender High - Great day today at PHS! Congratulations Juniors on your ring ceremony this morning! You all looked amazing as you made another step towards your senior year and graduation.
From Cape Fear Middle - We put up banners with our students high school graduation years on them. We want them to think about their future and start setting goals to be successful. Each student signed their banner. When they come back for their senior walk, they will be able to see their banner. #HOMEoftheGrizzlies
🌟 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
Please join us in celebrating Start with Hello Week September 16-20! This is a week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth!
Calling all parents and stakeholders! We would like to invite you to the monthly School Improvement Team meeting so that we can hear your voice as we work towards our school's goals. This month's meeting is Wednesday, September 18, from 2:45-4:00pm. #OnePender
Come join the first annual PECHS House Opening Ceremony Friday September 27th. 12:45 - House procession around the Burgaw Courthouse. 1:30 - 3:15 House Field Day Competitions on the PECHS Campus. Families are welcome to come watch and support their child's house!
🔥 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 - More drivers on the way amid Pender County Schools bus driver shortage
WECT - Jason Spivey sworn in to Pender County School Board of Education
WWAY - Pender County Board of Education gets update about ongoing bus driver shortage
WWAY - Topsail High School places cap on homecoming dance attendance
SPECTRUM NEWS - Devoted driver dismissed: Pender County Schools bus driver fired despite shortage
PORT CITY DAILY - Community slams PCS on Coach June London firing amid driver shortage