ENOUGH ALREADYโ
Winter gave us a rare *white-out* a couple of weeks ago, and now weโre practically in shorts and flip-flops at some point during the week. ๐จ๏ธโก๏ธโ๏ธ Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks of winter, but here in Pender County, that could mean frost in the morning and a beach day by the afternoon. ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐ก๏ธ
Whatever the weather decides to do next, one thingโs for sureโweโre back in action and ready to roll! Here's a look at all things PCS from the week in the rearview to ones ahead of us! ๐ #OnePender
๐ฏ DAYS SMARTER! ๐๐ต๐ด
Somehow, weโve already hit the 100th day of school, and our students really understood the assignment! ๐ซ๐ก Across the district, we saw tiny grandmas with curlers, pint-sized grandpas with suspenders, and more canes than a retirement home bingo night! ๐๐ฉ
The 100th day is a big milestone in educationโitโs a time to celebrate how much our students have learned and grown (even if some of them aged a little too fast for our liking! ๐). Check out these fantastic snapshots from across PCS, and hereโs to finishing the rest of the year just as strong! ๐ #OnePender
WHAT A BATTLE!!๐
Todayโs Elementary School Battle of the Books at Rocky Point Elementary was one for the record books! For the first time ever (at least as far as anyone in attendance could recall), the competition ended in a tie for first place after regulation. This led to an intense overtime round between Cape Fear Elementary and South Topsail Elementary, with South Topsail Elementary emerging as the champion! ๐๐
A huge congratulations to Cape Fear Elementary for their incredible performance and to Surf City Elementary for securing third place! ๐๐ These students put their reading skills to the test, showcasing their hard work and love of literature. Way to go, readers! ๐โจ #OnePender
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6pm. The meeting will be held at the Dr. Katherine Herring Resource Center in Burgaw. For those who cannot attend, the meeting will be streamed live via the Pender County Schools YouTube channel.
๐ฆ FLU SEASON TIPS FROM THE PENDER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT๐
Flu season is here, and we want to keep our schools healthy! If your child is showing flu symptoms, please keep them home to prevent the spread of illness. If they have a fever greater than 100.4ยฐF, they should remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. ๐ซ๐ค
Here are some signs to watch for:
Vomiting ๐คข
Diarrhea ๐ง
Chills โ๏ธ
Fatigue or muscle aches ๐ช
Wet cough or nasal congestion ๐คง
Prevention is key! Encourage your children to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid close contact with sick individuals. ๐ฆ๐งผ
To help protect everyone, the Health Department also recommends getting the flu vaccine for both adults and children. ๐ For more information, visit CDC's flu page or call 910-259-1230.
๐๐ฐ BIG NEWS FOR PCS BUS DRIVERS! ๐๐
Pender County Schools is rolling out major improvements for its bus drivers, thanks to support from the Pender County Board of Commissioners! ๐๐ From pay raises (bumping starting wages to $17.75/hr) to enhanced safety with a $400,000 radio system upgrade, these changes are making a real impact. ๐ฆ๐ก
Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove calls it โa significant step forward,โ recognizing the hard work of drivers who keep our students safe every day. Want to know more about how these upgrades will benefit PCS? Read on! ๐โก๏ธ #OnePender
๐ง๐ FEBRUARY IS CTE MONTH! ๐๐ป
All month long, weโre celebrating Career & Technical Education (CTE) and the incredible people who make this program shine in Pender County Schools! ๐๐ซ From future engineers to culinary masters, CTE is shaping the workforce of tomorrow, and Director Dominique Bates is spotlighting the dedicated teachers, students, and programs that bring it all to life. ๐ฉโ๐ญ๐จโ๐ณ๐ก
Stay tuned as we showcase the hands-on learning, real-world skills, and career pathways that make CTE such a game-changer for our students! Donโt miss it! ๐โก๏ธ #CTEMonth #OnePender
WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULE
OLD SCHOOL HOOPS
Join us for a nostalgic trip down memory lane! We will be hosting a Throwback Alumni Night at the old Penderlea School gymnasium on Friday, February 28th! There will be an Alumni cheer squad and basketball team! Please contact Mrs. Umphress if you are interested! (ashley_umphress@pender.k12.nc.us)
๐๐ PHS BETA CLUB SHINES AT STATE CONVENTION! ๐ญ๐
This past weekend, 43 Pender High Beta Club members took Greensboro by storm at the State Beta Convention, competing in academics, visual arts, and team events. ๐ก๐จ In over 37 categories, they racked up an impressive 26 top 5 finishes, earning invitations to the National Convention in Kissimmee, Florida! ๐ด๐
For thesecond year in a row, a PHS Beta student has been selected as a Premier Performer, meaning theyโll take center stage at all opening events at Nationals! ๐๐ค We couldnโt be prouder of these talented students and their dedication to excellence! Way to go, Patriots! ๐๐ #OnePender
๐ West Pender Middle Beta Club Shines at NC Junior Beta Convention! ๐จ๐ค๐
West Pender Middle Schoolโs Beta Club proudly showcased their skills at the North Carolina Junior Beta Convention, competing in events like engineering, robotics, art, and academicsโand bringing home top awards! ๐ Students also took part in a state service project and connected with Betas from across the state. Plus, two dedicated sponsors received a prestigious honor! ๐
๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ Read more about their achievements and unforgettable experience! โฌ๏ธ
๐งโ๐ฌ๐ PLE's THIRD GRADERS GET BUZZING WITH SCIENCE!๐ฑ๐ฌ
Third graders at Penderlea School are having a blast exploring the world of science! Using the Carolina Science curriculum from Smithsonian, theyโre diving into motion patterns and investigating the question, "Which materials are attracted to a magnet?โ ๐งฒ๐ Through hands-on experiments, theyโve identified which metals magnets attract, learning all about magnetic forces.
But thatโs not all! These curious minds are also working with the Pender County Master Gardeners to explore plant structures, composting, and even growing potatoes! ๐ฅ๐ฟ Theyโre discovering how environmental factors impact plant growth and will soon get the chance to speak with a local beekeeper! ๐
By engaging in these experiments, Penderleaโs third graders are building critical thinking skills that will serve them well in science and beyond. The futureโs looking bright! ๐ #OnePender
โจ๐SECOND GRADE RAMS SHINE BRIGHT! โจ๐ถ
This week, Rocky Point Elementary Second Grade Rams have been diving deep into history as they learn about civil rights hero Ruby Bridges through Wit and Wisdom. After reading about Rubyโs brave journey at just six years old, the students reflected on her experiences by writing from her perspective. โ๏ธ๐ญ
They also sang along to the powerful tune, โThis Little Light of Mine,โ paying special attention to the lyrics and why the repeated words matter. ๐ค๐ถ The classroom was filled with their voices, shining as bright as Rubyโs courage. Rocky Point students are definitely shining their lights every day! ๐ก #OnePender
๐ถ๐ฅ TOPSAIL BAND TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT! ๐๐ญ
Winterguard made history this past weekend at the Atlantic Indoor Associationโs first competition of the season, competing in Scholastic A3 for the first time ever and bringing home 1st place! ๐๐ Big thanks to Dr. Sasscer for chaperoning and supporting the team. ๐
Meanwhile, Topsail High School band members shined at the All-District clinic at East Carolina University from January 30 to February 1. Despite the busy schedule, our students made up 10% of the participants, with 19 students representing THS! ๐ถ๐ Only one school had more, but weโre proud to say our Rams were a force to be reckoned with! #OnePender
From Pender High - Thank you Mr. Jackson and our carpentry students for the new picnic tables!
From Burgaw Middle - Sixth grade students presenting Choice Board Informative Projects! They took on the role of journalist ๐ฐ to learn more about vocational fields in the English world!
AND...Students participated in a marine dig kit activity today and discussed critical thinking questions during their digging about environmental issues!!!!! We are finishing up our Unit 4 Ocean research unit soon and I wanted to engage students with some fun tactile learning!
From Heide Trask High - Happy National School Counseling Week! We are so thankful for our School Counselors, Mrs. Yates and Mrs. Dennis. The daily support you provide to our students truly makes a difference and doesn't go unnoticed!
From Surf City Elementary - Our 4th graders got to spend a special day out in Wilmington today. A big thank you to the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College for hosting our students and to the NC Symphony for putting on a great educational concert for these young musicians. ๐ผ
AND...Our 3rd, 4th & 5th graders work hard each day to produce our student news. We're live each morning at 7:35 if you ever want to tune in, recordings are also posted afterwards. Check us out hereย ๐๏ธ๐๏ธ๐ฅ
From North Topsail Elementary - DARE to make a difference! Our dedicated DARE deputies are engaging with our 5th graders, empowering them to make smart choices every day!
From Pender Early College - Pictures from last Saturday's first annual Winter Ball. Special thank you to our PTA for making this happen #๐ #๐บ๐๐ชฉ
From Topsail Middle - Last week was a blast for our 8th graders! They embarked on an amazing field trip to Raleigh, visiting The Science Museum, Freedom Park, and the Legislative Building. It was a fun-filled day of learning and exploration! ๐งช๐ณ๐๏ธ
AND...Weโre thrilled to have Dr. Breedlove visiting TMS today as part of his "Listen and Learn" tour! He kicked off his day on the student news and is now visiting classrooms to connect with our amazing students.
From Cape Fear Middle - Today was an exciting day for our 8th grade students. They went to Heide Trask High School to learn about all HTHS has to offer. They took tours and participated in information sessions to get ready for registration.
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - Here is another reason why we love our school counselor, Mr. Brooks!!! He LOVES to participate in all of the fun activities on campus. He incorporated MATH into his 100 day celebration gear and taught the BEST lesson on personal space today using hoopla hoops!!
From West Pender Middle - Our Beta Club students are off to the State Convention to compete, lead, and shine! Wishing them the best as they represent West Pender with pride!
From Penderlea School - Penderlea Junior Beta Club members traveled to Greensboro this week to compete in various categories against other Betas from across North Carolina. They demonstrated amazing work and great character throughout the event! This summer they will travel to the National Beta Convention in Orlando, FL to participate with other clubs from across the United States. Way to go Betas!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Our K-Kids Club is making a difference in our local community by creating dog toys and snuffle mats to donate to nearby animal shelters. ๐๐ถ
AND...Ms. Colemanโs class is working hard on writing their letter formations in the Fundations Curriculum!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Last year ... month ... hehehe ... students in Mrs. Boerigter's class were learning about dictionaries! These were a staple last millennium and with the internet and Google, have almost become obsolete. ๐
From South Topsail Elementary - We are so lucky to have Mrs. Rodgers supporting our Stingrays every day! She is a calm, trusting safe space for our school community and deserves to be celebrated! Thank you Mrs. Rodgers for all you do!
From Topsail High - ๐ Happy National School Counseling Week! ๐๐ This week, we celebrate and appreciate our amazing school counselors who go above and beyond for our students every day! We are so fortunate to have Ms. Ward, Mr. Buchanan, Mrs. McGee, and Mrs. Sheats, who work tirelessly to build schedules, guide students toward future career and college goals, and provide support through both the highs and lows. A special shoutout to Mr. Henry, our Student Support Coordinator, for his dedication to assisting students with attendance, educational support, and always being there to listen. Thank you all for the impact you make on our studentsโ lives! ๐๐
๐ Pender County Schools is seeking dedicated educators to join our team! โ๏ธ 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 ๐ APPLY HERE
๐Join the team at Pender County Schools as a valued school bus driver! ๐ Experience the pride of safely transporting students to and from school while playing a vital role in their educational journey. ๐ With competitive pay and the opportunity to make a positive impact on young lives, driving with us is more than just a jobโit's a rewarding experience! - APPLY HERE
Join our team! We're searching for a dedicated 3rd Grade ELA teacher who is ready to inspire and engage our young learners!!
Dear Sea Turtle Families, Next week (FEB 10-14) is Love the Bus Week, and we want to take this opportunity to show our appreciation for the amazing bus drivers who safely transport our children every day! To make them feel extra special, we have a few suggestions on how your family can participate. Please read the flyer for details. Thank you for your continued support of Surf City Elementary!
Please join us for our annual STEAM Night on Thursday, February 13th from 4pm - 6pm! Bring the whole family for an exciting evening filled with STEAM events and a yummy snack! We look forward to seeing you there!
๐ฎ PRESS START: The Literati Book Fair is coming soon! ๐โจ
Join us for a Story Arcade from 2/10-2/13! ๐น๏ธ๐ Or shop online now ๐๏ธ (Psssst...weโre earning 5x the rewards from online sales until the fair! ๐ฅ) Every purchase benefits our school, so letโs make it an epic event! GLHF (Good Luck, Have Fun)! ๐ฎ๐
Family Hours: Tues 2/11 from 3:15-5:15 PM ๐โจ (Note: Please wait until carline is finished to enter the parking lot, and the building will open at 3:15! ๐๐ถโโ๏ธ) Thurs 2/13 during our Glow Bash from 5-6 PM ๐
Weโre also looking for volunteers to help run the fair! ๐ Volunteers get a 20% discount on purchases! ๐ธ Please Note - Volunteers must complete a background check, If youโd like to run a cash register, you must be a paid member of our PTA ๐
๐ Sign Up Geniusย | ๐ Background Check | ๐ PTA Membership
Letโs come together to make this a fantastic event for our school community! ๐
8th grade Open House is coming soon!
HELP SUPPORT THE TITANS!! It's that time of the year again! HTHS Annual BBQ Plate Fundraiser. Don't pack your lunch! Sign up and pay for your plate here!
We will add some of Mama Lou's famous BBQ sauce to enjoy with your BBQ for our Trask family!
The day is here! You can now sign up for our Surf City Elementary Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $60,000 for SCE. Signing up is easy and free on MYBOOSTER.COM ๏ธ
Key Dates to Remember: Fundraiser Kickoff in school โ 02/11/2025 | Event Day โ 02/21/2025
Capture the memories of the 2024-25 school year with the Surf City Elementary Yearbook! Order online at www.strawbridge.net using code YB29984. Get yours for $25 before 2/1 or $30 before 4/15โdonโt miss out!
Topsail High School Band is hosting our 6th Annual Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday, March 22nd, from 10am - 4pm. Please forward this coupon flyer to family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone else you can think of. We need your help to find just one person who is already planning on buying a mattress and get them to come to the event. Watch this video to see how it works. Many faculty and community members have purchased mattresses from us in the past. More information can be found here: FB EVENT LINK
๐ฅ 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! ๐ ๏ธ๐ฉโ๐ฌ๐จโ๐ Click HERE for the latest from CTE Director Dominique Bates #CTEforNC #ExperienceTheExcellence
PENDER-TOPSAIL POST & VOICE - Front Page
WECT - Pender County approves funding request for bus driver safety
WECT - Bus driver responds to pay raise in Pender County
WECT - Pender County Commissioner Ken Smith to resign
WWAYย - Pender County Schools boosts bus driver pay
WWAY - Pender County Schools to increase bus driver pay, upgrade bus radios
WHQR - Pender County commissioners earmark $1.3 million for PCS laptops and bus program
PORT CITY DAILY - Commissioners approve $1.3M boost for bus drivers, radios in Pender County Schools
Credits:
Created with images by J.A. - "groundhog is watching you" โข Prostock-studio - "Sick Child. Caring Father Measuring Temperature Of His Daughter" โข Sebastian Duda - "Sports balls with equipment" โข Andrii Zastrozhnov - "Address mailing of news by e-mail. Advertising message on red background."