🎃CTOBER, HELLO!
Fall is in the air, and our schools are buzzing with excitement! From football games under the lights ����, to creative classroom projects ✏️🎨, to special events celebrating our students and staff 🌟—there’s so much to share this month. October is also packed with awareness weeks that highlight the importance of mental health 💚, kindness 💙, and making safe choices ❤️.
As the leaves change 🍁 and the days get cooler, we invite you to dive into this month’s stories and see the incredible things happening across Pender County Schools. Grab your favorite fall snack 🍎☕ and enjoy catching up on all the celebrations, achievements, and opportunities ahead!
OCTOBER IS MONTH OF AWARENESS
October is Pender County Schools’ Month of Awareness, a time to shine a light on important topics that impact our students, families, and community. Each week this month, our schools will focus on a different theme—Mental Health Awareness Week (October 6–11), Special Needs Awareness Week (October 13–17), Bullying Prevention Week (October 20–24), and Red Ribbon Week (October 27–31). These observances provide meaningful opportunities for students to learn, reflect, and take action together.
By highlighting these themes, we’re encouraging conversations, building understanding, and promoting positive choices across all grade levels. Whether it’s learning strategies to support mental well-being 💚, celebrating the strengths of students with special needs 💙, standing united against bullying 💛, or pledging to live drug-free ❤️, PCS is committed to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive schools for every student. Together, we can make this month a powerful reminder that awareness leads to action and lasting change.
PCS LAUNCHES MILLION MINUTE READING CHALLENGE 📚
Pender County Schools is launching the Million Minute Reading Challenge, encouraging students and families to log one million minutes of reading outside of school this year. From bedtime stories to reading on the go, every minute counts toward the goal. Families can record their minutes online through their school’s link, with weekly leaderboard updates to track progress together.
PENDER COUNTY ART EDUCATORS HONORED WITH STATEWIDE AWARDS 🎨
Two Pender County Schools art educators are being recognized at the state level for their outstanding contributions to visual arts education. Caitlyn Bachman, Visual Arts Educator at Topsail High School, has been named the NCAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year, while Lily Buckley, Visual Arts Educator at Heide Trask High School, has been named the NCAEA Preservice Art Educator of the Year. Both will be honored during the NCAEA Annual Professional Development Conference in Asheboro, October 10–12. These prestigious awards highlight the dedication and excellence of educators who inspire creativity and learning through the arts. Read more about their achievements here.
ROCKY POINT FIRST GRADERS DISCOVER THE FUN IN NUMBER PARTNERS
Our Rocky Point Elementary first graders have been hard at work exploring number partners for 6 through 10. Using hands-on tools like counters, students discovered the many ways numbers can be combined, strengthening their addition skills and deepening their understanding of how numbers work together. Most importantly, they’re learning that math can be fun—building confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for future success. Read more about their math journey here.
BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS WITH MATH FACTS
Strong math skills start with mastering the basics. Math facts—simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—are the building blocks for everything students will learn later on. When children know these facts quickly and correctly, they solve problems faster, feel more confident, and perform better in school. Families can make a big difference too—whether it’s using flashcards, playing games, or practicing a few minutes a day during everyday activities. Together, schools and families can help students build confidence and success in math. Read more to discover fun ways you can support math learning at home.
CELEBRATING MUSIC AND COMMUNITY ACROSS PCS 🎶
All three Pender County high schools took the field to perform their halftime shows in a special non-adjudicated event, showcasing the hard work and creativity of our student musicians. Each band brought its own unique energy and style, giving families and community members a chance to enjoy the talent of our high school programs in one memorable evening. Adding to the excitement, middle school band students joined in by playing pep tunes from the bleachers, showing that the next generation of musicians is ready to carry the tradition forward.
The evening began on a patriotic note as Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove conducted the national anthem, setting the tone for a night filled with pride and unity. From the first note to the last, the event was a true celebration of music across all levels of Pender County Schools. It was more than just a performance—it was a reflection of community spirit, student dedication, and the powerful role the arts play in bringing people together.
🍎SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS🍕
You can find school lunch menus for each grade level by following THIS LINK
WEEKLY SCHEDULES
SHARKS STUN CAPE FEAR WITH WIN ON 8TH GRADE NIGHT
The Surf City Sharks pulled off an incredible 20-6 win last night against the previously undefeated Cape Fear Middle School—the same team they lost to in their season opener, making this victory even sweeter! It was a night to remember, especially as it was 8th Grade Recognition Night, a special event to celebrate the hard work and leadership of our amazing 8th grade players.
Colby Roberts had a great performance with two touchdowns, while Robo De’Leon added 1 more touchdown to the scoreboard. The defense played tough all night, with big plays across the board, highlighted by Roman Harris’s clutch fumble recovery that gave the Sharks another key possession.
It was a true team effort, fueled by the support of our amazing fans!
The Sharks came out with intensity, focus, and determination, proving just how far they’ve come since that first game. . What a night for the Sharks — way to bounce back and finish strong!
Way to go, Sharks!
From Surf City Middle - Chocolate Chip Cookie Archaeology! Ms. Muffett’s class exploring what it’s like to be archaeologists.
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - Today the Coastal Pender Rotary donated dictionaries to all of our 3rd graders students. We are so grateful to have them support this yearly initiative.
From Rocky Point Elementary - Our 4th graders have been hard at work in Wit & Wisdom! They have been studying about the difference between literal and figurative writing by comparing how our heart works to how our heart can be used descriptively in literature. They've also started studying poetry and wrote their own poems in the style of William Carlos Williams. #OnePender
From West Pender Middle - Coach King’s 8th grade Health class tackled a Build-a-Meal Challenge, calculating nutrition facts to see if their plates were balanced! 🥗🍟🍨
From North Topsail Elementary - Thank you Mrs. Kohler and Mrs. Ware for organizing our lost and found! Are you missing any clothing, water bottles or lunch boxes from your house? Be sure to check out our lost and found! Items will be donated or discarded at the end of the quarter!
From Cape Fear Middle - 🧹✨ Happy National Custodian's Day! ✨🧹 Today we celebrate the incredible custodial team who keeps our school shining bright every single day! To our amazing custodians: Thank you for creating clean, safe, and welcoming spaces where our students can learn and grow. You arrive early, stay late, and handle every challenge with a smile. You're not just keeping our building clean—you're caring for our community. We see you, we appreciate you, and we're so grateful for everything you do! 💙
From Burgaw Middle - Happy National Custodians Day to our amazing crew at BMS!! You are the best!! 💖
From Malpass Corner Elementary - 🌟 Today We Celebrate Our Awesome HES Custodians! 🌟They work hard every day to keep our school safe, clean, and looking its best. Thank you, Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Rachel, Mr. Walter, and Mr. Ellis — we love and appreciate you more than words can say! 💛🧹✨
AND...✨ Our 1st graders are all smiles and full of excitement as they learn, grow, and explore new things each day! 🌟📚 Their curiosity and joy make our classrooms shine bright! 💛
From Topsail Middle - Seventh grade students dive into learning about how bias can change a narrative while learning about Protestant Reformation. Students used Martin Luther's example and "nailed" their thesis/concerns on Dr. Mac's office door for him to review.
From Cape Fear Elementary - Our 5th graders had an unforgettable field trip today! 🎣🦑🐚 From fishing to squid dissections to a shell scavenger hunt, it was a day full of hands-on learning and adventure!
AND...Mrs. Johnson’s class completed their take home projects this week & shared their favorite items that describe what they love and enjoy to do! We are still working hard at building our classroom community!
From Pender High - This past Tuesday, the PHS Drama Club presented Live At Pender, which was a Saturday Night Live spin off. The theme was a tribute to the faculty. At least 10 faculty members were portrayed. It was a time to laugh and relax.
From Pender Early College - PECHS students tutoring Burgaw Middle School Students
From C.F. Pope Elementary - 🧽🧹HAPPY CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION DAY 2025!!! Thank you to our amazing Custodial Staff for helping keep our school running each day! Without their hard work and dedication, we would be in a mess!!! Thank you Custodial Staff, we love you and appreciate you EVERY DAY!!!🧹🧽
From Heide Trask High - October 2 is known as National Custodian Day, so we just wanted to take a moment to thank ALL of our HTHS janitors! Because of your hard work, Titantown is a happy, clean, and safe place to learn for our students and staff!
From Surf City Elementary - The Master Gardeners did their first lesson with first grade today on soil. Next month they will be bringing worms into the classroom to teach us about how they help the soil.
AND...PreK had a special parent visitor today! NCIS Special Agent Sal came to talk to the classes today about his job responsibilities and how he helps to keep our community safe. He gave our preschoolers an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how they can help to stay safe and make safe choices, such as not answering the door at home for strangers, etc.
🔥 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 offers incentives amid bus driver shortage
WWAY - Pender County Board of Education approves new incentives for bus drivers
PORT CITY DAILY - Bus driver incentives offered at Pender schools, contractor flexibility pushed
STARNEWS - Here are the top performing schools in the Wilmington area, according to state data
STARNEWS - These Wilmington-area schools are considered low performing, according to state data
Credits:
Created with images by vvvita - "Little siamese kitten walking outdoor on the fallen leaves in the autumn garden" • STOATPHOTO - "Whats New.,Communication, business and knowledge concept.,Wooden table" • Thomas - "Green metal lockers along a nondescript hallway in a typical US High School. No identifiable information included and nobody in the hall. " • neirfy - "Pile of vintage books with open one on wooden shelf in library" • ARAMYAN - "brushes on color picture background" • yanadjan - "The child decides grunts on the asphalt.,Selective focus." • charles taylor - "random post it stickers" • photocrew - "Nachrichten" • NaMong Productions - "hand holding smart phone with application icons interface and globe networking system. concept technology social network communication."