As Mother’s Day approaches this Sunday, we want to take a moment to celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, guardians, and mother figures who help shape, support, and strengthen our students every day. Their love, encouragement, patience, and sacrifices are felt in countless ways — from the morning routines and homework help to the words of reassurance that carry children through challenges and successes alike. Our schools are stronger because of the families who stand beside our students, and this weekend is a special opportunity to honor those who give so much of themselves with quiet strength and unconditional care. To all of the mothers and mother figures in our community, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Mother’s Day.
teacher appreciation week - that's a wrap!
To our teachers: thank you for the moments that often go unseen. Thank you for the early mornings, the late-night planning, the thoughtful feedback, the extra encouragement, and the countless ways you help students feel welcomed and valued. Your influence lives in the confidence a student gains after finally understanding something difficult, in the kindness you model, and in the relationships you build day after day. You help students grow academically, socially, and personally. As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, please know how deeply you are appreciated. You are at the heart of our schools, and we are grateful for the care, strength, and dedication you bring to your classrooms every day.
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS HONORS EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS AT ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
Pender County Schools recognized several educators and school leaders during the annual Awards Banquet, held at Heide Trask High School. The event included the announcement of the district’s Teacher of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Assistant Principal of the Year. Caitlyn Bachman, an art teacher at Topsail High School, was named Pender County Schools Teacher of the Year. Bachman was recognized for her work with students and for the role she plays in supporting the arts at Topsail High School. You can read more about the awards celebration HERE
PENDER COUNTY SCHOOLS BUDGET PROPOSAL — MAY 11, 2026
On Monday, May 11, Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove will present Pender County Schools’ 2026–2027 budget proposal to the Pender County Board of Commissioners. The proposal reflects needs identified through the district’s budget process and focuses on supporting students, staff, schools, and daily operations. Key areas include maintaining current services, supporting staff recruitment and retention, addressing transportation needs, strengthening instructional and operational support, and continuing necessary facility and site improvements. Families, staff, and community members are encouraged to stay informed, attend or watch the meeting, and learn how school funding decisions impact students, classrooms, transportation, facilities, and school operations. Meeting details:
- Board of County Commissioners Budget Session
- Monday, May 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM
- 805 S. Walker St., Burgaw, NC, 28425
- Meeting Agenda
- Meeting Video Link
Congratulations to Surf City Middle School Principal Crystal Hall on becoming a graduate of the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association’s Distinguished Leadership in Practice program this week. The DLP program is a year-long leadership development experience for practicing principals, aligned to North Carolina School Executive standards and focused on strengthening school leadership through face-to-face sessions, online learning, and ongoing professional growth. This accomplishment reflects Principal Hall’s commitment to leading with purpose, continuing to grow in her practice, and serving the students, staff, and families of Surf City Middle School with excellence. We are proud to celebrate her dedication to leadership and learning, and we congratulate her on this well-earned achievement.
Guiding the Next Generation: Hannah Falk Named Pender County Schools Beginning Teacher Mentor of the Year
C.F. Pope Elementary is proud to celebrate 5th Grade Science Teacher, Hannah Falk, for being selected as the Pender County Schools Beginning Teacher Mentor of the Year. Known for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to supporting fellow educators, Mrs. Falk has made a lasting impact on beginning teachers at C.F. Pope Elementary. As part of the selection process, finalists submitted reflections highlighting their mentoring philosophy, instructional support, and the positive influence they have had on new teachers entering the profession. Beginning teachers also shared testimonials describing the guidance, encouragement, and meaningful support they received throughout the school year. Read more about Ms. Falk HERE
C.F. Pope PE Teacher Tina Croom Awarded 2026 NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom “Going Local” Grant
C.F. Pope Elementary School is celebrating exciting news as Physical Education teacher Tina Croom has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom “Going Local” Grant, a recognition that supports innovative, hands-on learning experiences that connect students to agriculture and local food systems. The grant, offered through the North Carolina Farm Bureau, is designed to help educators bring agriculture-based lessons to life in meaningful, engaging ways. Through this opportunity, Mrs. Croom will be able to expand learning experiences that encourage students to explore where their food comes from, understand the importance of farming in North Carolina, and make real-world connections between health, nutrition, and physical activity. Read more about the grant HERE
PECHS Celebrates Teacher of the Year
Pender Early College High School (PECHS) proudly celebrated its Teacher of the Year, Margo Melton. Selected by her peers, Melton earned this recognition for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to student success. Melton’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. When PECHS did not have a Health and Physical Education teacher, she stepped up and became certified to ensure students had access to these essential courses. “Margo went above and beyond by getting certified to teach Health and PE so we could offer those classes to our students,” said Daniel Sidor, principal of PECHS. Read more about Ms. Melton HERE
THE P.I.R.A.T.E WAY
Topsail High School’s PTSO and Student Council have partnered with our teachers and staff to recognize students who exemplify being EMPOWERED the P.I.R.A.T.E. Way. During the month of April, students were nominated for exemplifying the character trait of being Empowered, through confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. Those students take initiatives, embrace challenges, and inspire others to believe in their own abilities. They demonstrate leadership by using their voice, standing up for what is right, and encouraging those around them to grow and succeed. Their actions reflect a commitment to personal growth and a positive impact on both the school and the wider community. We are excited to share that your student has been selected to receive this special award—a certificate and gift card—from the PTSO: Harper Blanton, Oliver Boyce, Averi Fisher, Kya Oberkamp, and Trina Vreuls.
Congratulations to these students, along with the other 48 students who were recognized by their teachers.
Rams on the Rise: 5th Grade’s Final Adventures at Rocky Point
Our 5th graders have been making the most of their final year at Rocky Point, packing their days with meaningful experiences, laughter, and just a little bit of that “last-year magic.” From building connections to getting their hands dirty (in the best way), it’s been a season to remember. During Read Across America Week, our students partnered with their Kindergarten Buddy Classrooms for a heart-melting celebration of reading. Kindergartners showed up dressed as their favorite book characters, turning the hallways into a storybook come to life. Our 5th graders stepped into the role of reading mentors, carefully choosing books and sharing stories with their buddies. It was one of those moments where you could practically see confidence and kindness growing in real time. Read more about the Rams HERE
Fifth Grade's Final Modules!
Our students have been exploring the theme of breaking barriers through sports, engaging with powerful texts and real-life stories that highlight perseverance, courage, and social change. One of the anchor texts, We Are the Ship, has introduced students to the history of the Negro Leagues. Through this work, students have gained insight into the challenges African American baseball players faced during segregation and how their talent and determination helped reshape the sport. Students have also been learning about the Paralympic Games, discovering how athletes with disabilities compete at elite levels and challenge perceptions about ability. These lessons have sparked thoughtful discussions about inclusion, determination, and redefining limits. You can read more HERE
🍎SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS🍕
You can find school lunch menus for each grade level by following THIS LINK
Weekly Schedule
From Surf City Elementary - Ms. McCarty's students surprised the cafeteria team with notes and smiles today — gratitude never tasted so good! 🍎💛 Shoutout to our hardworking staff keeping kids fed and cared for.
AND...The kindness continues! Ms. Fields’ first grade class practiced reading aloud with confidence and fluency as they distributed and read their EOG letters of encouragement to Ms. Horne’s 5th grade class!
From Rocky Point Elementary - Our 21st Century students don't just sit and learn - they learn through play! Check out all of these amazing experiences students have had to explore the arts, fitness, STEAM activities, and more! Thank you, Ms. Batts, for all you do to provide these opportunities for our students!
From Burgaw Middle - Mr. Diehl's Art🎨 students had work featured at this year's Spring Fest! Awesome work, Red Devils!!
AND...We may have fallen a bit behind, but we still want to recognize these awesome Red Devils of the Month for the month of February and March!! We are so proud of you!😁
From Topsail High - Please join me in congratulating May's Pirates of the Month! These amazing teachers are doing amazing things each and every day! We appreciate all that they do to inspire connections to the classroom and beyond! Go Pirates!
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Today we are shining the spotlight on our amazing school nurse, Nurse Cathy! 💙🩺🦅Thank you for the countless ways you care for our Eagles each and every day. From bandaging bumps and bruises to offering comfort, kindness, and support, you help keep our school safe, healthy, and full of love. Your patience, compassion, and dedication never go unnoticed. MCE is so thankful for all that you do for our students, staff, and families. We appreciate you more than words can say! 💛
From North Topsail Elementary - Happy National Nurses Day, Nurse Holland!
From Pender Early College - Congrats to our PECHS CFCC graduates 🎓! We are so proud of you!
From C.F. Pope Elementary - We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our families who joined us for Transition Night! Your presence, engagement, and support made the evening such a success. It was wonderful to see students and families visiting classrooms, meeting teachers, and getting a glimpse of the exciting learning experiences ahead in the next grade level. These moments help build confidence, strengthen connections, and set our students up for a strong start to the new school year. We truly appreciate your partnership and commitment to your child’s education. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of this important event—we are grateful for our amazing school community! We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead! 💙📚✨
From Penderlea School - Did you know yesterday was School Nurse Appreciation Day? 💙 We’re so grateful for Nurse Brown — thank you for keeping our school healthy, calm, and cared for every single day. From comforting a sick child to managing immunizations and health plans, your work matters. 👩⚕️🏫 Please join us in saying THANK YOU to Nurse Brown!
AND...We are so proud of our talented 6th grade students, Marissa and Johany! Their artwork has been selected for the Superintendent’s Award and will represent Penderlea this Saturday at Spring Fest in Burgaw! We’re also happy to share that additional Penderlea student artwork will be on display at the Pender County Arts Council building starting May 2nd and continuing through next week. Come out to support our incredible arts students and take time to enjoy the amazing creativity and hard work they’ve shown all year. We hope to see you there!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Happy National Nurses Day, Nurse Shelley! Thank you for all you do to care for and support our students and staff each day!
AND...Congratulations to Alejandra for being selected as CFE’s Superintendent Award winner! Her framed artwork will be proudly displayed in the Superintendent’s Office for the 2026–2027 school year. We are so proud of you! 🎨👏
AND...5th grade students spent the last 3 days participating in the Reading Olympics to help prepare for the EOG! Students were broken up into 3 teams and played games using reading passages and vocabulary!
From South Topsail Elementary - They may not be “teachers” but we sure learn a lot from our social worker and SRO! They keep us safe and help us be our best.
AND..Sometimes teachers have to be out, and when they are substitute teachers are the superheroes! Thank you to all the subs who keep things going when our teachers are sick.
AND...Congratulations to the South Topsail Elementary's Chorus for an incredible performance at Springfest last weekend and at their school concert this past Monday. The students sang 6 choral pieces in 2 part harmony which included songs in Dutch and Hebrew and they had 18 soloists sing beautiful solos. Ms. Rodgers is very proud of all of the talented singers!
From Topsail Annandale Elementary - ✨ Hear ye, hear ye! ✨Our 1st graders have officially stepped into their fairy tale era as they celebrate their fairy tale unit at Cinderella’s Ball! 👑💙 From princes and princesses to knights and royalty, our students looked absolutely magical and had the best time dancing, celebrating, and bringing their favorite stories to life. What a wonderful way to make learning memorable and full of imagination! 🏰📚✨
From Surf City Middle - It was amazing night of the arts at Surf City Middle School. A big shout out the Mr. Judy, Mrs. Berdeau, and Mrs. Council for their dedication and continual hard work. You create an environment where all students are able to shine.
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - STOP THE PRESSES!!! The program for the 2026 PILA graduation just added another name!!! This otter has now met ALL graduation requirements!! To top it all off, this student is the recipient of the Superintendent's Art Award and will have artwork displayed at the Herring Resource Center for the next year. We could not be any prouder!!
AND...Today's much needed rain led to indoor recess. The elementary students played a fun game of the floor is lava!!
From Pender High - CONGRATULATIONS MS. BRADSHAW!!! Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) Educational Administration and Supervision Superintendent Concentration 🎉🙌
AND...Super excited for seniors and their future plans!
AND...a march around the Burgaw town square
From West Pender Middle - Amistad is RED-y for the EOGs! The house of Amistad hosted a tailgate for students to come and relax before test day! Thanks to all Amistad students and parents who showed up!
AND...West Pender Middle stopped by Malpass Corner Elementary to connect with 5th grade parents about the exciting transition to middle school! 🎓✨
From Cape Fear Middle - 📚 CFMS FREE BOOK FAIR 📚 📖 Over the past few days, our amazing history teachers have been bringing their students to the media center for our FREE Book Fair! Thanks to the dedication from Ms. Sova, who worked tirelessly throughout the school year to secure funding, we're able to put a free book into the hands of our Grizzlies! 🎉 🙏 A huge thank-you to our generous sponsors: 💙 Assistance League of Greater Wilmington 💙 Kiwanis of Burgaw ⏰ Monday is the last day with Ms. W's history classes — again, we are so thrilled to get a free book into the hands of our Grizzlies! And cannot wait to see what the future holds with this program. Thank you, Ms. Sova, for your incredible vision. You made this happen! 🐻❤️📚
AND...🐻 HAPPY SCHOOL NURSE DAY, GRIZZLIES! 🐻 Today we take a moment to celebrate two incredible people who keep our Grizzlies healthy, safe, and ready to learn every single day — Nurse Jill and Nurse Jamie! 🩺❤️ From bandaging boo-boos to lending a listening ear, these amazing women go above and beyond for every student who walks through their door. Cape Fear Middle School is so lucky to have you both! You are truly the heart of our school. 💙🩶 Thank you, Nurse Jill and Nurse Jamie, for your compassion, dedication, and endless care. We appreciate you more than words can say! 🙌
AND...launch day!
From Topsail Middle - The Coastal Pender Rotary Club recently recognized three Topsail Middle School students for their thoughtful essays on the meaning of Rotary’s 4-Way Test. Cecilia Hunt earned first place, Paige Els received second place, and Elisabeth Ferrell was awarded third place. In their essays, students reflected on the four guiding questions of the 4-Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The 4-Way Test has served as an ethical guide for Rotary International since its adoption in 1943. It encourages high ethical standards in both professional and personal relationships and serves as a nonpartisan, nonsectarian compass for decision-making. Rather than being used to judge others, the test is intended to help individuals reflect on their own choices and behavior. Tom Dareneau, chairman of the Coastal Pender Rotary Club’s essay review committee, praised this year’s submissions, saying the essays were “intuitive” and showed “insightful consideration” of how the 4-Way Test can guide decision-making and serve as a positive blueprint for personal living. Cecilia Hunt’s first-place essay has been forwarded to the Rotary District office, where it will compete against more than 50 other winning essays from Rotary clubs across southeastern North Carolina. The district winner will receive a $500 prize, and the student’s teacher, Mr. Travis Geddis, would also receive $500.
AND...May The Fourth Be With You
From Central Office - We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the members of our Superintendent Parent Advisory Council for their service, time, and thoughtful contributions throughout this school year. Your willingness to share feedback, ask important questions, offer perspective, and serve as a voice for families across our district has helped strengthen communication and support continued growth in our schools. We are grateful for your partnership, commitment, and dedication to the students, families, and staff of Pender County Schools.
AND...Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Taylor, our Assistant Superintendent for Human Capital and Accountability, on graduating from East Carolina University today! We are excited to celebrate this outstanding accomplishment and the hard work, dedication, and perseverance it represents. Dr. Taylor’s commitment to lifelong learning sets a wonderful example for our students, staff, and school community. Pirate Nation has one more proud graduate to celebrate — way to go, Dr. Taylor! 🏴☠️
Pender-Topsail Post - Front Page
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