CHILLY WELCOME TO 2025
Hopefully the picture is as close as we come to any severe winter weather ❄ at least it's approaching as we head into the weekend when our buses don't have to navigate anything we may receive 🚌
The first full week of school of 2025 is in the books 📚 ahead of that, some students put a bow on their high school career while the majority of students were still on break 🎓Congratulations to our Mid-Year Graduates! If you missed their ceremonies, below are links to each school's graduation.
Pender Early College | Topsail High | Heide Trask High | Pender High | Pender Innovative Learning Academy
PCS EARNS STATEWIDE RECOGNITION FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH
Pender County Schools earned high praise from the NC Department of Public Instruction for the 2023-24 school year! 🏆 With an impressive 92.7% graduation rate, the district ranks among the top 10 in North Carolina. Pender Early College celebrated a 100% graduation rate, while Topsail High School achieved an outstanding 96.2%, joining the 95%+ Graduation Rate Club. 🎓
Several schools exceeded academic growth goals, showcasing the dedication of students and educators. Even West Pender Middle, designated as low-performing, made strides by achieving expected growth. 📚👏
👉 Read more about these achievements here #OnePender
📢 HELP NAME OUR NEW SCHOOLS IN HAMPSTEAD🏫
Pender County Schools is thrilled to announce the future opening of a new elementary and middle school in Hampstead, and we need your input in naming them! 🗳️ Following Board Policy Code 9300, school names should reflect the local geography, heritage, or community.
Submit your suggestions by February 2, 2025 using our online form. You can choose from pre-suggested names or propose your own. 🌟 All submissions will be reviewed, and final decisions will be made by the Board of Education. Let’s create names that inspire pride and represent our community for generations to come!
👉Submit your suggestion here
🎉CELEBRATING BETH BURNS DURING SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH 🌟
This School Board Appreciation Month, we honor Beth Burns, Chair of the Pender County Board of Education. Representing District 2 since 2018, Ms. Burns champions equitable access to quality education for all students. Her leadership, marked by collaboration and active community engagement, continues to make a positive impact across the district.
Ms. Burns’ dedication to students, educators, and families shines through her inclusive approach and unwavering commitment to educational excellence. Join us in thanking her for her service and leadership! 🙌
👉Learn more about Ms. Burns’ contributions here
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING JAN. 14
📢The Pender County Schools Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6pm. The meeting will take place at the Dr. Katherine Herring Resource Center. The meeting will be streamed live on the PCS YouTube channel as well.
WEEKLY SPORTS SCHEDULE
THERE'S MORE TO JUMP ROPING!
This quarter, Penderlea School elementary students are mastering the fundamentals of jump rope in PE! Not only does jump rope improve coordination, balance, and cardiovascular health, but it also promotes perseverance and confidence. From basic jumps to advanced techniques like double-unders and crisscrosses, students are challenged to push their limits while having fun.
As they practice, they’re earning their "belts" in Jump Rope Ninja, with the chance to earn up to a black belt! 🥋 Jump rope is not only building physical endurance but also enhancing focus and rhythm, preparing students for success in sports and activities. 🌟
👉See more about their progress and fun here
WELCOME ABOARD
Penderlea School welcomes Dr. Ashley Goodlett as its new Assistant Principal! With 17+ years in education, she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for building strong connections between students, staff, and the community.
A dedicated leader and lifelong learner, Dr. Goodlett is deeply rooted in Pender County, where she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family. Join us in congratulating her on this new role! 🌱🎉
👉 Read more about Dr. Goodlett’s journey here
Let's give a warm welcome to our new 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Hahn. She's looking forward to getting to know her students and making this a great rest of the school year!💙🐢💚
🎉KINDERGARTENERS AT RPES DIVE INTO HANDS-ON LEARNING!🌾🎨
The Kindergarten team at RPES is bringing creativity to the classroom with engaging, hands-on activities! Using the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, students explored the theme of "Once Upon a Farm" by creating their own farm animal stories using Adobe Express. Thanks to Mrs. Kayla Davidson, the children learned how to use the program and storyboard their tales. 🐄🐖
In preparation for their next theme, America, Then and Now, students rotated through fun, educational stations. They learned about communication with a string phone, tried writing with feathers and ink like in the past, and even made butter to experience historical food preparation! 🧈✨
👉See more about the exciting activities here
DRESS CODE TOPIC OF THE DAY FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Friday the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council met to discuss the dress code and provided insightful, well-thought-out feedback! Students shared their likes, dislikes, and concerns, while comparing the Pender County Schools dress code with those from nearby districts. Their thoughtful discussions offered valuable perspectives on how the dress code impacts students and how it might be improved. 🌟
We are grateful for the council’s active participation and dedication to shaping a positive school environment for all!
From Surf City Middle - Happy School Resource Officer's Day to Officer Wyke! We appreciate all that he does for our school!
AND...Survivor Club had a very special guest today! Aysha Welch of Survivor season 47 joined us for a video chat. The kids had lots of great questions about her experience on the show. We appreciated her taking the time to chat with us!
From Burgaw Middle - Thanks to GAF, these bags will be given to BMS students who are excelling academically! We have invited student and families to attend our event on January 17th. More info to come!
From Surf City Elementary - Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day but we appreciate those who protect and serve every day. Our school is thankful for our SRO, Officer Wyke. He makes sure that students, teachers and staff at SCE & SCM are safe. Thank you for all you do for us in our school community.
AND...In STEAM class, 1st grade is using snowflake blueprints to build their own snowflakes with marshmallows and toothpicks. They learned about symmetry, how snowflakes formed, as well as Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley.
From Pender Innovative Learning Academy - The Otters REALLY love our SRO Deputy James!!! He is extremely patient and always smiling!!! Happy Law Enforcement Day to the man that keeps us all safe!! #onepender
From Topsail High - Today, we celebrate and honor our incredible police officers for their dedication and service. A special shoutout to Deputy Smith, our amazing School Resource Officer, as well as Mr. Smith and Mr. Bailey, two of our outstanding Public Safety teachers who also serve as police officers. We are so thankful for all they do to keep our school and community safe. 💙🖤
From Pender Early College - Bounty, the quicker picker upper? Students created their own experimental design and analyzed their data to see which paper towel brand was the most absorbent. Spoiler: Bounty was!
From Topsail Middle - 🌟 Happy National Law Enforcement Day! 🌟 Shoutout to Officer Brunjes for your incredible service to TMS! We see your hard work and dedication! 💙👮♂️✨
From West Pender Middle - 💙👮♀️ Today, on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Deputy Kendrick for your dedication and service to our community. Your hard work and commitment make a difference every day!
AND...Mrs. Goyette's 8th-grade Science class explored non-point source water pollution through a watershed model lesson led by Savannah Lytle from Cape Fear River Watch.
From Penderlea School - Happy Enforcement Day, Deputy Hall and Deputy Watson! We appreciate all of the work and relationships you build!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Happy Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! 🌟 A huge thank you to our amazing SROs, Deputy Cobb and Deputy James, for keeping our school safe and being a positive role model for our students. We’re so grateful for all you do! 💙👮♂️
AND...Mrs Robertsons preschool class began their clothes study this week. Children engaged in various activities such as write the room (Match the pictures and write the word), labeling, fine motor skills with folding, fastening, buttoning and hanging up clothes. Children used clothespins to build fine motor skills for pre-writing skills by counting objects and clipping the corresponding number.
From Malpass Corner Elementary - Hand clap and shout out to Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. White's classes who are the latest winners of the attendance challenge! These classes will have a special treat for spelling out "Attendance" (10 days of 95% or better attendance!).
From North Topsail Elementary - At NTE we GROW and GLOW! We searched in our closets and brought back neon, side ponytails, crimped hair and track suits as we celebrated the 80th day of school 80's style!!
From Rocky Point Elementary - Today was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. We are beyond thankful for our School Resource Officer, Deputy George! You are an undeniable asset to our school and our students and staff are very appreciative to have you with us each day!
AND...Kindergarten has been busy in Wit & Wisdom! Students worked with Ms. Kayla Davidson (a PCS technology coach) on recording their stories about farm animals, and learned about life in America as it was in the past! Activities included a telephone activity, feather and ink experience, and butter churning!
🌟 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
PECHS students are invited to the Winter Dance sponsored by the PECHS PTA. It will be on Saturday January 25 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Burgaw Train Depo. Tickets are $15. Please see Ms Grable for tickets.
🔥 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 Co. Schools request community feedback on naming new schools
WECT - Local schools delayed Thursday due to weather
WECT - Wake up call for parents after North Carolina student data compromised in breach
WECT - NC student data compromised in breach, NC and PowerSchool say
WWAY - Pender County Schools invites community input to name new schools in Hampstead
WWAY - Pender County Schools taking precautions for weather on Friday
PORT CITY DAILY - Pender schools rearranges afterschool schedules due to weather
STARNEWS - Winter weather in Wilmington: Here are area events canceled or postponed
Credits:
Created with images by Oksana Schmidt - "Beautiful winter landscape with tree branches in hoarfrost on cold morning. Snowy blurred background. Selective focus. " • mnirat - "Graduates in university degree graduation." • Sebastian Duda - "Sports balls with equipment" • Andrii Zastrozhnov - "Address mailing of news by e-mail. Advertising message on red background."