🎉📚 SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! ☀️🎓
And just like that, we've reached the finish line! As the final bell rings across our schools today (traditional schools), we celebrate the end of another remarkable year in Pender County Schools. From the first-day jitters to final exams and everything in between, this year has been filled with growth, discovery, and unforgettable moments. To our students—whether you’re moving up a grade or turning the tassel—we are proud of your accomplishments and excited for what lies ahead.
A huge thank you to our incredible teachers, staff, and families for your tireless support, dedication, and heart. It truly takes a village, and our PCS community continues to show up for one another every single day. Before we all dive into a well-earned summer break, take a moment to reflect on the milestones you’ve achieved—and maybe even start dreaming about what’s next. 🌟💭 Enjoy the sunshine, stay safe, and we’ll see you back in August! 😎🌴
ONE LAST BIT OF BUSINESS🎓
🎓 One more thing… Graduation season is here! 🎉 Our Class of 2025 is preparing to walk the stage and turn the page into their next exciting chapter—whether it’s college, the workforce, or the military. Be sure to check out the graphic above for all the upcoming graduation dates across our high schools. Let’s come together to celebrate the incredible achievements of our seniors and cheer them on as they take their next big step! 🎓✨ #PCSGraduation2025 #OnePender
🥪 FREE SUMMER MEALS RETURN TO PENDER COUNTY ☀️
Pender County Schools is once again teaming up with the NC Department of Public Instruction, No Kid Hungry North Carolina, and the Carolina Hunger Initiative to provide free summer meals to children across the county. This important program ensures that all children 18 years old and younger continue to have access to healthy, nutritious meals even after the school year ends.
Beginning Wednesday, June 18, and running weekly through Wednesday, July 30, families can pick up five days’ worth of breakfast and lunch at four convenient school sites: South Topsail Elementary, C.F. Pope Elementary, Malpass Corner Elementary, and Rocky Point Elementary. Meal pickup will take place every Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. No application is needed, though families are encouraged to pre-register online here: Summer Meals Registration Form. Names and ages of children will be required at pickup.
🎉 CELEBRATING YEARS OF SERVICE: PCS HONORS RETIREES 🍽️🌟
Pender County Schools recently hosted its annual Retirement Banquet, a heartfelt celebration honoring the dedicated staff members who are closing one chapter and beginning another. Held in a warm and festive setting, the event recognized retirees from across the district for their commitment, professionalism, and years of service to our schools and students.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove and members of the PCS leadership team expressed their gratitude with kind words, parting gifts, and a standing ovation. Whether they served in classrooms, offices, buses, or cafeterias, each retiree leaves behind a legacy of impact that will be felt for years to come. We thank each of them for helping shape the lives of our students and for making Pender County Schools a better place. Congratulations on your retirement—you will always be part of the PCS family! 💚🎓
📚 THINKING DEEPER, READING STRONGER: THIRD GRADE LITERACY AT PENDERLEA ✏️🧠
Third grade students at Penderlea Elementary aren’t just reading—they’re engaging, connecting, and growing through the Wit & Wisdom reading curriculum. This year, our young scholars have explored powerful texts that encourage critical thinking and meaningful discussions, diving into topics like the courage of historical figures and the way art tells stories.
Each module in the Wit & Wisdom program revolves around essential questions that challenge students to think deeply while building vocabulary and comprehension. Recently, students have been studying artists and the sources of their inspiration—lessons that have sparked excitement in the classroom and conversations at home. As they head into their first End-of-Grade assessments, our third graders are equipped not only with test-taking skills but with a year’s worth of rich learning experiences that have strengthened their abilities as readers, writers, and thinkers. 💬📖
👉 Read more about how Penderlea is transforming literacy for our students.
🗣️ STUDENTS SPARK CONVERSATION DURING BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH 📢📚
Ms. Kunath’s fourth-grade students celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month in a big way—with an interactive bulletin board project that combined creativity, teamwork, and education! Focused on speech and language development, the display is packed with eye-catching visuals, fun facts, and helpful resources designed to inform and engage the entire school community.
From debunking common myths about speech therapy to highlighting the role of communication skills in learning and social connection, the students’ work brought important awareness to an often-overlooked topic. They even posted speech-themed facts and encouraging messages around the school to keep the conversation going.
🎨🧠 Be sure to check out their amazing display—and read more about how these students are helping spread knowledge and positivity!
🐔 JASMINE RAMIREZ TAKES 2ND PLACE AT LENIOR COUNTY CHICKEN SHOW 🥈🐣
With courage, heart, and two chickens named Roscoe and Peanut, Jasmine Ramirez stepped out of her comfort zone and into the show ring at the Lenoir County Chicken Show—an opportunity made possible through Pender County Schools' partnership with 4-H and the local extension office. Despite facing personal challenges and doubts the day before the event, Jasmine chose to move forward with determination.
Competing against participants with years of experience, Jasmine earned a well-deserved second-place finish. Judges praised her for the genuine empathy she displayed toward her birds, which helped set her apart. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, in a world full of uncertainty, you simply “take the chickens and go.” Congratulations, Jasmine—we’re so proud of you! 👏
📚 TOPSAIL HIGH NHS INDUCTS 193 NEW MEMBERS 🌟
On May 8, the Topsail High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) proudly welcomed 193 rising seniors during its Spring Induction Ceremony. This milestone event celebrates students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Membership in the National Honor Society is not awarded based solely on academic achievement—rather, it honors the well-rounded student who consistently strives for excellence in every aspect of their school and community life. We extend a heartfelt thank-you to all K–12 educators across Pender County Schools who have helped shape these young leaders throughout their academic journeys.
Pictured below are Dr. Kellie Henry (NHS Advisor), Peyton Schlossnagle (President), Kendall Mills (Vice President), Paige McGraw (Secretary), and Kate Draper (Technology Manager). Congratulations to all new inductees—we’re excited to see how you will continue to lead and serve! 💛🎓
Being an athlete and continuing to earn all A's and B's in the classroom can be quite difficult, but these Hornets make it look like a breeze! Congratulations to our Scholar-Athletes for the 2024-2025 year! 📝🐝📚⭐️
Thank you to all the families who came out last night to celebrate the accomplishments of our student athletes at this year's CFMS Athletic Banquet. These students have worked hard, showed great leadership in and out of the classroom, and have worked as a team throughout this school year. Also, a big thank you to all the coaches for your leadership. Congratulations Grizzly Athletes!!!
From West Pender Middle - Mrs. Happy brought joy and pride to our school community with her students' art displays at Spring Fest and her cave art exhibit in the cafeteria. Way to bring learning to life and into the community! 🎨
From Cape Fear Middle - Yesterday was a bittersweet day. Our 8th grade Grizzlies took one last walk through the halls of CFMS. Each of you are going to do great things. Good luck in high school, and we cannot wait to see you when you return for your senior walk in just a few short years.
AND...Congratulations to all the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who received an award during yesterday's awards assembly. You all have worked so hard and deserved to be recognized. Great job Grizzlies.
From Topsail Middle - Congratulations to our incredible 8th graders! 🎓 Today marked a special moment as they celebrated their moving up ceremony, taking their traditional walk up the hill to high school. We are so proud of each one of you! Best wishes Pirates!
From Heide Trask High - Exam season can be very stressful. Thankfully, James and Murphy the Therapy Dog from Paws4People visited Titan Town today to help some of our students calm their anxiety and provide them with emotional support! It was such an amazing experience to see our students interact with him. We can’t wait to have James and his other therapy dogs back again!
From Pender High - BRAVO to the cast of the two Beetlejuice Jr. shows this past weekend! They put their hearts into the musicals and entertained the audiences both times!
From Surf City Middle - Color run fun!
From Surf City Elementary - 🎉Check out our 5th graders as they walk the SCE hallways one last time. 🎓Your school is proud of you and we are going to miss you next year. We know you're going to do great things as a shark at SCM. 🦈Remember to come back and say hi to your Sea Turtle family. 🐢
AND...Mrs. Allen’s 2nd grade class is celebrating the end of the year by doing measurement activities on “Beach Day”! Thanks parents for the awesome pool/beach float donations that make learning more fun! 🏖️☀️
From Topsail High - The last day of school is always bittersweet! On behalf of our school family, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve your students! It was a wonderful year filled with learning and discovery, joy and laughter, as well as achievements and milestones. Along the way, invaluable life lessons were taught. We will look back on each relationship fondly, while eagerly anticipating new beginnings! May the Pirate Way lead you to happiness each and every day! Enjoy summer - have fun, be safe, and see you soon! Go Pirates!
From Cape Fear Elementary - Today we celebrated a huge milestone as our incredible 5th graders finish their elementary journey and get ready to take on middle school!We are so proud of your hard work, growth, and the amazing young leaders you're becoming. Here's to new adventures ahead — the future is bright.
From C.F. Pope Elementary - 🏃♂️🧪 Science + Speed = Success! 🏃♀️🔬 Our 5th graders took their Science EOG review to the next level with an action-packed relay race! From circuits to ecosystems, they sprinted through stations filled with challenges and learning. It was a day full of problem solving, teamwork, and excitement — the perfect way to get energized for the big test! 💡💥
From Rocky Point Elementary - Today, it was our 3rd and 4th graders' turn to celebrate all of their achievements! Students, we are so proud of all of your hard work, and we know you will continue doing great things next year! And we want to offer a special thank you to Mr. "Papa John" Jenness for all of his contributions to our school and the 4th grade team! Thank you for all of your support and kindness!
From North Topsail Elementary - Thank you PTA and @No Sleeves Magic for the @Flamingo Foam party! What a great send off for this incredible group of 5th grade students!!!
🌟 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
The PACES application is open for families to apply online
🔥 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 VOICE - Front page
STARNEWS - Catch up with StarNews' coverage of Wilmington-area high school graduations
Credits:
Created with images by Africa Studio - "Colourful stationery on black background" • EduLife Photos - "Rear view and soft selective focus of the graduates in the graduation commencement ceremony recieving diploma degree certificate." • STOATPHOTO - "Whats New. Communication, business and knowledge concept. Wooden table" • charles taylor - "random post it stickers" • photocrew - "Nachrichten" • fgnopporn - "Application icons interface on hand. Social media concept"