Pender County Schools -

And we’re off! The Listening and Learning Tour is underway. First stop Surf City Middle… #OnePender

🌟 Student Spotlight: Asia! 🌟 Let’s give a big shoutout to Asia, a 12th grader at Pender High School! Asia was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Danyiel New, for her amazing leadership skills. As a student ambassador, Asia is always ready to help underclassmen find their way around the school and assist them with class projects. 👏 Asia is a true role model, keeping her peers focused on maintaining high standards and positive behavior. She’s a shining example of what it means to lead by example! 💫 Fun Facts About Asia: Favorite Food: Pizza & Chick-fil-A 🍕🍗 Favorite Color: Purple 💜 Hobbies: Playing Fortnite 🎮 Interesting Fact: Asia dreams of joining the military after graduation! 🇺🇸 Thank you, Asia, for making Pender High a better place for everyone! 🌟#OnePender

Dear Pender County Schools Families, I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your patience and understanding during the difficult decisions we’ve had to make in response to the recent extreme weather conditions. Your cooperation has been invaluable as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We are pleased to inform you that we have thoroughly prepared for the return of students and staff tomorrow. Our buildings are ready, and district officials have driven the roads to ensure they are safe and passable for everyone. We also want to express our deepest compassion to those who may be dealing with unfortunate circumstances as a result of the storm. We understand that these situations bring many challenges, and we strive to do our part to help support our families in any way we can. I do want to apologize for any inconvenience caused by the mid-morning change of plans on Monday, as the situation changed quickly. It certainly was not ideal, and my team and I will work to grow from this experience as we face future similar circumstances. Please know our school system takes great pride in our responsibilities, especially when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of our students and families. Thank you again for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back tomorrow. Thank you, Brad Breedlove Superintendent Pender County Schools

📢 Schools Open on Normal Schedule Wednesday, September 18! 📚 We’re happy to inform you that all Pender County Schools will resume regular operations on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Meet Mrs. Ilameredith Berkley, EC Teacher at Pender Innovative Learning Academy (PILA)! 🎉 With over 30 years of teaching under her belt, Mrs. Berkley’s passion for education started way back in kindergarten, thanks to her teacher Mrs. Zakarian, and her mom, who was both a teacher and an Art Therapist. Both women had a deep love for children and a strong connection with their students, and that’s exactly what Mrs. Berkley brings to her classroom today. She’s thrilled to be part of a profession that shapes young lives! 🌟 Mrs. Berkley’s favorite subject to teach is reading, and for her, it's more than just letters and words—it's about empowering students. She loves watching the moment they realize they can experience the world in new ways through reading. In fact, she’s still in touch with some of the very first students she taught, showing the lasting impact of those connections. 📚💖 During her first year in Pender County at Surf City Middle School in 2023, Mrs. Berkley took learning to the next level by making it fun, even during lunch and recess! She created a "Lunch Bunch" club where students practiced foundational skills in a hands-on, engaging way. Her door was always open for her students, creating a welcoming space for learning. But Mrs. Berkley doesn’t stop the adventure when the school day ends! Outside the classroom, she’s a thrill-seeker who loves participating in triathlons and even skydiving! 🏃‍♀️✈️ And when she’s not chasing new challenges, you can find her running, swimming, or curled up with a good book. Her dream travel destination? Africa! 🌍 And her guiding motto? "The way you do anything is the way you do everything," which she lives out in every aspect of her life—whether she’s teaching, running, or jumping out of planes!

TEACHER TUESDAY - Ms. Hannah Stewart | Malpass Corner Elementary! ✨ In her fourth year of teaching, Ms. Stewart finds pure joy in those lightbulb moments when students learn something new. Her passion shines brightest in ELA, where she loves helping her students “travel the world” through reading and writing. 🌍📚 Instilling a love for learning is what drives her every day. One of Ms. Stewart’s proudest accomplishments was during her third year in Kindergarten, when she worked with several multilingual learners who spoke little to no English. By embracing their language and culture, she was able to teach and communicate effectively with them. By the end of the school year, three of those students made significant progress, moving from red to green or blue composite scores on mCLASS! 🎉💪 Outside the classroom, Ms. Stewart loves to spend time with her family and explore new destinations. She’s a big fan of reading, listening to music, cooking, and—of course—traveling. 🛫👩‍🍳 Her favorite trip so far? The Bahamas! But she’s got her eyes set on Europe, especially Scotland. 🏴 And let’s not forget about her adorable Golden Retriever, Fancy—yes, named after Reba McEntire’s famous song! 🎶🐕 Her personal motto, inspired by Babe Ruth, is a perfect reflection of her approach to teaching and life: *“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”* ⚾

Due to the current weather conditions, Pender County Schools is moving to an early release schedule. Additionally, all after-school activities have been canceled. To view the updated bell schedule for early release, please visit our website - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/school-bell-schedule At this time, we plan to resume our normal schedule tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please stay safe.

According to the latest update from the National Weather Service, there are no major changes to the forecast associated with Tropical Cyclone #8. Pender County Schools will continue to monitor the weather to determine if any changes to the schedule is needed. Please continue to follow our social media platforms and the Pender County Schools website for the latest information.

Pender County Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow. We're closely monitoring the weather and consulting with local experts. If any changes arise, we will notify families via our website and social media. Stay tuned for updates! #PCSUpdates

Weekly Newsletter - https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/dBWvCXLgy2Rt4 Have a great weekend!

🌟 **Feature Friday: Matt Davis** 🌟 This **Feature Friday**, we’re proud to highlight Matt Davis, our dedicated Athletic Director for Pender County Schools. With over 21 years of service, Matt has made a lasting impact on students, coaches, and the community through his leadership of the athletic programs at 6 middle schools and 3 high schools. 🏆 A proud graduate of Topsail High School, Class of ’99, Matt attended UNC-Wilmington on the Teaching Fellows Scholarship, earning his BA in Mathematics. After student teaching at Trask Middle, he began his career at Pender High in 2003, growing from teacher to coach and ultimately to Athletic Director. His passion for education and student development has been evident throughout his career. 📚 Melissa Yarborough, PCS Transportation Director, nominated Matt for Feature Friday, sharing: “I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Matt’s dedication for years. Whether as a teacher, coach, or AD, he always puts students first. He works tirelessly—on weekends and after hours—to ensure our student-athletes are much more than just athletes, emphasizing community service and giving back. Matt even helps with bus routes at Topsail High to ensure students get to school on time. He’s a true asset to PCS.” Matt’s favorite part of the job is seeing the passion of students and coaches as they grow and compete. 🏀⚽ He also values the sense of community that defines Pender County, and he enjoys being part of a team that makes a difference for students. Thank you, Matt, for your dedication and for always going above and beyond for PCS students and staff. You exemplify the spirit of Pender County Schools! 🌟 #OnePender

6th and 7th graders at Penderlea are beginning their career development plans this week. School counselors and middle school career development coordinator are collaborating to ensure our students are enrolled, enlisted or employed upon graduation. #ONEPENDER

Topsail High School carpentry students participated in an amazing experiential learning opportunity with habitat for humanity today. Students were able to lay sod, plant shrubs and add soffit to a home! PCSCTE EXPERIENCE THE EXCELLENCE! #ONEPENDER

Our automotive program at Pender High School is on day 3 of class and are already learning to do oil changes. Amazing engagement and hands on learning happening today in Pender County Schools CTE!

Today, we pause to honor the lives lost, the heroes who emerged, and the resilience shown by our nation on September 11, 2001. In our classrooms, we reflect on the importance of unity, courage, and service to others. Together, as #OnePender, we continue to educate and inspire the next generation, ensuring they understand the lessons of this day and the strength that comes from standing together. We will never forget.

Shoutout to the awesome 4th graders from Cape Fear Elementary Chorus for their performance at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting! 🎶🙌 A huge thank you to Ms. Kurtz for guiding these talented students — you all sounded fantastic! 🎤👏 #OnePender

🌟 Student Spotlight: Tyreque! 🌟 Say hello to Tyreque, an 8th grader at CFM! Tyreque was nominated by Ms. Jillian Miller for his incredible kindness and helpfulness. Tyreque is always in a great mood, loves being at school, and goes out of his way to help others. He even helps the custodians clean the cafeteria during lunch! 🌟 Tyreque is a fantastic example of treating everyone with respect and kindness, and he sets a great example for his peers and adults alike. He’s known for his positive attitude and his desire to help others whenever he can. 🙌 Fun Facts About Tyreque: Favorite Food: Fries 🍟 Favorite Color: Blue 💙 Hobbies: Playing football 🏈 Interesting Fact: Tyreque loves helping people out and dreams of becoming a deputy one day! 🚓 Thanks for being such a positive influence, Tyreque! Keep up the amazing work! 👏 #OnePender

"Soaring into STEM at Cape Fear Middle!" 🚀✈️ Our 7th-grade STEM students at Cape Fear Middle School are discovering the power of physics and engineering! By building rubber band-powered planes, they explored how thrust generates lift and tested how far their creations could fly. The more twists on the rubber band, the farther they soared! It’s hands-on learning that’s taking off! #STEMinAction #FutureEngineers #CapeFearMiddle #LearningTakesFlight

🎨🍷 Join Us for a Night of Art, & Giving Back! 🍷🎨 Mark your calendars for October 2, 2024! 🎉 From 5-8 PM, The Locals Art Gallery and Wine Bar in Surf City will host an evening of food, fun, and raffle door prizes, all in support of Pender County Schools! 💰 10% of proceeds from the event will benefit students and teachers in Pender County Schools. Let's come together to support our community! Can't make it? You can still make an impact by using the link to donate directly to the Pender Education Partnership (PEP). 📲 https://bit.ly/3XiraFa We hope to see you there! #OnePender

Meet Mr. Paul Odom, STEM Teacher at Cape Fear Middle School! 🚀 Now in his 7th year of teaching, Mr. Odom’s journey to education started in an unexpected way—his high school Drafting teacher actually offered him his job upon retirement! That encouragement sparked Mr. Odom’s transition from industry to the classroom, and he’s never looked back. 🙌 Mr. Odom loves teaching middle school STEM because it allows him to dive into all sorts of fun, hands-on projects with his students. From bridge building to rocketry, robotics, and even drones, he gets to explore cool topics that both he and his students enjoy—without the stress of end-of-semester testing! 🚁🤖 One of his favorite teaching moments? When students from last year’s Robotics competition came up to him on the first day of school, excitedly asking if they could do it again this year. And, of course, he treasures the sweet notes and drawings his students have shared with him over the years. ❤️ Outside of school, Mr. Odom has plenty of hobbies to keep him busy! He’s a commercial drone pilot, enjoys building models, and loves cooking (when he’s not catching up on rest, of course!). 🛩️🍳 He also loves a good road trip, especially when it’s to see his kids in Michigan or to visit the mountains. At home, Mr. Odom is kept on his toes by his Australian Shepherd, Little Ann, and three of her adorable puppies. 🐶 His teaching motto? "Try to make learning fun!" And with all the exciting things happening in his STEM classroom, it’s clear he lives by that philosophy every day!