Pender County Schools -

🌟 Student Spotlight: Sophia! 🌟 Sophia, nominated by math teacher Brandon Wieland, is being recognized for her academic excellence and outstanding character. 📚 Sophia is the epitome of a dedicated student. She consistently does her best, ensuring that her work not only meets but exceeds expectations. As a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a library assistant, a participant in Science Olympiad, and Rocame, Sophia exemplifies a passion for learning and helping others. She treats everyone around her with respect, always humble and polite, setting a fantastic example for her peers. 🌟 Favorite Food: Spaghetti 🌼 Favorite Color: Yellow 📖 Hobbies: Reading 🐾 Pets: 4 cats and 2 dogs 🖋️ Fun Fact: Sophia recently won a short story contest in the horror genre! Keep shining, Sophia! You're making a difference at TMS! 🎉👏

🚀 Exciting Opportunity for Pender County Students! 🚀 Are you looking to earn and learn? Consider the Pender County Future Leaders Internship Program – a paid summer internship designed to empower rising juniors and seniors by providing hands-on experience in local government! 🌟 📅 Program Dates: June 9 – August 6, 2025 💼 Location: Various local government departments 💰 Compensation: Paid Internship Through mentorship, skill-building, and real-world experience, participants will gain valuable insight into local government operations while developing leadership skills and career readiness. 🔹 Eligibility Requirements: ✔️ Rising junior or senior in Pender County Schools ✔️ Valid NC driver’s license ✔️ Minimum 2.5 GPA ✔️ Completed application packet (essay, references, consent & waiver forms) ✔️ Background check & drug screening required 📌 Deadline to Apply: March 14, 2025 This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain professional experience, build leadership skills, and make a difference in your community! 🌎 🔗 Apply now & learn more: https://5il.co/33i7o

Teacher Tuesday - Susan Mowrey, Topsail High School! 🌍📚 Susan Mowrey’s journey to teaching started when she taught English overseas as a temporary job. She discovered a passion for seeing the lightbulb turn on for students—and that spark has guided her career for the last 23 years! 💡 Her favorite subject to teach is AP Human Geography because it covers everything happening in the world. But, her family would argue that AP Psychology holds a special place too, as she often comes home excited to talk about the discoveries her students make each day. 🧠🌏 One of her proudest moments recently was working as a consultant with the NC AP Partnership, where she found a new love for teaching adults. It’s clear that Susan’s impact stretches beyond just her students! 👩‍🏫🌱 Outside of the classroom, Susan enjoys reading and gardening, and her green thumb helps her unwind after a busy day. 🌸 At home, she shares her life with a dog who has very strong opinions! She loves how her dog’s affection is a quick mood booster, but also appreciates how she knows when Susan needs some space—a true mental health check from her furry friend. 🐶💖 Her favorite travel destination is her hometown in Michigan, where she finds peace and nostalgia. 🌲 Susan’s personal motto is a reminder that “Daily life is life and it makes a difference to them.” It’s a philosophy that reflects how she views her role—small moments truly do matter to students. 🌟 Thank you, Ms. Mowrey, for the passion and dedication you bring to teaching every day! 👏💙

🔥 Fresh Flavors & Crunchy Cravings! 🔥 Lunchtime just got a whole lot tastier with our house-made fresh pineapple salsa—a perfect balance of sweet and zesty to brighten up your meal! 🍍 And for those on the go, we’ve got you covered with our grab-and-go nachos, packed with crispy chips, cheese sauce, and salsa for a quick and delicious bite. (Kudos to our STES cafeteria team for these beautiful images captured!) Let us know—are you team salsa, team cheese dip, or team both!? ⬇️ #FreshMadeFlavors #PineappleSalsa #GrabAndGoNachos #PCSLunch #OnePender #AramarkFeedsPender

Good evening Pender County Schools families. To borrow from The Smiths, stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before. There is a chance we’ll be facing another round of winter weather that could impact our area. While it is too early to make an official decision, this weather system may affect after-school activities on Wednesday, February 19, and could lead to a delayed start on Thursday, February 20. Our priority is the safety of our students, staff, and families. We will continue to track the forecast and will make an official announcement as early as possible to help families plan accordingly. Please stay tuned for updates through our district website, social media channels, and direct notifications. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Have a nice evening. ### Buenas noches a las familias de las escuelas del condado de Pender. Tomando prestada una canción de The Smiths, deténganme si creen que ya la han escuchado antes. Existe la posibilidad de que nos enfrentemos a otra ronda de clima invernal que podría afectar nuestra área. Si bien es demasiado pronto para tomar una decisión oficial, este sistema meteorológico puede afectar las actividades extraescolares el miércoles 19 de febrero y podría provocar un retraso en el inicio el jueves 20 de febrero . Nuestra prioridad es la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias. Seguiremos de cerca el pronóstico y haremos un anuncio oficial lo antes posible para ayudar a las familias a planificar en consecuencia. Manténgase atento a las actualizaciones a través de nuestro sitio web de distrito, canales de redes sociales y notificaciones directas. Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión. Que tengas una buena noche.

✨We’re down to the Final Four name choices for our new Elementary and Middle Schools in Hampstead. You've helped get us to this point and we still need your help! 🗳️💡 🗓️ Deadline to vote: March 9, 2025 👉 Cast your vote now: https://forms.gle/iZWxdAyK5YrGRfF8A 📢 REMEMBER: The current Topsail Middle School will become a Freshman Academy to ease overcrowding at Topsail High School. This means "Topsail Middle" will no longer exist unless selected in this final vote and approved by the Board of Education. Help us make history and choose a name that reflects our community! 🌟

🌟 Pender County Schools Job Shadow Day – February 28, 2025! 🌟 Attention 7th-12th grade students and families! 🎓🚀 On February 28, 2025, students will have the incredible opportunity to explore future career paths through our Job Shadowing Experience from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 🕗 How can you get involved? Network and connect! Reach out to friends, family, neighbors, and local business partners to find a job shadow placement that matches your student’s career interests. Whether in person or virtual, the experience will provide valuable insight into the working world. 💼🌐 Send a picture! Students can snap a quick photo during their job shadow experience with a business representative. These pictures can be used for verification purposes and shared to show the exciting opportunity you had! 📸👥 Important Dates: Job Shadow Agreement Due: February 21, 2025 📅 Job Shadowing Experience: February 28, 2025 (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) 🌟 Employer Verification Due: March 14, 2025 📈 This is a fantastic chance to gain hands-on experience, explore a future career, and connect with professionals in your field of interest! 🌱 #PCSJobShadow #CareerExploration #JobShadowDay #FutureLeaders #CareerReady #PenderCountySchools YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Qzjq1GRdU

🌟🏆 Pender County Shines at the Regional Science Fair! 🏆🌟 Our amazing students showcased their innovation and creativity at the Regional Science Fair held at UNCW! 🎉🔬 A huge congratulations to our winners: 🏅 New Hanover Education Ventures Award: Aubrianna Lewis (MCE), Carson Breisacher (STE) 🔬 Future Promise Award: Joseph Watts (PILA), Frances Jane Wilgis & Bella Porter (TAES) 🎖 Honorary Mention for Science Fair: Carter McKinley, Elijah Milbourne & Gage Sierleja (SCE) 🚀 Exemplary Projects Advancing to State Science Fair in Raleigh: Harper Henry, Hailey Keller, Audrina Loftus (SCE); Reyden Bryant, Lane Jackson, Weston McGowen (PLE) 👏 We are so proud of our students for their hard work and dedication📸✨ #OnePender

🌶️🍲 National Chili Day Celebration at Pender High School! 🍲🌧️ Last Thursday, we embraced the rainy day with a warm and hearty bowl of our house-made chili—just in time for National Chili Day -- at all high schools! ☔🔥 Our teams crafted a delicious, comforting meal packed with rich flavors and just the right amount of spice to keep everyone cozy. #NationalChiliDay #HouseMadeGoodness #RainyDayComfort #OnePender

🌱✨ CTE Month Appreciation: Celebrating Our PCS Agriculture Education Teachers! 🚜💙 This CTE Month, we’re shining a spotlight on our incredible Agriculture Education teachers who cultivate knowledge, leadership, and hands-on experiences for our students every day! 🌾🐄🔧 👏 Tom Herren – Pender High School 👏 Joanna Rogowiecka & McArthur Mitchell – Heide Trask High School 👏 Emily Jameson – Topsail High School Through their dedication, our students gain real-world agricultural skills, industry certifications, and leadership opportunities with FFA programs that prepare them for success beyond the classroom. From livestock management to agribusiness and sustainable farming, these educators are shaping the future of agriculture in Pender County! 🌿🐓🚜 Join us in thanking these amazing teachers for their hard work and the incredible impact they have on our students and community! 💛💙 #CTEMonth #ThankATeacher #FFA #AgricultureEducation #PCSCTE #GrowingTheFuture

Weekly PCS Newsletter - https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/pBv6cfwhZtJKb - Have a great weekend!!

🎉 Employee Spotlight on Joanna Boyles! 🎉 Joanna Boyles is the heart and soul of Topsail Middle School, going above and beyond for both students and staff. She juggles countless responsibilities with competence, humor, humility, and compassion. Last year, in addition to serving as assistant principal, she took on roles as testing coordinator, bus coordinator, and dean of students—all while leading the school in the absence of a principal. Her impact is felt in every corner of the school, from supporting struggling students to chaperoning the 8th grade field trip to Raleigh. She leads with trust, flexibility, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for students. 💬 “She trusts in us to do our jobs well and matches it with the conviction to do her own even better.” Thank you, Ms. Boyles, for your dedication and leadership!

🚨 REMINDER! 🚨 🗓️ Friday, Feb. 14 Schedule: 📌 No School – Traditional Calendar & Pender Early College (Teacher Workday) 📌 Half Day – Penderlea School Check your schedules and enjoy the extra time off! ⏰✨ #OnePender

🚀 CTE Month Spotlight: Dr. Mae Jemison! 🌟 Today, we celebrate Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space! 🛰️✨ A physician, engineer, and former NASA astronaut, Dr. Jemison’s passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) has inspired generations of students to reach for the stars. Her groundbreaking journey reminds us that curiosity, determination, and education can open doors to endless possibilities. 🌍🔬🔭 Let’s continue to encourage and support our students as they explore careers in STEM! 🚀 #CTEMonth #WomenInSTEM #FutureInnovators #PenderCTE

🎉 CTE Month Shoutout! 🎉 A huge shoutout to our Business, Finance, and Marketing teachers at Topsail High School—Mr. Huston, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hoch, and Mr. Durivage! These outstanding educators go above and beyond every day to equip students with essential skills for success in business, finance, and marketing. From teaching financial literacy and business strategy to guiding students in hands-on marketing projects, these teachers inspire innovation, critical thinking, and real-world application. Their dedication prepares students to become future entrepreneurs, financial leaders, and marketing professionals. Thank you, Mr. Huston, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hoch, and Mr. Durivage, for your passion, commitment, and impact on our students' futures! 💡📈📊 #CTEMonth #BusinessLeadersOfTomorrow #PenderCTE

📣 CTE Month Shoutout! 🎉 We are thrilled to celebrate Mrs. Delane Mitchell and Mrs. Alicia Watkins, the incredible Family and Consumer Science teachers at Heide Trask High School! 🙌💙 🌟 Mrs. Watkins is shaping the future by guiding our students through Early Childhood Education, helping them develop the skills and knowledge to nurture and support the next generation. Her passion for teaching and dedication to student success is truly inspiring! 👏🍎 🌟 Mrs. Mitchell brings creativity and real-world skills into the classroom, teaching Food & Nutrition and Apparel & Textile Production. Whether it's mastering the art of cooking nutritious meals or designing fashion-forward creations, her students are gaining hands-on experiences that will serve them for life! 👗👨‍🍳 We are beyond grateful for these two phenomenal educators who go above and beyond to prepare our students for successful careers and bright futures! Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering support of our students. 💪✨ #CTEMonth #HeideTraskHS #FACSExcellence #CTEWorks #ThankATeacher 🍎💙

🌟 Student Spotlight: Ruben 🌟 Meet Ruben, a student recognized by Andrea Gingrich for his kindness, positivity, and incredible sense of humor. 😊 Ruben has a heart full of sunshine and is always looking out for his friends and teachers. Whether it’s opening a door, offering words of encouragement, or bringing laughter to the classroom, he makes every day brighter for those around him. At the end of each school day, he says goodbye to each of his friends and teachers with a big smile and an "I love you." ❤️ 🍽️ Favorite Food: Chips, eggs, and chicken 🎨 Favorite Color: Blue ⚽ Hobbies: Dancing, playing basketball, and hanging out with friends 🐱 Pets: A cat named Waffles 🤩 Fun Fact: Ruben loves to play dentist and even enjoys his own trips to the dentist, where his smile shines bright for everyone to see! Keep spreading joy, Ruben! 🎉👏

📚TEACHER TUESDAY - Jessica Feit, 4th Grade Teacher at Rocky Point Elementary!🌟 From an early age, Jessica Feit had a passion for teaching—so much so that she would come home from kindergarten and “teach” her newborn baby sisters and even her pets! 🍼🐶 As she grew older, that passion turned into a commitment to helping students, especially those who needed extra support. Her favorite subject to teach is math, where she thrives on witnessing that "ah-ha" moment when a difficult concept finally clicks for a student. One of her most memorable teaching moments was working with a student who struggled with confidence in math. Through a personalized study plan and encouragement, she watched him transform into a top math student—ultimately scoring a 4 on the EOG! Seeing students gain confidence and unlock their potential is what drives her every day. 🔢✨ Outside the classroom, Jessica enjoys reading, running, going to the beach, and dining out. She has recently taken up crafting as a way to unwind after a long day of teaching. 🎨🏖️ At home, she has two adorable kittens, Scout and Piper. Scout is the mischievous one, always getting into trouble, while Piper is more reserved—but both love their belly rubs and head pats. 🐱🐾 Jessica is also an avid traveler! Her favorite destination so far has been Madrid, and she’s looking forward to exploring Prague and Vienna this year. ✈️🌍 This school year has had its challenges, but Jessica’s personal mottos—"You're doing great, sweetie" and "Just keep swimming"—keep her motivated and remind her to take things one step at a time. 💙🐠 Thank you, Ms. Feit, for your dedication, passion, and the incredible impact you make on your students! 💛👏

🌟 CTE Month Teacher Spotlight: Middle School Superstars! 🌟 Today, we are celebrating our Middle School CTE Teacher Extraordinaires! These dedicated educators work tirelessly to expose our students to career opportunities, sparking their curiosity and laying a strong foundation for high school success and beyond. The impact they make in our classrooms is immeasurable—guiding students toward bright futures! 🎉 Topsail Middle School 🎉 💻 Mr. Collins – Computer Science 📈 Mr. Altergott – Business & Entrepreneurship 🏡 Mrs. Schlegel – Family & Consumer Sciences 🔬 Mr. Hewitt – STEM 🎉 Surf City Middle School 🎉 🔬 Mrs. Smith – STEM 💻 Mr. Northrop – Computer Science ❤️ Mrs. Keller – Health Sciences 📈 Mrs. Turner – Business & Entrepreneurship 👏👏👏 Thank you for all that you do to inspire, educate, and prepare our students for the future. Your passion and dedication make a lasting impact every single day! PCS is lucky to have you! 💙💛 #CTEMonth #MiddleSchoolCTE #FutureReady #OnePender #CTETeachersRock

🌟 Spotlight on Mrs. Jessica Sanabria Brown! 🌟 We are so proud to celebrate Mrs. Sanabria Brown, our incredible Business & Marketing Education Teacher at Burgaw Middle School! She is dedicated to helping her students develop professionalism and explore career opportunities. Through her hard work, she ensures that every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills to become enrolled, enlisted, or employed upon graduation. Thank you, Mrs. Sanabria Brown, for inspiring and empowering your students every day! 👏🎉 #CareerReady #CTEWorks #FutureLeaders #BurgawMiddleProud