🧠✨ It’s National School Psychologist Week!

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible school psychologists across Pender County Schools who support students’ academic success, mental wellness, and emotional growth every day.

Join us as we spotlight each of our eight amazing professionals, sharing their stories, their inspiration, and their heart for helping students thrive. 💙 YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/p1ACTJDzpxI
8 days ago, Bob Fankboner
school psychology week
Meet Ms. Suzanne Buckley, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Surf City Middle. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Ms. Buckley is known for her caring nature and the positive impact she has on her students each day.

What stands out most about Ms. Buckley is how deeply she cares for her students. She takes time to make sure everyone feels supported and included, whether that means bringing in clothes for students who need them or finding creative ways to make lessons more engaging.

Her students know they can count on her for kindness and encouragement, and her colleagues appreciate the energy and care she brings to the classroom.

💙☀️ Thank you, Ms. Buckley, for the light you bring to Surf City Middle and for always putting students first.
8 days ago, Bob Fankboner
teacher tuesday suzanne buckley scm

When asked what inspired her to become a school psychologist, Danielle Burnash said:

“The desire to help children struggling with mental health challenges. ”

That passion shines through in her work every day at North Topsail Elementary and Topsail High, where Ms. Burnash focuses on helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

We’re grateful for everything she does to support our students and staff! 💙 THANK YOU!!

9 days ago, Bob Fankboner
Danielle Burnash school psychologist week
🎉 Celebrating 30 Years of Service! 🎉

A big THANK YOU to Tamela Rouse who celebrated her last day with Pender County Schools, wrapping up an incredible 30-year career serving our students and staff.

Tamela’s dedication, kindness, and commitment have nourished more than just meals, she’s helped build a caring community for generations of students. Her hard work and heart have made a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed by everyone at PCS. 💙

Please join us in wishing Tamela a happy and well-deserved retirement! 🥳💐
9 days ago, Bob Fankboner
tamela rouse retirement from PCS
💙 Happy School Psychologist Week! 💛
This week, we’re celebrating the dedicated folks who help students learn, grow, and thrive every day!

School psychologists play a vital role in supporting academic success, emotional well-being, and positive learning environments across Pender County Schools.

Join us in thanking our incredible team: Danielle Burnash, Jessica Campbell, Stacey Curti, Katherine Gallant, Sophie Heckerman, Kimberly Mann, Kristin Sutton, Tayla Wynne

Thank you for the care and expertise you bring to our schools and students every day! 💙💛
9 days ago, Bob Fankboner
PCS School Psychologists
🥫 Let’s Fill the Bins and Fill Hearts! 💙
This November, Pender County Schools is collecting non-perishable food and snacks to support local organizations that care for our community.
🗓️ Donations accepted all month long
📍 Drop off at your school
✨ Requested items: cereal, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, condiments, and individually packaged snacks like granola bars, Pop-Tarts, tuna packets, and more.
Every little bit helps, and every donation stays right here in Pender County. 💛
Together, we can make a difference! #OnePender
9 days ago, Bob Fankboner
pcs food drive flyer
📚 The Million Minute Reading Challenge is underway — and every minute your family reads at home gets us closer to ONE MILLION!
Grab a book after dinner, read before bed, or on the way to school. Every page counts!

📚 ¡El Desafío de Un Millón de Minutos de Lectura ya comenzó, y cada minuto que su familia lea en casa nos acerca más a UN MILLÓN!
Coge un libro después de cenar, lee antes de dormir o de camino a la escuela. ¡Cada página cuenta!
9 days ago, Bob Fankboner
million minute challenge
million minute challenge spanish
Weekly PCS Newsletter (Halloween Edition) https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/UHhnsZRCqdtwc Have a great and safe weekend!
12 days ago, Bob Fankboner
weekly pcs newsletter
Parents Thanksgiving Lunch 🦃🍽️

Join your elementary and middle school students for a special Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria!

Parents are asked to register with their school in advance. Meals can be purchased at the ticketing table outside the cafeteria. Please bring exact change to help make the process quick and easy.

We look forward to sharing this special meal with you!
12 days ago, Aramark
Parents Thanksgiving Lunch

🌟 Feature Friday: Employee Spotlight 🌟

This week we’re celebrating Pat Stephens (Miss Patty), driver of Bus 289 at Topsail Annandale Elementary. For nearly two years, Miss Patty has been a familiar, caring face for students and families. Known for her positive attitude and genuine care, she ensures her riders are safe, supported, and always where they need to be. Parents and students alike are grateful for the consistency, kindness, and dedication she brings to her role every single day.

💛💙 Thank you, Miss Patty, for the joy and care you share with your students—you are an important part of the Topsail Annandale school community!

12 days ago, Bob Fankboner
feature friday patty stephens
🎃🩺 ICU in the Future: Healthcare Awareness Day was spooktacular for our 6th graders today! 👻 From learning to stop the bleeding 💉 to mastering CPR and pulse sites ❤️‍🔥 — our future healthcare heroes got hands-on with some life-saving (and slightly frighteningly fun) skills! 🧛‍♀️💀 They even practiced donning PPE and perfecting the Heimlich maneuver — talk about scaring away emergencies! 😷🫀 Huge fangs 🧛‍♂️ to UNCSERVE, and our amazing Health Science students and teachers from HTHS and PHS for leading the frightfully fantastic day. 🧠✨ It was a boo-tiful blend of experience and exposure — because the future of healthcare in Pender County Schools is so bright, it’s scary! 🎃🩹🧡 #ICUIntheFuture #CTE #HealthcareHeroes #SpookyScience #PenderCTE #OnePender
12 days ago, Career and Technical Education Department
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Due to a traffic accident in the area and heavy traffic volume on HWY 17, delays are possible involving bus pickup and arrival at school. We appreciate your patience.
12 days ago, Bob Fankboner
alert
Due to a traffic accident in the area and heavy traffic volume on HWY 17, expect delays involving bus pickup and arrival at school. We appreciate your patience.
12 days ago, Bob Fankboner
alert
To borrow from Jim Nantz - "Hello friend!" 🌞
13 days ago, Bob Fankboner
sunshine through a pine tree
🎓 Pender Early College High School Parent Night Information Sessions! 🎓

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity for your student’s future? Join us to learn more about Pender Early College High School (PECHS) and how your child can earn college credits while completing high school!

📅 Monday, November 3rd at 6:00 PM
📍 CFCC Surf City Site

📅 Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 PM
📍 Pender Early College High School (PECHS)

👩‍🎓 Open to students currently in 8th–11th grades
✨ Come discover how PECHS helps students get a head start on college success!
13 days ago, Bob Fankboner
PECHS parent night information sessions
🎃 Happy Halloween! 👻
Breakfast for lunch? Always a spook-tacular change of pace! 🥞🍳
13 days ago, Aramark
Breakfast for Lunch- Halloween
🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟

Meet Montez, a student at Pender High School, recognized for his leadership, kindness, and helpfulness. Even in just the first weeks of school, Montez has gone above and beyond to make his classmates feel welcome. He lends a hand with schoolwork, encourages others, and creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom. During presentations, he empowers shy students by listening attentively, clapping when they finish, and showing genuine support—helping his peers build confidence.

Montez’s outgoing personality and artistic talents make him a role model at PHS, where his kindness continues to inspire those around him.

Outside of school, Montez enjoys fashion and art. His favorite foods are chicken alfredo, spaghetti, pizza, and wings, his favorite colors are pink and blue, and an interesting fact—he hopes to become a travel RN one day.

💙❤️ Congratulations, Montez—you are a shining example of Patriot leadership and kindness!
14 days ago, Bob Fankboner
student spotlight montez
📣 Exciting Career & Financial Literacy Initiatives Happening Today at Heide Trask High School! 💼💡 Today, our 9th grade students are taking an important step toward planning their futures through Career Development Plans in their PE classes! Under the leadership of Mrs. Siobhan Fargo, students are completing the Reality Check activity using the NC Careers Platform — an interactive tool that helps them explore how their career interests align with real-world lifestyle choices and financial goals. This hands-on experience empowers students to start thinking about what it takes to live independently and make informed decisions about their education and career paths. 🚀 Meanwhile, all students are participating in the Reality of Money Simulation, a partnership initiative between Heide Trask High School and the NC State Employees’ Credit Union (NCSECU). Led by Mrs. Sylvia Wilkins, NCSECU employees and staff, and HTHS team members, this engaging simulation gives students a firsthand look at managing finances — from budgeting and paying bills to making choices about housing, transportation, and family needs. 💰🏡 These activities are part of our ongoing Career and Technical Education (CTE) commitment to helping students become career-ready, financially literate, and prepared for success beyond high school. #HeideTraskHigh #PenderCTE #CareerReady #FinancialLiteracy #RealityOfMoney #NCCareers #InvestInYourFuture #PowerOfCTE
14 days ago, Career and Technical Education Department
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Kickin' Bean & Beef Tortilla Bowl🌮

Fresh ingredients with flair! 🌶️ Our tortilla bowl is oven-baked, no fryers here... so you get all the crunch without the grease. We don’t use canned veggies, and our fruit is freshly cut every day for the freshest taste in every bite!
14 days ago, Aramark
Kickin' Bean & Beef Burrito Bowl
🍎 Teacher Tuesday Spotlight 🍎

Meet Ms. Katie White, a 1st grade teacher at Malpass Corner Elementary, who is being celebrated for her love, dedication, and phenomenal communication with families. With around 20 years of experience, Ms. White is known for making each day special for her students and ensuring they feel seen, supported, and cared for.

What stands out most about Ms. White is her heart for her students. From the very first day of school, she knew every child by name and worked to make each one feel valued as an individual. Parents consistently share how grateful they are for her thoughtful communication and the way she makes the classroom a safe, nurturing place for young learners.

One parent recalled when their child had a rare accident at school—Ms. White immediately reassured both the child and the parent, easing fears and showing compassion. It’s just one example of how she goes above and beyond every day to care for her students as if they were her own.

💛💙 Thank you, Ms. White, for your kindness, communication, and commitment to your students. You are truly making a difference at Malpass Corner Elementary!
15 days ago, Bob Fankboner
teacher tuesday katie white