Day #3 of the first day of school. First school Surf City Elementary. I was able to se a dynamic duo! At North Topsail Elementary there was a visit to the amazing STEM classroom! Topsail Annandale Elementary had a great birthday rock. The last stop was South Topsail Elementary with a fantastic principal cart!
It's Day #2 of the first week of school. First stop was Rocky Point Elementary. Look who dressed alike! Cape Fear Elementary and Cape Fear Middle made sure their rock art set the stage for a great year! Last stop was Pender Innovative Learning Academy where the Otters are ready for another successful year. Check out one of their bulletin boards!
🎓 Explore Dual Enrollment Opportunities!
Pender County Schools, in partnership with Cape Fear Community College, invites 7th and 8th grade students and their families to learn about the dual-enrollment options available to PCS students.
📍 Topsail High School
📅 September 1 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Heide Trask High School
📅 September 3 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Pender High School
📅 September 9 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Join us to explore pathways that can help students earn college credit while still in high school! 📚✨
🎓 ¡Conozca las oportunidades de inscripción dual!
Pender County Schools, en colaboración con Cape Fear Community College, invita a los estudiantes de 7.º y 8.º grado y a sus familias a conocer las opciones de inscripción dual disponibles para los estudiantes de PCS.
📍 Topsail High School
📅 1 de septiembre | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Heide Trask High School
📅 3 de septiembre | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Pender High School
📅 9 de septiembre | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
¡Acompáñenos para explorar programas que pueden ayudar a los estudiantes a obtener créditos universitarios mientras aún cursan la escuela secundaria! 📚✨
Had a fantastic first day of school! First stop was CF Pope with a coffee bar for the staff. What a way to start the day! Then ended the day with Malpass Corner. Check out the ballon arch! Let's go!!!!
📚✏️ The 2026–27 school year is here!
Classes are already underway at Penderlea School and Pender Early College High School, and on Monday, August 24, our traditional-calendar students return to class! 🏫
Whether your family is settling into a routine or preparing for the first day, a few simple steps can help everyone start strong. Take a look through these tips for students and families—from preparing the night before and limiting screen time to asking for help when it’s needed. 🌟
💙💛 When students, families and school staff work together, that’s #OnePender. We can’t wait to have all of our students back in class!
Classes are already underway at Penderlea School and Pender Early College High School, and on Monday, August 24, our traditional-calendar students return to class! 🏫
Whether your family is settling into a routine or preparing for the first day, a few simple steps can help everyone start strong. Take a look through these tips for students and families—from preparing the night before and limiting screen time to asking for help when it’s needed. 🌟
💙💛 When students, families and school staff work together, that’s #OnePender. We can’t wait to have all of our students back in class!
💉 Need to get your child’s immunizations up to date for the new school year?
The Pender County Health Department will hold a one-day extended Back-to-School Immunization Clinic on Tuesday, August 25, from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. at both locations:
📍 Burgaw — 298 Progress Drive
📍 Hampstead — 15060 Highway 17
📞 For more information or assistance, call (910) 259-1230.
Help your student start the school year healthy and ready to learn! 🎒📚
💉 ¿Necesita poner al día las vacunas de su hijo para el nuevo año escolar?
El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Pender ofrecerá un horario extendido para su Clínica de Vacunación para el Regreso a Clases el martes 25 de agosto, de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m., en ambas ubicaciones:
📍 Burgaw — 298 Progress Drive
📍 Hampstead — 15060 Highway 17
📞 Para obtener más información o asistencia, llame al (910) 259-1230.
¡Ayude a su estudiante a comenzar el año escolar saludable y listo para aprender! 🎒📚
The Pender County Health Department will hold a one-day extended Back-to-School Immunization Clinic on Tuesday, August 25, from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. at both locations:
📍 Burgaw — 298 Progress Drive
📍 Hampstead — 15060 Highway 17
📞 For more information or assistance, call (910) 259-1230.
Help your student start the school year healthy and ready to learn! 🎒📚
💉 ¿Necesita poner al día las vacunas de su hijo para el nuevo año escolar?
El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Pender ofrecerá un horario extendido para su Clínica de Vacunación para el Regreso a Clases el martes 25 de agosto, de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m., en ambas ubicaciones:
📍 Burgaw — 298 Progress Drive
📍 Hampstead — 15060 Highway 17
📞 Para obtener más información o asistencia, llame al (910) 259-1230.
¡Ayude a su estudiante a comenzar el año escolar saludable y listo para aprender! 🎒📚
TRAFFIC ADVISORY | NC 210
As students return to school Monday, August 24, families traveling on NC 210 near the future J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle Schools campus should allow additional travel time because of ongoing roadway and drainage work.
Crews are expected to work along the roadway from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The current phase has been planned primarily along the shoulders, but drivers may encounter construction equipment, workers and brief delays near the project area.
Later phases will require daytime lane closures, along with a weekend pipe-crossing project. Those dates have not been finalized. Pender County Schools will share additional information as details are confirmed.
Please slow down, remain alert and use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.
AVISO DE TRÁNSITO | NC 210
Con el regreso de los estudiantes a clases el lunes 24 de agosto, se recomienda a las familias que transiten por la NC 210, cerca del futuro campus de las escuelas primaria e intermedia J.H. Lea, tomar tiempo adicional debido a los trabajos viales y de drenaje que se realizan en el área.
Se espera que las cuadrillas trabajen cerca de la carretera aproximadamente de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. La fase actual está planificada principalmente a lo largo de los arcenes, pero los conductores podrían encontrar equipos de construcción, trabajadores y demoras breves cerca del área del proyecto.
Las próximas fases requerirán cierres de carriles durante el día, además de un proyecto de instalación de tuberías durante un fin de semana. Esas fechas aún no se han confirmado. Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender compartirán información adicional cuando se finalicen los detalles.
Por favor, reduzca la velocidad, manténgase alerta y tenga mucho cuidado al conducir por la zona de construcción.
As students return to school Monday, August 24, families traveling on NC 210 near the future J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle Schools campus should allow additional travel time because of ongoing roadway and drainage work.
Crews are expected to work along the roadway from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The current phase has been planned primarily along the shoulders, but drivers may encounter construction equipment, workers and brief delays near the project area.
Later phases will require daytime lane closures, along with a weekend pipe-crossing project. Those dates have not been finalized. Pender County Schools will share additional information as details are confirmed.
Please slow down, remain alert and use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.
AVISO DE TRÁNSITO | NC 210
Con el regreso de los estudiantes a clases el lunes 24 de agosto, se recomienda a las familias que transiten por la NC 210, cerca del futuro campus de las escuelas primaria e intermedia J.H. Lea, tomar tiempo adicional debido a los trabajos viales y de drenaje que se realizan en el área.
Se espera que las cuadrillas trabajen cerca de la carretera aproximadamente de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. La fase actual está planificada principalmente a lo largo de los arcenes, pero los conductores podrían encontrar equipos de construcción, trabajadores y demoras breves cerca del área del proyecto.
Las próximas fases requerirán cierres de carriles durante el día, además de un proyecto de instalación de tuberías durante un fin de semana. Esas fechas aún no se han confirmado. Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender compartirán información adicional cuando se finalicen los detalles.
Por favor, reduzca la velocidad, manténgase alerta y tenga mucho cuidado al conducir por la zona de construcción.
Due to weather this and next weekend, we have decided to postpone the Car Show to Saturday, September 12. Same Time. Same Place.
🧱 MIDDLE SCHOOL CTE KICKOFF — BRICK BY BRICK! 🧱
What an incredible day of professional learning with our Pender County Schools Middle School CTE Team! 💙💚
Today was all about building the people who build our students. We laughed, learned, connected, collaborated, and reminded ourselves just how powerful Middle School CTE can be in helping students discover who they are and who they can become.
🎤 Anthony Johnson brought an AMAZING keynote that challenged, encouraged, and inspired our teachers to continue showing up with purpose and believing in the potential of EVERY student.
🤝 Our local business and industry partners joined us at the table, strengthening the bridge between our classrooms, our community, and the careers waiting for our students.
🎯 And of course, we had FUN! Our teachers participated in engaging activities designed to build relationships, strengthen our team, and get us ready for an incredible school year.
Middle school is where so many students get their first opportunity to discover a career, develop a skill, and begin imagining their future. That makes this work BIG.
If you knew who I would become, you’d help me build it.
And that is exactly what this team is committed to doing…
🧱 One student. One opportunity. One experience. One BRICK at a time.
The foundation is being built.
The momentum is REAL.
And PCS CTE is just getting started! 🚀
#BrickByBrick #PenderCountySchools #PCSCTE #MiddleSchoolCTE #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #BuildingFutures #BusinessAndIndustry #ProfessionalLearning #CTEWorks
What an incredible day of professional learning with our Pender County Schools Middle School CTE Team! 💙💚
Today was all about building the people who build our students. We laughed, learned, connected, collaborated, and reminded ourselves just how powerful Middle School CTE can be in helping students discover who they are and who they can become.
🎤 Anthony Johnson brought an AMAZING keynote that challenged, encouraged, and inspired our teachers to continue showing up with purpose and believing in the potential of EVERY student.
🤝 Our local business and industry partners joined us at the table, strengthening the bridge between our classrooms, our community, and the careers waiting for our students.
🎯 And of course, we had FUN! Our teachers participated in engaging activities designed to build relationships, strengthen our team, and get us ready for an incredible school year.
Middle school is where so many students get their first opportunity to discover a career, develop a skill, and begin imagining their future. That makes this work BIG.
If you knew who I would become, you’d help me build it.
And that is exactly what this team is committed to doing…
🧱 One student. One opportunity. One experience. One BRICK at a time.
The foundation is being built.
The momentum is REAL.
And PCS CTE is just getting started! 🚀
#BrickByBrick #PenderCountySchools #PCSCTE #MiddleSchoolCTE #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #BuildingFutures #BusinessAndIndustry #ProfessionalLearning #CTEWorks
🧱 DAY ONE: HIGH SCHOOL CTE KICKOFF! 🧱
Today, our Pender County Schools high school CTE teachers came together to launch a new year of building brighter futures—BRICK BY BRICK!
The energy was high, the conversations were meaningful, and the momentum was undeniable! Our day included:
🧱 Connecting and strengthening our CTE team
🧱 Learning, collaborating, and preparing for a year of excellence
🧱 Hearing directly from our NCDPI consultants during content-area sessions
🧱 Asking questions, gaining clarity, and building teacher confidence
🧱 Welcoming and celebrating members of our CTE family
🧱 Recognizing teachers, CTSO advisors, and team members who consistently go above and beyond
🧱 Reconnecting with our purpose: “If you knew who I would become, you would help me build it!”
We were also honored to have our business and industry partners in the room! Their presence reminds our teachers that they are not building alone. Together, we are connecting classrooms to careers, strengthening workforce pipelines, creating economic mobility, and giving students a competitive advantage after graduation.
A heartfelt thank-you to our partners, NCDPI consultants, school leaders, and every CTE educator who helped make today impactful. Our teachers left motivated, informed, supported, and ready to teach with excellence!
The foundation is strong. The blueprint is clear. The team is ready.
Great momentum! LET’S GO, PCS CTE! 🧱🚀
#PenderCountySchools #PCSCTE #BrickByBrick #CTE #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #BusinessAndIndustry #StudentSuccess #BuildingFutures #WorkforceDevelopment
Today, our Pender County Schools high school CTE teachers came together to launch a new year of building brighter futures—BRICK BY BRICK!
The energy was high, the conversations were meaningful, and the momentum was undeniable! Our day included:
🧱 Connecting and strengthening our CTE team
🧱 Learning, collaborating, and preparing for a year of excellence
🧱 Hearing directly from our NCDPI consultants during content-area sessions
🧱 Asking questions, gaining clarity, and building teacher confidence
🧱 Welcoming and celebrating members of our CTE family
🧱 Recognizing teachers, CTSO advisors, and team members who consistently go above and beyond
🧱 Reconnecting with our purpose: “If you knew who I would become, you would help me build it!”
We were also honored to have our business and industry partners in the room! Their presence reminds our teachers that they are not building alone. Together, we are connecting classrooms to careers, strengthening workforce pipelines, creating economic mobility, and giving students a competitive advantage after graduation.
A heartfelt thank-you to our partners, NCDPI consultants, school leaders, and every CTE educator who helped make today impactful. Our teachers left motivated, informed, supported, and ready to teach with excellence!
The foundation is strong. The blueprint is clear. The team is ready.
Great momentum! LET’S GO, PCS CTE! 🧱🚀
#PenderCountySchools #PCSCTE #BrickByBrick #CTE #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #BusinessAndIndustry #StudentSuccess #BuildingFutures #WorkforceDevelopment
✨ The energy inside Heide Trask High School said it all: Pender County Schools is ready for a new year! 🎉
Today’s Convocation brought staff from across the district together to reconnect 🤝, celebrate our progress 👏 and look ahead with a shared sense of purpose. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove and PCS Teacher of the Year Caitlyn Bachman reminded us that strong relationships ❤️ and a strong team are at the heart of everything we do.
🎤 Guest speaker Leah Marone helped make the day even more memorable. A special thank-you to Equitable Advisors for making her appearance, lunch 🍽️ and a special gift for staff 🎁 possible!
We’re recharged, reunited and ready for the year ahead! 🚀 One Pender—let’s go! 💪
https://youtube.com/shorts/NCX8RDP4gkc
Today’s Convocation brought staff from across the district together to reconnect 🤝, celebrate our progress 👏 and look ahead with a shared sense of purpose. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove and PCS Teacher of the Year Caitlyn Bachman reminded us that strong relationships ❤️ and a strong team are at the heart of everything we do.
🎤 Guest speaker Leah Marone helped make the day even more memorable. A special thank-you to Equitable Advisors for making her appearance, lunch 🍽️ and a special gift for staff 🎁 possible!
We’re recharged, reunited and ready for the year ahead! 🚀 One Pender—let’s go! 💪
https://youtube.com/shorts/NCX8RDP4gkc
It's almost time for Friday Night Lights at Heide Trask High School 🏈
Preschool Program Kicks Off the 2026–2027 School Year
The Pender County Schools Preschool Program officially kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with Preschool Orientation. Preschool staff came together to prepare for a new year of learning, collaboration, and meaningful opportunities for young learners and their families.
As the program looks ahead to the new school year, the team has embraced a shared theme:
Excellence from the Start. One Team. Every Child. Every Opportunity.
The Preschool Program is excited to begin the year united around a commitment to excellence and ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive from the start.
🔨 Project complete at Rocky Point Elementary School!
The decks, ramps and steps serving the mobile classrooms behind the school have been fully replaced, providing safe, reliable access for students and staff ahead of the first day of school on August 24. 🏫✅
Take a look at the finished work! 📸 A big thank-you to our Maintenance Department for helping prepare our campuses for another great school year.
🚌 Getting ready to roll! 🚌
With the first day of school for our traditional-calendar students coming up August 24 📅, Pender County Schools bus drivers gathered on the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus for the annual bus driver meeting.
The session covered important information for the year ahead, including pay and finance updates 💵, employee benefits 📋 and other topics designed to help our drivers prepare for the start of school.
Our bus drivers are often among the first PCS team members students see in the morning ☀️ and the last they see in the afternoon — and preparations are already underway for another safe and successful school year. 💛🚌
With the first day of school for our traditional-calendar students coming up August 24 📅, Pender County Schools bus drivers gathered on the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus for the annual bus driver meeting.
The session covered important information for the year ahead, including pay and finance updates 💵, employee benefits 📋 and other topics designed to help our drivers prepare for the start of school.
Our bus drivers are often among the first PCS team members students see in the morning ☀️ and the last they see in the afternoon — and preparations are already underway for another safe and successful school year. 💛🚌
🧠💛 Preparation for a new school year goes far beyond classrooms and lesson plans.
Staff members gathered at the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus for a Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) refresher course 🏫, reinforcing strategies for preventing, recognizing and safely responding to challenging situations.
Refresher training helps keep important skills top of mind 💡 while giving staff an opportunity to revisit approaches that emphasize safety 🛡️, de-escalation 🤝 and supportive responses.
It’s all part of the work happening across PCS as our teams prepare to welcome students back for another school year. 🎒✨
Staff members gathered at the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus for a Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) refresher course 🏫, reinforcing strategies for preventing, recognizing and safely responding to challenging situations.
Refresher training helps keep important skills top of mind 💡 while giving staff an opportunity to revisit approaches that emphasize safety 🛡️, de-escalation 🤝 and supportive responses.
It’s all part of the work happening across PCS as our teams prepare to welcome students back for another school year. 🎒✨
🚗🚌 A busy hub of preparation at Cape Fear!
From above, it’s easy to see just how much is happening on the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus as Pender County Schools prepares for the new school year. 👀🏫
With staff trainings, meetings and preparations underway, a packed parking lot is a pretty good sign that our teams are hard at work behind the scenes before students return. 💼📚✨
August 24 will be here before we know it! 🎒
From above, it’s easy to see just how much is happening on the Cape Fear Elementary/Middle/PILA campus as Pender County Schools prepares for the new school year. 👀🏫
With staff trainings, meetings and preparations underway, a packed parking lot is a pretty good sign that our teams are hard at work behind the scenes before students return. 💼📚✨
August 24 will be here before we know it! 🎒
🚨 Final reminder!
The last summer meal pickup is this Wednesday, August 12.
Families can pick up 7 days of FREE breakfast and lunch for children and teens.
🕧 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
📍 All pickup sites
✅ No application needed
Thank you for helping us support Pender County families this summer. 💙
🚨 ¡Recordatorio final!
La última entrega de comidas de verano será este miércoles, 12 de agosto.
Las familias pueden recoger 7 días de desayuno y almuerzo GRATIS para niños y adolescentes.
🕧 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
📍 Todos los sitios de entrega
✅ No se necesita solicitud
Gracias por ayudarnos a apoyar a las familias del Condado de Pender este verano. 💙
⏳ The countdown is on!
On August 18, Team PCS will come together to reconnect, recharge and get ready for the 2026–27 school year.
Educators are experts at showing up for others. During our Employee Convocation, licensed psychotherapist, speaker and author Leah Marone will challenge us to consider what it means to show up for ourselves, too — strengthening our well-being, recognizing burnout and building habits that can sustain us throughout the year.
A strong school year begins with supported employees, renewed connections and a shared sense of purpose. We’re ready to bring Team PCS together! 💙💛
📅 August 18, 2026
🕣 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Heide Trask High School
👥 PCS employee event
On August 18, Team PCS will come together to reconnect, recharge and get ready for the 2026–27 school year.
Educators are experts at showing up for others. During our Employee Convocation, licensed psychotherapist, speaker and author Leah Marone will challenge us to consider what it means to show up for ourselves, too — strengthening our well-being, recognizing burnout and building habits that can sustain us throughout the year.
A strong school year begins with supported employees, renewed connections and a shared sense of purpose. We’re ready to bring Team PCS together! 💙💛
📅 August 18, 2026
🕣 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Heide Trask High School
👥 PCS employee event
💡 A brighter dining experience is coming to C.F. Pope Elementary School!
New energy-efficient LED lighting is being installed in the cafeteria dining hall, creating a brighter and more welcoming space for students and staff to gather and enjoy meals together. ✨🍎
It’s another summer improvement helping our schools shine for the year ahead!
New energy-efficient LED lighting is being installed in the cafeteria dining hall, creating a brighter and more welcoming space for students and staff to gather and enjoy meals together. ✨🍎
It’s another summer improvement helping our schools shine for the year ahead!
