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. 💙
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
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!
Our Maintenance Department is removing and replacing the decks, ramps and steps serving the mobile classrooms behind the school. These upgrades will help provide safe, reliable access for students and staff.
Crews are working to complete the project in time to welcome students back on the first day of school — August 24, 2026! 🏫✨
At Malpass Corner Elementary School, 180 meal bags were handed out today—and across the program, a total of 13,944 meals were distributed! That brings our summer total to an amazing 169,768 meals served. 🥪🥛🍊
A huge thank-you to the dedicated staff members and volunteers who continue to make this program possible! 💙
📅 Next week is the final week of summer meal distribution, so be sure to stop by!
🚌 Need school bus transportation on day one?
All students who need bus transportation for the first day of school must be registered by August 10.
Requests submitted after the deadline cannot be guaranteed service during the first 10 school days. Register by August 10 to help ensure your student has transportation available when school begins.
Thank you for helping us prepare for a safe and successful start to the school year!
Enroll - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll
🚌 **¿Necesita transporte en autobús escolar desde el primer día?**
Todos los estudiantes que necesiten transporte en autobús escolar el primer día de clases deben estar inscritos a más tardar el **10 de agosto**.
No se puede garantizar el servicio durante los primeros 10 días de clases para las solicitudes recibidas después de la fecha límite. Complete la inscripción antes del 10 de agosto para ayudar a garantizar que su estudiante tenga transporte disponible cuando comiencen las clases.
¡Gracias por ayudarnos a prepararnos para un inicio seguro y exitoso del nuevo año escolar!
Inscribirse - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll
Before the first bell rings, students and families are invited to meet their teachers, explore their schools and get ready for a great 2026–27 school year! 📚✏️
📅 Middle Schools/PILA: Wednesday, August 19
📅 Elementary and High Schools: Thursday, August 20
Check the graphic for times and additional details. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back! 👋🌟
🏫🎉 ¡LAS JORNADAS DE PUERTAS ABIERTAS YA CASI ESTÁN AQUÍ! 🎉🏫
Antes de que suene la primera campana, invitamos a los estudiantes y sus familias a conocer a sus maestros, recorrer sus escuelas y prepararse para un excelente año escolar 2026–27. 📚✏️
📅 Escuelas intermedias/PILA: miércoles 19 de agosto
📅 Escuelas primarias y preparatorias: jueves 20 de agosto
Consulte la imagen para ver los horarios y detalles adicionales. ¡Qué emoción recibirlos de nuevo! 👋🌟
Take a look at the latest progress from the J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle School construction site! With each update, our newest campus moves another step closer to welcoming students for the 2027–28 school year. 🏫✨
These are just a few of the newest views from the site. See the complete collection of photos and continue following the build here:
🔗 https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/bond-referendum
The halls are buzzing, the classrooms are ready and the 2026–27 school year officially begins TODAY at Pender Early College High School! 🎉✏️
Here’s to new opportunities, big goals, lasting friendships and a year filled with learning and success. We hope our students and staff have an amazing first day! 🌟🙌
Let’s make it a great year, PECHS! 🤍💗
🎓Interested in serving your country while pursuing a college education?
Students and families are invited to attend the Military Academies Fair to explore opportunities at U.S. service academies, senior military colleges and ROTC programs.
📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 5:30–8:00 p.m.
📍 Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center
Representatives are expected from West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Norwich University Corps of Cadets and Navy ROTC.
Whether you’re beginning to explore your options or preparing to apply, this regional event is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about pathways to college, leadership and military service. Please see the attached flyer for additional details. 📚
⏰ Only a few weeks left!
Free summer meals for children and teens are still available in Pender County.
Families can pick up 7 days of breakfast and lunch every Wednesday.
🕧 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
✅ No application needed
📝 Pre-register online or fill out the form onsite
🔗 https://forms.gle/RUijeuPKJLp1HboW6
Let’s finish the summer strong! 💪🍎
⏰ ¡Quedan pocas entregas!
Las comidas gratis de verano para niños y adolescentes todavía están disponibles en el Condado de Pender.
Las familias pueden recoger 7 días de desayuno y almuerzo cada miércoles.
🕧 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
✅ No se necesita solicitud
📝 Preinscríbase en línea o llene el formulario en el sitio
🔗 https://forms.gle/RUijeuPKJLp1HboW6
¡Terminemos el verano con fuerza! 💪🍎
📅 Thursday, August 6
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Black River Health Services
301 S. Campbell St., Burgaw
❤️ Free and open to the entire community! School supplies will be available while supplies last.
🎒✏️ ¡Prepárense para el nuevo año escolar! Black River Health Services invita a las familias a un evento GRATUITO de regreso a clases con útiles escolares, actividades para niños, recursos familiares y organizaciones comunitarias.
📅 Jueves, 6 de agosto
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Black River Health Services
301 S. Campbell St., Burgaw
❤️ ¡El evento es gratuito y está abierto a toda la comunidad! Los útiles escolares estarán disponibles hasta agotar existencias.
On August 18, Pender County Schools employees will come together for our 2026–27 Convocation — an opportunity to reconnect, recharge and gear up for the school year ahead.
This year’s featured speaker is Leah Marone, a Charlotte-based licensed psychotherapist, speaker and author. Drawing on 20 years of experience, Ms. Marone will encourage employees who spend so much time supporting others to also make space for their own mental health and well-being.
Because preparing for a strong school year isn’t only about what we do, it’s also about taking care of the people who make it possible. 💙
📅 August 18, 2026
🕣 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Heide Trask High School
👥 PCS employee event
Follow us for district news, school highlights, important updates, student and staff achievements, videos and more - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/social-media-directory
🔵 Facebook: @penderschools
❌ X: @penderschools
📸 Instagram: @pendercountyschools
🧵 Threads: @pendercountyschools
💼 LinkedIn: Pender County Schools
▶️ YouTube: @pendercountyschools
Follow along and help us celebrate what’s happening across PCS!
Cape Fear Middle School’s new flooring has been installed, giving the school a fresh look for the year ahead. Work is also underway at Cape Fear Elementary School and will be completed before students return. 🏫🛠️
These upgrades are part of ongoing efforts to provide welcoming, well-maintained learning environments for our students and staff. Take a look at the progress! 📸👀
🏀 A new place to play, connect and recharge is ready at Pender Innovative Learning Academy!
More than two years of planning and teamwork have transformed PILA’s outdoor recreation space. After the fencing was relocated, the area doubled in size—making room for a new blacktop and basketball equipment students can enjoy during recess. 🎉
Principal Nikki Braune says she is ecstatic with the results, although she may need to squeeze in a few practice shots before students return and challenge her to a game! 😄
▶️ Watch the video to see the new space and learn how the project came together - https://youtube.com/shorts/hkMrZCgJ5wo
Pender High School will host its 2nd Annual Car Show on Saturday, August 22. All years and makes are welcome, with awards, food vendors, raffle prizes and plenty of impressive vehicles to enjoy.
Last year’s event brought together more than 100 cars—help PHS make this year’s show even bigger while supporting the PHS Alumni Scholarship Fund!
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
📍 Pender High School, 5380 NC Highway 53 West, Burgaw
⏰ Registration: 8–11 a.m.
💵 Entry fee: $20
For questions, contact Tina Welborn at 910-663-5570.
Penderlea School, Pender Early College High School and our traditional-calendar schools begin the year at different times and follow different schedules. Our 2026-27 Family Break Planner brings their major breaks and extended weekends together in one easy-to-use graphic.
Save it to your phone or share it with another PCS family as you plan appointments, travel and family activities throughout the school year.
Time-off totals include weekends. Please refer to the approved academic calendars for complete schedule details.
📅 Tres calendarios. Un solo lugar para planificar.
Penderlea School, Pender Early College High School y nuestras escuelas de calendario tradicional comienzan el año escolar en diferentes fechas y siguen distintos calendarios. Nuestro Planificador Familiar de Recesos 2026-27 reúne los principales recesos y fines de semana largos en una sola imagen fácil de consultar.
Guárdela en su teléfono o compártala con otra familia de PCS mientras planifica citas, viajes y actividades familiares durante el año escolar.
Los totales de días libres incluyen los fines de semana. Consulte los calendarios académicos aprobados para obtener todos los detalles del calendario escolar.
📣 Families, we want to hear from you!
As Pender County Schools prepares for the 2026–27 school year, we’re asking families to complete a brief Communication Preferences Survey.
Your feedback will help us better understand:
📱 How you prefer to receive information
📅 What information matters most to your family
🌐 Whether there are barriers that make communication difficult to access or understand
The survey takes about three minutes to complete. Please submit one response per household.
🔗 https://forms.gle/BtdyMRbm7U6S2B3X6
Thank you for helping us strengthen communication with families!
---
📣 ¡Familias, queremos escuchar su opinión!
Mientras las Escuelas del Condado de Pender se preparan para el año escolar 2026–27, les pedimos a las familias que completen una breve Encuesta sobre Preferencias de Comunicación.
Sus comentarios nos ayudarán a comprender mejor:
📱 Cómo prefieren recibir información
📅 Qué información es más importante para su familia
🌐 Si existen barreras que dificultan el acceso o la comprensión de la comunicación
Completar la encuesta toma aproximadamente tres minutos. Por favor, envíe una respuesta por hogar.
🔗 https://forms.gle/BtdyMRbm7U6S2B3X6
¡Gracias por ayudarnos a fortalecer la comunicación con las familias!
