Pender County Schools -

📢 Before-School Care Coming for 2025-26!
Starting this August, PCS will shift to a three-tier bell schedule to improve transportation and reduce delays. To support families impacted by these changes, before-school care will be offered for students at the Topsail and Surf City campuses.
🕒 New Bell Schedule Times:
✔ High School: 7:10 AM – 2:05 PM
✔ Elementary: 7:55 AM – 2:50 PM
✔ Middle: 8:40 AM – 3:35 PM
🏫 Before-care is available at:
📍 Topsail Campus
📍 Surf City Campus
💲 $22/week per student
📅 Registration opens July 28 — details coming soon!
📲 Read more: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/article/2308349
🚙 Topsail Campus Traffic Pattern Map: https://5il.co/3lrrj
🚗 Surf City Traffic Pattern Map: https://5il.co/3lrrm

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/XHX7RyO2lUc
👕🧺 Three Topsail High School students in the Pender County Future Leaders Internship Program are stepping up for their community with Tote & Take, a countywide clothing drive happening Wednesday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donation boxes are already out — so start gathering those gently used clothes and help make this student-led project a success! 📦
📍Drop-off locations include:
➡️ Pender County Human Resources, Social Services, Health Department & Administration Buildings (Burgaw)
➡️ Burgaw & Hampstead Libraries
➡️ Hampstead Annex Building
➡️ Brown Dog Coffee (Burgaw)
➡️ Steadfast Nutrition (Hampstead)
There’s a convenient location near you — let’s fill those boxes! 👟👖
🌟 This drive is part of the Future Leaders Internship Program, a paid summer opportunity from Pender County Government that gives students hands-on experience in local government, mentorship, and civic engagement. These students aren’t just learning — they’re leading. 💙💛

Mark you calendars

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/2wY69T5YF6s
📚 The 2025 Pender County Citizens Leadership Academy continued this week with a focus on education, highlighting how Pender County Schools and Cape Fear Community College are shaping the future of our community. Participants gained insight into programs, partnerships, and the shared commitment to student success across all grade levels.

🏫 Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove spoke about PCS’s efforts to create strong academic foundations, offer enriching extracurriculars, and plan for growth. Attendees also visited the construction site of the new J.H. Lea Schools campus, where the project is now 34% complete—a powerful look at progress in action.

🎓 Tammy Parris of the Pender Education Partnership and CFCC President Jim Morton shared how local partnerships are expanding opportunities for students beyond high school. Together, these institutions are helping to build a brighter, better-prepared Pender County.

📢 Superintendent Message: 3-Tier Bell Schedule Update 🚌⏰

📍 Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove explains why the new 3-tier bell schedule, approved by the Board of Education on June 3, 2025, is being implemented for schools on the east side of Pender County:

🏫 Affected schools:

Topsail High School
Topsail Middle School
Surf City Middle School
South Topsail Elementary
Topsail Annandale Elementary
North Topsail Elementary
Surf City Elementary

Here’s what the change means for students and families:

✅ Fewer late buses and more consistent classroom time
✅ Less congestion and safer campuses 🚗
✅ Efficient transportation using available drivers
✅ Supports continued growth in Hampstead, Topsail & Surf City 📈

🎥 Hear directly from Dr. Breedlove on why this matters and how it will benefit our PCS community - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5KObWmG9lY

Thank you for your trust and support as we move forward together. 💙💛

🎆 Fireworks, flags, and family fun!
Happy 4th of July from all of us at Pender County Schools!
We hope your day is filled with laughter, celebration, and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy.
Stay safe and enjoy the summer break! ☀️🎉

☔ Rain or shine, we’re here for our kids! Despite the weather, Pender County Schools gave out 6,050 free meals to children across the county today — our third summer meal pickup of the year! Last week it was the heat, today it was the rain… and next week, we’ll be right back at it. 💪🍎🥪 📅 Mark your calendar for next Wednesday — free, nutritious meals for all children 18 and under. No cost, no ID, no registration. Just show up!

🌟 Week 2 of Pender County Schools’ 21st Century Summer STEM Camp = SUCCESS! 🌟 From building 🔋 Acebott Solar Houses and coding 🤖 Dash Bots to exploring culture and history through hands-on learning 🧠—our students dove into a world of discovery and creativity! 💡✨ 🎒 Field Trip Highlights: 🌳 Nature & tree planting at Penderlea Park 🌊 Marine science with Carolina Ocean Studies 🐠 Ocean life up close at Fort Fisher Aquarium 🏛️ A journey through history at Tryon Palace Our campers aren’t just learning—they’re experiencing, exploring, and engineering their way through summer! 🚀🔬📚

YouTube Link - https://youtube.com/shorts/8y09A4wO7Fc 🔥 More than 7,600 meals served — in 100° heat! 🥵💪 Week 2 of our Summer Meals Program was a scorcher, but that didn’t stop our amazing staff and school resource officers from getting it done! 🙌🍽️ 📣 On Wednesday, we handed out 5 days of breakfast 🥣 and lunch 🥪 to families across the county — and we’ll do it all again next week with a fresh menu! 📍 South Topsail Elementary 📍 C.F. Pope Elementary 📍 Malpass Corner Elementary 📍 Rocky Point Elementary 🕧 Wednesdays | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM 💙💛 Huge thanks to our PCS team for braving the heat and supporting our students — all summer long! https://youtube.com/shorts/8y09A4wO7Fc

📣 Reminder! Free Summer Meals Continue TOMORROW! 🍎🥪 Pender County Schools is back for Week 2 of our Summer Meals Program — providing 5 days' worth of breakfast 🥣 and lunch 🥪 for children 18 and under! 📅 Wednesday, June 25 ⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 South Topsail Elementary 📍 C.F. Pope Elementary 📍 Malpass Corner Elementary 📍 Rocky Point Elementary ✅ No application needed — just bring your child’s name and age. ✨ New menu items are on the way, so don’t miss out! Let’s keep the summer strong with healthy meals and community support. 💛💙

📣 ¡Recordatorio! ¡Las comidas gratis de verano continúan MAÑANA! 🍎🥪 🌞 ¡Pender County Schools regresa con la segunda semana del programa de Comidas de Verano! Se ofrecerán 5 días de desayuno 🥣 y almuerzo 🥪 para niños y niñas de 18 años o menos. 📅 Miércoles, 25 de junio ⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 South Topsail Elementary 📍 C.F. Pope Elementary 📍 Malpass Corner Elementary 📍 Rocky Point Elementary ✅ No se necesita solicitud — solo diga el nombre y edad de cada niño/niña cuando llegue. ✨ ¡Y esta semana tenemos nuevos platillos en el menú! 🍽️ ¡Seguimos apoyando a nuestras familias este verano! 💛💙

📚 Walk to Read Camp is Reading Camp—reimagined! ✨ Under the leadership of Dr. Oates, Director of Elementary Education, and Meagan Winstead, Early Literacy Specialist, reading camp was transformed into a dynamic and engaging experience where students imagine, explore, and discover their path to excellence. 🧭 With a theme centered around exploration and discovery, students are immersed in literacy through books, art, and project-based learning that bring reading to life. 🎨📖 🔍 Our mission: Imagine, explore, and discover while mapping the path to excellence. 🌟 Our vision: Through Walk to Read and hands-on adventures, we explore new paths and discover exciting places—leading students to success. 🚀 Students across the district arrive each day energized and eager to learn—and families are noticing! 💬 One parent shared: “I’ve seen such a huge difference in his confidence in reading and writing. He comes home excited to share about his day—which hasn’t always been the case. I was nervous about taking away from his summer, but this has been the best decision. I’m so thankful he got this opportunity.” 💖 Walk to Read is more than just a camp—it’s a celebration of learning 🎉 and a spark for lifelong readers. 🔥

📍 RALEIGH VISIT | ADVOCATING FOR PCS 📍 Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove, Board of Education Chair Beth Burns, and Board Members Tom Reeves, and Jennifer Hansen visited the state capitol in Raleigh to meet with Representative Carson Smith (REP) and State Senator Brent Jackson (REP). The team discussed critical issues impacting Pender County Schools, including: ✔️ Increasing pay for teachers and staff ✔️ Providing local flexibility with the school calendar ✔️ Securing capital funding to meet growing facility needs We appreciate the opportunity to share the voices of our students, staff, and community—and thank our legislators for their time and attention. 💙💛#OnePender

https://youtu.be/3mXKEzv7qjw 🍽️ Summer Meals Kickoff Success! 🌞 On our very first day, Pender County Schools served more than 5,800 meals 🥪 to families across the county — and we’re just getting started! 🙌 ✨ New menu items are coming next week, so make plans to stop by one of our four pickup locations: 📍 South Topsail Elementary 📍 C.F. Pope Elementary 📍 Malpass Corner Elementary 📍 Rocky Point Elementary 📅 Every Wednesday | ⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM No application is required — just bring your child’s name and age! 💚 PCS is proud to support our community all summer long. #OnePender

Cheers to the grill masters, advice givers, and biggest fans we call Dad! Wishing you a relaxing and well-deserved Father’s Day!

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/1aPkypt_fOk 📚🏕️ Wrapping up an unforgettable week at West Pender Middle's Story Seekers Summer Camp! 🎉 Over the past five days, students have been reading purely for the joy of it — no tests, no stress. By the end of today, every student in the camp will have finished a full novel of their choice! That means roughly a quarter of West Pender’s students have completed a book this summer — and they’re leaving with another one in hand to keep the reading going! 🙌📖 With cozy reading spaces, creative themes, and supportive teachers, Story Seekers has sparked excitement around reading like never before. The love of reading is alive and well in Warrior Country! 💙⚔️

YouTube link - https://youtube.com/shorts/utS4mmoon2Q 🦅 Big news from the Eagles Nest! 🏫📣 Please help us welcome Ms. Paula King-Jacobs as the new principal of Malpass Corner Elementary! 💚 A proud Pender County native and graduate of Pender High School, Ms. King-Jacobs brings 16 years of experience, deep community roots, and a heart for children to her new role. 🎓🍎 She began her career teaching 5th grade at Cape Fear Elementary and later served as Assistant Principal right here at Malpass Corner. Now, as she steps into the role of principal, Ms. King-Jacobs is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment for every student. 🤝📘 She believes in high expectations, strong relationships, and the power of a “can-do” mindset to help students and staff reach their full potential. Outside the school walls, she loves spending time with her husband Jesse and their three children — all proud products of Pender County Schools. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🌟 We’re excited for this new chapter under Ms. King-Jacobs’ leadership and can’t wait to see the great things ahead for our students, staff, and families! 💫

YouTube link - https://youtube.com/shorts/mCfYTVl2jxw Even when school is out for summer, Pender County Schools continues to support our students and families. 🌞🍎 PCS is proud to partner once again with the NC Department of Public Instruction, No Kid Hungry NC, and the Carolina Hunger Initiative to offer free summer meals for children 18 and younger. Beginning Wednesday, June 18 through July 30, families can pick up 5 days’ worth of breakfast 🥣 and lunch 🥪 at four school sites—South Topsail, C.F. Pope, Malpass Corner, and Rocky Point Elementary—every Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. 📍⏰ ✅ No application is needed, but pre-registration is encouraged: https://forms.gle/9ywM682HA52263Vy8 📋 Just bring your child’s name and age when picking up meals. Together, we’re helping every child stay healthy, nourished, and ready to learn! 💪🎒

🎒 Enroll Now for 2025-26! 📝 Just a reminder that registration is open for all new and returning students for the 2025-26 school year — including incoming kindergartners! Getting started early helps ensure a smooth transition and proper planning for our schools. 📍 Start the enrollment process here: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll We can’t wait to welcome your student to the PCS family! 💙💛

🎒 ¡Inscríbete ahora para el año escolar 2025-26! 📝 Solo un recordatorio: ¡la inscripción ya está abierta para todos los nuevos estudiantes que ingresarán a las Escuelas del Condado de Pender en el año escolar 2025-26, incluyendo los nuevos estudiantes de kindergarten! Empezar temprano ayuda a garantizar una transición sin problemas y una mejor planificación en nuestras escuelas. 📍 Comienza el proceso de inscripción aquí: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll ¡Estamos emocionados de darle la bienvenida a tu estudiante a la familia PCS! 💙💛