📚 Battle of the Books Champions Recognized!
At Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting, students from South Topsail Elementary and Topsail Middle School were recognized for their impressive 3rd place finishes in the regional Battle of the Books competition!
Congratulations to these young readers and their coaches for their hard work, teamwork, and dedication. 📖👏
🌟 Student Spotlight: Peyton | 3rd Grade | C.F. Pope Elementary 🌟
Peyton leads with kindness every day! 💖 Whether she’s cheering up a classmate or helping others stay on track, Peyton is the kind of friend and leader who makes a big difference. Her thoughtful actions and positive attitude set the tone for her classroom and inspire others to do the same. 👏
🥩 Favorite Food: Outback Steakhouse
🎀 Favorite Color: Pink
⚽ Hobbies: Softball & Soccer
🐶 Pets: 2 dogs—Bear & Daisy
👯 Fun Fact: She has twin sisters!
Way to go, Peyton! Keep spreading kindness! ✨
🎓 Thank You, Board Interns!
A big thank you to our Board of Education student interns Morgan Augustine and Dayleen Murillo for their service during the 2024-2025 school year! (Janiyah James not pictured)
These students provided valuable insights and represented their peers with maturity and professionalism throughout the year.
We appreciate your voice and commitment to PCS!
⚓ Topsail High Coast Guard JROTC Honored
Members of Topsail High School’s Coast Guard JROTC were celebrated at the Board of Education meeting for their outstanding performance and community leadership this school year.
From drill competitions to service projects, these cadets have represented PCS and the Coast Guard with honor and excellence.
📚 Meet Dr. Kellie Henry, 9th Grade English Teacher at Topsail High School! 🍎
🎓 30 Years in Education | 📖 National Board Certified | 🎓 Doctorate Degree Holder
Dr. Henry knew from a young age she was meant to teach—calling it a “calling from God.” Inspired by her grandmother, a teacher and her greatest life mentor, Dr. Henry has spent three decades bringing passion, empathy, and dedication to the classroom.
She teaches English because she loves reading and writing, and finds true joy hearing students talk about the books they love. For her, it’s the relationships that matter most—those daily check-ins from former students are what keep her inspired.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Henry is a travel consultant who loves to explore the Caribbean and Walt Disney World. She also enjoys painting, doing puzzles, and spending time with her spirited Jack Russell terrier, Isabel. 🐾
Her teaching philosophy? "Students may not remember everything you taught them, but they will remember how you made them feel."
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms across the Pender County community!
Your kindness, strength, and support uplift our students and staff every day.
We celebrate you today and always
⏳ One week to go! The PEP 10th Anniversary Gala is happening Saturday, May 17, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎉
Enjoy an elegant dinner, dancing, and a silent auction—all while supporting students & teachers in Pender County Schools.
🎟 Tickets are still available! Get yours before it’s too late: PenderEducationPartnership.org
🗣️💬 STUDENT VOICES AT THE TABLE!
VIDEO LINK - https://youtu.be/t_Z_eMzhdgc
Today marked the final Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council meeting of the year, bringing together high school students from across Pender County Schools for meaningful conversation, collaboration, and insight. 🎓 These students meet quarterly to share their perspectives directly with district leadership—ensuring that the voices of those we serve most are heard loud and clear. 💙
This meeting focused on school finance, with Chief Financial Officer Lisa Nowlin walking students through how budgets are developed, how funding is prioritized, and how financial decisions impact classrooms and campuses. 💼📊 It was an eye-opening experience that helped students better understand the responsibilities and complexities behind district-level decision-making.
We are incredibly proud of these student leaders for their thoughtful input and active participation. Their feedback helps inform our work, strengthens our schools, and reminds us that the best ideas often come from those walking the halls every day. 👏 Thank you to every student who served on the council this year—you are making a difference! 🌟 #OnePender
Full Pender Early College Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7PbFMJfqm7iRVI_j9CPbqnM9
Full North Topsail Elementary Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7PYDQ80K7o0B2zeb9fWmswgw
🎉 Employee Spotlight on Carrie Hankins! 🎉
Carrie Hankins, Student Systems Coordinator in Testing and Accountability, is the guiding force behind our district’s successful transition to Infinite Campus. Leading a team of over 20 data managers, she has shown remarkable patience, determination, and leadership every step of the way. Ms. Hankins ensures her team has the tools, training, and support they need—and she always advocates for their success.
💬 “Carrie always tells the Data Team: we’ll get through it together—as a team.”
Thank you, Ms. Hankins, for your steady leadership and for lifting up those around you every day! 💻📊👏
🚨 Reminder: Community Meeting TONIGHT for Imagine Pender 2050! 🚨
The Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan is ready for your feedback! 🌟 Don't miss your chance to help shape the future of Pender County. The next community meeting is TONIGHT at Heide Trask High School.
📅 Date: TONIGHT, Thursday, May 8th
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Heide Trask High School Cafeteria
14328 State Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Come learn more about the draft plan, see the new map, and share your feedback with us. Your input is crucial! 🗣️💬
If you can’t make it, you can still take the online survey until June 6th here: Pender County Get Involved
Let’s build the future of Pender County—together! 🌱
Full C.F. Pope Elementary Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7Paw5QZPIyRZlqizKhbLCh55
Full Pender High Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7Paxr5oC8KOyWvUaYUmeJkz8
🌟 Student Spotlight: Mason | 5th Grade | North Topsail Elementary 🌟
Mason’s artistic talent truly stands out! 🎨 He brings our Wit and Wisdom curriculum to life with detailed, creative artwork that inspires his classmates to explore their own creativity. His ability to capture attention through art is a gift that brightens the classroom every day!
🥢 Favorite Food: Edamame
🔷 Favorite Color: Pale Blue
✏️ Hobby: Drawing
🐾 Pets: 8 pets!
😲 Fun Fact: Mason is already an uncle!
Keep creating, Mason—you’re an inspiration! 👏✨
Full Topsail Middle Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7PY3TjxcUyc02KQDv118ydSm
Congratulations, Emmy Clark! 🎉🥎🏀 Pender County Schools is proud to celebrate Topsail High School’s Emmy Clark—a standout scholar-athlete in softball and women’s basketball—who has been selected as one of only 18 student-athletes statewide to receive the NCHSAA 2024-25 Heart of a Champion Award! 🏅❤️ Emmy, a UNCG Softball signee, was recognized for her outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and community service. She exemplifies what it means to be a role model both on and off the field. Way to go, Emmy - we’re proud to have you represent PCS! 👏⭐
Full Surf City Elementary Teacher Appreciation Week Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGdCsBx3D7PZLalf8QNYLbqedFK9fkBWU
Happy National School Nurse Day! 🩺❤️👩⚕️👨⚕️
Today, we celebrate the incredible school nurses across Pender County Schools who keep our students healthy, safe, and supported every single day. From scraped knees to managing chronic conditions, their care and compassion go a long way!
Thank you for being the heartbeat of our schools! 💙
