Lilly Milam is exploring the world of healthcare during Pender County Schools Job Shadow Day 2026, spending the day at Novant Health 🩺
From learning about patient care to observing medical professionals in action, Lilly is gaining real-world insight into the dedication, teamwork, and skill it takes to serve others in the healthcare field.
Thank you to Novant Health for continuing to invest in our students and helping them explore meaningful career pathways!
From learning about patient care to observing medical professionals in action, Lilly is gaining real-world insight into the dedication, teamwork, and skill it takes to serve others in the healthcare field.
Thank you to Novant Health for continuing to invest in our students and helping them explore meaningful career pathways!
Carter and Mary Milam are exploring healthcare careers during Pender County Schools Job Shadow Day 2026, job shadowing at Novant Health 🩺
From observing daily medical operations to learning about patient care and teamwork, they are gaining valuable insight into what it takes to work in the healthcare field. Experiences like this help students make informed decisions about future pathways.
Thank you to Novant Health for welcoming our students and supporting hands-on career exploration!
From observing daily medical operations to learning about patient care and teamwork, they are gaining valuable insight into what it takes to work in the healthcare field. Experiences like this help students make informed decisions about future pathways.
Thank you to Novant Health for welcoming our students and supporting hands-on career exploration!
Samantha Finch is getting a taste of the culinary world during Pender County Schools Job Shadow Day 2026, job shadowing at Butcher & Baker 🍞🥐
From behind-the-scenes preparation to learning about daily operations, Samantha is exploring what it takes to turn passion into a profession. Hands-on experiences like this help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers.
A big thank you to Butcher & Baker for opening their doors and supporting career exploration for our students!
From behind-the-scenes preparation to learning about daily operations, Samantha is exploring what it takes to turn passion into a profession. Hands-on experiences like this help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers.
A big thank you to Butcher & Baker for opening their doors and supporting career exploration for our students!
Carter Tilley is gaining real-world experience today during Pender County Schools Job Shadow Day 2026, job shadowing with Thomas Roofing 🛠️
From learning about the roofing trade to seeing what a day on the job really looks like, Carter is exploring hands-on career pathways and making meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Experiences like this help students turn curiosity into confidence as they plan for what’s next.
Thank you to Thomas Roofing for partnering with us and investing in our students’ futures!
From learning about the roofing trade to seeing what a day on the job really looks like, Carter is exploring hands-on career pathways and making meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Experiences like this help students turn curiosity into confidence as they plan for what’s next.
Thank you to Thomas Roofing for partnering with us and investing in our students’ futures!
Cape Fear Middle School students are in action today for Job Shadow Day!
Our CFMS students are exploring careers right on their own campus—shadowing administrators, counselors, support staff, and school leaders who keep CFMS running every day. They’re asking great questions, seeing behind-the-scenes work, and making real connections between school and future careers.
Huge thank you to our amazing CFMS staff for opening their doors and pouring into our students. Career exploration starts early, and today our students are taking powerful steps toward their future!
And that’s a wrap on Where in the World is Dr. Breedlove? 🌍✈️
Today, Dr. Breedlove shared his final video from Wales as he prepares to head back home this weekend. What an incredible week of connecting PCS students to classrooms across the globe! 🤝🏴
From thoughtful student-submitted questions to firsthand looks at schools in Wales, this experience reminded us that learning truly has no borders. Thank you to the students who submitted questions, the schools who tuned in each morning, and everyone who followed along on this global journey.
Be sure to watch the final vlog here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP57o3AbgsYxPkYmoqV6jyzKMa__ATkgg
Welcome home, Dr. Breedlove and thank you for bringing the world a little closer to PCS! 🌎💙
Gia Odom, a freshman at Heide Trask High School, had the opportunity to participate in Job Shadow Day by shadowing the Radiology team at Novant Health Pender Medical Center in Burgaw, NC.
During her experience, Gia gained firsthand exposure to the healthcare field, learned about radiology and imaging careers, and saw how medical professionals work together to care for patients every day. Opportunities like this help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and begin envisioning their future pathways.
A huge thank you to Novant Health for welcoming our students and investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals. This is what enrolled, enlisted, and employed looks like in action. 💙
#JobShadowDay #CTEWorks #CareerReady #FutureHealthcare #OnePender
During her experience, Gia gained firsthand exposure to the healthcare field, learned about radiology and imaging careers, and saw how medical professionals work together to care for patients every day. Opportunities like this help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and begin envisioning their future pathways.
A huge thank you to Novant Health for welcoming our students and investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals. This is what enrolled, enlisted, and employed looks like in action. 💙
#JobShadowDay #CTEWorks #CareerReady #FutureHealthcare #OnePender
🌟 PCS CTE Teacher Highlight | JROTC
Today we recognize our JROTC CTE instructors! 🇺🇸🎖️
Through leadership development, discipline, teamwork, and service, these educators help students build confidence, character, and real-world skills that prepare them for success in college, careers, the military, and beyond.
👏 Thank you for mentoring students to become responsible leaders, engaged citizens, and positive role models in our schools and community.
#CTETeacherHighlight #JROTC #LeadershipInCTE #PCSCTE
Today we recognize our JROTC CTE instructors! 🇺🇸🎖️
Through leadership development, discipline, teamwork, and service, these educators help students build confidence, character, and real-world skills that prepare them for success in college, careers, the military, and beyond.
👏 Thank you for mentoring students to become responsible leaders, engaged citizens, and positive role models in our schools and community.
#CTETeacherHighlight #JROTC #LeadershipInCTE #PCSCTE
🍓 National Strawberry Day is tomorrow and South Topsail Elementary is BERRY ready! The STE cafeteria is decorated for the celebration, and our Aramark food service team will be serving up fresh strawberries and strawberry milk for a sweet (and smile-worthy) treat. 🥛✨
Huge thanks to Fairway Ford and Cape Fear Community College for hosting a fantastic Career Connection Open House last night at the Burgaw dealership!
Our students had an awesome opportunity to tour the dealership, meet the team, and explore hands-on automotive career pathways, while learning more about the Automotive Technician Program at Pender High School and the added benefits of dual enrollment classes through CFCC.
We’re grateful for partners who help connect education to real-world careers and help shape a bright future for our students. 🚗🔧🎓
Our students had an awesome opportunity to tour the dealership, meet the team, and explore hands-on automotive career pathways, while learning more about the Automotive Technician Program at Pender High School and the added benefits of dual enrollment classes through CFCC.
We’re grateful for partners who help connect education to real-world careers and help shape a bright future for our students. 🚗🔧🎓
Daymond John – Business, Marketing & Finance
CTE Cluster: Business, Finance & Marketing | Entrepreneurship
Black History in CTE Spotlight 💼💡
Daymond John, founder of FUBU and star of Shark Tank, turned creativity into a global brand. His success is rooted in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.
📍 Local Connection:
PCS CTE students gain hands-on experience in business planning, marketing strategies, and financial literacy, preparing them to become entrepreneurs and leaders in our local economy.
📊 CTE turns hustle into opportunity.
CTE Cluster: Business, Finance & Marketing | Entrepreneurship
Black History in CTE Spotlight 💼💡
Daymond John, founder of FUBU and star of Shark Tank, turned creativity into a global brand. His success is rooted in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.
📍 Local Connection:
PCS CTE students gain hands-on experience in business planning, marketing strategies, and financial literacy, preparing them to become entrepreneurs and leaders in our local economy.
📊 CTE turns hustle into opportunity.
We’re committed to keeping our community informed.
Our 2025–26 Student Enrollment Dashboard is available on our website and shows real-time enrollment numbers for every school in our district. The dashboard is updated daily to reflect current data and provide a clear picture of student enrollment across our schools.
Access the dashboard here: https://app.klipfolio.com/published/8bb2281f369711f58598204c40d9c9a8/demo-dashboard-2526 or on the district website anytime under Menu>District Information>Student Enrollment Dashboard
Back by Popular Demand! 🎉 Parfait Banana Split 🎉
Join us in ANY cafeteria on Monday 3/2 for a breakfast banana split!
As fun as ice cream for breakfast sounds… this delicious version is made with yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy cereal. A sweet treat you can feel good about!
Join us in ANY cafeteria on Monday 3/2 for a breakfast banana split!
As fun as ice cream for breakfast sounds… this delicious version is made with yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy cereal. A sweet treat you can feel good about!
🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟
Mary Claire is a senior at Topsail High School, nominated by Nicole Kloesz, Student Council Co-Advisor, for community leadership.
Mary Claire was elected by her classmates as the Executive for Media and Communications for THS Student Council. In that role, she has helped share important back-to-school information and event details with students and families. She manages social media for both Student Council and Yearbook, and her digital design work has helped improve how the school communicates with the community.
Mary Claire also supports staff around the building by helping create posters and print materials for clubs, classrooms, and school events. She regularly attends events and encourages others to come as well. Her photos and posts help students and families stay connected and feel included in what’s happening at THS.
Outside of school, Mary Claire enjoys pickleball 🏓 and sailing at Camp Don Lee ⛵. Her favorite snacks are pizza 🍕 and Cheez-Its, and her favorite colors are blue and teal 💙💚—the Seahawk colors. She has a golden retriever named Zeke 🐶. One fun fact: Mary Claire taught herself how to play the guitar 🎸.
💙💚 Thank you, Mary Claire, for helping keep the Topsail High School community informed and connected.
Mary Claire is a senior at Topsail High School, nominated by Nicole Kloesz, Student Council Co-Advisor, for community leadership.
Mary Claire was elected by her classmates as the Executive for Media and Communications for THS Student Council. In that role, she has helped share important back-to-school information and event details with students and families. She manages social media for both Student Council and Yearbook, and her digital design work has helped improve how the school communicates with the community.
Mary Claire also supports staff around the building by helping create posters and print materials for clubs, classrooms, and school events. She regularly attends events and encourages others to come as well. Her photos and posts help students and families stay connected and feel included in what’s happening at THS.
Outside of school, Mary Claire enjoys pickleball 🏓 and sailing at Camp Don Lee ⛵. Her favorite snacks are pizza 🍕 and Cheez-Its, and her favorite colors are blue and teal 💙💚—the Seahawk colors. She has a golden retriever named Zeke 🐶. One fun fact: Mary Claire taught herself how to play the guitar 🎸.
💙💚 Thank you, Mary Claire, for helping keep the Topsail High School community informed and connected.
🎒📚 Pack the Future 2026 – Classroom Drive ✏️
The Pender County Housing Authority is bringing back Pack the Future, a school supply drive supporting local teachers and students ahead of the new school year.
Last year, our community showed up in a big way. Thanks to strong participation, classrooms across the county received essential supplies and teachers felt the support.
Now, they're gearing up for Summer 2026, and they need your help again!
🖍️ They’re collecting new school supplies that will be distributed directly to local teachers at the upcoming Teacher Supply Giveaway Event.
When you support a teacher, you support an entire classroom of students. ❤️
For more information or to get involved:
📞 910-259-1468
📧 Housinginfo@pendercountync.gov
The Pender County Housing Authority is bringing back Pack the Future, a school supply drive supporting local teachers and students ahead of the new school year.
Last year, our community showed up in a big way. Thanks to strong participation, classrooms across the county received essential supplies and teachers felt the support.
Now, they're gearing up for Summer 2026, and they need your help again!
🖍️ They’re collecting new school supplies that will be distributed directly to local teachers at the upcoming Teacher Supply Giveaway Event.
When you support a teacher, you support an entire classroom of students. ❤️
For more information or to get involved:
📞 910-259-1468
📧 Housinginfo@pendercountync.gov
Have you ever wondered what other students are learning — or how they’re learning it? 🏫✨
What does a school day look like in another country? 🌍
Thanks to an ECU grant opportunity, Dr. Breedlove is visiting schools in Wales to get an up-close look at how education happens across the globe and he’s bringing PCS students along for the journey! ✈️🏴
Each day, he’s answering questions submitted by our students in a special video vlog straight from Wales. 🎥💬 From classroom routines to school culture, students are getting a firsthand look at learning beyond North Carolina.
Follow along and watch the daily updates here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP57o3AbgsYxPkYmoqV6jyzKMa__ATkgg
The world is closer than you think. 🌎💙
🩺💙 Real World. Real Skills. Real Impact. Job Shadow Day 2026 – Medical Assistant Pathway! 💙🩺
Pender County Schools Medical Assistant students from all three high schools came together for the first iteration of Job Shadow Day 2026, and what an incredible experience it was!
In partnership with Cape Fear Community College and UNC SERVE, our students stepped directly into the world of healthcare careers.
The day began with CFCC Career Services guiding students through:
✔️ Healthcare career pathways
✔️ Postsecondary planning
✔️ Resume development tailored specifically to the healthcare field
Then the real hands-on learning began in the Health Simulation Lab:
🫀 Operating EKG machines
🩹 Treating wounds
🫁 Listening to patient lung sounds
🚑 Performing CPR
💉 Practicing blood draws in the phlebotomy station
Students didn’t just observe — they practiced, applied, and engaged in authentic clinical simulations that mirror real healthcare environments.
To close out the day, students collaborated in teams to work through real-world, work-based healthcare scenarios — building communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills essential to the medical field.
We are incredibly grateful to UNC SERVE for coordinating this powerful opportunity and helping create meaningful career-connected learning experiences for our students. 👏 Please join us in giving them a HUGE shoutout for investing in the future of healthcare right here in Pender County!
This is what Career & Technical Education looks like — preparing students to be Enrolled. Enlisted. Employed. 💼🎓🇺🇸
#PenderCTE #JobShadowDay2026 #HealthcarePathways #WorkBasedLearning #EnrolledEnlistedEmployed
Teacher Tuesday: Ms. Sarah Booth — BMS
Ms. Sarah Booth serves as an 8th grade EC co-teacher at Burgaw Middle School, supporting students in grades 6–8. She works closely with classroom teachers and regularly pushes into classes to provide additional support where it’s needed.
Ms. Booth is known for being approachable and steady with both students and staff. She collaborates with teachers to make sure appropriate modifications and supports are in place each day. She also reviews student data consistently to monitor progress and adjust supports when needed.
Earlier this year, Ms. Booth reached out with questions about how to best support a Newcomer student. She was eager to learn and apply new strategies. After implementing additional supports, along with her own ideas, the student began showing strong growth in ELA. He is now actively participating in class and working with peers on group projects, even when language differences are present.
Thank you, Ms. Booth, for your commitment to student growth and your work with the staff and students at BMS. 🔥
Ms. Sarah Booth serves as an 8th grade EC co-teacher at Burgaw Middle School, supporting students in grades 6–8. She works closely with classroom teachers and regularly pushes into classes to provide additional support where it’s needed.
Ms. Booth is known for being approachable and steady with both students and staff. She collaborates with teachers to make sure appropriate modifications and supports are in place each day. She also reviews student data consistently to monitor progress and adjust supports when needed.
Earlier this year, Ms. Booth reached out with questions about how to best support a Newcomer student. She was eager to learn and apply new strategies. After implementing additional supports, along with her own ideas, the student began showing strong growth in ELA. He is now actively participating in class and working with peers on group projects, even when language differences are present.
Thank you, Ms. Booth, for your commitment to student growth and your work with the staff and students at BMS. 🔥
🌟 PCS CTE Teacher Highlight | Family & Consumer Science
Today we recognize our Family & Consumer Science CTE teachers! 🧵🍎
From early childhood education to nutrition, life skills, and career readiness, these educators help students build skills for both career success and everyday life.
👏 Thank you for supporting students in becoming confident, capable, and caring individuals.
#CTETeacherHighlight #FamilyAndConsumerSciences #LifeSkills #PCSCTE
Today we recognize our Family & Consumer Science CTE teachers! 🧵🍎
From early childhood education to nutrition, life skills, and career readiness, these educators help students build skills for both career success and everyday life.
👏 Thank you for supporting students in becoming confident, capable, and caring individuals.
#CTETeacherHighlight #FamilyAndConsumerSciences #LifeSkills #PCSCTE
