🧠✨ Spotlight: Sophie Heckerman
“Many people don’t realize that school psychologists do much more than testing. We support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being, collaborate with teachers and families to create positive learning environments, and help schools build systems that support all learners.”
Ms. Heckerman has been a school psychologist for 10 years (Four with PCS) and loves "the connections I get to make with students and staff".
We’re grateful for everything she does to support our students and staff! 💙
“Many people don’t realize that school psychologists do much more than testing. We support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being, collaborate with teachers and families to create positive learning environments, and help schools build systems that support all learners.”
Ms. Heckerman has been a school psychologist for 10 years (Four with PCS) and loves "the connections I get to make with students and staff".
We’re grateful for everything she does to support our students and staff! 💙
🏫 There’s still time to share your voice!
Pender County Schools is collecting community feedback on mascots for our new J.H. Lea Elementary and J.H. Lea Middle Schools, opening in August 2027.
The survey closes November 12, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the spirit of our newest school communities!
📝 Take the short survey here: https://forms.gle/FeM9vs7T1c6KRZwt5
Thank you for helping make J.H. Lea Schools a true reflection of Pender County pride! 💙💛
Pender County Schools is collecting community feedback on mascots for our new J.H. Lea Elementary and J.H. Lea Middle Schools, opening in August 2027.
The survey closes November 12, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the spirit of our newest school communities!
📝 Take the short survey here: https://forms.gle/FeM9vs7T1c6KRZwt5
Thank you for helping make J.H. Lea Schools a true reflection of Pender County pride! 💙💛
💙 Meet Kristin Sutton, one of our dedicated school psychologists!
Ms. Sutton has been serving as a school psychologist for eight years, including four years in PCS.
She says her favorite part of the job is “I truly cherish and value the relationships that I have developed with so many different staff and students.”.
Outside of school, Ms. Sutton enjoys spending as much time as she can with her one-year-old son. She is also the captain of a pool team with the American Pool Players Association and she enjoys playing disc golf - a great reminder that balance and self-care matter for everyone!
Thank you, Ms. Sutton, for the compassion and positivity you bring to our students and staff every day! 🌟
Ms. Sutton has been serving as a school psychologist for eight years, including four years in PCS.
She says her favorite part of the job is “I truly cherish and value the relationships that I have developed with so many different staff and students.”.
Outside of school, Ms. Sutton enjoys spending as much time as she can with her one-year-old son. She is also the captain of a pool team with the American Pool Players Association and she enjoys playing disc golf - a great reminder that balance and self-care matter for everyone!
Thank you, Ms. Sutton, for the compassion and positivity you bring to our students and staff every day! 🌟
🧠✨ It’s National School Psychologist Week!
This week, we’re celebrating the incredible school psychologists across Pender County Schools who support students’ academic success, mental wellness, and emotional growth every day.
Join us as we spotlight each of our eight amazing professionals, sharing their stories, their inspiration, and their heart for helping students thrive. 💙 YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/p1ACTJDzpxI
This week, we’re celebrating the incredible school psychologists across Pender County Schools who support students’ academic success, mental wellness, and emotional growth every day.
Join us as we spotlight each of our eight amazing professionals, sharing their stories, their inspiration, and their heart for helping students thrive. 💙 YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/p1ACTJDzpxI
Meet Ms. Suzanne Buckley, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Surf City Middle. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Ms. Buckley is known for her caring nature and the positive impact she has on her students each day.
What stands out most about Ms. Buckley is how deeply she cares for her students. She takes time to make sure everyone feels supported and included, whether that means bringing in clothes for students who need them or finding creative ways to make lessons more engaging.
Her students know they can count on her for kindness and encouragement, and her colleagues appreciate the energy and care she brings to the classroom.
💙☀️ Thank you, Ms. Buckley, for the light you bring to Surf City Middle and for always putting students first.
What stands out most about Ms. Buckley is how deeply she cares for her students. She takes time to make sure everyone feels supported and included, whether that means bringing in clothes for students who need them or finding creative ways to make lessons more engaging.
Her students know they can count on her for kindness and encouragement, and her colleagues appreciate the energy and care she brings to the classroom.
💙☀️ Thank you, Ms. Buckley, for the light you bring to Surf City Middle and for always putting students first.
When asked what inspired her to become a school psychologist, Danielle Burnash said:
“The desire to help children struggling with mental health challenges. ”
That passion shines through in her work every day at North Topsail Elementary and Topsail High, where Ms. Burnash focuses on helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
We’re grateful for everything she does to support our students and staff! 💙 THANK YOU!!
🎉 Celebrating 30 Years of Service! 🎉
A big THANK YOU to Tamela Rouse who celebrated her last day with Pender County Schools, wrapping up an incredible 30-year career serving our students and staff.
Tamela’s dedication, kindness, and commitment have nourished more than just meals, she’s helped build a caring community for generations of students. Her hard work and heart have made a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed by everyone at PCS. 💙
Please join us in wishing Tamela a happy and well-deserved retirement! 🥳💐
A big THANK YOU to Tamela Rouse who celebrated her last day with Pender County Schools, wrapping up an incredible 30-year career serving our students and staff.
Tamela’s dedication, kindness, and commitment have nourished more than just meals, she’s helped build a caring community for generations of students. Her hard work and heart have made a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed by everyone at PCS. 💙
Please join us in wishing Tamela a happy and well-deserved retirement! 🥳💐
💙 Happy School Psychologist Week! 💛
This week, we’re celebrating the dedicated folks who help students learn, grow, and thrive every day!
School psychologists play a vital role in supporting academic success, emotional well-being, and positive learning environments across Pender County Schools.
Join us in thanking our incredible team: Danielle Burnash, Jessica Campbell, Stacey Curti, Katherine Gallant, Sophie Heckerman, Kimberly Mann, Kristin Sutton, Tayla Wynne
Thank you for the care and expertise you bring to our schools and students every day! 💙💛
This week, we’re celebrating the dedicated folks who help students learn, grow, and thrive every day!
School psychologists play a vital role in supporting academic success, emotional well-being, and positive learning environments across Pender County Schools.
Join us in thanking our incredible team: Danielle Burnash, Jessica Campbell, Stacey Curti, Katherine Gallant, Sophie Heckerman, Kimberly Mann, Kristin Sutton, Tayla Wynne
Thank you for the care and expertise you bring to our schools and students every day! 💙💛
🥫 Let’s Fill the Bins and Fill Hearts! 💙
This November, Pender County Schools is collecting non-perishable food and snacks to support local organizations that care for our community.
🗓️ Donations accepted all month long
📍 Drop off at your school
✨ Requested items: cereal, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, condiments, and individually packaged snacks like granola bars, Pop-Tarts, tuna packets, and more.
Every little bit helps, and every donation stays right here in Pender County. 💛
Together, we can make a difference! #OnePender
This November, Pender County Schools is collecting non-perishable food and snacks to support local organizations that care for our community.
🗓️ Donations accepted all month long
📍 Drop off at your school
✨ Requested items: cereal, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, condiments, and individually packaged snacks like granola bars, Pop-Tarts, tuna packets, and more.
Every little bit helps, and every donation stays right here in Pender County. 💛
Together, we can make a difference! #OnePender
📚 The Million Minute Reading Challenge is underway — and every minute your family reads at home gets us closer to ONE MILLION!
Grab a book after dinner, read before bed, or on the way to school. Every page counts!
📚 ¡El Desafío de Un Millón de Minutos de Lectura ya comenzó, y cada minuto que su familia lea en casa nos acerca más a UN MILLÓN!
Coge un libro después de cenar, lee antes de dormir o de camino a la escuela. ¡Cada página cuenta!
Grab a book after dinner, read before bed, or on the way to school. Every page counts!
📚 ¡El Desafío de Un Millón de Minutos de Lectura ya comenzó, y cada minuto que su familia lea en casa nos acerca más a UN MILLÓN!
Coge un libro después de cenar, lee antes de dormir o de camino a la escuela. ¡Cada página cuenta!
Weekly PCS Newsletter (Halloween Edition) https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/UHhnsZRCqdtwc Have a great and safe weekend!
Parents Thanksgiving Lunch 🦃🍽️
Join your elementary and middle school students for a special Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria!
Parents are asked to register with their school in advance. Meals can be purchased at the ticketing table outside the cafeteria. Please bring exact change to help make the process quick and easy.
We look forward to sharing this special meal with you!
Join your elementary and middle school students for a special Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria!
Parents are asked to register with their school in advance. Meals can be purchased at the ticketing table outside the cafeteria. Please bring exact change to help make the process quick and easy.
We look forward to sharing this special meal with you!
🌟 Feature Friday: Employee Spotlight 🌟
This week we’re celebrating Pat Stephens (Miss Patty), driver of Bus 289 at Topsail Annandale Elementary. For nearly two years, Miss Patty has been a familiar, caring face for students and families. Known for her positive attitude and genuine care, she ensures her riders are safe, supported, and always where they need to be. Parents and students alike are grateful for the consistency, kindness, and dedication she brings to her role every single day.
💛💙 Thank you, Miss Patty, for the joy and care you share with your students—you are an important part of the Topsail Annandale school community!
🎃🩺 ICU in the Future: Healthcare Awareness Day was spooktacular for our 6th graders today! 👻
From learning to stop the bleeding
💉 to mastering CPR and pulse sites ❤️🔥 — our future healthcare heroes got hands-on with some life-saving (and slightly frighteningly fun) skills! 🧛♀️💀 They even practiced donning PPE and perfecting the Heimlich maneuver — talk about scaring away emergencies! 😷🫀
Huge fangs 🧛♂️ to UNCSERVE, and our amazing Health Science students and teachers from HTHS and PHS for leading the frightfully fantastic day. 🧠✨
It was a boo-tiful blend of experience and exposure — because the future of healthcare in Pender County Schools is so bright, it’s scary! 🎃🩹🧡
#ICUIntheFuture #CTE #HealthcareHeroes #SpookyScience #PenderCTE #OnePender
Due to a traffic accident in the area and heavy traffic volume on HWY 17, delays are possible involving bus pickup and arrival at school. We appreciate your patience.
Due to a traffic accident in the area and heavy traffic volume on HWY 17, expect delays involving bus pickup and arrival at school. We appreciate your patience.
To borrow from Jim Nantz - "Hello friend!" 🌞
🎓 Pender Early College High School Parent Night Information Sessions! 🎓
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity for your student’s future? Join us to learn more about Pender Early College High School (PECHS) and how your child can earn college credits while completing high school!
📅 Monday, November 3rd at 6:00 PM
📍 CFCC Surf City Site
📅 Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 PM
📍 Pender Early College High School (PECHS)
👩🎓 Open to students currently in 8th–11th grades
✨ Come discover how PECHS helps students get a head start on college success!
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity for your student’s future? Join us to learn more about Pender Early College High School (PECHS) and how your child can earn college credits while completing high school!
📅 Monday, November 3rd at 6:00 PM
📍 CFCC Surf City Site
📅 Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 PM
📍 Pender Early College High School (PECHS)
👩🎓 Open to students currently in 8th–11th grades
✨ Come discover how PECHS helps students get a head start on college success!
🎃 Happy Halloween! 👻
Breakfast for lunch? Always a spook-tacular change of pace! 🥞🍳
Breakfast for lunch? Always a spook-tacular change of pace! 🥞🍳
🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟
Meet Montez, a student at Pender High School, recognized for his leadership, kindness, and helpfulness. Even in just the first weeks of school, Montez has gone above and beyond to make his classmates feel welcome. He lends a hand with schoolwork, encourages others, and creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom. During presentations, he empowers shy students by listening attentively, clapping when they finish, and showing genuine support—helping his peers build confidence.
Montez’s outgoing personality and artistic talents make him a role model at PHS, where his kindness continues to inspire those around him.
Outside of school, Montez enjoys fashion and art. His favorite foods are chicken alfredo, spaghetti, pizza, and wings, his favorite colors are pink and blue, and an interesting fact—he hopes to become a travel RN one day.
💙❤️ Congratulations, Montez—you are a shining example of Patriot leadership and kindness!
Meet Montez, a student at Pender High School, recognized for his leadership, kindness, and helpfulness. Even in just the first weeks of school, Montez has gone above and beyond to make his classmates feel welcome. He lends a hand with schoolwork, encourages others, and creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom. During presentations, he empowers shy students by listening attentively, clapping when they finish, and showing genuine support—helping his peers build confidence.
Montez’s outgoing personality and artistic talents make him a role model at PHS, where his kindness continues to inspire those around him.
Outside of school, Montez enjoys fashion and art. His favorite foods are chicken alfredo, spaghetti, pizza, and wings, his favorite colors are pink and blue, and an interesting fact—he hopes to become a travel RN one day.
💙❤️ Congratulations, Montez—you are a shining example of Patriot leadership and kindness!
