🌟 Pender County Schools is proud to host opportunities that bring our community together. Special Olympics Pender County is leading a Community Partnership Meeting to connect with local organizations, businesses, and individuals who want to make a difference.
📅 Wednesday, September 10
🕔 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 Heidi Trask High School Media Center
14328 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457
This is your chance to learn more about upcoming opportunities and how you can be part of something truly impactful for our students and community.
👉 To RSVP, contact Antonella Waddill at (919) 862-6968 or awaddill@sonc.net
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Together, we can create lasting opportunities for all! 💙💛
📅 Wednesday, September 10
🕔 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 Heidi Trask High School Media Center
14328 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457
This is your chance to learn more about upcoming opportunities and how you can be part of something truly impactful for our students and community.
👉 To RSVP, contact Antonella Waddill at (919) 862-6968 or awaddill@sonc.net
.
Together, we can create lasting opportunities for all! 💙💛
🎉 Congratulations to Mr. Paul Odom, STEM Teacher at Cape Fear Middle School! 🎉
Mr. Odom has been awarded a FOCUS Broadband Smart Connections Grant in the amount of $2,306 to support the Aerial Drone Competition Program at CFMS! 🚀✈️
This grant will help expand opportunities for students to explore STEM, innovation, and teamwork through hands-on drone technology. We are so proud of Mr. Odom’s dedication to investing in students and preparing them for future-ready careers. 💡📚
Thank you, FOCUS Broadband, for supporting our schools and helping bring this vision to life! 🙌
#PenderCTE #OnePender #STEM #CareerReady
Mr. Odom has been awarded a FOCUS Broadband Smart Connections Grant in the amount of $2,306 to support the Aerial Drone Competition Program at CFMS! 🚀✈️
This grant will help expand opportunities for students to explore STEM, innovation, and teamwork through hands-on drone technology. We are so proud of Mr. Odom’s dedication to investing in students and preparing them for future-ready careers. 💡📚
Thank you, FOCUS Broadband, for supporting our schools and helping bring this vision to life! 🙌
#PenderCTE #OnePender #STEM #CareerReady
🎉 Middle School CTE Teacher Kickoff Day! 🎉
Today we celebrated our amazing Middle School CTE teachers with a day full of energy, collaboration, and fun! 🙌 Teachers were recognized for their hard work and competed in a Goosechase scavenger hunt that connected them to local businesses and industries—all with the goal of raising awareness around Career & Technical Education. 💡
This year’s theme is “Get Committed to the Commitment!” 💪 Our CTE team is geared up, motivated, and ready to welcome students back on Monday. 🚀
#PenderCTE #CommittedToTheCommitment #OnePender
Today we celebrated our amazing Middle School CTE teachers with a day full of energy, collaboration, and fun! 🙌 Teachers were recognized for their hard work and competed in a Goosechase scavenger hunt that connected them to local businesses and industries—all with the goal of raising awareness around Career & Technical Education. 💡
This year’s theme is “Get Committed to the Commitment!” 💪 Our CTE team is geared up, motivated, and ready to welcome students back on Monday. 🚀
#PenderCTE #CommittedToTheCommitment #OnePender
📢 Reminder!
Tonight is Open House for both our Elementary Schools and High Schools!
🕓 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
This is a great chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and get ready for a strong start to the school year. We look forward to seeing our families this evening! 💙💛
Tonight is Open House for both our Elementary Schools and High Schools!
🕓 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
This is a great chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and get ready for a strong start to the school year. We look forward to seeing our families this evening! 💙💛
🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 Convocation Raffle Winners! 🎉
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Convocation and took part in the raffle. We’re excited to celebrate our lucky winners and the fun they brought to the day! 🏆
Most importantly, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors who made these prizes possible. Your support helps us start the school year on a positive note and reminds us of the strong partnerships that make Pender County Schools shine. 💙💛
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Convocation and took part in the raffle. We’re excited to celebrate our lucky winners and the fun they brought to the day! 🏆
Most importantly, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors who made these prizes possible. Your support helps us start the school year on a positive note and reminds us of the strong partnerships that make Pender County Schools shine. 💙💛
✨ The PCS CTE Kickoff Meeting was a blast and a huge success! ✨
This year, our theme is “Get Committed to the Commitment” – and our teachers showed up ready to do just that! 🙌
💡 We celebrated our amazing CTE teachers and even teamed up with some special student #influencers who helped us create content for our new CTE Awareness Campaign.
🎤 A big thank you to Brooks Harper, our keynote speaker, for inspiring us to keep raising the bar.
We are proud to say that your High School CTE teachers are energized, motivated, and committed to the commitment of elite success in Pender County Schools! 💙💛
#OnePender #CTECommittedToTheCommitment #PCSProud
Just a reminder that Open House events begin today for Middle School and PILA!!
August 20 - Middle School (4-6pm)
August 20 - Pender Innovative Learning Academy (4-6pm)
August 21 - Elementary School (4-6pm)
August 21 - High School (4-6pm)
Pender County Schools staff came together today at Heide Trask High School for our annual Convocation, closing out the summer and kicking off the 2025–26 school year! 🌟 Colleagues from across the district spent the day reconnecting, celebrating accomplishments, and gearing up for another year of learning and growth.
With local vendors and food trucks on hand serving up some fantastic food, the energy was contagious! Between conversations, laughter, and a shared excitement for what’s ahead, it was a day full of Pender pride. 💛💙
For the first time, we added a student panel featuring voices from elementary, middle, and high school. Students answered questions and offered genuine feedback, giving staff an authentic look at how they experience school life. Their insights brought fresh perspective and inspiration to start the year strong. 🙌
VIDEO - https://youtube.com/shorts/jb20ZcBLajQ
With local vendors and food trucks on hand serving up some fantastic food, the energy was contagious! Between conversations, laughter, and a shared excitement for what’s ahead, it was a day full of Pender pride. 💛💙
For the first time, we added a student panel featuring voices from elementary, middle, and high school. Students answered questions and offered genuine feedback, giving staff an authentic look at how they experience school life. Their insights brought fresh perspective and inspiration to start the year strong. 🙌
VIDEO - https://youtube.com/shorts/jb20ZcBLajQ
New this year, Pender County Schools will implement Clear Bag Policy 5021 for all major events held on the campus of PCS high schools, including football and basketball games.
Except for the approved exceptions to the clear bag policy listed below, all bags carried by event attendees must be either a) clear plastic or vinyl bags that do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” in size, or b) clear plastic freezer/sandwich bags (gallon-size or smaller). All attendees carrying non-approved bags will be denied entry and asked to return the bag to their vehicle or other off-campus location before entering the event.
Approved exceptions: (need not be clear, but will be subject to appropriate inspection at the entrance)
Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a hand), with or without a handle or strap
Medically necessary items
Diaper bags with an attending infant/toddler
Except for the approved exceptions to the clear bag policy listed below, all bags carried by event attendees must be either a) clear plastic or vinyl bags that do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” in size, or b) clear plastic freezer/sandwich bags (gallon-size or smaller). All attendees carrying non-approved bags will be denied entry and asked to return the bag to their vehicle or other off-campus location before entering the event.
Approved exceptions: (need not be clear, but will be subject to appropriate inspection at the entrance)
Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a hand), with or without a handle or strap
Medically necessary items
Diaper bags with an attending infant/toddler
🎉Welcome to the PCS Family! 🍎
This week, we had the pleasure of hosting our Beginning Teacher Orientation, welcoming educators who are starting their careers with Pender County Schools.
Our new teachers spent the day connecting with colleagues, learning about district resources, and preparing to make a positive impact in our classrooms.
We’re excited for the fresh ideas, passion, and energy they bring to our schools, and we can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make for our students this year. 💙💛
📅 Open House is almost here! 🎒
Come meet your child’s teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for a great school year!
🗓 Open House Dates:
Elementary Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Middle Schools: August 20, 4-6 PM
High Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Pender Innovative Learning Academy: August 20, 4-6 PM
Let’s start the year strong — we can’t wait to see you there! 💛💙
Come meet your child’s teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for a great school year!
🗓 Open House Dates:
Elementary Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Middle Schools: August 20, 4-6 PM
High Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Pender Innovative Learning Academy: August 20, 4-6 PM
Let’s start the year strong — we can’t wait to see you there! 💛💙
🚌 Plan ahead for the first day of school!
Our Bus Stop Lookup tool is now updated with routes, pickup times, and drop-off times for the new school year. This is the easiest way to confirm your child’s bus information before the year begins.
📍 Click here to check your stop: https://bit.ly/3HtS5tz
Let’s make the first day run smoothly for everyone!
Our Bus Stop Lookup tool is now updated with routes, pickup times, and drop-off times for the new school year. This is the easiest way to confirm your child’s bus information before the year begins.
📍 Click here to check your stop: https://bit.ly/3HtS5tz
Let’s make the first day run smoothly for everyone!
📢 North Carolina law now requires all public schools to show safety education videos to students in grades 6–12 within the first five days of the school year.
🛡️ As part of the Protecting Our Students Act (S.L. 2023-128), these age-appropriate videos help students recognize and report signs of abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations and emphasize that reporting is always confidential.
🎥 Pender County Schools is committed to complying with this mandate and making sure students know how to stay safe and seek help if needed. Look for information from your school in your email or sent home with your student once classes begin.
Learn more from the State here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3HbOqAq
🛡️ As part of the Protecting Our Students Act (S.L. 2023-128), these age-appropriate videos help students recognize and report signs of abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations and emphasize that reporting is always confidential.
🎥 Pender County Schools is committed to complying with this mandate and making sure students know how to stay safe and seek help if needed. Look for information from your school in your email or sent home with your student once classes begin.
Learn more from the State here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3HbOqAq
🎓Is your student considering a future at a U.S. Service Academy?
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20, 2025, as U.S. Senator Ted Budd hosts a Service Academy Day for North Carolina families.
This free event is a great opportunity for high school students and their parents to explore what it takes to attend one of the five prestigious U.S. military service academies. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and share key information about eligibility, nominations, and the application process.
📍 Open to all high school students and families
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20, 2025, as U.S. Senator Ted Budd hosts a Service Academy Day for North Carolina families.
This free event is a great opportunity for high school students and their parents to explore what it takes to attend one of the five prestigious U.S. military service academies. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and share key information about eligibility, nominations, and the application process.
📍 Open to all high school students and families
🚗🎉 Pender High School is turning 50 — and you’re invited to celebrate in style!
Pender High School is preparing for it's first ever Car Show on Saturday, August 23 at PHS!
📅 Registration begins at 8:00 AM
🎓 All proceeds support the PHS 50th Anniversary Scholarship Fund
Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a fun community event, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
📌 Contact information is on the flyer. Let’s make this a golden anniversary to remember!
Pender High School is preparing for it's first ever Car Show on Saturday, August 23 at PHS!
📅 Registration begins at 8:00 AM
🎓 All proceeds support the PHS 50th Anniversary Scholarship Fund
Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a fun community event, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
📌 Contact information is on the flyer. Let’s make this a golden anniversary to remember!
📣 A big THANK YOU to Cape Fear Community College for hosting our students during this summer’s Career Academy! 🙌
Rising 7th–9th graders from Pender and New Hanover County Schools explored hands-on learning in exciting career fields like aviation, firefighting, interior design, IT, law enforcement, film production, and more. 🎥👨🚒✈️🛠️
Programs like this open doors, spark curiosity, and help students discover their future paths. We’re grateful for this amazing partnership! 💛💙 Here's a recap of the week - https://bit.ly/41g1CuW Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/459Xe1K
Rising 7th–9th graders from Pender and New Hanover County Schools explored hands-on learning in exciting career fields like aviation, firefighting, interior design, IT, law enforcement, film production, and more. 🎥👨🚒✈️🛠️
Programs like this open doors, spark curiosity, and help students discover their future paths. We’re grateful for this amazing partnership! 💛💙 Here's a recap of the week - https://bit.ly/41g1CuW Photo Gallery - https://bit.ly/459Xe1K
🎉 Congratulations to Ms. Danyel New! 🎉
Please join us in celebrating Ms. Danyel New, Health Science Teacher at Pender High School, for being selected as the 2025 Humanitarian Award Recipient by the Southeastern Carolina Nurses League (SCCNL)! 🏆💙
This prestigious award honors individuals who go above and beyond to uplift the vulnerable, serve with compassion, and exemplify humanity in healthcare — and Ms. New does exactly that every single day!
Her unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities, supporting underserved communities, and promoting dignity in nursing has made a lasting impact on students and the broader community.
She will be honored at the 2025 SCCNL Nurses Ball on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Wallace, NC. 🕊️✨
👩⚕️ Pender County Schools is so proud of you, Ms. New! Thank you for your incredible service, passion, and dedication to the next generation of healthcare professionals. 🩺💛
#PenderProud #CTEWorks #HealthScienceHero #HumanitarianAward2025 #OnePender #PCSCTE #TeacherSpotlight #SouthernElegance #ExcellenceInEducation
Please join us in celebrating Ms. Danyel New, Health Science Teacher at Pender High School, for being selected as the 2025 Humanitarian Award Recipient by the Southeastern Carolina Nurses League (SCCNL)! 🏆💙
This prestigious award honors individuals who go above and beyond to uplift the vulnerable, serve with compassion, and exemplify humanity in healthcare — and Ms. New does exactly that every single day!
Her unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities, supporting underserved communities, and promoting dignity in nursing has made a lasting impact on students and the broader community.
She will be honored at the 2025 SCCNL Nurses Ball on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Wallace, NC. 🕊️✨
👩⚕️ Pender County Schools is so proud of you, Ms. New! Thank you for your incredible service, passion, and dedication to the next generation of healthcare professionals. 🩺💛
#PenderProud #CTEWorks #HealthScienceHero #HumanitarianAward2025 #OnePender #PCSCTE #TeacherSpotlight #SouthernElegance #ExcellenceInEducation
🎉 Thank you, Pender County, for showing up strong! 💙💛 Today, our Summer Meals team handed out 7,990 total meals on what was supposed to be the final day of the promotion BUT remember, we've extended this until August 13th.
That means two more Wednesdays of FREE breakfasts & lunches for kids 18 and under!
🗓️ Next pickup: Wednesday, August 6 | 12:30–2:00 PM
📍Details & locations: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/article/2313628
Let’s keep feeding Pender — rain or shine (or heat)! ☔🌞
That means two more Wednesdays of FREE breakfasts & lunches for kids 18 and under!
🗓️ Next pickup: Wednesday, August 6 | 12:30–2:00 PM
📍Details & locations: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/article/2313628
Let’s keep feeding Pender — rain or shine (or heat)! ☔🌞
🎉Summer Celebration🌞Congrats to the PHS Raider Team who received their rings for sweeping the Mixed Raider Best of the Best Competition during the 2024-25 school year. This program has become the standard to which others are measured, and it's an extremely high bar - well done Patriots!!
Pender County Schools is saddened to learn of the passing of former Superintendent Dr. Ted Kaniuka, who served our district from 2004 to 2007.
Dr. Kaniuka was a dedicated leader who worked to support students, staff, and the broader Pender County community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues during this difficult time.