Weekly Message

Greetings Panther Families,

This school-home communication includes important information about school events, expectations, processes, and reminders. If you are not already, we encourage you to follow us on Facebook and visit our school’s website frequently. 

Links to our school’s Facebook and website can be found below:

  • Please continue to read with your students each night and encourage them to take AR tests at school.

    • Help us rise to the top of the  Million Minute Challenge by documenting the amount of time your child(ren) reads each night! Use the provided link to share how many minutes your child read at home. Bookmark the link to visit daily until May 21, 2026. 

Link- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1WGrmLOMdn06qxUDZaY3VI7pwMp5afSH8PePaF6lPUgzpSA/viewform?usp=header 

Announcements

  • Please review the ‘Important Dates’  section below, as we have outlined family engagement activities and celebrations that are planned through the end of this school year.

  • Our 1st Semester Awards Assembly will be held on Thursday, January 29 at 9:00 a.m. for PK and  Friday, January 30 at 8:30 for K-2 and 10:00 for 3-5 students. Letters for students receiving an award were sent home with report cards on Tuesday, January 13. Please reach out to the school if you need to verify if your child(ren) will be receiving an award. 

  • Our 3rd-5th grade students take their MOY (middle of the year) Reading NC Check-in tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27.  5th grade students will take the MOY Science Check-in Thursday, January 29. Please encourage your child to try their best and put forth their best effort. We are excited to see how much they have grown since the BOY check-in. A good night’s rest and healthy breakfast will help them be prepared and ready!

  • Due to the early start schedule for the 26-27 school year, the Reassignment Application is open earlier.  The application window is from January 5th to February 28th.  Notification letters will go home on May 1st. 

    • In an effort to accommodate the educational preferences of families in the Pender County School District, officials have opened the reassignment request period for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Parents who wish to enroll their students in a Pender County school outside of their designated zone, with the exception of Pender Early College and Pender Innovative Learning Academy, are encouraged to participate in the application process.

    • Due to schools in the Topsail and Surf City school districts being over capacity, no new applications will be accepted. However, students who currently attend these schools on reassignment will have the opportunity to complete an application. Specific guidance on completing this application process will be provided by your student’s school.

    • Link to Reassignment Application- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFMHu1ENb6-I-34_u3yNWQBM519PQ4s1IiTt0Bv5BIsk22hQ/viewform 

  • Pender County Schools is currently accepting applications for our preschool program, offering families access to free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for eligible children. 

Families who live in Pender County and have a child who will be three or four years old by August 31, 2026, are encouraged to apply. The program is designed to support early learning, social development, and school readiness in a structured and nurturing environment.

Use the provided link to apply for the PCS PreK program: https://www.childplus.net/apply/es/B3560075B74AA67CE42CAAA6D6B06B75/EF79B549292EFF6700A9876921562DFA 

  • Join us in celebrating our annual Valentine’s Day Dance sponsored by PTO on Friday, February 6 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The cost is $5.00 per person. Music will be provided by a DJ, and there will be concessions available for purchase. This is a no-drop-off event, so a parent/guardian will have to remain with their student(s) 

  • Our first Virtual Quarter Auction sponsored by PTO will be held Saturday, January 31 on Facebook Live starting at 7:00 p.m. Scan the QR Code of the flyer linked or click on the provided link to learn how to play and preview auction items.

Important Dates

January

  • January 12- Beginning of ACCESS Testing for identified English Language Learners

  • January 19- MLK Holiday- NO SCHOOL

  • January 21- 3rd-5th Grade MOY Math NC Check-in

  • January 27-  3rd-5th Grade MOY Reading NC Check-in

  • January 29- 5th Grade MOY Science NC Check-in

  • January 30- 1st Semester Awards Assembly

  • January 31- Virtual Quarter Auction on Facebook Live at 7:00 p.m.

February

  • February 3- Progress Reports Go Home

  • February 6- Valentine’s Dance at 6: 00 p.m. and Valentine’s Gram Orders Due 

  • February 10- Panthers, Pages, and Pajamas Literacy Night (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.)

  • February 13- Teacher Workday- NO SCHOOL for Students

March 

  • March 3- Teacher Workday- NO SCHOOL for Students

  • March 4- A Day in the Classroom

  • March 13- End of ACCESS Testing

  • March 17- Report Cards Go Home

  • March 24-  3rd-5th Grade EOY Math NC Check-in

  • March 26-  3rd-5th Grade EOY Reading NC Check-in

  • March 31- 5th Grade EOY Science NC Check-in

  • April 3- Holiday- NO SCHOOL

April

  • April 2- Duke Energy Science Night (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.)

  • April 6-10- Spring Break- NO SCHOOL

  • April 14-  Progress Reports Go Home

May

  • May 1- Kindergarten- 5th Grade Field Day

  • May 7- Rising Kindergarten-4th Grade Transition Night (4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.)

  • May 8- 3rd-5th Grade Reading End-of-Grade (EOG)

  • May 12- 3rd-5th Grade Math End-of-Grade (EOG)

  • May 14- 5th Grade Science End-of-Grade (EOG) and 3rd Grade Read-to-Achieve (RtA)

  • May 18- 1st-4th Grade End-of-Year Awards Assembly

  • May 20- Kindergarten & 5th Grade Promotion Ceremonies

    • Kindergarten- 8:30 a.m.

    • 5th Grade- 10:00 a.m.

  • May 21- Last Day of School/Report Cards Go Home

Reminders

  • Our goal is to maintain a daily attendance rate of 95% or higher! We ask that you assist us in making sure that students are present and on time each day. In the event that your child is going to be absent, please make sure that documentation is provided and you have communicated with your child’s teacher the reason for their absence. 

  • All students entering the school’s front office entrance should be escorted to the front door by an adult at all times. Student check-in is required after 7:35 a.m.

  • We ask that parents of car riders not arrive before 2:30 in the afternoons to alleviate cars being backed up on N Wright St. School dismisses at 2:35 and students are prepared to leave campus by car at 2:45. Cones to the car lane should only be moved by school personnel to ensure and maintain the safety of students.

  • All parents and visitors will be required to present a valid ID for checkout and school visitation.

  • Any individual checking a student out or visiting the campus must be listed in Infinite Campus.

  • In our attempt to maximize instructional learning, student checkout will not be permitted after 2:00 p.m. Special circumstances will be evaluated on an individual basis by administration.

If you have any questions or concerns, call C.F. Pope Elementary at 910-259-0145. We look forward to seeing our students tomorrow, and have a wonderful evening.