Pender Innovative Learning Academy

🧼💙 Let’s work together to keep PCS classrooms healthy!

✅ Encourage handwashing and covering coughs/sneezes
✅ Keep your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
✅ Follow return-to-school guidelines for contagious illnesses like strep, pink eye, or chickenpox

By following these steps, we can limit the spread of germs and keep students learning. For more information, contact your school nurse or visit the CDC’s Infection Prevention Guidance for Schools: https://www.cdc.gov/orr/school-preparedness/infection-prevention/index.html

🎓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

The otters have a HUGE reason to celebrate!!! We are excited to share the results of the recently released NC School designation for PILA the 2024-2025 school year. Alternative schools receive one of three different designations each year: Declining, Maintaining or Progressing. This system compares a school's current overall score to its previous year's results to determine a designation, using measures of student persistence, school achievement, and growth. Due to the continued hard work of students, staff and parents, PILA has earned PROGRESSING status!!! We are one of only eighteen alternative schools in the state to be recognized with this top designation. We want to thank all parents for their continued support of our efforts to help students succeed. Our targeted focus on academics, attendance and attitudes are proving successful for all of our students. #makingprogress

👏From bus drivers and custodians to office staff and support specialists—every PCS employee makes a difference. Feature Friday is our chance to recognize them.
Nominate an outstanding PCS employee and help us say THANK YOU! 🎉 https://forms.gle/8RXYHnoJjvHq1aMk7

👏Desde choferes de autobús y personal de limpieza hasta el personal de oficina y especialistas de apoyo—cada empleado de PCS marca la diferencia. El Viernes de Estrellas es nuestra oportunidad de reconocerlos.
Nombra a un empleado destacado de PCS y ayúdanos a decir 🎉 https://forms.gle/8RXYHnoJjvHq1aMk7

🍎 It’s back—Teacher Tuesday!
Each week, we highlight the amazing educators who make PCS such a special place to learn and grow.
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond? Nominate them today! https://forms.gle/f4YpmMdkentnxEFM8

¡Está de regreso—Martes de Maestros!
Cada semana destacamos a los increíbles educadores que hacen de PCS un lugar tan especial para aprender y crecer.
¿Conoces a un maestro que siempre da más de lo esperado? ¡Nóminalo hoy! https://forms.gle/f4YpmMdkentnxEFM8

Student Spotlight
🌟Do you know a PCS student who deserves the spotlight? 🌟
We’re looking for students who inspire, achieve, lead, and make a difference in their schools and community.
Nominate a student today and help us share their story with the PCS family!💙💛 Nominate Here - https://forms.gle/TyCZKWRnNorAkUsJA

🌟¿Conoces a un estudiante de PCS que merece ser destacado? 🌟
Buscamos estudiantes que inspiren, logren, lideren y marquen la diferencia en su escuela y comunidad.
¡Nomina a un estudiante hoy y ayúdanos a compartir su historia con la familia PCS!💙💛 https://forms.gle/TyCZKWRnNorAkUsJA

TESTING 1-2-3!!! MIC CHECK!!!!

If you want to know what is happening at PILA next week, check out this link!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/155zUGvCBo01WLB1DEJzXGPUPxqxv6jQsmtY5WU1wKYs/edit?tab=t.0

📅 It may be early in the school year, but it’s never too early to plan ahead!

If you have a 7th or 8th grade student who may be interested in dual enrollment opportunities, now is the perfect time to learn more.

🌟 Dual enrollment through Cape Fear Community College gives eligible students the chance to:
✅ Take college-level courses while in high school
✅ Get a tuition-free head start on college education
✅ Transition seamlessly from high school to college

Families can ask questions and get details about:
🎓 College Accelerated Program
🎓 Pender Early College High School
🎓 Career & College Promise

👉 Don’t miss these opportunities to start planning your student’s future!

🚍 We know the first day of the three-tier schedule brought some challenges, while we continue to work to make improvements there is a free tool that can be helpful for families - the Here Comes the Bus app.

With this free app, parents can:
✅ See their child’s bus location on a map
✅ Get alerts when the bus is near your stop or school
✅ Gain peace of mind with notifications when the bus arrives in your area

The good news is that traffic flow improved by 30 minutes in some areas after adjustments from day one. While we continue to make changes, the Here Comes the Bus app can provide extra confidence and convenience for families.

📅 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! 💛💙

🚌 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!

📢 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

From PCS Transportation. Upcoming Driver Education class information and requirements below. Parent Meeting: July 11th at 8am in Media Center Class Dates: July 11th - July 17th Class Time: 8am to 2pm Register Now for the July Class Using link below HTHS Registration July 11th - July 17th Please read the Requirements below before registering your student. REQUIREMENTS: Student must be 14 years 6 months old by the first day of class (no exceptions) Students must be registered Online before the Parent Meeting. Pre - Registration does not count as Registered. You must use the link below to register your student for class. A Parent and the student MUST attend the required Parent/Student Meeting. Registration is $65.00, please bring this to the parent meeting (Cash or Money order ONLY) Payments can also be made online at ONLINE PAYMENT Copy of Birth Certificate will need to be brought to the parent meeting (Will be checked and given back at the end of the meeting) Please bring a pen to write with black or blue ink only Student Must attend ALL days of class No Exceptions Misbehavior or failure to follow class/school rules will result in the student being removed from class.

YouTube Link - https://youtube.com/shorts/mCfYTVl2jxw Even when school is out for summer, Pender County Schools continues to support our students and families. 🌞🍎 PCS is proud to partner once again with the NC Department of Public Instruction, No Kid Hungry NC, and the Carolina Hunger Initiative to offer free summer meals for children 18 and younger. Beginning Wednesday, June 18 through July 30, families can pick up 5 days’ worth of breakfast 🥣 and lunch 🥪 at four school sites—South Topsail, C.F. Pope, Malpass Corner, and Rocky Point Elementary—every Wednesday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. 📍⏰ ✅ No application is needed, but pre-registration is encouraged: https://forms.gle/9ywM682HA52263Vy8 📋 Just bring your child’s name and age when picking up meals. Together, we’re helping every child stay healthy, nourished, and ready to learn! 💪🎒

🎒 Enroll Now for 2025-26! 📝 Just a reminder that registration is open for all new and returning students for the 2025-26 school year — including incoming kindergartners! Getting started early helps ensure a smooth transition and proper planning for our schools. 📍 Start the enrollment process here: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll We can’t wait to welcome your student to the PCS family! 💙💛

🎒 ¡Inscríbete ahora para el año escolar 2025-26! 📝 Solo un recordatorio: ¡la inscripción ya está abierta para todos los nuevos estudiantes que ingresarán a las Escuelas del Condado de Pender en el año escolar 2025-26, incluyendo los nuevos estudiantes de kindergarten! Empezar temprano ayuda a garantizar una transición sin problemas y una mejor planificación en nuestras escuelas. 📍 Comienza el proceso de inscripción aquí: https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll ¡Estamos emocionados de darle la bienvenida a tu estudiante a la familia PCS! 💙💛

Aviso Importante para los Negocios Locales Hemos sido informados de una estafa relacionada con una empresa llamada Elite Sports Promo (https://www.elitesportspromos.com/) que está afirmando falsamente representar a Pender High School y a las Escuelas del Condado de Pender mientras solicita fondos de patrocinio. Según informes de otros distritos, varios negocios ya han sido engañados. Para aclarar, ninguna escuela del Condado de Pender trabaja con empresas externas de mercadeo para conseguir patrocinios. Las únicas organizaciones autorizadas a recaudar fondos para nuestros programas deportivos son los Booster Clubs (clubes de apoyo). Si su negocio es contactado por alguien que dice representar a nuestras escuelas para fines de publicidad o patrocinio, le recomendamos verificar su identidad y comunicarse directamente con la escuela. Puede leer más sobre esta estafa en el sitio web del Better Business Bureau: 🔗 https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/fort-worth/profile/advertising-agencies/elite-sports-promos-0825-1000198130 Gracias por ayudarnos a proteger a nuestra comunidad.

🚨 Important Notice for Local Businesses and Our Community We’ve been made aware of a scam involving a company called Elite Sports Promo (https://www.elitesportspromos.com/) that is falsely claiming to represent Pender High School and Pender County Schools while seeking sponsorship funds. Reports from other districts indicate that multiple businesses have already been misled. To be clear, no Pender County School partners with outside marketing companies to secure sponsorships. The only legitimate organizations authorized to collect funds for our athletic programs are the Booster Clubs. If your business is contacted by anyone claiming to represent our school for advertising or sponsorship purposes, we encourage you to verify their identity and contact your school directly. You can read more about this scam on the Better Business Bureau website: 🔗 https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/fort-worth/profile/advertising-agencies/elite-sports-promos-0825-1000198130 Thank you for helping us protect our community.