Pender Innovative Learning Academy

The Wednesday exploratory class for all elementary and middle school students this quarter is pool noodle drumming. Who knew that a few pool noodles could provide so much fun?! Students work on following directions and doing something outside of their comfort zone. Everyone is having a GREAT time!! A huge "thank you" to the Pender Educational Partnership for funding the mini-grant that provided these pool noodles. #onepender

The Tuesday exploratory class this quarter for all students in elementary and middle school is line dancing. The students LOVE learning a new dance each week. #onepender

The Monday exploratory class for elementary students is gardening this quarter. Our students are REALLY starting to see their plants grow. We will be harvesting vegetables before you know it!! #onepender

🚍 Help Us Prepare for 2025-26 Bus Routes! 🚍 The Pender County Schools Transportation Department is gearing up for the next school year, and we need YOUR help to ensure accurate bus assignments! 📢 Important Steps for Parents/Guardians: ✅ Check your child’s Parent Letter for their current bus stop details. ✅ If there are NO changes, return the form with all “YES”s circled by April 16, 2025. ✅ If changes are needed, update your info using the Student Ridership Survey (https://bit.ly/4lb0ZLF) by April 16, 2025. ⏳ Deadline Reminders: 🔹 Schools must update all transportation data in Infinite Campus by May 9, 2025. 🔹 The Google Form will NOT reopen during summer – all new student transportation requests will go through Infinite Campus. 📌 Let’s work together to ensure every PCS student has the right bus assignment on day one!

It is time to come in from the sun and find out what the otters are up to this week at PILA!! Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XiEm1Jh5D9JwnrcZYYdIJ9qtB2_4mIj9-KKeRuIoIRI/edit?usp=sharing

We have ANOTHER otter that has met all the requirements to graduate!!! May graduation is going to be AWESOME!! #onepender

There are TWO more otters that have met all the requirements for graduation!! Our graduation is going to be amazing!! #onepender

We are super proud to announce the PILA 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Laura Beveridge. She is a huge advocate for children and the PILA otters would be lost without her!!! #onepender

We are so thankful to the Landfall Foundation for fully funding our grant to provide "Otter-ly Inclusive Learning Spaces" for our students.

Check out this link to see what the otters will be up to this week!! Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eaNh8KA84AZkjLSutpgjurknVgTC1XV4DYHr4n8bFdc/edit?usp=sharing

🎉 Feature Friday: Nancy Fusco | Exceptional Children's Teacher | PILA 🎉 Ms. Fusco joined the PILA Otters for the 24-25 school year and has already made an incredible impact! 💙 Her dedication, creativity, and ability to connect with students make her a standout educator. She fosters a love for learning, builds student confidence, and goes above and beyond to support both students and families. Thank you, Nancy, for making a difference every day! 👏✨

The first otter of the spring has met all requirements for spring graduation!!! You do NOT want to miss our ceremony in May!! It will be EPIC!! #onepender

Join us for an informative session on the consequences and health effects of substance use, including its impact on adolescent brain development and the increased risk of addiction. This session, presented by the Poe Center, will cover: ✅ The latest research on youth substance use ✅ Risk factors & protective measures ✅ Strategies to empower youth in making healthy choices ✅ Tools & resources for ongoing conversations 📅 March 26 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Heide Trask High School 📅 March 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | Topsail High School Let’s work together to educate and support our youth! 💙 Acompáñanos en una sesión informativa sobre las consecuencias y efectos del uso de sustancias, su impacto en el desarrollo del cerebro adolescente y el mayor riesgo de adicción. Presentado por el Poe Center, hablaremos sobre: ✅ Últimas investigaciones sobre el uso de sustancias en jóvenes ✅ Factores de riesgo y medidas de protección ✅ Estrategias para ayudar a los jóvenes a tomar decisiones saludables ✅ Herramientas y recursos para mantener conversaciones continuas 📅 26 de marzo | 6:00-7:30 PM | Heide Trask High School 📅 27 de marzo | 6:00-7:30 PM | Topsail High School ¡Juntos podemos educar y apoyar a nuestra juventud! 💙

Wondering what is happening at PILA this week??? Click on this link to find out!!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y7s7BinUT7lAIccQzUtxCVRuowOSpeD4wUvrAPgsrYQ/edit?tab=t.0Link:

The otters had great fun celebrating Pi day today!! Ms Mintz had all students making chocolate pies and then measuring circumference and diameter. Mrs Fusco had the elementary students making pi pancakes!! #piday #onepender

These otters are racing to find out what is going on at PILA after Spring Break!!! Click this link to find out for yourself : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y7s7BinUT7lAIccQzUtxCVRuowOSpeD4wUvrAPgsrYQ/edit?usp=sharing

📢 Kindergarten Registration & Preschool Info Event! 🎉 📅 March 12 | 4:30 – 7:00 PM 📍 Heide Trask High School Join us for a fun & informative evening to help your child start school with confidence! ✨ What’s Happening? ✅ Meet PCS staff & community partners ✅ Fun games & entertainment for kids ✅ Kindergarten Readiness Bags for incoming students ✅ On-site Registration Station for easy enrollment ✅ Food trucks & more! 📌 Bring these to register: ✔ Birth Certificate ✔ Proof of Residence ✔ Health Assessment ✔ Immunization Records ✔ Parent ID 💻 Online registration opened March 1 - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll Don’t miss this exciting event—we can’t wait to welcome your family! 🎒✨ 📍 Escuela Secundaria Heide Trask ¡Acompáñanos para una tarde divertida e informativa y prepárate para el primer día de clases! ✨ ¿Qué habrá? ✅ Conoce al personal de PCS y socios comunitarios ✅ Juegos y entretenimiento para niños ✅ Bolsas de preparación para Kindergarten ✅ Estación de Registro para inscribirte fácilmente ✅ ¡Comida deliciosa de food trucks! 📌 Para registrar a tu hijo, trae: ✔ Acta de nacimiento ✔ Comprobante de domicilio ✔ Evaluación médica ✔ Vacunas ✔ Identificación del padre/madre 💻 ¡La inscripción en línea abre el 1 de marzo - https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll ¡No te lo pierdas! ¡Esperamos darte la bienvenida a nuestra comunidad escolar! 🎒✨

🚨 Deadline Extended! 🚨 Great news for students interested in joining Pender Early College! The transfer application deadline has been moved to May 1, 2025—giving you more time to take advantage of this opportunity. 📚 Why Pender Early College? ✔️ Earn college credits while in high school ✔️ A head start on your future! Don’t miss out—apply today! ⏳📅 For more details and to submit your application, visit: https://pender.k12.nc.us/o/pechs/page/admission

These otters are REALLY ready for Spring Break!!! Check out this link for this week's update. Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fmpoGxJ54sH_jfr1tqVBIyacmJvuNojMU-G_1-b3uDs/edit?usp=sharing

🏀🏈⚽ FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS FOR PCS ATHLETES! ⚾🎾🏐 Pender County student-athletes, mark your calendars! 🗓️ Our partners at EmergeOrtho are providing FREE sports physicals to help you gear up for the upcoming seasons. 📍 April 30 – Topsail High School 📍 May 13 – Trask High School Athletes may attend either date to receive their physical, which will be valid for 395 days—covering you through next school year! Don’t miss this opportunity to stay healthy, eligible, and ready to compete! 💪🏽🏆 🏀🏈⚽ ¡EXÁMENES FÍSICOS DEPORTIVOS GRATIS PARA LOS ATLETAS DE PCS! ⚾🎾🏐 ¡Atletas de Pender County, marquen sus calendarios! 🗓️ Nuestros socios de EmergeOrtho ofrecerán exámenes físicos deportivos GRATIS para que estén listos para la próxima temporada. 📍 30 de abril – Topsail High School 📍 13 de mayo – Trask High School Los atletas pueden asistir a cualquiera de las dos fechas para hacerse su examen físico, el cual será válido por 395 días, cubriéndolos durante todo el próximo año escolar. ¡No pierdan esta oportunidad para estar saludables, elegibles y listos para competir! 💪🏽🏆