Pender Innovative Learning Academy

🎉 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! 💪🏽🏆

If you would like to know what the otters are up to this week, check out this link. Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KM_rxass4cbZ74DTnzHpHG_veWdDUY3MmHp43M04Obc/edit?usp=sharing

🚀 Exciting Opportunity for Pender County Students! 🚀 Are you looking to earn and learn? Consider the Pender County Future Leaders Internship Program – a paid summer internship designed to empower rising juniors and seniors by providing hands-on experience in local government! 🌟 📅 Program Dates: June 9 – August 6, 2025 💼 Location: Various local government departments 💰 Compensation: Paid Internship Through mentorship, skill-building, and real-world experience, participants will gain valuable insight into local government operations while developing leadership skills and career readiness. 🔹 Eligibility Requirements: ✔️ Rising junior or senior in Pender County Schools ✔️ Valid NC driver’s license ✔️ Minimum 2.5 GPA ✔️ Completed application packet (essay, references, consent & waiver forms) ✔️ Background check & drug screening required 📌 Deadline to Apply: March 14, 2025 This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain professional experience, build leadership skills, and make a difference in your community! 🌎 🔗 Apply now & learn more: https://5il.co/33i7o

Don't hide your head!! Keep in the know about what is happening at PILA!! Click here to find out what is happening!! Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17fulRE01k_lKZj1eRp9CVcb4JvsasRH9OZNqN_2fxPY/edit?tab=t.0

We aren't the only ones that think this otter is awesome!!! He was awarded the Future Promise Award today at the Regional Science Fair. Way to go!! #onepender

SRO James has been the PERFECT addition to the PILA campus this year. He has taken the time to get to know all of the otters and what makes them tick. We can't wait to show you how special you are to us on Monday!!

Spotted in action: One awesome otter!!! We are extremely proud to be at UNC-W today at the regional science fair with Joseph as he competes against students from the entire region representing over 10 counties!!

Ms Simmons and Ms Beatty on Bus 264 round out the marvelous crew of bus drivers and monitors that serve the otters at PILA. We appreciate how they make sure every student gets to and from school safely every day. #onepender

The drivers and monitors that transport our otters daily will be easy to recognize after today!!! We are extremely appreciative that they care for our students as much as we do!! #onepender

Mr Brooks taught the elementary and middle school students an important lesson today on just how much soap water and scrubbing it takes to wash germs off when you are washing your hands!! Thanks Mr Brooks for finding a fun way to teach a valuable lesson!! #onepender

The students on Bus 274 love Mr. Lopez and Ms. Hansley. We are so appreciative of the way they make sure all the otters are able to make it to school every day!! #onepender