🌡️ Is your student feeling under the weather?
Don’t worry — help is available right at school! 💙

If your child has symptoms of a cold, flu, strep, or COVID, quick and convenient testing can be done through your school nurse. It’s an easy way to help your student feel better sooner and keep everyone healthy this season.

👉 Contact your school nurse or call 910-815-7063 for more information.

🌡️ ¿Tu estudiante no se siente bien?
¡No te preocupes! 💙 La ayuda está disponible directamente en la escuela.

Si tu hijo(a) tiene síntomas de resfriado, gripe, estreptococo o COVID, puede hacerse una prueba rápida y conveniente con la enfermera escolar. Es una manera fácil de ayudar a que tu estudiante se sienta mejor pronto y mantener a todos saludables esta temporada.

👉 Contacta a la enfermera escolar o llama al 910-815-7063 para más información.
1 day ago, Bob Fankboner
General illness (English)
General illness (Spanish)
💙 Meet Kat Gallant, one of our school psychologists serving Malpass Corner Elementary, the Pre-K Westside team, and Heide Trask High School!

With 17 years as a school psychologist, including 12 right here in Pender County Schools, Kat brings deep experience and compassion to her work each day.

Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Kat says what she enjoys most about her job is that “no two days are ever alike.” Each day brings new opportunities to connect with students, collaborate with staff, and make a meaningful difference.

She wishes more people knew that school psychologists “are trained to not only think about what a child needs now, but to also look ahead so they can reach their potential through high school and beyond.”

Outside of school, Kat enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time in nature, and a fun fact: she once performed in musical theater in high school!

✨ “Compassionate, determined, and resilient” , that’s the heart of a school psychologist.

Thank you, Kat, for the care, creativity, and dedication you bring to your students and schools every single day! 💙
1 day ago, Bob Fankboner
school psychologist week kat gallant
🥫 Let’s Fill the Bins and Fill Hearts! 💙
This November, Pender County Schools is collecting non-perishable food and snacks to support local organizations that care for our community.
🗓️ Donations accepted all month long
📍 Drop off at your school
✨ Requested items: cereal, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, condiments, and individually packaged snacks like granola bars, Pop-Tarts, tuna packets, and more.
Every little bit helps, and every donation stays right here in Pender County. 💛
Together, we can make a difference! #OnePender
4 days ago, Bob Fankboner
pcs food drive flyer
When you bought a new cell phone did you read the manual to learn about it? Or did you PLAY with it? Play is one way we ALL learn. Children at South Topsail are exploring and learning with all kinds of materials learning colors, magnification, float or sink concepts. So much fun!
4 days ago, PCS Preschool
connecting triangles
goggles and magnifying glass
eyeballs in water play
Children in Mrs. Mohn's class at Rocky Point recently completed their Buildings study. They learned about different types of buildings and created some 2D and 3D buildings as part of their project to build a town.
7 days ago, PCS Preschool
20251023_094427
neighborhood
milk carton house
Head Start programs help children learn through play, introducing concepts with large and small group lessons and allowing children to explore the materials and activities at their own pace. Here, some South Topsail children are learning math and science concepts as well as using fine motor skills
8 days ago, PCS Preschool
fine motor pumpkins and ghosts
gears
sorting color bears
outdoor shapes
Firefighters visited South Topsail PreK classes last week to teach about fire safety.
9 days ago, PCS Preschool
IMG_0012
Good evening Pender County Schools families. As the storm system continues to weaken, we wanted to let you know that all schools will begin at their normal times on Monday. We look forward to having a great week!

Buenas tardes, familias de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender. A medida que el sistema de tormentas continúa debilitándose, queremos informarles que todas las escuelas comenzarán en su horario normal el lunes. ¡Esperamos tener una excelente semana!
25 days ago, Bob Fankboner
weather update english
weather update spanish
The first steps of writing start with lines and shapes. Our children use our writing centers to learn just that!
about 1 month ago, PCS Preschool
writing table children
drawing people
Ms Quan at Malpass Corner helps teach children responsibility, organization, and early literacy skills by labeling her materials and the shelves. Children are able to match the words and pictures to learn to pick up after themselves and keep their classroom neat!
about 1 month ago, PCS Preschool
tree blocks in a basket
window blocks on shelf
📚✨ It starts at HOME! ✨📚

Pender County Schools is challenging families to help us reach ONE MILLION minutes of reading outside of school this year.
🛋️ 📖 Bedtime stories.
🚗 📱 Reading on the way to practice.
☀️ 📚 Quiet time at the park.

Every minute counts!

📚✨ ¡Todo empieza en CASA! ✨📚

Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender están retando a las familias a ayudarnos a alcanzar UN MILLÓN de minutos de lectura fuera de la escuela este año.
🛋️ 📖 Cuentos antes de dormir.
🚗 📱 Lectura de camino a la práctica.
☀️ 📚 Un rato tranquilo en el parque.

¡Cada minuto cuenta!
about 1 month ago, Bob Fankboner
million minute challenge
million minute challenge spanish
🧼💙 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
about 2 months ago, Bob Fankboner
CDC infection prevention flier
👏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
2 months ago, Bob Fankboner
FEATURE FRIDAY (ENGLISH)
FEATURE FRIDAY (SPANISH)
🍎 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
2 months ago, Bob Fankboner
teacher tuesday (english)
teacher tuesday (spanish)
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


2 months ago, Bob Fankboner
student spotlight
student spotlight (Spanish)
In Head Start, we have many requirements for health and safety, one of which is teaching toothbrushing in the first 2 weeks of school. Here we see Ms. Bareika of CF Pope demonstrating how to brush teeth with a big toothbrush and set of teeth. Children loved the huge toothbrush!
2 months ago, PCS Preschool
children sitting on rug watching teacher demonstrate toothbrushing
🚌 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!
3 months ago, Bob Fankboner
bus stop lookup
📢 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
3 months ago, Bob Fankboner
safety videos
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! 💪🎒
5 months ago, Bob Fankboner
2025 Summer Meals
🎒 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! 💙💛
5 months ago, Bob Fankboner
ENROLLMENT OPEN (ENGLISH)