Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of July 14th through July 18th and beyond.
We are excited to officially welcome students back into the building this Monday, July 14th, for the start of the 2025–2026 school year. Student drop-off begins at 7:25 AM, and the instructional day starts promptly at 7:45 AM. Dismissal is at 2:50 PM.
Additionally, thank you to all the families who joined us for Open House last week. It was a fantastic turnout, and your involvement helps us start the year on a strong note. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year to support every student’s success.
Beginning-of-Year Forms and Chromebook Information
If you haven’t completed your Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Information Update for returning students, we ask that you do so as soon as possible. This update ensures we have the most accurate contact, health, and emergency information for your child.
Completing the online form is also required before your student can be issued a Chromebook. This process can be completed on any device with internet access, including a smartphone.
To complete the update, visit:
If you need assistance contact the front office by emailing pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us, calling the school, or simply stopping by. We’re happy to help.
Cell Phone Policy Update
As part of a new North Carolina state law, all public schools are required to adopt policies that limit student use of cell phones and personal wireless devices during the school day.
At Penderlea, students are not permitted to use, display, or have cell phones turned on during instructional time, unless approved for a medical need. Cell phones should remain in students' book bags at all times during the school day.
This applies to after-school activities(if a student attends a club or is participating in a sport), unless a supervising staff member gives permission for appropriate use.
We ask for your help in speaking with your child about this expectation. We will be applying the policy more consistently this year to reduce distractions and help all students stay focused on learning.
Celebrating Progress
We are proud to share that last school year, Penderlea increased overall student attendance by 1%, bringing us to a 94% attendance rate school-wide. That single percentage point translates to over 6,000 additional hours of instructional time for our students. We are getting very close to reaching our goal of 95%, and with your continued support, we know we can get there this year.
We’re also seeing promising academic momentum. While we are still waiting on official state test scores, our early data in both reading and math shows positive growth. This progress is a reflection of our staff’s commitment and the support we receive from families like yours.
Kindergarten Drop-Off Procedures
To support a smooth transition into school, we will allow Kindergarten families to walk their child to the classroom for the first two weeks of school. We know this is an important milestone, and we want both students and families to feel comfortable as they settle in.
For all other grade levels, if a parent chooses to walk their student up in the morning, we ask that they stop at the school entrance doors. This practice helps us maintain a safe and secure school environment while also promoting student independence. Staff will be stationed at doors and in hallways to ensure every child gets where they need to go safely and confidently.
Parent Leadership Opportunities
At Penderlea, we believe that family voices are essential to the success and future of our school. This year, we are inviting parents to consider joining one of two leadership groups:
Parent-to-Principal Advisory Committee: This group meets several times throughout the year and serves as a space for open dialogue between families and the principal. Members share feedback, ask questions, and discuss school-wide initiatives to help guide decision-making and strengthen the home-school connection.
School Improvement Team (SIT): This team is responsible for helping create, monitor, and support the goals outlined in our school’s improvement plan. Parents on this team collaborate with teachers, staff, and administrators to review data, set priorities, and support strategies that improve the overall school experience for all students.
If you are interested in joining either group, or if you'd like more information, please email Mr. Harris at stephen_harris@pender.k12.nc.us
Dress Code Reminder
As we settle into the new school year, we kindly ask families to take a moment to review the Pender County Schools Dress Code.
You can review the full dress code here: https://www.boardpolicyonline.com/bl/?b=pender&s=1686762
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out via email at pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us or call the school at 910-285-2761.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Together we will continue to make Penderlea the Place to Be!
Stephen Harris
Principal
Penderlea School