Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of July 21st through July 25th and beyond
We’ve had a great first week back at Penderlea! Students are picking up right where they left off, and our new Hornets are already jumping right in. It’s been especially nice to meet our new students and to see so many familiar faces—and friendly waves—in the car line. Thank you for helping us start the year strong!
Student & Family Handbook Now Available
We’re excited to share our updated Student and Family Handbook for the 2025–2026 school year. This handbook outlines important policies, procedures, and expectations that help ensure a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all Hornets.
We encourage every family to review it together and reach out if you have any questions. A strong partnership between home and school starts with shared understanding, and this resource is one way we stay connected and consistent.
If you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Harris at stephen_harris@pender.k12.nc.us
You can access the handbook here: https://bit.ly/25-26PLSHandbook
Beginning-of-Year Paperwork Reminder
All Beginning-of-Year (BOY) updates for returning students must now be completed online. This process ensures we have accurate contact, health, and emergency information—and is required before students can receive their Chromebooks.
To support you through the process, we’ve included:
An image attached to this email with a step-by-step instructions
Additionally here are two linked documents with full instructions, available in both English and Spanish
If you don’t have access to a device at home or are struggling to complete the correct form, a Chromebook is available in the front office for families to use during school hours.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us at pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us We’re happy to help!
Car Rider Line
As a reminder to all families: car rider lines in the morning and afternoon should extend down Roosevelt Street, past the Burton Building and the doctor's office, without blocking Highway 11. This routing helps maintain traffic flow and keeps our arrival and dismissal processes safe and efficient.
Please follow signs and staff directions, and be patient during peak times. Your cooperation helps us operate more safely and effectively.
Kindergarten Drop-Off Reminder
Kindergarten families, thank you for helping us start the year with such a smooth and positive transition. As a reminder, we will continue to allow you to walk your child to their classroom this week to support their comfort and confidence during arrival.
That said, we kindly ask that families begin preparing to step back from this routine by the end of the week, as we work toward promoting student independence and a consistent schoolwide drop-off process, as well as promote school safety.
Our staff will continue to be present in the hallways to guide and support your child every step of the way.
Middle School Beta Club Meeting – July 30
The first Middle School Beta Club meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 30th at 4:00 PM in the Media Center.
Current 6th grade students who were inducted this past January are also invited to participate this year.
We ask that at least one parent or guardian attend the meeting with their student. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option will be available. Please reach out to Mrs. Finn or Mrs. Kolb via Rooms or email to receive the meeting link or with any questions.
Beginning-of-Year Testing Update
This week, we will begin our Beginning-of-Year assessments for elementary students.
All K–5 students will take the BOY mClass reading assessments throughout the week.
Our 3rd grade students will also take the BOG3 (Beginning-of-Grade 3) Reading Test on Wednesday.
These assessments help us better understand where students are starting the year and allow us to tailor instruction to meet their individual needs. Please help your child by ensuring they get a good night’s rest and arrive to school on time.
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
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
