Good evening Penderlea Families,
As we move into the week of July 28 through August 1, here are some important reminders and updates to help keep your family informed and prepared for the weeks ahead. Thank you for staying connected and involved!
Hornet Nation T-Shirt Fundraiser
We’re excited to kick off the school year with a Hornet Nation t-shirt fundraiser to support our general fund! Order forms were sent home with students, and orders can be placed now through Thursday, August 22nd.
Families can pay by cash or check (returned with the form) or order online using the link below. Please be sure to include your name and order details in the online order description.
These are the only school shirts being offered this year, so don’t miss out! Thank you for supporting our students and school!
Kindergarten Drop-Off Update
As we enter our third full week of school, we are continuing to build independence in our youngest Hornets. Beginning this week, if Kindergarten parents would like to walk their child up in the morning, we ask that you walk them to the front door and allow them to walk in on their own.
Our staff will be ready inside to greet and guide students to their classrooms with care. Thank you for helping us create smooth, safe mornings and for encouraging your child’s confidence as they continue to grow!
Beginning-of-Year Paperwork Reminder
Reminder: Beginning-of-Year Paperwork
If you haven’t completed your online Beginning-of-Year paperwork, please do so as soon as possible. This must be completed before students receive their Chromebooks.
We’ve attached an image and linked step-by-step guides in English and Spanish, and a Chromebook is available in the front office for families who need access.
Questions? Email pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us for support.
BOY Update Help Guide Spanish
Mandatory Parent Meeting for Student Athletes – August 4
We will hold a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians of student athletes on Monday, August 4th at 5:30 PM in the Penderlea Gym.
Any student interested in playing football, softball, cheerleading, girls soccer, or boys basketball this school year must attend the meeting with a parent or guardian.
To be eligible to participate, all athletes must also have:
An up-to-date sports physical uploaded to Big Teams/Student Central
All required athletic paperwork completed online
We’ve attached step-by-step directions to help you complete the Big Teams/Student Central process. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Umphress via email at ashley_umphress@pender.k12.nc.us
Thank you for helping us get our athletic season started strong!
Save the Date – Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendar for Curriculum Night on Tuesday, August 12th. This is a great opportunity to hear from your child’s teachers, learn more about this year’s academic goals, and strengthen the home-school connection. More details will be shared soon!
Car Rider Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminder
As a reminder, car rider traffic for both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up should follow the designated route down Roosevelt Street, looping past the Burton Building and the doctor’s office. This helps us avoid congestion and keeps cars from backing up onto Highway 11, which is critical for safety.
Please follow all posted signs and staff direction to ensure a smooth and safe arrival and dismissal for everyone.
We’ve included an image in this email to show the correct traffic flow—green means go
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.
Testing Update
Due to some unexpected technology issues last week, we had to postpone a portion of our Beginning-of-Year assessments. This week, we will continue BOY diagnostic testing for students in grades K–8.
Additionally, 3rd grade students will take the BOG3 Reading Assessment on Tuesday.
Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as we work to ensure a smooth and successful testing experience for all students.
Parent Leadership Opportunities
We’re looking for parents who want to get more involved in shaping the future of Penderlea!
If you’re interested in serving on the School Improvement Team (SIT) or the Parent-to-Principal Advisory Committee, please email Mr. Harris at stephen_harris@pender.k12.nc.us.
These groups meet a few times throughout the year to provide input, share feedback, and support school-wide planning and improvement. We’d love to have your voice at the table!
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