Good evening Penderlea Families,
As we move into the week of October 13th through October 17th, 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!
Penderlea Fall Fundraiser
Our Penderlea School Fall Fundraiser kicked off this week, and we’re asking for your support to help make it a success!
Funds raised go directly toward enhancing our school programs, supporting classroom needs, and creating more opportunities for students to learn and grow. Every order and every share makes a difference!
Please take a few minutes to review the fundraiser materials that were sent home this week and help your child participate. Together, we can continue building the strong, vibrant school community that makes Penderlea the Place to Be!
Upcoming Testing Schedule
This week, students in grades 3–8 will take their NC Check-In assessments:
Tuesday, October 14: Math (Grades 3–8)
Wednesday, October 15: Fall RtA (select 4th graders)
Thursday, October 16: Reading (Grades 3–8)
Friday, October 17: Make-Up Testing
Wednesday, October 22: Science (Grades 5 & 8)
Please help your student come prepared each day with a good night’s rest and a charged Chromebook.
3rd Grade Parent Night – October 21st at 5:30 PM
All 3rd grade families are invited to join us on Tuesday, October 21st at 5:30 PM in the Penderlea School Library for our 3rd Grade Parent Night!
This event will help families learn what to expect during this important school year, including information about EOGs, NC Check-Ins, Read to Achieve, intersession, and more.
Food will be provided, and a Spanish translator will be on site. We hope to see all of our 3rd grade families there!
Boys Basketball & Girls Soccer Workouts
Tryouts for Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer are coming up soon! Students interested in trying out should plan to stay after school on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 15th
Thursday, October 16th
Tryouts will run after school until 4:15 PM each day.
All student-athletes must have their forms completed in BigTeams and a parent or guardian must have attended a Penderlea Athletic Parent Meeting in order to try out.
If your family attended the parent meeting in August, that meeting counts toward this requirement.
We’re excited to kick off another great season of Hornet athletics
Special Needs Awareness Week – October 13–17, 2025
This week, we recognize Special Needs Awareness Week, a time to educate, advocate, and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of all individuals. Over 15% of the world’s population experiences some type of special need—together, we can help build understanding and inclusion.
We’re asking students to wear yellow this week to show their support and help promote awareness across our school.
Let’s continue to make Penderlea a place where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.
National School Lunch Week – October 13–17
Next week, we’re celebrating National School Lunch Week with the theme “Taste the World!” Our cafeteria team has prepared fun, globally inspired menus to showcase flavors from around the world.
We encourage families and students to take a moment to thank our incredible cafeteria staff for all they do to keep our Hornets fueled and ready to learn each day. Let’s make this week a celebration of great food and great people!
Upcoming Athletics Games
Football:
At Pender High vs. Cape Fear Middle School. Tuesday October 14th at 4:30 PM(8th Grade Night)
Admission for middle school and up is $5
Softball:
Softball playoffs vs. Surf City Middle School at Heidi Trask HS beginning at 6:00PM
TBD- Softball playoffs at Heidi Trask beginning at 5 PM
Admission for middle school and up is $5
Don’t forget: Penderlea Game Passes are available and include admission to regular season home games all year long! Student passes are $25, Parent passes are $50, and a combo pass (for 2) is $65!
We can’t wait to see our community filling the stands and cheering on our teams! Go Hornets!"
Flu Clinic at Penderlea – November 6th
Penderlea School will host a flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday, November 6th, beginning at 7:30 AM.
Attached below is the consent form that must be completed for any student or staff member who wishes to receive the flu vaccine. Please review, complete, and return the form as soon as possible to ensure your child is included.
This clinic is a convenient way to help keep our Hornet community healthy as we move into the colder months.
You can access the consent form using the link attached to this message.
Flu Vaccine Consent Forms:
Staff Consent Form - https://form.jotform.com/252656140740150
Student Consent Form - https://form.jotform.com/252656216931156
Formulario de Consentimiento del Estudiante - https://form.jotform.com/252656755627166
School Pictures – Save the Dates
We want to be sure families have plenty of notice for this year’s student, class, and sports pictures:
Student & Class Pictures
Fall Makeups – October 22 (a great opportunity if your child missed fall pictures this past week)
Kindergarten Cap & Gown – February 26
Classroom Group & Spring Pictures – March 31
Attached to this email, you will find more information regarding upcoming sports pictures. Additional ordering details will be shared closer to each date.
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
