Good evening Penderlea Families,
As we move into the week of October 27th through October 31st, 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
Final Days for Our Fall Fundraiser!
Hornet Families, our Penderlea Fall Fundraiser wraps up Tuesday, October 28th! Information went home a couple of weeks ago, and there’s still time to participate.
Families can place orders using the paper order form that came home or online. All proceeds directly support student activities, classroom resources, and school events.
If you have any questions, please email pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us
Let’s finish strong, Hornets, and show why Penderlea is the place to be!
Million Minute Challenge Kickoff!
Penderlea is excited to join Pender County Schools’ Million Minute Challenge, a districtwide effort to promote reading at home and build a love of literacy across all grade levels. This initiative supports one of Penderlea’s key school goals: improving literacy for all students.
Our school kickoff runs October 27–December 5, and we’re challenging every Hornet to read at home each day and help us reach one million minutes of reading together! Parents reading to their younger students counts, too.
Recommended Daily Reading Time:
K–2: 15–20 minutes | Grades 3–5: 20–30 minutes | Grades 6–8: 30–45 minutes
Families can log minutes using the QR code on the flyer sent home or use this link: https://bit.ly/PLSMMRC
To celebrate our kickoff, we’ll have Storybook Character Day on Friday, October 31st, where students can dress as their favorite book character (must be from a book).
Let’s show that Penderlea is the place to be for growing strong readers and leaders!
Strength in Unity – Penderlea vs. Surf City Middle School(First Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball Game)
On Thursday, October 30th, our Hornets and the Surf City Sharks are teaming up to support a great cause!
Instead of collecting a gate fee, all donations will go directly to The Real Housewives of Topsail Island, a local group that supports women in our community who are battling cancer.
Event Details:
Girls Soccer: 4:15 PM (or earlier if officials arrive)
Boys Basketball: 4:30 PM
Location: Penderlea School
Fans are encouraged to wear pink and donate what you can to show support. Let’s fill the stands, cheer on our Hornets, and come together for a cause that matters!
Congratulations to Our Softball Team!
We are proud to announce that our Hornets softball team at Penderlea School has been honored with the Team Sportsmanship Award for the recent season — voted on by opposing teams in the district.
This recognition reflects our commitment to character, respect, and teamwork both on and off the field. Let’s give our athletes and coaches a big round of applause for representing our school with pride and leadership!
Stay Connected with Rooms!
Penderlea uses Apptegy Rooms, the district’s main communication platform, to keep families connected with teachers and school updates — all in one easy app!
Rooms allows you to:
Message teachers directly and securely
View announcements, behavior notes, and documents
Access updates in multiple languages
Getting started is easy!
Download the Pender County Schools app from the App Store or Google Play.
Tap Rooms and log in using your phone number that’s on file with the school.
Turn on notifications so you never miss an update!
Visit bit.ly/RoomsResources825
for step-by-step guidance (or bit.ly/SpanishRoomsResources825
for Spanish).
Stay informed, stay involved, and stay connected — because communication matters at Penderlea!
Special Education Parent Meeting – October 28
Families of students with IEPs or 504 Plans are invited to attend the Pender County Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO) meeting on Tuesday, October 28th from 5:30–7:30 PM at the Topsail High School Media Center.
This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, ask questions, share ideas, and learn about available resources to support your child’s success.
Spanish translation will be available.
For questions, email septopendercounty@gmail.com
Red Ribbon Week: October 27–31
Pender County Schools will recognize Red Ribbon Week from October 27–31 as part of a nationwide initiative to promote drug prevention education and awareness. This week is an opportunity to empower our students and families with resources that support healthy choices and positive decision-making.
Everyone is encouraged to wear RED throughout the week to show support for drug awareness and prevention.
Upcoming Healthcare Awareness Day – Friday, October 31st
On Friday, October 31st, 6th grade students will participate in an exciting Healthcare Awareness Event hosted by UNC Chapel Hill and the UNC Health Ingram Institute, in partnership with Pender County Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE).
The event will take place in the Burgaw Middle School Gym, where students will explore the healthcare field in a fun and engaging way through a variety of hands-on activity stations.
As part of the experience, students will complete a short registration survey about their career interests. If you prefer for your child not to participate in the survey portion, please indicate that when completing the field trip form.
This event is a great opportunity for students to learn more about future healthcare careers and pathways.
Vision Screenings – November 17
Penderlea will conduct vision screenings for students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades on Monday, November 17th.
The screening includes a standard vision check and, if needed, a Spot Vision Screening, which is a quick, non-invasive way to identify possible vision concerns. No physical contact is required during these screenings.
If you would like to opt your child out of the vision screening, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Brown, prior to November 17th.
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
American Red Cross Blood Drive – October 27
The American Red Cross will host a community blood drive on Monday, October 27th from 2:00–6:00 PM at the Pender County Public Library, located at 103 S. Cowan Street in Burgaw.
This is a great opportunity to give back and help save lives right here in our community. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule an appointment through the American Red Cross website.
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
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
