Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of January 26th through January 30th and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
CTE Job Shadow Day – February 27, 2026
Pender County Schools is hosting a districtwide Job Shadow Day on Friday, February 27, 2026, for students in grades 7–12. This is a great opportunity for students to explore a career of interest while earning an excused educational absence.For more details, please view the Job Shadow Day Flyer.
To participate, students must:
Secure a placement with a mentor.
Submit the signed Job Shadow Parent/Student Agreement to the school counselor by Friday, February 20, 2026.
Join the Job Shadow Day Google Classroom (Code: w337uydp).
Interested in Hosting a Student? Are you a business owner or community partner interested in mentoring a student? We would love your support! Please complete the Host Interest Form to participate and help provide a meaningful real-world experience for our students.
PCS Superbowl Reading Challenge
Get ready to read! The PCS Superbowl Reading Challenge kicked off on January 24, 2026, and runs through Super Bowl Sunday on February 8, 2026.
The Goal: Every 1,000 minutes of reading logged by our school counts as one "touchdown" (7 points).
The Prize: The school with the most touchdowns wins an ice cream party for students!
How to Join: Help your student log their reading minutes using the Google Form found on Classlink. Let’s read our way to victory!
Special Olympics Spring Games Registration
Does your student want to participate in the Special Olympics Spring Games? Registration is open now and closes on February 28, 2026.
Registration: The process is entirely online.
Need Help? Attend the Athlete Registration Night on January 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Heide Trask High School for in-person assistance.
2026-2027 Preschool Applications Open
Applications for the 2026-2027 Preschool program are now live on the Pender County Schools website! If you have a little one ready for preschool, be sure to apply soon. Acceptance letters will begin going out on April 1, 2026.
Reassignment Request
In an effort to accommodate the educational preferences of families in the Pender County School District, officials have opened the reassignment request period for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Parents who wish to enroll their students in a Pender County school outside of their designated zone, with the exception of Pender Early College and Pender Innovative Learning Academy, are encouraged to participate in the application process.
Due to schools in the Topsail and Surf City school districts being over capacity, no new applications will be accepted. However, students who currently attend these schools on reassignment will have the opportunity to complete an application. Specific guidance on completing this application process will be provided by your student’s school.
The application period opens on January 5, 2026, allowing parents time to consider alternative educational options for their children.The deadline for submitting reassignment requests is February 28, 2026.
In County Reassignment Request
PCS Employee Student Reassignment Request
2nd Annual Penderlea School Alumni Game Night - Saturday, February 28th
We are excited to invite our Penderlea community to one of our most anticipated events of the year — the 2nd Annual Throwback Alumni Basketball Game Night on Saturday, February 28th!
If you joined us last year, you know just how much fun this event was. The gym was full of energy, alumni were back on the court, and families enjoyed a great night of basketball and school spirit. We’re excited to bring everyone together again to celebrate Penderlea pride and support our athletes!
We hope you and your family will come out for a fun-filled night of basketball, community, and Hornet pride. Last year was an unforgettable evening, and we can’t wait to do it again!
Thank you for your continued support of Penderlea School.
Go Hornets! 
FINAL Meeting for Parents of Athletes
The FINAL meeting for parents of athletes interested in trying out for baseball or volleyball will be held on Wednesday, January 28th, in Mrs. Umphress’ classroom at 3:15 pm. Parents of athletes who wish to participate in any workouts and/or try out for baseball or volleyball and have not attended a meeting this school year MUST attend this meeting so their child is eligible.
Workouts for Baseball and Volleyball
Optional workouts for baseball and volleyball this week!
Volleyball workouts: Thursday until 4:30 pm
Baseball workouts: Due to this week’s weather forecast, there are no scheduled baseball workouts. If something changes, Mrs. Fedoronko will be in contact with athletes who are signed up and eligible.
Athletes must meet all eligibility requirements to be able to stay for these workouts. This includes Big Teams account created and forms completed, and a parent has to have attended the mandatory parent meeting.
Weekly Athletics Calendar
This week, our girls' basketball team and boys’ soccer team will play on the road on Tuesday and Thursday! Tuesday’s game will be at West Pender Middle, and Thursday’s will be across the county at Topsail Middle. Boys soccer games will start at 4:15 pm (or as soon as officials arrive), and girls basketball will tip off at 4:30 pm.
Cheer, girls' basketball, and boys' soccer will all have practices on Wednesday and Friday. Cheer and girls basketball practice will end at 4:30 pm, and boys soccer will end at 5 pm. Please be out front to pick up your athlete at the end of their scheduled practice.
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
Cheer, Girls Basketball, and Boys Soccer Sports Pics - January 28
Kindergarten Cap & Gown – February 26
Classroom Group & Spring Pictures – March 31
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