Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of March 2nd through March 6 and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Important Reminder About This Week
We will have school all week before we head into Spring Break, which begins next week.
Please note that Tuesday is a half day for students. Be sure to plan accordingly for early dismissal that day.
We look forward to a strong and productive week before our break!
Celebrating Our Hornets!
Congratulations to our Middle School Battle of the Books Team for earning 3rd place in competition! We are incredibly proud of your preparation, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.
We also want to recognize our Boys Soccer and Girls Basketball teams for finishing 3rd in the regular season. Your hard work, discipline, and competitive spirit continue to represent Penderlea with pride.
Thank you to our students, coaches, and sponsors for the time and dedication you pour into these programs. #PenderleaIsThePlaceToBe
Spring Intersession – March 23–25
Penderlea will host Spring Intersession from March 23–25, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and this opportunity is open to all students.
Spring Intersession is designed to provide additional academic support and enrichment as we move toward the end of the school year. It is a great opportunity for students to strengthen skills and continue building momentum.
Transportation is available upon request.
If you would like more information or are interested in having your child participate, please email your child’s teacher.
Road to the Championship: PCS March Reading Tournament 2026
Penderlea is participating in the Road to the Championship: PCS March Reading Tournament, a districtwide, bracket-style reading competition where schools compete head-to-head by logging independent reading minutes.
We are excited to share that Penderlea automatically advanced to the Sweet 16 and will face North Topsail during the week of March 1–7.
This will be our only full week in session during the tournament, so we are encouraging all of our Hornets to read as much as possible that week.
How Families Can Help:
Encourage your child to read independently at home.
Only independent, personal reading counts (personal choice books, independent audiobooks, etc.). Required classroom assignments do not count.
Help your child log their minutes in the official Million Minute Reading Challenge Google Form in ClassLink during the competition week.
Direct link to the form: https://bit.ly/PLSMMRC
Every minute counts toward our school’s average, and scores reset each round — so this week is critical.
Let’s rally together and show what Penderlea readers can do. Together, we can make this round ours!
Read Across America Week – March 2–6
March 2–6 is Read Across America Week, and we are celebrating with a fun spirit week designed to build excitement around reading as we head into the Sweet 16 round of our reading tournament.
To participate in each spirit day, students must log reading minutes for the Road to the Championship Reading Tournament the day before. We appreciate families helping remind students to log their minutes.
Here are our spirit days:
Monday – Favorite Book Character Day
Dress as your favorite book character.
Tuesday – Pajama & Bedtime Stories Day
Wear pajamas and bring a favorite childhood book.
Wednesday – Crazy Hair & “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” Day
Rock colorful, fun hair and pair it with a mismatched or unconventional outfit.
Thursday – Reading Rainbow Day
Wear as many colors of the rainbow as possible.
Friday – Author Day / “Be the Author” Day
Dress as a famous author or create a look inspired by a favorite book.
Let’s make this a fun, high-energy week that keeps reading at the center of everything we do!
College Accelerator Program (CAP) Application – Spring 2026
We are excited to share that the College Accelerator Program (CAP) Application for Spring 2026 is now open and will remain available through March 20th.
The CAP program provides eligible students with the opportunity to begin earning high school and college credit while still in middle school. This is a valuable opportunity for students who are ready to challenge themselves academically and explore advanced coursework.
Eligible 8th grade students can access the CAP application through Google Classroom. We encourage families to talk with their student about this opportunity and ensure the application is completed before the deadline.
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, please reach out to the school for additional guidance.
Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehFF2a6WtAPu4mxMJWFXKgprp4LUeodNRVEjD9lZlXxuQ8jQ/viewform?usp=send_form
Yearbook Sales & 8th Grade Ads
Yearbooks will be sold online only this year and must be preordered. There will not be additional copies available for purchase later, so families are encouraged to order early.
Families of 8th grade students may also purchase a yearbook ad to celebrate their student. This is a great way to recognize your child with a special message and photos.
Ordering information will be shared below. Don’t miss out!
2026-2027 Kindergarten Enrollment
We are pleased to announce that the Kindergarten Enrollment application for the 2026-2027 school year will be available to the public starting Monday, February 2nd.
Families can access the application through the following links:
Application: Use the 2026-27 Kindergarten Enrollment Application link directly.
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.
Penderlea Athletics Newly Designed Shirt Orders
We will run a preorder this week through Friday, March 6th. Please see the order form link for details. Orders may be placed online or cash/check to Penderlea School sent to Mrs. Umphress at school. If ordering online, please include order information (Student name, style, and size) in the description.
Penderlea T-Shirt Order Form - Athletics_2.2026.pdf
Thank You for an Amazing Alumni Night
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Alumni Night on Saturday. It was a fun-filled evening of basketball, laughter, and Hornet pride.
Seeing former students back in the gym, families in the stands, and our community gathered together made it a special night for Penderlea. Events like this remind us how strong and connected our Hornet family truly is.
We appreciate your continued support in making Penderlea the Place to Be!
Weekly Athletics Calendar
Tryouts for Baseball and Volleyball
Mandatory tryouts will be this week for baseball and volleyball; Tentatively, Wednesday and Thursday (March 4th and 5th). Athletes must meet all eligibility requirements to be able to stay for these tryouts. This includes Big Teams account created and forms completed, and a parent has to have attended the mandatory parent meeting.
Save the Date for Penderlea Day!
Penderlea Day will be April 11th this year! This is a day filled with fun & fellowship right here at Penderlea School. Please make plans to join us!
If you are interested in being a part of Penderlea Day, either through entertainment, being a vendor, bringing a touch-a-truck entry, or setting up as a community resource, please contact the school!
March Cafeteria Menu
The March cafeteria menu is attached to this week’s communication.
Take a look at the breakfast and lunch options available for our Hornets this month. Our cafeteria team works hard to provide a variety of nutritious and student-friendly meals each day.
We encourage families to review the menu together and help students plan ahead.
Spring & Class Group Pictures – March 31
Spring and Class Group Pictures will take place on March 31.
If you would like to order photos, please complete the preorder form attached to this email. We encourage families to review the information and submit orders in advance.
We look forward to capturing some great memories this spring!
Community Partner Spotlight: Pack the Future 2026
Pender County Government is hosting Pack the Future 2026 – Classroom Drive (Summer 2026) to support local teachers and students.
Each year, teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to ensure their students have the supplies they need. This community drive collects new school supplies that will be given directly to local teachers during an upcoming Teacher Supply Giveaway Event.
When you support a teacher, you support an entire classroom of students.
For more information about how to donate or get involved, contact Pender County Government at 910-259-1468 or housinginfo@pendercountync.gov
Community Event: Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
The Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development is hosting a Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 PM at 414 N. Norwood Street in Wallace, NC.
Families are invited to attend this fun, literacy-focused community event celebrating reading and the joy of books.
Additional details can be found by scanning the QR code on the flyer.
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
