Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of March 29th through April 3rd and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Welcome Back
We are excited to welcome all of our students back to school on Monday! We are looking forward to a strong return as we continue building momentum for the rest of the school year.
Please note that Friday, April 3rd is a holiday with no school, and Monday, April 6th is a teacher workday, so students will not be in attendance on those days.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday!
Penderlea Day – Join Us!
We invite all of our Penderlea families to join us for Penderlea Day on April 11 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.! This is a special event filled with fun, fellowship, and opportunities to connect as a school community.
Penderlea Day is not only a great way to bring our community together, but it also serves as an important fundraiser that supports our school and students.
We encourage families to help us spread the word by sharing this event with friends, family, and the community. The more support we have, the stronger our impact will be.
We hope to see you there as we continue building Penderlea as the Place to Be!
Attendance Shoutouts
We are proud to recognize the following classes for their strong attendance and commitment to being at school each day. Consistent attendance plays a key role in student success, and we appreciate the effort from both our students and families.
Level 1:
Madjic, Johnson, Umphress, Crowl, Black, Lanier, Blandin, Graham, Jones
Level 2:
Madjic, Cutshaw, Johnson, Hensley, Giarrusso, Robinson, Gurganus
Keep up the great work, Hornets!
Picture Day Reminder – Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31 will be Picture Day at Penderlea.
Students will take:
Spring Individual Pictures
Class Group Pictures
Athletes will also take:
Baseball Team Pictures
Volleyball Team Pictures
Please make sure your child comes to school dressed and ready for pictures.
If you plan to order photos, be sure to complete the preorder form or follow the ordering directions provided.
Transition Night – April 20
We invite all Penderlea families to join us for Transition Night on April 20. This event is a great opportunity to learn more about your child’s next grade level and what to expect for the upcoming school year.
We will offer two sessions:
4:00–4:45 PM
4:45–5:30 PM
During this time, families will also learn more about our implementation of Leader in Me and how it will support student growth and leadership development at Penderlea.
We hope you will join us for this important and exciting event!
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!
5th Grade Health Education Reminder
Families of 5th grade students are reminded that permission slips for the upcoming puberty education class are due by Monday.
The class will be held on April 2.
Please be sure to return the permission form by the deadline.
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.
Weekly Athletics Calendar
Penderlea Alumni Night Feedback Requested
If you attended our Alumni Night, please complete this quick survey. We value your feedback and want to make this event the best it can be for our community!
Next FCA Event
Middle School Students, make plans to attend our next Fellowship of Christian Athletes event! We will meet on Tuesday, April 7th, after volleyball & baseball practice at 5 pm for snacks, games, and fellowship. All middle school students are welcome!
Athletic Banquet
Our middle school athletic banquet will be held on May 14th, with dinner beginning at 4:30 pm and awards starting promptly at 6 pm. If your child played any sports at Penderlea during the 2025-2026 school year, please make plans to attend! More details and an official invitation will be sent soon to all athletes.
Pender County Schools Career Fair – March 31
Pender County Schools will host a Career Fair on Tuesday, March 31 from 4:30–7:00 PM at Heide Trask High School (Main Gym).
This is a great opportunity for individuals interested in joining PCS to explore career options, participate in on-site interviews, and learn more about both certified and classified positions, as well as pathways to administration.
We encourage anyone interested in a career in education to attend. Please see the flyer below for more details and registration information.
Community Opportunity: Choose Love Presentation
Families are invited to attend a Choose Love Presentation on April 20, 2026, at Topsail High School from 5:30–6:30 PM.
This presentation, led by Scarlett Lewis, focuses on building courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion to help students develop resilience and create a safer, more supportive school community.
This is a great opportunity for families to learn strategies that support both student well-being and positive school culture.
Summer Support Opportunities
We are excited to share two summer support opportunities available for Penderlea students across grade levels.
For our elementary students (K–5), Camp Invention is a hands-on STEM camp designed to build creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Camp will take place June 29–July 2 from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM. A limited number of scholarships are available, with applications due by April 24. Families will be notified of awards during the week of May 15. A link to apply is provided below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffWqveyKh6lor95e8TrkdoWrXkEaQQYWxAvXXZxETRRqJeFA/viewform
For our middle school students (rising 6th–8th grade), the 21st Century Summer Enrichment Camp will run June 8–July 10, Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM–2:30 PM at Burgaw Middle School. This program includes engaging activities such as field trips, guest speakers, art, STEM experiences, and team-building activities. The program is free of charge, and breakfast, lunch, and transportation are provided. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
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