Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are some important information and updates for the week of April 13th through April 17th and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Penderlea Day – Thank you
Thank you to all of our families and community members who came out to support Penderlea Day. It was a great day filled with fun, connection, and Hornet pride.
Events like this highlight the strength of our school community, and we are grateful for your continued support. Your involvement not only helps bring our community together, but also directly supports our students and school.
Thank you for helping make Penderlea the Place to Be!
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!
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting/School Improvement Team Meeting
We want to share information about our upcoming school leadership meetings and invite continued family engagement.
Our School Improvement Team (SIT) will meet on May 5. The SIT works to support school improvement efforts by reviewing data, setting goals, and helping guide decisions that impact student learning and overall school performance.
Our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) will meet on May 12. The PAC provides an opportunity for families to stay informed, share feedback, and have a voice in important school decisions and initiatives.
We value the partnership between our school and families and appreciate your continued support as we work together to make Penderlea the Place to Be.
Upcoming End of Year Test and Proctor Assistance
As we wind down the school year, we are preparing for End-of-Grade (EOG) assessments. For each EOG test, we will need proctors. Please consider serving as a proctor this year—your support is greatly appreciated. Testing times are from 8:00am-11:00am
To serve as a proctor, the only requirement is to sign up as a Pender County volunteer using the following link: Volunteer Link
Our testing dates are as follows: Testing times are from 8:00am-11:00am
May 19th: Grades 3–8 Math EOG
May 21st: Grades 3–8 Reading EOG
May 27th: 5th & 8th Grade Science EOG
Thank you in advance for your time and support in helping ensure a smooth testing process for our students. If you would like to proctor, please contact Dr. Goodlett by phone or email: ashley_goodlett@pender.k12.nc.us
Attendance Shoutouts
We continue to focus on strong attendance through our attendance incentives and tiered recognition system. Each week, we will share with families which classes have reached each level as we celebrate their commitment to being at school every day.
Level 3: Hensley & Sapp
Mission & Vision Feedback Opportunity
Our School Improvement Team (SIT) has been working to review and revise Penderlea’s mission and vision statements to better reflect our current goals, values, and the direction of our school.
As part of this process, we are seeking feedback from our families and community. Your input is important as we continue shaping a shared vision for Penderlea.
Please take a few minutes to review the proposed updates and use the link below to provide your feedback.
Month of the Military Child Spirit Week – April 13–17
Penderlea will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a Spirit Week from April 13–17 to honor and support our military families.
Students are encouraged to participate each day:
Monday: Wear camo
Tuesday: Wear a hat
Wednesday: Wear purple
Thursday: Wear red
Friday: Wear school spirit gear
This is a great opportunity for our school community to show appreciation and support for the sacrifices of military-connected students and families.
We look forward to seeing our Hornets participate throughout the week!
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.
Families of incoming Kindergarten students are also invited to attend our Kindergarten Screener on June 2nd and June 3rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This screener helps us get to know your child and prepare for a strong start to the school year.
Please see the flyer below for more information. If you would like to schedule a time for the screener, please email the school at pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us
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!
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.
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