Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are important information and updates for the week of July 20th through July 24th and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Welcome Back, Hornets!
Tomorrow is the first day of school, and we are excited to welcome our students and families back to Penderlea! Our staff has worked hard to prepare for a successful school year, and we are looking forward to a year of learning, leadership, and growth. As we begin our "Lead the Way" school year, we know that together we can accomplish great things. Thank you for partnering with us to make Penderlea the Place to Be!
First Day Arrival
Students may begin entering the building at 7:20 AM. Please do not drop students off before this time, as staff supervision is not available prior to 7:20 AM.
School Hours: 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM
Kindergarten Drop-Off Procedures
To support a smooth transition into school, we will allow Kindergarten families to walk their child to the classroom for the first week of school. We know this is an important milestone, and we want both students and families to feel comfortable as they settle in.
For all other grade levels, if a parent chooses to walk their student up in the morning, we ask that they stop at the school entrance doors. This practice helps us maintain a safe and secure school environment while also promoting student independence. Staff will be stationed at doors and in hallways to ensure every child gets where they need to go safely and confidently.
Bus Transportation
If you have any questions about your child's morning or afternoon bus stop, please contact the school by email at pls_info@pender.k12.nc.us. Our staff will be happy to assist you.
Car Rider Information
As a reminder to all families: car rider lines in the morning and afternoon should extend down Roosevelt Street, past the Burton Building and the doctor's office, without blocking Highway 11. This routing helps maintain traffic flow and keeps our arrival and dismissal processes safe and efficient.
Please review the Car Rider Maps included if you have any questions!
All families who will be picking up their child in the car rider line will need a Penderlea Car Rider Number. If you do not already have one, you may stop by the school during regular school hours to pick one up. Having your assigned number displayed during afternoon dismissal helps us move the line quickly while ensuring every student gets to the correct vehicle safely.
Looking Ahead
The first day of school is always an exciting milestone. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our families as we help every student grow academically, build meaningful relationships, and develop as leaders. Thank you for your support as we begin another great year at Penderlea. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Thank You for Joining Us at Open House
Thank you to everyone who attended Open House! It was wonderful to welcome so many of our families into the building as we kicked off another exciting school year. We appreciate your flexibility and enthusiasm as we begin our "Lead the Way" journey together.
We understand there may have been some confusion regarding the session times, and we appreciate your patience. We value the feedback we've received and will use it as we continue to improve future events. We do believe it is important to begin each school year by sharing key information and establishing a common vision for the year ahead.
Leader in Me
This year, Penderlea is proud to begin implementing the Leader in Me framework. Leader in Me is a whole-school approach that empowers students to develop leadership skills, build strong character, strengthen relationships, and take ownership of their learning. Through the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and leadership opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, students will learn skills such as responsibility, goal setting, teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Our goal is to help every child discover their unique strengths and develop the confidence to lead in their own way.
If you were unable to attend Open House, don't worry! We will be sharing the Leader in Me video so all families have the opportunity to learn more about the framework and how it will positively impact our students and school community.
https://www.leaderinme.com/resources/origins
Thank you for partnering with us as we begin this exciting journey together. We look forward to an outstanding school year and appreciate your continued support as we help every student Lead the Way at Penderlea, the Place to Be!
Athletic Parent Meeting
Parents and guardians of students participating in athletics this school year are invited to attend our Beginning of the Year Athletic Parent Meeting on Thursday, August 6, at 6:00 PM.
During this meeting, families will meet our coaching staff, receive important information about the upcoming athletic seasons, and learn about expectations and procedures for student-athletes. This meeting is an important opportunity to ensure everyone is prepared for a successful year of Hornet Athletics.
We look forward to seeing all of our athletes and their families on Thursday, August 6, at 6:00 PM. Go Hornets!
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