Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are important information and updates for the week of October 12th through October 16th and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Welcome Back, Hornet Families!
We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Fall Break! We are excited to welcome our students back to Penderlea tomorrow as we begin Quarter 2.
As a reminder, school doors open at 7:20 a.m., and classes begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. Please help us start the day strong by making sure students arrive on time and ready to learn.
We are looking forward to seeing our Hornets back in the building and continuing a great school year together!
October Awareness Month
October is an important month of awareness and prevention across Pender County Schools. Throughout the month, students will take part in activities focused on kindness, inclusion, healthy choices, and creating a safe and supportive school community.
This coming week, October 12–18, is Special Needs Awareness Week. At Penderlea, we will focus on kindness, positive communication, inclusion, and celebrating what makes each person unique.
Planned activities for the week include:
Monday, October 12: Kindness Counts — Wear yellow
Tuesday, October 13: Perform a random act of kindness
Wednesday, October 14: Communication Celebration — Wear a shirt with positive words or symbols
Thursday, October 15: Smile and say hello to three new people
Friday, October 16: Better Together — Wear Penderlea shirts or school colors
The following week, October 18–24, we will recognize Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, including Unity Day on Wednesday, October 21, when students and staff are encouraged to wear orange. We will then close out the month with Red Ribbon Week, October 25–30, focused on healthy choices and drug prevention.
Penderlea Fall Fundraiser
Our Candy Man Fall Fundraiser kicks off this week! The fundraiser will run from October 15 through November 3 and will help support Penderlea’s general school fund. These funds allow us to respond to school needs throughout the year and help provide additional supplies, support school events, and purchase other items that directly benefit our students, staff, and school community.
Fundraiser information will be coming home with students this week. We appreciate the support of our Hornet families and community as we work together to make this year’s fundraiser a success!
Elementary Science Olympiad
We are excited to share that Elementary Science Olympiad is back at Penderlea for students in grades 3–5! Science Olympiad gives students the opportunity to explore science through engaging, hands-on activities and challenges while building teamwork, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
This year’s elementary team will be led by Mrs. H and Ms. Crowl. Students who are interested in participating should let one of them know by Friday, October 16.
For questions or additional information, families may contact:
Mrs. H: elizabeth_williamson@pender.k12.nc.us
Ms. Anna Crowl: anna_crowl@pender.k12.nc.us
Pender High International Travel Opportunity Update
Pender High School has shared an update on the EF Educational Tours trip to France, Germany, and the Alps planned for July 2028. The trip is filling more quickly than anticipated, but spots are still available at this time.
Current 8th grade students who will attend Pender High next year are eligible to participate. Families who are interested can view trip details and enrollment information at www.eftours.com/3110226WK.
For questions, please contact Mrs. Samantha Stubbs, Pender High School Social Worker, at samantha_stubbs@pender.k12.nc.us.
Penderlea Running Club
The first two Penderlea Running Club practices will be held on Tuesday, October 13, and Thursday, October 15, from 3:15–4:15 p.m.
Students must have a current sports physical and a signed parent waiver in order to stay for practice. A calendar with future practice dates will be provided at the first practice on October 13.
Families with questions may contact Nurse Renee Brown at renee_brown@pender.k12.nc.us or call the school at 910-285-2761.
School Improvement Team Meeting
Our next School Improvement Team (SIT)/Lighthouse Team meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 3:15 p.m.
The SIT/Lighthouse Team is made up of staff members and parents/guardians who work together to review our school goals, discuss student needs, monitor progress, and help guide improvement efforts across Penderlea. The team also supports our Leader in Me work and helps ensure that our school improvement priorities stay focused on student success.
Additional SIT/Lighthouse Team meetings are scheduled throughout the year on November 10, December 1, January 12, February 2, March 2, April 6, and May 4, with each meeting beginning at 3:15 p.m.
6th Grade Healthcare Career Awareness Day
On Friday, October 30, all Pender County Schools 6th-grade students will participate in “ICU In Your Future!”, the districtwide Healthcare Career Awareness Day at Heide Trask High School.
This will be a mini field trip, with students traveling to Heide Trask High School for a few hours during the school day. While there, students will explore a variety of healthcare and public safety careers through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and interactions with healthcare professionals, CTE students, and community partners.
Additional information will be shared with families as we get closer to the event. We are excited for our 6th graders to take part in this unique career exploration experience!
Upcoming Testing
We have several upcoming assessments as we continue monitoring student progress and using data to guide instruction.
Some of our 4th grade students will participate in the Read to Achieve (RtA) Fall Assessment on Wednesday, October 14.
The following week, middle school students in grades 6–8 will complete NC Check-Ins:
Tuesday, October 20: Reading/ELA
Wednesday, October 21: Science for 8th grade
Thursday, October 22: Math
Testing will take place during students’ regular content-area class blocks, with some students testing in small-group settings based on their accommodations.
We appreciate families helping students arrive on time, get plenty of rest, and come to school ready to do their best.
Upcoming Health Screenings & Clinics
We have several upcoming health-related dates for Penderlea students and families:
October 14 – Kindergarten Dental Screening: A dental hygienist from the state will complete screenings for Kindergarten students. Declination forms will be sent home on Monday and only need to be returned if you do not want your child to participate. Please return declination forms by the morning of October 14.
November 17 – Vision Screenings: Students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades will participate in mass vision screenings. Additional forms and information will be sent home later this month.
November 18, 8:00–9:00 a.m. – Flu Vaccine Clinic: The Pender County Health Department will host a flu vaccine clinic at Penderlea. Families who would like their student to receive the vaccine should complete the appropriate consent form. Paper copies will also be available at the front desk.
Student Flu Vaccine Consent Form:
https://form.jotform.com/262703733528156
Formulario de autorización en español:
https://form.jotform.com/262704675008155
Flu vaccine consent forms were originally requested by October 17, but because students were on break, families may have a little additional time to submit them. We encourage interested families to turn them in as soon as possible.
October Cafeteria Menus
Our October cafeteria menus are now available! Families can review the breakfast and lunch options planned for the month and help students know what to expect each day.
We encourage families to take a look at the menus together and talk with students about their meal choices for the week.
Fall Picture Retakes
Fall Picture Retakes will be held on Wednesday, October 21 for students who were absent on picture day or who need to have their picture retaken.
Families whose students need a retake should plan for them to be ready for pictures that morning.
This Week in Hornet Athletics:
We wrap up our season of Patriot Softball on Monday with a trip to the Championship Game in the middle school softball tournament! Come out and cheer loud for our girls and their Patriot teammates at Pender High School at 5 pm as they take on the #1 seeded Topsail team. Admission is $5, cash only for middle school age and up.
Our Patriot football team also wraps up their season on the road this week at Cape Fear Middle School on Wednesday at 4:30 pm. We’d love to see you in the stands cheering them on to a victory! Admission is $5, cash only, for middle school age and up.
This week we will begin workouts for our next sports! Girls Soccer, Boys Basketball, and Basketball Cheer all have workouts this week. Please make sure your athlete has completed all forms in Final Forms and that an adult has attended the mandatory parent meeting. If you attended in August, you are good for all year! If you need to attend, there will be a parent meeting for those who have not attended one yet this school year on Thursday right after school. Mandatory tryouts will be held next week beginning October 19th.
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