Good evening Penderlea Families,
Here are important information and updates for the week of October 19th through October 23rd and beyond. Thank you for staying connected and involved.
Junior Beta Club Leadership Summit Success
Congratulations to our Penderlea Junior Beta Club for an outstanding showing at the Leadership Summit! Our students won two events, earning qualification for Beta Nationals in Texas.
The team earned top honors in Collaboration Connection and All the World is a Stage, showcasing strong leadership, teamwork, creativity, and communication.
We are also excited to share that Reyden was selected as one of only two Leadership Representatives for North Carolina for the 2027–2028 school year. This student will also represent North Carolina at Nationals in Texas.
We are incredibly proud of our Junior Beta students and the way they represented Penderlea!
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 week, October 18–24, is Bullying Prevention Awareness Week. Throughout the week, students will participate in simple activities that promote kindness, inclusion, friendship, and standing up for others.
Our daily themes include:
Monday: United We Shine — Wear bright colors
Tuesday: Sit with a new friend from your class at lunch
Wednesday: Unity Day — Wear orange
Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday — Think about how you can be a good friend
Friday: Be a buddy, not a bully — Match with a twin
This week is another opportunity to remind students that their words and actions matter and that each of us has a role in helping Penderlea remain a safe, welcoming, and supportive place for everyone.
We will close out the month with Red Ribbon Week, October 25–30, focused on healthy choices and drug prevention.
Penderlea Fall Fundraiser Update
Our Candy Man Fall Fundraiser is underway! Fundraiser packets were sent home with students this week and include the information families need to participate.
The fundraiser will continue through November 3, with proceeds supporting Penderlea’s general school fund and helping provide additional supplies, school events, and other needs that directly benefit our students, staff, and school community.
We appreciate our Hornet families helping students participate and share the fundraiser with family and friends. Thank you for supporting Penderlea!
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
Penderlea Run Club kicked off last week!
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, November 10,th 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
Students in grades 6–8 will participate in NC Check-Ins this week. Assessments are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, October 20: Reading
Wednesday, October 21: 8th Grade Science
Thursday, October 22: Math
These assessments help us monitor student progress and identify areas where additional instructional support may be needed. Please encourage your child to get a good night's rest, arrive at school on time, and give their best effort. Thank you for your continued support!
Upcoming Health Screenings & Clinics
We have several upcoming health-related dates for Penderlea students and families:
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.
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:
Our fall season of Patriot athletics was a success! Our softball team ranked 2nd for the season and were runner-up in the county tournament. Our football team is co-county champions for the season with a 4-2 record. Let’s go Patriots!
This week we will begin tryouts for our next season! Girls Soccer, Boys Basketball, and Basketball Cheer all have tryouts this week. Please make sure your athlete has completed all forms in Final Forms and that an adult has attended the mandatory parent meeting. Once you attend one athlete parent meeting, you are good for all year! Athletes who have not met these requirements will not be allowed to stay after school to tryout. Tryouts are mandatory. Teams will be selected this week! Here we 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