Good afternoon. Thank you for your GRACE and PATIENCE. As you know, today was day #1 of brand new start times for Pender County. Please be reminded elementary starts dismissal at 2:55. Middle school starts dismissal at 3:30. Middle school parents do NOT need to get into the car rider line prior to 3:30 because you will have to circle back around. Elementary parents who arrive late will get stuck in middle school line so the earlier the better. Hopefully more students will be riding buses tomorrow. Morning drop off went great. If it is your child's second day tomorrow, please drop off in the line versus parking and walking in. THANK YOU!! It will only get better from here. Kindergarten parents are welcome to walk students in on their first day. Overall, we had an amazing first day at Surf City Elementary!
We still have students who ride buses 280, 284, 281, 323, and 279 on campus as the buses have not arrived yet. We are still waiting on news of when they will arrive. We will update you as soon as we can. We are sorry for the inconvenience.







Thank you for your continued support and understanding in this process.
We look forward to seeing all the bright smiles next week.

Tonight is Open House for both our Elementary Schools and High Schools!
🕓 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
This is a great chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and get ready for a strong start to the school year. We look forward to seeing our families this evening! 💙💛


Kindergarten Parents, teachers will be contacting families by the end of the day on Wednesday.


You can complete the application using any device with internet access, including smartphones with cellular data. If you have the IC app on your phone, the BOY paperwork can be accessed and completed through the app.
Once verified at the school level, your updates will sync directly into Infinite Campus!
A BOY Information Application must be submitted before your student(s) will be issued a Chromebook. There will be no paper forms available this year.
Parents/Guardians only need to submit ONE application for all their returning students.
Just be sure to add all students in the same application!
Go here https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/page/enroll
Join us for Open House 2025! Your child's teacher will be contacting you soon to schedule an orientation meeting with you for August 21. Please note- kinder teachers will be contacting parents after kindergarten orientation Thursday. We can't wait to see our students!

Come meet your child’s teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for a great school year!
🗓 Open House Dates:
Elementary Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Middle Schools: August 20, 4-6 PM
High Schools: August 21, 4-6 PM
Pender Innovative Learning Academy: August 20, 4-6 PM
Let’s start the year strong — we can’t wait to see you there! 💛💙

Our Bus Stop Lookup tool is now updated with routes, pickup times, and drop-off times for the new school year. This is the easiest way to confirm your child’s bus information before the year begins.
📍 Click here to check your stop: https://bit.ly/3HtS5tz
Let’s make the first day run smoothly for everyone!

🛡️ As part of the Protecting Our Students Act (S.L. 2023-128), these age-appropriate videos help students recognize and report signs of abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations and emphasize that reporting is always confidential.
🎥 Pender County Schools is committed to complying with this mandate and making sure students know how to stay safe and seek help if needed. Look for information from your school in your email or sent home with your student once classes begin.
Learn more from the State here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3HbOqAq

I am thrilled to be joining our SCE Family as your new Principal. I have received the warmest Pender County welcome since starting July 1. Together we are going to have a fabulous year !The time is quickly approaching for the return of students.
I wanted to share a few important points:
* The new tardy bell will ring at 7:55.
*We will start releasing car riders into the building approximately 30 min prior to the tardy bell.
* Please follow the traffic pattern seen in the graphic! GREAT NEWS - the car rider line will be just elementary this year! (less traffic and one lane!) The outside lane will be the car rider lane this year.
*For staggered entry days only, we will allow Kinder parents to park in the parking lot and walk students in their first day .
*Teachers will receive class rosters on August 11. Soon after, you will be receiving a personal phone call from your child's new teacher to schedule orientation meetings for August 21.
*School will start dismissing car riders daily at 2:45. If you must check your child out early, please do so by 2:20, park in the parking lot and walk the student to the front lobby to sign him/her out.
The change in school schedules will help so much with traffic and wait times for Surf City Elementary and Surf City Middle. 2025-2026 is our year to SHINE! I look forward to meeting you and your students soon!


