Did you know????
Tomorrow, June 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Pender County Board of Education and the Pender County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss the current funding shortfall in next year's local school budget. This funding gap will have an immediate impact on students at Surf City Middle School and could create lasting challenges for years to come if local funding does not keep pace with the operational needs of our growing school system.
Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of serving and living in Pender County, and I have witnessed tremendous growth throughout our community. Unfortunately, school funding has not kept pace with that growth. Our schools are operating on a lean budget, and additional local support is needed to maintain our current staffing levels and continue providing the educational opportunities our students deserve.
The decisions made now will directly affect our ability to support students, retain quality staff, and meet the increasing needs of our community. This is a critical moment for public education in Pender County.
We need your voice.
Please consider attending the meeting and sharing your support for adequate school funding:
Pender County Board of Commissioners & Pender County Board of Education Joint Meeting
📅 June 24, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425
To better understand the direct impact this funding shortfall could have on Surf City Middle School, please review the SCM Funding Shortfall Document at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vjCL_X70IlJo2yQhKlG6PHfZlpnzkbWS3xVlCKJ3kw4/edit?usp=sharing
Now is the time to stand up for our students, our staff, and the future of public education in Pender County. Your advocacy can make a difference.
Thank you for your continued support of Surf City Middle School and Pender County Schools.
Mrs. Schmitz has been a caring, compassionate, and dedicated educator who always pushed her students to do their very best while creating a supportive and welcoming classroom environment. Her calm presence, flexibility, and unwavering commitment to students made her not only an incredible teacher but also a valued teammate and leader across the Surf City Middle School campus.
Throughout her years of service, Mrs. Schmitz’s experience, wisdom, and heart for education have left a lasting mark on countless students and colleagues. She has truly been an asset to our school community, and her influence will continue long after her retirement.
Thank you, Mrs. Schmitz, for the difference you have made in the lives of students and staff alike. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but happiness and new adventures in this next chapter!
Mrs. Warren has been a powerhouse educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. As a 6th Grade Science Teacher, she had a unique way of making learning fun, engaging, and meaningful for her students each and every day.
Her knowledge and support in both science and math have been an incredible asset to our school community. More importantly, Mrs. Warren’s kind heart, caring spirit, and dedication to students made her a true blessing to everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.
The impact she has made on Surf City Middle School students will continue for years to come, and she will be greatly missed by staff, students, and families alike.
Thank you, Mrs. Warren, for your years of service, compassion, and commitment to excellence. We wish you endless joy and relaxation in retirement — you have certainly earned it!
Mrs. Roland’s leadership, passion for science, and extensive knowledge have left a lasting impact on our students, staff, and school community. She has helped shape generations of learners while always leading with kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment.
Her shoes will certainly be hard to fill, and her presence will be deeply missed throughout the halls of SCMS.
Thank you, Mrs. Roland, for the years of service, mentorship, and care you have given to Surf City Middle. We wish you nothing but happiness, relaxation, and new adventures in your retirement!
*Also, we had an 8th grade student with the wrong picture, and Strawbridge has send us stickers for the correction. Please stop by the school and pick one up, or we will have them next year for pick up as well.
Inspired by a peaceful coastal sunset, Lucy’s artwork features rolling ocean waves, shorebirds, and colorful starfish brought to life with soft watercolor techniques and vibrant beach colors. Her attention to movement, light, and detail captured the spirit of the seaside in a truly memorable way.
Lucy’s framed artwork will be proudly displayed at the Central Office for the next year. We are so proud of her creativity and artistic talent!
Students also participated in a special awards ceremony where gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded for outstanding sportsmanship. To end the celebration, students enjoyed traditional Greek foods including grape leaves, hummus, and pita bread.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers, staff, PTA, and families for helping make this event such a memorable experience for our students!
Mrs. Hill’s Science Class is going “old school” and using real books to research animal species to create/design their own new hybrid organism! They really get into this project and I love seeing their creativity.
This week's Shark Bites Weekly newsletter is now available. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t3b5Y8_nHgGw0uOMXy03CMI9tX0RItOW/view?usp=drive_link
🏄♂️🎨 Surf Break 2026 Annual Art Contest Winners 🎨🏄♀️
Congratulations to all of our talented student artists who participated in this year’s contest! We are proud to announce the winners of the Surf Break 2026 Annual Art Contest at Surf City Middle School.
🥇 1st Place – Harry Roy
“Surf City” themed artwork featuring local landmarks and coastal imagery.
Harry’s winning artwork will be featured on the Local Media Outdoor Advertising digital board along Highway 50 for two weeks! Thank you to Local Media Outdoor Advertising for supporting our young artists and helping showcase student creativity in our community.
🥈 2nd Place – Dahlia Kutcha
Beautiful boardwalk pathway scene with the Surf City water tower in the background.
🥉 3rd Place – Josie Cina
Creative Zentangle-inspired sea turtle design full of intricate patterns and coastal spirit.
Thank you to every student who submitted artwork and shared their creativity, craftsmanship, and love for Surf City! 🦈🌊
Each year, our 8th grade art students participate in a special legacy mural project by submitting original designs for consideration. All entries are reviewed and judged by administration, and students help determine both the location and imagery of the mural. The winning artists then collaborate with administration to make adjustments and refinements that best fit our school community.
This year’s mural transforms our Lost and Found area into an underwater treasure scene featuring a treasure chest overflowing with lost items surrounded by coral, sea life, and a frenzy of shark silhouettes swimming above. The vibrant colors and creative details make this space both fun and functional for students.
Congratulations to the students who helped bring this mural to life:
🦈 Kalyn Barker
🦈 Makayla Parmentier
🦈 Lily Schwarz
🦈 Rebecca Schweitzer
🦈 Caroline Shepard
🦈 Maddie Siemon
🦈 Ethan Wagner (Not Pictured)
We are so proud of the creativity, teamwork, and school pride these students demonstrated throughout this project. This 8th grade legacy mural allows students to leave a lasting mark on our school for years to come! We can not wait to see what these artists produce at the high school.
This week's Shark Bites Newsletter is available.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cl30U9Zn4Uvej-DnmdqwRvLvBv82Exvk/view?usp=drive_link
