Surf City Middle School

For the Love of Baseball: When 3 Schools Become 1 by Mrs. Johnson In the world of youth sports, the magic of competition often transcends mere victory on the scoreboard. Such was the case on a memorable evening when three distinct communities came together on the baseball diamond, not just to play a game, but to celebrate camaraderie and the shared joy of the sport. Surf City Middle School's (SCM) 8th-grade recognition night was slated for Wednesday, May 1, a significant occasion for the young athletes. The scheduled opponents were the combined team from Burgaw and West Pender, a collaboration necessitated by the smaller roster of players from these neighboring schools. Initially faced with the prospect of a forfeit due to the visiting team's limited numbers, SCM showed true sportsmanship by offering some of their players to join the Burgaw/West Pender team. Despite the logistical challenges and the significance of the event for SCM, the game was on. When the Burgaw/West Pender team arrived at Surf City, what unfolded was beyond the typical game dynamics. With just five Burgaw/West Pender athletes joining forces with four SCM players against a larger SCM squad of thirteen, the stage was set for an unconventional matchup. Yet, as the first pitch was thrown, it became clear that this game was about much more than wins and losses. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation, not just from the families and spectators but notably from the players themselves. The lines between opposing teams blurred as every boy on the field embraced the spirit of sportsmanship and unity. Cheers rang out from both dugouts, supporting each play and effort regardless of jersey color. As innings passed and the game unfolded, the focus shifted from competition to collaboration. Every boy, regardless of affiliation, gave their all on the field. Coaches and umpires alike were caught up in the infectious enthusiasm, reinforcing the notion that baseball is about much more than individual recognition. When the final out was made, the exact score was unknown and insignificant in the grand scheme of the evening. What truly mattered were the smiles that illuminated the field—smiles from players, coaches, families, and fans alike. This was not just about Burgaw/West Pender graciously supporting SCM's 8th-grade appreciation night. It was equally about SCM extending a welcoming hand to ensure that every young athlete had the opportunity to play the game they loved. In that brief span of time, the barriers of competition fell away, leaving behind the shared passion for baseball and the true meaning of sportsmanship. In a world often defined by wins and losses, this game was a reminder of the true essence of sports—the ability to unite communities, forge friendships, and celebrate the sheer joy of playing together. It was a testament to the love of baseball that transcends school boundaries and brings us closer as neighbors and teammates in the grand game of life.

🧠 Understanding Adolescent Brain Development 🌱 Did you know? Social media impacts young minds differently. As parents, caregivers, and educators, it's crucial to stay informed. Learn more about navigating this landscape responsibly at Heide Trask HS May 6 or Topsail HS May 7th

🍎 To all our incredible Principals 🍎 Today, on #SchoolPrincipalsDay, we extend our deepest gratitude to the leaders who tirelessly champion excellence in education every single day. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff are truly inspiring. Thank you for your endless support, innovative ideas, and the countless ways you uplift our school communities. Your guidance shapes futures and fosters a love for learning in each and every student. Here's to you, our extraordinary Principals, for all that you do to make our schools places of growth, opportunity, and success. You are the heart and soul of Pender County Schools! 💫

From Mrs. Hill: Thank you to the SCMS PTA for full-filling my teacher mini grant to purchase this life size human skeleton 💀 This will be a super helpful visual for learning about Human Body Systems next year! Now we just have to come up with a name for him.

🌟 Ignite your passion and explore endless career possibilities at Pender County Schools Career Exploration Camps! From STEM to the fashion, there's something for everyone. Register now to shape your future! #ExperienceTheExcellence #CTEforNC @bradbreedlove90

🌟 Discover the keys to fostering Healthy Teen Relationships! Dive deep into understanding adolescent brain development, decoding peer pressure, and navigating social media's impact behavior. Don't miss out on the conversation May 6th at Heide Trask HS, May 7th at Topsail HS

🍎 Parents, we want to hear from you! 🍏 Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that our school food services provided by Aramark meet the needs and preferences of our students. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and let us know about your experience. Click here to take the survey ➡️ https://bit.ly/pcs-food-23-24. Thank you for helping us improve our school dining experience! #ParentFeedback #SchoolFoodServices #Aramark

Sports fans...we need a few more pictures from soccer and basketball for the yearbook. If you have some great shots, please email 3-5 to mary_tobin@pender.k12.nc.us. Thanks!

Here is this week's Shark Bites. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pEavePwRa37RGhyKf3T9D36tlr-GgOjv/view?usp=sharing

Mrs. Long and Mrs. Benard’s class went to the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital! They enjoyed meeting all the turtles, learning about their rehabilitation, and being quizzed about their turtle knowledge!

Congratulations to our Battle of the Books team for their third place finish in the Southeastern Regional competition today! Great job, Sharks!

It's Military Spirit Week! Tuesday: 🌲 Sport your camo to represent your family's military branch! Let's stand united and proud in our unique service connections. @bradbreedlove90

🌮 Tacos + Tuesdays = perfect combo! 🎉 Join us at Shaka Taco Tuesday night from 5 to 8 for a delicious meal and support PEP's mission of empowering education. 📚 Let's taco 'bout giving back! #ExperienceTheExcellence 🌟

Here is this week's Shark Bites! https://drive.google.com/file/d/14kqTs1ZEeRRtgAqwRtA5xyMW2aOye8y_/view?usp=sharing

🙏 Grateful for the incredible turnout and support at the Pender County Schools Career Fair! Huge thanks to everyone who participated and attended, making it a resounding success. Together, we're shaping brighter futures! 🌟💼#ExperienceTheExcellence

🌮 Spice up your Tuesday with tacos for a cause! 🎉 Shaka Taco is hosting a fundraiser for PEP on April 16th from 5 to 8pm - 10% of sales support education initiatives. 📚 Let's taco 'bout making a difference together! #ExperienceTheExcellence 🌟

💼 Ready to inspire the next generation? ✨ Don't miss the PCS Career Fair - Sat. at Heide Trask HS! 🍎 Explore diverse roles within our district, from instructional to administrative positions! 📚 Join our team and help shape bright futures! https://bit.ly/3U8qrWx

🚀🔧 Get ready to witness the PCS clash of bots! 🤖 Join us for the District Robotics Competition at Heide Trask High School Gym on April 11th, 4:00-7:00 pm. It's going to be electrifying! #STEM #ExperienceTheExcellence

Good evening, We had a blast on Friday at the Color Run. A huge shout out to our PTA and volunteers for helping make this event possible. The donation portal is open through the end of the week, so it's not too late to help support SCM. Here is this week's Shark Bites. Good evening, We had a blast on Friday at the Color Run. A huge shout out to our PTA and volunteers for helping make this event possible. The donation portal is open through the end of the week, so it's not too late to help support SCM. Here is this week's Shark Bites. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mNmphiJTS3fdkNPefUbb5HAJLiLF23LK/view?usp=drive_link Thank you, Thank you,

🚨 Important Update: School Meal Charges Correction 🚨 Due to a programming error in March, elementary and middle school students were mistakenly charged the high school meal price of $2.65. This issue has been resolved, and all accounts are being manually corrected by April 8th. We apologize for any inconvenience. For questions, please contact Kelly Ramos at 910-663-3555 or Rita Head at 910-663-3550.