5th Graders at South Topsail Elementary enjoyed creating painted essays in preparation for writing a compare/contrast essay on the novel Thunder Rolling in the Mountains.
October is here! Kindergarten is working hard on their pumpkin patch 🎃
📸✨ Picture Day at South Topsail Elementary — October 14! ✨📸
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! This can’t-miss event gets kids excited about reading and earns funds for our school. SAVE THE DATE for October 12-16 and start exploring together: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/southtopsailelemschool #ScholasticBookFairs
🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT: Highway 210 is closed in both directions near Griffith Road, by the J.H. Lea school construction site, due to a crash. Some afternoon bus routes may be delayed.
We’re working with emergency management on an estimated reopening time and will share updates. Families traveling through the area for school pickup should also plan for delays. Thank you for your patience.
We’re working with emergency management on an estimated reopening time and will share updates. Families traveling through the area for school pickup should also plan for delays. Thank you for your patience.
📣 Join us tomorrow night for the first PCS community forum on future growth and school planning!
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Tuesday, September 29
🕕 6 p.m.
Can’t attend in person? Watch the forum live on the Pender County Schools YouTube channel. ▶️
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
Your participation will help shape the future of our schools! 🏫
📣 ¡Acompáñenos mañana por la noche en el primer foro comunitario de PCS sobre el crecimiento futuro y la planificación escolar!
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Martes 29 de septiembre
🕕 6 p.m.
¿No puede asistir en persona? Vea la transmisión en vivo a través del canal de YouTube de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender. ▶️
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
¡Su participación ayudará a dar forma al futuro de nuestras escuelas! 🏫
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Tuesday, September 29
🕕 6 p.m.
Can’t attend in person? Watch the forum live on the Pender County Schools YouTube channel. ▶️
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
Your participation will help shape the future of our schools! 🏫
📣 ¡Acompáñenos mañana por la noche en el primer foro comunitario de PCS sobre el crecimiento futuro y la planificación escolar!
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Martes 29 de septiembre
🕕 6 p.m.
¿No puede asistir en persona? Vea la transmisión en vivo a través del canal de YouTube de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender. ▶️
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
¡Su participación ayudará a dar forma al futuro de nuestras escuelas! 🏫
Mrs Bates and Mrs Eames were workin' 9-2-5 this morning passing out special treats to our staff. Happy September 25th! 🤠 🌼 🦋 ✨
🎉👏 A big congratulations to Ms. Amanda Baxter, second-grade teacher at South Topsail Elementary!
Ms. Baxter was named the third-place winner in the 2026 Best of NC Teachers Contest, presented by Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys, and will receive a $750 cash prize. More than 1,800 votes were cast from across North Carolina! 🏆
Now in her fifth year of teaching — all at South Topsail Elementary — Ms. Baxter got to share the surprise with her students, her family and her fiancé, a Marine who is currently deployed and joined the celebration virtually. ❤️
And judging by the reaction from her second graders, they were pretty excited for their teacher too! 👏🎉
Congratulations, Ms. Baxter! 🍎📚 - https://youtube.com/shorts/irNmFw0xJ-Y
Ms. Baxter was named the third-place winner in the 2026 Best of NC Teachers Contest, presented by Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys, and will receive a $750 cash prize. More than 1,800 votes were cast from across North Carolina! 🏆
Now in her fifth year of teaching — all at South Topsail Elementary — Ms. Baxter got to share the surprise with her students, her family and her fiancé, a Marine who is currently deployed and joined the celebration virtually. ❤️
And judging by the reaction from her second graders, they were pretty excited for their teacher too! 👏🎉
Congratulations, Ms. Baxter! 🍎📚 - https://youtube.com/shorts/irNmFw0xJ-Y
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys sponsored the 2026 Best of NC Teachers contest. We are happy to announce that second grade STE teacher, Amanda Baxter, has been selected as the third-place winner and received a $750 cash prize! This year’s contest received more than 1,800 votes from across North Carolina, so this is an outstanding accomplishment.
Even more Secret Sense Agents-this time from Mrs Smith's class. They worked hard using their 5 senses to understand how they learn about the world around them.
Kindergarten students became Secret Agents today! These Sense Detectives used all five of their senses to solve missions – Mystery Mission: Sense of Touch, I-Spy Scavenger Hunt, Top-Secret Taste Test, Hearing Hunt, and Secret Smells. Our Stingrays did a great job showing their knowledge of how our senses help us learn!
📚 FREE ENGLISH CLASSES FOR ADULTS!
Cape Fear Community College is offering FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Cape Fear Middle School for adults ages 18 and older.
📅 October 5 – December 10
🗓️ Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Cape Fear Middle School
Registration orientation is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact Cindy Fischer at 📧 cfischer@cfcc.edu or 📞 910-362-7184.
Please share this opportunity with family, friends and community members who may be interested! 💙📖
📚 ¡CLASES GRATIS DE INGLÉS PARA ADULTOS!
Cape Fear Community College ofrecerá clases GRATIS de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) en Cape Fear Middle School para adultos de 18 años en adelante.
📅 5 de octubre – 10 de diciembre
🗓️ Lunes, martes y jueves
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Cape Fear Middle School
La orientación para la inscripción es solo con cita previa. Para programar una cita, comuníquese con Cindy Fischer al 📧 cfischer@cfcc.edu o 📞 910-362-7184.
¡Comparta esta oportunidad con familiares, amigos y miembros de la comunidad que puedan estar interesados! 💙📖
Cape Fear Community College is offering FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Cape Fear Middle School for adults ages 18 and older.
📅 October 5 – December 10
🗓️ Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Cape Fear Middle School
Registration orientation is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact Cindy Fischer at 📧 cfischer@cfcc.edu or 📞 910-362-7184.
Please share this opportunity with family, friends and community members who may be interested! 💙📖
📚 ¡CLASES GRATIS DE INGLÉS PARA ADULTOS!
Cape Fear Community College ofrecerá clases GRATIS de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) en Cape Fear Middle School para adultos de 18 años en adelante.
📅 5 de octubre – 10 de diciembre
🗓️ Lunes, martes y jueves
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Cape Fear Middle School
La orientación para la inscripción es solo con cita previa. Para programar una cita, comuníquese con Cindy Fischer al 📧 cfischer@cfcc.edu o 📞 910-362-7184.
¡Comparta esta oportunidad con familiares, amigos y miembros de la comunidad que puedan estar interesados! 💙📖
We did it South Topsail! Thanks to our incredible community, we exceeded our fundraiser goal for a major playground upgrade AND, as promised, Stingrays got to tape Deputy P to the wall 😂 👏
A huge thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and cheered us on. 🩵🩵🩵
What new feature would you love to see on the playground??
📅 Save the date! Pender County Schools will hold a community forum on future growth and school planning.
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Tuesday, September 29
🕕 6 p.m.
Join us to learn more about the planning process and share your perspective. The forum will also be streamed live on the PCS YouTube channel for those unable to attend.
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
📅 ¡Reserve la fecha! Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender llevarán a cabo un foro comunitario sobre el crecimiento futuro y la planificación escolar.
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Martes 29 de septiembre
🕕 6 p.m.
Acompáñenos para conocer más sobre el proceso de planificación y compartir su perspectiva. El foro también se transmitirá en vivo a través del canal de YouTube de PCS para quienes no puedan asistir.
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Tuesday, September 29
🕕 6 p.m.
Join us to learn more about the planning process and share your perspective. The forum will also be streamed live on the PCS YouTube channel for those unable to attend.
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
📅 ¡Reserve la fecha! Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender llevarán a cabo un foro comunitario sobre el crecimiento futuro y la planificación escolar.
📍 Topsail High School
🗓️ Martes 29 de septiembre
🕕 6 p.m.
Acompáñenos para conocer más sobre el proceso de planificación y compartir su perspectiva. El foro también se transmitirá en vivo a través del canal de YouTube de PCS para quienes no puedan asistir.
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@PenderCountySchools
Ms. McRorie's students did a great job learning how to use number lines to write mathematical equations.
And...even though the sun decided to show up and shine bright Thursday afternoon, our 3rd-5th grade stingrays still had a great time at our fun run. Especially the popsicles from PTO!
🚨 Today is the final day to complete the PCS Community Priorities Survey!
Help ensure community priorities and values guide future planning for Pender County Schools.
📝 Complete the survey today: https://bit.ly/4d0Q3O0
Thank you to everyone who has already shared their feedback! 💬
Recordatorio final de la encuesta — 18 de septiembre
🚨 ¡Hoy es el último día para completar la Encuesta sobre las Prioridades de la Comunidad de PCS!
Ayúdenos a garantizar que las prioridades y los valores de la comunidad orienten la planificación futura de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender.
📝 Complete la encuesta hoy:https://forms.gle/sgWCWu8F1rXrxboTA
¡Gracias a todos los que ya compartieron sus comentarios! 💬
What an amazing morning for our STE Fun Run!!! Thank you to all the families who supported us the past couple weeks to reach our fundraising goal for playground improvements.
We had two phenomenal Stingrays that sang the National Anthem for the Opening of WAWA in Scotts Hill. Way to go ladies!
Dear STES Families,
We are so excited for our upcoming STES Fun Run! We are looking forward to having our students run, have fun, and celebrate together—and we are especially excited to welcome parents and guardians who would like to participate with their children!
Please review the information below carefully so that we can keep the event safe, organized, and fun for everyone.
📍 WHERE TO PARK & ENTER
Parents/Guardians who are participating in the Fun Run should:
Park in the parking lot on the side of the school.
Enter the school through the main/front doors.
Walk through the building to access the back of the school, where the Fun Run will take place.
The Fun Run will be held on the field beside the PTO Hut.
You do NOT need to sign in at the front office if you are coming to participate in the Fun Run.
🔒 Important Safety Reminder
For the safety of our students, the back gate will remain locked during the Fun Run. Parents and guardians should enter through the front of the school and walk through the building to reach the Fun Run area.
Please do not attempt to enter through the back gate.
🏃♀️ FUN RUN SCHEDULE
Students will participate in the Fun Run during their regularly scheduled Specials time.
Time Grade Level
8:20–9:05 🏃 Second Grade
9:20–10:05 🏃 Kindergarten
10:10–10:55 🏃 First Grade
12:20–1:05 🏃 Third Grade
1:10–1:55 🏃 Fourth Grade
2:00–2:45 🏃 Fifth Grade
Parents/Guardians are welcome to come and participate with their child's grade level during that grade's scheduled Fun Run time.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN
We understand that many of our families have children in multiple grade levels, and we want to make the process as easy as possible!
If you have children in multiple grade levels and would like to participate with one child while your other child is still in class:
Before the Fun Run:
You will need to check out the child who is NOT participating at that time through the front office.
For example, if you have a child in 2nd grade and a child in 4th grade, and you are attending the 2nd grade Fun Run, you will need to check out your 4th grader from the front office before taking them to the Fun Run.
After the Fun Run:
Once that grade level's Fun Run time has ended, you may sign your child back into school through the front office if they are returning to class.
📝 WANT YOUR CHILD TO LEAVE WITH YOU?
If you would like your child to leave school with you after participating in the Fun Run, we have made the process easier!
A sign-out clipboard will be available outside so that you do not have to return to the main office to sign your child out.
Simply complete the sign-out information on the clipboard before leaving with your child.
🤫 REMEMBER—IT IS STILL AN INSTRUCTIONAL DAY!
While we are excited to celebrate and have fun, students are still receiving instruction throughout the school day.
As you enter and move through the building:
Please walk quietly through the hallways.
Keep voices low.
Be mindful of classrooms that are actively learning.
Please do not stop to visit with teachers while they are teaching.
Follow staff directions and remain in designated areas.
Help us minimize disruptions to our students who are not participating at that time.
We appreciate your help in making sure our teachers can continue instruction while we enjoy this special event.
🌟 THANK YOU, STINGRAY FAMILIES!
Thank you for helping us make the STES Fun Run the BEST FUN RUN EVER!
We are so excited to see our Stingrays running, smiling, cheering, and having fun with their families!
Let's get ready to RUN, STINGRAYS! 🏃♀️🏃♂️🌊
South Topsail Elementary
Home of the Stingrays
Ready. Set. Grow.
Running the race to excellence!
We are so excited for our upcoming STES Fun Run! We are looking forward to having our students run, have fun, and celebrate together—and we are especially excited to welcome parents and guardians who would like to participate with their children!
Please review the information below carefully so that we can keep the event safe, organized, and fun for everyone.
📍 WHERE TO PARK & ENTER
Parents/Guardians who are participating in the Fun Run should:
Park in the parking lot on the side of the school.
Enter the school through the main/front doors.
Walk through the building to access the back of the school, where the Fun Run will take place.
The Fun Run will be held on the field beside the PTO Hut.
You do NOT need to sign in at the front office if you are coming to participate in the Fun Run.
🔒 Important Safety Reminder
For the safety of our students, the back gate will remain locked during the Fun Run. Parents and guardians should enter through the front of the school and walk through the building to reach the Fun Run area.
Please do not attempt to enter through the back gate.
🏃♀️ FUN RUN SCHEDULE
Students will participate in the Fun Run during their regularly scheduled Specials time.
Time Grade Level
8:20–9:05 🏃 Second Grade
9:20–10:05 🏃 Kindergarten
10:10–10:55 🏃 First Grade
12:20–1:05 🏃 Third Grade
1:10–1:55 🏃 Fourth Grade
2:00–2:45 🏃 Fifth Grade
Parents/Guardians are welcome to come and participate with their child's grade level during that grade's scheduled Fun Run time.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN
We understand that many of our families have children in multiple grade levels, and we want to make the process as easy as possible!
If you have children in multiple grade levels and would like to participate with one child while your other child is still in class:
Before the Fun Run:
You will need to check out the child who is NOT participating at that time through the front office.
For example, if you have a child in 2nd grade and a child in 4th grade, and you are attending the 2nd grade Fun Run, you will need to check out your 4th grader from the front office before taking them to the Fun Run.
After the Fun Run:
Once that grade level's Fun Run time has ended, you may sign your child back into school through the front office if they are returning to class.
📝 WANT YOUR CHILD TO LEAVE WITH YOU?
If you would like your child to leave school with you after participating in the Fun Run, we have made the process easier!
A sign-out clipboard will be available outside so that you do not have to return to the main office to sign your child out.
Simply complete the sign-out information on the clipboard before leaving with your child.
🤫 REMEMBER—IT IS STILL AN INSTRUCTIONAL DAY!
While we are excited to celebrate and have fun, students are still receiving instruction throughout the school day.
As you enter and move through the building:
Please walk quietly through the hallways.
Keep voices low.
Be mindful of classrooms that are actively learning.
Please do not stop to visit with teachers while they are teaching.
Follow staff directions and remain in designated areas.
Help us minimize disruptions to our students who are not participating at that time.
We appreciate your help in making sure our teachers can continue instruction while we enjoy this special event.
🌟 THANK YOU, STINGRAY FAMILIES!
Thank you for helping us make the STES Fun Run the BEST FUN RUN EVER!
We are so excited to see our Stingrays running, smiling, cheering, and having fun with their families!
Let's get ready to RUN, STINGRAYS! 🏃♀️🏃♂️🌊
South Topsail Elementary
Home of the Stingrays
Ready. Set. Grow.
Running the race to excellence!
