Dear Pender County Schools Families,
Because of the expected winter weather across our area this weekend, Pender County Schools will have a “snow day” on Monday, February 2nd.
A decision regarding Tuesday’s schedule will be announced at a later date to allow us to check on facilities and travel conditions. Teachers will prepare their students for the possibility of a remote learning day, we ask that families be prepared as well. Announcements will be made using our normal channels.
Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. Be safe, have fun, and stay warm!
Estimadas familias de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender:
Debido al clima invernal esperado en nuestra área este fin de semana, las Escuelas del Condado de Pender tendrán un “día de nieve” el lunes 2 de febrero.
La decisión sobre el horario del martes se anunciará en una fecha posterior para permitirnos revisar las instalaciones y las condiciones de viaje. Los maestros prepararán a sus estudiantes para la posibilidad de un día de aprendizaje remoto, y pedimos que las familias también estén preparadas. Los anuncios se harán a través de nuestros canales habituales.
Gracias por su flexibilidad y comprensión. ¡Manténganse seguros, diviértanse y abríguense!
Because of the expected winter weather across our area this weekend, Pender County Schools will have a “snow day” on Monday, February 2nd.
A decision regarding Tuesday’s schedule will be announced at a later date to allow us to check on facilities and travel conditions. Teachers will prepare their students for the possibility of a remote learning day, we ask that families be prepared as well. Announcements will be made using our normal channels.
Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. Be safe, have fun, and stay warm!
Estimadas familias de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender:
Debido al clima invernal esperado en nuestra área este fin de semana, las Escuelas del Condado de Pender tendrán un “día de nieve” el lunes 2 de febrero.
La decisión sobre el horario del martes se anunciará en una fecha posterior para permitirnos revisar las instalaciones y las condiciones de viaje. Los maestros prepararán a sus estudiantes para la posibilidad de un día de aprendizaje remoto, y pedimos que las familias también estén preparadas. Los anuncios se harán a través de nuestros canales habituales.
Gracias por su flexibilidad y comprensión. ¡Manténganse seguros, diviértanse y abríguense!
The Hampstead Women's Club generously donated a brand new Otoscope 👂 to Nurse Heather this week! This amazing tool is just another way to assess our Stingrays, keeping everyone healthy and safe.
🌟 Special Visit at South Topsail Elementary! 🌟
Today, South Topsail Elementary had the honor of welcoming 2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Rachel Candaso! 🍎✨
Pender County Schools was proud to host Ms. Candaso (Pitt County Schools) as she visited our campus and experienced the wonderful learning environment our students and staff create each day.
A special highlight of the day was having three outstanding students serve as her “chaperones,” giving her a guided tour and sharing all the great things happening around our school. 🏫💙
Thank you, Ms. Candaso, for inspiring educators and students across our state!
Today, South Topsail Elementary had the honor of welcoming 2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Rachel Candaso! 🍎✨
Pender County Schools was proud to host Ms. Candaso (Pitt County Schools) as she visited our campus and experienced the wonderful learning environment our students and staff create each day.
A special highlight of the day was having three outstanding students serve as her “chaperones,” giving her a guided tour and sharing all the great things happening around our school. 🏫💙
Thank you, Ms. Candaso, for inspiring educators and students across our state!
STE 1st graders hosted Science Alliance 🧲 for an incredible in-house field trip today. They continued to learn about force🫸 🫷and motion 🏃♀️➡️ through several hands-on activities🧠!
LET'S GET READING, STINGRAYS!
PCS Superbowl Reading Challenge!
Begins January 24, 2026 to kick-off NFL Championship Weekend leading up to the Superbowl.
Rules:
1. Follow the PCS Million Minute Reading Challenge Guidelines.
2. Every thousand minutes logged per school will equal one touchdown with 7 points.
3. The school with the most touchdowns wins the game at the end of Superbowl Weekend (midnight, Feb 8, 2026).
4. Log reading minutes in PCS Million Minute Reading Challenge Google Form for each school found on Classlink.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxBq-WgzHBAZIkLzlxOwIsJVcqel5D6291FMbct2FYpuxF_g/viewform
The winning school will receive an ice cream party for all students and a staff breakfast or luncheon!
Competition will begin January 24th and run through midnight on February 8th of Superbowl weekend.
PCS Superbowl Reading Challenge!
Begins January 24, 2026 to kick-off NFL Championship Weekend leading up to the Superbowl.
Rules:
1. Follow the PCS Million Minute Reading Challenge Guidelines.
2. Every thousand minutes logged per school will equal one touchdown with 7 points.
3. The school with the most touchdowns wins the game at the end of Superbowl Weekend (midnight, Feb 8, 2026).
4. Log reading minutes in PCS Million Minute Reading Challenge Google Form for each school found on Classlink.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxBq-WgzHBAZIkLzlxOwIsJVcqel5D6291FMbct2FYpuxF_g/viewform
The winning school will receive an ice cream party for all students and a staff breakfast or luncheon!
Competition will begin January 24th and run through midnight on February 8th of Superbowl weekend.
Good afternoon Pender County Schools families.
As the weather forecast continues to trend warmer Sunday into Monday, Pender County Schools will operate on a normal schedule on Monday, January 26th.
The latest information from the National Weather Service shows a "high confidence" of rain as temperatures warm on Sunday. We will continue to keep an eye on the weather and make any adjustments if necessary.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing our students on Monday morning.
Buenas tardes, familias de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender.
A medida que el pronóstico del tiempo continúa indicando temperaturas más cálidas desde el domingo hasta el lunes, las Escuelas del Condado de Pender operarán con un horario normal el lunes 26 de enero.
La información más reciente del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional muestra una “alta probabilidad” de lluvia a medida que las temperaturas aumenten el domingo. Continuaremos monitoreando las condiciones del tiempo y realizaremos cualquier ajuste necesario si se requiere.
Agradecemos su comprensión y esperamos ver a nuestros estudiantes el lunes por la mañana.
As the weather forecast continues to trend warmer Sunday into Monday, Pender County Schools will operate on a normal schedule on Monday, January 26th.
The latest information from the National Weather Service shows a "high confidence" of rain as temperatures warm on Sunday. We will continue to keep an eye on the weather and make any adjustments if necessary.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing our students on Monday morning.
Buenas tardes, familias de las Escuelas del Condado de Pender.
A medida que el pronóstico del tiempo continúa indicando temperaturas más cálidas desde el domingo hasta el lunes, las Escuelas del Condado de Pender operarán con un horario normal el lunes 26 de enero.
La información más reciente del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional muestra una “alta probabilidad” de lluvia a medida que las temperaturas aumenten el domingo. Continuaremos monitoreando las condiciones del tiempo y realizaremos cualquier ajuste necesario si se requiere.
Agradecemos su comprensión y esperamos ver a nuestros estudiantes el lunes por la mañana.
Start your engines — it’s almost time to race to fill the bucket! 🏁
Fill the Bucket takes place January 26–30.
Each grade will have a designated 5-gallon bucket outside the media center. Fill it with coins (no paper bills, please).
The grade that fills their bucket the most will take the checkered flag and win a special prize!
Media is full of fun this week! 🤖 🖥️
💙TEACHER TUESDAY📚
Ms. Bailey Umbaugh is an ML (Multilingual Learner) teacher who supports students and staff across STE, TAE, NTE, TMS, and THS. She is in her 9th year of teaching and is a consistent support for ML students and families throughout the district.
Ms. Umbaugh builds strong relationships with students and families so they feel comfortable reaching out when they need help. She also serves as a resource for teachers and administrators in multiple buildings, helping staff think through how to best support students and respond when needs come up.
What stands out most about Ms. Umbaugh is her flexibility. With a schedule that spans five schools, she adjusts quickly and stays focused on what students need. During annual testing, staff in each building appreciate having her there to help things run smoothly.
Ms. Umbaugh is also known for being willing to step in wherever she’s needed and for keeping a positive attitude while doing it. Her sense of humor and steady presence help students, families, and staff feel supported.
Thank you, Ms. Umbaugh, for the work you do each day to support our ML students and school teams. 💛
Ms. Bailey Umbaugh is an ML (Multilingual Learner) teacher who supports students and staff across STE, TAE, NTE, TMS, and THS. She is in her 9th year of teaching and is a consistent support for ML students and families throughout the district.
Ms. Umbaugh builds strong relationships with students and families so they feel comfortable reaching out when they need help. She also serves as a resource for teachers and administrators in multiple buildings, helping staff think through how to best support students and respond when needs come up.
What stands out most about Ms. Umbaugh is her flexibility. With a schedule that spans five schools, she adjusts quickly and stays focused on what students need. During annual testing, staff in each building appreciate having her there to help things run smoothly.
Ms. Umbaugh is also known for being willing to step in wherever she’s needed and for keeping a positive attitude while doing it. Her sense of humor and steady presence help students, families, and staff feel supported.
Thank you, Ms. Umbaugh, for the work you do each day to support our ML students and school teams. 💛
A HUGE congratulations to our Pender County Science Fair participants!!! Jane and Deklin are moving on to Regionals at UNCW in February. 🧪
South Topsail Stingrays recognized their A/B honor roll students at an academic achievement breakfast 🍩 this morning. 📚 ✨ Your dedication paid off and we couldn't be prouder! 👨🏫👩🏫🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoy your long weekend Stingrays! Stay warm!
It's that time again...YEARBOOK TIME! Preorder your Stingray's 25-26 yearbook today for a $5 discount (price bumps up from $20 to $25 per book in April).
www.ybpay.lifetouch.com
yearbook ID code: 15519826
www.ybpay.lifetouch.com
yearbook ID code: 15519826
🌟 Happy Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! 🌟 Please join South Topsail Elementary in thanking our SRO, Deputy P, for all the dedication, care, and protection you provide to our students and staff. Your presence makes our school a safer, kinder place. 👮♂️💙 How has Deputy P made a difference in your child’s school day? Share a story or a thank-you below! ⬇️
We wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing winter break! See you all back January 6th.
That 5th graders celebrated the conclusion of Wit & Wisdom Module 2: Wordplay and The Phantom Tollbooth with their 3rd annual Pun Parade and Royal Wordplay Banquet! Thank you to all who helped make this festive event happen!
That 5th graders celebrated the conclusion of Wit & Wisdom Module 2: Wordplay and The Phantom Tollbooth with their 3rd annual Pun Parade and Royal Wordplay Banquet! Thank you to all who helped make this festive event happen!
🎄 The South Topsail caroling troupe, The SINGrays 🎤 , showed up coordinating today! 🎄
🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟
Conley is a 3rd grader at South Topsail Elementary. He was nominated for showing kindness to his classmates throughout the school day.
Conley often looks for ways to help others, especially students who are new to STE. He makes sure they feel included in activities and checks in when he notices something that doesn’t seem fair. Staff members say he is quick to step in and support younger students who may feel unsure or need a friendly face.
His actions help create a school environment where students feel comfortable and welcome.
Outside of school, Conley enjoys lacrosse and farming. His favorite food is a PBJ, and his favorite color is green. At home, he has a dog named Rogue and three cats—Spike, Sparkles, and Cruise. Conley says he hopes to become a farmer so he can care for animals and crops, and also a police officer so he can help people.
💚 Thank you, Conley, for the kindness you show at South Topsail Elementary.
Conley is a 3rd grader at South Topsail Elementary. He was nominated for showing kindness to his classmates throughout the school day.
Conley often looks for ways to help others, especially students who are new to STE. He makes sure they feel included in activities and checks in when he notices something that doesn’t seem fair. Staff members say he is quick to step in and support younger students who may feel unsure or need a friendly face.
His actions help create a school environment where students feel comfortable and welcome.
Outside of school, Conley enjoys lacrosse and farming. His favorite food is a PBJ, and his favorite color is green. At home, he has a dog named Rogue and three cats—Spike, Sparkles, and Cruise. Conley says he hopes to become a farmer so he can care for animals and crops, and also a police officer so he can help people.
💚 Thank you, Conley, for the kindness you show at South Topsail Elementary.
🎶 Deck the halls with lots of stingrays 🎄 🎶
