Pender County Schools -

For 10 years, the Pender Education Partnership (PEP) has been supporting students & teachers in Pender County Schools—and we’re celebrating this milestone in style! 🎉 Every ticket purchased for the PEP 10th Anniversary Gala helps fund educational programs, scholarships, and grants for our schools. Join us for an elegant evening that makes a real impact! 📅 Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 📍 Topsail Island 🎟 Tickets on sale now! PenderEducationPartnership.org

📚👂✨ Dr. Brad Breedlove spent the day at Surf City Elementary for a Listen & Learn visit—and what an incredible school community it is! 🐬💙 From the moment you walk in, you feel the energy, passion, and heart that make SCE truly special 💫 From dedicated teachers to curious, kind students—this school is a shining example of excellence in Pender County! 🌟📖 Thank you, Surf City Elementary, for sharing your voice and showing what it means to lead with pride and purpose! 🙌 #OnePender

📚 April is School Library Month! Meet Amy Borders, Media Coordinator at C.F. Pope Elementary. She brings a love for reading & learning every day! Her favorite books? The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien! 💙📖 #SchoolLibraryMonth

🎓✨ The Junior Seahawk Academy is back for Summer 2025 at @uncwilmington! 🏖️ Dive into a week of fun, hands-on learning in STEM 🔬, healthcare 🏥, and teacher education 🍎 – all designed to spark your curiosity and expand your future! 📍 Join in-person at UNCW’s Watson College of Education or participate online via Zoom 💻 🙌 High schoolers – Want to get involved? Become a Jr Mentor and explore amazing opportunities at UNCW while making a difference! 📅 Don’t miss out!

🚀 Imagine the Future of Pender County! 🏡🌳🌊 Pender County is looking ahead—and YOUR voice is needed to help shape it! 📣 The Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan is here, and the draft is ready for YOU to review starting April 28! 📅 Join county officials at one of five community meetings to explore the plan and share your feedback. 🗺️👥 Can’t make it? No worries—an online survey will be open from April 28 to June 6! 🖥️📝 Let’s build a bright future together. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors! ❤️

¡Hoy celebramos a las personas increíbles que hacen que nuestras escuelas funcionen sin problemas — nuestros maravillosos profesionales administrativos! 🗂️📞 Su organización 🗃️, dedicación ❤️ y apoyo detrás de escena 🖊️ marcan la diferencia todos los días. ¡Gracias por ser el corazón de nuestras escuelas!

Today we celebrate the incredible individuals who keep our schools running smoothly — our amazing administrative professionals! 🗂️📞 Your organization 🗃️, dedication ❤️, and behind-the-scenes support 🖊️ make a difference every single day. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our schools! Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

🌟 Student Spotlight: Baylor | 4th Grade | TAES 🌟 Baylor’s kindness lights up every room she enters! 💛 She shows empathy, respect, and compassion in all she does—whether it’s offering a helping hand or simply being there to listen. Her friendly nature creates a warm, welcoming environment for both classmates and teachers. 🍝 Favorite Food: Mom’s homemade baked ziti 💛 Favorite Color: Yellow ⚽ Hobbies: Dance and soccer 🐶 Pet: A dog named Regenia 📏 Fun Fact: Baylor is taller than her mom! Keep being your amazing self, Baylor! 👏😊

📣 Our final Strategic Plan Steering Committee meeting has officially wrapped! Over the past several months, a dedicated group of parents, teachers, staff, and district leaders came together with a shared goal: to help shape the future of Pender County Schools. 🙌 The result? A five-year Strategic Plan — the first the district has had in years — launching with the 2025-26 school year. 📘📅 We’re incredibly grateful for the time, insights, and collaboration from everyone involved. Their work lays the foundation for continued growth, opportunity, and success for all PCS students. 💡✨#OnePender

📚 April is School Library Month! Meet Amy Engle, Media Coordinator at Topsail Middle. She brings a love for reading & learning every day! Favorite books? "A Night Divided" by Jennifer A. Nielsen and "The Fountains of Silence" by Ruta Sepetys! 💙📖 #SchoolLibraryMonth

🎓 It’s almost time to celebrate the Class of 2025! 🎉 Mark your calendars — high school graduation ceremonies are right around the corner! 🗓️✨ 📍 Dates, times, and locations for each ceremony are listed in the graphic. Let’s get ready to cheer on our seniors as they take this exciting next step! 🎊👨‍🎓👩‍🎓 #OnePender

🔨 Teacher Tuesday - Mark Munroe, Carpentry Teacher at Topsail High School! 🛠️🏫 Mr. Munroe may be new to the classroom (he's a beginning teacher), but he’s already bringing passion and purpose to his work at Topsail High. Inspired by the belief that “our future depends on us to pass on our skills,” he’s excited to teach carpentry—his favorite subject because it’s always fun and full of hands-on learning. While he’s just getting started, he looks forward to the meaningful teaching moments ahead. Outside the classroom, you’ll find Mr. Munroe traveling (he’s got his eyes on Scotland) and trying new foods. At home, his dog is the light of his day—a constant companion who keeps him smiling. 🐶❤️ His motto is simple but strong: “Do your best.” And that’s exactly what he brings to his students each day.

Today is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we’re hitting the brakes 🛑 to say THANK YOU to the dedicated drivers who safely transport our students each day! 🚌 From early mornings to late afternoons, rain or shine ☀️🌧️, you’re the first smile many students see—and the last one before they head home. Your patience, professionalism, and care do not go unnoticed. Let’s all take a moment to thank a bus driver today! 💛👏

🌾 Thank you to the StarNews for shining a light on our recent Ag Day at Penderlea Farms! 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾 We're proud to provide hands-on learning experiences that inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders in Pender County. Check out the full story highlighting how our students explored career paths in agriculture, farming, and sustainability: 🔗 https://bit.ly/42E96HX

📚 April is School Library Month! Meet Mary Tobin, Media Coordinator at Surf City Middle. She brings a love for reading & learning every day! Favorite book? "Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life" by Wendy Mass! 💙📖 #SchoolLibraryMonth

🎉 Feature Friday - Katie Fluke! 🎉 Katie Fluke, a 5th grade ELA/SS teacher at North Topsail Elementary, is a model of leadership, collaboration, and dedication. Known for her outstanding work ethic and positive attitude, Ms. Fluke goes above and beyond to support both her students and colleagues. Whether she’s leading a team project or lending a hand to a coworker, she approaches every task with professionalism and care. Her innovative thinking and team-first mindset make her a valuable asset to the NTE community. 💬 “Her leadership qualities inspire and guide others effectively.” Thank you, Ms. Fluke, for your commitment to excellence and for helping create a positive, inclusive environment for all! 💙👏

📚 April is School Library Month! Meet Edith Hounshel, Media Coordinator at Penderlea School. She brings a love for reading & learning every day! Favorite book? "The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors" by Drew Daywalt & Adam Rex! 💙📖 #SchoolLibraryMonth

🌟 Student Spotlight: Benjamin | Kindergarten | TAES 🌟 Benjamin shines with leadership, academic excellence, and a heart full of kindness! 💜 He’s always ready to help a friend, lead by example, and keep classroom discussions going strong. Whether it’s offering a kind word or staying focused on his goals, Benjamin is a true role model! 👏📚 🍕 Favorite Food: Pizza 💜 Favorite Color: Purple ⚾ Hobby: Baseball 🐶 Pet: A dog named Luna 📏 Fun Fact: He’s the tallest student in his class! Way to go, Benjamin! We’re proud of you! 🙌

📚 April is School Library Month! Meet Sally Kennedy, Media Coordinator at South Topsail Elementary. She brings a love for reading & learning every day! Favorite book? Anything by Jodi Picoult! Let’s celebrate the heart of our school libraries! 💙📖 #SchoolLibraryMonth

🚨 Teacher Tuesday - Paul Elmore, Cape Fear Middle School | 📚 8th Grade Math Mr. Elmore became a teacher with one goal in mind—making the world a better place. Over his 14-year career, he’s found joy in watching students grow and have those “lightbulb moments” when tough math concepts finally click. Mr. Elmore's classroom is more than just equations and formulas—it’s a place where effort and encouragement lead to confidence and success. When he’s not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, competing in arm wrestling, and diving into his love for car audio. 🎯 Teaching Philosophy: "If you're not first, you're last." 🐶 Pets: Dash, Daisy & Darcy 🌍 Dream destination: Ibiza 🎓 Favorite part of the job: “Seeing the growth achieved at the end of each school year.” Thank you, Mr. Elmore, for your dedication to PCS students and your passion for making a difference! 👏