✨ Long weekend alert! ✨ No school Monday, January 19 — we’re honoring MLK Day. ✊🏽🕊️ Take this extra day to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, spend time with loved ones, or volunteer in your community.
about 9 hours ago, Surf City Elementary
MLK Holiday - No School
Ms. Colant's Kindergarten class has been working on number bonds this week in math, and the kids have been absolutely loving it! So many light‑bulb moments and confidence boosters — watching them connect the ideas and cheer each other on has been the highlight this week. 💡✨
about 15 hours ago, Surf City Elementary
Kindergarten students working on a number bond activity in pairs
Kindergarten students working on a number bond activity in pairs
Kindergarten students working on a number bond activity in pairs
We're happy to share with you that Reinette from Mr. Kinkead's 5th grade class is our Sea Turtle of the Week. Reinette, your school is proud of you. 💙🐢💚
about 15 hours ago, Surf City Elementary
sea turtle of the week announcement
District science fair was a success! 🎉 All 8 SCE students did an amazing job representing our school — special congrats to Gwen, Reinette, and Elani for winning and advancing to the NC Regional Science Fair at UNCW in a few weeks! 🌟 So proud of every student’s effort — hard work pays off. 🙌💙
about 17 hours ago, Surf City Elementary
SCE students standing on stage at district science fair competition
SCE students standing on stage at district science fair competition
SCE students standing on stage at district science fair competition
SCE students standing on stage at district science fair competition
In Ms. Lagnese's 4th grade class, they brought the rock cycle to life—with Starbursts! By pressing, heating (with their hands!), and reshaping the candy, students modeled igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Hands-on, sticky, and totally unforgettable. 🍬✨
about 18 hours ago, Surf City Elementary
starbust rock science project on front screen of classroom
starbusts unwrapped on a students desk
starbusts unwrapped on a students desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
students working with unwrapped starbusts at their desk
Could a balloon move something without touching it? 🎈✨ 🎈 Today Ms. Burnett's 3rd grade scientists explored static electricity and saw forces at work right before their eyes. The activity promoted observation, hypothesis testing, and engagement — essential skills for scientific thinking. ⚡️📘
1 day ago, Surf City Elementary
3rd graders using a balloon and static electricity to move an empty can
3rd graders using a balloon and static electricity to move an empty can
3rd graders using a balloon and static electricity to move an empty can
Guess who’s getting sandy? Our PreK playground just received brand-new sand and the smiles say it all! 🏖️✨
1 day ago, Surf City Elementary
PreK students playing in a sandbox
How can quotes bring history to life? 📚✨ In Mrs. Horne’s ELA classes, students analyzed meaningful Civil War quotes and matched each one to an illustration of the event it describes. This hands-on activity strengthens nonfiction reading skills, builds historical empathy, and sparks great classroom discussions. 📜➡️🖼️
2 days ago, Surf City Elementary
5th graders working in groups on a ELA project
5th graders working in groups on a ELA project
Tiny hands, huge achievements! ✨

Ms. Silman's kindergarten crew rocked Freckle on their Chromebooks today — practicing counting, shapes, and number sense while earning badges and big smiles. The result: increased engagement, immediate feedback, and visible boosts in confidence—especially when students earn badges for persistence. 🎉🖥️
3 days ago, Surf City Elementary
Kindergarten students sitting at their tables working on their Freckle math program
Kindergarten students sitting at their tables working on their Freckle math program
Kindergarten students sitting at their tables working on their Freckle math program
Kindergarten students sitting at their tables working on their Freckle math program
Kindergarten students sitting at their tables working on their Freckle math program
Mrs. Holmes’ 3rd grade students grabbed rulers, measured in inches and centimeters, and dove into finding the area of shapes. The classroom buzzed with teamwork, discovery, and those perfect “I get it!” smiles.
3 days ago, Surf City Elementary
3rd graders working on a measurement activity
3rd graders working on a measurement activity
3rd graders working on a measurement activity
3rd graders working on a measurement activity
3rd graders working on a measurement activity
Two kids, one story — big smiles and bigger reading gains! 📚💛
4 days ago, Surf City Elementary
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
first graders partner reading
Who knew wind could spark so much curiosity? 🌬️✨ Mrs. Edwards' 1st graders kicked off a new Wit & Wisdom unit exploring how powerful the wind is. They did a partner picture walk and filled notebooks with wonders, questions, and notices — curious minds in action!📚🔍
5 days ago, Surf City Elementary
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
1st graders working in partners on a picture walk in a book
We're happy to share with you that Elena from Ms. Monti's Kindergarten class is our Sea Turtle of the Week. Elena, your school is proud of you. 💙🐢💚
8 days ago, Surf City Elementary
sea turtle of the week announcement
Who helps make learning happen behind the scenes? Our instructional assistants do — and we’re incredibly grateful! 🌟 From small moments of encouragement to big classroom support, they help students feel seen, safe, and ready to learn. Thank you for your patience, care, and hard work every day. 🙏
8 days ago, Surf City Elementary
Instructional assistant working with a student
Instructional assistant working with a student
Instructional assistant working with a student
Instructional assistant working with a student
Instructional assistant working with a student
We'd say that's a pretty cool resolution! 📚🤗
9 days ago, Surf City Elementary
New Years Resolution poster
Check out our stick skills! 🏒Coach Ramsey had our second graders learning the basics of hockey today.
9 days ago, Surf City Elementary
2nd graders playing hockey in PE class

In STEAM class, 2nd and 3rd grade are reading Martin's Big Words to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and impact on our world. They then designed their own words on graph paper that remind them of how we should care about everyone and treat each other equally with no anger or hate. Their conversations were amazing and with such love and positivity. They also came up with some excellent "big words" themselves!

10 days ago, Surf City Elementary
lesson on MLK
students working on a MLK word project
students working on a MLK word project
students working on a MLK word project
Good morning sea turtles!
Children who ride bus 261 will ride bus 256 this afternoon. This bus will be approximately 60 minutes late. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like different travel arrangements for your child, please notify the front office and your child's teacher. info_sce@pender.k12.nc.us
10 days ago, Leah Smith
256
Good afternoon, Sea Turtles. Students who ride bus 261 will ride bus 256 this afternoon. This bus will be approximately 20 minutes late. We apologize for the inconvenience. These students will also ride bus 256 tomorrow morning, but per the transportation department, timing should be close to normal. Thank you for understanding as we work to secure a permanent driver for this route.
10 days ago, Leah Smith
261

✨TEACHER TUESDAY✨Ms. Stephanie Chandler teaches EC Pre-K at Surf City Elementary. Since joining the team, she has helped families feel more at ease through her communication, patience, and willingness to listen. She takes time to learn about each child and family before offering suggestions or making changes, which parents and staff appreciate.

What stands out most about Ms. Chandler is her openness to learning and her steady support of students and families during challenging or uncertain moments. She works closely with her team and is always willing to collaborate.

Ms. Chandler previously worked in Pender County Schools before relocating with her military family. Staff who knew her then say she brought the same positive attitude and teamwork during her earlier years. After returning, she has jumped right back in and continues to be grateful for feedback and guidance. She regularly follows up, puts suggestions into practice, and shows appreciation for the time others invest in helping her.

Thank you, Ms. Chandler, for your dedication to students, families, and your team at Surf City Elementary. 💛🌟

11 days ago, Bob Fankboner
TEACHER TUESDAY STEPHANIE CHANDLER