Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year! I am so pleased that everyone from the Board Room to the classroom - including those designing curriculum, maintaining our facilities and preparing the bus fleet - has been diligently preparing for our students’ return. Whether you are joining the Pender County School family for the first time or whether you are continuing your children’s educational experience with us, I know that you will discover that our entire staff is committed to making this year our best yet!

One of the strengths of the Pender County School district continues to be parent and community response for the excellent education of our young people. We continue to solicit your support as well as the support of the entire community. If you desire to volunteer in your child’s school or serve on a school or central services level committee, contact your child’s school. As always, I know I can count on each one of you to see that your children have adequate sleep, punctual attendance, time for homework, and most of all, your support in their academic endeavors.

 I am proud of the Pender Schools’ record of student achievement. We, as a community, can boast that our students scored above the state in requirements in all areas for measuring student learning, including our graduation rates (http://www.ncpublicschools.org/). This year we are faced with the challenge of implementing the Common Core and Essential Standards. Our schools began preparing for the new curriculum last year through workshops for teachers and principals. I am encouraging you to read about these changes (http://www.pendercountyschools.net/) and to stay in close contact with your children’s teachers as the new requirements are implemented. Higher level critical thinking skills are at the center of the new curriculum and will certainly prepare our students for college and the workplace.

Thank you for entrusting your children to us for their education K-12. The entire staff and I take this responsibility very seriously. Our commitment to you is to strive for excellence in all areas of your children’s education while continuing to raise the standards for student learning.