925 Penderlea Highway

Burgaw, NC 28425

 (910) 259-2187   Fax (910) 259-0133

December 5, 2003

Dear Parents and Interested Citizens:

The Pender County School System's motto, "Each Day, Each Child . . . Success" helps direct our efforts to ensure every student achieves at the highest levels. Increased expectations for all students, an emphasis on the basics, and researched based programs across the curriculum provide the means for student success.   We have a staff of caring, committed professionals who work diligently to support student learning. Numerous volunteers, business, and civic partners work with us to improve our schools. 

The 2002-2003 report card outlines the facts about the schools in our district.  Our test scores show that our focus on academics is paying off. As you review the attached report cards, you will see an upward increase in student proficiency on state tests. We are particularly proud that gaps in performance of minority students are closing at a fast rate.

As you will see from the report cards and learn from talking to principals and others, our schools are not yet where they need to be. We are particularly challenged by limited financial resources to provide:

1)      additional educational opportunities for students 

2)      additional classroom space

3)      qualified teachers for every classroom

Members of the Board of Education, central office staff, and school personnel are confronting these challenges and doing all that we can to make our schools second to none.

Our principals are the best resources for information about individual schools. We welcome a partnership with you and hope these report cards will lead you to greater involvement with our schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Marc J. Sosne, Superintendent