Osprey Family Update
9/12/25
Important Dates
9/16 - Cub scout sign up in front of school 5:30 - 6 pm.
9/22 - CVC meeting @ 9:30
9/23 - Progress Reports
9/24 - SIT/PAC
9/25 - Fall Pictures
10/10 - OMKC
10/20 - Early Release
10/28 - Q1 Report Cards
10/31 - Boosterthon Fun Run
Pender County Schools calendar: 25-26 School Year
Immunizations
Just a reminder for all Kinder and New to TAES families, that immunization records and Health assessments are due to Nurse Vicki by Sept. 23rd, to prevent your child from being omitted from school. Please Contact Nurse Vicki with any questions.
Specials September Newsletter
Personal Electronic Devices
Just a reminder that North Carolina State Law now requires districts to put policy in place regarding personal electronic devices. Pender Count policy 4318 limits the use of personal communication devices (cell phones, smart watches, etc) to be turned off and in back packs during the school day. This is something that we enforce at TAES to meet board policy and state law.
School Counseling Services
Hi Families!
My name is Deirdre Preston, and I am the new school counselor at TAES this year. I am so grateful to be part of this wonderful community, and I look forward to getting to know all of our students. In addition to teaching our Guidance special every other week, I provide short-term counseling services for students who may need extra support. Typically, students meet with me on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for 4–6 sessions. Some areas I can help with include managing feelings, building friendships and social skills, supporting school success, boosting self-confidence, and navigating transitions or changes. If needed, I can also help connect families with additional mental health resources.
If you would like to reach out, you can contact me at deirdre_preston@pender.k12.nc.us.
It’s important that our students come to school ready to learn, which means making sure they’ve had enough rest and nutritious food. Sometimes our kiddos just need a little snack during the day to help them stay focused. If you’d like to donate snacks or other supplies, please feel free to drop them off in the front office with a label to show that they are for the counseling office!
I’m excited for an amazing year ahead!
Rooms
If you have not updated your rooms app, please be sure to update the app on your phone. You may need to go into the app store to update it. If you do not update your app, it is making it difficult to see the new messages.
Operations
Communication Systems
We have a few important systems that will help our school year run smoothly. Please take a moment to make sure you have access to each one:
Here Comes the Bus
What it does: Allows you to see your child’s bus location, receive alerts when the bus is near, and have peace of mind about arrival times.
What you need: Your child’s Student ID number
If you do not know it, email julie_martine@pender.k12.nc.us and she will send it to you.
District Code: 29081
Sign Up Here: Here Comes the Bus
Infinite Campus
What it does: Lets you view your child’s grades and attendance, and submit excuse notes.
Step 1: Get your student’s activation code here: Lookup Activation Code
Step 2: Use your code to create your account here: Infinite Campus Login
(we are also in a district competition to have the most families sign up, help us win!)
Rooms
What it does: Our county-wide communication system for messaging between teachers and parents.
Set up your account here: Rooms Information
Volunteering/Visiting
We are excited that we now have a double secure entrance at the front of the building in order to continue to increase security.
We also have a new visitor and volunteer check in system that we will be using. If you would like to visit or volunteer in the building. You MUST have a valid ID to run through our new security program. You will not be able to visit or volunteer during the school day without your ID.
If you are volunteering, you must have completed the volunteer background check. You can find it here.
Arrival and Dimissal
Arrival: 7:20 - 7:55
Tardy Bell: 7:55
Ending Bell: 2:50
Dismissal: 2:50
Early Release: 11:55 pm
Find a detailed map HERE
Breakfast/Lunch
All breakfast and lunch information including the online payment account system can be found on the district here.
The cost for breakfast and lunch will remain the same this year.
Breakfast = $1.45
Lunch = $2.30
Lunch menus are now live!
Bus Riders
If you need to make any changes to add or remove bus transportation services for your students please email Mrs. Martine Julie_Martine@pender.k12.nc.us.
As we enter the new year we wanted to highlight some important reminders of our BUS RIDER EXPECTATIONS. Please review and talk to your bus rider about following the rules and how they can make good choices.
Reminder:
-K-2nd grade riders MUST have a responsible adult at the bus stop or get off with an older sibling in order for the student to exit the bus.
-You must be at your stop 10 minutes PRIOR to the bus arrival.
-Have your child stand back from the road until the bus makes a complete stop. At no point should a child run towards a moving bus.
-Your child MUST remain seated, facing forward, and be respectful for the duration of the bus ride.
For your convenience you can download Here Comes the Bus on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to view the real-time location of your child's school bus.
Visit http://www.herecomesthebus.com for more information.
Thank you for your cooperation! Safety is our number one priority when transporting your child to and from school.
Transportation Changes
If your student has a change in transportation that is different then normal, please take the following steps:
- Send in writing (handwritten note, email, rooms message) to your child's teacher
- If you do not get a response by 12 pm the day the change is needed, please call the front office. We will still ask you to send it in writing, but we will be sure the teacher gets the information
- No student can ride a bus other then the bus they are assigned to
- No student can ride a bus with a friend unless they are assigned to that bus
Attendance
In order to streamline attendance, this year we will be receiving attendance excuse notes electronically, not paper copies.
All excuse notes should be sent to tae_attendance@pender.k12.nc.us
This includes doctors notes, parent notes, etc. This allows us to make sure all excuse notes get to where they need to be. It also allows families to have documentation that they sent in their notes instead of things getting lost.
It is still best practice to communicate with the teacher in the event of the absence to ensure students have all necessary make up work, but you do not need to give the teacher the excuse note.
Please review Board Policy 4400 for the full attendance policy to ensure you are up to date on what constitutes an excused absence. It can be found here:
https://www.boardpolicyonline.com/bl/?b=pender#&&hs=1686781
To submit a request for educational leave please utilize this form.
PTA Updates
Membership
Join today to be entered into a drawing for a $50 Dave & Busters Gift Card.
The class with the most participation will be treated to a Pizza Party!
The membership drive ends on Sept. 12th!
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3TE9CSNEkhXY820IzjQkZHTL-dI0FWRCoG1qs749N0a2zwA/viewform
Spirit Rock
Please complete this form to reserve your day. PTA will respond confirming your date. It is first come, first serve so we recommend signing up early.
Misc.
24 -25 Attendance
Student
August - 98.95%
Staff
August - 97.4%
Social Media
Parents, we invite you to follow us on social media:
Follow us on twitter: @tes_ospreys
Find us on Facebook: Topsail Annandale Elementary School
Find us on Instagram: topsailannandale