The "new" Topsail Elementary School opened its' doors in August to over 430 students.  It was  a unique opportunity to begin a school year where everyone is new! Most of the students came from North and South Topsail Elementary schools.  However, students from New Jersey, Texas, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, Missouri, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Utah, Mississippi and other parts of North Carolina are enrolled in the school.  Teachers, too, came from five different Pender County Schools and other counties.

Carol Vincent, the art teacher at Topsail Elementary, with the help of Justin Blanton developed the idea to visually show how students and staff are working to unite the new school.  Students and staff were asked to draw a self-portrait.  The result is a 10.5' x 8.5' mural that hangs on the wall next to the school's media center.