Pence Press
September 19, 2021

RCPS Art Exhibition

Destination Imagination
Are you interested in theater, art, technology, or science? Then Destination Imagination could be for you. Teams meet after school with their parent manager to complete a skit to present to judges at the state tournament in March. There are six Challenges to choose from. If you are interested in learning more about this program, information and registration forms can be found in the purple folder in the library or in the Challenge room -131. Please return your completed registration forms to the folder or to Room 131 by September 24.
Student Growth Assessments
Students in Virginia public schools will take growth assessments in grades 3-8 in reading and mathematics. Students will take these assessments in both fall and spring of the 2021-2022 school year to measure growth during the school year. Individual student scores will be provided with details on how students performed on each test item, but the growth assessments do not include a passing/failing score. The focus of these assessments is on identifying what students have already learned as well as the skills they may need additional help with during the school year. For more information please visit https://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/test_administration/growth-assessment/index.shtml
WSPMS Fall 2021 Growth Assessment Schedule
Wednesday, September 22nd @ 1:00pm - Math grades 6, 7, 8
Thursday, September 23rd @ 1:00pm - Reading grades 6, 7, 8
*Please do not plan to pick up your student(s) early from school during these assessments. Thank you!
The assessments students will take - in fall 2021 only - will be based on the previous grade level's content. The intent is to assist in the identification of unfinished learning from 2020-2021 due to the pandemic as well as enable students to show growth during the current school year.
CLUB DAYS are Back!


National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. Please look over the resources on this website.
Spirit Week
October 4 - 8
Tuesday: Mismatch Clothes
Wednesday: Tropical Wear
Thursday: Team Gear
Friday: Black & White

School Bus Driver Training
Athletics News

Volleyball Game News - Sept 20th
Students should NOT stay after school for this game as it will begin at 5:00pm.
Students are welcome to attend this game, but families should plan to drop off students in front of the school no earlier than 4:45pm. The game should last about an hour.
Thank you and Go Knights!
Upcoming Athletic Seasons
7th Grade Basketball Information
Monday, Sept 20 at 12:05 - Girls Basketball Interest Meeting in the new gym
Tuesday, Sept 21 at 2:30 - Boys Basketball Interest Meeting - in the cafeteria
Monday, September 27th - 7th Grade Basketball Tryouts begin 3:18pm - 5:00pm
Games begin Monday, October 11th
Games are on Mondays and Thursdays at 4:30pm
UPDATED Cheerleading Information - please read
Cheer is open to all students grades 6, 7, and 8
Monday, October 4th - Tryouts begin 5:30pm - 6:30pm
(Students should be dropped off and picked up in front of the school.)
Participants should plan to cheer during both the 7th and 8th grade basketball seasons.
7th grade season: Oct 4 - Nov 15
8th grade season: Nov 17 - Jan 27
*All students must have a current VHSL physical on file at Pence on the first day of tryouts.

Extracurricular Events - Yearbook Photo Database
Pre-Order Yearbooks Now

Fall Pictures
A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at your school on 10/6/2021, 10/7/2021 to photograph your fall pictures. Pictures are taken during students' PE period.
https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/wilbur-s-pence-middle-school/fall-pictures-10-6-2021-72/optIn This link allows parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.
Thank you,
Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

Tobacco Cessation Program
Dear Parents,
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the National Youth Tobacco Survey:
88% of adult daily cigarette smokers first tried cigarettes before they were 18 years old
3.6 million youth use e-cigarettes (vapes, Juuls, etc.)
22.5% of high school students use e-cigarettes (vapes, Juuls, etc.) daily
Tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, Juuls, etc. contain nicotine and these statistics suggest that a large percentage of high school students are dependent on nicotine.
There are many tools to help end this public health crisis like policy changes, education, and more. As a community, we can start to address this public health crisis by educating parents about addiction and giving them the tools they need to help their children end their dependence on nicotine products. It is important to show our children compassion as we guide them on their journey to quit using these products.
The Central Shenandoah Health District is excited to offer a three session Tobacco Cessation Education Program. This program will take place in the evening and will be offered virtually. This program will include:
Information about addiction
Types of tobacco products
Tobacco myth busting
How to talk to your children and create a quit plan
Quitting tools and programs
And more!
If you are interested in learning more about this program, please complete the survey linked here: https://redcap.link/6uvdfs8v
This program is open to anyone interested in learning about tobacco products and tools to quit. If you have any questions, please reach out to Katherine Smith, Health Educator, at katherine.smith@vdh.virginia.gov.