Pence Press
November 9-13, 2020
The next stage is only 1 week away
Pence Families-
We are one week away from the next phase as many students will return to school for blended instruction (2 days in-person, 3 days from home), while others will continue to learn from home through the Home Learning Academy. Last week, emails were sent home to families explaining what the learning environment will look like on a daily basis depending on the choice for instruction. This week, families will be receiving further information from the school and the county. The transportation department will be sending bus pick-up and drop-off times directly to families via email. For those students/families who have schedule changes (in the blended model or through the HLA), you either have already received an email, or you will be receiving an email by tomorrow. All students will be receiving a letter this week with their schedule, whether there was a change or not, along with some further details about the transition.
The administration will also be sending out a short video message this week where students can hear our voices to provide a personalized message from each of us. I cannot emphasize enough, the success of returning students back to school for in-person instruction will be contingent upon our ability to work together to follow all safety protocols and guidance. Most importantly in this endeavor, is the wearing of facemasks throughout the day except when staff allows students to take them off to eat or for a mask break. This means that we expect all students to bring their own masks to school every day and wear them properly over their mouth and nose. If students repeatedly refuse to follow these expectations, then we may have to ask them to continue their instruction through the HLA. We will also be asking students to maintain an appropriate distance (6’) from each other throughout the day. We will be using proper cleaning procedures, and our daily schedule and protocol have been created keeping safety in mind while following best-practice.
With all of this being said, we will continue to move forward with a student-centered approach! Culture trumps strategy as we will focus on building relationships first, along with providing quality instruction that is based upon the essential content. Indeed, we are excited for the next phase! Thank you for partnering with us in this endeavor.
Sincerely-
John Childs, Candice Ray, & Teresa Shank
6th Grade Open House Days/Times
6th Graders Watch this quick video for a fun guide to the 6th Grade Hallway
Items Needed For All Students Returning To School On Nov. 16th
FFA Forestry Competition
The team consisting of Jordyn Auville, Haley Berry, Sarah Craun, and Bridget Redifer placed 3rd in the Rockingham Federation.
Individually the FFA members placed
4th - Bridget Redifer
6th - Haley Berry
11th - Sarah Craun
13th - Jordyn Auville
22nd - Kylie Kinsey
24th - Max Missal
Baking? Math? Both!
7th Grade Math Fun!
Athletics Update
This would be followed by fall sports (VB and XC), then 7th grade basketball and cheer, and finally track & field.
Reminder: All students are required to have an up-to-date physical dated after May 1, 2020 in order to be eligible to participate.
Share your pictures for the yearbook.
Share your photos of you and your pet during our "bring your pet to school" day or take one after the fact. You can upload your photos directly to the yearbook site: http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=pencems ! (If it asks your for a code, it's pencems)
Also, be sure to preorder your copy today! https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/general/homepage?portal=true (if it asks you for a code- it's 13754)
Note from our Nurse
To parents of children in 6th-8th grade planning to return to school in November --
Please let Nurse Weaver know of any health conditions regarding your child. This is to include any routine daily medications to be taken during school hours, if your student has asthma, diabetes, allergies to foods, bees, latex, seizure disorders and any other health concerns. Medication taken here at school must be brought in by a parent and counted with the nurse. Please call to make an appointment. Care plans need to be updated with new signatures from parents and the doctor. The doctor can fax them to 540-879-2179 or you as the parent can drop them off at Pence before the first day of school.
Parents and Guardians of 7th grade students that have not received their Tdap vaccination must have it completed before returning to in person learning. A copy of this immunization from the doctor must be presented to the school before returning. If you are unsure if your child's Tdap is on file at Pence please contact the school nurse
Please remember to evaluate your child daily for any symptoms of sickness prior to sending them to school. Make sure they do not have a temperature close to or above 100.4 and do not have any symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhea or vomiting. Please keep your child home if they are sick.
Make sure all of your contacts and emergency contact information is up to date in the office so if we need to contact someone to pick up your sick child, you can be reached promptly.
Please notify the school nurse with any positive cases related to the Flu, Strep or Covid-19, so we can work together to help your child back into school as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to call the school and speak with Nurse Weaver 540-879-2535.
I’m so excited for the kids to come back and I can't wait to see them.
Nurse Miranda Weaver
Get ready for Fall with some new Pence Gear!
About Us
Wilbur Pence Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1j84fxh9NC/?igshid=1ugnqkq1hn27l
WSPMS WEBSITE including "Parent Resources" & "Student Resources"
http://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/
Email: jchilds@rockingham.k12.va.us
Website: http://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/
Location: 375 Bowman Road, Dayton, VA, USA
Phone: 540-879-2535
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penceknights/