Pence Press
November 23-27, 2020
Thanksgiving Break is Nov 25-27, 2020
Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up
Please take a moment to read over appropriate drop-off and pick-up procedures. We've even included a map for your convenience!
Pence has worked closely with the Dayton Police Department to develop the guidelines and procedures to ensure the safety of our students. We appreciate their partnership and commitment to student safety.
The Dayton Police Department has specifically asked that students plan to meet parents along the front sidewalk and to only approach the vehicle when it has come to a complete stop. Parents, please do not instruct your students to walk to meet you at another location around the school for pick up.
Thank you!
Much has been said and communicated over the course of this school year when the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. Throughout it all, I can assure you that our desire to provided the best education and care for our students has remained unchanging regardless of the challenges placed upon us. We are excited to start the next phase of the transition starting tomorrow! Please take some time to review the following information and have a conversation with your student(s) about these items:
1. Below, you will find a video message from our administrative team that we emailed to students and a video message from Dr. Scheikl.
2. Masks worn properly and 6' distancing are the two biggest keys to making this successful. Please stress this daily. While we have many other protocols following the guidance from the VDOE, CDC, VDH, etc., these two are the most important things for students to keep in mind!
3. The Daily Home Screening Tool along with symptoms and exposure guidelines are below. In short, when in doubt, keep your student home. You can call the school and ask to speak with the nurse who will help walk you through the steps to follow. We cannot state this enough: IF your student is having symptoms, OR he/she has been exposed to someone else with symptoms, DO NOT send them to school. Call the office and ask to speak with the nurse or contact your physician.
4. The transportation department has also had a tremendous challenge getting the students scheduled following health and safety guidelines and protocols. MASKS are REQUIRED on the bus as well. Drivers will be learning new routes. Please be patient the first week of school. They may arrive a little sooner or later than scheduled.
5. Have your student bring his/her schedule to school. Anyone receiving a schedule change was notified by email. In addition, a letter went home to all families (whether there was a schedule change or not) with student schedules, a map, and information about the school day.
6. Required materials: Mask, Backpack, Water Bottle, Charged Chromebook, and Earbuds/Headphones. If you are having trouble obtaining any of the items, please contact the school.
7. A list of other required materials was sent out to families prior to the summer and during the summer. However, we understand that much has changed since then. If you do not have these items, that is OK. Teachers will be communicating with their students on the first day about what is necessary for class. If a student does not have any of these items or cannot obtain them, then the school will be happy to provide them. Of course, a notebook, pens/pencils, and paper are encouraged for the first day of school.
8. For those parents dropping of your student(s), drop offs may begin at 8:00 AM. DO NOT let them out of the vehicle prior to this time. This is for their safety! School staff will be out front providing prompts as to when you may allow your student(s) to exit the vehicle. Since drop-offs are not allowed until 8:00 AM, please do not arrive much earlier as this will only back up traffic and create frustration. The warning bell is not until 8:15 AM with the tardy bell to begin the day occurring at 8:20 AM, so it is OK if you come a little after 8:00 AM. This will all be a new process, so we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
9. Also for drop-offs, please approach the school coming from the south on Ashby Street. The entrance on Bowman Road will be blocked off. If you are coming up Bowman and Ashby Street is backed up, you may want to go up to Westview Street and circle back around to Ashby. The Dayton Police Department will be on-site to help us with this process.
10. All students, whether they will be returning in-person, or continuing virtually through the Home Learning Academy, will be following both the daily bell schedule, and the A/B attendance schedule according to last name.
11. There will be no asynchronous work assigned on Monday or Tuesday as we take some time to re-organize, make connections, and get accustomed to the new schedule. Asynchronous work will begin again on Wednesday.
Thank you for taking some time to go over this together with your students.
Sincerely-
John Childs, Candice Ray, & Teresa Shank
Health and Physical Education
Students coming back to school and taking Health and PE should be prepared for physical activity each day. Proper clothing and tennis shoes are required for participation. Appropriate t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts and warmup pants are acceptable. Students will be going outside as much as possible, so dress accordingly. Please bring a water bottle with your name on it. PE teachers will be abiding by the VDOE safety guidelines for Health and PE. These guidelines are listed below.
Athletics Update
Meals
Drive up meal pick-up times have been adjusted. They will still be on Mondays and Thursdays, but will only run from 3:45 PM until 5:30 PM.
Thank you!
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)
Grab Some New Pence Gear!
Video Message from Pence Administration
Video Message From Dr. Scheikl
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/