Pence Press
September 21-25 2020
Interactive Remote Teaching at it's Finest!
Intruduce your pet to Zoom day
Learning band with Zoom
Stretching it out on Zoom
Our Awesome Cafeteria Staff Is Still Going Strong With Free Meals
Student Participation Over Zoom
Students & Parents-
By policy, students are not required to turn on their cameras during Zoom sessions. Speaking on our own experiences, there are certainly times when we as professionals, turn off our own cameras during some Zoom meetings during appropriate times when our movement could be a distraction. However, we do want to work together where students are more comfortable having their cameras on at appropriate times of the lessons as there is value in "face-to-face" interactions.
Let's work together to build an effective learning environment.
We need your help!
4-H and FFA Market Animal Exhibitors
Exciting News - Curbside Pickup is Happening at Pence!
Our library is offering an opportunity for you to select one or two library books for curbside pickup! Visit the "Curbside" page of our library website and follow the instructions to submit your completed form by 7 a.m. Wednesday morning! We will deliver your book choices right to your car from NOON until 3pm on Wednesday! Check out a book or two this week!
For additional help, contact your librarian at jhall@rockingham.k12.va.us
Daily Read Aloud!
Struggling to get your hands on a good book? Do you prefer to listen to books rather than read them yourself? Check out the “Listen to Daily County-Wide Read Aloud” link on your English teacher’s Schoology page to explore ways to listen to one of 8 great books each morning during SSR time!”
This link could be used if needed:
Use this “video” to support posts on social media
Using Zoom Resource Guides
Take advantage of these great tutorials!
Zoom Video For Chromebook Users
Parent Control features on Securly
The county has enabled these features after receiving requests from parents seeking further control of RCPS-issued devices, especially when devices are now being used more at home by students and sometimes when adults are not available to properly supervise use. Please see this this link to the letter.
DISTANCE LEARNING TIPS
The guidance below can help us all make the best of new and unfamiliar distance learning environments. It can help you be ready for some of the more practical aspects of learning from home.
1. Establish routines and expectations
It is important to develop good habits from the start. Help students get up, get dressed, and ready to learn before the start of class time. Set routines and chores that help foster focus and routines. Keep normal bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices.
2. Choose a good place to learn
Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods. Set up a physical location that’s dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions, and has a good internet connection. Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety. Our teachers, administrators, and staff teams will do the same.
3. Stay in touch
Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our online platforms and virtual learning environments. Make sure everyone knows how to find the help they need to be successful. Stay in contact with classroom teachers, and administration but understand it may take a some time for us to respond. Teachers will be communicating their office hours and their workday during this time of distnace learning will be from 8 am until 3 pm. If you have concerns, let someone know.
4. Help students ‘own’ their learning
No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be educational and content matter experts. Provide support and encouragement, and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice. While on campus, your child usually engages with other students and any number of adults hundreds of times each day. Many of these social interactions will continue from a distance, but they will be different. You cannot replace them all, and that’s OK.
5. Begin and end the day by checking-in
In the morning, you might ask:
• What classes/subjects do you have today?
• Do you have any assessments?
• How will you spend your time?
• What resources do you need?
• What can I do to help?
At the end of the day you might ask:
• How far did you get in your learning tasks today?
• What did you discover? What was hard?
• What could we do to make tomorrow better?
These brief conversations matter. Checking in with your child helps them to process instructions they received from their teachers, and it helps them organize themselves and set priorities – older students too. Not all students thrive in distance learning; some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure. These check-in routines can help avoid later challenges and disappointments. They help students develop self-management and executive functioning that are essential skills for life. Parents are good life coaches.
Chromebook Help!
Students/families can request remote tech help using this Google Form. It is linked at technology.rockingham.k12.va.us. Tech staff will reach out to families via email or phone and try to troubleshoot remotely. If tech staff deems that a replacement charger or device is needed, then they will direct families to call the school's main office to arrange a device and/or charger pick up.
RCPS Reopening Plan: Includes Attendance Policy, Health Plan, & Much More!
Keep Informed About RCPS Plans and Policies
Counseling Hotline Number
Many of us may be struggling more with our mood during this time. A wonderful resource became available this week that allows people to call counselors in the Shenandoah Valley anonymously. The information is included below:
Counselors in the Shenandoah Area have created a hotline to help support those of us who are struggling with our mood and emotions. Calls can be made anonymously. The hotline is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 7 p.m., until 10 p.m., and from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. for Spanish speakers.
Hotline Number: 540-820-5762
New Counseling Website!
We have two new forms on the school counseling website! Click on the link below to check out our virtual change form and our virtual parent/student check-in form.
Get ready for next year 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/