Pence Press
December 7-11th, 2020
Athletics Update
Pence Families-
I hope that this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to provide you with the latest plans for middle school athletics. We are currently under restrictions from state and local officials as it applies to athletics. It is still our desire to do the best we can to offer opportunities for our students, but this will mean that things may look very different than in the past. There are extensive health and safety guidelines and protocols set by the VHSL and the state, as well as limits to the number of spectators allowed to attend events. The guidelines are ever changing and are reflective of the number of state and local cases of COVID in the community. The current plans for winter sports are listed as follows:
8th Grade Girls and Boys Basketball
-Tryouts and practice will begin on Monday, January 4th.
-There will be a 6 game schedule and games will be played on Mondays & Wednesdays.
-The first contest will be on Wednesday, January 13th.
-There is currently a spectator limit of 25 per contest.
8th Grade Cheer
-By state guidelines, cheerleaders are considered "spectators."
-WSPMS and the Massanutten Middle School District values our cheerleaders as participants and wishes to have a season for them where they can learn and grow in the sport.
-Our middle school athletic directors and cheer coaches are working together to determine the best possible opportunity for them to do so in a manner that is rewarding for the participants. More information will be released on cheer as decisions are finalized regarding a start date, etc. It is our desire to provide them with a season, but it may not be in the traditional sense that we have had in the past.
(For both cheer and basketball, the "spectator" limit does factor into our decision making as we do want parents to have the opportunity to watch their child compete, even if we have to limit that number.)
Wrestling
-The current guidelines and restrictions placed on wrestling are (extremely) restrictive and limiting to the point where the Massanutten District does not feel like we have the ability to provide our students with a proper or adequate season in the winter.
-It is our hope to be able to be able to possibly have a wrestling season later in the year if restrictions are lightened for the sport. We will provide updates as these decisions are finalized.
(JV Tryouts for Basketball at TAHS will begin on Monday, Dec. 7th for interested 8th graders. A shuttle bus will be made available for students needing to get over to the high school after school. Please contact TAHS if you need information regarding JV athletics.)
I want to reiterate, these decisions are subject to change along with the status of the virus, and are not made lightly. We fully understand the important role that extracurriculars play in the development of the student-athlete. The calendar currently calls for traditional fall sports (cross country and volleyball) to follow the winter season, then 7th grade basketball and cheer, and ending with track and field. I know many of you are also wondering about the status of holding our middle school musical production. This also is being considered as we are monitoring all restrictions and guidelines. If you are interested in reviewing the VHSL guidelines, they can be found on their website: vhsl.org
Athletics Shuttle to TA
- Bus 127 will shuttle student athletes to TA
- Bus 63 will also shuttle athletes to TA if needed for safe distancing
Pajama Spirit Days THIS WEEK
Interim Grade Reports: December 17, 2020
Protect Your Community Mask Contest
- This project is an option for all students.
- Elementary schools, please push this out through regular classroom teachers because many art teachers will not see students during this limited time.
- A mask template was attached to the information Dr. Scheikl sent out. The information and the template are likewise attached to this email.
- Submissions may also be submitted electronically - the mask template is a png and can be downloaded and digitally submitted to: maskcontest@rockingham.k12.va.us
- Each School will need a "drop box" in the foyer for any hard copies of the mask entries.
- All entries are due on December 11.
- I have asked art teachers in each school to "filter" through the submitted hard copies. Secondary schools will submit 5 from each school and Elementary art teachers will submit a total of 5 per teacher. Either Tracy Knight or I will pick these up Dec. 14-16. Please have them ready for pick up in the school office.
- A team of judges will select the mask winners on Dec. 17 and 18.
Who: Harrisonburg City School and Rockingham County Public School Students
What: “Protect Your Community” Mask Contest Students are invited to create their own mask design to show how we can protect our community through the wearing of a mask. Designs are welcome from all K-12 students in HCPS and RCPS. Student works will be selected and shared in a virtual art show. Six winning designs will be selected to be printed on masks and distributed to ALL students in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Schools. Categories for selection will be:
● HCPS Elementary, Middle, and High School
● RCPS Elementary, Middle and High School
Why: Educate, Empower, and Encourage
● Educate students in Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19
● Empower students to participate in the community efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by creating a mask that will be accessible to their school community
● Encourage students to be proud to wear a mask to protect their community Submission
Opportunities: Students are encouraged to submit their creative mask design by:
● Harrisonburg City Students
○ Drop at your school’s Mask Dropbox in the main office.
○ Mail to: Mask Contest, One Court Square, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
○ Email to: maskcontest@harrisonburg.k12.va.us
■ Include student name, school name, and image/attachment of design
Wilbur Pence: Drop off will be outside main office in a Manilla Envelope @ Community Library
● Rockingham County Students
○ Drop at your school’s Mask Dropbox in the main office.
○ Mail to: RCPS Superintendent’s Office, 100 Mount Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
○ Email to: maskcontest@rockingham.k12.va.us
Submission Details and Deadlines:
● Artwork can be created on paper for submission using the attached template.
● Artwork can be submitted as a digital rendering.
● Artwork can be submitted as a photograph.
● Submission deadline is December 11.
Adjudication: Designs will be reviewed by school art teachers then sent to a community panel for additional review.
Questions sent to maskcontest@harrisonburg.k12.va.us
WSPMS LIBRARY IS HOSTING AN ONLINE BOOK FAIR - NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 13
School Pictures - Feb 11-12 More info coming soon!
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!
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!
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/