Pence Press
March 1, 2024
Strawberry Pick Up - NEW DATES
TSA Valley Spring Fair
The TSA Valley Spring Fair trip on Saturday was a success. Great job on all projects and congratulations to
- Fielding Schrag, Jordan Rinehart, and Benjamin Kiser (1st Place Systems Control)
- Melany-Zaldivar Miranda and Lia Dulo (1st Place STEM Animation)
- Breyana Grogg and Kaitlyn Dohrenwend (2nd Place Structural Engineering)
- Hayden Briggs (2nd Place Flight)
The Wilbur S. Pence Dragster Race last Friday was also a success!
Congratulations to the top three in the 70-gram category:
1st Place, Austin Eye with "The Founding Father"
2nd Place, Artem Eremin with "McQuinn"
3rd Place, Aiden Good with "Willie B."
And the top three in the 45-gram category:
1st Place, Timothy Yakunin with "Zebra"
2nd Place, Tanner Royston with "Kawasaki Dragster"
3rd Place, Fielding Schragg with "Takyon"
Regional Spelling Bee
The Regional Spelling Bee took place this past Saturday at Skyline Middle School. And, our Pence 8th graders:
Benjamin Kiser
Jordan Rinehart
Kaden Snipes
represented us well! Congratulations to Benjamin, Jordan and Kaden for making it to this level. Taking part in a Spelling Bee at any level takes knowledge and courage. Our 8th graders demonstrated both on Saturday at the Regional Spelling Bee.
A special congratulations goes to Jordan Rinehart for taking 3rd place in the Regional Spelling Bee this year! We are very proud of Jordan, Benjamin and Kaden!
Congratulations!
STEM 8
This week the STEM 8 year class competed in Wilbur Pence's first Solar Challenge in the library. All of the teams worked hard since October to create a project that runs on solar power or solar charged batteries. The teams were required to tell the judges what they had created, their inspiration for the idea, and how they used solar power to run the electrical devices.
The team who placed 1st is the Solar Trio. Team members are Zevian Johnstone-Yellin, Blake Johnson, and Charlie Martens. 2nd place went to Green Monsters who are Parker Harold and Corban Harrell. The 3rd place team is the Solar Dudes who are Noah Dacko, Mitchell Fife and Kyle Smallwood. Honorable Mention goes to the Bus Drivers group of Mya Gaulden and Kayce Schultz.
WSPMS presents Frozen Jr.
Purchase your tickets today! https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/78536
"Rooms" - New Communication Platform
Families likely received a text message this past week with information about a new communication platform called “Rooms.” Please see the message below from RCPS for more information about this new tool:
We're thrilled to introduce a new feature in our district app called Rooms! This platform is designed for seamless communication between staff and families, making it easier than ever to stay informed about school updates and activities. As we roll out this new tool, we're starting with a small group of teachers, all spring sports coaches, and our Middle School and High School Principals. While not all staff members will immediately transition to using Rooms as their primary communication tool, we're moving in that direction and aim to have full implementation by the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Stay tuned for more information and resources as we continue the rollout. Effective communication is essential to our school community's success, and we're excited to embark on this journey with you through Rooms!
WSPMS Sports Information
Pence Track & Field
3/4 - 1st Day of Practice. Must have a current sports physical on file to stay for practice and participate. Practice ends at 4:30pm. If your student is in a field event then practice ends at 5:00pm.
3/19 - AWAY @ JFHMS
3/20 - Team & Individual Track Pictures
4/9 - HOME w/Skyline, Redeemer, Blue Ridge Christian
4/16 - HOME w/ Elkton
4/23 - AWAY @ Montevideo
4/30 - HOME w/ THMS, EMHS
5/8 - AWAY @ Harrisonburg High School (District Meet)
Theatre in Our Schools Month
SOL Testing
Please make sure your students are present on SOL testing days. We are unable to call into classrooms on testing days so be mindful of taking your students out early on those days. You will have to wait until your student is done testing before we are able to release them.
5/9 - 8th grade Civics SOL
5/14 - 8th grade Science SOL
5/16 - ALL grades (6th-8th) Reading SOL
5/21 ALL grades (6th-8th) Math SOL
Yearbook Preorders - ends March 31st
Homework Help
Our Homework Help Program continues on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 4:30. Assistance is given with homework assignments, late or missing work and difficult learning areas. If you are interested, please print the following form for your students:
Bus transportation is available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. If transportation is needed, please print this form:
After School Transportation Form
Hard copies of both forms are available in the office.
JMU's Chemfest - April 6th
Attendance
Our office/attendance email is wspmsattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us
Email us when your student is on vacation.
Email us when your student is sick or has an appointment.
Email us notes about early dismissals or late arrivals.
Email us changes in bus/transportation needs. We need to hear from both sets of families when a student is riding the bus with another student.
Just email us to keep us informed!
March 4-8
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day. Come and have breakfast and win a prize or bring a friend and receive a prize.
KNIGHT’S CAFÉ
Counseling & Administrative Support
Change of Schedule Request Forms and Check-In or Appointment Request Forms can be found online on our School Counseling page: https://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/o/wspms/page/school-counseling
Which counselor works with you?
Lisa Holsinger-Thomas, Counselor / Teresa Shank (Assistant Principal)
Works with all students with last names A-K
Matt Nyce, Counselor / Jody Randolph (Assistant Principal)
Works with all students with last names L-Z
Sandy Hackbarth, Part-time Counselor - available on even days
Information for Parents, Guardians & Students
Please bookmark these pages for your reference:
You can also visit us on Facebook & Instagram:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penceknights
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theknightspotlight/?hl=en
Bus Driver Classes
Our next bus driver class will be March 25, 27, and 28 (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) for anyone interested in being a driver.
Please contact Chris Sours or Travis Weeks at 540.433.2458 with any questions.