Pence Press
October 16, 2022
The first day of school is usually my favorite day of the school year! This year, that day happened to occur on October 13th for me as I was cleared to return to work. I was deeply touched as I visited the students in their classrooms and in the hallways. There were plenty of fist bumps, high fives, and hugs to go around. I do not take for granted how lucky I am to work in a school with such a supportive community, an amazing faculty and staff, and the best students in Virginia!
Just so you know, I will be at school for half day through this week before returning to work full-time next week. I will be spending this time reacclimating myself, getting caught up, and spending time with students and staff. My role as the principal is just a small piece of the puzzle in regards to the functioning and culture of a school. I want to take a moment to pubicly thank Teresa Shank & Candice Ray (Assistant Principals), Karen Thomsen (Administrative Sub), and our Faculty and Staff for all that they have done to get this school year off to an amazing start! At Pence, we mean it when we say that We Are All Better Together!
Sincerely-
John Childs
FCS Students
Hispanic Heritage Menu
8th Grade D.C. Field Trip
TSA & FFA Fundraiser
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Stock Market Game
Mrs. Dove and Mrs. Glick are helping students learn about investing in the stock market. Mrs. Dove's classes are participating in the fall Stock Market Game. In teams, they are given $100,000 (in fake money) to purchase stocks in companies of their choice. They compete with teams across the region and state. Currently, two teams are vying back and forth between 2nd and 3rd place. While they are enjoying the competition, they are also learning about researching stocks, as well as analyzing the stocks they have purchased to grow their income.
Medication Reminder
Over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Tums, Cough Drops, etc.) can be given at school. The new policy is those medications must be brought into the school by a parent/guardian in the original pharmaceutical package with student’s name on the bottle. The parent/guardian must provide the school with a completed medication authorization/parental consent form.
The medication authorization form is attached for your convenience. Please reach out to your our school nurse, Mrs. Weaver, with further questions. Call (540-879-2535) or email mweaver@rockingham.k12.va.us to reach her.
Note from RCPS Superintendent
Dear RCPS Community,
E-cigarettes or vapes can come in different pen or box-like forms. While they emit a puff of vapor when used, it may be challenging to see, smell, or detect e-cigarette "smoke." As a result, teenagers may be able to vape at home, school, or on our buses without drawing a lot of attention.
In addition to traditional vaping, we have seen a drastic increase in students using certain vaping products to smoke marijuana hash oil or wax, a highly concentrated form of THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. The rapid emergence of youth vaping has completely changed the landscape of adolescent substances in our schools and resulted in many discipline cases.
The adolescent years are times of important brain development. Nicotine and substance exposure during adolescence and young adulthood can cause addiction and harm the developing brain.
We care about our students' health and want to encourage you to take some time to review the following resources and talk to your child about vaping. Working together, we can keep our students safe from the dangers associated with tobacco and drug use.
Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents
Surgeon General’s Advisory on E-cigarette Use Among Youth
Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brain
RCPS Student Handbook 2022-2023 (see “Student Conduct” pg 51)
Policy JFCF: Alcohol and Drug Use in Schools
Sincerely,
Oskar Scheikl
RCPS Superintendent
Cell Phone Policy Update
Last Monday night, the RCPS School Board approved an update to the Policy JZK about student-owned personal devices. For RCPS middle school students, the guidelines detailed in the policy were already in place, and students have been following them since the first day of school. The administration put these guidelines in place at the beginning of the school year to ensure our students' opportunity to participate in content instruction with fewer distractions.
Below is a quick overview of the guidelines:
1. Cell phones must be muted and put into backpacks until they exit the school building.
2. Students may only use wired headphones to connect to RCPS-issued electronic devices.
3. Smart watches fall under policy JZK and are not to be used for communication.
4. The building principal must approve exceptions for medical reasons.
"Footloose, Jr." Important Dates
November 2-Movie-3:30-4:30 PM*
November 14 & 15-Audition Workshops 3:30-5:00 PM*
November 28-December 1-Auditions-by Appointment*
March 2-5, 2023-SHOW!
*Students need to be picked up promptly!
Sports Updates
Thursday, October 20th, our basketball/cheerleading teams will be home against Elkton. This will be their annual "Pink Out" cancer fundraiser/awareness game. Consider staying and cheering on our Knights while wearing your pink! There will be a tailgate in the cafeteria with free popsicles before you head to the gym! Arrangements to stay after need to be prearranged with pick up at 5:30pm.
Fall Basketball Game Schedule
10/17 HOME vs. Skyline -4:30pm
10/20 - HOME vs. Elkton -4:30pm
10/24 - HOME vs. Thomas Harrison -4:30pm
10/27 - AWAY @ Hillyard - girls at 4:30 pm, boys game to follow
10/31 - AWAY @ Montevideo - boys at 4:30 pm, girls' game to follow
11/3 - AWAY @ Skyline -girls at 4:30 pm, boys game to follow
11/9 - AWAY @ Elkton -4:30pm (they have two gyms)
11/10 - AWAY @ Thomas Harrison - girls at 4:30 pm, boys game to follow
Home Game Reminders for Students:
- Students gather in the auditorium until ticket sales begin.
- Our Pence Knights are expected to be in the right place, at the right time, and doing the right thing!
- Tickets to athletic events are $2 for students and $3 for adults.
- Concessions will be available for sale at most athletic events.
Club Reminders
Soccer Club - M/W group and T/Th group runs after school until 4:30pm
Classics Club - Meeting after school in Mr. Evan's room (208) until 4:30pm on Tuesday, Oct 25th **this is a change of date**.
Recycling Club- Meeting after school in Ms. Hoover's room (137) until 4:30pm on Thursday, Oct 20th.
Table Top Gaming Club- Meeting after school in the cafeteria with Mr. Nyce until 4:30pm on Thursday, Oct 20th.
*Clubs are open to students who have already submitted a permission form/application. Activity bus is available if a transportation form has been completed and turned into the office.
Homework Help Has Begun
Our Homework Help Program takes place Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 4:30. Assistance is given with homework assignments, late or missing work, and challenging learning areas. If you are interested, please print and complete the following form:
Bus Transportation is available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Please print and complete this form if transportation is needed: Homework Help Transportation Form 22 - 23
Hard copies of both forms are available in our office. Return all completed forms to the office. Thank you!
Shop for Pence Gear today
Health and Safety Plan Updates
EVERFI Scholarship Contest
Everfi is a platform that many of our teachers use in their classrooms. Please pass this information on to teachers and students. This is a good chance for students to earn scholarship money and is open to students k-12.
EVERFI Scholarship Contest
Scholarship Deadline: 12/2
This year, Rockingham County Public Schools was awarded the Empowered District Seal from EVERFI for our exemplary commitment to whole-child education. Because of that, our students are eligible to earn 10 scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000. Click here for the student application. Please encourage your students to enter by December 2nd. Students can enter in any grade level K-12!
Here's a list of all of EVERFI'S contests and scholarship opportunities.
If you are not using EVERFI, check out what they have available by contacting:
Erin Dlott
K12 Implementation Specialist, Virginia & DC C 703.501.9975
22'-23' Pence Yearbooks
It's never too early to start thinking about yearbooks! Beginning in September, the ability to Pre-order will be available. Don't miss out on the fun when they arrive at the end of the year! The cost of the yearbook will be $20.
Online ordering is available again this year (beginning on September 1), but please do note that a credit card processing fee will be added to your order (and will cost you more). This cannot be refunded. The website is https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=13754 and use code 13754. You may also scan the QR code.
You also purchase a yearbook by bringing cash or a check beginning September 6. Yearbooks orders will only be accepted on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week. No order forms will be sent home. Students will bring their payment to Mrs. Dove in Room 201 and complete an order form at that time.
If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Dove at kdove@rockingham.k12.va.us.