Pence Press
October 12-16, 2020
The RCPS School Board Meeting
Monday @ 7:00 PM
Mullet Madness Friday
And... there are winners! Each teacher chose 1 student from each class who best exemplified the spirt of the mullet and submitted his/her name for a drawing. 1 student from each grade level was then drawn to receive a $25 "allowance" towards ordering an item from the Pence Spirit Shop. And the winners are (drum roll):
6th Grade - Marleigh Miller
7th Grade - Audrey Hildebrand
8th Grade - Cain Teter
Mr. Childs
Ms. Shank
Ms. Ray
That's Right, I'm Pretty Sure I'm A Superhero!
2nd Virtual Spirit Day: Friday October 16th!
Virtual Fieldtrip for 6th grade science!
Support our local FFA & buy some fruit!
Pence Improvements Just Waiting For Our Students!
Late Work Policy
Reminder
Prior to starting this very unique school year, WSPMS made an intentional effort to work with our students to extend a lot of grace to our students and families as they work to navigate this unique environment through virtual (distance) learning. Specifically, we decided that all school work would be due, without penalty, by Sunday night each week to start the school year. Now that we have had several weeks for students to acclimate to the virtual learning process, it is time for us to pivot with our policy with firmer expecations starting on October 12th. In an effort for transparency, I want to explain our "why" through some potential Q&A questions:
Q: Why did you start the year with the Sunday deadline?
A: We wanted to allow the students some extra time knowing there would be a significant learning curve with us starting the year with distance learning. As students learned the technology, apps, and process of digital learning, we wanted to be generous with our policies to allow the students some grace with the learning curve. It also meshed well with the attendance policy.
Q: Why would you establish a firmer deadline starting on October 12th?
A: The effective education of students consists of being able to build upon existing knowledge and skills in order to recruit higher level thinking skills and deeper understanding. Now that students have become more comfortable with the process, it is important that they keep pace with the instruction. For example, a concept that is introduced on a Monday will be built upon the rest of the week. If a student does not participate on Monday, then he/she will be at a significant disadvantage the rest of the week with the required background knowledge to learn the new material. As an anology, a person with a lower leg injury will need to have their crutches taken away in order to fully rehab and recover. In the same way, we feel like this is an appropriate time to take away the "crutches." The utlimate goal is, and always will be, the success of our students and we feel like policy should reflect our goals.
Q: What if I have legitimate internet connectivity issues and my student cannot get on in "real time" that day?
A: Contact your teacher and let them know exactly what is happening. I think you will find that our teachers are more than understanding and willing to work with you. This is a partnership and communication is key.
Q: In practice, how does this look?
A: Each teacher is allowed autonomy in deciding their late work policy and there will be varations from teacher to teacher. Teachers will be communicating their policy with their students. This is no different than different businesses, employers, etc. having different polices. We all need to learn and adapt in order to be successful. Furthermore, now that we are in a 4x4 daily schedule, there are not as many expectations nor variations for students to learn and adapt to.
Q: What about communication?
A: We feel like this would actually increase communication in a more expediant manner. With the prior Sunday deadline, many of our teachers are not posting missing assignments in PowerSchool until the following week. With a firmer deadline, parents will be able to see that their students are missing work in a more expediant manner.
In summary, this decision was not taken likely. It was made because we think it is best for students. Parents, teachers, administrators, and all school staff ultimately have the same goals for our students. Let us continue to work together for the success of our students!
Thank you for your support-
John Childs, Candice Ray, and Teresa Shank
Pence Administration
Congratulations to our or new FFA Officers
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Exciting News - Curbside Pickup is Happening at Pence!
How to Get Library and/or Teacher Books with Curbside Pickup:
1. Search the catalog or talk with your teacher so you know what books you want.
2. Complete and submit the "Request for Curbside Pickup" form by 7am Wednesday.
3. Come to school on that same Wednesday from 12 - 3pm, or Thursday from 3-6pm to pick
up your books.
Visit the "Curbside" page of our library website and follow the instructions to submit your completed form by 7 a.m. Wednesday mornings!
We will deliver your book right to your car from NOON until 3pm on Wednesday! NEW!!! Any books NOT picked up on Wednesdays will be available for pickup on THURSDAYS (same week) during food pickup time, 3pm-6pm!
Check out a book or two this week! Remember, we start FRESH each week so books that are not picked up will be checked back in and shelved.
Any questions, contact your librarian at jhall@rockingham.k12.va.us or visit your WSPMS Library Website, linked to the picture below!
COUNTYWIDE READ ALOUD - 8:30AM EACH SYNCHRONOUS SCHOOL DAY
Struggling to get your hands on a good book? Do you prefer to listen to books rather than read them yourself? Check out the “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!”
Visit the linked picture of our Countywide Read Aloud teachers and click your choice of book on the shelf, this will take you to another slide where you'll find the ZOOM link for each morning, the links to recorded readings, and much more!
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.
We need your help!
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.
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.
Counseling Corner
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause changes in our lives and create feelings of constant uncertainty for many. Within this context of confusion and unpredictability, it’s essential that we find ways to engage in self-care. In an effort to support our students and families in taking care of themselves, we will be including self-care strategies in the Pence newsletter this week and in upcoming weeks. Breathing activities, spending time outside, exercise, and simple drawing activities are some examples of self-care strategies that are easy to do and can help manage stress. This week, please explore some simple drawing techniques for helping to manage stress and anxiety by clicking on the link below:
Get ready for Fall 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/