Pence Press
September 11, 2022
As we remember ...
Pence Families ~
Today, we commemorate the 21st anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Today, on this Patriot Day, we honor those 2,977 lives lost and more than 6,000 people injured by talking about the events of the day, those that lost their lives, those that sacrificed their lives to help save others, and the effect that it had on the history of our nation.
It’s the events of today that remind us of the importance of time, family, and friends. Today and every day after, our school motto stands strong. We are Knights T.O.U.G.H. We are all Pence Knights, and we are better together. Let’s look for the good in each other, reach out to those in need, and choose kindness above all else. Let’s strive to be a community of learners who look past our backgrounds and treat each other with dignity and respect.
GO, KNIGHTS!
Pence Administration
Student Growth Assessments
Students in Virginia public schools will take growth assessments in grades 3-8 in reading and mathematics. Students will take these assessments in both fall and spring of the 2022-2023 school year to measure academic growth. Individual student scores will be provided with details on how students performed on each test item, but the growth assessments do not include a passing/failing score. The focus of these assessments is on identifying what students have already learned as well as the skills they may need additional help with during the school year. For more information please visit https://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/test_administration/growth-assessment/index.shtml
WSPMS Fall 2022 Growth Assessment Schedule
Wednesday, September 14th @ 1:00pm - all Mathematics, grades 6, 7, 8
Thursday, September 15th @ 1:00pm - all Reading, grades 6, 7, 8
Attendance Awareness Month
If students are absent for any reason, it is their responsibility to contact their teachers for make-up assignments. Teacher emails or posted work is available in Schoology on their Chromebook.
Parents, we are asking you to partner with us to help regularly get your students to school. In short, attendance matters! That said, we realize that there are times when your student(s) may need to be out.
-If your student is absent, please call the school (879-2535) or email the school (wspmsattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us) before 9:00 AM.
Please try to schedule all vacations around the school calendar. We have seen an increased number of parents pulling their students out of school for vacations over the last year. While family time is valuable, missing an extended amount of time from school leads to student frustration and anxiety as they fall behind on missed concepts. If you plan to take a vacation, requests must be submitted to Ms. Ray or Ms. Shank at least ten school days in advance. Students will be responsible for making up any missed work.
While good attendance is vital to your student's success, we are reminded that we are still in a pandemic. If your child displays any signs or symptoms of an illness, please keep them at home. Please review the RCPS safety plan if you have questions.
Click on this picture of our Library Website to learn more about our library!
Medication Update
Dear RCPS middle and high school parents,
Over the last few weeks, we have had a number of conversations with the VA Dept. of Health regarding over-the-counter (OTC) medications being given to students at school. Although we understand the convenience of schools purchasing a supply of OTC medications such as Tylenol or Tums and then providing them to students with written parent permission, updated VDH and DOE regulations for nurses do not permit this practice. We are considering a number of options that may achieve the appropriate combination of convenience and adherence to state guidelines, but in the meantime, families will need to adhere to the following protocol as outlined on the parent permission form:
1. Parent/Guardian must bring over-the-counter medication to school in the original pharmaceutical package with student’s name on
the bottle.
2. 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 school with further questions.
Sincerely,
Oskar Scheikl
RCPS Superintendent
DIME WARS - Spike Down Cancer
This event is hosted by your very own Lady Knights Volleyball team. They will be playing against Monteviedo at home this Thursday and hosting their Spike Down Cancer Pink Out game! This helps raise money and bring awareness to cancer! Plan on staying after school for the game and wear your pink to school!
Caught You Reading Campaign
The "Caught You Reading" Campaign began Thursday, September 1st!
Students, here's what you need to do:
1. Read at times other than SSR. For example, while waiting to be picked up after school, before homeroom begins, or on the way to or from the cafeteria.
2. Administrators and teachers will notice you and give you a Caught You Reading ticket.
3. Every time you are "Caught Reading," your name will go into a drawing for a Kindle Fire Tablet to be awarded at the end of Family Literacy Night on Thursday, September 29th, from 5:30 - 7:30.
4. Remember, you must be present at Family Literacy Night to win!
Bus Notes
Fall Pictures
Mark your calendar for our fall school yearbook pictures. They will take place during the student's PE class.
Friday, October 7
Monday, October 10
Fall picture makeups - Thursday, December 1
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.
Sports Information
Volleyball
9/12 HOME vs Lylburn Downing Middle (start time at 5pm)
9/13 HOME vs Skyline
9/15 HOME vs Montevideo
9/16 AWAY vs William Monroe (start time at 5pm)
9/19 HOME vs William Monroe (start time at 5pm)
9/20 HOME vs Hillyard
9/22 HOME vs Elkton
9/24 District Tournament @ Pence - Time TBD
Cross Country
9/15 AWAY @ Montevideo Middle School (w/ MMS & SKMS)
9/22 HOME (w/ SKMS & JFH)
9/28 CHAMPS @ John E. Painter Park - 1100 20th St Grottoes, VA 24441
Cheer Tryouts
Sept 12-16, 5:00-6:15 pm in the back gym
Drop off and pick up in front of the school
Cheer is open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8
You must have a completed VHSL sports physical on file to participate in tryouts and cheer.
Boys Basketball Interest Meeting
BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Sept 27-30 - Times of tryouts are TBD
Basketball is open to students in grades 7 and 8.
You must have a completed VHSL sports physical on file to participate in tryouts.
Middle School Basketball will look different across RCPS moving forward.
We will continue to have two seasons - one in the fall and one in the winter.
The fall season will be for student-athletes who are developing their skills.
The winter season will be for student-athletes who already possess a wide range of basketball skills.
All student-athletes will try out at the same time and will be assigned a season by the coaching staff.
Club Soccer
Club Soccer is available to all interested students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Students do NOT need a VHSL physical for this activity.
There will be an interest meeting on Monday, Sept 19 at 2:50 in the auditorium.
General Athletics Information
Here are a few athletics updates as we begin the school year:
Students will be able to attend athletic events.
- Tickets to athletic events are $2 for students and $3 for adults.
Concessions will be available for sale at most athletic events.
At this time we do not plan to broadcast live athletic events.
Current sports physicals run from May 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. A current sports physical is required by RCPS for all athletes to participate.
KNIGHT’S CAFÉ NEWSLETTER
Welcome Back,
I would like to welcome all students and staff. My name is Laura Shifflett. I am the Food Service Manager at Wilbur Pence Middle School. I look forward to a wonderful year. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns (540-879-2535). If you want to fill out a Free/Reduced Form for your student's lunch, you may turn them in to the office. Our lunch price is $2.40, and breakfast is $1.25.
Parents can deposit money into their child(ren)'s meal account online at www.myschoolbucks.com, or may provide a check or cash that may be given directly to me in the cafeteria.
We are so excited to serve your students. This year we are back to normal. Soon, we will have smoothies for breakfast. During lunch, we will offer for an additional charge, water, Dole juices, Izzys, reduced fat chips, extra ala carte items, and ice cream every day. Your students must have money in their account for this purchase.
I would like to share with you some dates to remember for this year. We will have a “Local Farm to School Day” from October 3-7. The FFA is helping us with Spirit Week. The FFA is providing decorations for our Cafeteria. We love supporting our local farmers by using their products for our lunches. I hope you will be able to come and enjoy the fun. National School Lunch Week will be October 10-14. We are hosting trivia questions for that week. Our theme is “Peace, Love & School Lunch.” National School Breakfast Week is March 6-10. We are also planning “Lucky Trays” every day at breakfast. We will offer a free smoothie for that Wednesday during that week.
Have a great year,
Laura Shifflett
Food Service Manager
laurashifflett@rockingham.k12.va.usBell Schedules
Cell Phone and Dress Code
If a student brings a cell phone into the building, it will be required to be silenced (powered off) and kept in his/her backpack throughout the entire school day. Earbuds and headphones will also be kept in backpacks throughout the day. Call or email the school if you have a message that your student needs to receive.
Please keep the school dress code in mind as you are shopping. The full policy can be found on the RCPS website under Policy JFCJ.