'22-'23 School Year Information
Wilbur S Pence Middle School, Home of the Knights
Our Mission and Vision
At Pence, we strive to Embrace, Empower, Enrich, and Inspire!
Embrace: We seek to get to know our students to understand them, build relationships, and meet them “where they are” in a way where they know they are cared for.
Empower: We want to help students build the skills (character, social, work ethic, coping, resiliency, etc.) and confidence that they need to find success and pride in an area of education.
Enrich: Build upon the 21st Century Skills of Learning - Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Citizenship along with exploration and innovation.
Inspire: We want students to be filled with passion to act and succeed!
Hello Pence Families,
I am certain that we are all looking forward to a well-deserved summer break. Prior to departing for this year, I did want to take a moment to get a little bit of information out for planning purposes for you and your families as this newsletter has a lot of important information for you pertaining to next year. Our weekly newsletter and our electronic messaging system, School Messenger, are our primary means of communication throughout the year. However, each family will receive a traditional mailing during the summer with updated information.
There are a few things I'd like to bring to your attention as we head into the summer. Good school attendance is vital to your child's success. Please do everything you can to plan vacations around the school calendar. Many of our students now have access to smart phones and other devices that have social media. We have seen first hand that a large majority are not mature enough to handle it. Furthermore, there have been numerous studies and articles that outline the negative effects that social media has on students. Prior to allowing your student to access social media, I encourage you to do the research. If you still choose to allow your student to use it, I highly recommend that you access it regularly throughout the summer and into the next school year to monitor your student's activity. Due to the distraction that cell phones have caused in school, I ask that you please see the message included in the newsletter below.
Finally, we are looking forward to the '22-'23 school year! Building relationships, culture, and community comes first at Pence. When we say that "We All Belong," we mean it. We have a passionate faculty and staff who love working in the middle! Until then... I hope you have a great summer and we will see everyone in August!
Sincerely,
John Childs
WSPMS Principal
Link to the Approved RCPS Calendar
Important Dates-Mark Your Calendar
Registration Dates
Thursday, August 11: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Friday. August 12: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Back to School Night
Tuesday, August 16: Times TBA depending on grade level
First Day of School
Wednesday, August 24
Dates/Times, Etc.
-or-
Friday, August 12th from 9 AM - 3 PM
The actual "registration" will once again be completed online prior to these days. However, this is a valuable experience to have students/parents:
-Pick up their schedules
-Speak witht he nurse about medications, vaccinations, health concerns, etc.
-Get assistance for those who need it to complete online registration
-Deploy chromebooks to rising 6th grade students and new to RCPS students
-Collect chromebooks from rising 7th grade students and issue them a new one
-Learn about and sign up for the PTO
-Collect other school related information
-Speak with school staff with any questions
This is not a time to walk the building and find your classes. There will be a designated process for that during our "Back to School Night."
What classes did I sign up for?
To view Course Requests in PowerSchool:
- Log in
- select Course Selections
- select View Course Requests
Remember, these are classes you have requested, NOT your finalized schedule. Finalized schedules will be available on Registration Days, August 11 and 12.
Supply Lists
Rising 6th grade
GENERAL MATERIALS
2 inch- 3 ring binder with dividers
No. 2 pencils
Pack of highlighters
Pack of Dry Erase Markers
Pack of colored pencils
Pack of notebook paper
1 composition notebook for English
Headphones/Earbuds
1-inch binder for Social Studies
SPECIFIC TEACHER REQUIREMENTS
Modern Languages: heavy duty 2 pocket folder
Theater: vinyl pocket folder with 3 brads, paper, pens, highlighter, and 3 dividers
Rising 7th grade
GENERAL MATERIALS
2 inch 3 ring binder
8 pocket dividers
No. 2 Pencils
Loose leaf paper
Composition Notebook
Large pack of Expo markers
2 highlighters
colored pencils
Optional-zippered pencil pouch
SPECIFIC TEACHER REQUIREMENTS
Modern Languages: heavy duty 2 pocket folder
Theater: vinyl pocket folder with 3 brads, paper, pens, highlighter, and 3 dividers
Rising 8th grade
GENERAL MATERIALS
Headphones/Earbuds
Colored Pencils
No. 2 Pencils
Loose Leaf Paper
Glue sticks
highlighter
SPECIFIC CLASS REQUIREMENTS
English/Civics:
ONE (1) 2-inch, 3-ring Notebook
Tab dividers (to separate the different classes in the binder)
1 - Subject Composition Notebook
Math/Science:
ONE (1) 2-inch, 3-ring Notebook
2-6 tab dividers (to separate the different classes in the binder)
AT LEAST 2 dry erase markers
Spanish: heavy duty 2 pocket folder
Theater: vinyl pocket folder with 3 brads, paper, pens, highlighter, and 3 dividers
ALL STUDENTS will need to have a backpack as we will not be assigning lockers.
Students should have a reusable water bottle.
Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes would be appreciated.
Cell Phones
New for '22 - '23
Thank you!
Get Your Pence Gear!
Ordering your Pence Gear is easy and ships right to your door!
Click here to connect to the Pence Sideline Store
Fall Sports and Requirements
Cross Country practice begins August 8, 2022. Time is TBD.
Volleyball Try-outs begin August 8 from 3:00pm - 5:30pm in the main gym at Pence.