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Pence Press
January 19, 2024
Parents: Talking Points for Success
Pence parents and guardians-
As we wrap up this semester and begin the second semester, I would like to encourage you to continue to communicate with your students regarding a few key topics regarding middle school:
1. Please check PowerSchool regularly. Ask your student specific questions about assignments in each class. Inquire about lunch, recess, the bus, etc. Stay up to date and read the newsletter. Encourage them to be involved in school activities. Talk to them about their friends and peer relationships. As always, you are welcome to call the school with questions.
2. Monitor your student's cell phone usage, social media accounts, amount of time they're on their phone, and who they are communicating with online. I would recommend that you consider having your student place their device(s) in a secure location at a certain time each night to restrict nighttime usage. (Please also see technology tips)
3. As you are aware, vaping has become an epidemic across secondary schools in America and teen use or ideation often starts in middle school. We encourage you to have regular conversations about this and other things that students are tempted to do or try during this transitional time of their lives.
Life is a journey and we are here to partner with you during this stage in the journey. It certainly takes a village.
Sincerely-
John Childs
Congrats to our Honor Band Students!
Calendar Reminders
Next Club Days during school hours are Monday, January 22nd and Tuesday, January 23rd.
Winter Growth Assessments will be on Wednesday, January 24th (math) and Thursday, January 25th (reading).
4-H and FFA members
Reminder to all 4-H and FFA members: Steer Entries are due Friday, January 19, 2024 in FairEntry.
Link: https://fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/19519 Paper forms are available at the Extension Office.
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.
New Handicapped Accessible Ramp
We would like to thank our county's school board and maintenance department for the approval and installation of our new handicapped accessible ramp located next to the main access to the school and the front office!
Homework Help
Our Homework Help Program begun and continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.
Yearbook Preorders - ends March 31st
WSPMS Sports Information
Winter Cheer
Cheer will participate in all HOME basketball games.
Winter Basketball
Games begin at 4:30 PM.
1/22 - AWAY @ SKMS
1/25 - HOME vs. EMS
1/29 - HOME vs. THMS
2/1 - HOME vs. JFHMS (Red Out Game / Special Olympics Fundraiser)
2/5 - AWAY @ MSS
2/8 - HOME vs. SKMS
2/13 - AWAY @ EMS
2/15 - AWAY @ THMS
2/17 - Tournament
Questions? Contact Boys Coach Eye at josheye@rockingham.k12.va.us or Girls Coach Arbogast at varbogast@rockingham.k12.va.us
Wrestling
Matches begin at 4:30 PM.
1/23 - AWAY @ SKMS
2/3 - District Tournament
Questions? Contact Coach Brant Weller brant.w.weller@gmail.com, Coach Josh Powers jd.powers03@gmail.com or Coach Bryce Farley bfarley470@gmail.com.
Hello, and Happy New Year!
I wanted to share that again this year, The GIANT Company is partnering with Rockingham County Public Schools to support students facing food insecurity. From January 1 through March 31, everyone who shops at Martin's in Harrisonburg will be invited to "round up" at the register and donate the round-up amount of their bill to support Feeding School Kids. The GIANT Company will directly support customers' generosity by matching all donations up to $100,000.
Last year, RCPS Food & Nutrition Services received a generous $6,985.67 to reduce outstanding student meal debt and received numerous non-perishable food donations donated by Martin's customers that were distributed to families in need around the district.
Thank you for your support!
Jennifer Williams, MPH, RD
Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services
Rockingham County Public Schools
540-434-7783
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.
Just email us to keep us informed!
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