Pence Press

Dear RCPS Community,

To date, we have missed nine full-days of school because of inclement weather conditions. Since we have more than five weeks of winter weather ahead of us and knowing that we must meet the state requirement of 990 hours of instruction we are adjusting the RCPS calendar. Monday, February 17, and Tuesday, February 18, will now be regular school days for students.

These two days were originally scheduled as a division in-service and parent-teacher conference day; these dates will now serve as instructional days to help maintain our academic schedule. We understand that this may require adjustments for some families, and we appreciate your flexibility and support in prioritizing student learning.

If you have any questions regarding this change, please reach out to your child’s school. Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure continuity in instruction while preparing for potential weather-related disruptions.

Sincerely,

Larry Shifflett, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent

WSPMS Music Department "notes"letter February 7, 2025

The yearbook needs your help! You have great photos of your students in sporting events! We would love to include them in our yearbook possibly! If you have taken pictures of your students playing in WSPMS Sporting Events or TAHS Junior Varsity sporting events, send them to kdove@rockingham.k12.va.us! Thank you!

Ask your student about International Night. Forms were sent home and extra copies are in the front office.

Sales will open on 1/27/25. Order HERE on that date. Don't forget to put the student's (or seller's) name when you order.

Our Homework Help Program takes place Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 4:30. It began last week. Assistance will be given with homework assignments, late or missing work and difficult learning areas. If you are interested, please complete the Homework Help Permission Form and return it to the front office.

We are excited to announce that we have bus transportation now for Homework Help. Please complete the After School Transportation Form and return to the office if you need bus transportation.

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/virginia/dayton/wilbur-s-pence-middle-school

There is no bus transportation for after school activities. Please have rides at the school promptly at the end of tryouts/practices/games. To participate in school sports, students must be passing 3 out of 4 core classes.

Cheerleaders perform at all HOME basketball games.

Questions? Contact Coach Davis-Argabright at danielle@heritagerealestateco.com or Coach McAbee at hmcabee@rockingham.k12.va.us

Boys basketball practice daily until 5:30pm. Girls basketball practice daily until 5:00pm. Basketball games are at 4:30pm.

02/10 - AWAY @ JFHMS

02/13 - HOME w/ SKMS

02/19 - HOME w/ THMS (rescheduled game from 02/06)

02/20 - HOME w/ EMS

02/22 - Winter Boys' Basketball Tournament hosted by SKMS @ Rocktown H.S. / Winter Girls' Basketball Tournament hosted by WSPMS @ Pence

Questions? Contact Boys Basketball Coach Eye at josheye@rockingham.k12.va.us / Girls Basketball Coach Arbogast at varbogast@rockingham.k12.va.us

https://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/o/wspms/page/student-activities

• Tickets to athletic events are $4 for students and adults.

• Concessions will be available for sale at most athletic events.

• Students and Guardians must sign a After School Activity Agreement and be on good academic standing in order to attend after school sporting events. Grades are checked the day of HOME games. If your student has any Fs or 2+ Ds then they need to ride the bus home.

Current physicals run from May 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. A current physical is required by RCPS for all athletes to tryout and participate.

It's as simple as this: Good school attendance correlates to student success! 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 or late to school, please call the school (879-2535) or email the school (wspmsattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us) before 9:00 AM.

-If your student will be picked up early, please send a note or email the school (wspmsattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us) that morning AND then call us (879-2535) when you are 5-10 minutes away so we can have your student in the office ready to go. Your student will sign themselves out and head out when they see your vehicle.

Students will be responsible for contacting their teachers directly and making up any missed work.

Administrators will be creating attendance plans for students numerous days. Excessive tardies and early dismissals will also be documented and may require an attendance plan. Please note that for every three unexcused tardies students will lose one REP point.

Students who are not at school for at least a half day should not be in attendance at afterschool activities, including both Pence and Turner Ashby athletic activities and/or extracurricular activities.

As a reminder, students are not to consume commercial restaurant fast food while in the

cafeteria area prior to, or during lunch periods. This is part of the food and nutrition handbook.

Student Meal Prices: Breakfast $1.50 and Lunch $2.50

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 / Kevin Forry (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

Katie Swartzendruber, Part Time Counselor

Do you want to know more about the polices and procedures at Pence? Check out the school website: http://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/

The "Parent Resources" & "Student Resources" tabs are especially useful. I recommend that all Pence families take some time to review the Student Handbook.

Bookmark this page to access a wealth of information: //www.rcps.net/page/families-students

Calling all Pence Families!

Please help us stock the teachers lounge with coffee, snacks, and treats! We want to make the teachers feel loved and supported throughout the year since they do so much for our kids!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A5AA2CA0F58-50575995-stock

Two options for easy drop off:

• Leave your items at the front office of Pence Middle.
• If items are to be delivered or shipped to the school (375 Bowman Road), please have them delivered to Door #1 and call the school to let the office staff know the items are on their way.

Thank you so much! We couldn't do it without you!

Pence Middle PTO Hospitality Committee

Ideas: Kcup coffee, Kcup hot cholocate, individual bags of chips, individual bags of trail mix/peanuts, small individually wrapped beef sticks, granola bars, protein bars, individually packaged cookies, small individually wrapped candies/chocolates - basically anything that is a GRAB and GO item!

More information at https://www.rcps.net/o/rcps/page/calendars

Email: tshank@rockingham.k12.va.us

Website: http://wspms.rockingham.k12.va.us/
Location: 375 Bowman Road, Dayton, VA, USA
Phone: 540-879-2535