Pence Press
March 15, 2024
School & Nutrition Guidelines
Parents-
We are experiencing an increased number of parents, siblings, and friends wanting to drop off outside food (such as pizza or other fast food) for our students and sometimes their friends. However, this is against our county's regulations as we work with food and nutrtition services. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us follow these guidelines by refraining from bringing these items into the school. Please see below:
"Students are not to regularly consume commercial restaurant foods-to-go while in the
cafeteria area prior to, or during lunch periods. This does not preclude students from
bringing packed lunches."
End of 3rd Grading Period / Spring Break
Spring Break is March 25th-29th. Monday, April 1st, is a Teacher Workday so students return to school on Tuesday, April 2nd. 6th graders will begin their final elective rotations when they return on April 2nd.
Lunch Entertainment for Music in the Schools Week
Approved School Calendar for '24-'25
No Activity Buses - Thursday, March 21st
7th grade math will cancel tutoring March 21st.
Homework Help and other groups will still be meeting.
Tabletop Gaming Club
Tabletop Gaming will meet after school next Wednesday (3/20). Rides must be here at 4:30pm.
Pence presents "Frozen Jr"
It is MUSICAL week at Pence!! We are so excited to bring you "Frozen Jr".
Purchase your tickets today (https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/78536)
or at the door March 14-17!
7th grade Pi Day Kahoot winners
Student winners in Ms. Meredith, Ms. Teter, and Ms. Wilson's math classes.
Rising 7th Grade Immunizations
Current 6th Grade Pence Families- Please see the attached information regarding immunization requirements for students prior to entering 7th grade.
Rising 7th Grade Vaccine Clinic
The Virginia Department of Health will be hosting a vaccine clinic for rising 7th graders on Tuesday, April 30th at TAHS. Students will take a bus to and from WSPMS to attend the vaccine clinic.
* Click on the link for the consent forms. Vaccination Consent Forms - English and Spanish
Rising 7th graders will need the Adolescent Screening Form, Adolescent vaccine consent form, and VIS form for each vaccine offered (Nurse Weaver will provide the VIS form). There is no cost to the parent for the required vaccines. Please complete all forms in their entirety including insurance information.
* Consents are due by Monday, 4/15; per VDH they will not accept late consents due to ordering the vaccine.
Please take advantage of this resource. Students must have the required vaccines for 7th grade. Contact Nurse Weaver with any questions at mweaver@rockingham.k12.va.us.
"Rooms" - New Communication Platform
Families likely received a text message this past week with information about a new communication platform called “Rooms.” Please see the message below from RCPS for more information about this new tool:
We're thrilled to introduce a new feature in our district app called Rooms! This platform is designed for seamless communication between staff and families, making it easier than ever to stay informed about school updates and activities. As we roll out this new tool, we're starting with a small group of teachers, all spring sports coaches, and our Middle School and High School Principals. While not all staff members will immediately transition to using Rooms as their primary communication tool, we're moving in that direction and aim to have full implementation by the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Stay tuned for more information and resources as we continue the rollout. Effective communication is essential to our school community's success, and we're excited to embark on this journey with you through Rooms!
WSPMS Sports Information
Pence Track & Field
Track Practice is M-F after school until 4:30/5:00pm.
3/19 - AWAY @ JFHMS
3/20 - Team & Individual Track Pictures
4/9 - HOME w/Skyline, Redeemer, Blue Ridge Christian
4/16 - HOME w/ Elkton
4/23 - AWAY @ Montevideo
4/30 - HOME w/ THMS, EMHS
5/8 - AWAY @ Harrisonburg High School (District Meet)
TA Girls Basketball Camp
We are excited to announce our 2024 TA Girls Basketball Camp for rising 2nd through 8th graders!
Monday, June 17 - Thursday, June 20
8:00am-12:00noon
Turner Ashby High School
Please see the attached flyer for more details, and register via the QR code or this link:
https://forms.gle/JMkufctVYrrK2yeQ8
We hope to see you in June!!! Feel free to share with friends and family!!! GO KNIGHTS!!!
TA Knights Football Interest Meetings
On Wednesday, March 20th, Coach Turner will be to meet with each Pence grade level separately in the auditorium during 3rd Block. Students will bring their Chromebooks to the meeting. If you have questions, contact Coach Turner directly at esturner@rockingham.k12.va.us
7th Grade Spring Writing Assessment Information
On April 17th, 7th grade students will be taking the Spring Writing Assessment.
Parents and students, please be mindful to
avoid scheduling appointments on this day
be well rested
eat a healthy breakfast
CHARGE YOUR DEVICE the night before
SOL Testing
Please make sure your students are present on SOL testing days. We are unable to call into classrooms on testing days so be mindful of taking your students out early on those days. You will have to wait until your student is done testing before we are able to release them.
5/9 - 8th grade Civics SOL
5/14 - 8th grade Science SOL
5/16 - ALL grades (6th-8th) Reading SOL
5/21 ALL grades (6th-8th) Math SOL
artVISION - March 1st-29th
Yearbook Preorders - ends March 31st
Academy Day 2024
Senator Mark Warner invites high school and middle school students, their parents or guardians, and school counselors to Academy Day 2024. The event will include a seated program that will provide a comprehensive overview of the United States service academies and their admission processes. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions during both the interactive service academy panel and the panel of other military-related options that exist at higher education institutions in Virginia. Information will also be shared regarding application procedures for congressional nominations and medical requirements for the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB).
Following the program, attendees will be able to meet with officials from all five academies as well as representatives from DoDMERB, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Richmond, ROTC programs at Randolph-Macon College and the University of Virginia, the United States Marine Corps, the Virginia Military Institute, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University at their resource tables. Staff from Virginia congressional offices will also be available to answer questions.
As the event concludes, Randolph-Macon College will be offering campus tours. To participate, please meet in the bricked courtyard area in front of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1:30pm.
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm, doors open at 9:00am
Location: Randolph-Macon College Center for the Performing Arts, Blackwell Auditorium, 205 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005
Register Here
If you have any questions about the event, please email academy_noms@warner.senate.gov.
Homework Help
Our Homework Help Program continues on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons 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.
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. We need to hear from both sets of families when a student is riding the bus with another student.
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