Wilbur S. Pence Middle School

Thank You Concert - June 1

As a way of expressing our thanks to the many generous supporters who helped WSPMS Music Department purchase a baby Grand piano this year, a special 'Thank You Concert' will be held in the WSPMS Auditorium on June 1, 2013 from 7:00-8:00 pm. The concert will feature the following artists: Phillip Martin, Pianist; Tara Davis, Violinist/Pianist; Lauren Gibson, Mezzo Soprano; Janet Hostetter, Pianist & Director of WSPMS Orff and Choir; Brook Hostetter, Soprano; Christopher Yoder, Cellist; Heather Tieszen, Violinist; plus other WSPMS musicians. Please plan to attend this Thank You Concert to see these talented performers. The concert is free and open to the public.

Spring Pictures Arrived

Students who ordered spring pictures received them in homeroom May 21.

Read to Earn Passes to Rockingham County Fair

Students: Read at least four books on your level and you will earn free tickets to attend the Rockingham County Fair in August. Complete the form and return it to your English teacher by May 20 to be eligible for free tickets.

Spring Picture Order Money Due May 7

Students received their spring picture proofs on April 22. If students want to place orders, all money and orders must be made by Tuesday, May 7. This deadline is required so that orders can be processed and received before the end of school. After May 7, orders must be placed online or by mailing orders directly to the company. Families may contact the Life Touch company at 800-366-0639 or mylifetouch.com or the mailing address is 1835 Loch Haven Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019.

CiCi's Pizza Night

Enjoy delicious pizza at CiCi's Pizza on East Market Street in Harrisonburg anytime on Thursday, May 9 and put your receipt in the WSPMS PTA box. CiCi's will donate 10% of the sales receipts to WSPMS.

Rotary Code of Ethics Awards

Congratulations to Sydney Huffman and Hunter Hilbert for receiving the 2013 Rotary Code of Ethics Awards. They will be recognized at a luncheon on May 13 with their parents.

Spring Pictures - April 11

Students received flyers with details about Spring Pictures. Pictures will be taken at school on Thursday, April 11. No money is due at the time the pictures are taken. Students will receive proofs of their pictures and then orders can be placed at that time.

Magazine Fundraiser Underway

Students attended an assembly to receive details on the WSPMS Magazine Fundraiser and prizes for which they are eligible. Students need to submit all orders and money to their homeroom teachers; orders and money are due after Spring Break on Tuesday, April 9.

March 29 is Now a Regular School Day

With the impact of recent days that were missed due to weather, Friday, March 29 is no longer an early release day. Students will be in school on March 29 as a regular school day.

Spring Musical is "The Music Man, Jr."

Come see WSPMS students perform in "The Music Man, Jr." in the Pence Auditorium on March 21, 22, and 23 – 7 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at the WSPMS Office or at door for only $5. Last year’s musical sold out; plan to purchase tickets early. Contact Mrs. Holzberger for more information.

Help Students Prepare for Writing SOL Tests

Students will take their Writing SOL tests during March. Help students get plenty of rest the night before the SOL test. SOL tests in writing have two parts: multiple choice and a writing prompt. Both parts of the test will be taken on school computers. Practice materials for 8th graders' state SOL test can be found at the VDOE web site to practice Multiple Choice (Technology-Enhanced Items) and practice for the Writing Prompt. Students are encouraged to practice using previous years' English tests at VDOE Released Tests. Contact your student's English teacher if you have questions.

Seventh Grader Wins Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Madeline Hall who won the County Spelling Bee. Madeline will represent RCPS in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC in May.

Curriculum Night - Feb 21

Come to WSPMS on February 21 at 6:30 pm to learn about the programs available for students. (An alternate snow date will be February 28). Families are encouraged to attend and learn more about all of the academic and elective courses, as well as visit the Library's Book Fair.

WSPMS Community Raises Money for Sandy Hook Library

On Friday, January 25th, Pence Middle School will celebrate the finished product of what began in December with learning about the 26 victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The staff and students at Pence Middle School decided they wanted to do something meaningful to honor the 26 lives that were lost in order to show their sympathy towards the school as well as to help create something positive out of tragedy.

After discussion among the faculty, an idea was presented by fellow teacher Carrie Flory, to hold a fundraiser to purchase and donate 26 books that would directly reflect and honor the memory of each of the 26 victims. Then, after only four short days of fundraising were completed, the Pence community of staff, students, and parents had raised $1650. Rick Knott of Williams Supply Electrical in Harrisonburg heard about our fundraising efforts and even volunteered to pick up the cost of shipping the books, which left all of the donation money going straight to the books.

Each of the 26 children’s books now holds an inscription honoring a specific child or staff member that was lost, as well as a message of hope and a small label containing signatures of our students. There is also a $1200 check that will accompany these books to Sandy Hook Elementary School as a direct donation to their library.

On Friday, January 25th, our whole school will be celebrating this accomplishment by wearing green (their school color) and wearing green ribbons in support of Sandy Hook Elementary School. At 2:30, in the library, some students will gather to pose for a picture while holding the 26 books and a banner created to show our support of their school. After this celebration, the donation will be sent directly to the Sandy Hook Elementary School librarian who we have been in contact with during this process. The librarian at Sandy Hook Elementary School also wanted to pass along her “sincere gratitude and appreciation to our students and staff” for what our school is doing.

8th Graders to TA's Curriculum Night

8th grade students and their parents are invited to attend Freshman Curriculum Night at Turner Ashby High School on Monday, January 28 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the TA auditorium.

Parents: Sign Up to Receive Notices

Want to receive email or text messages re: school delays, early dismissals, and closings? Visit this parent notification request link on the RCPS web site and follow the directions. NOTE: If you signed up for this service in previous years, there is no need to subscribe again; your name is still on the list.

Pence Athletic Season Has Begun

The WSPMS Cross Country and Volleyball teams have had successful starts to a great season. Visit the WSPMS Athletics page to view the schedules for the 2012-2013 season. (Schedules may be subject to change for weather-related and other reasons.) Contact Pence's new Assistant Principal Ms. Karen Ridder for more information about the athletics program at WSPMS.

Policy on Student-Owned Electronic Devices

Parents and students should review the policy on student-owned electronic devices that went into effect July 2012.

Back-to-School Time

View a List of Supplies for 2012-2013 school year. Plan now to make it a successful year at Pence Middle School.

Visit the WSPMS School Counseling page for links to forms and other important requirements and information about enrollment/registration.

Parent Access to Student Attendance & Grades & Cafeteria Accounts

Our student information system allows parents to access their child's school attendance, class grades and cafeteria accounts. If you would like more information on how to access this portal with your personalized log-in, please contact Mrs. Shifflett, principal. The Cafe Prepay allows parents to use credit cards to pay for students' cafeteria accounts. Visit www.cafeprepay.com for more info.

Papa Johns Pizza Nights

Help support WSPMS PTA: On the second Thursday of each month, eat Papa John's Pizza in Bridgewater and WSPMS PTA earns 10% of the proceeds from their total net sales. No need to turn in forms or receipts. Just enjoy pizza and tell your friends and neighbors to order Papa Johns Pizza too.

VHSL Physical Form

Physicals are required for each school year and run from May 2012-June 2013. In order for athletes to participate in any practice or sport, a current physical form must be on file. You may download the PDF version of the form (English or Spanish) or pick one up in the WSPMS office. Please contact Ms. Ridder if you have questions.

PTA Announcements

Visit the WSPMS PTA Page for several reminders of important events.

Character Counts at Pence!

Faculty members reward students' behavior with tokens ("Pence") which can be 'spent' on a variety of goods and services at school.

Students nominated by teachers as good citizens receive small prizes and are eligible to win a second prize from a drawing at the end of the grading period. Six Pillars of Character Counts: Citizenship, Responsibility, Caring, Respect, Trustworthiness, and Fairness.

Students with no broken pillars participate in Reward Days during the school year. In order to be eligible to participate in Reward Days, students must have 15 or fewer broken pillars for the entire semester and no discipline referrals to the office for the semester. First semester's behavior does not affect eligibility for second semester's cumulative reward participation.

WSPMS Success

See our accreditation status at Virginia School Report Card

 

Upcoming Events

May 13-31 - SOL Testing

May 27 - No School (Memorial Day Holiday)

May 31 - Spring Dance for 7th & 8th graders (7-9 pm)

June 1 - Thank You Concert 7:00-8:00 pm

June 3 - 8th grade Pence Pride Assembly

June 4, 5, 6 - Students dismissed at 1:00 pm during Exams

June 4 - 7th grade to visit Bridgewater College

June 5 - 6th grade Pence Pride Assembly

June 6 - 7th grade Pence Pride Assembly

June 6 - Last Day of School for Students

WSPMS Links

Bulletin/Announcements
Directions
Dress Code
Menus - May/June 2013
Odd/Even Calendar
PTA
WSPMS Athletics

Contacts

Mrs. Mary Shifflett, Principal
Mr. Bob Alford, Assistant Principal
Ms. Karen Ridder, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Lisa Holsinger-Thomas, Guidance Counselor for 7th grade and 6th grade Stingrays Team
Ms. Sharon Sprinkel, Guidance Counselor for 8th grade and 6th grade Barracudas Team

TBA, Nurse

Athletics

Cross Country

Volleyball

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Wrestling

Track

Student Organizations

Amigos Unidos - Mrs. Gatling-Finks

Chess Club - Ms. Glick

Destination Imagination - Ms. Glick

FFA - Mr. Long

FCCLA - Mrs. Jackon

Library Clubs - Ms. Butler

SCA - Mrs. Rhodes and Mrs. Argenbright

TSA - Mr. Lipscomb