Pence Newsletter
June 2025
A message from Mrs. Jones
Parents/Guardians-
A big thank you to each of you for trusting us with your child at Pence. Each year I get a little sentimental when the year begins to wind down. I truly love my job at Pence. Like I've told many who have asked me about being a principal, I tell them I have the best job in the district. I truly mean that. If you can't smile, laugh and love being at school, then this isn't the gig for you! I've witnessed some amazing growth in ALL students this year and that gets me more excited to think about the possibilities for 2025-26! If this is my final newsletter and your child is off to middle school, thank you for sharing your child with us at Pence. The door is always open for your child to come back and visit. (We'd love that!) For those returning, I can't wait to see your child back next fall! Until then, enjoy your time with your child and soak up the time at this tender age because it truly does go by fast.
Happy Summertime to each of you!
:)Mrs. Jones
🧡Our Pence Family🧡
Upcoming Dates
June 2nd- Pence Fun Day & Movie
June 3rd- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL; NOON Dismissal; End of Year Assembly/Talent Show/ 4th grade graduation
August 21st- Pence Open House- 5:30-7pm
August 25th- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Together we DID move MOUNTAINS!!!!
This year our building made a goal for ALL students making 100% growth/proficiency in the areas of aReading, aMath and Cbmr! Above you will see the breakdown of the final growth indicated with the tent & yellow percentage numbers for each grade level & for our building. Our students did amazing!
End of the Year Assembly/Talent Show/Graduation Info
On the last day of school, June 3rd @ 9am, we will be holding our much anticipated End of the Year Assembly/Talent Show/Graduation.
While I would LOVE to have everyone come to Pence for this special time, we truly have no space in the gym once all our students and staff get in there. To accommodate everyone unable to attend, we will be live streaming the fun at Pence. A livestream link will be provided at a later time.
Pence Elementary Crisis Crew- Blood Drive Follow-up
We had 3 Blood Drives this year in Nov. Jan. and May. There were 20-30 people signed up for each drive. A total of 9 gallons of blood were collected, which helped 216+ people. 9 new blood donors were recruited. Because of these efforts we could..
repurpose the Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Kits given to the district by the Jefferson County Public Health years ago, into TO GO KITS for a Lockdown/ Evacuation to different locations to help students stay calm and busy until parents arrive. Between 5-10 student leaders volunteered to stay after school hours to assist with the Blood Drives. They recruited, greeted, conducted polls,and interviewed donors. They also provided guidance and snacks. We even had students from other leadership teams volunteer to help and assist during the drives and help with clean up. 2-4 Graders have learned many ways of showing and growing their leadership skills. We are super proud of them!
May 2025 Trojan Trait Superstars
2nd grade Trojan Trait Superstars
3rd grade Trojan Trait Superstars
4th grade Trojan Trait Superstars
Trojan Superstars
Our May 2025 Trojan Superstars are those who exemplify Trojan Traits (Respectful, Responsible & Safe) in and out of the classroom. We are honored to recognize these leaders within each class.
2H- The Trojan Trait Superstar in 2H is Tony Simons! Tony comes to school with a smile on his face and in a positive attitude. In the mornings, he will give one of the best hugs, along with multiple other greeting choices, like high-fives, elbow bumps, or a friendly wave. Throughout the school year, Tony has made tremendous growth inside and outside of the classroom. Tony does a great job of putting first things first. He always makes sure to complete his work on time. In his free time, you can catch him lending a helping hand to whoever may need it. We are so proud of you, Tony! Keep up the great work and continue to be a Trojan Trait Superstar! Love ya, mean it!
2B- The May Trojan Superstar for 2B is someone who always leads by example with a positive attitude. She makes everyone feel included and always puts the needs of others above her own. Everyone can depend on her to be a good friend, and she brightens up the classroom with her smile. This superstar leads by example, listens attentively, works hard, and shows responsibility with her love for learning. She is always willing to help other students solve problems in a kind and supportive way. She is always supportive of others’ different ideas and opinions. This leader approaches every task with a can-do attitude and is willing to take on challenges with determination and perseverance. She follows all the rules in the classroom and throughout the school. I can always count on her to be a leader and great role model for others. Our May Trojan Superstar is Tinley Dorman. Thank you, Tinley, for being a great leader! Keep up the good work! You are truly a Trojan Superstar!
2Bu- The 2BU Trojan Trait Superstar for May is a student who is a very quiet and friendly leader. She comes to school ready to learn and always puts her best foot forward on all assignments. She leads by example whether it is walking to specials, playing outside or waiting in the lunch line. I know that I can always trust her to do the right thing. When she’s not working, you can often find her making kind notes for others during her free time. We are so very lucky to have a sweet, kind and caring person like her in our classroom. Congratulations to our May Trojan Trait Superstar, Ari Carpenter! Thank you for being a part of our classroom family.
2J- The 2j Trojan Trait Superstar is Bilba Dangol! Bilba is a leader in the classroom who is always looking for ways to help others. He is quick to volunteer his help whenever someone is in need. Bilba also makes sure that everyone is feeling included in the classroom. He greets his peers in the morning and is sure to give a smile or a hug too. Bilba is also a leader during our class time. He is engaged in our lessons and participates throughout each activity. He shares his thinking and asks questions to deepen his understanding of our topics. I am so proud of your hard work and dedication this year Bilba! Keep it up!!
2M- The 2M Trojan Trait Superstar for May is a student who is very responsible for their learning. This student is always asking questions to better understand concepts, he likes to identify skills that we have been working on in other content areas, and while he is reading he enjoys sharing fun facts! This leader is also very respectful. He will help out his classmates in any way that he can. He makes sure that he treats his classmates with respect, and he also wants others to treat his classmates with respect. This superstar is respectful by using his manners each day. He makes our class family better by being part of it! Thanks for being an awesome part of our class family, Si Thu!
3SM- The 3Sm Trojan Trait Superstar is someone who brings a lot of energy to our classroom! This student has a vibrant personality. He has creative ideas and wants to be his best self. He includes others. You can put him in any group or with any partner and he will be a leader! He will help motivate them to use their creativity and will be kind to them. This student isn’t afraid to share with his classmates! Congratulations to Nashton Smithburg! You have grown so much this year and we are all very proud of you!
3H- The 3H Trojan Trait Superstar for May is someone who loves to learn and has grown a lot this year. She approaches every hard task with a positive attitude and enjoys synergizing with peers to accomplish a task. She has a sweet smile and kind heart that makes everyone around her feel welcome. She can often be seen helping others and wants to make sure everyone feels included. Her classmates enjoy working with her and playing together on the playground. Our classroom is a happier place because of our superstar. Congratulations Jocelyn Bodenhofer! Thanks for bringing joy to our school everyday Jocelyn! You are a true Trojan Superstar!
3S- The 3S Trojan Trait superstar is someone that has grown so much this year! From being shy and reserved to a bubbly class leader! His peers stated that this student is a proactive leader that always puts forth his best effort. They stated that our leader seeks first to understand then to be understood and works well with anyone. His classmates stated that he loves to synergize and help others even if that means letting them borrow his sweatshirt. We are so lucky to have Elijah Siemers in our classroom leading by example! Thank you Elijah for making our classroom a better place!
3O- The Trojan Trait Superstar this month in 3O is DJ Jaurigue! DJ has grown so much this year. He has found his voice through speaking and sharing his ideas. DJ demonstrates putting first things first by completing his work before earning a free time reward, DJ has also improved by synergizing and gaining independence while playing at recess. We are so proud of your growth his year, DJ, and we have loved having you as a part of our class family.
3M- 3M’s May Trojan Trait Superstar is someone who has shown tremendous growth this year. She knows what it takes to push through when things get tough and seeks win-win solutions in the classroom and on the playground. This student was described by her classmates as helpful, sweet, and kind. I admire this student’s sense of pride for her Class Family. Juniper Malott is someone who shows what it means to be a leader through her use of encouraging words when classmates need a pick-me-up and her love of helping others. I can count on Juniper to lend a helping hand without being asked. Juniper, you’ve found your voice this year. Keep learning, growing, and being a leader!
4N- We are thrilled to honor Declan Reinier as our May Trojan Trait Superstar! Declan consistently puts forth his best effort every day, showcasing a strong dedication to his learning journey. He is becoming an advocate for his own education. Declan's kindness radiates in our classroom. He treats everyone with respect and warmth, especially his teachers, fostering an inclusive and positive environment for all. His impressive ability to actively listen to others is noteworthy; he often remembers small details weeks later, demonstrating his commitment to understanding and engaging with his peers. Additionally, Declan has a generous heart that is deeply appreciated by his teachers. It has been a joy to be part of Declan's learning journey this year. We eagerly anticipate all the wonderful achievements he will continue to accomplish as he grows and develops. Keep shining, Declan! You make us all proud!🌟
4F- May’s Superstar for 4F is Caz Barnes! Caz has been working hard all year on being proactive, completing his work, asking questions, and helping others. During a recent Science experiment, I saw Caz go to other classmates and patiently help them with the task we were working on. He works well with partners and helps others while learning math too. Caz pays attention and will volunteer regularly during our lesson. He is a good friend to others and enjoys participating in recess activities with his class. Caz includes others in the classroom and while at recess. He has been working hard at synergizing well with others, and being in charge of himself. Caz is respectful, kind, and funny! He makes a perfect Superstar, and I’m so proud of him!
4R- Congratulations to Carson Porter, our 4R’s Trojan Superstar for the month of May! Carson has demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout the school year, consistently working to develop his leadership skills both in and out of the classroom. His positive attitude and genuine interest in learning have played a key role in his academic and personal growth. Carson stands out as a unique and valuable classroom partner. No matter the activity, he strives to maintain a positive and supportive environment for his peers. His commitment to kindness, responsibility, respect, and resilience makes him a true example. Way to go, Carson!
4T- Abby Landon is a shining example of what it means to be a Trojan Trait Superstar at Pence! Her classmates consistently describe her as responsible, respectful, safe, and kind—qualities she demonstrates every day, both in and out of the classroom. Abby always puts first things first by completing her work with care and attention, often going above and beyond classroom expectations. She holds herself accountable and stays focused on her big rocks each day. One peer shared, “When she is writing, she goes above and beyond her work.” Her peers admire how respectful and safe she is. Whether in the classroom or in the hallway, she has a calm and steady presence. Abby listens carefully when others are speaking, never interrupts, and always treats everyone with kindness. Her positive attitude and bright personality help make the classroom a better place for everyone. Abby truly represents what it means to be a Trojan Trait Superstar. Her classmates have noticed her efforts and believe she is more than deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Abby!
4Ry- The 4Ry May Superstar is Aria McElroy! Aria’s bright smile and positive attitude are infectious. She finds ways to show she cares about everyone and is inclusive to all. When given an assignment, she puts first things first and gets started right away. She works so hard and that is why she has shown so much growth this year! Aria loves to synergize with others and always contributes in big ways to the group. Keep shining bright, Aria! You’re amazing!
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-472-2957
angela.jones@fairfieldsfuture.org
Pence Mission Statement: Pence loves me for who I am, celebrates my growth & encourages me to be my best. At Pence, I matter. #giddyup