Principal’s Message:
Hello Short Pump Puma families!
I would like to introduce myself as your new principal of Short Pump Middle School. I officially began July 1, 2022. I am a very proud product of Henrico County Public Schools, having attended Glen Allen Elementary, Brookland Middle, and the Humanities Specialty Center at Hermitage High School. Following my Henrico education, I earned my bachelor’s in Education from Longwood University, and both my master’s in Educational Leadership and my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, where my research focused on exceptional education leadership.
Here at Short Pump, we have a strong, clear mission: We connect. We learn. We grow. I have been inspired by our community in my short time here to develop and focus on “belonging” as our theme of my first year as principal. I know that by creating the best possible middle school experience for all of our young people with the support and active engagement of faculty, staff, families, and community members, we will foster and grow our young people’s strengths and unique qualities. We will all work together to facilitate an experience where everyone feels that they have a place; they belong.
I am especially excited about continuing our house system and deepening our students’ sense of belonging in this great community. Our core values of Bring Your Best, Embrace Community, Never Stop Learning, and Students First, are represented by our four houses, Praestantia, Unitas, Mollitiam, and Amicus. Throughout the school year, students and families will have the opportunity to earn house points in many different ways. With so much time away during the last two school years, we can’t wait to have families join us for many events and activities throughout the school year and earn house points by participating! More details about house points will be shared with students during advisory the first week of school.
I, along with our teachers, faculty, and staff, will continue to uphold a high standard for our students. We will seek excellence in everything we do, keep student engagement at the forefront, and instill an expectation of inclusivity and authenticity for all members of the greater Short Pump community. I look forward to learning together and celebrating our students’ successes along the way.
Please mark your calendars for our 6th grade in-person Pride Camp 2022. We will be hosting our incoming 6th graders on August 25th from 9am-12pm and we can’t wait. Check out the flyer included below on the Blast for more details. You will also learn how you can be a part of Pride Camp.
For our families of students in 7th and 8th grades, please mark your calendars for the afternoon of August 25th from 3:30-6:30pm. We will be hosting our Puma Open House! At Puma Open House students will receive their schedules, you may pay fees, join the PTSA, learn about athletics and other ways to get involved, and purchase Puma swag! We are excited to see everyone there!
In addition to Pride Camp and Puma Open House, I very much look forward to meeting more families in person as soon as I can! I am planning to host principal’s coffee meetings and after school opportunities throughout the school year. While I would have loved to host these events throughout the summer, we have been without our HVAC system, so it has been a bit warm!
We can’t wait to see our Pumas!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jessica Burbic
Principal, Short Pump Middle School
We connect. We learn. We grow.