PCPS Receives VACO Achievement Award!

The joint meeting between the boards kicked off on a really high note when Dean Lynch, executive director of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), presented PCPS with a 2024 Achievement Award. PCPS was among 45 recipients across Virginia to receive this prestigious honor, which highlights excellence in local government programs. The award recognizes the efforts to develop a dynamic, in-house geography and local history curriculum for fifth graders, which was created after the division moved the Virginia Studies course to fourth grade, reducing the testing burden on fifth-grade teachers and students.The curriculum was primarily crafted by Toni Kilpatrick , former K-12 History and Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, with valuable contributions from retired specialist Carol Simopoulos . Mrs. Kilpatrick attended the meeting and was recognized for her hard work. The two women collaborated with the Powhatan County Historical Society, which offered resources and insights that enriched the curriculum to help bring Powhatan County’s history to life for students.