Since kicking off in September, the POCA Stride Run Club has been getting our kids moving before school! With 105 students signed up, club sponsor Mrs. Brtiz said they’ve having a blast, earning awards for reaching distances like the 5K, 5 miles, and even 20 miles. 😱🏅 The club just had 2 students earn marathon status (26.2miles)!! But it’s not just the kids—parents are joining the fun too, running alongside their children! 👟💨 Big thanks to Sports Backers for supporting our club with a $500 mini grant and for showing up one morning with awesome color-changing sunglasses for all participants! 😎✨#wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today is National Education Support Professionals Day, and PCPS wants to thank the support staff members who play a vital role on the education team and in students' lives inside and outside the classroom. They help keep our schools running and our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day. The day honors a long list of professionals, including all secretaries, classroom aides, cafeteria workers, maintenance workers, bus drivers, and the others who support educators, school leadership, and the students, too. These professionals do their part in making PCPS exceptional for every child so they can be safe, learn, grow, and achieve. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan Middle School Student Leadership recognized and honored our staff members for their service to the U.S. military on Veterans Day, including the staff members shown here. Thank you for your service! These veterans were also generously treated to a lunch by Diane Nickerson at Cafe at Maidens. Student Leadership is a group of PMS students that were selected via an application process this fall. They meet during ACCT once a week to do positive activities for their school and community. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
REMINDER!
PCPS is hosting a Powhatan Child Check until 4 p.m. today, Nov. 20 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway. This is a free community event hosted by PCPS and Goochland Powhatan Community Services to give families information on their child’s current developmental skills ahead of entering kindergarten. Requirements to participate are: Children ages 0 to 5 years, Powhatan residents, and parent/guardian must be present.
Can't make it? For questions, or to schedule a private screening on another day, please call: Jeanine Vassar, 804-657-2010, EL Local System Manager, GPCS, for children birth-2 years old. Call Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, 804-370-9807, Director of Special Education, PCPS, for children 3-5 years old.
What is a Child Find? Each local school division shall, at least annually, conduct a public awareness campaign to: 1. Inform the community of a person's, ages two to 21, inclusive, statutory right to a free appropriate public education and the availability of special education programs and services; 2. Generate referrals; and 3. Explain the nature of disabilities, the early warning signs of disabilities, and the need for services to begin early. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🧡 Although we missed the official dates of National School Psychology Week, we still want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the incredible work our school psychologists do to support the mental health and well-being of our students and staff. A big thank you to Dianne White, Kirsten Lightner, and Katie Barnard for their dedication and expertise in creating safe, supportive, and thriving school environments. Your hard work truly makes a difference! ✨ 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS will host a Powhatan Child Check from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway. This is a free community event hosted by PCPS and Goochland Powhatan Community Services to give families information on their child’s current developmental skills ahead of entering kindergarten. Requirements to participate are: Children ages 0 to 5 years, Powhatan residents, and parent/guardian must be present. For questions, or to schedule a private screening on another day, please call: Jeanine Vassar, 804-657-2010, EL Local System Manager, GPCS, for children birth-2 years old. Call Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, 804-370-9807, Director of Special Education, PCPS, for children 3-5 years old.
What is a Child Find? Each local school division shall, at least annually, conduct a public awareness campaign to: 1. Inform the community of a person's, ages two to 21, inclusive, statutory right to a free appropriate public education and the availability of special education programs and services; 2. Generate referrals; and 3. Explain the nature of disabilities, the early warning signs of disabilities, and the need for services to begin early. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The latest School Board Recap Newsletter is now available! Catch up on the highlights from the November 12 school board workshop and meeting and stay informed about the important decisions shaping our schools. Your voice matters, and we invite the entire community to engage with the information that affects us all. Read the newsletter to learn more and join the conversation about our students' futures! The link to the newsletter is in the first comment. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Mrs. Dillon's social studies classes created heartfelt thank-you notes to community helpers as part of their Powhatan unit. This activity helped students connect the values of gratitude and service in Powhatan culture to the vital roles our modern-day helpers play in supporting our community! 🙌💌 They sent cards to Powhatan’s School Board, Sheriff's Office, and Board of Supervisors. One class took it a step further and wanted to send cards to Powhatan Elementary’s SRO, the Powhatan Rescue Squad, and a local volunteer fire department. 🧡 #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Let's hear some noise! The Powhatan High School Field Hockey Varsity team is on it way to the Virginia High School League Class 4 State Final 4! They play Chancellor tonight at 7 p.m. in the semifinals at first colonial high school. Good luck ladies, Powhatan has your back!
Mrs. Durrbeck's first graders at Flat Rock Elementary enjoy exploring new phonics skills. They learned all about the “wh” digraph (two letters making one sound), practiced blending it into words, and got hands-on with magnetic letters and Elkonin boxes to build their new words. 📚✨ #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Clara McComb, a PHS student, had her paper, "Effects of Blocking Brain Estrogen Synthesis on the Expression of Extracellular Matrix Genes in the Mouse Cortex," published on the VCU website. Clara attended the VCU Summer Neurology Internship Program. She was recognized by the School Board on Nov. 12. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school, and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA held the competition at the State Fair. There were 36 competitors in the Electrical Wiring Competition, and two of our students placed: Mason Heckel, PHS Senior, placed 2nd, and Carter Estep, PHS Senior, placed 3rd. Both students were recognized by the School Board on Nov. 12. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Powhatan High School and Middle School Future Farmers of America (FFA) students received outstanding recognition for their achievements in state-level Career Development Events (CDEs), which are designed to allow students to develop career skills in each associated area. On Nov. 12, the School Board recognized the following:
Powhatan Middle School FFA
State Forestry Career Development Event: 3rd Place Team; Joseph Arnold (3rd High Individual), Taylor Shenk, Hunter Smith (10th High Individual), and Hayden Columbo-Powell. Coach: Tom Walton.
Middle School Plant Science Career Development Event State Convention: 4th in State; Aurora Yates (10th individual), Joseph Arnold (12th individual), and Casey Luna. Coach: Jen Baker.
Middle School Ag Mechanics and Technology Career Development Event: 6th in State; Joseph Arnold (20th individual), Hayden Columbo-Powell, Aurora Yates, and Taylor Shenk. Coach: Jen Baker
Middle School Small Animal Care Career Development Event: Madelyn "Madi" Chaffins (13th individual). Coach: Jen Baker.
State Dairy Judging Career Development Event: Madelyn "Madi" Chaffins (4th High Individual FFA Reasons). Coaches: Albert Tucker and Johns Bailey.
Powhatan High School
Agricultural Mechanics: Team Members - Carter Estep, Sam Fens, Parker Smith, and Jonah Davidson. Team Award: 3rd Place Team in VA. Individual Award: Carter Estep (10th Place Indiv. Overall). Coach: Chris Whitlow.
Horse Judging: Team Members - Anna Franklin, Kennedy Martin, Reghan Kerns, Savannah Morris, and Sarah Kunze. Team Award: 3rd Place Team in VA. Individual Awards: Savannah Morris (7th Place in Halter, 7th Place in Reasons, 7th Place Indivi. in VA) and Anna Franklin (7th Place in Reasons). Coach/Sponsor: Caitlin Smith and Emilee Meinhard.
Horse Hippology: Team Members - Sarah Kunze, Savannah Morris, Kennedy Martin, and Regan Kerns. Team Award: 4th Place Team in VA. Individual Award: Reghan Kerns (6th Place Individual in VA). Coach: Caitlin Smith.
Floriculture: Team Members - Jadyn Palka, Ava Tucker, Caris Grell, and Casey Grell. Team Awards: 11th Place Team in VA. Coach: Emilee Meinhard.
Soil Team: Marilyn Robinson.Team Award: 2nd in State. Coach - Tommy Walton.
The Virginia Association of Agricultural Educators (VAAE) awarded the Agriculture Teacher State Recognition to this group based on the number of agriculture students they taught who have now become agriculture teachers. Chris Whitlow - VAAE Teacher of Teachers- Gold for teaching 6+ agriculture teachers. Caitlin Smith (not pictured) - VAAE Teacher of Teachers- Bronze for teaching one agriculture teacher. The School Board recognized these two outstanding teachers on Nov. 12. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
VAST (Virginia Association of Science Teachers) recognizes exemplary contributions to science education through its annual Recognition in Science Education (RISE) awards program. The RISE awards are presented to outstanding educators at all levels. In addition, school administrators and businesses are eligible to be recognized for their support of and contributions to quality science education. The VAST Awards Committee selected Powhatan County Public Schools teacher Jill Dewey to receive a VAST RISE Award. Mrs. Dewey was recognized at the School Board’s Nov. 12 meeting. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
During the Nov. 12 Recognitions, the School Board honored three Helping Hands Award recipients. With these awards, anyone (student, parent, colleague, or supervisor) can nominate any PCPS staff member who Inspires, Empowers, or Innovates to receive recognition. The following staff members were recognized as Helping Hands Award winners: Annmarie Horne, Counselor, Flat Rock Elementary, nominated for Empowering; Arla Thompson, Nursing Supervisor, Pocahontas Elementary, nominated for Empowering; and Sergeant Major Blakely, JROTC Instructor, Powhatan High School, nominated for Inspiring. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
One of the highlights of each month’s School Board meeting is recognizing the amazing students, staff, and community members during the Recognition portion of the meeting. The November 12 meeting’s Recognition time was packed, and we are going to take today to honor all of those men, women, and students for their achievements. Let’s start with the 2024-2025 PEF Classroom Innovation Grant Award Winners.
The Powhatan Education Foundation (PEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for the students, teachers, and staff of Powhatan County Public Schools by promoting innovative educational opportunities, recognizing outstanding achievements, and developing community partnerships. Each year, the PEF awards Innovative Classroom Grants that present ideas for achieving the county’s curricular goals, enhancing students’ personal development, and/or encouraging links with the community. This year, PEF received 14 grant requests. Eight grants were fully or partially funded for a total investment of $15,922.90.
The recipients are:
• Kimochis - Helping Educators and Families help kids manage difficult feelings and challenging behaviors. Kirsten Lightner, Dianne White, Jennifer Lavimodiere, and Taileah Rich, $2,964.01, POCA.
• Turning Tables: Bringing CWD and the Performing Arts Together Through Engineering and Stagecraft. Bilal Z. Raychouni, $3,000, PHS.
• Orff Instrument Xylophone Exploration. Helena Nuckols, $1,750, POCA.
• POCA Pulse News. Zannatul Ferdous and Samantha Martin, $363.23, POCA.
• Real World Coding in the Library. Tiffany Ray, $1,348.66, POCA.
• From Crime Scene to Courtroom. Cheri Ashman and Amanda Wilson Henderson, $2,260, PHS.
• Sphero Indi Coding Cars. Katy Osborne (Tech Resource), Kelly Terry (Library Resource), and Kristen Bentzen (Inn. Learning Coach), $3,000, FRES.
• Unlocking Student Success with Breakout EDU, Kelly Terry and Mary Lisa Watts, $1,237, FRES.
For the descriptions of each project, we will provide a link in the comments. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
We would like to extend a huge and overdue thank you to the staff and community partners who participated in Powhatan High School’s mock interviews earlier in the school year. Thanks to volunteers giving their time, 195 seniors received the invaluable opportunity to practice their job interview skills in a series of mock interviews. Mock interviews are a cornerstone of the high school’s efforts to prepare students for college and career readiness, designed to help them develop confidence in an interview setting and prepare them for the job market. While many of the students practiced in class with a peer first, that is not the same experience as learning to sit across from a stranger and articulate key points about themselves. Since all of the questions posed during the interviews are similar to ones they might be asked in a real job interview, this activity can help students truly think about how to approach the queries and then refine their answers based on the interviewer’s feedback. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Powhatan Middle School Student Leadership students took the time to recognize and honor the strong, courageous, and resilient staff members who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. These remarkable individuals are true examples of strength and perseverance. A special thank you to Kristal McIntyre, Kim Wasosky, Lisa Goff, Catrina Garner, Brenda Bell, Kelly Wilting, and Mike Morin for sharing their inspiring stories and being a shining example for us all. We're so proud of their victories and continue to cheer them on. We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the generous local businesses who supported this initiative with their donations: Powhatan Wendy's, Westchester Commons Starbucks, Powhatan Walmart, and Watkins Nursery. Your contributions helped make this event possible. Together, we stand strong in the fight against cancer. 💪💖 #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Today, we pause to recognize and thank all of the brave men and women who have served in our nation's military. Your sacrifices, dedication, and courage have protected the freedoms we hold dear, and we are forever grateful for your service. As a school division, Powhatan County Public Schools is proud to teach the next generation about the importance of service, sacrifice, and patriotism. On this Veterans Day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all veterans, past and present. Thank you for your service and your commitment to our country. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
