SCHOOL INfo

24-25 School Hours

Bus/Parent Drop off: 8:35 • Tardy Bell/Announcements: 8:50 • Dismissal: 3:30 • Student Day: 8:50 - 3:30 • Office Hours: 7:45 - 4:15

School Contact

Main Number: 804-598-5717 • Address: 4294 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA 23139

Attendance

Attendance Number: (804) 598 - 6306 • Email to Attendance: pocesattendance@pcpsk12.com

Transportation

Email for an afternoon transportation change or for Parent Pick Up: pocespass@pcpsk12.com

What's Trending

🌟Highlights of Our Learning Journey

🌟2025 Stem Night

🌟Important information for 5th Grade Families

  • Unfortunately, the snow and ice caused PMS to cancel the rising 6th grade night with our families. Due to the pending weather forecast for next week, we recorded our presentation for our families. Our middle school counselors will be visiting elementary schools starting next week, so we wanted all families to have this information upfront.

  • Please view this recording to learn about classes, extracurricular activities, how to be a middle schooler, and more. We will also talk more about the scheduling process and how students pick classes in middle school.

  • Reach out to our counseling coordinator, Terry Baldwin (terry.baldwin@powhatan.k12.va.us) or our principal, Colin Innes (colin.innes@powhatan.k12.va.us) with any questions. If you'd like to learn more about the schedule, school, and potential classes, check out our Powhatan Middle School Scheduling Website.

🌟Shining Stars 2024-2025 School Year

  • This year, the Special Education Department will highlight students, staff, and parents who have supported our programs, instruction, and initiatives throughout the school year.

  • Each month, beginning in January, staff members, parents, and students can nominate a “Shining Star.” Each Shining Star recipient will receive a visit from our department with a “Star Award” and will be featured at the Shining Stars Awards ceremony.

  • Our SEAC Committee will be hosting our “Shining Stars” Awards Ceremony on March 10, 2025-PHS Auditorium

  • Nomination Forms

🌟Kindness Week Challenge

  • Our annual Kindness Week Challenge is underway and we are already seeing the competition heat up as items are coming in. This is a clarification to the flyer that was sent home: specific items were designated for certain grade levels in an effort to be equitable for cost. If you don't have items that your grade level was assigned, you can still bring in those items anyway!

  • The Powhatan Food Pantry will accept any and all nonperishable items as they aim to reduce food insecurity within our community. Please consider donating any of the items on the flyer / any items you believe will contribute to the food pantry and spread kindness to our community. The last day to bring items for our challenge is February 13th.

  • The grade level with the most donated items will receive extra recess time! Our goal is to beat last year's record of 354 lbs of food--let's see if we can do it!

🌟Kids Heart Challenge

  • PocES will participate in the Kids Heart Challenge from February 13th - March 13th. Previously, this event was called, "Jump Rope for Heart."

  • On February 13th, each grade level will attend the Kids Heart Challenge kickoff assembly during their Resource Time. The homeroom with the highest percentage of students registered for the Heart Challenge will win a basket of recess equipment and if 50% of our school registers, the PE Department will receive an extra $500 for PE equipment. Students will have the opportunity to earn prizes and incentives over the course of the challenge. We have a $5,000 fundraising goal.

  • This event is supported by Central Office and one of our most important goals is to teach all families and students how to perform, "Hands Only CPR." You can sign up, complete Finn's Mission, and learn hands-only CPR by registering at this link: https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/ym_school_search.html If you complete those steps, you will be entered to win 2 NFL tickets with all expenses paid for 2026. Be on the lookout for flyers coming home.

🌟The POCA Stride Club

  • The Pocahontas Elementary Wellness Goal is to increase opportunities for student movement both during and outside of the school day. During the day, teachers offer movement breaks in a variety of ways including during transitions and connected to learning content and skills.

  • The POCA Stride Club is a great way for students to add movement to their day outside of the school day. The run club meets before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 4th - May 1st. Be on the lookout for information coming home with students and here is a link to the permission slip with detailed information. Permission slips are due by February 28th for students to be able to participate. 

🌟Future Chefs Challenge

  • Calling all future chefs! The Sodexo Future Chefs Culinary Competition is looking to see if two more finalists can join the competition to represent Pocahontas. This competition is a fun opportunity to learn new cooking skills, develop creative recipe ideas, and maybe even inspire a future career or passion for the culinary arts.

  • If your child is interested, you can use this link to submit a recipe for the theme: "Complete the plate with your favorite main dish." Creative ideas, twists on classics, trending dishes or something completely new--a main dish is what we are looking for! The deadline for applications is tomorrow, February 3rd. Winners that will represent Pocahontas in the district competition will be announced later on this week! 

🌟Reading Month is on the horizon! 

  • Save the date for our Family Night event on Thursday, March 13 at 6:30! 

  • Join us to see music and dance performances by staff members as well as songs by our second graders! After the program, families will be released to explore activities around the building including the annual wax museum hosted by third grade. There will be crafts, snacks, games and more!  This is one event you don't want to miss!

🌟Fall photo Info

  • Parents, you still have time to view and purchase your Fall photos. These make great gifts for the holidays! Just click on the link below and follow the simple instructions using your child's full name and student ID#. Photo Link: https://my.photoday.com/s/LTBW/116676

🌟POCA Coat Closet

  • Please make sure your child has a coat and cold weather gear to be outside for recess. For recess guidelines, we use this weather guidelines chart.  The yellow caution areas mean to limit outdoor play to 15 minutes. You can also refer to the "feels like" temperature online or on your weather app. Here are the general guidelines. We are outside for the full 30 minutes of recess for 32 and above. Below 32 is limited to 15 minutes. In the rare case that the temps are 15 or below, we would stay inside. 

  • Pocahontas counselors are collecting and distributing coats to kids who need one. If you would like for your child to receive a coat, please use the link to submit your child's name. POCA Coat Closet Request

🌟Yearbooks are on sale from now through 3/26/25!

🌟FROM THE PTO -

  • Attention 5th Grade parents!!

    • Attention 5th Grade parents!! Yearbook Shout Out forms should have made it home with your student. Please complete and return forms to the front office by Friday, February 28th. All proceeds from the Shout Outs will be used to fund the 5th Grade celebration at the end of the year.

  • Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince

    • The Pocahontas Elementary School PTO cordially invites you to attend our Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince dance. This event is for our Pocahontas ladies and their Fathers/Father Figures (grandfather, stepfather, uncle, brother, etc.)/Important Person (must be 18 or older). The cost is $5.00 per person. Each ticket includes a voucher for water, popcorn and a snack for each guest. Payment is due by Friday, February 21, 2025. Please make checks payable to the Pocahontas Elementary School PTO.

    • Return this form and payment to your child’s teacher as soon as possible. Questions? Please email pocaespto@gmail.com.

    • Stay tuned for information about our spring event for our boy students.

🌟Helpful Links for Parents