Quick Updates

• 25-26 Parental Opt Out Booklet

• 2025-2026 Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Cardinal Care Coverage - Back to School!

• Solving Problems Together: Who to Contact?

• Updated PCPS Cell Phone Policy

• Welcome Back Newsletter from Resource Teachers

• Helpful Emails & Links for Parents

  • For any transportation changes, email pocespass@powhatan.k12.va.us and your child’s teacher.

  • To report absences, email pocesattendance@powhatan.k12.va.us and your child’s teacher.

  • Parent Volunteer Sign Up Link to assist teachers with prep and special projects

  • Parent Lunch Sign Up to come eat with your child. Please review the detailed information at the top of the sign up link. 

  • Parent Guide

  • Breakfast & Lunch Menus

  • MySchoolBucks for lunch accounts

  • SchoolCashOnline for field trip and other payment

Spring Break is from March 30th - April 6. The school calendar has changed a few times. Please note that students return from Spring Break on Tuesday, April 7th. 

Reading Month Highlights

• It is the last week of an exciting reading month! I hope families have enjoyed reading The Heartwood Hotel: A True Home! You can find a calendar with the festivities and reading schedule here. Wednesday is Wear Camouflage for Word Wednesday.

• This Thursday is our big event, Family Reading Night! Here are a few highlights for the exciting evening.

  • Families are invited for dinner in the cafeteria at 5:45. We will be serving hot dogs and chips. 

  • A short performance will start in the gym at 6:30. 

  • Following the performance, areas open for evening activities. We ask families to start at one of their children’s grade levels to space out around the building. Activities include a scavenger hunt, wall climbing, finch robots, making pinecone bird feeders, an obstacle course, and more! You won’t want to miss a visit with Smoky the Bear and a visit to Zoo-POC-iA, our 3rd grade living wax animal museum. 

• A huge thank you in advance to Mrs. Crump for her organization of the night and all of the staff for the activities and the work they have put into the evening.

Family Life Education Notice for Fifth Grade Parents

• March 16th - 23rd, your fifth grade child will have the opportunity to participate in a health activity about, “The Changes of Adolescence.” The unit will be during your child’s Health and Physical Education class. The students will explore the physical, emotional, and social changes of adolescence by viewing a video of physical development and participating in classroom instruction and discussion.

• The classes will be taught by the Health/Physical Education staff. Boys and girls will be in separate classes for the lesson. 

• Parents may preview the materials on our PCPS website: PCPS Website -> Menu -> Departments -> Instruction -> Family Life Education or https://www.powhatan.k12.va.us/page/family-life-education

• An opt out letter will be coming home with students and is due back on March 11th.

Yearbooks Available Now!

• Purchase your yearbook today! Yearbooks are on sale through March 27th. The yearbooks are hard cover this year and the cost is $32. Yearbooks can be ordered through SchoolCashOnline or by sending in cash or check. 

Upcoming Events

• Kindergarten Registration is open! To register for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, your child must be age 5 by September 30, 2026. Complete the online registration and keep an eye on your inbox! You will receive an email you to schedule a formal appointment during our Kindergarten Registration Days on April 9th or April 10th. 

• 4th Grade Recorder Concert!  Date Change due to snow!   

  Fourth Grade students will perform for parents and families on

  April 7th at 6:00 PM in the POCA Gymnasium. (This date was changed from the original March 3rd date.)

  Please arrive by 5:45 PM with students dressed in their RED grade level shirts, and of course, don't forget your recorder!

Powhatan Strong Family Connection Series

• The PCPS Student Services Department is partnering with Goochland Powhatan Community Services to host an in-person course on Suicide Prevention along with information on how to promote safe care of lethal means, including firearms and medications. The course will teach you to recognize common causes of suicidal behavior and warning signs of suicide, as well as how to get help for someone in crisis. You will learn how to appropriately Question, Persuade, and Refer someone who may be suicidal. There will be information shared regarding medication lock boxes/pouches, and locking devices for guns, and they will also be available for free to take home and put to use. Click the flyer to register and to receive more information! Flyer for Suicide Prevention

• Please join the PCPS Student Services Department for our April Coffee Chat on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 5-6 PM. This month, Erin Woodson, PCPS Health and PE Lead, will host our session on Student Nutrition.

• To log in, scan the QR Code link below or visit bit.ly/PowhatanStrong25-26. If you are unable to make the Coffee Chat, please submit your questions via the Coffee Chat Google Form. We look forward to seeing you on the 16th!

Announcements and Additional Information

• Lost and Found: Please remind your child to check lost and found for missing jackets, coats, sweaters, hoodies, shirts, and water bottles. Items will be removed and donated on Friday, March 27.

• POCA Stride Morning Run Club is starting up again on February 19th. Here is a link to the permission slip that will be coming home with students this week. 

• Girls on the Run Registration is Open for 3rd through 5th grade girls. It is a fun, evidence-based program that inspires participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others. Here is a link to the flyer with more information: GOTR flyer

• The Spring Tab contest is on! Can POCA continue to keep the trophy? The contest runs through the end of April. All donations benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond. Tab Contest Flyer

• Helping Hands Awards. Do you know a Powhatan County Public Schools employee who is Inspiring, Empowering, or Innovating? We want to hear from you. Tell us about any staff member who is making a difference in the lives of our children by inspiring, empowering or innovating. CLICK HERE to nominate someone! We welcome suggestions from students, families, co-workers or community members.

• Calling All Substitute Teachers! - Join our dynamic team of substitute teachers and help shape the future of Pocahontas Elementary School. Enjoy a flexible schedule, weekly pay, and free training. Visit www.ESS.com to join our team today!

• School Messenger: If you do not currently receive text messages from the school messenger program and you would like to OPT IN to receive TEXT messages. Text the words OPT IN to 67587.

• Parent Pick-Up/Drop-Off Reminders: A reminder for all of our parents who pick up or drop off your student, please remember to pull forward as far as possible to the cone/person standing at the front of the drop off line and do not pass vehicles in the drop off area for any reason. Make sure you are following the directions of the adults in the drop off area for the safety of all of our students and staff.