Barbara Adcock, PCPS STEM coach, has been selected as a recipient of the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) Grant from the Office of Environmental Education within the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The MWEE Grant, in the amount of $7,480, has been awarded to support our efforts to purchase Enviroscapes for each of our elementary schools for our students in fourth grade while conducting their MWEE. Mrs. Adcock was recognized by the Powhatan County School Board on Nov. 14. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
During its Nov. 14 meeting, the Powhatan County School Board recognized Betty McCracken for 17 years of exceptional service in the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District and for her invaluable contributions to PCPS. They commended her unwavering dedication to environmental education, conservation, and advocacy, which have enriched the lives of countless students and community members. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The Powhatan County School Board had a full night of recognitions at its regular Nov. 14 meeting. To start, congratulations to our Powhatan Education Foundation winners!
Each year, the Powhatan Education Foundation (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 21 grant requests. Six grants were fully or partially funded for a total investment of $16,146.28.
* Droning Across the Curriculum: ($3,000) Amanda Henley, Jordan Nutt, and Cara Alexander -Grant money will be used at Powhatan Elementary to purchase drones to give students a hands-on learning approach to concepts students struggle with for example, computational learning.
* From Seed to Fruit: ($2,544) Barbara Adcock - A grow tent indoors at Pocahontas Elementary will allow students to not only see the complete cycle of a variety of vegetables, but also allow them to experiment with different types of soils, lighting, and methods of pollination.
* Let’s Explore CoDrone EDU: Drones Made for Learning: ($2,999.99) Katy Osborne, Kelly Terry, and Kristen Bentzen - CoDrone EDU is the latest in coding drones made specifically for classroom learning featuring the safety, flexibility, and durability needed for student learning and classroom usage.
* Upgraded 3D Printer for the Engineering Classroom: ($2,106.90) Marcellus Beasley, Cody Seibel, and Elaina Buczkowski - Grant will upgrade 3D printer for engineering classroom at Powhatan High School and allow for transfer of existing 3D printer to the library.
* Clay in the Classroom: Shaping a New Future for High School Anatomy Education: ($2,891.69) Cheri Ashman - ANATOMY IN CLAY® is an innovative educational approach that reimagines how human anatomy is taught by using tactile clay models, allowing students to grasp the subject matter in a way that flat, 2D diagrams simply can't achieve. The system is expensive, so Ms. Ashman proposes to pool resources from the PEF and her Curtis funds to provide enough materials to thoroughly pilot the program.
* High School library iPads for classroom collaboration: ($2,603.70) Loren Jacobs and Paul Smartschan - Powhatan High School Library will purchase iPads for collaboration.
Powhatan County Public Schools is hiring homebound instructors and substitute teachers. Be the guiding star in our students' education journey. Join us now! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Andrea Wassmer, GRASP Advisor for Powhatan High School, recently talked to economics students in Mr. Bell and Mrs. Detrick’s classes about FAFSA. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free, and it gives families access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for college or trade school. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan County Public Schools wishes to say thank you to all of those men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and a special thank you to all of our employees who served. We honor your sacrifice. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
After a resounding 5-0 quarterfinals victory on Tuesday, the Powhatan High School Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team will compete in the Class 4 State Semi Finals at noon tomorrow. The game is at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. Let’s send the team lots of love and support to speed them on their way. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Real Money. Real World. is a financial program that introduces a dose of real life to money management for our eighth graders. Virginia Cooperative Extension is seeking adults to assist students at each of the booths where they will "purchase" homes, vehicles, groceries and many other monthly needs. If you enjoy working with young people, please consider signing up to help us with this upcoming program at Powhatan Middle School on Monday, Nov 13. Register to volunteer at this link: https://forms.gle/cbkSr2YcpuDNUzHb8
Local Veterans are cordially invited to attend an amazing music performance celebrating their service at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10 at Powhatan Elementary School.
It's film festival time! Mrs. Peyton’s Introduction to Film class at Powhatan High School recently held its own Stop Motion Film Festival and Awards Ceremony, where a panel of judges was asked to award honors in several categories to four different films made by students in the class. The students in the new elective class spent two weeks planning and creating the short films using stop motion technology, and then Mrs. Peyton held the film festival to debut them. The four films were posted individually last night. Here are the winners of the awards ceremony. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #elevateeducatorsva
And the winners are:
Best Animation: The Four Seasons
Best Character: Adventures of Iggy
Best Soundtrack: The Bookshelf
Best Camera Shots: The Bookshelf
Best Sound Effects: The Train
Most Creative: The Four Seasons
Best Background: The Train
Best Actor: The Bookshelf
Best Director: Adventures of Iggy
Best Picture: The Four Seasons
Best Comedy: The Train
Best Plot Twist (category added by the judges): Adventures of Iggy
During the week of Nov. 6-10, 2023, schools throughout the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive. This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning. Powhatan County Public Schools wants to honor our three school psychologists: Dianne White (PMS, PES); Kirsten Lightner (PocES/PHS); Katie Barnard (FRES/PHS). #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Mrs. Hazelwood’s Cosmetology 1 students at Powhatan High School have to learn the skeletal system because an understanding of it will help them to protect their own bodies by using proper body mechanics when they work. It can also help determine placement of makeup during application and influence haircutting and hair styling options according to their clients’ facial bone structure. But to make labeling the different parts of the skull a little more fun, they added color and made these beautiful creations. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #elevateeducatorsva
The PHS Helpers recently served baked goods, snacks, and cider to a very enthusiastic group of staff and teachers. The group of over 300 parents was formed to support and encourage teachers and staff at PHS. The group has done lunches, snack carts, and special treats. PCPS appreciates all of our parent volunteers who take the time to be in our schools to help and show love and support to our students and staff! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Across the division, students and staff were asked to wear orange on Oct. 18 for Unity Day, a day that aims to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. A banner at the high school made by students promoted the event, and students were asked to sign the Kindness Acceptance and Inclusion Pledge during lunch. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The Emerging Leaders group at Powhatan High School recently conceived of and presented to district and school leaders a thoughtful way they want to have an impact at their school. The group is creating the Indian Inventory, which will be a supply closet that can provide PHS students with essential needs necessary for meeting academic success. The students researched the project to see how and why it should operate; interviewed key stakeholders to find out the greatest needs among their peers; problem solved to plan for potential issues; strategized how to fundraise and work with local businesses, community groups, and local leaders to build relationships aimed at keeping the closet stocked; created plans to promote the closet; designed a way for students in need to access supplies discretely; and began to make plans about how to make the closet sustainable. Excellent job all around by Mrs. Wilson’s students. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Central Office staff members and school board members were invited to donate items to make up the Thanksgiving Complete Meal bags given out by the Powhatan Food Pantry for Thanksgiving. The food pantry is still accepting donations through Nov. 30. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
We need to catch up on a recognition we missed. Mr. Payne’s Electricity 2 student, Bradley Wade, placed fifth out of 25 at the SkillsUSA State Fair Electricity Competition held Sept. 26. We are extremely proud of Bradley and other students who competed for their strong showing at the State Fair and their representation of the division’s Career and Workforce Development programs. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Over the next few months, Powhatan County Public Schools will be spotlighting the awesome employees who joined our staff this year. Please join us in welcoming them to the PCPS family. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Speaking of dogs... All About Dogs 4-H SPIN Club has been rescheduled!
It will take place on Wednesdays, Nov 1, 8, and 14, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Powhatan Landmark Center in Parks & Rec’s training room. If you are thinking about getting a pet, especially with the holidays coming up, or already have one and want your little ones to learn about the responsibility involved, this class is for you. You may register your child for this session at the following link: https://forms.gle/PxQtiYGfN7CGYSg67, or scan the QR code in the ad. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Extension Office with questions, (804) 598-5640.
Powhatan County Public Schools welcomes Ron Henley to the team as the New Director of Transportation. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
