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. Just click on the link in the first comment to tell us about a Powhatan Schools staff member who deserves to be recognized. We welcome suggestions from students, families, co-workers or community members. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS wins statewide award for history curriculum
POWHATAN, VA – Powhatan County Public Schools’ (PCPS) efforts to develop a dynamic, in-house geography and local history curriculum for fifth graders were recently recognized with a 2024 Achievement Award from the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo).
PCPS was among 45 recipients across Virginia to receive this prestigious honor, which highlights excellence in local government programs. The award-winning curriculum, developed during the 2023-2024 school year, emphasizes local history to ignite community pride, honor our heritage, celebrate our future, and inspire future generations.
The VACo Achievement Awards are highly competitive, showcasing innovative solutions to challenges faced by counties. The winning entries announced on Thursday, August 29 addressed issues ranging from housing and recreation to communication strategies and beyond.
“Thank you to all who participated in the 22nd year of the Achievement Awards,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “Last year we received 135 submissions, which was then our highest total ever. This year 145 entries were submitted. The program continues to grow because our member counties continue to do innovative work and find solutions to problems. The VACo Achievement Awards is a celebration of the hard work, good decision-making, and problem-solving skills of county staffs and leadership.”
The new curriculum was developed after the division moved the Virginia Studies course down a grade level, reducing the testing burden on fifth-grade teachers and students. This shift left a gap in the fifth-grade instructional program, which PCPS addressed by creating a comprehensive geography course aligned with Virginia Department of Education standards, including a mandatory unit on local history.
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.
Superintendent Beth Teigen praised their efforts, stating, “I am so proud of the work Toni Kilpatrick and Carol Simopoulos spearheaded to create a unit of study focused on the geography and history of Powhatan County for all fifth graders. The noticeable boost in students' understanding and enthusiasm for local history speaks volumes about the quality and effectiveness of the program these educators have developed."
Dr. Teigen also highlighted the collaboration 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.
PCPS will honor the innovative work behind this award-winning curriculum at an upcoming School Board meeting.
CAPTION FOR PHOTOS:
Students in Mrs. Hannaford’s fifth-grade class at Flat Rock Elementary School work in teams to create imaginative maps that have a title, three regions, three geographic features, examples of absolute and relative locations, and one industry. The students are learning new vocabulary they will see throughout the year in the division’s new fifth-grade geography curriculum. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #elevateeducatorsva
Are you ready for some football? !? So are we, but before the season officially kicks off, we need to share important information as we prepare to host our Varsity Football Team and guests at James W. Woodson Stadium for our first home game against the Mechanicsville Mustangs on Friday, September 6th. Please take a moment to review our updated guidelines and procedures for attending this and other PHS events. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you on Friday night. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
When students miss school, they miss out on so many things! #SchoolEveryDay #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🎭 Ms. Firda's Theatre Arts class at Powhatan High School had a blast getting to know each other and testing their deduction skills with a fun game of charades! 🤫 The students were learning how to communicate without saying a word, all while gearing up for their pantomime unit. Who knew silence could be so expressive? 👐✨#wearepcps #teampowhatan
👯♀️ When great minds think alike… they twin! Two of our central office team members showed up Thursday rocking the same outfit. Who says working together doesn’t mean matching wardrobes too? #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Mrs. Newby is kicking off the new school year strong with her World History II students at Powhatan High School! In the first week they were diving right into a review of the empires and trade routes of the world around 1500. Here’s to a year full of exciting discoveries and historical adventures! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan County Public Schools will be closed on Friday, August 30 and Monday September 2 for Labor Day weekend. We wish all of our families a safe and happy long weekend.
Sorry, we couldn’t resist jumping on the trend. School buses are back on the roads in the morning and afternoon, and we want to make sure our students are safe on Powhatan’s gorgeous but sometimes windy roads.
So stop; it’s the law! Virginia motorists must:
• stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when approaching from any direction;
• remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus moves again; and
• stop whenever the bus is loading or unloading passengers, even if the lights and stop sign are not activated.
If a school bus is on the opposite side of a median or barrier, motorists aren’t required to stop; however, drivers should be prepared for students exiting the school bus and crossing into their lanes.
We know we are off to a great start to the new school year, but there are still some summer moments we want to appreciate. 🌟 First off, shoutout to our amazing teachers and staff who went above and beyond this summer! 🌞 While these photos capture just a few of the dedicated individuals who made summer school a success, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. ❤️ Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated! #wearepcps #teampowhatan #SummerSchoolHeroes #Grateful
We had a lovely surprise this morning at the Pocahontas Landmark Center when local resident Karla Curtis dropped off the roughly 500 copies of “The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World” that she and her husband, Bob, are gifting to teachers, counselors, and other staff members in our schools. Author Kathleen Corley was the keynote speaker at this summer’s admin training, Curriculum Close-up, and Mrs. Curtis said she hoped the book would help staff in their constant quest to create magical learning experiences for students. Experiences like this show why community engagement and building relationships are such an important part of the work we do at PCPS. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
In compliance with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 and Powhatan County Public Schools Student Rights and Responsibilities, Powhatan Public Schools will be a cell phone-free educational setting beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. To ensure that students have a focused and healthier learning environment, PCPS will implement and enforce the following procedures at all schools. Students who use their electronic devices on school property will be subject to disciplinary consequences, including confiscation of devices.
This summer, our PCPS administrators had a spellbinding experience at a professional development day with the amazing Dr. Kathleen Corley, author of “The Magical Place We Call School: Creating a Safe Space for Learning and Happiness in a Challenging World.” ✨ We were beyond excited to have her inspire our staff as they gear up to tackle the challenges and celebrate the magical moments ahead. Thanks to a generous donation from our wonderful local supporters, Bob and Karla Curtis—who’ve already worked their magic by gifting each teacher and counselor $1,000 to use in their classrooms—our staff members will also receive a copy of Dr. Corley’s enchanting book. As we set off on this year’s adventure, we’re ready to conjure up creativity, cast the light of knowledge, and enchant our students with the joy of learning. 📚 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS families, it’s time for Open Houses! 🎉 Starting today and running through Thursday, our schools are inviting you to bring your students to check out their classrooms, meet their teachers, and get comfy with their schools before the big first day. 🏫 Whether you’re new to the district or just want a sneak peek, this is the perfect chance to get ready for an awesome school year. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #backtoschoolVA
More than 60 Powhatan High School seniors kicked off their college journey at last week's College Boot Camp! 🎓 Held every August, this student-only event brought in college admissions counselors for a Q&A session where they shared tips on what to do (and what to avoid) when applying to college. This year, we had amazing reps from Liberty University, Old Dominion University, Richard Bland, Brightpoint, and Reynolds. After the Q&A, students got hands-on and set up their Parchment accounts to order transcripts, register for SATs, track NCAA eligibility, and find scholarships. 📚💻 #wearepcps #teampowhatan #CollegeBound @reynoldscommunitycollege @olddominionu @RichardBlandCollege @libertyuniversity @brightpointccva
The Chesterfield Health District is easing the burden on parents to get their children’s state-required immunizations by hosting immunization clinics for Powhatan County Public Schools 7th and 12th grade students at their respective Open House. State-required immunizations will be administered at Powhatan Middle and High schools. The clinic for 7th graders will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Powhatan Middle School, 4135 Old Buckingham Road. The clinic for 12th graders will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Powhatan High School, 1800 Judes Ferry Road.
What immunizations are provided?
● 7th grade:
○ Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
○ Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
○ Human papillomavirus (HPV)
● 12th grade:
○ Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
Additional Information
• Bring your child’s immunization record and insurance card, if applicable.
• There is no expense to receive immunization; insurance is billed for administration.
• When your child has received these immunizations, provide the records to your school nurse.
🚀📸 Here’s the third exciting batch of summer camp photos from Powhatan County Public Schools! Our campers had an absolute blast learning softball, volleyball, and baseball skills. They also ventured into the world of science by building rockets, operating drones, and exploring light and shadows. The smiles and excitement are contagious! Check out the highlights and see our future athletes and scientists in action! 🏐⚾✨
🎉 Welcome, new teachers! 🎉 Our New Teacher Academy was in full swing today, and we are thrilled to have so many bright and enthusiastic educators joining the Powhatan County Public Schools family! 🌟 These future rockstar teachers are ready to make a difference with our students, and we are so excited to see what they bring to the PCPS family. Let's give them a warm welcome as they embark on this exciting journey! 📚🍎 #wearepcps #teampowhatan #WelcomeNewTeachers #backtoschoolva
From whipping up delicious dishes to exploring the far reaches of the universe, the PCPS camps explored a mountain of knowledge and fun this summer. In this second batch of summer camp photos, you can see students mastering culinary skills in Cooking Camp; dribbling, shooting, and scoring in Basketball Camp; building and programming their own robots in Robotics Camp; and exploring the mysteries of the universe in Mad Scientists’ Club with Señor Miller. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Learn and play: Powhatan's summer camps deliver double the fun! Over several weeks, students had the opportunities to stretch their minds, their imaginations, and their physical abilities in the district’s summer camps. In this first batch, you can see students pushing their physical limits in the Youth Cross Country Camp; learning the basics of acting, improvisation, and physical and vocal technique in Fun with Theater Arts; embracing their inner elves as they tackle different structural engineering tasks using gingerbread; and entering the world of mad science and loco experiments in the Mad Scientists’ Club with Señor Miller. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
