Reminder ahead of the eclipse on Monday, April 8:
On April 8, there will be a solar eclipse! On April 8, 2024, parts of North America will be treated to a total solar eclipse! Although Powhatan won't be in the path of totality, we'll still get to enjoy around 86% coverage. PCPS will be celebrating the day with age-appropriate activities to help students understand the phenomenon. Rest assured, safety is our top priority, and we'll be providing proper eye protection and guidance on safe viewing practices for everyone involved. Peak coverage will be at 3:19 p.m. We ask for your patience as elementary school buses may be running slightly behind schedule. Secondary students will receive glasses they can bring home to safely view the eclipse. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when viewing the eclipse. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan High School club Morgan’s Message recently invited @uvafootball Head Coach Tony Elliott to speak to students about the importance of mental health and athletics and his personal experience with mental health. @morgansmessage_phs is a nonprofit that amplifies stories, resources, and expertise to confront student-athlete mental health issues. Peyton Wirt, the PHS club president, said she was excited for students to hear Coach Elliott, who spoke about the power of positive thinking and the importance of understanding the difference between their role and their identity. Coach Elliott pointed out how many people let themselves be defined by external factors, including what people say about them on social media or the challenges they face and must overcome. “My identity is my thoughts, my character, who I really am,” he said. #wearepcps #teampowhatan @phsindians.athletics
Do you have a passion for reading? Are you looking for a way to ignite children's love for books? Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer your talents? Powhatan Education Foundation would love to meet you! The PEF mission is to enhance the learning experience for Powhatan County Public Schools’ learning community. To that end, the group participates in fundraising that provides innovation grants, student enrichment activities, and post-secondary scholarships. The group is looking for a talented, passionate community member to join them with an eye toward PEF’s collaborative efforts with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Good afternoon PCPS community. We are back again with another installment of the Powhatan County School Board Recap. As always, the goal of this newsletter is to help people who don't have the time to come to or watch full school board meetings still stay abreast of what is going on in our school division. The newsletter link is in the first comment. We wish you a safe and happy Spring Break. See you on April 8.
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 fully or partially funded six grants for a total investment of $16,146.28, and we are taking time over several weeks to highlight how those projects are going. Next up is a grant that purchased iPads for the PHS Library to use for classroom collaborations. The iPads have been used with projects such as students making original short films, creating stop motion shorts, and more. In Ms. Spotts’ drivers education class, (shown here) the students made videos about safety features that were assigned to them. They had to research the safety features, write a script for a news report or documentary, and film them. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
During a recent lab in Ms. Vallent’s AP Biology class at Powhatan High School, the students conducted a Bacterial Transformation Lab. The class grew E Coli Bacteria and introduced plasmid DNA into the bacteria. The plasmid carries a gene for producing a glowing protein (derived from a glowing jellyfish). As you can see from the pictures, the class had success getting the bacteria to transform and glow! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
On April 8, there will be a solar eclipse! On April 8, 2024, parts of North America will be treated to a total solar eclipse! Although Powhatan won't be in the path of totality, we'll still get to enjoy around 86% coverage. PCPS will be celebrating the day with age-appropriate activities to help students understand the phenomenon. Rest assured, safety is our top priority, and we'll be providing proper eye protection and guidance on safe viewing practices for everyone involved. Peak coverage will be at 3:19 p.m. We ask for your patiences as buses may be running slightly behind schedule. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
One day of musical celebration down and two more to go! You still have two days to come and enjoy some amazing chorus groups in the Powhatan Diamond Classic, a musical competition at Powhatan High School featuring almost 50 groups from around the state. The competition continues today with Day 2 featuring 16 Treble Show Choirs. Come back again on Saturday for Day 3 featuring 17 Mixed Show Choirs. The Powhatan choirs will also perform their competition shows this year. Come cheer on these multi-award-winning choirs!! Get your tickets at the door: $15/Friday | $20/Saturday | $30/3-Day VIP Pass. Click on the link in the first comment to access this year's digital program, which includes daily performance schedules, cafe and coffee bar menus, and so much more! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan High School’s FFA and Horticulture program are back with their annual Spring Plant Sale. Come out and support our students by purchasing the plants they have grown from April 15-20 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.in the PHS Greenhouse. Take Judes Ferry Road to Old Church Road. Turn by the tennis courts and follow the road to the greenhouse behind the school. Plants for sale include: tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, marigolds, coleus, geraniums, petunias, impatiens, thunbergia, pentas, verbena, sweet potato vine, and assorted herbs. Payment is by cash or check only. Contact emilee.meinhard@powhatan.k12.va.us with any questions. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
We are going to take a minute to feast our eyes on the amazing Powhatan High School Culinary program run by Mr. Robertson. As you can see by these photos, this program offers students a wide variety of opportunities to learn and practice new skills. In addition to their creations in their regular classroom time, (in the class photos here, students in Culinary 3 made classic risotto, chicken parmesan, tiramisu, meatballs, and a gorgeous charcuterie board all in one class!) students have opportunities to shine through programs like Bailey’s Café and catering events (they were the dinner part of the PHS Choral groups’ Dinner and a Show). Regardless of whether the students choose to pursue a career in the culinary arts, they are learning how to prepare food safely and efficiently and honing skills such as customer service, time management, attention to detail, and more. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #elevateeducatorsva
Based on current information, PCPS is anticipating a large turnout at tonight’s School Board meeting at Powhatan High School. We want to provide a safe environment for anyone attending the meeting in person. The capacity in the auditorium is 950 people. Capacity in our remote broadcasting overflow space in the cafeteria is 250 people. If the two meeting spaces reach capacity, the front doors of the high school will be closed for new attendees. For those who cannot attend in person or would prefer to watch from home, the meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZZdGcV2JfM.
Once visitors enter the school, please move directly to one of the two meeting spaces and have a seat. Should you wish to speak, the sign-up for the public comment period will be located in the hallway outside of the auditorium doors. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. with approximately 15 minutes of board business before the public comment period begins. The school board chair will provide instructions for those participating in public comment.
Reminder
PCPS School Board Meeting
Start Time: 6:00 PM on Monday, March 18, 2024
Location: Powhatan High School
Parking: Front Parking Lot
Building Access: Enter the front doors beginning at 5:30 PM
Business Meeting: Approximately 15 minutes followed by public comment period
We are back again with another installment of the Powhatan County School Board Recap. As always, the goal of this newsletter is to help people who don't have the time to come to or watch full school board meetings still stay abreast of what is going on in our school division. The newsletter link is in the first comment.
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 fully or partially funded six grants for a total investment of $16,146.28, and we are going to take time over the next few weeks to highlight how those projects are going. Next up is “From Seed to Fruit,” awarded to Barbara Adcock. The grant money paid for an indoor grow tent and materials so students at Pocahontas Elementary and Flat Rock Elementary could see the complete growth cycle of a variety of vegetables. They will also experiment with different types of soils, lighting, and methods of pollination. In these photos, Mrs. Adcock introduces the grow tent to Pocahontas second graders in Mrs. Reese’s class, who planted mini cucumber, mini tomato, and cucamelon seeds. We give these experiments two green thumbs up! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PHS teacher Penny Robertson receives regional leadership award
POWHATAN, VA – Powhatan High School English teacher Penny Robertson was recently honored with a leadership award at a ceremony recognizing educators from across the region who received or renewed National Board Certification (NBCT).
Robertson, who has worked for PCPS since 1999, was surprised to be named the third annual recipient of the Terry Dozier Teacher Leadership Award at the Feb. 28 NBCT pinning ceremony, hosted by the Metropolitan Educational Training Alliance VCU School of Education. The award, which was created to recognize an educator who exemplifies teacher leadership and the characteristics of the NBCT process, was presented by Dozier, who was the former Director for the Center of Teacher Leadership at VCU.
At the same ceremony, Powhatan High School Fine Arts teacher Stephanie Wirt and Flat Rock Elementary Library Media Specialist Kelly Terry received their NBCT pins as the culmination of two years of hard work. Wirt received certification in Art: Early Adolescence through Young Childhood, and Terry received certification in Library Media: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood. Both credited Robertson with being integral to helping them through the rigorous process.
Over the course of her career, Robertson has attended many professional development seminars and workshops and earned a Master's Degree in 2003. While all of those experiences were valuable to her and her craft, she said none of them came close to what she gained by completing the NBCT process from 2019 to 2021.
A National Board Certificate attests that a teacher has met the highest standards established for the profession. Teachers complete a four-component process that includes three classroom-based portfolio entries and one assessment center exercise. The process taught her not only about instruction and the impact it can have, but made her analyze how and why she implements instruction the way she does.
“I know there are other teachers like me, regardless of the season of their career, and I encourage colleagues to consider NBCT,” said Robertson, who was PHS Teacher of the Year in 2004. “I pursued becoming an NBCT late in my career, and it helped to renew my spirit in the profession that I love so much. To be a teacher is to be a lifelong learner, especially regarding the teaching profession.”
Inspired by her own experience, Robertson added to an already heavy workload, which includes being the high school’s English department chair and gifted resource teacher, by deciding to help other teachers complete the NBCT process. Last spring, when the division decided to form its own cohort for NBCT, Dr. Samantha Martin, Coordinator of Innovative Learning and Professional Development, invited Robertson to co-coordinate the program. Together the pair coordinates work sessions and meetings, coaches, and backreads for the current NBCT candidates.
“The writing for the NBCT portfolios is intense in that all questions must be fully answered with sufficient evidence in a clear, concise, and convincing way. Dr. Martin and I, along with other Powhatan NBCT coaches, direct new candidates through the process,” she said.
Being honored for that work with the Terry Dozier Teacher Leadership was even more special because the award’s namesake announced it, Robertson said. She went through the NBCT process as part of the VCU cohort when Dozier was still the Director of the Center of Teacher Leadership at VCU.
“She was there every session with us as the director and one of the facilitators. I gained so much respect for her knowledge of the NBCT process and her passion for the teaching profession during that time. So, back in 2019 when I started the NBCT process, I was already saying, ‘I want to be like her’ in regard to Dr. Dozier. I truly admire her,” Robertson said.
In announcing the leadership award, Dozier commended Robertson for being committed to her students, colleagues, and school division in the various roles she has assumed, especially co-coordinating the first internal NBCT cohort in Powhatan County.
“The goal for the initial cohort was five candidates, and this professional learning community has now doubled in size. And the increase in interest and the strong start for this professional learning community is directly related to (Robertson’s) relationships with and leadership among colleagues,” Dozier said during the ceremony. “The growth of National Board Certification in the district would not be possible without this lifelong teacher leader.”
A larger-than-expected number of community members attended the Powhatan County School Board meeting last night, Tuesday, March 12, ready to share their views with the Board members. The meeting was adjourned early at the direction of the fire marshal. The rescheduled meeting will be held on Monday, March 18th at 6:00 p.m. It will be held in the Powhatan High School auditorium to accommodate the turnout. Members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting.
The auditorium can accommodate 950 seated participants. Spillover seating will be available in the cafeteria/commons area, if needed. A live feed will be provided for viewers seated in this area.
According to School Board policies KD and BDDH, Powhatan residents or PCPS employees wishing to provide public comment to the School Board must sign up upon arrival. Individuals are allotted 3 minutes to speak. Those representing a pre-approved group are allotted 5 minutes; however, groups must be registered with the School Board clerk prior to the day of the meeting. Groups wishing to be registered should contact the clerk at sheila.eggleston@powhatan.k12.va.us.
For more information, including the modified agenda, please visit https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/powhatan/Board.nsf/Public.
We missed posting this awesome activity, but we still want to share it. In February, the PHS School Based Job Skills Class students ran their own Valentine delivery business over two weeks. The students collected orders from staff members, organized and created the orders, collected the payments, and delivered the orders to the customers. The business was a success and all of their customers were pleased with the service. The class looks forward to offering more opportunities like this in the future. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor Ms. Detrick recently invited Jackie Wilkens, Powhatan County’s Economic Development Assistant, to give tips to a group of PHS students in the club about making a social media campaign for a competition at their leadership conference. FBLA competitive events recognize and reward excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. They also prepare students for successful careers in business by providing opportunities to apply classroom concepts in a workforce-simulated competitive environment and receive feedback from business professionals. Thank you to Ms. Wilkens for sharing her time and expertise. #wearepcps #teampowhatan @visitpowhatanva
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 fully or partially funded six grants for a total investment of $16,146.28, and we are going to take time over the next few weeks to highlight how those projects are going. First up is Cheri Ashman’s project, “Clay in the Classroom: Shaping a New Future for High School Anatomy Education.” ANATOMY IN CLAY® reimagines how Powhatan High School students learn human anatomy by using tactile clay models, allowing access to the subject matter in a way that flat, 2D diagrams simply can't achieve. Ms. Ashman pooled resources from the PEF grant and her Curtis funds to provide enough materials to thoroughly pilot the program. The materials were also a big hit at the recent PCPS STEM Expo, where they were used to introduce children to the human anatomy. #wearepcps #teampowhatan @anatomyinclay
In November 2023, the PCPS School Health Advisory Committee sponsored a panel discussion called “Unmasking the Hidden Threats of Vaping.” The school division continues to hear from parents asking about vaping, so we thought it would be good to reshare the Youtube link to the recording of that panel discussion again as an additional source of information. The link is in the first comment.
