Quick Updates

Student Dismissal Procedure Reminder - If your child is sick, they must be checked out by our school nurse, Mrs. Jefferson, before being released home. They are not permitted to leave school property without being signed out first.
Teacher Appreciation Week Volunteer Opportunity - Our incredible PHS Parent Helpers have been working hard, planning to celebrate our teachers and staff for Teacher Appreciation Week next week. Our Parent Helper Leaders have requested additional assistance for Staff Lunch on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, including volunteers to serve and provide items. If you would like to volunteer food or your time, you can sign up at the Sign Up Genius Link.
2025 Summer School Offerings
2025-2026 Division Calendar
2025-2026 Secondary Course Guide
- Click here to view the PDF version of the 25-26 Secondary Course Guide.
Stronger Together - PCPS Communications Flowchart!
Top 10 Actions To Ensure Student Success
Senior Portrait Information
2024 - 2025 Football Expectations
2024-2025 Parental Opt Out Forms

2025-2026 Start Time Changes and School Calendar

2025-2026 Division Calendar
9th grade Orientation will occur on the first day of school, August 18th, 2025.
10th-12th grade students will report for their first day of school on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.
Class of 2026 Graduation will be held on Thursday, May 21st, 2026 at Powhatan High School
High School Schedule:
- Drop off: 7:25 am
- Start Time: 7:40 am
- Dismissal: 2:30 pm

Powhatan Education Foundation Opportunity

The Powhatan Education Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the learning experience in PCPS. They fund Classroom Innovation Grants to encourage teachers to collaborate and innovate beyond the standard curriculum and award scholarships to graduating seniors and monetary awards to Teachers of the Year. Additionally, the PEF works closely with the community by partnering with individuals and organizations to support the entire learning community in Powhatan County.
The Powhatan Education Foundation is looking for members of the community to serve on the board to specialize in strategic decision-making, community engagement, fundraising, and advocating for public education.
Expectations for board members include attending monthly meetings, committee participation in areas such as fundraising, events and grants, and attendance at foundation events.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving on the Powhatan Education Foundation Board, please email Aaron Boughner at aaron.boughner@powhatan.k12.va.us

Summer STEM Opportunity

Do You Have a Student Interested in Advanced Technologies and Virginia Commonwealth University?
Virginia high school and community college students interested in advanced technologies and attending VCU programs, registration is now open for the first activity from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Convergence Lab Initiative (CLI) Student Engagement Program. This certificate-bearing, professional seminar and learning experience will be held on the campus of VCU and is hosted by senior faculty members.
The session will be held in May 2025, and the deadline for applications has been extended to April 30, 2025.
There are currently less than 15 spots left. If you are interested in being considered, please reach out to Program Coordinator, Morgan Keener at vcu-cli@cteworkforce.com and explain in 200 words or less why you are an ideal candidate. To learn more about the Convergence Lab Initiative visit, https://www.idispla.org/cli/.

Financial Aid Help Desk and Webinar Series

uAspire has partnered with GEAR UP Virginia and Level Up Virginia to offer a free Financial Aid Help Desk. Students and their families can text financial aid questions to 434-478-4003 to get answers from a financial aid expert within 24 business hours.
Additionally, the following webinar series is designed to support students and families with financial aid information and guidance.
- Financial Aid for Current College Students Webinar
  - Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
  - Overview: Valuable insights will be shared on maintaining financial aid throughout college and staying on top of your financial responsibilities.
  - Register using the Current College Students’ Current College Students' Financial Aid Webinar registration form.
- Summer Steps for Financial Aid
  - Date: Monday, June 24, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
  - Overview: Important information will be shared on how to complete key financial aid steps, understand deadlines, and get ready for the fall semester.
- Register using the Summer Steps for Financial Aid Webinar registration form.

Class of 2025 Senior Updates

The Senior Trip to Washington, D.C. is on May 9th . Permission slips are located in the front office. The cost of the trip is $75. Payment and permission slips are due by April 28th . This is a firm deadline! Thank you to those who have already submitted their payment!
Seniors who painted a parking spot at the beginning of the school year are required to paint over their spot prior to graduation. Our “paint-over” day is now scheduled for May 15th . Seniors can paint between the hours of 9am and 2pm on that day. The senior lot will be free of cars so there will be plenty of space to work. Paint supplies will be provided. Seniors will not be permitted to enter the school building on this day so they should plan to leave the premises as soon as they are done painting. If it rains on Thursday, we will move to Friday, May 16th .
Graduation Details:
- Powhatan High School’s 102nd Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, at 7 PM in Woodson Stadium at Powhatan High School. Doors will open for guests at 6 PM. Seniors should arrive at Flat Rock Elementary School between 5 and 5:10 PM. Buses will leave Flat Rock by 5:35 PM, and seniors will arrive at PHS by 5:45 PM.
- If you have any further questions regarding graduation, please contact senior sponsors, Cheri Ashman at cheri.ashman@powhatan.k12.va.us or Sarah McQuiddy at sarah.mcquiddy@powhatan.k12.va.us .

School Counseling Updates

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - May 8, 2025, has been selected as the date for Virginia to recognize Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (CMHAD). Mental health is essential for overall well-being at every stage of life. Regardless of age, background, or experience, prioritizing mental health strengthens individuals, families, and communities. This is a great time to think about who makes your life meaningful, who inspires you, and who sparks joy in your life. Find out more about taking care of your mind and body: mhsa.gov/find-
support/how-to-cope.
- WEAR GREEN on THURSDAY to promote Mental Health Awareness.
Finish Strong
- The end of the semester is FAST approaching! Please regularly check your student's grades on PowerSchool and remind them to reach out for help when needed. It is very important that students turn in their assignments and monitor their Y1 grade, as this will determine if they pass the class and get the credit. As a reminder, here is our promotion policy:
  - 10th grade - A student must have earned a minimum of 5 credits and must be enrolled in English 10.
  - 11th grade - A student must have earned a minimum of 10 credits and must be enrolled in English 11.
  - 12th grade - A student must have earned 15 credits and must be enrolled in English 12. During the senior year, the student’s current schedule must include all courses and credits required for graduation.
  - Be sure to check out the summer school application in this Messenger or on the PHS website if any courses need to be recovered to keep on track for graduation.

Literacy Resources for Families

Powhatan County Public Schools encourages families to explore the valuable literacy resources available through the Virginia Department of Education. These tools are designed to support student learning and success both in the classroom and at home.
Be sure to visit the "Family Supports for Reading" section in the VDOE Resource Hub, which includes helpful strategies, tips, and fun activities to strengthen reading skills and inspire a love of reading at home.
By working together, we can give every student the tools they need to grow as confident, capable readers.

Testing

Final Exams
- Final exams for PHS seniors will occur from Monday, May 12th to Wednesday, May 14th, 2025. Teachers will notify students in class on Tuesday, May 6th, and Wednesday, May 7th, if they will need to take a final exam for their respective classes. Teachers will then notify senior students taking final exams of their exam testing locations on Thursday, May 8th, and Friday, May 9th, during their classes. All seniors, whether exempt from an exam or not, must attend school Monday, May 12th through Wednesday, May 14th.
- The senior exam schedule will be as follows:
  - Monday, May 12th, 2025: 1st, 5th, and 7th blocks
  - Tuesday, May 13th, 2025: 2nd, 4th, and 6th blocks
  - Wednesday, May 14th, 2025: 3rd block and Makeups for any other blocks
- Additional information regarding Senior Final Exams, including exemption criteria, can be found in the Senior Exam FAQ.
- Underclassmen Final Exams (May 27th- 30th) - Please note : Students who have already earned a verified credit (passed the SOL and earned a D or better in the course) in a specific subject area will follow non-SOL course exemption criteria for their current course. For example, Skylar is in Chemistry for the 2024-2025 school year and earned a verified credit in Biology last year. Skylar must have 5 or less absences and a B or better in Chemistry to be exempt from her final exam.
  - 9th-11th Grade Final Exam FAQ

Powhatan County Housing Needs Survey

Your voice matters! PCPS encourages our staff and families to take the Powhatan County Housing Needs Survey to help guide important decisions for our community—and our schools.
This anonymous survey, led by a local steering committee, will help guide important decisions about housing in Powhatan. As a school division, we know how housing affects PCPS students and families. Your feedback will also help ensure our schools are prepared for the community’s needs.
https://questionpro.com/t/AREnnZ5g6a.

Powhatan High School