🍦🎉 Students who have joined Pocahontas Elementary since October got a sweet surprise today—a new student ice cream party during lunchtime! Each new student got to bring a friend, making the celebration even more special, as you can see by the smiles on these kindergarteners’ faces. This tradition happens twice a year, giving new students a chance to feel seen, celebrated, and connected. 🧡 🍨 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS will not offer Head Start in 2025-2026 school year
Contributed Report
In response to a recent decision by Richmond Public Schools to reduce its Head Start program allocations, Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) is no longer able to offer the program beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
On April 8, the Richmond School Board voted to reduce its regional preschool program by 200 seats, including 17 slots previously filled by Powhatan students. This decision stems from evolving circumstances and shifts in regional partnerships, which unfortunately impact Powhatan’s ability to support a Head Start class next year.
PCPS remains committed to the importance of early childhood education, particularly for children who need additional support transitioning into kindergarten. Powhatan will continue to offer its Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) programs. These programs have distinct eligibility criteria and application deadlines, which parents and guardians are encouraged to review on the PCPS website.
For more information on the ECSE and VPI programs, please visit https://www.powhatan.k12.va.us/page/preschool-programs or contact the PCPS Early Childhood Education office at 804-598-5700.
In March, Powhatan High School’s Readers and Writers Club hosted a Cake Walk in the library — a sweet celebration with a deeper meaning. 🍰📚 Originally planned for February in honor of Black History Month, the event was delayed due to snow but still brought the students together when it finally happened. The cake walk has powerful roots. According to the Birmingham Historical Society, it began as a pre-Civil War dance performed by enslaved African Americans. Known then as the “prize walk,” dancers would compete for a beautifully decorated cake — the origin of familiar phrases like “takes the cake” and “cakewalk.” We’re proud our students honored this unique piece of Black cultural history with fun, learning, and reading-themed prizes. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Time to turn in those aluminum pop tabs! 🧡 This week, all five schools are collecting tabs to recycle for the Ronald McDonald House. Don’t forget to bring them in. Which school will come out on top? #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today at Powhatan Elementary, our amazing third graders made Earth Day extra special! 🌍🌱 Students from Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Beach’s classes took it upon themselves to help clean up the playground. Mrs. Beach had just finished a lesson about Earth Day this morning, and these young environmentalists were so motivated, they decided to pick up trash all on their own. We are so happy they were inspired to take action to do something for their school and for the Earth. 💚 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Still smiling from all the laughs and talent at Friday night’s Mr. Powhatan 2025 competition! 🎤 Huge shoutout to all the amazing young men who took the stage—you brought the energy, the charm, and definitely the fun.
🎉 Big congrats to our new Mr. Powhatan, Alberto Sanna!
👏 First runner-up: Nolan Stamp
🙌 Second runner-up: Maki Enomoto
You guys crushed it!
Also, mad love to contestants Jackson Faris, CT Rich, Colin Murray, and Matthew Taylor—you made the night unforgettable.
And let’s not forget the awesome work by the PHS Leftovers with their fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and all of the staff members who pitched in to help. So proud of this crew! 💜🎗️ #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The latest School Board Recap Newsletter is now available! Catch up on the highlights from the April 15 meeting and stay informed about the important decisions shaping our schools. Your voice matters, and we invite the entire community to engage with the information that affects us all. Read the newsletter to learn more and join the conversation about our students' futures! The link to the newsletter is in the first comment. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Reminder: Powhatan County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, April 21. We hope all of our students and staff and their families have a safe and happy three-day holiday weekend.
🎤✨ TONIGHT at 7 p.m.! Come join us in the Powhatan High School auditorium on Friday, April 18 for an unforgettable evening of laughs, creativity, and a little unexpected glamour at the Mr. Powhatan 2025 competition! Tickets are just $5, and every single one helps raise money for Relay for Life, supporting the fight against cancer. 🎗️💜 Our brave contestants are ready to put on a show you won’t want to miss — think talent, personality, and some serious school spirit!
If you're free tonight, come cheer them on and support a great cause. We promise, it'll be a night to remember! 🙌 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The Stone Age Meets the Tech Age!
Learning was on the move right before spring break in Mrs. Dillon’s fifth grade class at Powhatan Elementary! In a fun and engaging collaboration with Mr. Wolfgang, the Innovating Learning Coach, students explored the rock cycle using Ozobots — tiny, programmable robots that brought science concepts to life. As part of the ACES grant initiative, this hands-on activity highlighted the power of integrating technology into the classroom. Students worked together to code, problem-solve, and visually diagram the rock cycle in a creative and interactive way. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Earlier today, Powhatan High School held a small reception to honor students whose parents serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Ms. Phinney and Mrs. Tew’s eighth grade physical science class took on an awesome challenge in the Innovation Lab with Dr. Spott at Powhatan Middle School last week! 🧲⚙️ Students designed experiments to test the strength of an electromagnet—then leveled up by creating devices that use those magnets to move objects. Super cool to see science in motion! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Junior English students at Powhatan High School had an unforgettable time at the annual Gatsby Gala in March! 🎉✨ After reading “The Great Gatsby,” students got to experience the novel in a fun, hands-on way with interactive stations set up in the library. 📚 Students tried their dance moves by learning the Charleston. They took photos in front of a green screen that could be placed on images related to the novel. They even took a peek at a 1923 pocketbook to see how the cost of living then compared to present day. A huge shoutout to our amazing teachers and librarians for teaming up to make this event such a success every year. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Before spring break, Mrs. Bowman’s fifth-grade class at Pocahontas Elementary was all about mastering prefixes! 📚 They dug into their HMH reading lesson and worked in pairs to read and discuss, really reinforcing what they were learning. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🎉 B-I-N-G-O and bingo was... YOUR name! 😄
Join us Saturday, April 26th at Powhatan High School for a night of fun, food, and PRIZES — all to support PHS Football! 🏈
🕔 Doors open at 5 p.m.
🎉 Games start at 6 p.m.
🎟️ 12 Games for $25
🍽️ Grab dinner, your dauber, and get ready for some laughs (and maybe a win or two)!
🎂 Don’t miss the baked goods auction & 50/50 raffle!
Jonathan will be calling the numbers — all we need is YOU! Tag your bingo buddy and we’ll see you there! 🙌 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Big surprise at Powhatan Elementary on Monday! 🎉 Longwood University staff members Amber Litchford and Jennifer Whitaker stopped by to present student teacher Emily Boeckle with the Tamara Bird Jones Outstanding Student Teacher Award!
Ms. Boeckle, an elementary ed major at Longwood, has been student teaching in Mrs. Lewis’s 5th grade class since January—and clearly making a big impact. This award honors future educators who go above and beyond with creative teaching, thoughtful planning, a strong commitment to student growth, and promoting appreciation and respect for students’ differences.
Congrats, Ms. Boeckle—we’re so proud of you! 👏🍎#wearepcps #teampowhatan
The Powhatan High School Annual Plant Sale got off to a great start this morning! Thank you for those who already came out in the first hours of the plant sale to support the amazing Horticulture Program and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and get some fantastic deals on beautiful plants to brighten up your garden. From delicious veggies to vibrant flowers and everything in between, we’ve got something for every garden enthusiast.
Mark your calendars:
April 14th - 19th
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Cash or Check only!!!
Check out the QR code in the flyer for the full list of plants and more details! A link will also be placed in the comments.
Every purchase helps fund the incredible work of our Horticulture students and supports the FFA. Thank you for your support!
Located at 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.
Contact emilee.meinhard@powhatan.k12.va.us with any questions!
🎉 Shoutout to our Honor Roll Stars! 🌟
We're so proud to recognize the students who made the PCPS Third Nine Week Honor Roll. 📚✨ You’ve put in the work, and it shows—way to go! Check out the full list on the PCPS website under "Spotlight on Instruction" — or just click the link in the first comment! Let’s give these students a big round of applause in the comments! 👏👏👏
🚗🚓✈️ Ms. Penny’s and Ms. Tonya’s preschool classes at Flat Rock Elementary wrapped up their transportation unit with the cutest parade just before Spring Break! 🚂 🚁 🚢 The kids put tons of imagination, creativity, and research into building their own vehicles out of repurposed boxes — so cool! 📦✨ A big thank you to Deputy Wright for being their special guest of honor. 🚔❤️ #wearepcps #teampowhatan
We missed the official Paraprofessional Appreciation Day that fell during Spring Break, but we still want to take the time to appreciate the incredible paraprofessionals who support our schools every day. 🧡 From helping students stay on track to supporting teachers in and out of the classroom—you are vital to our school communities. Thank you for all you do, day in and day out. We’re so grateful for you! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
