Mrs. Williams’ fourth-grade class at Powhatan Elementary was hard at work creating models of the planets in the solar system before the winter break! 🚀🌍 Students practiced ordering the planets and comparing their sizes through this fun, hands-on project. 🌟🪐 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
This winter, the preschool classes at Powhatan Elementary learned all about “Everyday Helpers” and had the chance to meet some amazing community heroes! 🙌 A huge thank you to: 🚑 Mrs. Sloan, PES school nurse; 📦 Mrs. Yeatts, a parent and mail carrier; 👮 Deputy Tovar, PES school resource officer; and 🚒 Mr. Ruecroft, a local firefighter. We’re so grateful to these everyday heroes for taking the time to visit and teach the VPI students about the important work they do in our community. Thank you for making learning so fun and inspiring! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
During Black History Month, Ms. Proffitt's kindergarten class learned about the incredible legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by reading “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport. 📚✨ Then the students got creative with a directed drawing of Dr. King and brought it to life with vibrant watercolor paintings! 🎨 🧡 They even added words that describe Dr. King’s impact and character—talk about a meaningful project! 🖋️ #wearepcps #teampowhatan
We are celebrating Arts Across Virginia in Powhatan! We invite community members to post images of them creating art, playing music, or other creative activities today! Here you can see some of our Powhatan Middle School students getting their creative juices flowing by creating digital scratchboards in Photoshop. #wearepcps #teampowhatan #artacrossva25
We want to wish a belated congratulations to the Powhatan Middle School cafeteria staff for winning the 2025 Chili Cook-Off. All five schools submitted chili entries for the February School Board meeting. Entries were ranked by School Board members and staff, and the Powhatan Middle School chili was declared the winner. Congratulations to Joann English (manager), Stephanie Holden, Malachi Blakey, Susan Liptak, and Cathy Baker. Ms. English is shown here holding the trophy with Principal Colin Innes, left, and Chris Pearson, assistant principal. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
With more than 475 families and over 100 volunteers of all ages buzzing around Powhatan High School for STEM Expo 2025, the night was a hive of activity. There was so much to see and do – more than we could capture – but we wanted to share a few more photos of this awesome night. Did your family have one or more favorite stations? #wearepcps #teampowhatan
✨ Last week, PCPS celebrated an incredible milestone for our community when two Powhatan teachers were honored at the National Board Certification (NBCT) Pinning Ceremony! Please join us in extending a huge congratulations to Tia Stout for earning her NBCT – welcome to the ranks of some of the best educators in the nation! Also, awesome job Allison Yandle for renewing your certification. Your commitment to excellence is truly inspiring! 👏 We are so proud of these amazing educators for their dedication to growth and excellence in the classroom. 🌟 🎉 Shown here, from left, are School Board member Susan Smith, Allison Yandle, Tia Stout, Dr. Beth Teigen, Penny Robertson, and Dr. Angela Stewart. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🎓📚 Last week, students in Mr. Abel's AP Seminar class at Powhatan High School showcased their team media presentations, diving into some truly important topics! The groups covered a range of thought-provoking issues, including the effects of social media 📱, criminal immigration along the US-Mexico border, aging out of the foster system, and the pressing issue of cyberbullying 🖥️. After giving their presentations, the students answered oral defense questions designed to show how they collaborated and got to know all of the team’s subject matter, not just their part. 👏🔥 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan High School Appoints George Bland, Jr. as New Varsity Head Football Coach and Teacher
Powhatan, VA – Powhatan High School is excited to announce George Bland, Jr. as the new Varsity Head Football Coach and a member of the teaching staff. He will begin his transition in the spring and officially join Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) on July 1, 2025.
With over 12 years of coaching experience, including both head coaching and assistant coaching roles, Coach Bland brings valuable leadership and a proven track record to Powhatan High School. He is recognized for his success in recruitment, staff retention, fundraising, and team performance. As former Head Coach at Douglas Freeman High School, he led the varsity football team to an impressive 35-17 overall record.
In addition to his coaching experience, Coach Bland has a strong background in education and administration. He has taught Social Studies, served as an administrator, and co-owned RockIT Sports, LLC, where he managed a 65,000-square-foot facility, oversaw a $1.3 million budget, and worked with approximately 1,200 young athletes. Most recently, he served as the Director of Student Activities at Deep Run High School, where he was responsible for overseeing athletic teams and extracurricular programs.
Coach Bland is a strong advocate for multi-sport participation, encouraging student-athletes to engage in diverse activities and training to achieve peak performance on the field.
Reflecting on his new role, Coach Bland stated, “It is an incredible honor to step into this position and follow in the footsteps of two legendary coaches who have established such a strong tradition. I have the utmost respect for the foundation built by past Powhatan players and coaches, and I am committed to carrying that legacy forward while forging a new path for the future. Together, we will build on the past and aim for even greater success. Go Indians!”
Since kicking off in September, the POCA Stride Run Club has been getting our kids moving before school! With 105 students signed up, club sponsor Mrs. Brtiz said they’ve having a blast, earning awards for reaching distances like the 5K, 5 miles, and even 20 miles. 😱🏅 The club just had 2 students earn marathon status (26.2miles)!! But it’s not just the kids—parents are joining the fun too, running alongside their children! 👟💨 Big thanks to Sports Backers for supporting our club with a $500 mini grant and for showing up one morning with awesome color-changing sunglasses for all participants! 😎✨#wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today is National Education Support Professionals Day, and PCPS wants to thank the support staff members who play a vital role on the education team and in students' lives inside and outside the classroom. They help keep our schools running and our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day. The day honors a long list of professionals, including all secretaries, classroom aides, cafeteria workers, maintenance workers, bus drivers, and the others who support educators, school leadership, and the students, too. These professionals do their part in making PCPS exceptional for every child so they can be safe, learn, grow, and achieve. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan Middle School Student Leadership recognized and honored our staff members for their service to the U.S. military on Veterans Day, including the staff members shown here. Thank you for your service! These veterans were also generously treated to a lunch by Diane Nickerson at Cafe at Maidens. Student Leadership is a group of PMS students that were selected via an application process this fall. They meet during ACCT once a week to do positive activities for their school and community. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
REMINDER!
PCPS is hosting a Powhatan Child Check until 4 p.m. today, Nov. 20 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway. This is a free community event hosted by PCPS and Goochland Powhatan Community Services to give families information on their child’s current developmental skills ahead of entering kindergarten. Requirements to participate are: Children ages 0 to 5 years, Powhatan residents, and parent/guardian must be present.
Can't make it? For questions, or to schedule a private screening on another day, please call: Jeanine Vassar, 804-657-2010, EL Local System Manager, GPCS, for children birth-2 years old. Call Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, 804-370-9807, Director of Special Education, PCPS, for children 3-5 years old.
What is a Child Find? Each local school division shall, at least annually, conduct a public awareness campaign to: 1. Inform the community of a person's, ages two to 21, inclusive, statutory right to a free appropriate public education and the availability of special education programs and services; 2. Generate referrals; and 3. Explain the nature of disabilities, the early warning signs of disabilities, and the need for services to begin early. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🧡 Although we missed the official dates of National School Psychology Week, we still want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the incredible work our school psychologists do to support the mental health and well-being of our students and staff. A big thank you to Dianne White, Kirsten Lightner, and Katie Barnard for their dedication and expertise in creating safe, supportive, and thriving school environments. Your hard work truly makes a difference! ✨ 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS will host a Powhatan Child Check from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway. This is a free community event hosted by PCPS and Goochland Powhatan Community Services to give families information on their child’s current developmental skills ahead of entering kindergarten. Requirements to participate are: Children ages 0 to 5 years, Powhatan residents, and parent/guardian must be present. For questions, or to schedule a private screening on another day, please call: Jeanine Vassar, 804-657-2010, EL Local System Manager, GPCS, for children birth-2 years old. Call Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, 804-370-9807, Director of Special Education, PCPS, for children 3-5 years old.
What is a Child Find? Each local school division shall, at least annually, conduct a public awareness campaign to: 1. Inform the community of a person's, ages two to 21, inclusive, statutory right to a free appropriate public education and the availability of special education programs and services; 2. Generate referrals; and 3. Explain the nature of disabilities, the early warning signs of disabilities, and the need for services to begin early. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The latest School Board Recap Newsletter is now available! Catch up on the highlights from the November 12 school board workshop and 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
Mrs. Dillon's social studies classes created heartfelt thank-you notes to community helpers as part of their Powhatan unit. This activity helped students connect the values of gratitude and service in Powhatan culture to the vital roles our modern-day helpers play in supporting our community! 🙌💌 They sent cards to Powhatan’s School Board, Sheriff's Office, and Board of Supervisors. One class took it a step further and wanted to send cards to Powhatan Elementary’s SRO, the Powhatan Rescue Squad, and a local volunteer fire department. 🧡 #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Mrs. Durrbeck's first graders at Flat Rock Elementary enjoy exploring new phonics skills. They learned all about the “wh” digraph (two letters making one sound), practiced blending it into words, and got hands-on with magnetic letters and Elkonin boxes to build their new words. 📚✨ #teampowhatan #wearepcps
Clara McComb, a PHS student, had her paper, "Effects of Blocking Brain Estrogen Synthesis on the Expression of Extracellular Matrix Genes in the Mouse Cortex," published on the VCU website. Clara attended the VCU Summer Neurology Internship Program. She was recognized by the School Board on Nov. 12. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school, and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA held the competition at the State Fair. There were 36 competitors in the Electrical Wiring Competition, and two of our students placed: Mason Heckel, PHS Senior, placed 2nd, and Carter Estep, PHS Senior, placed 3rd. Both students were recognized by the School Board on Nov. 12. #teampowhatan #wearepcps
