N E W S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2017
Powhatan County earns national achievement award for
Passport to Summer Reading Program.
WASHINGTON – Powhatan County’s Passport to Summer
Reading Program has been recognized with an
Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards
honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services
for residents.
The Passport to Summer
Reading program was created to help foster a love of reading amongst county
children, while also providing engaging hands-on learning opportunities for
parents and children of Powhatan County. In addition, it was designed to
promote community resources as well as help
build relationships with local government officials.
Event locations were hosted by various businesses and organizations
throughout the county. Children would come and listen to a story, learn about
the business or location, participate in learning activity, and receive a free
book.
Tracey Ingle, Reading
Instructional Specialist for Powhatan County Schools stated, “The Passport to
Summer Reading program is an example of the county-wide commitment to literacy.
The program's success is due to the many dedicated community members, business
owners, organizations, families, school/division leaders, and county leaders
who have volunteered their time and/or business space to help promote the
importance of reading.”
As a result of the
Passport to Summer Literacy program, there has been an increased awareness of
the importance of literacy in our community, local businesses and organizations
have received recognition for their participation, and between 250-300 books
have been put into the hands of Powhatan County children every summer since
2013.
Powhatan County Public Library
Director, Peggy Martin, stated, “The partnership between the Powhatan County Public Schools and
Powhatan County Public Library increased community awareness of the importance
of summer reading and brought free, fun, and educational events for Powhatan
families.”
NACo
President Bryan Desloge said, “Counties overcome complex challenges, provide
essential services and constantly do more with less. We applaud these
Achievement Award-winning counties for outstanding efforts to improve
residents’ quality of life.”
Nationally,
awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast,
comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and
youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health,
civic engagement and many more.
NACo will
recognize award-winning counties at its 2017 Annual Conference and Exposition
July 21–24 in Franklin County, Ohio.
Started in
1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Award Program is designed to recognize innovative
county government programs. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not
against other applications received.
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The National Association of Counties
(NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo
brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on
national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue
transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county
government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn
more at www.naco.org
Powhatan’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition
District
is one of 4% of school districts in nation to receive distinction
Powhatan, Virginia – April 4, 2017 – Powhatan
County Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music
Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment
to music education. Powhatan is one of 4% of districts across the nation receiving
the prestigious award in 2017.
The Best Communities Music
Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding
achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, a representative from your
division answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements,
music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music
program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with
school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University
of Kansas.
This award recognizes that
Powhatan County Public Schools is leading the way with music learning
opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015,
and awaiting state implementation designates music and the arts as important
elements of well-rounded education for all children.
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit
supported in part by The National Association of Music Merchants and its
approximately 10,300 members around the world. Its mission is to advance active
participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific
research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more
information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.
PCPS Honor Roll - Second Nine Weeks
Congratulations to all students that achieved honor roll for the second nine weeks! Keep up the great work!
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PEF Innovative Classroom Grants Awarded
The Powhatan Education Foundation (PEF) awarded approximately $4,700.00 for Innovative Classroom Grants submitted by Powhatan County Instructional staff members. The foundation received 16 grant submissions this year for their Innovative Classroom Grants Program and funded the following seven applications:
Elliott Gibbs, Powhatan Science Olympiad Team, $425.00
Renee Mayo and Christina Lindsey, Taking the Stage: Aquaponics, $995.05
Barbara Adcock and Elizabeth Kirk, STEM Stations: Deeper Learning for All, $1,000.00
Becky Waltenbaugh, The Writing Center: A Place Where All Students Write, $837.00
Joshua Wright and Megan Ellis, Creative Expression, $500.00
Amber Ortolano, Adapted Physical Education Equipment, $400.00
Rae Shrewsberry and Jose' Luis Reyes Lopez, Foreign Language Fair, $500.00
Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to the Powhatan Education Foundation!
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This year, we moved to a new Student Information System, PowerSchool. We are excited about the expanded capabilities of the program to support the partnership between schools, students and parents. The new Parent Portal will provide you with access to current grades and attendance online. Your child will bring home a letter letter on October 3rd with instructions to access the portal. If you need additional information, please complete the help request form linked here. A free Mobile App is also available for download through your mobile device App Store (Apple App Store/Android Google Play). Search PowerSchool mobile. Once downloaded, our District Code is QBFX. Users must have created a Username & Password using student's Access ID.
Governor's Schools and Advance College Academy Recruitment Meetings and Application Process
Powhatan County Public Schools’ Gifted Services will host representatives from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology and Reynolds Community College for Advanced College Academy Program for two afternoon recruitment meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to provide interested students and their parents with information regarding the curriculum, graduation requirements, extra- curricular activities, as well as answer questions regarding the application process for each high school option. Although the application process is open to current eighth grade students, fifth, sixth and seventh grade students and their parents are also invited to attend in order to assist in course planning before they reach the eighth grade.
Representatives from Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School will present their informational session on Monday, October 3 with Reynolds Community College presenting directly following. On Monday, October 17, representatives from the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School will present information regarding their school’s program of studies. Reynolds Community College will again present the Advanced College Academy information directly following this session. Both Governor’s Schools’ sessions run from 4:00 to approximately 5:00 PM, with the Advanced College Academy program directly following in the PMS Library. Parents and students interested in learning more about these optional high school programs are encouraged to attend the informational sessions.
Applications for all three programs will be available to 8th Grade students from Mrs. Haskins in the Office of Gifted Services or Mrs. Lendyak-McMahan in the School Counseling Office at Pocahontas Middle School beginning October 17. Home and private school students need to schedule an appointment with Mrs. Haskins to obtain applications in order to collect the necessary residency paperwork and review data collection procedures. The deadline for submitting completed applications is December 5. For further information regarding either school or to obtain an application packet, please contact Mrs. Patty Haskins, Gifted Coordinator, at Pocahontas Middle School.
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The School Board approved the 2016-17 Code of Student Conduct at their August 9th meeting. Below are the revisions that were made to the Code of Student Conduct:
- Several definitions were added: Bystander, Chronic Absenteeism, Harassment, Home-bound Instruction, School Attendance Plan, and Attendance/Truancy Conference
- elimination of language outlining make-up work during suspension
- revised language outlining dispositions for chronic misbehavior
- several attendance revisions including: elimination of automatic failure for the nine weeks of high school credit course when student has more than four absences during any quarter grading period and does not make up the time; deletion of the requirement that elementary students must be present at least 50% of the school day to be considered present; establishment of a support chain for students who are chronically absent; and revisions to the Student/Absences/Excuses/Dismissals regulation. (Attached below)
- prohibition of spaghetti straps changed from grade five to grade six and above
- revisions in the dispositions of students with electronic devices for grades 6-12
- language added to address bystander behavior and dispositions
- language added on academic sanctions and extra-curricular sanctions added to dispositions under the section Integrity
- updated to reflect new administration staff, titles, and phone numbers
- updated to reflect the new grade alignments (K-5) - Elementary; (6-8) - Middle School; and (9-12)- High School
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The Powhatan County School Board approved the 2016-2017 student fees at the August 9, 2016 meeting.
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New Middle School and Transition Process Information
The construction of a new Middle School will begin this summer and Dr. Jones and school personnel have been working for months to ensure a smooth transition.
Below is a letter sent to all elementary school, middle school and junior high school parents from Dr. Jones regarding this transition process.
March 4, 2016
Dear Parents,
Construction of a new Middle School in Powhatan has been approved to begin this summer! This exciting news will allow future generations of Powhatan students to learn in a state of the art facility. Powhatan County Public Schools has been preparing for this exciting change. Division and school personnel have been working for months to ensure a smooth transition. As part of that process, we want to communicate some essential information in preparation for the 2016-2017 school year.
Beginning next year and going forward, PCPS elementary schools will serve preschool to fifth grade. Therefore, current 4th grade students will remain at their present elementary school for the 2016-2017 school year as 5th graders.
Pocahontas Middle School and Powhatan Junior High School will merge, bringing together 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students will be housed in Pocahontas Middle School, and the adjacent Pocahontas Elementary, until the new Middle School is opened in 2018 on the site of the current Junior High School. During this period, eight 6th grade classes will have core classes (English, math, history, and science) in the elementary school, and the remaining 6th grade and all 7th and 8th grade classes will be housed at Pocahontas Middle School. All students will have their health and physical education and resource/elective classes in the middle school. Administrative and support staff will work at both sites to create a uniform school family.
The Human Resource Department is working with school administration and staff to appropriately assign personnel to the schools which reflect these changes, and support student enrollment at each site. As the next school year approaches, building principals will be working with their school communities to offer opportunities to meet and greet, share new ideas, and plan for a successful fall.
Thank you in advance for your support as we move forward to provide our students with the best facilities and programming possible. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your building principal or myself. Our partnership will make all the difference for our schools and the children we serve.
Sincerely,
Eric L. Jones, Ph.D.
Division Superintendent
ELJ/mw
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2016 Division Wide Spelling Bee
Powhatan County Public Schools held its Annual District Spelling Bee on February 19th at Pocahontas Elementary School. The following Grade Level Winners participated in the the Division Spelling Bee:
Grade 4 Flat Rock Elementary School - Jordan Seay
Grade 4 Pocahontas Elementary School - Olivia Moss
Grade 4 Powhatan Elementary School - Luke McDaniels
Grade 5 Pocahontas Middle School - Bryson Wilson
Grade 6 Pocahontas Middle School - Nadia Khan
Grade 7 Powhatan Junior High School - Bailey Stagner
Grade 8 Powhatan Junior High School - A. J. Cascone
Bailey Stagner won the District Wide Spelling Bee with A. J. Cascone as Runner Up.
Attached below is the program for the Division Wide Spelling Bee.
Special thanks to Mrs. Patty Haskins, Coordinator of the Division Wide Spelling Bee; Mrs. Kathy Liesfield, Spelling Bee Pronouncer; and Spelling Bee Judges: Dr. Eric Jones, Mrs. Valarie Ayers, Mrs. Kim Hymel, and Mrs. Tracey Ingle.
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Be a Lunch Buddy
Powhatan County Public Schools is currently seeking adult volunteer mentors to serve in the new mentoring program “Lunch Buddies”. If you are looking to serve your community while making a positive impact on a child’s life, this is your opportunity! Link to informational page on Lunch Buddy Program.
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POCES Teacher Selected as State Level Finalist
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Barbara Adcock, Pocahontas Elementary School teacher, has been selected as the State Level Finalist in the 2014 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program (PAEMST). She is one of three state-level science finalists and was chosen based on her outstanding performance in the classroom and her many contributions to science education. She is now eligible for the prestigious national Presidential Award which will be announced in late Spring 2015.
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Passport to Summer Reading
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On July 10th the Passport to Reading Program was held at the Powhatan State Park. Ms. Krista Weatherford, a park interpreter, showed students several animal pelts and allowed them to touch real animals such as a live bearded lizard and a corn snake. Each child was given a new book; a sample of what the park has to offer. The next Passport to Summer Reading event will be held at the Courthouse Creamery on July 24, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. A local animal rehabilitation program, AWARE, will be sharing their story and free ice cream samples will be given.
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Hats Off to Powhatan Elementary School!
The bragging rights light bulb was presented to Powhatan Elementary School principal, Constance Deal, for reducing usage during the month of May as a part of the Powhatan School Energy Conservation Contest. Students and staff of the three elementary schools as well as the middle school were encouraged to turn off the lights and unplug electronics when not in use to make a difference in energy usage.
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Keep Your Child's Health Information Up to Date
Please remember to keep your child's health information up to date. Contact the school nurse if your child has a medical condition warranting a Health Care Plan which may include, but is not limited to: Food Allergy, Insect Allergy, Asthma, Diabetes, or Seizure Disorder. The school would also need doctor's orders and parent consent for any prescription medication(s), parent consent for any over the counter medication(s), and any supplies needed for your child's care and parents must bring to school all medications. All forms needed may be obtained in the school clinic.
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