Powhatan County Public Schools -

Last week at Powhatan High School, 11th grade U.S. History students in Mr. Hall and Mr. Garland’s collaborative class took part in a Civil War and Reconstruction scavenger hunt in the library designed to strengthen their use of primary sources as tools for studying history. Students rotated through stations that challenged them to analyze documents, images, and historical evidence in hands-on ways. One station featured an interactive display purchased through a Powhatan Education Foundation Classroom Innovation Grant awarded to Loren Jacobs for her project, Touch & Learn: An Interactive Display to Ignite Curiosity in High School. The technology gave students an engaging way to explore historical content. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Before the winter storm hit last week, Mrs. Hall’s kindergarten class at Powhatan Elementary was already learning about snow and ice as part of a science lesson on the phases of matter. After students learned about solids, liquids, and gases, they wrote about a personal snowman and used crushed ice to create their own. To wrap up the lesson, students made predictions about how long it would take their snowmen to melt, with guesses ranging from 2 minutes to a whopping 50 hours. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Students in Ms. Smith’s Veterinary Science 2 Honors class at Powhatan High School recently conducted a hands-on lab focused on disease transmission and vaccines. As part of the lab, students learned how vaccines are properly mixed, including the importance of timing and precise technique. They practiced vaccine reconstitution, which involves mixing a freeze-dried vaccine powder with a liquid diluent from a separate vial. Students also explored why exact dosing is critical to improving the chances of full immunity.
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Mrs. Schwartz’s kindergarten class at Flat Rock Elementary recently worked on building strong number sense through hands-on learning. Students used math manipulatives to explore parts of the number 5, first working as a group and then partnering up to practice. One student showed part of the number 5 using manipulatives, while their partner figured out which number was behind their back to make a total of 5. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

This is a notice of Reschedule for the Powhatan County School Board Budget Work Session. Pursuant to Virginia Code 5 2.2-3707: Due to hazardous road conditions and school closures, the Budget Work Session scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, has been rescheduled to:
DATE: Monday, February 2, 2026
TIME: 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Pocahontas Landmark Center
4290 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA
This notice is being provided in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
This meeting will be open to the public.

Behind the scenes, our Facilities team has been working tirelessly to clear snow and ice across our schools in challenging and frigid conditions. The photos shared here, taken earlier today at several of our buildings, show some of the clearing that has been done and just how much work remains. We’re grateful for their dedication and for the support of the Virginia Department of Transportation as we continue working to restore safe conditions for our school communities. Thank you for taking care of our schools and our people. 💙🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Last call for PCPS-Early Childhood Preschool Program-Role Model Student applications for the 2026-2027!
Families interested in enrolling their child in preschool must apply and receive acceptance into the preschool program before completing registration with Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS).
Please note: submitting a preschool application is a required first step and is separate from PCPS student registration.
Please use the link in the comments to apply.

Despite the vital efforts of our Facilities teams and the Virginia Department of Transportation, parking lot and road conditions have not improved sufficiently to return to school this week, requiring Powhatan County Public Schools to remain closed on Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, 2026. All after-school activities are canceled.
Be safe and stay warm.

Throughout the year, Powhatan County Public Schools recognizes outstanding employees through our Helping Hands Awards. This program honors staff members who inspire, empower, and innovate for making a difference in our school division. Before the recent snow, we had the opportunity to recognize four incredible staff members who were nominated for making a difference:
* Joseph Hodges – Transportation
* Laura Huggins – Powhatan High School
* Sarah Robinson – Finance Department
* Lyndsay Stout – Pocahontas Elementary
We are grateful for their dedication and for everyone who takes the time to nominate a PCPS employee through the Helping Hands program. If you want to nominate a staff member for being inspiring, empowering or innovating, the link is in the comments.🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Extreme low temperatures overnight, with more expected tonight, have not allowed conditions to improve sufficiently following this weekend’s storm, requiring Powhatan County Public Schools to remain closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. All after-school activities are canceled.
Because of the closures caused by snow and ice this winter, our students have missed much more instructional time than was ever anticipated. While weather-related closures are sometimes unavoidable, they do have real impacts on learning. To help recover critical learning time for our students, the School Board will consider making an adjustment to the 2025-2026 School Calendar at its planned budget workshop at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 30.

Mrs. Morin’s fourth grade class at Pocahontas Elementary wrapped things up before winter break with a festive activity by building gingerbread houses together. It was a sweet way to celebrate their hard work and end the semester on a joyful note. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Powhatan County Public Schools will remain closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. All after-school activities are canceled. While the winter storm has passed, lingering ice and snow combined with low temperatures have prevented conditions from improving.
Safety remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor conditions and communicate updates as they become available.
We also want to thank our facilities staff and partnering agencies, who are working diligently to clear parking lots and sidewalks under difficult conditions.
Please take care and stay safe.

A snow day may have us out of school today, but we still want to keep sharing some great recent moments from our schools. ❄️
Earlier this month, Mr. Miles’ seventh grade health students at Powhatan Middle School created posters focused on the risks of bullying and peer pressure to display in the hallways and help reinforce these important messages. Through their work, students explored ways PCPS can continue to be a positive, supportive environment for everyone. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Due to the accumulation of snow and dangerous icy conditions from the overnight event, Powhatan County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. All activities scheduled for January 26th in school facilities are canceled, including school and non-school activities.
The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We will continue to communicate updates as conditions evolve this week.
Please take care and stay safe.

Good evening PCPS Families. As everyone is aware, a winter storm is moving into our area tonight and ice accumulation poses a significant risk of power outages. Your students should have come this week with snow day learning packs to help keep them engaged in review and learning in the event of extended school closures. Please know that families should not feel pressure regarding these educational materials. Safety and well-being must come first. As conditions evolve and we better understand the storm's impact, decisions on school closures will be communicated as quickly as possible. Please take care and stay safe. For more information, check your email.

Much like everyone across our region, Powhatan County Public Schools are closely monitoring the forecast for potential impacts to school operations. Our team is monitoring weather reports and road conditions, as well as reviewing guidance from local officials. No final decisions have been made at this time.
In the event of delayed openings or closures, we will share official closure announcements as soon as decisions are made via:
*SchoolMessenger Email/Text/Phone Alerts
*Powhatan.k12.va.us
*PCPS Official Facebook and Instagram accounts
*Local News stations (WRIC, WTVR, WWBT)
Please stay tuned for updates. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep everyone safe.

Thank you to everyone who helped make The PHS Experience such a successful and informative evening last week. Families had the opportunity to explore the wide range of classes, programs, activities, and supports available at Powhatan High School, and it would not have been possible without the dedication of our students and staff.
From student performances and demonstrations to conversations about academics, athletics, counseling, and career pathways, the night truly showcased the many opportunities available to PHS students. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Notice of a Powhatan County School Board Budget Workshop
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3707, please take notice that the Powhatan County School Board will hold a budget workshop on: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA. This notice is being provided in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
This meeting will be open to the public.

Miss Stech’s first grade students at Pocahontas Elementary recently created sun trackers as part of a science lesson focused on observing the sun’s movement. This hands-on activity helped students see how the sun rises in the east and sets in the west as a lead-on for a unit about the sun. ☀️
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Mr. Peyton’s Family and Consumer Science students at Powhatan Middle School recently rolled up their sleeves and got to work making pie dough from scratch. A hands-on lesson like this helped students practice following directions, measuring ingredients, and building foundational kitchen skills. 🥧
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan