Powhatan County Public Schools -

Friendly disclaimer: The injuries you’ll see in this post aren’t real. 👀
Students in Mrs. Farrell’s Intro to Medical Health Science classes at Powhatan High School recently tried moulage – using makeup techniques to create realistic wounds and bruises as part of their study of the integumentary system (skin).
This hands-on activity helps students better understand different types of wounds and how they are treated. Some of the results were incredibly realistic, and it was wonderful to see the students fully engaged in the learning process. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

On Tuesday, Katlin McCreery, costumer for the Frontier Culture Museum, helped introduce Pocahontas Elementary fourth graders to their unit on the Civil War. Ms. McCreery talked about the peer pressures of succession, what was required to run an army (i.e. food, munitions, and clothing), and how everyday people like women and children were involved.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Mrs. Vallent’s Honors Biology students at Powhatan High School recently took a creative approach to studying the cell cycle.
As part of a project on mitosis and interphase, students created stop-motion videos to model and explain cell division. They had the freedom to represent the process in their own way, with some even composing original music to serve as the soundtrack for their films. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Recently at Pocahontas Elementary, kindergarten students were strengthening their math skills – one card at a time. 🃏
In Mrs. Renaud’s class, students used a matching-style game to make the number three using different combinations of cards, building both memory and early addition skills.
Just down the hall, students in Miss Stimpson’s class worked on the same concept in a slightly different way, playing a “Go Fish”-style game to collect the cards they needed to create combinations of three.
Different approaches, same important learning – helping our youngest learners see how numbers can be put together in more than one way. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

The Student Leadership students at Powhatan Middle School led a drive to make Valentines for Veterans. 💌 Students across the building joined in, creating heartfelt cards to share kindness and appreciation with those who have served our country. Student Leadership members, along with co-sponsors Matt Morin and Lynn Stephens, were proud to present the collection of Valentines to Reed Terry, staff member for Congressman John McGuire, who helped deliver them to our veterans. #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Today is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, and PCPS wants to recognize and thank the Powhatan deputies who fulfill this important role in our schools. Our SROs are more than law enforcement officers – they are mentors, educators, problem-solvers, and trusted adults who build positive relationships with students and staff. They help create safe learning environments while also taking time to connect with students in meaningful ways. 🧡🖤 Thank you for all you do to support PCPS.
* Deputy Wright - Flat Rock Elementary
* Ronnie Sadler - Pocahontas Elementary
* Maurice Tovar - Powhatan Elementary
* Foster Miles - Powhatan Middle School
* Jason Homer - Powhatan High School
* Sonny Gartrell - Powhatan High School
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

In February 2026, PCPS joins the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA) in saluting the service of our school board members with School Board Appreciation Month. School Board Appreciation Month provides a meaningful opportunity for our division and community to recognize the vital role that our school board members play in public education. These local leaders voluntarily take on the significant responsibility of governing our school division and making decisions that shape educational opportunities while upholding the core values of our democracy. Thank you School Board members:
Vicki Hurt - District 1
Susan Smith - District 2
Jeanne Wade - District 3
James Taylor - District 4
Michele Ward - District 5
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

REMINDER: Monday February 16th, which was previously a Student & Staff Holiday, is now a snow make-up day for students and staff. It will be a full instructional day.

Students in Mrs. Bartholomew’s English 8 Advanced class at Powhatan Middle School were introduced last week to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, which they will be reading for class. This isn’t a typical novel study for the class. Instead, it’s more like a personal guide – an opportunity to reflect on the habits that can shape, strengthen, or even hold you back from the life you want to achieve. Students were challenged to take an honest look at their own habits as they move through middle school and beyond. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Enrollment for the 2026–2027 Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) preschool programs opens today!
If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by September 30, 2026, Powhatan County Public Schools invites you to explore two wonderful early learning opportunities:
✨ Head Start (Richmond Head Start Partnership) – for 3- and 4-year-olds. This federally funded program provides comprehensive early childhood education, along with health services and family support for income-eligible families.
✨ Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) – for 4-year-olds. This state-funded program supports at-risk learners and focuses on literacy, math, and social-emotional development with certified teachers and engaging curriculum.

Both programs are designed to build strong foundations for school readiness in a nurturing, engaging environment. Eligibility for both programs is based on income, risk factors, and other criteria. Families of children with special needs are encouraged to apply.
📝 Applications open February 13, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in March.
Please note: placement is based on eligibility criteria and availability. This is not first come, first served.
Scan the QR code or visit the Preschool page on the PCPS website to learn more about eligibility, required documents (proof of age, residency, immunizations, etc.), and to apply.
We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners! 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Good afternoon PCPS Community. The Powhatan County School Board Recap for Tuesday's regular meeting is ready to view. As always, the goal of this newsletter is to help people who don't have the time to come to or watch full School Board meetings still stay abreast of what is going on in our school division. The newsletter link is in the comments.

Notice about 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: Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM. This notice is being provided in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. This meeting will be open to the public.

Students in Mrs. Ross’s fifth grade class at Pocahontas Elementary recently focused on strengthening their grammar skills by working on consistent verb tenses. During the lesson, students practiced making sure verbs like "be" and "have" stayed in the same tense throughout their writing. Paying close attention to consistency helps students become clearer, more confident writers.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Ms. Bell’s life science class at Powhatan Middle hit the ground running on the first day back from the snow break with an interactive lab focused on identifying invertebrates and vertebrates. Students examined a wide range of specimens, sorting them into groups and then identifying the different classes of vertebrates and invertebrates. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

This is a Powhatan County School Board Notice of Special Meeting Attendance. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3707, please take notice that members of the Powhatan County School Board may be present at the Strategic Plan Meeting to be held:
DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
TIME: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA
This notice is being provided in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act due to the possibility that a quorum of school board members may be in attendance.
No official business will be conducted, and no votes or decisions will be made by the School Board at this event.

We appreciate every opportunity our students have to learn directly from professionals and explore potential future career paths. Last week at Powhatan High School, Dr. Rona Walker, who is an associate professor of communication sciences and disorders at Longwood University and a speech-language pathologist, visited the Nurse Aide class before giving a presentation during SPEAR to HOSA members. She shared insight into the field of speech and language pathology and discussed why communication sciences and disorders can be a rewarding healthcare career focused on restoring function and helping others. Opportunities like this help students explore future careers, connect classroom learning to real-world professions, and see the many paths available after high school. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Don't forget that Monday, February 9 is a PCPS Student & Staff Holiday (Excludes 12-month employees). Have a great day!

Due to the conditions caused by today's additional snowfall, all PCPS activities are canceled for Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Due to snow accumulation and worsening road conditions, all PCPS school activities are canceled for tonight, February 6, 2026.

This afternoon, the Powhatan County School Board met to discuss adjustments to the school division’s calendar. As a result of prolonged closures due to winter weather, PCPS has missed 11 full days of school as of February 3rd. In an effort to recoup some of the instructional time that has been lost, the School Board convened a special meeting on February 6th to consider reclaiming upcoming dates as full school days.
During today’s meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to make the following changes to the 2025-2026 school calendar:
• February 16th, which was previously a Student & Staff Holiday, will now be a snow make-up day for students and staff.
• March 16th, which was previously a Student & Staff Holiday for all except 12-month employees, will now be a snow make-up day for students and staff.

The School Board has also discussed reinstating April 6th as a holiday. However, that decision will not be considered until the March 10th School Board meeting.
The purpose of these changes is to ensure that students remain academically prepared for the remainder of the school year.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to balance instructional time with the needs of our school community. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Powhatan County Public Schools.