Powhatan County Public Schools -

During a visit to the Innovation Lab at Powhatan Middle School last semester, sixth graders in Mr. Hall’s science class took learning to another planet as part of their space unit. 🌌🤖 With guidance from Dr. Spott, students created two-dimensional models of Mars and programmed Finch robots from BirdBrain Technologies to navigate and explore the surface. The hands-on lesson combined science, coding, and problem-solving as students applied what they’ve learned in an engaging and creative way. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

In December, ninth grade English students took part in a powerful pre-reading activity for A Long Walk to Water in the library. The hands-on experience – aimed at prompting thoughtful discussion and reflection – gave students in Mr. Jones’ and Mr. Bradbury’s classes a glimpse of the daily challenges many African villagers face due to extreme water shortages before they began reading. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

In December, Mrs. Kellaway’s fifth graders at Powhatan Elementary turned math time into a coffee-themed experience that had everyone thinking—and collaborating. ☕📊 Students stepped into roles like barista, baker, cashier, and manager as they worked across “locations” to estimate and multiply decimals using a mock menu. Teams earned paychecks by completing tasks together, while surprise “Chance Cards” added an extra layer of probability and problem-solving. Even with a shortened week, engagement was high and the coffee-inspired math fun continued. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Before winter break, Mrs. Garner’s kindergarten class at Flat Rock Elementary enjoyed a visit to the Penguin Patch Holiday Shop. 🐧🎁 Sponsored by the PTO, the experience gave students a chance to make thoughtful choices while shopping for gifts for family and friends. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the shop happen for the kids.🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Families are invited to The PHS Experience on Thursday, January 15. This evening is a chance to explore everything Powhatan High School has to offer, from academics and activities to athletics and student life. The night begins with a welcome and student performances from 6:00 to 6:15 p.m., followed by a counseling presentation on Pathways to Graduation and Beyond from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m., both in the auditorium. From 6:45 to 8:00 p.m., families can visit the Main Street, Commons, and gyms to learn more about classes, AP and dual enrollment course opportunities, clubs, athletics, counseling, financial aid, JROTC (including demonstrations), college and military options, testing, and more. We hope to see families there as they take the next step in their PHS journey. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

The day before Winter Break, the Polar Express made a special stop at Pocahontas Elementary for first graders! 🚂❄️ Students enjoyed a magical experience inspired by the beloved story and each received a brand-new book to take home. A big thank-you to “Conductor” Carol Crump for helping make this memorable day special for our young readers. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

In the last few months, second graders from all three PCPS elementary schools traveled to the Elizabeth Randolph Lewis Powhatan YMCA to participate in the Learn to Swim program. The free swimming lessons are supported by fundraising efforts of YMCA donors with the goal of saving lives through water safety education and swimming instruction. At the end of the program, students receive a certification of achievement and a Learn to Swim T-shirt. Throughout the lessons, the kids learned critical water safety skills such as asking permission to enter the water, swim-float-swim, dog paddling, and how to save someone who is drowning without putting themselves in danger. PCPS thanks the YMCA and the amazing instructors who make this important skill so fun and engaging for our second graders. Check out some of these fun Learn to Swim moments with Flat Rock Elementary students in Ms. Tyson’s and Ms. Korté’s classes right before Winter Break. #wearepcps #teampowhatan

Students in Mr. Raychouni’s classes at Powhatan Middle School stepped into the role of broadcast meteorologists as part of a Weathercast Production unit earlier this semester. Students wrote scripts, practiced on-camera delivery, and used green screen technology to film their forecasts before editing their final videos using digital production tools. Along the way, they built skills in communication, problem-solving, creativity, and media production – learning how technology and storytelling come together to create a polished broadcast. 🎬🌦️
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Students in Mrs. Schwartz’s kindergarten class at Flat Rock Elementary recently spent a special day creating handmade keepsakes for their families and friends. With help from parent volunteers, students rotated through several craft stations before wrapping up the day with a holiday party – complete with decorating Mrs. Schwartz as a Christmas tree. 🎄🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Powhatan Middle School eighth graders in Mrs. Phinney’s Physical Science class put Newton’s Laws of Motion to the test earlier this semester through a hands-on station lab. Students rotated through experiments designed to help them describe, predict, and explain how forces affect the motion of objects.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

On the last day before Winter Break, Mrs. McCue’s first graders at Pocahontas Elementary put their imaginations to work during a creative writing activity centered on the prompt, “If I were an elf…” ✏️🧝‍♂️ Students created their own elves and wrote stories to match, proudly sharing their finished work together as a class. #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Mrs. Cable’s kindergarten class at Powhatan Elementary got into the holiday spirit earlier this month with a hands-on craft project. Students created festive fabric wreaths, practicing fine motor skills while expressing their creativity.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Ms. Yates, Ms. Phillips, and Ms. Plazola’s preschool class at Flat Rock Elementary recently started their school day by making cards for their Teach for Tomorrow student teacher, a Powhatan High School senior, to show their love. A sweet moment of reading, gratitude, and connection across grade levels. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Pocahontas Elementary kindergarteners took a community helper field trip earlier this semester to learn more about the people and places that help keep their community running. From grocery stores and banks to the courthouse, fire department, sheriff’s office, an animal hospital, and even a sweet stop along the way, students got a firsthand look at how different helpers serve others each day. We’re grateful to our local partners for welcoming our curious young learners and helping make these connections come to life. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

During Mrs. Henley’s technology class at Powhatan Elementary, Mrs. Hall’s kindergarten students received a hands-on introduction to coding. 🐭💻 The students learned the basics of programming by building simple algorithms to guide a Robot Mouse to its target. Through trial, error, and teamwork, students practiced sequencing and problem-solving in a fun, age-appropriate way. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Sixth graders in Mr. Johnson’s and Mr. Bookbinder’s exploratory music classes at Powhatan Middle School got creative earlier this semester in the Innovation Lab with Dr. Spott. Students engineered models of musical instruments designed to change pitch, then explained how those changes would work if the instruments were real. A great blend of music, engineering, and problem-solving as students explored how sound is created and manipulated. 🎶🔧
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Merry Christmas! Powhatan County Public Schools wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday. We can't wait to see everyone in 2026!
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

After reading about the Gingerbread Man, Mrs. Lisa Rakes’ VPI Pre-K students at Powhatan Elementary went on an adventure of their own last week. 🍪👣 The Gingerbread Man had been spotted all around the school, leaving behind clues for students to follow as they tried to catch him. He may have been too fast to catch, but he did leave some special treats for them to find in their classroom at the end of the hunt. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Mrs. Peyton and Ms. Tolley’s senior English students at Powhatan High School recently kicked off their introduction to A Christmas Carol with a hands-on library activity that mixed learning with a little friendly competition. 📚🎄 One station tested students’ tossing skills while they worked together to decide whether various British holiday traditions were true or false.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Second graders at Powhatan Elementary learned the many jobs one little letter can do earlier this month. ✏️📖 In Mrs. Cheatham’s class, students explored the different sounds the letter Y can make depending on where it appears in a word. This structured literacy lesson helped students build phonics skills and deepen their understanding of how words work – one sound at a time.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan