Powhatan Middle School

Jackson and Alex Fife, two creative students at Powhatan Middle School, recently shared their love of 3D- building with a special gift for their peers. Through their family nonprofit, Fife’s Fun with Filament, they used 3-D printers to create 125 fidgets – 25 for each PCPS school – to help students manage stress and stay focused. The donation was presented during ACCT with Principal Colin Innes, Superintendent Beth Teigen, and School Board Chair Susan Smith in attendance. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

At Tuesday night's meeting, the School Board recognized the winners of the seven Classroom Innovation Grants awarded this year by the Powhatan Education Foundation (PEF). These grants, which total $16,168.99 this year, support creative projects that enrich instruction, spark student curiosity, and strengthen connections with our community.

Grant Recipients:

* Loren Jacobs, Powhatan High School, $1,888.99 for “Touch & Learn: An Interactive Display to Ignite Curiosity in High School.”

* Kelly Terry, Flat Rock Elementary, $2,775 for “Take a Future View Into Immersive Digital Learning with ViewSonic Interactive ViewBoards.”

* Libbey Kitten, Instructional Specialist – Science, $2,000 for “From Powhatan to the Stars: Inspiring Student Curiosity with a Traveling Planetarium.”

* Barbara Adcock, Pocahontas Elementary, $1,960 for “Energy Transfer: Insulators and Conductors of Thermal Energy.”

* Rebekah Crump, Pocahontas Elementary, $2,545 for “Powering the Future.”

* Jana Ford, Pocahontas Elementary, $2,000 for “Second Grade Outdoor Learning Space.”

* Athea Hudson and Tracy Ingle, Powhatan High School, $3,000 for “Renaissance Festival.”

Ahead of Veterans Day, Powhatan Middle School students put their creativity and gratitude to work in ACCT, making more than 350 cards to thank our veterans for their service. Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Antone delivered the cards to Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where they were shared with veterans in a special Veterans Day celebration on November 7. ❤️🤍💙🧡🖤 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

On this Veterans Day and every day, Powhatan County Public Schools extends our heartfelt gratitude to all veterans – especially those within our school community – for their service and sacrifice. #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

🎭 Come out Friday night and support Powhatan High School Theatre! The PHS Theatre Department will present two very different adaptations of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s famous short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” on Friday, November 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the PHS auditorium. It’s a great chance to enjoy an evening of powerful performances and cheer on our talented student actors before they head to the VHSL One-Act Competition at Huguenot High School! Tickets are "pay what you wish" at the door. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

🏈 Goal Line Food Drive: Powhatan vs. Cosby! 🥫
This Friday’s matchup isn’t just about touchdowns – it’s about tackling hunger! Powhatan and Cosby fans are going head-to-head in a friendly food drive competition to help local families in need. Bring nonperishable food items to the game and drop them off at your team’s collection area. Let’s show that Powhatan’s heart is as strong as its spirit.
📅 Friday, Nov. 7
📍 Powhatan High School
🕖 Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.

🗳️ Leading up to Election Day, kindergarten students in Mrs. Senger’s class at Pocahontas Elementary were introduced to important new vocabulary words about voting, laws, and government through their All About Voting workbooks. The age-appropriate social studies lesson helped the students approach really big concepts through examples they could understand. When the lesson was over, they made the books even more special by coloring them. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

🗳️ It’s never too early to learn about the importance of voting! Kindergarten students at Pocahontas Elementary participated in their own class election, casting ballots to decide between two beloved candidates – Duck and Clifford. Mrs. Pilkenton’s students were thrilled to cast their votes. And the winner is...Clifford! ❤️ #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

As part of a creative cross-curricular effort by Powhatan Middle School’s literacy committee, Mrs. Kopelove’s eighth grade art students took part in a Dead Poet’s Memorial Service project in October. 🎨📚 Students researched poets, created tombstone sculptures in art class, and wrote eulogies to honor the poets’ lives and work. They even shared readings of their artists' poems during their presentations. The finished tombstones were later displayed in the library, showcasing a thoughtful blend of art, research, and literature. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

📅 Don’t forget!
There’s no school for students on Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4.
• Monday: Student and staff holiday (excludes 12-month employees)
• Tuesday: Parent-teacher conferences
Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Wednesday! 🧡
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Art I students in Mrs. Patino-Wright’s class at Powhatan Middle School recently explored portrait drawing – from shading and value techniques to symbolism and emotional expression. After practicing with pen, charcoal, and colored pencil, students selected their preferred medium to create portraits that reflect emotion and tell a story through artistic choices. 🎨🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Every great plan includes reflection. PCPS is reviewing the division's strategic plan, Charting the Path to 2030, to measure our progress and ensure we remain on the right path. We are looking for people to join the Strategic Plan Steering Committee to help guide this next phase of our work. Applications are due November 10.
Steering committee dates:
12.8.25 9:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
1.16.26 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
2.17.26 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
7.28.26 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Scan the QR code or use the link in the comments to apply. #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

October is National Principals Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible leaders who guide our schools every day! Our principals do so much more than manage buildings – they inspire teachers, support students, build community, and help make Powhatan County Public Schools a place where everyone can learn and grow. From morning greetings to late-night events, our principals go above and beyond. Thank you for making a difference every single day with your leadership, compassion, and commitment! #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

🎃 It’s almost time for Trunk or Treat at Powhatan High School! 🎃🍬 Join us tonight from 5:00–6:30 p.m. in the bus loop for candy, games, music, and fun with our student-run trunks. Costumes welcome! 👻
Stick around after for the football game. It’s going to be a great night of community and school spirit. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Good afternoon PCPS Community. We are back again with another installment of the Powhatan County School Board Recap. 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. We wish you a safe and happy weekend!
Link to School Board Recap: https://secure.smore.com/n/m6bjw
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

In September, Powhatan Middle School held its first Scholastic Book Fair to encourage students to read. 📚 Mrs. Long and Ms. Moore’s English classes enjoyed exploring the many titles on display and discovering books that sparked their interest. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

✨ Love working with little learners? Powhatan County Public Schools is hiring a VPI Teacher for 3-year-olds! 🧡 Join us in helping our youngest students grow, explore, and shine. Must hold a valid Virginia teaching license. Apply today at on the PCPS website. #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Watershed program receives statewide award
POWHATAN, VA – Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) is proud to announce that its Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) has been named a 2025 Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement Award winner. This award recognizes innovative programs that make a lasting impact in communities across the Commonwealth.
Since 2018, the MWEE program has engaged all fourth-grade students – about 350 each year – in a two-day outdoor learning experience at Fighting Creek Park. The annual MWEE event for the 2025-2026 school year will occur this fall.
What makes this initiative unique is its peer-led model: Powhatan High School students from AP Environmental Science and Ecology classes serve as instructors.
Through hands-on science stations, fourth graders explore watershed health, human impacts on ecosystems, and environmental stewardship, while their high school mentors develop leadership, confidence, and communication skills.
This impactful experience is made possible through strong partnerships with the Powhatan Extension Office, Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District, James River Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and the Virginia Department of Forestry.
PCPS extends a special thank-you to Mrs. Stump and Mrs. DeHart for preparing high school students to lead this award-winning program.
PCPS is proud that the MWEE program reflects the division’s Strategic Plan by advancing Academic Excellence through authentic, hands-on learning and strengthening Family and Community Engagement through meaningful partnerships.
PHOTOS: Photos were taken during the 2024 MWEE event in Fighting Creek Park.

Powhatan County Public Schools would like to share an important update regarding the structure of School Board meetings.
Until now, the board has held two separate monthly meetings: a workshop session at 4:00 p.m. used primarily for closed session items and a regular business meeting at 6:00 p.m. Beginning with the October 14, 2025, meeting, the board will move to a single combined meeting format.
The meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. with time reserved for closed session (from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted). At 6:00 p.m., the board will reconvene in open session and continue with the remainder of the meeting.
This change is intended to improve transparency, clarity, and the overall flow of the School Board’s work. With one meeting instead of two, the agenda will use an improved structure designed to make it easier to follow discussions and decisions.
Agendas will continue to be posted the Thursday before each regular Tuesday meeting, and moving forward there will also be a single YouTube recording of the meeting, which we hope will reduce confusion.
We appreciate your attention to this change and your continued engagement with the important work of the School Board.

Powhatan Middle School students who completed the summer reading challenge were treated to a sweet reward earlier this month – an ice cream sandwich sundae party! 🍨📚 The fun doesn’t stop there: students can look forward to monthly reading challenges throughout the year. 🧡 #WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan