Zachary Durrbeck has chosen to build tab collection boxes for his Eagle Scout project. Pop-top tab collections are an easy way to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond. We are hopeful having collection boxes throughout the community will encourage more participation. He presented the school principals with the boxes for their school at the Oct. 10 school board meeting, where school board members thanked him for his thoughtful gesture. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
A recent $50,000 donation to Powhatan High School’s Electricity program by a former industry nonprofit organization has sparked a great deal of joy.
Mike Payne, the high school’s electricity and building trades teacher, was notified in September that one of The Builders’ Exchange of Virginia’s last acts as an industry organization would be to donate its remaining funds to local schools and organizations, including the program in Powhatan.
Adam Foege, treasurer of The Builders’ Exchange of Virginia, presented the check at the high school during the Electricity 2 class, where he toured the facilities and spoke with students. Foege also represented the former trade group at a meeting of the Powhatan County School Board on October 10 and was recognized for the generous donation to the program.
The organization, which lasted more than 100 years, used to raise money to help offset blueprint costs for contractors making bids on jobs, Foege said.
Career and workforce development programs like the electricity program at PHS are instrumental in furthering trade industries, said Foege, who is also the president of the Central Virginia Electrical Contractors Association. He applauded the work the program does in preparing students who want to pursue a career in the electrical field and said donating to it was an excellent legacy for The Builders’ Exchange to leave behind.
“It lays the foundation for not only their work for the employers but it also sets them up with the right tools that they are going to need in the trade,” he said.
When Foege first called to tell him about the donation, Payne said he was blown away by the large amount. He hopes to use part of the money for requests that don’t fit into the program’s allocated budget.
However, the use he is most excited about is setting up scholarships that will offset the startup costs graduates face when going into apprenticeships.
“I am hoping it will benefit as many students going into the trades as it possibly can. What we have done here in Powhatan in the last few years with the partnerships, I think this shows how important those partnerships are with business and industry,” Payne said.
Kathryn Garrett, the division’s Career and Technical Education Coordinator, expressed deep gratitude to Foege and The Builders’ Exchange of Virginia for the generous donation.
“These funds will be used to support students in their pursuit and training of a career in the electricity field, and the benefits of this donation will impact our electricity programs for many years to come. We appreciate this partnership immensely,” she said.
Join us for Unity Day! PCPS will celebrate Unity Day by wearing ORANGE
for KINDNESS on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.
School bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of our nation's students, and is the direct link between your homes and the classroom. More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day, and National School Bus Safety Week serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers, and the community to keep school bus safety in the forefront. Here are tips to keep our children safe at the bus stop. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Powhatan County Public Schools will be recognizing Bullying Prevention Week October 16-20. We are asking our students to “pledge to support others that have been hurt or harmed and treat others with kindness.” We are asking all PCPS students to wear orange on Wednesday 18, 2023, for “Unity Day.” #wearepcps #teampowhatan
School bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of our nation's students, and is the direct link between your homes and the classroom. More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day, and National School Bus Safety Week serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers, and the community to keep school bus safety in the forefront. Here are tips to keep our children safe at the bus stop. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Through the action of a committed group of youth with disabilities, the General Assembly officially recognized October as Disability History and Awareness Month (DHAM). The youth also developed this credo: Disability history education and awareness will promote positive attitudes in schools creating a culture of mutual respect, understanding, and equal opportunities for all.
This month highlights the success that Virginians with disabilities have had reducing barriers they have faced to employment, healthcare, education and community living, while helping raise awareness of the ongoing contributions and achievements that they bring to the Commonwealth throughout the year.
Students and families at Powhatan High School came together on Oct. 4 to learn more about the community-based internships that students will be participating in during the 2023-2024 school year. Look for them around town at: Powhatan County Public Library, Elizabeth Randolph Lewis Powhatan YMCA, Sodexo, Powhatan State Park, Rise and Grind, Backpacks of Love, and Herff Jones. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Please share info about Powhatan fall festivals, trail walks, haunted houses, trunk or treats, and other kid-friendly autumn/Halloween events for PCPS families. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS is looking for community members who are interested in helping us create our next Six-Year Technology Plan. The technology plan will guide us as we purchase, integrate, and support technology over the next six years. The plan provides a roadmap not just for how our technology will support classroom instruction, but also how we can use technology to support internet safety, business operations, and network security. The first meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 17.
If you would like to have a voice in these decisions by joining our committee, please contact Jeff Durrett, Director of Technology, at jdurrett@powhatan.k12.va.us.
Powhatan High School recently held a Club Fair to allow students to learn about all of the wonderful opportunities to get involved in their school and either explore existing or find new interests. Great job by the clubs setting up displays that told what they are about and hopefully attracted new members. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today is National Instructional Coach Day, when we honor the men and women who work with teachers to improve the quality of their lessons and the quality of students' education. These instructional coaches, some of whom are shown here, serve as mentors and role models, helping teachers stay fresh and use the latest techniques and technologies in their classrooms. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Every vote counts! That was the message Powhatan County Director of Elections Karen Alexander tried to drive home when she spoke with the PHS senior class this week. Alexander talked about the importance of young people making their voices heard on issues they care about through voting and walked them through the process to register once they are eligible. Thank you, Ms. Alexander for speaking to the more than 350 seniors on this vital topic. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Well the title did say Beauty AND the Beast! Cosmetology 1 students Olivia Benton (model), Addison May, and Brielle Walters represented Powhatan High School well when they competed at the Virginia State Fair in the SkillsUSA Virginia competition. The talented young ladies, who were competing for the first time, brought home fourth place in the Total Fantasy Look Competition. The theme for the competition was Fairy Tale Characters, and these three cosmetology students definitely met the brief. Congratulations! #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Over the next few months, Powhatan County Public Schools will be spotlighting the awesome employees who joined our staff this year. Please join us in welcoming them to the PCPS family. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
The Powhatan High School Marching Band competed in its first marching band competition of the 2023 season on Sept. 30 at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. The band placed second in Class 2A and first place in Percussion for Class 2A. A big shout out to these hardworking students. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PHS freshmen Justine LaPrad and Emily Weaver don't buckle as they hold the weight of the world in their hands. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Congratulations to the Powhatan High School JROTC Raiders! The cadets recently competed at Harrisonburg High School, where the Powhatan Boys Raider A Team won first place in the logistics race and the Powhatan Female Raider Team won first place in the logistics race. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Just a reminder that today (Oct. 2), Powhatan County Public Schools and the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office are hosting a School Safety and Security Panel Discussion for PCPS parents and families. Topics will include safety at PCPS schools, student discipline, and social media/online safety. Please plan to join us at the Pocahontas Landmark Center on Oct. 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Having clean schools is an essential part of making sure our students have a safe place to learn. Today is National Custodian Day, so we want to give a huge shout out to all of the men and women who work for HES, some of whom are shown here, and take care of our buildings both day and night. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
