Powhatan High School

☕ Families are invited to join the next Powhatan Strong Coffee Chat!
The PCPS Student Services Department will host an online discussion Tuesday, October 5, at noon focused on opportunities to volunteer in Powhatan County Public Schools. If you’ve been looking for ways to get involved and support students and schools, this is a chance to learn more about how you can help.
Scan the QR code on the flyer or use the link in the comments to join online.
We hope you’ll join the conversation! 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Students in Mr. Payne’s Building Trades II class at Powhatan High School put their skills to work in a very practical way to help a fellow Career and Workforce Development course. The students helped build electrical booths for the school’s new electricity classroom, where electricity students will practice wiring and other electrical skills. The building trades students began by building a floor system to protect the classroom floor, then moved on to constructing the booths themselves.
The project has required more than just building skills. Students have had to use math and careful planning to make sure the booths fit the space while still leaving enough room to work. It’s hands-on learning that will continue to benefit PHS students for years to come. 🛠️🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

A new trail is opening in Powhatan, and the community is invited to celebrate!
The Education Connection Trail adds approximately 1 mile to the Fighting Creek Park trail system, creating more opportunities for recreation, connection, and community.
A ribbon cutting will take place Thursday, October 1, at 4 p.m. at Fighting Creek Park Soccer Field 2, 2201 Mann Road. Following the ceremony, Powhatan County Public Schools cross-country teams will lead an inaugural walk/run along the new trail.
Afterward, head over to the Farmers Market for local vendors, food trucks, and live music. We hope you’ll come out and enjoy this new community resource!
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan
The materials attached and the activity described herein are not sponsored or endorsed by the Powhatan County School Board.

Mrs. McQuiddy’s Chemistry students at Powhatan High School recently worked in groups to practice classifying matter. Students rotated through stations, sorting cards into four categories: elements, compounds, solutions, and mixtures. Each table gave students plenty of opportunities to practice their classification skills so drill home for them how to classify different types of matter. 🧪🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

📣 PHS Juniors: Want to have a voice in local education?
Powhatan County Public Schools is looking for the first-ever Deputy Student Representative to the Powhatan County School Board!
The student representative provides a direct link between the School Board and students, bringing student perspectives and concerns to the board while gaining experience in leadership and local governance.
Applications are due November 10, 2026.
Want to learn more about the qualifications and how to apply? Visit the link in the comments or scan the QR code on the flyer.
Come be the voice of your student body! 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Help PHS Name the 78th Volume of the Big Chief Yearbook!
The Powhatan High School Yearbook Staff is getting ready to create Volume 78 of the Big Chief, and this year, they want our entire community to be part of the process!
The PHS yearbook is a collection of the memories, moments, people, and experiences that make up a school year. Yearbook staff believe the name should be chosen by the people who make those memories possible.
** The link to vote is in the comments. **
Here’s how they’ve chosen the pieces so far:
* Students voted on the theme for this year’s book.
* The yearbook staff voted on the cover color.
* Now, they want our community to help choose the title!
They have several title options that connect to our Powhatan Indian identity while also capturing the scrapbook-inspired theme of this year’s book.
Parents, families, students, staff, alumni, and community members are all invited to vote.
Voting ends Friday, September 25 at 3:00 p.m.
Your vote will help give Volume 78 its name and make this year’s Big Chief truly a book created by our community.
Thank you for helping us make Volume 78 of the Big Chief one to remember!

📚 Literacy for the Littles! 🖍️
Preschool-age children ages 3 to 5 are invited to join Powhatan County Public Schools, Powhatan County Public Library, and local preschools for a fun evening of storytime, themed goodies, and a coloring activity designed to encourage a lifelong love of reading!
📅 Monday, October 5
⏰ 6–7 p.m.
📍 Powhatan County Public Library
And there’s an extra treat: The first 50 preschoolers will receive a free book to take home! 📖
Come celebrate the joy of reading and help us promote literacy for everyone, everywhere. We hope to see you there!
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

As a new school year gets underway, the Powhatan County School Board joins VSBA and school divisions across Virginia in celebrating students, educators, and communities that are Rooted in Public Education.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan #BacktoSchoolVA

Our open house photo sharing continues with a look back at Powhatan High School before the start of the school year! Families came out to meet teachers, visit classrooms, learn more about the year ahead, and get settled in before students returned. Thank you to all the families who joined us and to the PHS staff members and volunteers who helped make the evening a success. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Sometimes the best way to learn about government is to see it in action. 🏛️ A group of Mr. Cook’s students from Powhatan High School attended the Sept. 8 School Board meeting as part of their study of local government. Students from both the ACA Dual Enrollment Government and non-ACA Dual Enrollment Government classes had a firsthand look at how the School Board operates, the types of decisions made during meetings, and the ways community members can participate in local government. 🧡🖤
Their visit was especially timely, as Chief Academic Officer Dr. Angela Stewart also highlighted updates to instruction at the meeting, including the expansion of dual enrollment opportunities to all PHS students, not just those in ACA.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Today is National IT Professionals Day, and it’s a great opportunity to recognize the PCPS Technology team! 💻 From keeping our networks and devices running to troubleshooting tech issues and supporting staff and students, our IT team does a lot behind the scenes to keep PCPS moving forward. Thank you to our technology team for all you do to keep us connected, supported, and working! 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Could science finally explain senior-itis? Mrs. Vallent’s AP Biology students at Powhatan High School recently put their lab skills to work with an immunology lab from Virginia Tech’s Fralin Life Sciences Institute through its Biotech in a Box program. Students used the ELISA technique to test samples for the highly contagious “disease” known as senior-itis. 😄 Behind the fun was some serious science. Students practiced experimental design and laboratory techniques while learning about the important role of positive and negative controls in an experiment. 🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Good morning PCPS Community. The Powhatan County School Board Recap for last week’s School Board 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. You can find the link to the recap in the comments.
#TeamPowhatan #WeArePCPS

📚 Pages, Possibilities & Potential: Welcome to Literacy Night!
Families are invited to join us Tuesday, September 15, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Powhatan Middle School for an evening celebrating literacy, learning, and the possibilities that come with a good book.
There will be food trucks starting at 5:30 p.m., a Scholastic Book Fair, family activities, opportunities to sign up for a Powhatan County Public Library card, and information sessions designed especially for parents.
📖 Parent Sessions
• 6:30 p.m. | So Your Middle Schooler Hates to Read
• 7 p.m. | Surviving Middle School: 101
And don't forget: Come out and win points for your class!
We hope to see you there!
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

The Never Forget 343 Run is underway at Powhatan High School.
This morning’s opening ceremony brought together students, staff, runners, first responders, and community guests to begin the 343 laps in honor of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Principal Michael Pierce shared a brief history of the tragic events of 9/11, while Powhatan High School JROTC cadets presented the colors and participated in the event. Students from several classes came out to watch and learn.
The three runners taking on all 343 laps are Pocahontas Elementary PE teacher Bethany Britz, along with Russ Holland and Stan Edwards. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Holland shared the history of the Never Forget Run and its purpose not only to remember those who were lost, but to educate young people about the importance of that history.
The run continues throughout the day and is open to community members coming to run or walk laps. The community is especially invited to join in from 3:00–6:00 p.m., after the high school dismisses and when parking is more accessible.
A special lap for first responders will take place around 6:00-6:15 p.m., leading into tonight’s Powhatan vs. Midlothian football game at 7:00 p.m.
Come out, take a lap and help Powhatan remember, honor and never forget. ❤️🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

A few moments from this morning’s September 11 ceremony at Powhatan Middle School.
As we shared in our earlier video, members of Scouting America Troops 832 and 1833 led the flag-raising ceremony, shared the meaning of the Freedom Flag, and reflected on the significance of September 11, 2001. Eighth-grade chorus students performed the National Anthem, and invited social studies classes gathered to respectfully take part.
Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember, honor, and help the next generation understand the history of September 11.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

On November 3, our community will vote on a proposed 1% local sales tax referendum for Powhatan County Public Schools.

​​This tax could generate approximately $5 million annually, depending on retail activity, with an estimated $1 million of that coming from visitors and non-residents. That revenue could support more than $60 million in debt capacity over 20 years and help fund a significant portion of the division’s identified capital needs.
Learn more and find answers to FAQs: https://www.powhatanfuture.org.

🤖 Ready to build something awesome? PCPS 8th through 12th graders are invited to the Robotics Kickoff Meeting on Saturday, September 12, at Powhatan High School! Students will have the opportunity to build robots, learn computer design, and meet others who are interested in robotics. And yes, lunch is included! The kickoff runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 1038. Enter through Door 4 near the bus loop. For more information, contact Mr. Beasley at marcellus.beasley@powhatan.k12.va.us.
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

Getting a learner’s permit is a big step, and Ms. Spotts’ Driver Education students at Powhatan High School are getting a chance to practice the process before they head to the DMV. Students recently moved through mock DMV stations designed to helped them understand what they’ll encounter when applying for their learner’s permit, from presenting their credentials and completing knowledge and vision testing to having their photo taken. It’s a practical way to take some of the mystery out of the process and help students feel prepared for the real thing. 🚗🧡🖤
#WeArePCPS #TeamPowhatan

REMINDER: The next regular School Board Meeting will be held on September 8, 2026, at Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, VA 23139. At 4:00 p.m., the regular meeting will begin with a scheduled closed session. At 6:00 p.m., the regular open meeting begins. It will also be streamed live on the PCPS YouTube channel.