Powhatan Education Foundation -

Mrs. Heinike’s honors biology class recently conducted an investigation to determine if digestive enzymes were responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates to simple carbohydrates using Benedict’s Solution as an indicator. The results didn’t turn out exactly as expected, but that’s part of doing science. As Mrs. Heinike pointed out, investigations don’t always go according to plan, and unexpected results can be part of the learning process.
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A milestone worth celebrating

Today, the Virginia Department of Education released accountability results for the 2025–26 school year, and Powhatan County Public Schools has plenty to celebrate: PCPS earned full accreditation, and ALL FIVE of our schools earned the state’s highest performance category, Distinguished. 🎉

This recognition reflects the hard work of our staff and students and the families who support them. It represents the countless moments each day when teachers challenge students, students rise to those challenges, and families partner with our schools to help their children learn and grow. We are proud of what this achievement says about the commitment of our entire school community.

At the same time, we know a strong result is not a reason to stop growing. Distinguished does not mean perfect, and it does not mean there isn't more work to do. We know there are students who need additional support, opportunities we can strengthen, and ways we can continue improving the experience and outcomes for every student.

So today, we celebrate the achievement and the people behind it. Tomorrow, we keep moving forward.

Congratulations to our students, staff, and families on this accomplishment. We are proud to be PCPS, and we are always working to be better for every student.

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There are many reasons families may not have the time to volunteer in the ways they’ve traditionally been asked to. But supporting your child’s school and community doesn’t have to mean committing to a regular schedule or taking on a big role.
So, what are the possibilities? Join the next Powhatan Strong: Family Connection Series session Tuesday at noon to learn more about opportunities for families and community members to get involved with Powhatan County Public Schools.
Whether you have a little time, a lot of time, or something specific you’d like to contribute, there may be a way to make it work. ☕🧡🖤
Scan the QR code on the graphic or click on https://bit.ly/PowhatanStrong26-27 to join the online discussion.
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🎨 PCPS students, we want to see what the holiday season means to you!
Students in pre-K through twelfth grade are invited to submit artwork inspired by the theme “What does the holiday season mean to you and your family?” One or more student submissions will be selected to appear on the PCPS official holiday card!
Submissions are due October 30, 2026. Artwork can be turned in to your school’s front office or emailed to Stacey Pafford at stacey.pafford@powhatan.k12.va.us.
Check out the flyer for all the details and start creating! 🧡🖤
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Third graders in Mrs. Trigg’s class at Powhatan Elementary recently worked on language and writing skills with some hands-on activities, with help from Mrs. Reid. Students worked in groups to play games focused on prefixes before turning their attention to writing. Then they brainstormed ideas for a prompt about how to stay out of trouble and used a graphic organizer to plan their ideas into structured paragraphs. A little wordplay, a little writing, and plenty of practice! 📝🧡🖤
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☕ 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! 🧡🖤
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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. 🛠️🧡🖤
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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!
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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. 🧪🧡🖤
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📣 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! 🧡🖤
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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!
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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.
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We’re continuing to share photos from the open houses held across PCPS before the start of the school year, with a look back at Powhatan Middle School. Families had the opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, find their way around the building, and get ready for the year ahead. Thank you to all the families who came out, as well as the PMS staff members and volunteers who helped make the evening a success. 🧡🖤
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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. 🧡🖤
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We need to circle back and share some of the open house photos we haven’t had the chance to share yet. First up, Flat Rock Elementary. Thank you to all the families who came out to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and get ready for a new school year. And a big thank-you to the Flat Rock staff members and volunteers who helped make the evening such a success. We’re a few weeks into the school year now, but it’s still fun to look back at the excitement that helped get it started! 🧡🖤
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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.
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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! 🧡🖤
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What happens when matter changes from a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a gas? 🤔 Ms. Kellaway’s fifth grade science students at Powhatan Elementary were challenged to think about that question as they explored the different phases of matter and learned about the law of conservation of mass.
The answer? Changing form doesn’t mean matter disappears. The same matter is still there, just in a different form!
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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. 🧡🖤
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