🧡 Teacher Appreciation Week: Celebrating Powhatan Middle School! 🧡
Last week, we kicked off early celebrations with Staff Appreciation Luncheons across PCPS, hosted by our amazing Human Resources team. It was a chance to pause and thank our teams before the excitement of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9).
Here are some moments from the luncheon at PMS — where the commitment and camaraderie of our staff shined through every smile. Check out the PCPS Facebook page for more photos.
To all the educators and staff at Powhatan Middle: thank you for guiding, inspiring, and supporting our students during such a formative time. Your impact is immeasurable.
Tag a teacher or staff member from PMS in the comments of this morning’s post and let’s lift them up together! 💬🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible educators at Powhatan Middle School as part of PCPS’s Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations! 🌟From guiding students through big transitions to encouraging them to discover their passions, these teachers do it all. Join us in celebrating them — post a favorite memory or a message of appreciation for a Powhatan Middle School teacher who made a difference. 💬🍎🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
📣Important announcement for PCPS Transportation📣
All PCPS Families should have received an important message from Powhatan County Public Schools regarding electing Transportation for the 2025-2026 school year.
Last year, Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) implemented a new opt-in system, where families were asked to sign up only if they required bus transportation. For the 2025-2026 school year, we are shifting to a new process. All families are now required to complete a transportation request form, regardless of whether or not their child(ren) will be using the bus service.
You will need your child’s ID Number or “720 number,” which is provided in the email. Be aware that a separate email will be sent to you for each child enrolled in PCPS.
🧡 Teacher Appreciation Week: Celebrating Pocahontas Elementary! 🧡
Last week, our Human Resources team hosted a heartfelt Staff Appreciation Luncheon at each school in the division — a meaningful way to honor our incredible educators before the busyness of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9).
Here’s a look at the celebration at POCA — a warm moment of connection, laughter, and well-deserved appreciation. See more photos on the PCPS Facebook page.
To the entire team at Pocahontas Elementary: your passion, creativity, and care shape young lives every single day. Thank you for all you do.
Don’t forget to drop a message or memory for your favorite POCA team member in this morning’s post — let’s show them the love! 💬🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible educators at Pocahontas Elementary as part of PCPS’s Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations! 🌟 Their patience, passion, and commitment help our students grow every single day. Let’s show them some love — drop a memory, a thank-you, or a shoutout to a Pocahontas teacher who’s made a difference for your child or family. 💬🍎🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🌟 Teacher Appreciation Week: Celebrating Flat Rock Elementary! 🌟
Last week, our Human Resources team hosted a special Staff Appreciation Luncheon at each school — a thoughtful way to celebrate ahead of the busy energy of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9).
Here are a few snapshots from the luncheon at FRES — a small gesture for a mighty team. The smiles, laughter, and sense of community say it all. 🙌 You can find more photos on the PCPS Facebook page.
To every teacher, assistant, specialist, and staff member at Flat Rock: thank you for the heart, dedication, and excellence you bring to your students each and every day.
If you haven’t yet, scroll back and share your favorite memories or shout-outs to FRES staff in this morning’s post. Let’s flood them with appreciation! 💬🍎 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible educators at Flat Rock Elementary as part of PCPS’s Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations! 🌟 Their dedication, creativity, and heart shape the lives of students in unforgettable ways. Help us celebrate them — share a favorite memory, a kind word, or a shoutout to a Flat Rock teacher who’s made an impact in your life. 💬🍎 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
📣 We're Hiring! 📣
Powhatan County Public Schools is looking for dedicated professionals to join our team.
Current Positions:
• Assistant Principal – Elementary
• Database Analyst
• Bus Drivers
• Bookkeeper – High School
• Lead Teacher – Middle School
Visit the PCPS website for more information and to apply.
Join us in making a difference every day in the lives of Powhatan children! ✨ #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🎭 Opening Night is TONIGHT!
The wait is over — Hadestown: Teen Edition hits the stage at Powhatan High School starting tonight at 7 p.m.! The cast, crew, and staff have poured their hearts into this unforgettable musical, and these rehearsal shots are just a glimpse of the magic they’re about to deliver. They are going to do Powhatan High School and Powhatan Middle School proud.
Come experience the myth, the music, and the power of live theatre.
🎟️ Tickets just $10 — available at the door.
📍 PHS Auditorium
📅 May 2 @ 7 p.m.
📅 May 3 @ 1:30 & 7 p.m.
📅 May 4 @ 1:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 8+.
Join us and be part of the story.
#HadestownTeenEdition #wearepcps #teampowhatan #openingnight
🏃♀️ Lace up your running shoes for a great cause! 🏃♂️
Join the Morgan's Message: Powhatan Chapter for the First Annual May Miles Event this Saturday, May 3rd from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Powhatan High School Stadium!
This community event is all about completing laps to raise funds for Morgan's Message, an incredible PHS club supporting mental health awareness. 🌟
👉 Here’s how it works:
• There’s no entry fee – just find one adult sponsor who will pledge a donation for each lap you complete!
• Donuts, drinks, and snacks will be provided! 🍩🥤
• PHS students, staff, and community members are ALL invited to participate! Just make sure to sign up using the Google form in the comments. ✍️
Morgan's Message was founded by the Roger's family after the tragic passing of their daughter, Morgan, who died by suicide. Morgan’s Message: Powhatan Chapter was created in 2023 at Powhatan High School and has hosted a plethora of dedication games, information booths, and fundraisers to spread awareness throughout the student athlete community. See you on the track! 🏅 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS welcomes two new principals for 2025-2026 school year
Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) is pleased to welcome two dynamic educators to lead two of its schools in the 2025-2026 school year. Mr. Michael Pierce has been hired as Principal of Powhatan High School, and Dr. Jason Gill will serve as Principal of Powhatan Elementary School.
Both men were approved at the School Board’s April meeting and will assume their new positions effective July 1, 2025.
Mr. Pierce to lead PHS
Mr. Michael Pierce brings more than two decades of service in education and the military to his new role at Powhatan High School. Most recently serving as Principal at James H. Cary Intermediate School, Mr. Pierce said he strives to be a collaborative leader focused on instructional excellence and student success. His career spans 11 years in public education and 10 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army.
“I’m excited to assume my role as Principal of Powhatan High School and apply the lessons I’ve learned over the past 20 years as an Army leader, teacher, coach, and administrator,” Mr. Pierce shared in a letter to the PHS community. “My guiding philosophy - the thread I can trace through the diverse journey that brought me here - is the paramount importance of building relationships and maintaining a servant’s heart.”
When working with PHS staff, Mr. Pierce said he will endeavor to provide the outstanding leadership they deserve through collaborative and data-driven decision making, ensuring that teachers have the information, tools, and time they need to accomplish their important work.
Regardless of his title, Mr. Pierce said he will always view himself as a professional educator, adding his primary place of duty is in the classrooms and common areas of PHS, working alongside its talented staff to educate the young adults of this community.
Mr. Pierce holds two master’s degrees in education from Old Dominion University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Drury University. He will be joined in Powhatan by his wife, Pamela, and their three children.
“Our family is excited to become part of this community, and Pamela and I are thrilled to place our children’s education in the capable hands of Powhatan’s teachers and coaches,” he said. “We look forward to playing an active role in the community and meeting new friends and neighbors.”
The role of interim PHS Principal is currently being filled by Aaron Boughner, who stepped into the position this spring and has done a wonderful job leading the high school. Mr. Boughner will transition to his new role as Assistant Director of Student Services and Interventions on July 1, 2025.
Dr. Gill to lead POWES
Dr. Jason Gill joins Powhatan Elementary with 24 years of educational experience, including 11 years in leadership roles within Chesterfield County Public Schools. He is currently serving as Associate Principal of Falling Creek Elementary School, where he provides instructional leadership, guides professional development, and oversees special education services and school-wide attendance initiatives.
In a letter to the POWES community, Dr. Gill emphasized his commitment to building strong relationships with staff, students, and families. He plans to spend his first 60 days meeting with school leaders to better understand the needs and strengths of the school community. He also announced plans for summer engagement opportunities, including weekly chat sessions with parents and community members, as well as a back-to-school picnic in August.
“My personal vision as a member of the Powhatan community is to provide a safe learning environment where all of our students feel loved, welcomed, and are pushed to be the best student he or she can be,” Dr. Gill said. “We can do this by working collectively to ensure we are using the most up-to-date and research-based instructional practices, making sure we have the necessary materials for our staff to use with our students, understand the social and emotional well-being of our students, and inviting parents and community partners into our school to share in this journey.”
A graduate of Virginia Tech with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Dr. Gill also holds a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s from Longwood College.
Dr. Gill emphasized his commitment to instructional leadership, relationship building, the ability to form community partnerships as well as knowing how to make a school a fun learning environment.
Mrs. Constance Deal has helped lead Powhatan Elementary as an administrator for almost 30 years, first as Assistant Principal and then in her current role as Principal. Mrs. Deal’s outstanding 37-year career in education has taken place at Powhatan Elementary, and she has touched the lives of generations of Powhatan children in her career. She will retire as of June 30, 2025.
We want to make our PCPS families aware of an important update for the 2025–2026 school year. The School Board has approved adding 10 minutes to the school day, and adjusting bell schedules across all schools to better coordinate transportation. The new daily schedule will be as follows: Elementary students may be dropped off at 8:25 a.m., with classes starting at 8:40 a.m. and dismissal at 3:30 p.m. Middle School drop-off begins at 7:20 a.m., classes start at 7:35 a.m., and dismissal is at 2:25 p.m. High School students can be dropped off at 7:25 a.m., with a 7:40 a.m. start time and dismissal at 2:30 p.m.
In addition, the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year will begin with staggered start dates to help key grade levels ease into the new school year with extra support. For elementary students, Grades 1–5 and Pre-K/Kindergarten students with last names A–M will start on August 18. Pre-K/K students with last names N–Z will begin on August 19, and all Pre-K/K students will attend together starting August 20. For secondary students, only Grades 6 and 9 will start on August 18. Grades 7–8 and 10–12 will join them on August 19.
We encourage families to review the dates and times closely and mark their calendars now!
#wearepcps #teampowhatan
📚🎲 Earlier this semester, a group of engineering students from Powhatan High School created an awesome game to help Powhatan Elementary third graders in Mrs. Beach’s class practice their math facts—and they’ve been loving it ever since! One of the students visited the classroom to teach the students how to play. All of the students got a chance to try it out, and they were so excited. The best part? The game is adaptable for any subject—not just math! 💡🎉 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
💜 April is the Month of the Military Child, and Pocahontas Elementary showed its support by participating in Purple Up! Earlier this month, students and staff wore purple to honor our military-connected children and recognize the strength and resilience they show every day. Some POCA military students stayed after school to celebrate—reading a story together, decorating cookies, and adding their handprints to a banner that now hangs proudly in the school’s front hall. We’re proud to stand with our military families and thankful for all they do! 💜 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
PCPS will not offer Head Start in 2025-2026 school year
Contributed Report
In response to a recent decision by Richmond Public Schools to reduce its Head Start program allocations, Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) is no longer able to offer the program beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
On April 8, the Richmond School Board voted to reduce its regional preschool program by 200 seats, including 17 slots previously filled by Powhatan students. This decision stems from evolving circumstances and shifts in regional partnerships, which unfortunately impact Powhatan’s ability to support a Head Start class next year.
PCPS remains committed to the importance of early childhood education, particularly for children who need additional support transitioning into kindergarten. Powhatan will continue to offer its Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) programs. These programs have distinct eligibility criteria and application deadlines, which parents and guardians are encouraged to review on the PCPS website.
For more information on the ECSE and VPI programs, please visit https://www.powhatan.k12.va.us/page/preschool-programs or contact the PCPS Early Childhood Education office at 804-598-5700.
In March, Powhatan High School’s Readers and Writers Club hosted a Cake Walk in the library — a sweet celebration with a deeper meaning. 🍰📚 Originally planned for February in honor of Black History Month, the event was delayed due to snow but still brought the students together when it finally happened. The cake walk has powerful roots. According to the Birmingham Historical Society, it began as a pre-Civil War dance performed by enslaved African Americans. Known then as the “prize walk,” dancers would compete for a beautifully decorated cake — the origin of familiar phrases like “takes the cake” and “cakewalk.” We’re proud our students honored this unique piece of Black cultural history with fun, learning, and reading-themed prizes. #wearepcps #teampowhatan
🍦🎉 Students who have joined Pocahontas Elementary since October got a sweet surprise today—a new student ice cream party during lunchtime! Each new student got to bring a friend, making the celebration even more special, as you can see by the smiles on these kindergarteners’ faces. This tradition happens twice a year, giving new students a chance to feel seen, celebrated, and connected. 🧡 🍨 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Time to turn in those aluminum pop tabs! 🧡 This week, all five schools are collecting tabs to recycle for the Ronald McDonald House. Don’t forget to bring them in. Which school will come out on top? #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Today at Powhatan Elementary, our amazing third graders made Earth Day extra special! 🌍🌱 Students from Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Beach’s classes took it upon themselves to help clean up the playground. Mrs. Beach had just finished a lesson about Earth Day this morning, and these young environmentalists were so motivated, they decided to pick up trash all on their own. We are so happy they were inspired to take action to do something for their school and for the Earth. 💚 🧡 #wearepcps #teampowhatan
Still smiling from all the laughs and talent at Friday night’s Mr. Powhatan 2025 competition! 🎤 Huge shoutout to all the amazing young men who took the stage—you brought the energy, the charm, and definitely the fun.
🎉 Big congrats to our new Mr. Powhatan, Alberto Sanna!
👏 First runner-up: Nolan Stamp
🙌 Second runner-up: Maki Enomoto
You guys crushed it!
Also, mad love to contestants Jackson Faris, CT Rich, Colin Murray, and Matthew Taylor—you made the night unforgettable.
And let’s not forget the awesome work by the PHS Leftovers with their fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and all of the staff members who pitched in to help. So proud of this crew! 💜🎗️ #wearepcps #teampowhatan
